You’ve likely heard a lot about Toyota’s woes over the past several months and there’s one automaker who couldn’t be happier to be out of the hot-seat – Chrysler. While sales are only down three percent so far this year, over half of Chrysler’s sales have been to fleets, which is never a positive sign and simply kills a car’s resale value.

A member of the Big Three, Chrysler isn’t so big any more, slipping to 7th place in the U.S., when you examine just sales to customers. Edmunds.com says consumer sales have dropped 44 percent. Comparatively, Toyota’s consumer sales have dipped just 14 percent, even with a still struggling economy and massive recalls that have smeared the Japanese automaker’s once-good name.

Chrysler representatives are very much aware of their company’s problems but even with new Fiat ownership and leadership, new and updated models will take time to come to market. “We have to rebuild consumers’ confidence in the company,” said a company spokeswoman to CNN Money. “The fact that large companies are willing to buy our vehicles helps rebuild that confidence, so fleet is part our businesses strategy.”

Fleet sales will help sustain Chrysler in the short term, but improved consumer sales are the only viable long-term solution.

The problem appears to be with the brand image, as according to Erich Merkle, president of Autoconomy.com, even highly-acclaimed vehicles like the new Dodge Ram are suffering, despite winning Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award.

For Chrysler to change its perception, it will take many long years and quality products, the first of which is expected this year in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. After that, Chrysler will roll out several updated versions of its most popular models, while a longer-term strategy will have new, possibly Fiat-based, compact and mid-size models hit the market. Also included in the new product plan are several new and more efficient engines.

[Source: CNN]

The folks at AllPar seem to have gotten hold of a list of production dates for all Chrysler products this year, including everything from a revised Chrysler 300 to the Fiat 500. The AllPar team is also claiming to have some pretty big news on future Chrysler engines, including the elimination of the HEMI 6.1-liter V8 (in favor of a 6.4) and new versions of the Pentastar V6. Plus, the 200C (pictured above) has also reportedly been approved for production – but with a gasoline engine.

The first model set to hit production is the Viper, followed by the Ram Chassis Cab models and then the 2011 Grand Cherokee in May. In November, production for a significantly revised Avenger and renamed Sebring will begin, as well as new Dodge/Chrysler minivans and full-sized models (Charger, Challenger, 300) followed in December by the North American production of the Fiat 500.

As for future engines, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that will debut in the Grand Cherokee is reportedly also designed for Fiat’s MultiAir variable valve timing, direct-injection and turbocharging, although none of those technologies will be on the engine when it launches. Both 3.0-liter and 3.3-liter turbo and twin-turbo versions are likely, but probably only for pricey European vehicles.

Chrysler’s 4-cylinder World Engine will get MultiAir technology, as well as direct injection and turbocharging for some versions. The 4.7-liter V8 will be dropped, as will the 6.1-liter HEMI V8 in favor of a more efficient 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with cylinder deactivation and MultiAir.

As for hybrids, a Ram 1500 Hybrid will make it to market soon, followed by an electric commercial vehicle based on a Fiat van.

As for the Fiat 500, it will be offered with one of two engines, a 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE with Multiair, which makes 100-hp at 6,500 rpm and 95 ft-lbs of torque at 4,250 rpm, as well as a 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE Turbo with Multiair that delivers 170-hp at 6,750 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm.

All these changes are part of a larger Fiat/Chrysler plan to not only make its models more efficient (by 25 percent by 2014) but to also make them more attractive to consumers. We’re eager to see what sort of additional updates Chrysler’s lineup gets and if a few tweaks and name changes can help the struggling brand.

[Source: AllPar]

The upcoming Alfa Romeo Giulietta, set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month, will likely underpin the next generation Dodge Caliber and Chrysler PT Cruiser. According to a report by Automotive News, Fiat (Alfa’s parent company) is looking to sell one million vehicles based of the Giulietta platform, 700,000 of which it intends to move in the U.S. as Chrysler company products.

The Giulietta will have to be made larger for the North American market and Alfa is reportedly working on a widened version called “Compact Wide,” which will not only underpin the Caliber and PT Cruiser, but five other Chrysler brand products. Both front drive and AWD versions of the platform can be had and yes, that does mean a Jeep version is included in Chrysler’s Fiat’s plans.

Above we have an early design sketch of what an Alfa Romeo Giulietta-based Dodge Caliber would look like, provided by Dodge Brand CEO Ralph Gilles. A gallery of Giulietta images can be found below, including one image of a 1750cc turbocharged Fiat engine, with 200-hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque, which could likely be tweaked further for an SRT4 version. The 2012 Dodge Caliber, at least in base trim, is likely to get the company’s revised 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[Source: Automotive News and Autoblog]

With little more than a new grille and badging, Chrysler is displaying a possible future hatchback model at the Detroit Auto Show. With little else new other than some facelifted models for 2010, the unnamed Chrysler hatch stays true to the premium outlook that the Fiat-controlled company has for the brand. The large five-door hatch is sold in Europe under Fiat’s Lancia brand as the Delta.

The European model is relatively new overseas, having launched at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2008. Several engines are offered in Europe, including a 120-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, a 163-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a twin-turbo 1.9-liter with 190-hp.

If it does in fact launch in North America, the yet unnamed Chrysler hatch is likely to get Chrysler’s upcoming revised 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine, which gets Fiat’s variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to the old 2.4-liter, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.

GALLERY: Chrysler Premium Hatchback based on Lancia Delta

As expected, Chrysler is displaying many refreshed models at the Detroit Auto Show including the brand’s flagship car, the 300. There isn’t actually a lot new with the car, but under new Fiat ownership the company is eager to rebrand itself in any way possible as it waits for all new models to go into development and/or production.

For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex naming system in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company’s 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with “300 S” logos.

Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.

GALLERY: Chrysler 300 S6 and S8

Chrysler has just unveiled its strategy that will see a more than 25 percent improvement in fuel economy by 2014. The five-year plan will see significant use of Fiat technology and engines, with smaller engines, six-speed dual clutch transmissions, as well as the use of turbocharging and direct injection technology. Chrysler will also continue to explore electric car technology, with a hybrid Ram expected this year, while a plug-in hybrid Ram 1500 will begin fleet testing.

In total, four new engines will be launched in Chrysler products over the next few years. The first is the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE with Multiair, which makes 100-hp at 6,50 rpm and 95 ft-lbs of torque at 4,250 rpm. Hardly exciting, this engine will get impressive fuel economy. Add a turbocharger, however, and the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE Turbo with Multiair delivers 170-hp at 6,750 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. The first vehicle to launch in North America with the 1.4-liter will be the Fiat 500, with other Chrysler models to follow.

Next up is a new version of the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine (above), which gets Fiat’s variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to its predecessor, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.

Finally, a new 3.6-liter V6 engine will also be introduced, taking the place of six different V6 engines in the Chrysler lineup. Called the V6 Pentastar, it will first appear in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, making 280-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque - 90 percent of which is available from 1800 rpm. In the Grand Cherokee, this amounts to an increase of 33 percent more power and 11 percent more torque than the outgoing V6 model.

In addition to these four new engines, Chrysler will begin to use Fiat’s six-speed dual clutch transmission to deliver improved fuel economy and quick-shifting driving dynamics. Chrysler says the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) can handle up to 260 ft-lbs of torque and will launch later this year in mid-size D-Segment cars.

“By 2014 calendar year, more than 80 percent of Chrysler Group’s current powertrain lineup will undergo a complete makeover,” said Chrysler Powertrain boss Paolo Ferrero.

GALLERY: Chrysler V6 Pentastar

GALLERY: Fiat 1.4-liter FIRE, FIRE Turbo and DDCT

Official release after the jump:

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Easily one of the the most unanimously despised vehicles by automotive journalists throughout the country, Chrysler recently decided to keep the PT Cruiser as a part of its lineup after axing it just a few months before. Now the automaker doesn’t even have the decency to let it quietly fade into obscurity, but has decided to launch the Couture Edition – apparently in an affront to high-fashion throughout the world.

The 2010 PT Cruiser Couture Edition gets a two-tone silver and black paint scheme, divided by a red pinstripe. Additional exterior highlights include chrome side moldings, door handles and grille inserts, as well as 16-inch wheels. Inside it’s hard to miss the Radar Red leather seats.

The Couture Edition includes all features found on the Classic model and is priced from $19,995.

The Couture Edition is the 16th special version of the PT, a list that includes such models as the PT Turbo, Flames, Woodie, W.P. Chrysler Signature Series, PT Cruiser Classic, PT Street Cruiser Route 66, Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard editions. We can only hope this is the last.

GALLERY: Chrysler PT Cruiser Couture Edition

Official release after the jump:

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

As a part of Chrysler’s new approach, the company is tweaking almost all of its models for 2010 and changing their trim designations. Easily one of the U.S. automaker’s most successful models in the past decade, the 300, gets only minor changes this year.

For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex nomenclature in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company’s 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with “300 S” logos.

Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.

GALLERY: 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8

Official release after the jump:

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Chrysler might not be holding a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks time but the automaker is planning to draw crowds at its booth by showing off a long list of Italian machinery, including several Fiat products that are expected to launch in North America in the near future.

Previous reports have already suggested Chrysler will show a rebadged version of the Lancia Delta premium hatchback, which is expected to be one of the first new Chrysler-badged Fiat models to arrive in North America.

Now we have word that Chrysler will show the entire Fiat 500 lineup of cars, including a new electric version of the car. We don’t know if this will be a concept or a production model. In addition to the 500 EV, there will be the standard hatchback and excessively cute convertible models. We’re most excited to see the Abarth model (above) with a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 133-hp and 130 ft-lbs of torque.

Even more surprising than all this is word that inside the Chrysler booth we’re expected to see Fiat-brands like Ferrari and Maserati – meaning Detroit F-car fans will get a chance to gaze upon the new 458 Italia.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Contrary to previous reports that Chrysler will not present any new models at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks, there is now word that the struggling U.S. automaker will show a new car based on a Lancia platform. The Lancia badge is a sub-brand under Fiat, which now runs Chrysler.

There is no word on what sort of a vehicle it will be, but Fiat is eager to help Chrysler where it needs help most – in the small and mid-size car market. This new model would be the first idea of how Fiat intends to integrate its European designs into the North American marketplace.

Previous reports have suggested the first new Lancia-based Chrysler model would be a premium hatchback, something along the lines of the Delta (above).

Fiat’s larger plan for Chrysler will have it closely integrated with Lancia, the two brands sharing platforms. Fiat has said Chrysler will revamp or replace all of its models over the next few years, adding four new Fiat based products by the end of 2010.

AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show starts January 11th.

GALLERY: Lancia Delta

[Source: Bloomberg]