2020 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L 4dr Mini Van on 2040-cars

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FCA close to paying off debt, outperforming Ford in earnings

FCA boosting output of SUVs, trucks in U.S. Marchionne says the company no longer needs a merger partner FCA expects to pay off all debt this year "There's a very strong likelihood that we will outperform Ford" MILAN/DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler's shift to sell more trucks and SUVs boosted margins yet again in its North American profit center, making Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne confident he can hit most of the final targets of his five-year turnaround plan. FCA has been retooling some U.S. factories to boost output of lucrative sport-utility vehicles and trucks while ending production of some unprofitable sedans. This put the world's seventh-largest carmaker on track to become debt-free by the end of the year, and allowed Marchionne to make good on his promise to close the gap on larger U.S. rivals General Motors (GM) and Ford. "There's a very strong likelihood that we will outperform Ford in terms of operating earnings in 2018," Marchionne told analysts on an earnings call Thursday. "That's something that if I told any of us in the room here that would've been doable five years ago, nobody would have believed it." As the 65-year-old executive prepares to hand over the reins to an internal successor next year, he said the improvements mean the company no longer needed a partner to survive. The carmaker has often been the subject of merger speculation, especially after its unsuccessful 2015 attempt to tie up with GM. "The necessity to find a partner, to try and guarantee our survival, going forward, is put to bed. I mean we're done," Marchionne told analysts on a post-results conference call. North America accounted for 71 percent of earnings last quarter, and profit margins in the region rose to 8 percent from 7.1 percent a year earlier, even as shipments fell 3 percent. Meanwhile Ford's automotive margin for North America slipped to 6.8 percent, down from 8.5 percent a year earlier.FCA trimmed its expectations for 2018 revenues and forecast adjusted operating profit of at least 8.7 billion euros, at the lower end of a previously given range. Analysts said FCA's margin improvement was impressive, and it could be on the cusp of a big boost from its new Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee models and its Ram 1500 truck. FCA ready to pay off its debt But the Italian-American carmaker expects to cancel all debt during 2018 — possibly by the end of June — and generate around 4 billion euros in net cash by the end of the year.

SpeedKore's 'Baba Yaga' Chrylser Pacifica will eat kids, not shuttle them

In American movies, the Baba Yaga wears a tailored tactical suit, carries an HK P30L as his primary, drives a 1969 Mustang Mach1, and answers to the name of John Wick. In Slavic folklore, the original Baba Yaga wears less exclusive garb, carries a mortar and pestle, and lives in a cottage that stands on and walks around the forest on chicken legs. The latter version would probably trade in her cottage for SpeedKore's conceptual creation named in her honor, a Chrysler Pacifica with a Demon engine. Working with virtual artist Abimelec Arellano at Abimelec Design, the Wisconsin-based tuners drew up a minivan that could put fear into any children unfortunate enough to anger the mother behind the wheel. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This isn't just about a witch, either. It's a witch with a side of demon plus an extra side of demon. The Hellcat powertrain reaches 1,025 horsepower in the limited-edition Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. That wasn't enough. The caption notes, "The 6.2L V-8 has been treated to what we're calling the 'Lilith Package.' Named for the primordial mother of demons, the Lilith Package brings the supercharged Hemi to a proper 1,514 horsepower and channels it through an 8-speed ZF transmission before the Michelin wrapped SRT wheels deliver power to the pavement." Visual treats include a hood scoop, remade grille, and larger intakes for better breathing, fender flares, tinted taillights, central-exit dual exhaust, and the appropriate badging. A sleeper this is not.  A regular Chrysler Pacifica weighs about 4,530 pounds and makes, at most, 296 horsepower when given hybrid help. SpeedKore's version not only multiplies that figure by more than five, the aerospace-grade carbon fiber body panels that are a shop specialty are claimed to drop 1,000 pounds. They'll do a fine execution of the mission statement, which we're told is "setting lap records, roasting tires, and putting a pep in your step." Anyone who hasn't been too scrambled to step out of the van at its destination, at least. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

GM, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis CEOs want EV tax credit cap lifted

For just over a decade now, the U.S. has had a federal tax credit worth up to $7,500 for buyers of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The catch has been that, once 200,000 of them were claimed for a manufacturer, that credit would be phased out. Now, automakers are asking for this cap to be lifted across the board, specifically General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Stellantis. The request comes in the form of a joint letter to Congress (which you can read here), signed by the CEOs of each company. And the ask really is as simple as that. The automakers would like the cap lifted for all EV manufacturers, and instead have a sunset date for the tax credit put in place. Broadly speaking, they want it lifted because of concerns about rising costs from materials and supply chain issues, which can lead to higher prices and could discourage buyers from getting an EV. It would also put automakers back on an even playing field. GM reached its tax credit cap a few years ago, meaning that none of its EVs are eligible for the tax credit. So while it reaped the benefits early on, it now has something of a disadvantage to competitors with credits remaining, such as those that signed on to this letter. GM wouldn't be the only beneficiary. Tesla ran out of credits years ago, too. Nissan still has credits, but likely not for much longer, as InsideEVs reports around 190,000 Leafs have been sold in the U.S. as of April. So it will probably face a phase-out soon, just as the anticipated, and more expensive, Ariya is heading to market. Making this change would also seem like a good choice for continuing to stimulate EV sales, if that's what the government is looking to do. While EVs are now reaching parity in practicality and performance with gas-powered cars, having an additional financial incentive will surely keep them looking more attractive. And automakers can push EVs without fear of running out of credits early. Certainly some sorts of changes to the EV tax credit are likely. There are bills in the works focusing on cap changes as well as the amount of money available, and which vehicles are eligible. Credits up to $12,500 have been proposed, plus possible credits for used EV sales and restricting some credits to vehicles of certain price brackets. Of course, any changes will require some cooperation in a deeply divided Congress. Related Video: Government/Legal Green Chevrolet Chrysler Ford Toyota Electric EV tax credit