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FCA fibbed on sales according to internal report

Following last week's news that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is under investigation by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly fudging sales figures, a new report in Automotive News says an internal investigation at FCA uncovered misreported sales. According to the AN story, 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles from various FCA brands were reported sold by dealers, but no customers existed for those cars. FCA sales chief Reid Bigland has already put a stop to the practice. One potential reason for the practice was to maintain the company's month-to-month sales increase streak, currently at 75 months. In April, FCA added a lengthy disclaimer to its sales announcements: "FCA US reported vehicle sales represent sales of its vehicles to retail and fleet customers, as well as limited deliveries of vehicles to its officers, directors, employees and retirees. Sales from dealers to customers are reported to FCA US by dealers as sales are made on an ongoing basis through a new vehicle delivery reporting system that then compiles the reported data as of the end of each month. "Sales through dealers do not necessarily correspond to reported revenues, which are based on the sale and delivery of vehicles to the dealers. In certain limited circumstances where sales are made directly by FCA US, such sales are reported through its management reporting system." FCA did not provide comment to Automotive News. Click through for the full story and more details. Related Video: Earnings/Financials Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM sales Sergio Marchionne FCA USDOJ reid bigland

2020 Jeep Gladiator has lots of Mopar parts ready for launch

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is here, and we've only had to wait a day to see how you can modify it with official Mopar parts. Some of the parts that will be available were already fitted to one of the Gladiators on the floor at the L.A. Auto Show. Jeep Wrangler owners aren't shy at modifying their beasts, and we can probably expect the same amount of enthusiasm from those who own the Gladiator as well. Many of the Mopar parts will be available right as the Gladiator goes on sale. Let's hope the best ones, like the 2-inch lift kit, rock rails and tube doors, make it there for launch. The steel tube doors sure give the Gladiator more character than other trucks on the market. Off-road LED lights, winch-capable steel bumpers and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels should enhance its off-roading capability. Different storage solutions are also included in the available parts like bed-mounted cross rails, ramps, roof rack/carriers and tonneau covers. If you wanted your Jeep truck to look different from the rest, Mopar is offering side graphics, hood graphics and Katzkin leather seats. A cold air intake and Mopar catback exhaust are the only two power modifications available at the moment. Jeep claims they add power and torque but don't give any figures. Those are just the highlights as far as accessories go. FCA says there will eventually be over 200 different parts available. If you want more Gladiator news, we've got you covered. Check out the full details on the pickup here, and more background on the truck's name and purpose here. Related video:

Chrysler resolves recall issue with NHTSA, will inspect, upgrade affected Jeeps

Chrysler made big news earlier in the month by refusing a recall request from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty. Last week, NHTSA boss David Strickland countered by defending his agency's request for the recall of 2.7 million Jeep SUVs. Today marked the deadline for Chrysler to formally respond to NHTSA, and it seems that both parties have met in the middle with Chrysler inspecting and upgrading some of the affected vehicles without using the word "recall," which would constitute the admission of a defect; instead, Chrysler said that it is conducting a "voluntary campaign."
At issue on these vehicles is the positioning of the fuel tank behind the rear axle that could get damaged during a rear-end collision. NHTSA has stated that at least 51 people have been killed in rear-end collisions involving these Jeeps after the vehicles caught fire, to which Chrysler countered by pointing out that both models "met and exceeded" the requirements for fuel-system integrity.
As a compromise on the situation, Chrysler says that it will inspect all pre-2004 Grand Cherokees and pre-2007 Liberty models and, "if necessary, provide an upgrade to the rear structure of the vehicle." According to Automotive News, this upgrade will consist of adding a trailer hitch that will presumably better protect the rear-mounted gas tank. Vehicles already equipped with a factory or Mopar hitch will not be modified. Chrysler's official statement on the matter is posted below, but no additional information has been released, such as when the campaign will begin and how many vehicles could be affected.