If Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV's 50-50 merger with French automaker Groupe PSA takes place in early 2021, the new name will be Stellantis. The new name is derived from the Latin word "stello" meaning "to brighten with stars." The following brands will fall under the Stellantis corporate entity, but will retain their names: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Abarth, Opel, Peugeot, Citroen, Lancia, DS and Vauxhall. Also, Comau and Teksid will sell parts. In another bit of news, GM has lost its racketeering lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler.The lawsuit was the result of an alleged bribery conspiracy to corrupt three rounds of bargaining with the United Auto Workers in a bid to harm and take over GM.
At two separate meetings, on January 4, 2021, investors will be asked to approve the long awaited merger that will form Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker. All I can say is... https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...592C164D0B202B442368592C164D0B202&FORM=VDQVAP
Motor Trend has an interesting article entitled, “Does the Dodge Brand Have a Future?” The article, this question was posed to Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger cars for FCA North America. Here are some excerpts from the article. The Dodge brand is a bit of a conundrum, and it doesn't help that for 2021 it has been reduced to three vehicles: Two aging muscle cars and a large three-row SUV. (The Grand Caravan minivan kinda-sorta lives on—or at least keeps getting stays of execution, but is slated to die.) As FCA heads into a merger with PSA Group, creating the fourth-largest automaker in the world made, the chances of the new entity culling brands from its extensive portfolio seem rather high. It ultimately begs the question: Will Dodge survive in the long-term? Or even the medium-term? While Dodge is adding ever more trims and high-output variations to its Challenger, Charger, and Durango model lines, it's also sending two of its nameplates to the great scrap heap in the sky. Gone for the 2021 model year are the Dodge Journey crossover and the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan. For the three years, Kuniskis stated the models don't fit Dodge's DNA, but sales remained strong and the two people movers managed to avoid the chopping block. Until now, that is. "We're at the point where we drew a line in the sand and said, 'this is it, this is the last year, we're not going to do them anymore,'" Kuniskis shared, adding that neither the pandemic nor the merger pushed the decision. Still, Kuniskis sees a role for Dodge after the merger of FCA and PSA is complete, and he noted the beauty of a "house of brands" is that it affords each to have its own unique and separate identity in the marketplace. In short, no individual brand needs to try to be all things to all customers. The supercharged Hemi is still good to go in the Challenger and Charger for the 2022 model year (and the foreseeable future). Five years after its introduction in the Challenger Hellcat, the high-horsepower engine is showing no signs of slowing down. It has in that time found its way into a total of almost 40,000 Dodge vehicles. In fact, the engine assembly plant can barely keep up with Five years after its introduction in the Challenger Hellcat, the high-horsepower engine is showing no signs of slowing down. It has in that time found its way into a total of almost 40,000 Dodge vehicles. In fact, the engine assembly plant can barely keep up with demand. "There's no way we could have called that. We have scrambled many times to increase capacity.."At some point, however, something will have to change, there's no question," Kuniskis confessed. "I'm not going quietly into that new reality.” Still, the brand's head wouldn't share if a next-generation Charger or Challenger, both of which currently ride on a platform that dates back to 2005, are in the works. Nor would Kuniskis elaborate when asked if there are additional future models planned for Dodge. Nevertheless, the brand will- in time- embrace electrification and the performance potential that electric motors can provide. Dodge does not need to fully shift to battery electric vehicles, Kuniskis said, as gasoline-electric hybrids provide the torque, power, and visceral driving experience befitting the brand's DNA. Good thing, too, because clearly, Dodge is relying on that high-octane DNA to justify its existence. https://www.motortrend.com/news/dodge-future-fca-psa/
It's only a matter of time until the ancient pushrod Hemi is no more (at least in production vehicles) due to it's inherent inefficiency and difficulty to meet future MPG and emissions requirements. This will create a huge shock wave throughout the brand. if nothing else, I believe this is the greatest threat to the current Dodge market.