2007 Chrysler Sebring Base on 2040-cars

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How a Chrysler New Yorker rally car turned father and son into best friends

Cars have a weird way of bringing fathers and sons together. You might not want to talk to your dad (or son) about politics, but if you can get him into a conversation about 1950s automotive design, then you can chat for hours. The latest video from Petrolicious looks at how Jonathan Auerbach and his dad bonded through racing in long-distance rallies in an absolutely brutish 1951 Chrysler New Yorker.
The Auerbachs have over 10,000 miles in competition on this behemoth of a Chrysler. It packs a 354-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) hemi V8 with Weber carbs under the hood, and driving it looks more akin to piloting a ship than any kind of on-road vehicle. The New Yorker can take a pounding and just keep going, too. Jonathan says that they hit two deer during one event, and the only damage to the car was some missing trim up front.
The next goal is to prep the car for the arduous Peking to Paris Rally. The big Chrysler should be quite the sight when it rolls across the finish line in France. Scroll down to hear this poignant story about a father and son becoming best friends while racing an American classic. You might want to have a tissue handy, if you're close to your dad, though.

Worker crushed to death at FCA's Jefferson North Assembly Plant [UPDATE]

Tragedy has struck a Fiat Chrysler factory. According to emerging reports, a worker was killed at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant early this morning in Detroit. The incident reportedly occurred in the waste water treatment facility at the plant, just after 7 a.m. this morning. The 53-year-old worker, whose name has not yet been released, is said to have been crushed in a press and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is currently under investigation to determine the exact circumstances. Jefferson North is where FCA assembles the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. The plant is located on Conner Street near East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. We've reached out to FCA US for the official statement, and will update you as soon as more details are available. Our condolences go out to the late worker's family and friends. UPDATE: Official statement from FCA added below. FCA US has had a tragic accident at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant during the first shift this morning. A plant employee died at the waste water treatment plant. The Company is currently working with local officials to investigate the incident. The name of the employee is not being released at this time. All of the FCA family extends its deepest sympathies to the employee's family during this difficult time.

Fiat ups Chrysler stake by 3.3%, inches closer to full control

Fiat is one step closer to completing a merger with Chrysler after exercising an option to acquire an additional 3.3 percent of the Auburn Hills-based automaker today. Automotive News reports that Fiat now controls 68.49-percent of Chrysler, which is up almost 10 percent since we last heard news of this deal back in February when Fiat talking to various banks to raise more capital in order to complete the acquisition.
The article says that Fiat is still able to increase its stake in Chrysler up to 75 percent over the next 12 months, but it sounds like CEO Sergio Marchinonne would rather purchase the remaining shares from VEBA - the retiree benefits trust - sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, the two sides still seem far from an agreement on a fair price for the rest of Chrysler, as Fiat has them valued at $4.2 billion compared to the $10.3 billion estimate from the unions that currently own the remaining stake in Chrysler.