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Chrysler LLC is an American automobile manufacturer that has been producing automobiles since 1925 and from 1914 under the Dodge name. From 1998 to 2007, Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler (now Daimler AG) Prior to 1998, Chrysler Corporation traded under the "C" symbol on the NYSE. Under DaimlerChrysler, the company was named "DaimlerChrysler Motors Company LLC", with its U.S. operations generally referred to as the "Chrysler Group".

On May 14, 2007 DaimlerChrysler AG announced the sale of 80.1% of Chrysler Group to American private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., although Daimler continues to hold a 19.9% stake. Chrysler LLC is the new name. The deal was finalized on August 3, 2007.

After the announcement of the spin-off to Cerberus, the Chrysler LLC, or "The New Chrysler", unveiled a new company logo on August 6, 2007 and launched its new website with a variation of the previously used Pentastar logo. Robert Nardelli also became Chairman and CEO of Chrysler under the ownership of Cerberus. Chrysler is now the largest private automaker in North America.


Chrysler


Crossfire

PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a typically American "retro"-styled station wagon or hatchback built by Chrysler, launched in 2000 as the entry-level Chrysler.

The PT Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2001 and won the North American Car of the Year award that year.

Officially, the "PT" stands for "Personal Transportation," but the initials also designate the car's platform. According to Consumer Guide and the PT Cruiser Club the "PT" stands for "Personal Transportation". It has also claimed the Neon was based on the Chrysler PL platform, or "Platform Low," while the Cruiser was based on the Chrysler PT platform, for "Platform Tall." "PT" was also the production code for the PT Cruiser. Unofficially, the name may stand for "Plymouth Truck", as it harks back to the 1930s line of Plymouth Trucks (known by the "PT" moniker). The original concept car was a Plymouth; the Chrysler brand adopted the production car when the Plymouth brand was discontinued.

In a November, 2007 strategy move to help return the automaker to profitability, Chrysler first announced plans to discontinue the convertible version of the now slow selling vehicle. This announcement was followed later in the month by an official announcement that the company would cease production of the remaining versions of the vehicle after the 2009 model year.


Sebring

The Sebring was replaced with a new model based on the JS platform for 2007.

Because no 2007 Convertible is offered, the 2006 Sebring Convertible was left to fill the void, remaining in showrooms and on the company's website until the 2008 model's release.

The new Sebring borrows many styling cues from the 2003 Chrysler Airflite concept. It also has several Chrysler-signature styling cues, several of which come from the Chrysler Crossfire. Additionally, the new Sebring is the first Chrysler model to offer Chrysler's "MyGig" infotainment system.

The Chrysler Sebring is assembled in Sterling Heights, Michigan and contains over 82% of parts sourced in North America.

The convertible version will be released in 2007 as a 2008 model, and for the first time will feature an optional power hardtop in addition to the available cloth and vinyl tops.

2008 marks the first year that the Sebring is available with optional "MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System" which allows you store 20GB of music, dvds, and pictures.

Chrysler offers three engines for the 2007 Sebring, the 2.4 L GEMA I4, the 2.7 L EER V6, and the 3.5 L EGJ V6. The 3.5 L V6 is coupled to Chrysler's first ever 6-speed automatic transmission, which employs Autostick technology, and the 2.7 L V6 is capable of running on cleaner-burning E85. Export vehicles will be offered with a 2.0 L turbocharged common-rail diesel made by Volkswagen and the 2.0 L GEMA engine.


300

The current 300 is a full-size sport/luxury sedan which was first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car and first introduced in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model.

Its design was clearly inspired by the 1957 Chrysler 300C, the headlights and grill being the most obvious design cues taken from its ancestor.

Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built to bring a high performance, sporty sedan. The 300C is also sold in Australia, the first large Chrysler sold there since the Valiant was discontinued in 1981.

The 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum all share the Chrysler LX platform, which features components derived from the discontinued W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 1996 to 2002. Such components include the suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, the 5-speed automatic's design, and a derivative of the 4-Matic all-wheel drive system. Some European versions will get a four-wheel drive version; the UK will probably not.


Town and Country

The Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan marketed by Chrysler and formerly DaimlerChrysler (1998-2007). The Town and Country was introduced in 1990, while its sister vehicles, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, had already been in production since the 1984 model year. Chrysler's success of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager pursued the company to produce one of the first-ever luxury minivans. General Motors was in hot pursuit by releasing the Oldsmobile Silhouette. But they arrived at dealerships the same time, which was in 1990.

Since their introduction, the Chrysler minivans have been the best-selling minivans in the United States.


Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica was a mid-size crossover SUV, originally produced by DaimlerChrysler and transferred to Chrysler LLC, when it was spun off in 2007. As frequently reported, the Pacifica does share its platform with the Chrysler minivans. It offers all-wheel drive and an upscale interior to individuals who need cargo and passenger flexibility. It was introduced in 2004 and was originally inspired by the 1999 Chrysler Pacifica and 2000 Chrysler Citadel concept cars. The Pacifica, according to Chrysler, is a “sports tourer” and is built in Windsor, Ontario, Canada alongside the long-wheelbase Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan.The 2008 model year is the Pacifica's final model year. It was announced on November 1, 2007 that the Pacifica is to be discontinued. Chrysler won't be active in the crossover SUV market until a new vehicle based on the Dodge Journey crossover SUV is scheduled to replace the Pacifica. The last Pacifica rolled off the Windsor line in November 2007.


Aspen

The Chrysler Aspen is a sport utility vehicle from Chrysler. Launched for the 2007 model year, the Aspen is based on the Dodge Durango SUV. The Aspen name was previously used by Dodge (on a twin of the Plymouth Volaré) from 1976 to 1980.

It is the first truck-based SUV commercialized under the Chrysler brand. With this introduction, as of 2006, all American automobile brands have an SUV in their range. The car was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The Aspen also comes equipped with three rows of seating for 8 passengers and all-wheel drive.

The Aspen comes in one series, the Limited, with several equipment packages available to customize the vehicle to one's individual tastes. Only a few standalone options are offered, in keeping with the Aspen's market positioning as an upscale SUV.

There are three engines available, a flex-fuel 4.7 L V (capable of running on E85 or gasoline), a gasoline 4.7 L V8 (for California and other states where the E85 4.7 L V8 will not meet emissions requirements), and the 5.7 L Hemi V8 with MDS.



Dodge

Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles and trucks, sold by Chrysler LLC in over 60 different countries and territories worldwide.

Founded as the Dodge Brothers Company in 1900 to supply parts and assemblies for Detroit’s growing auto industry, Dodge began making its own complete vehicles in 1914. The brand was sold to Chrysler Corporation in 1928, passed through the short-lived DaimlerChrysler merger of 1998–2007 as part of the unofficial "Chrysler Group", and is now a cornerstone of the new Chrysler LLC run by Cerberus Capital Management (a private equity investment firm).


Avenger

Introduced as a 1995 model year vehicle the Dodge Avenger was a rebodied Mitsubishi Eclipse. Not especially quick for its time, it was, however, exceptional when it came to handling. Another major attribute was its interior design/layout which enabled it to fit four average sized adults in relative comfort, something that few coupes or other 2 door vehicles in its class could offer. This model was discontinued after the 2000 model year.

In 2005 rumours started to spread that the Avenger name would be returning to the Dodge lineup though this time it would be replacing the Dodge Stratus, the coupe version of which replaced the Avenger in 2001. This time however it would not be a coupe but a sedan only. The car was officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show. That model had a diesel engine, but is currently only available in the US and Canada with a choice of three gasoline engines. The diesel is available in other international markets.

The name Avenger was originally used on the Hillman Avenger (later Chrysler/Talbot Avenger), produced by Rootes Group while that company was owned by the Chrysler Corporation. Interestingly this model was actually marketed in South Africa as "Dodge Avenger".


Caliber

The Dodge Caliber is a compact car produced by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Group. It replaced the Neon, and went on sale in the spring of 2006 as a 2007 model year. The Caliber is a five-door hatchback roughly the size of a Neon, and was first shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It features styling elements derivative of larger Dodge vehicles, such as a crosshair grille and large flared fenders. The Caliber is one of the first modern Dodge-branded vehicles for sale in the European, Asian, and Australasian markets. It debuted publicly on January 10, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show, amid jokes by David Spade. The base price is US$13,985.


Charger

The Dodge Charger, in its current incarnation, is a rear-wheel drive full-size automobile built by the Chrysler Group for its North American Dodge brand. The Charger name is a historical one, borne by many other Dodge Charger models in the past. Introduced in February 2005 for the 2006 model year, this new Charger shares the LX platform of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, which borrows component parts from the Mercedes E-Class platform; in fact, the interior of the Charger is almost identical to that of the Magnum. It replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan. This Charger is a family four-door sedan, disappointing many fans of the previous two-door Chargers. It is built at Brampton Assembly in Canada.

In October of 2007, a new B-Body Charger based off the 1970 models was shown in a Mopar magazine.


Dakota

The Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from the Chrysler LLC's Dodge brand. It was introduced in 1987 alongside the redesigned Dodge Ram 50. The Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2000.

The Dakota has always been sized above the compact (Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10) and below the full-sized (Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado) pickups and Dodge's own Ram. It is a conventional design with body-on-frame construction and leaf spring/live axle rear end. The Dakota has also long been the only midsize pickup with an optional V8 engine. One notable feature was the Dakota's rack and pinion steering, a first in work trucks.


Durango

The 2007 model was reworked to halt a sales decline, debuting at the Dallas Auto Show in April 2006. It includes a reworked front clip with a new fascia, grille, hood, and headlamps as well as updated fenders and wheels. New features include electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring system, rear park assist, and a one-touch turn signal. The 2007 model also has a reworked floor, second-row seats, and electrical system in preparation for the 2009 hybrid version.


Caravan

The Dodge Caravan is a minivan manufactured by Chrysler. It was introduced in November 1983 for the 1984 model year along with sister models, the Chrysler town & Country, and the Plymouth Voyager (later Chrysler Voyager). The first modern minivans, the Chrysler company minivans are credited with creating the entire market segment for these vehicles. The Chrysler twins were launched a few months ahead of the Renault Espace (the first MPV/minivan in Europe, first pitched to executives as a Talbot in 1979 , but not launched until 1984), making them the first of their kind.

Since their introduction, the Chrysler minivans have been the best-selling minivans in the United States.


Nitro

The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV from the Dodge division of Chrysler LLC. Launched for the 2007 model year at the Chicago Auto Show, the Nitro shares its platform with the Jeep Liberty. It is assembled at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio. This Jeep facility is part of a complex including the Toledo South Assembly Plant, home to the Jeep Wrangler since the 1940s. The Nitro competes with compact SUVs such as the Nissan Xterra, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Liberty, and also with compact crossover SUVs such as the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. The Nitro went into production in August 2006 and went on sale in September. The Nitro is also Dodge's first compact SUV since the Raider was discontinued in 1990.

The Nitro is priced at US$19,885. It is one of the first modern Dodge-branded cars on sale in Europe since its introduction in early 2007. All Nitros are available with rear-wheel drive, part-time all-wheel drive is available as an option. The top-line Nitro R/T with all-wheel drive sells for $27,630.

Dodge is touting the car's "Load 'N Go" sliding cargo floor as a major selling feature. Similar to a system offered on the Saab 9-5 station wagon, the floor can be extended through the rear hatch by 18 in (457 mm) to ease loading.

A van version, with the second row of seats removed and the cargo area windows blacked out, is available in select European markets.


Ram

The Ram is a full-size pickup truck from Chrysler LLC's Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram, though it came from the hood ornament used on 1930s and '40s Dodge vehicles.

Dodge Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year twice: the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, and the third-generation Ram Heavy Duty won the award in 2003.

The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico; Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri; and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan.


Viper

The Dodge Viper is a V10-powered sports car manufactured by the Dodge division of Chrysler LLC. Production of the two seat sports car began at New Mack Assembly in 1992 and moved to its current home at Conner Avenue Assembly in October 1995. The car, as well as numerous variations of it, have made countless appearances in TV shows, videogames, movies, and music videos.


Magnum

The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the Chrysler 300 (of which the Magnum is essentially a wagon version) and the Dodge Charger. Previously, the Dodge Magnum model name had been used from 1978 to 1979 for a large coupe in the United States. In Brazil, the Magnum name was a version of the local Dodge Dart from 1979 to 1981. In Mexico, the Magnum was a K-car from 1983 to 1990.

Journey

The Dodge Journey will be the first crossover SUV of Chrysler's Dodge division. It replaces the short-wheelbase Dodge Caravan, although the Grand Caravan continues on sale as of this day. In size, it fits between the compact Nitro and full-size Durango.

The Dodge Journey made its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, and North American sales of the Journey will begin in early 2008, with European sales beginning in the summer of 2008.

The 3.5 liter V6 is only available in North America, with the six-speed automatic transmission, while other markets will have the six-speed automatic transmission with the flex-fuel (E85 compatible) 2.7 liter V6. All wheel drive will only be available with the largest V6 (which depends on the market). A Volkswagen-sourced diesel engine will be available outside of North America with an automatically shifted dual-clutch manual transmission, which may be the first appearance of this transmission (engineered chiefly by Chrysler, with some involvement from long-time partner Getrag).



Jeep

Jeep is an automobile marque (and registered trademark) of Chrysler. It is the oldest sport utility vehicle (SUV) brand, with Land Rover coming in a close second.

The word "jeep", uncapitalized, may be used as a generic term for any vehicle of this shape and function: see genericized trademark.


JK Wrangler

The 2007 model year brought the complete redesign of the Jeep Wrangler, in both two and four-door models. The TJ platform was replaced by a new JK platform. This next-generation Wrangler was significantly larger than the existing model, with a 2 in (50.8 mm) longer wheelbase and 3.4 in (86.4 mm) wider track, though the two door model is actually 2.5 in shorter in the overall length than the TJ, allowing for better approach and departure angles. With a larger available standard tire size of 32 in, breakover angle is unchanged.

Some Wrangler enthusiasts decried this new vehicle's larger size, claiming that it runs counter to the character of the Wrangler, and is too big to be an effective off-road vehicle. However, it should be noted that similar complaints were heard during previous redesigns. Jeep reportedly sought to cement the Wrangler's position as the marque's most-rugged vehicle as new car-based crossover SUVs took some of Jeep's on-road market share.

JK was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show with Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda driving one up some steps and through a plate glass window, just as Robert Lutz had done at the show in 1992 with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The JK was first available for purchase with the 2007 model year.

Compass

The Jeep Compass (MK) is a compact crossover SUV introduced for the 2007 model year. Jeep made its public debut of the Compass at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The Jeep Compass, along with the Patriot will take over from the Jeep Liberty as Jeep's entry-level sport utility vehicles, and is one of Jeep's first crossover SUVs. The Compass has a base price of $15,985 in the United States market. The first Compass was produced on May 30, 2006.

The Compass and Patriot are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditional 4-door Jeep wagon, while the Compass is intended as a sporty "hot hatch" crossover like the Toyota Matrix. The Dodge Caliber, also based on the GS platform, is a combination of these two segments.

It uses a 172 hp (128 kW) 2.4 L GEMA I4 gasoline engine and will also get a 2.0 litre Volkswagen-designed diesel engine for the European and Australian markets. The 2.0 litre GEMA engine is available on the 4X2 Sport model. The 2.0 diesel from Volkswagen is the same as used in the Volkswagen Passat. The car also features an electronically-controlled all wheel drive system with variable torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph (105 km/h) for optimal handling. However, the base model version has only FWD, a first for any Jeep. The Compass will be the first Jeep offered in many years that isn't badged as "Trail Rated". This indicates that the Compass has not passed the same testing of off-road ability as other Jeep vehicles in terms of traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording. Since the similar Dodge Caliber debuted with an SRT treatment, the Compass is expected to get the SRT treatment, possibly in 2007.

The Compass is assembled in Belvidere, Illinois, where the Dodge Neon was produced.


Patriot

The Jeep Patriot (MK) is a compact SUV introduced in early 2007 for the 2007 model year by the Jeep marque of DaimlerChrysler. It debuted publicly in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It slots between the Liberty and Compass in the Jeep lineup with pricing starting from US$14,985, making it the cheapest sport utility vehicle in North America.

The Patriot and Compass are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditional four-door Jeep wagon, similar to the Cherokee, which was discontinued in the U.S. in 2001, while the Jeep Compass is intended as a sporty crossover, but with more capacity to handle rough roads and poor weather than competitors like the Pontiac Vibe. The Dodge Caliber, also based on the GS platform, is a more direct competitor to the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, and is more like a small hatchback wagon than either of the Jeeps. The Patriot is manufactured at DaimlerChrysler's Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant alongside the Dodge Caliber and Compass.

The Patriot uses a four-cylinder 2.4 L GEMA gasoline engine and also has a 2.0 L Volkswagen-designed diesel engine for the European and Australian markets. The base car features front-wheel drive, but a choice of two electronically-controlled four-wheel drive systems is optional. One, the Freedom Drive I, is a full-time system for on-road use. Freedom Drive II is made for off-road use with variable torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph for optimal handling.


Liberty/Cherokee

The Jeep Liberty (KJ/KK), or Jeep Cherokee (KJ/KK) outside North America, is a compact SUV produced by the Jeep marque of Chrysler. It was introduced for 2002 with styling inspired by the Dakar  and Jeepster  concept cars. The Liberty, nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2002, was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee (XJ). The Liberty sits in size between the Patriot/Compass and Grand Cherokee in Jeep's SUV lineup, but priced between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. It was the smallest of the 4-door Jeep SUVs up until the 4-door Compass and Patriot arrived for 2007.

70 percent of Liberty buyers are new to the Jeep marque. It is assembled at the Toledo North Assembly factory in Toledo, Ohio.


Grand Cherokee

The all-new WK Grand Cherokee debuted in 2004 for the 2005 model year. Features available for the first time in a Jeep included Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, rear-seat DVD player and optional 5.7L Hemi V-8.

The design still emphasizes power and luxury, with significant work done on improving noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). However, for the first time, Jeep also emphasized on-road performance to a similar extent as the cornerstone of its brand, off-road capability.

This newfound emphasis on on-road refinement led Jeep to replace the live-axle with leading-arms front suspension (found in the ZJ and WJ) with a new design: an independent double-wishbone setup like that which debuted in the 2002 Liberty. The new Jeep changed its philosophy due to what it perceived as increasing demand in the SUV marketplace for on-road performance and decreasing demand for off-road capability, and though the new design is perceived to be more smooth over washboard-types of roads, the new front suspension was criticized by off-roading Jeep community for its inability to provide optimal axle articulation during low-speed, technical maneuvers, specifically over uneven terrain.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee made its European debut at the Euro Camp Jeep held in Ardèche, France.


Commander

The Jeep Commander (XK) is a mid-sized SUV introduced in 2006. It was first introduced at the 2005 New York Auto Sho. It is a 7-passenger SUV and is just 2 inches longer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has much more boxy styling, with an upright windshield and squared-off sides. The roof is stepped for the second and third-row seats (which are mounted higher than the first-row seats), but is disguised, as on the GMC Envoy XL, by a roof rack. It also features three moonroofs.

Jeep is the fourth company to produce a vehicle called the Commander, after the Studebaker Commander, the Scammell Commander, and the Norton Commander motorcycle.

Supposedly, the Jeep Wagoneer was the Commander's initial inspiration, this may be evident as its exterior resembles the styling. Although its design is very square-like, the Commander's basic platform is based off of the third generation Grand Cherokee.