Chrysler officially unveiled the Chrysler 200 sedan on October 12, 2010. A convertible is still to come, but it is unclear whether it will retain the Sebring name or move to the Chrysler 200 name and styling. The Chrysler 200 will, like the 2010 Sebring and 2011 Dodge Avenger, come with a 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle. Compared with the 2010 Sebring and Avenger, the 2011 Chrysler 200 has stiffened body mounts and softer ride rate, improved suspension geometry with a raised roll center, a new rear sway bar, and new tires and an extensively upgraded treatment for the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness including acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front door windows. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic – which, to simplify, is essentially an automatically shifted manual transmission – is due for late availability is an option on the Limited model with the four cylinder engine only. A flex-fuel 3.6 liter V6 is to be optional on all but LX models, and standard on the Chrysler 200 S. The base price, including destination, will be $19,995, but Chrysler estimates that only 5% of customers will take that “downmarket” option. The Touring model raises the stakes to $21,995, and the Limited starts at $24,495. The base model comes with four-speed automatic, four-cylinder engine, 17 inch steel wheels, four speaker stereo, air conditioning, manual driver’s seat, and no options; most buyers will probably opt for the better-equipped Touring or Limited, described below. That said, even the LX has four-wheel antilock disc brakes, cruise control, stabilizer bars front and rear, and a 525 amp battery. With a more refined and spirited driving experience than the Sebring, innovative technology, an abundance of standard safety features and an extraordinary level of standard content, the 2011 Chrysler 200 is virtually all new or upgraded for 2011. The base Chrysler 200 LX will come with a four-speed automatic, four-cylinder engine, 17 inch steel wheels, four speaker stereo, air conditioning, manual driver’s seat, and no options. This is a low-margin item that dealers are not likely to be able to negotiate much on. The Chrysler 200 Touring, assumed to be the best seller, will feature the four-cylinder engine with a six speed automatic and optional V6; aluminum wheels; six speaker stereo; eight-way power driver seat; advanced trip computer; automatic climate control; automatic headlights; LED tail lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; satellite radio; individual tire pressure display; universal garage door opener; tilt/telescope steering wheel; alarm; ambient LED lighting; side airbags (curtain and thorax); new suspension; ABS; and stability control. The top-end Chrysler 200 Limited will include the same features, and add 18 inch aluminum wheels, hard-drive media center (430), heated leather seats, UConnect and iPod connector, fog lamps, bright mirrors/handles, express up/down key fob, and remote start. Exterior and sheet metal upgrades from the Sebring include the front and rear fascias and fenders, grille and badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, projector headlamps and fog lamps, LED taillamps, and LED center high-mounted brake light. The new Pentastar V-6 engine produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque; it is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transaxle Interior updates include a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with a new design that incorporates more cushion material and revised spring geometry as well as new leather and cloth seating materials, new “soft touch” door trim panels, new “soft touch” armrests and dash and new heating and cooling outlets in the instrument panel with improved design and functionality. Most buyers will probably get the four-cylinder, a newly retuned World Engine which should provide more low-end torque. We have no word on whether a MultiAir version will be ready yet; that would allow for similar or higher horsepower ratings with better torque. We don’t know whether both engines will get Chrysler’s smooth six-speed automatic, or whether one will get Fiat’s efficient dual-clutch automatic – a transmission which echoes one that was ready for Chrysler years ago, but was held back by the pennypinching Daimler acolytes. Most likely, the V6 will stay with the six-speed and the four cylinder, much as we hate to say it, will stay with the four speed. The convertible is due to be produced in February 2011, and it appears that the hardtop version will continue. It also appears that it will indeed be called “Chrysler 200 Convertible” as the Los Angeles Auto Show announcement refers to it that way.

Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge-Albuquerque has finally starting ground breaking to make way for their new dealership.  We look forward to being able to better serve our customers.  This dealership will make all the difference in our community.  This corner of Lomas and Wyoming  NE, will have a much needed face lift.  Follow our excitment on our website:  lhmabq.com

 

ØChrysler boosts 2010 outlook, vows to ‘fight harder,‘ Reuters, Nov. 8

 

oChrysler Group LLC forecast an operating profit this year, thanks to cost cuts, but chief executive Sergio Marchionne said the automaker had to “fight harder” to revive its image and seize market share, Reuters said. Chrysler projected a $700 million operating profit for 2010 after stripping out financing costs tied to its government-funded bankruptcy,Reuters said. Marchionne said he was encouraged by trends heading into 2011, but said the automaker still had a lot to prove, the article said. “We got a bloody nose on the way into the recession and I’m not sure we got it all back on the way out,” Marchionne said during a call with analysts, Reuters said. “So we need to fight harder.”

Ø

Chrysler is proving naysayers wrong, Forbes, Nov. 8

o Chrysler said Monday its financial results were better than expected in the third quarter,

and it raised its financial guidance in advance of a likely 2011 stock offering, Forbes said. Chrysler credited the improvement to the success of its redesigned Jeep Grand  Cherokee, which is selling with more features and at a higher price than the previous generation, the report said. The better-than-expected results increase the likelihood that Chrysler will pay off the $15 billion it borrowed from taxpayers to recapitalize after bankruptcy, Forbes said. 

 

ØChrysler charging toward profitability?, CNBC

, Nov. 8

oChrysler’s third quarter earnings show the beleaguered auto maker is making major

progress towards getting back in the black, CNBC said. The rebound in auto sales is a big part of the company doing better, the network said. So is the company’s new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the report said. There is a wave of new products heading to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram showrooms, the report said. Thanks to CEO Sergio Marchionne’s turnaround plan, Chrysler is no longer a black hole, the report said. ?You can see the company’s road to profitability as it rolls out more new or refreshed models like the Grand Cherokee,? the report said. 

 

Ø‘Black Ops’ Jeep imitates videogame, WSJ.com

, Nov. 7

ØBolstered by its starring role in the videogame, “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” which came

out Monday night at midnight, Chrysler is shipping a limited edition 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops model to dealers in the real world, the report said. The auto maker plans to build between 2,500 and 3,000 of the limited-edition Wranglers, which feature Black Ops graphics on the roof and front quarter panels along with high-gloss 

mineral gray wheels, the report said. Unlike in the videogame, the real Jeep won’t comewith the TV-guided missile launcher, WSJ.com said

Come see our Dodge booth at the State Fair.  We have our entire line-up on display.  The booth is located in front of Tingley Coliseum.  Stop by and see the Motor Trend Truck of the year!  The exciting Challenger SRT8 and much much more.

Come join us as we team up with another dealership to offer you an unheard off selection of used cars. 

The 1st ever Tent Event is on through Sunday August, 22, 2010! 

We have all the local credit unions here to approve your purchase on the spot. 

We, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge will have our new inventory available as well.

See you here at the corner of Lomas and Wyoming, look for the Big White Tent!!

We here at Larry Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Albuquerque are extremly excited about the New 2011 Grand Cherokee.  Most of our employees took our factory Reps. 2011 Grand Cherokees out for test drives.  We all came back with the same response: WOW!  It is an absolutly gorgeous vehicle.  We have listed just a few of the finer points on this new Jeep:

At first sight you know it’s a Grand Cherokee, but it looks like it’s been to the gym. The sculpted muscular appearance of the All-New 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee is a masterful meld of classic styling cues and modern design.

Look beyond the signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches and you’ll see thoughtful details that set Grand Cherokee apart.

Longer front and rear door openings for those of us who aren’t acrobats and felt-lined wheel wells to keep it quiet on rock-spitting gravel roads. Just a few of the significant features designed to make every moment Grand.

You can expect to Go Anywhere, Do Anything? in a Jeep® vehicle, thanks to over 69 years of tried and true off-road craftsmanship. Grand Cherokee has two available Trail Rated® 4WD systems, in addition to the standard two-wheel-drive system.

There are three capable available 4WD systems to choose from: and Quadra-Trac I®, Quadra-Trac II® and Quadra-Drive® II. Selec-Train is included as part of the available Quadra-Drive II system.

A rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) in Quadra-Drive II team up with the NV245 active transfer case and its electronically-controlled clutch pack for awesome traction management.

You’ll also find a skid plate group, telescoping rear driveshaft that adjusts for small changes during normal suspension travel and a newly located gas tank that allows the tire to be mounted under the vehicle for added versatility.

Best-in-Class power plants. Either of the two high-tech marvels is sure to please.

Enjoy smooth, sustained power, with the all-new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engines dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Engineers completely retooled and delivered massive 38-percent improvement in horsepower and 11-percent bump in torque over the previous V6. All this, and it’s still able to deliver a satisfying 10-percent improvement in highway fuel economy. That’s good enough to deliver you up to 500 miles from home on one tank of gasoline.

A legendary 5.7-liter V8 is available for the ultimate performance-minded driver, churning out a class-leading 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee comes with two available transmissions ? smooth shifting multi-speed overdrive transmission – standard with the 5.7-liter V8 engine, or the electronically-controlled five-speed automatic transmission – standard with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.

In a “nut-shell”  you just have to come in to see one of these beauties!

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees are set to arrive at dealers in June 2010. An extended version, dubbed the Dodge Durango (possibly Dodge Magnum), is coming. The standard engine is the Pentastar V6 on all models; the 290 horsepower V6 engine is said to be smoother than competitors from Toyota, Honda, and GM, and has variable cam timing to allow for good gas mileage. The Hemi will remain optional across the board, and may be pushed by Chrysler while V6 production ramps up.

The independent front and rear suspension have isolated cradles. Variable-rate rear springs improve on-road handling and comfort, and the spare tire is stored inside as opposed to underneath. Torsional rigidity has been increased 146%.