2018 Jeep Compass Latitude on 2040-cars

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Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot boards meet to finalize merger

MILAN/PARIS — The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot will meet separately on Tuesday to discuss finalizing an initial agreement for a $50 billion merger to create the world's number four carmaker, sources said. A source close to FCA said the two companies could announce the signing of a binding memorandum early on Wednesday, followed by a conference call to explain further details later in the day. The two mid-sized carmakers announced plans six weeks ago for a tie-up to help them deal with big challenges in the industry, including a global demand downturn and the need to develop costly cleaner cars to meet looming anti-pollution rules. Ahead of the meetings, entities representing the Peugeot family, Etablissements Peugeot Freres (EPF) and FFP, unanimously approved a proposed memorandum of understanding for the planned merger, a source familiar with the situation said. FCA and PSA have said they would seek to finalize a deal by year-end to create a group with 8.7 million in annual vehicle sales. That would put it fourth globally behind Volkswagen, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan alliance. PSA's Carlos Tavares will be chief executive and FCA's John Elkann — the scion of Italy's Agnelli family, which controls FCA through their holding company Exor — chairman of the combined company. The group will include the Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, allowing it to serve mass and premium passenger car markets as well as those for trucks and light commercial vehicles. Related Video:       Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot

Jeep Cherokee finally dealer-bound

We had our First Drive of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee last month, but it appears that prospective buyers won't have too much longer to finally get time behind the wheel of the new small Jeep.
Automotive News is reporting that after a two-month delay, Jeep dealers will finally start receiving their first shipments of the new Cherokee, in the next 10 days. A Chrysler spokesperson confirmed to Autoblog that the Cherokee is indeed on its way to Jeep dealers.
According to AN, about 23,000 Cherokees have been built since production commenced back in June, but potential powertrain issues forced Jeep to make adjustments to the Cherokee along the way. Automotive News says that in order to make sure there are no issues with the Cherokee before it reaches customers, it is testing each vehicle after it rolls off the assembly line at a rented test track near the vehicle's Toledo North Assembly Plant.

Jeep Chief and Wrangler Red Rock Responder teased ahead of Easter Jeep Safari

Jeep is being coy about it's lineup for the 2015 Moab Easter Jeep Safari, releasing just a pair of shots and an exceptionally brief press release on two of the seven concepts coming to the desert later this month. So, what can we glean from the limited assets that have been given to us? Well, as we said, we know Jeep is bringing seven vehicles to its big festival. We also know the names of two vehicles, shown above – there's the Chief and the Wrangler Red Rock Responder. Which is which? A fair question. We're betting the second image is the Wrangler-based Red Rock Responder. As for the Chief, well, we've absolutely no idea what to expect there. Jeep's Moab concepts generally include the model name on which their based – see the Grand Cherokee Trail Warrior and Cherokee Dakar from last year, or even the Wrangler Red Rock Responder, mentioned above. There's no such moniker on the Chief. As for the Chief's illustrated teaser image, as we said, it doesn't reveal much. The body is angular, and quite Jeep like, with squared-off wheel arches and decidedly old-school taillights. Beyond that, though, we don't have much to go on. Expect much more not just on the Chief and Red Rock Responder, but on all seven of the concepts Jeep is bringing to Moab. The party starts on March 28 and runs until April 5. Be sure to check back then for full coverage. Related Video: