The Dodge Viper could soon be history -at least for the Chrysler Group, as according to an official announcement that was made this morning, the third largest American automaker said that it is ‘preparing to explore strategic options for the Dodge Viper business’. Here is what Chrysler LLC’s CEO Bob Nardelli said about the potential sale of the Viper to a third party:

“We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper. As the Company evaluates strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties. We will do so keeping in mind the best interests of those who have shown tremendous support for the vehicle – including employees, suppliers, dealers and a worldwide group of loyal Viper owners and enthusiasts.”

Source:dodge

This strange looking minicar is the all-electric GEM Peapod that is scheduled to enter production in 2009. GEM, which stands for GreenEcoMobility, is a small company owned by Chrysler LLC that specializes on electric vehicles (EV). Since its founding in 1998, GEM produced around 38,000 EVs which are primarily used in settings such as city centers, military bases, college campuses and national parks. According to Chrysler, the plug-in Peapod EV features a newly designed center console that will offer iPod integration, as well as hands-free operation of the iPhone while other innovations include supportive, mesh seating, which enables air circulation for comfort and uses eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials.

Source:carnews

A new poll administered by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for General Motors says that 55% of the 804 U.S. citizens that took part in the survey back a $25 billion federal bailout (in loans) to American automakers “so they have the money to manufacturer vehicles”. Thirty percent of the respondents said that the government shouldn’t give a loan to the ‘Big Three’ while 15% weren’t sure. The results from the Hart poll stand in contrast to a USA TODAY / Gallup poll (see here) that was published earlier this week and showed that 47% of Americans believe “providing loans and other help” to auto companies is “not very important.”

Source:gmnews

Having already appealed to the U.S. Congress for an emergency bailout, Detroit’s Big Three are now stretching their hands across the border to Canada seeking billions of dollars in loans and credit lines. Ford Motor Company delivered its plan to the federal and Ontario governments on Friday detailing a request for access to a “stand-by” line of credit of up to $2 billion to be used “only if the current economic crisis worsens”.

Although both GM and Chrysler LLC announced on Friday that they submitted detailed operational and restructuring plans to Ottawa, neither disclosed the amount of money that they are asking for. However, the Canadian media is reporting that General Motors of Canada has asked for $2.4-billion in loans, with $800-million of that necessary before the end of the year while Chrysler Canada Inc. is said to be seeking $1.6-billion as soon as January 1.

Source:chrysler

It is no secret that the entire automotive industry is facing one of its worse times ever at the moment so we can’t say that we are actually surprised with Chrysler LLC’s decision to close all 30 of its plants for at least a month at the end of the shift on Friday, December 19. According to Chrysler, the affected employees will not return to work any sooner than Monday, January 19, 2009. In an official statement the third-largest U.S. automaker said that while the company’s dealers have many “willing buyers” for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, due to lack of consumer financing, they have lost an estimated 20 to 25 percent of their volume.

Source:automotive

Expect the march to Washington to remain a grassroots effort. Each of the Detroit 3’s spokespeople have commented that they are in support of the plan but are not interested in organizing it. It is also highly unlikely that any Detroit 3 CEO would travel to D.C. in the motorcade, as well. To be as effective as possible, some are suggesting that the organizers create a central website with information for those who want to participate like where they should go and when they should be there. Now, if Bob Lutz lead the procession in a Volt mule, that’d send a message. Do it, Bob!

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Klegon told Automotive News at the LA Auto Show that the 2011 redesign of these two large, rear-wheel-drive sedans will beat projected 2011 CAFE standards. That feat will be accomplished with improvements to aerodynamics, axle ratios and upgraded engines. Klegon mentioned that the upcoming Phoenix engines, the development of which has not been cancelled, would motivate the Charger and 300. The new Phoenix family of V6 engines will have variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation and direct injection among its many efficiency increasing technologies. Automotive News also mentioned that Chrysler may employ an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve performance and fuel economy. We don’t know of any Chrysler transmission projects that are this ambitious, and Daimler currently utilizes only seven cogs in its Mercedes lineup, but suppliers like Aisin and ZF already have 8 speeds on the market.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Chrysler has to be happy with this: the Dodge Challenger rollout has gone about as well as anyone could have hoped. Everyone wanted this car to happen from the moment it appeared as a concept back in 2006. Back then, the S197 Mustang was still new and demonstrating that retro done right can be a very good thing. Flash forward to today and following a brief, SRT8-only 2008 model year run, the Dodge Challenger is now available in three distinct trim levels. We’ve already reviewed the stylish and value-priced, six-cylinder SE model, and we’ll soon give you our take on the top-tier knuckle-dragger, the SRT8. That leaves the mainstream muscle – the R/T.

Source:Challenger