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FCA goes all-in on Jeep and Ram brands on cheap gas bet

It's no surprise that as SUV and truck sales remain strong in the wake of unusually cheap gas, Jeep and Ram sales are taking off. What is a surprise is that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne thinks that cheap gas will be a "permanent condition," and feels strongly enough about it to change up North American manufacturing plans. Jeep appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the product realignment. In addition to increasing the sales estimates for the brand worldwide upwards to 2 million units a year by 2018, the brand will get a flood of investment for new product and powertrains. Consider the Wrangler Pickup to be part of the salvo, as well as the Grand Wagoneer three-row announced in 2014 as part of the original five-year plan. The Wrangler four-door will get at least two new powertrains, a diesel and mild hybrid version, in its next generation. That mild hybrid powertrain may utilize a 48-volt electrical system like the one that's being developed by Delphi and Bosch – which the suppliers think will be worth a 10 to 15 percent fuel economy gain at a minimum. Down the road, in the 2020s, the Wrangler could adopt a full hybrid system. The diesel powertrain is planned for 2019 or 2020. The Ram 1500 is also pegged to receive a mild hybrid system, again potentially based on 48-volt architecture, sometime after 2020. Lastly, Jeep and Ram will take over some of the production capacity of existing plants. The Sterling Heights, MI, plant that builds the Chrysler 200 will now build the Ram 1500; the Belvidere, IL, facility that produces the Dodge Dart will take over Cherokee output; the big Jeep facility in Toledo, OH, will be used for increased Wrangler demand. In 2015, according to FCA's numbers, car and van demand went down by 10 percent, but SUV demand went up 8 percent and truck demand 2 percent. Considering that these are high-margin vehicles, FCA can't ignore the math. FCA also won't build any new factories to supplement production to meet demand, but instead are reshuffling production priorities. Think of it this way: FCA is gambling on cheap gas being a permanent part of our lives, at least into the 2020s. By doubling down on SUVs and trucks, the company stands to win big, unless a spike in gas prices changes the landscape. FCA isn't talking about a Plan B, so they're all in. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Classic Design Concepts has another riff on the widebody Challenger

Dodge is secretly working on a widebody Hellcat-powered Challenger dubbed the ADR. But for those that can't wait a few years, there's this – Classic Design Concepts' Group 2 Widebody Challenger that was unveiled at SEMA. The original Group 2 Widebody Challenger from CDC made its debut at SEMA back in 2008, but was given a new look for this year's trade show. The car, which you can scrutinize in the gallery above, features a bright red paint job with a blacked-out American flag on the left rear fender and "Hemi" in yellow on the right side. The wheels are also color-coated to match the rear billboard fenders, with the right side being finished in yellow and the left side a dark gray. CDC's body kit is wide, slammed to the ground, and menacing. And if you happen to forget that this is a widebody Challenger, because the extra six inches of width are hard to miss, there's a clear reminder on the back of the car. Related Video: Featured Gallery Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody Challenger: SEMA 2016 View 11 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Aftermarket Design/Style SEMA Show Dodge Coupe Special and Limited Editions Performance SEMA 2016 cdc widebody

SRT partners with Bondurant for performance driving classes

Dodge and Bob Bondurant have announced a new partnership that will see the latter become the former's official high-performance driving school. The deal will see the Bondurant school's entire fleet of nearly 100 vehicles switched over from mostly General Motors products to Dodge Chargers, Challengers, and Vipers. It will give paying customers the chance to drive models like the new Hellcats and even the Viper ACR (for those deemed qualified to drive it) on the track in Arizona. The arrangement won't only benefit Bondurant clients, though. Anyone who buys or leases a new SRT model will get a one-day course at the school, including professional instruction on track. They'll have to pay for their own travel and accommodations, but the instruction will hopefully show more drivers of SRT vehicles how to handle all that muscle they've got at their disposal. DODGE/SRT PARTNERS WITH LEGENDARY BOB BONDURANT SCHOOL OF HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving Is Now "The Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge/SRT" - All customers who buy a new 2015 or 2016 model SRT will receive one full-day session of high-performance driving with professional instruction and time on the track as part of the Dodge/SRT package - Bondurant attendees will get to experience the full line of Dodge/SRT vehicles, including the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger Hellcats - Bondurant's entire fleet of cars is being converted over to Dodge Chargers, Challengers and Vipers - Non-Dodge owners can purchase racing instruction through Bondurant and experience their full line of Dodge SRT vehicles on the track - Racing participants who qualify will get to experience the Dodge Viper ACR, the fastest street-legal Viper track car ever November 3, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - New Dodge/SRT buyers grab your racing shoes and helmets – Dodge is teaming up with the legendary Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving to create "The Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge/SRT." Starting Jan. 1, 2016, Dodge customers who purchase or lease a 2015 or 2016 Dodge/SRT can experience a high-performance driving class with professional instruction and time on the track where they can develop their racing and driving skills in a one-day performance-packed adventure. Dodge will provide the rides – nearly 100 SRT vehicles – including the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats.