1973 Custom Jeep Commando. Light Green With Graphics On Hood. All Redone on 2040-cars

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk headlines 2017 model year updates

If the photos below look familiar, it's because we saw them last week. Yes, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is real, and it's a welcome (and predictable) addition to the Jeep family. It boasts rugged good looks and plenty of capability, and debuts this week at the New York Auto Show. Standard Trailhawk equipment includes Jeep's Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, a revised air suspension (specifically for Trailhawk, we're told), skid plates, the black hood decal, and cute little red tow hooks. It's also got an ever-so-slightly different front fascia, taken right from the 2012 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Moab concept. Buyers can choose from 18- or 20-inch wheels. Looking for something a bit more posh? Try the Summit, pictured below, with its 20-inch polished wheels, LED foglights, and full-wrap Laguna leather interior. It's loaded to the gills with every available Grand Cherokee option, and certainly sounds like one seriously nice SUV. View 15 Photos What's great is that both Trailhawk and Summit models can be had with three different engines. The standard powerplant is Chrysler's 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, but the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 are also available. (We love the idea of a Trailhawk with the diesel, by the way.) Both models go on sale this fall. Read more about both in the press blast below. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Even More Capability and Luxury for the Most-awarded SUV Ever - Jeep Brand Introduces New 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit Models at the New York International Auto Show - New Trailhawk model expands Jeep® Grand Cherokee lineup with most capable version ever produced - Grand Cherokee Summit models boast new, even more luxurious hand-crafted leather interior, new appearance and added standard premium features Both new Grand Cherokee models arrive in Jeep showrooms in late summer March 23, 2016 , New York - Already the most awarded SUV ever, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is about to become even more capable and even more luxurious. At the New York International Auto Show today, the Jeep brand expanded its Grand Cherokee lineup with the introduction of a new Trailhawk model – the most capable factory-produced Grand Cherokee ever. The brand also introduced the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit, bringing a new exterior appearance, a plush new interior and even more standard premium features to consumers looking for the ultimate premium full-size SUV.

Stellantis will enter joint venture with Samsung SDI for EV batteries

SEOUL — South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI Co Ltd and global automaker Stellantis NV have agreed to jointly produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries for the North American market, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Samsung SDI, an affiliate of South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, already has EV battery plants in South Korea, China and Hungary, which supply customers such as BMW and Ford. "The two companies (Samsung SDI and Stellantis) have struck a MOU (memorandum of understanding) to produce EV batteries for North America," the person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source spoke of condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The person said the location of the battery joint venture is under review and will be announced later. In July, Reuters reported that Samsung SDI may build a battery plant in the United States, citing a company source. South Korea's Yonhap news agency earlier reported the two companies plan to build a factory in the United States, citing industry sources. Samsung SDI and Stellantis did not have immediate comment when reached by Reuters. Stellantis on Monday struck a preliminary deal with battery maker South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) to produce battery cells and modules for North America. Shares of Samsung SDI were up 2.6% as of 0300 GMT, versus a 0.6% rise in the KOSPI benchmark index. Related video: Green Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Citroen Lancia Opel Peugeot Vauxhall

Weekly Recap: Lamborghini fires on all cylinders

Lamborghini added 192 technicians and specialists in 2014 as the Italian automaker expands under the ambitious growth strategy of parent company Volkswagen AG. The additional workers helped Lamborghini increase its sales 19 percent last year to 2,530 supercars, and further expansion is planned for this year. Lambo has added more than 500 people in the last four years, bringing its headcount to 1,175. "Lamborghini is undergoing a strong phase of growth in both sales and in terms of recruitment," CEO Stephan Winkelmann said in a statement. "We invest significantly in our people ... in 2015 we plan to hire further." The supercar maker's solid performance last year came during a time of transition. Lambo sold off the final 265 Gallardos, which were the brand's best-selling models ever. Its 10-cylinder successor, the Huracan, immediately filled the void. It garnered 3,300 orders, and 1,137 of them were delivered in 2014. The other Lamborghini, the 12-cylinder Aventador, saw its sales increase 13 percent to 1,128 copies. The sales leap comes as Volkswagen drives sales expansion across its portfolio of brands. The German carmaker sold 10 million vehicles around the world for the first time last year. Though Lambo will never make supercars in great numbers, it is expected to contribute to VW's bottom line through its image and profitable sales. Look for further growth this year, and a Super Veloce version (shown above) of the Aventador has already been spotted during testing. Lamborghini has been working on a sport utility vehicle for years, though the company has never publicly approved the project. It also showed a hybrid, the Asterion, at last year's Paris Motor show, suggesting the automaker is considering an electric future. Other News and Notes GMC ponders Jeep Wrangler fighter GMC is considering adding a competitor to the Jeep Wrangler and has discussed the idea with its dealers, according to the Wall Street Journal. Details of the vehicle are unclear, but the report suggested the vehicle could have cues from General Motors' old Hummer brand. The move would broaden GMC's lineup of trucks and SUVs and attract new customers. GMC sold 501,853 vehicles in 2014, making it GM's second-best selling brand. GMC had more volume than Cadillac and Buick combined, though it's still well behind Chevrolet's tally of more than two million vehicles. The notion of a "Wrangler fighter" could be a moving target.