2012 Chrysler Town & Country on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Italian government to lean on Fiat's Marchionne to commit to country

With the recent chatter that Fiat is looking to move its global headquarters to the US following a complete merger with Chrysler, the Italian government is voicing its opinion on the matter. Facing the potential job loss from the automaker leaving the country, Italy's industry minister is meeting with Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne in what will likely be a plea to keep the company based in Turin rather than moving to Auburn Hills, MI - if indeed it is able to acquire the additional 41.5 percent of Chrysler currently owned by the United Auto Workers.
According to Bloomberg, Fiat is Italy's biggest private employer and unemployment is already nearing a 20-year high. The non-car side of Fiat, Fiat Industrial, is already planning a move to the UK, so it goes without saying that Fiat moving would be a pretty big blow for the Italian economy. In the article, Fiat says that the headquarters issue is "not on its agenda now," but that statement is far from a denial.

Bob Dylan to star in Chrysler Super Bowl spot [w/videos]

Billboard reports that Bob Dylan will be working with Chrysler again, this time starring in a Super Bowl ad expected to showcase the company's new 200 sedan. The rock icon first tied up with the Chrysler Group late last year when a commercial for the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee used Dylan's unreleased cover of Blind Willie Johnson's "Motherless Children" for its soundtrack.
The last big-game commercial for the 200 used Eminem in 2011 to introduce us to the outgoing 200 and the tagline-turned-mini-movement, "Imported from Detroit." Since then, Clint Eastwood, Berry Gordy, Jr., and America's farmers have taken turns impressing us with Chrysler Group's wares. It isn't yet known what song will be used for the spot. Speaking of the coming ad, company CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "Someone made the comment to me that I had the right commercial in 2011 and the wrong car. I think we now have hopefully the right commercial and the right car."
It's not Dylan's first outing with a carmaker, having starred in a spot to promote the Cadillac Escalade in 2007. Nor will it be the only Dylan music we get during the Super Bowl, the singer having licensed a track that's used in a one-minute commercial for Chobani Greek yogurt.

10 cool cars from Peugeot's lineup we'd love to see in the U.S.

FCA and PSA are merging: The mega-alliance will not just bring a desperately needed technology boost to Fiat Chrysler, it will also open up potential U.S. sales venues to brands that have long been absent here. Citroen left in the 1970s, Peugeot deserted us 20 years later; Citroen's DS spinoff is a complete unknown in the States. Moreover, there's Opel, formerly a part of General Motors, with its UK-based Vauxhall attachment. As a brand, Opel was last seen here around 1970, its models sold through the Buick sales channel. Even though Opel is now part of the PSA empire, there is still significant overlap with Buick: The Buick Encore is an Opel Mokka, the Regal is an Insignia, and though this is its last model year in the States, the Cascada had been shared as well. But in Europe, the replacement of GM-shared platforms with PSA-Opel models is well under way, We have assembled 10 of the most interesting cars currently offered under the Citroen, DS, Peugeot and Opel/Vauxhall monikers. Should they be offered in the U.S.? We certainly think they deserve consideration. Citroen C4 Cactus Purist architecture in automotive form: The polarizing C4 Cactus is shaped by geometric lines, although it has recently been toned down and assumed a somewhat crossover-like stance that was absent before the facelift. Also lost is the funky full-width front bench that you could initially choose. Still, the C4 Cactus shuns conventional notions of aggressive and prestige-oriented design, opting for functionality and a product-design-like attitude. Sadly, it won't survive past its current generation. Citroen C5 Aircross Bigger and taller than the C4 Cactus, the C5 Aircross features even more of an SUV look, though it comes with front-wheel drive only. Controls and instruments have a reduced, product-design-like look, and the seat patterns offer a retrofuturistic interpretation of 1970s design. The "Advanced Comfort" chassis emphasizes ride quality, but the C5 Aircross is still surprisingly agile. No wonder, as Citroen has a proud rally heritage.  DS 3 Crossback This compact crossover oozes technology and luxury: Fitted with diesel or gasoline engines or with a fully electric powertrain, the DS 3 Crossback can be specified with a plethora of premium options. The cockpit plays with upscale patterns and materials; some dashboard versions are actually inspired by stucco veneziano. The diesel, our favorite engine option for this vehicle, is incredibly efficient and surprisingly torquey.