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Dodge, Hyundai crowdsourced-funding sites deemed successes

What's not to love about crowdsourcing? This idea, after all, has given us Kickstarter as well Local Motors, but automakers are starting to use the social platform to sell more cars (or just drum up a little PR). Both Dodge and Hyundai have used "crowd-funding" recently, and while Automotive News is reporting that neither has racked up big sales with this gimmick, both automakers are pleased with the attention.
For Hyundai, it teamed up with website Motozuma.com to help customers crowdsource money for a down payment, and the automaker matched this amount up to $500. Last year, this helped Hyundai sell an extra 1,600 units, a fraction of its total 2012 sales. That figure is far larger than Dodge fared with the Dodge Dart Registry - it netted only two sales and a small number of individual options. This registry did help University of Southern California fraternity crowdsource $18,000 to buy a Dart for a local Meals on Wheels, however. Despite the low sales figures, Dodge and Hyundai are considering their crowdsourcing programs a success since it helped them connect with younger buyers.

Dodge recalls 27k Darts for bracket that can disrupt transmission module

Dodge is recalling 27,520 examples of the 2013-2015 Dart with dual-clutch gearboxes. The mounting bracket for the transmission control module can affect the part's operation and cause the compacts to suddenly shift into neutral. According to the automaker, 23,688 of them are in the US, 3,376 in Canada, 5 in Mexico, and 451 elsewhere. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports these examples carry build dates between February 24, 2012, and June 16, 2015. There are also no reports of accidents or injuries. Because of the way the bracket is mounted, the part can put too much force on the control module's circuit board and cause it to shift out of gear. The engine and airbags remain operable if this happens. To fix things, dealers will install a redesigned mount and replacement module. Related Video: Statement: Mounting Bracket September 14, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 23,688 cars in the U.S. to replace certain control modules and mounting brackets that may contribute to a loss of motive power. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. An FCA US investigation prompted by a small number of warranty claims discovered a control-module mounting bracket may apply too much force and disrupt the function of a circuit board within the module. This condition, unique to certain cars equipped with dual dry-clutch transmissions (DDCT), may cause the transmission to shift into neutral. However, the engine remains on and the vehicle's air-bags, as well as other safety features, are unaffected. The condition may also be preceded by the illumination of a dashboard warning light. Customers who observe this are urged to contact their dealers. The campaign is limited to certain 2013-2015 Dodge Darts equipped with DDCTs. Additional vehicles will be recalled in Canada (3,376), Mexico (five) and outside the NAFTA region (451). Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. Service will entail installation of a redesigned mounting bracket and replacement of the control module. Customers with additional questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.

Dodge Viper saved from crusher by students, but will it last?

The saga of the Washington state community college hoping to keep its allegedly pre-production Dodge Viper out of the maw of the crusher is going strong. Not only does the school still have the car, but there's a chance that the college might even get to keep it.
The whole situation flared up in March when the South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA, received a notice from Chrysler Group that requested that the school's Viper be destroyed. The automaker had loaned the muscle car to it about a decade ago to use for educational purposes in its auto tech classes. With the Dodge growing long in the tooth, "it is unlikely that these vehicles offer any educational value to students," the company said in its press release on the matter.
However, the college balked at destroying its Viper, despite the fact it had signed a contract with Chrysler Group to do so. The school further claimed that its car was incredibly special because it was a pre-production example and just the fourth one made back in 1992. Although, as we pointed out at the time, the photos of the school's vehicle showed a coupe that looked like a newer Viper GTS.