News/Info Summary for 12/30/2006 (long)

1341 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by News Junkie, Jan 1, 2007

Quiet Lunatic

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

News/Info Summary for Week Ending December 30, 2006 (long)

Dear Membership:

Thought I would try to encompass several Articles with Links into one posting to end the Year. Any comments are appreciated. Just trying to do my part to keep this Site interesting and fresh, every time you visit.

New Subcompact Dodge?

The big news as we wrap up the year is the just announced deal for with Chrysler to have China’s nine year old Chery Automobile Company to manufacture and build small cars to be sold worldwide, and sold as Dodge or maybe Chrysler or Jeep.

These are really tiny cars or know as “B-Cars”, but could become something else before you see one in your local Dealership in late 2007 or 2008.

The only picture of a Chery car I was able to find now is in an Article in Morningsun.net with the Link of
http://ap.morningsun.net/pstories/business/20061229/133521160.shtml

It is presently a small segment that Chrysler has reported it can not make any money on without a partner. This move allows Chrysler to have a product quickly that could see high demand if gasoline prices escalate over $3.00 a gallon again.

Over at Jalopnik.com they have pictures of what could be a subcompact Dodge Hornet that look much cooler than anything shown from China. This is worth a look:Click on Link to read
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/breaking-daimlerchrysler-chooses-chinese-chery-to-build-dodge-hornet-225076.php

New Viper SRT

From the Detroit Auto Show the 2008 pictures of the Viper SRT-10 from allpar.com. Click to see
http://www.allpar.com/cars/viper/2008-dodge-viper.html

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

@ TheCarconection.com they are showing the New Jeep Trailhawk Concept that will be shown for the first time in Detroit in January. It is a cross between the Wrangler & Grand Cherokee, but it also has a little "Nitro" in it too since it has a Load'N Go cargo tray!

Check it out: Click on Link to read
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Car_...83.A11412.html

Nitro Reviews

The first Canadian 2007 Dodge Nitro SLT 4X4 Road Test has just appeared
http://www.auto123.com/ They really like Dodge with all the bad altitude. It is one of the best reviews and a must read!

Just look how it starts out….

“They’re the manliest carmaker on earth- with unapologetic styling and products named after actions or devices intended to injure, main or destroy. These include the Ram, Caliber, Viper, Magnum and now, the latest, the Nitro”

One of the reviews I saw on TV showed the driver disabling the standard ESP system (Electronic Stability Program or electronic roll mitigation) to have more fun! What? When I shared this a local Chrysler Dealer mechanic he told me it cannot be fully disabled as this Article from Canada states. He confessed that he had both the left and right rear wheels up in the air on a test drive of a new Nitro last week in a maneuver to miss a car that pulled out in front of him. He said he might have flipped it if it had not had ESP and that it really worked. Again this is a good read. Click on this Link if you are already an owner of a Nitro or just looking! Click on Link to read

http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,DODGE.spy?artid=74347

Others still report yet another “Bumpy” review on the Nitro like the one from the Columbus Dispatch.

“Muy macho” Click on Link to read

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/30/20061230-G1-00.html
“But on roadways with bumps and cracks, my passengers and I bobbed up and down because of the Nitro’s short, 108.8-inch wheelbase and its stiff suspension. On dips, passengers felt substantial hits.”

Since I have chosen not to drive a Nitro myself till an R/T is available from one of my local Dealerships (within in the next 30 days I’m told) I am not sure what to expect? I don’t expect it to ride like my Wife’s new Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer with nearly a 114 “ wheelbase, but more like my old Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with only a 106” WB and both have V8’s and 4x4. What’s the deal? Don’t see complaints here about how rough they ride?

If I like the Nitro R/T as I suspect, I will order it with the optional Trailer Tow Package that may make it even ride harder, but maybe the 20” wheels will lessen that. I plan to report back on my promised R/T Road Test as I hope others will here when they test drive one. Just think these similar reviews may be unfair like the one I posted that complained that there was no glove box lock on the Nitro! Wow, what a big issue, and reason not to buy one!

Would again like feed back if this type of post is useful to this Forum and its membership and what you want to view.

Happy New Year to all and good luck to all that have Nitro’s now, or have them on order!

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Quiet Lunatic

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 31, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

Plant Fact Sheets Toledo North Assembly Plant 4400 Chrysler Drive , , Toledo , Ohio , United States Floor Space: 2.10 Million Square Feet
Acreage: 200
Products: Jeep® Liberty and Dodge Nitro
Employment: 2,969

Training Hours: 55,556 Hours (2005)
Robotics: 608
Union Local: U.A.W. (United Auto Workers) Local #12
Plant History: Ground breaking of new plant was in fall 1997. Production of Jeep® Liberty launched April 2001. Launch of Dodge Nitro for model year 2007.
(Updated: July 2006)

Taken from: http://cgcomm.daimlerchrysler.com/plants.do

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NitroTech

· #3 · Jan 1, 2007

I read the review from the Columbus Dispatch. It left me wondering what kind of ride there were expecting. It's a 4x4 SUV with great ground clearance. Did they want this Mid-size SUV to be longer well then it wouldn't be a mid-size. What SUV in this segment doesn't have somewhat of a "bumpy" ride. I've noticed it, but its not like driving a Jeep TJ.

Until a review is written that judges it for what it is, these so-called car journalist will never sway me from recommending a Nitro to someone. I think Dodge has a great product with the Nitro and introduced it at a great price point.

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Quiet Lunatic

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 1, 2007

NitroLarry said:
I read the review from the Columbus Dispatch. It left me wondering what kind of ride there were expecting. It's a 4x4 SUV with great ground clearance. Did they want this Mid-size SUV to be longer well then it wouldn't be a mid-size. What SUV in this segment doesn't have somewhat of a "bumpy" ride. I've noticed it, but its not like driving a Jeep TJ.

Until a review is written that judges it for what it is, these so-called car journalist will never sway me from recommending a Nitro to someone. I think Dodge has a great product with the Nitro and introduced it at a great price point.

I sure have not seen negative posting here and if our membership felt that way I am sure it would be here! Still planning to "Test Drive" an R/T as soon as I can and order one to my specks, if I like it. I guess size counts since a Jeep Liberty is considered a "compact SUV" and a Dodge Nitro is listed as a "mid-size" SUV. Would have thought with just a 4" longer wheelbase they would have been in the same class. Had a AMC Gremlin X with a V8 when I was younger and it only had a 96" wheelbase. Thought it rode well, but after riding several high speed roller costers this Summer, I do realize as one get older you do feel more bumps than you do when you are younger. That might have something to do with it, too?

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