Chrysler delays return of second shift at Illinois plant | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC is delaying the return of the second shift of workers at its Belvidere, Ill., plant by more than a month. "Continued stresses on the automotive supplier base," is the explanation the automaker gave Monday in announcing the 850 affected workers will be recalled in mid-November. The original plan was to increase production starting Oct. 5, adding 10,000 Dodge Caliber compact vehicles to help replenish supplies after the fuel-efficient hatchback proved popular during the "cash for...

Chrysler buys out engine plant in Dundee | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker run by Fiat SpA since exiting bankruptcy in June, said Thursday it bought out Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. stakes in a Michigan engine factory. The U.S. carmaker took full ownership of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee, effective Aug. 31, said a statement. Financial terms weren't disclosed. The venture, formed in 2003, has been making four-cylinder engines used in Chrysler vehicles. Buying out the two partners clears the way for...

Old Chrysler's costs outstrip assets | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The portion of Chrysler LLC that remains in bankruptcy had costs of $10.2 billion in June, which is more than the amount the company was left with to cover the costs of liquidation. The June operating report for Old Carco LLC, the name for the bankrupt pieces of the automaker, was filed with the New York bankruptcy court Friday. Chrysler LLC filed for bankruptcy April 30, and the choice assets were sold to a new entity, Chrysler Group LLC, which was formed in partnership with Fiat SpA on June 10. Former...

Old Chrysler defaults on loan payment | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The portion of Chrysler LLC that remains in bankruptcy had costs of $10.2 billion in June, which is more money than the company was left with to cover the costs of liquidation. Insufficient funds could explain why Old Carco LLC, which holds Chrysler assets still in bankruptcy, could not repay $3.34 billion in financing from the U.S. and Canadian governments to finish its bankruptcy, and an additional $29 million in interest on that loan. Failure to make a payment due June 30 resulted in a notice of...

United Way to get $525,000 from Chrysler PAC | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Money in Chrysler's dormant political action committee fund totaling $525,000 will be donated to the United Way, The Detroit News has learned. And any voluntary contributions made by the more than 1,300 employee participants since June 10 when a new company, Chrysler Group LLC, was formed in alliance with Fiat SpA, will be refunded, employees learned this week in a letter from John Bozzella, senior vice president responsible for external affairs and public policy. These additional contributions beyond...

Chrysler, Fiat to share Frankfurt Auto Show spotlight | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA will offer the public a family portrait of sorts at next month's Frankfurt auto show. To mark the alliance of the two automakers, cemented on June 10 after Chrysler LLC exited bankruptcy, the brands of both companies will share a display hall at the Frankfurt show, which opens to the press on Sept. 15. That means Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, for the first time, will be in the same building with members of the Fiat Group, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Lancia, Ferrari...

Nissan, Chrysler cancel deal | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Nissan Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC have dropped their plans to produce vehicles for each other. The two automakers agreed early last year to pool their volumes in the full-size pickup and subcompact segments, but doubts about the projects arose after Chrysler teamed up with Italy's Fiat SpA. "For the past several months, teams from both companies have been studying the viability of the projects in light of significant changes in business conditions since the projects were announced," the two...

Chrysler Town and Country is made for vacations | detnews.com | The Detroit News
-- The best way to go up north is in a minivan. Sure, there may be cooler cars, faster SUVs and much more stylish vehicles, but a minivan gets the job done like no other. And the king of Michigan minivans is the 2009 Chrysler Town and Country -- it's an anointment by default since Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. dumped their minivan business. A Town and Country makes any trip into Michigan's hinterlands easier because it basically becomes a giant cargo hauler. It's the Pods of vehicles. The Stow...

Choice of Chrysler Mexico plant acceptable | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC's decision to build the Fiat 500 in Mexico may avoid stiff opposition because its overall product plan will include assembling other new vehicles in the United States and Canada. The Mexican choice is more palatable to union members because when Chrysler reveals its full product plans this fall, there will be products for plants in all three countries. General Motors Co. faced a backlash when it considered importing small cars from China, prompting its decision to build small vehicles...

Ford unveils programs to woo GM, Chrysler buyers | detnews.com | The Detroit News
As Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp. move to dismantle brands and close dealerships, other automakers are moving in to pick up the pieces. Analysts said it will take a couple more months to fully gauge consumer reaction to these moves, but Haig Stoddard of IHS Global Insight said one thing is already clear: "Ford is likely to be the big volume winner." While Chrysler touts the benefits of "quick-rinse" bankruptcy -- something GM is expected to soon enter into as well -- Ford Motor Co. is in the...