Chrysler’s Marchionne says only one minivan per brand C Max competitor coming

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says the automaker plans to only offer one minivan in the future, eliminating either the Chrysler Town and Country or Dodge Caravan by 2013. Additionally, the company is working on a smaller “people mover,” that will go to whichever marque doesn’t retain the minivan.

“If our Project Genesis [a plan to have all Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep showrooms at a single dealership] goes to its conclusion, which is the plan, then it makes no sense to offer consumers two minivans differentiated only by equipment,” Marchionne said in an interview with reporters at the North American International Auto Show.

The smaller “people mover” is being engineered from a new architecture that will underpin several new vehicles in the Fiat and Chrysler lineups. Though Marchionne didn’t get into specifics, the platform is likely to be developed for the Fiat Giulietta, with Chrysler and Fiat engineers planning to expand and adapt the chassis to serve as the basis for a replacement for the Jeep Compass and Patriot, among other vehicles.

Inititally, Marchionne indicated that he would prefer to keep the Dodge Caravan and make the micro-van a Chrysler. In Canada, 80% of the minivan mix is comprised of the Dodge Caravan. But the Town and Country outsells the Caravan in the U.S. and other markets. “We will have to look at the branding, but we are absolutely going to one minivan.” One consideration for Chrysler planners will be that it would be difficult to get the premium price points – over $40,000 for the top-of-the-line Town and Country – for a Dodge branded minivan. LIkewise, it will be difficult to get prices North of 30,000 for even a loaded Chrysler micro-van.

Marchionne also said that both the minivan, and the micro-van would be built at the company’s Windsor, Ontario plant where the minivans are currently produced and designed to compete against the Mazda5 andFord Grand C-Max.

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Japan Only Special Edition Suzuki Escudo ONeil Limited

Suzuki has joined forces with surf wear and equipment brand O’Neill to introduce a special edition version of the Escudo SUV (we know it as the Grand Vitara) exclusively for the Japanese market. Based on the 2.4L XG model and available in a limited run of 600 units, the Escudo ‘ONeil’ is offered in three exterior paint jobs (black, blue and white) with matching interior trim. O’Neill badges aside, the limited edition Escudo’s features include waterproof seat fabrics and floor mats, gunmetal-gray alloy wheels, chrome grille, skid panels in a matt aluminum finish and upgraded standard equipment.

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BMW 320i EfficientDynamics Edition with only 20 addition

BMW has a first among premium sedans. Its with the 320i namely succeeded for the first time in this segment petrol stoker in the 20% addition category to get.

In the business market of premium sedans, it is almost always diesel that the clock strikes. Zelfontbranders are naturally efficient and seem better able to meet the stringent CO2 requirements of today needs. Nevertheless, there are enough business car enthusiasts who weldegelijk gasoline through their veins. To fulfill this wish has come BMW 320i EfficientDynamics Edition(EDE) developed. This engine - at a later time also will debut in the 3-series Touring - provides the 3-Series Sedan unique that no Mercedes C-Class or Audi A4 after him can do: 20% addition of a petrol engine.

1.6 TwinPower
On the basis of these 320i EDE is not the 2.0 liter which we know from the regular 320i, but a blown 1.6 to 170 hp and 250 Nm to the rear wheels. While the engine is undoubtedly pinched to reduce emissions takes just 7.6 seconds to 100 km / h is tapped. The top speed of 230 km / h shows that we still have to deal with a BMW where the driving pleasure is paramount. Despite its nimble handling sends the 320i EDE only 124 grams of CO2 per kilometer into the sky and consumes only 5.3 l/100 km, impressive for a petrol engine. This beautiful figures do business drivers, as I said, until 1 January 2014 only 20% addition to pay. Ordering the 320i EDE is available immediately with a starting price (including VAT increase) € 35.990, -. This is he anyway thousand euros cheaper than the regular 320i.

316i
Besides the BMW 320i EDE presents a 3-Series Sedan with the same block under the hood. The new 316i does not have the EDE systems and must also properly with less power draw. Its 136 hp and 220 Nm, however well spent, the sprint to 100 km / h takes 8.9 seconds. Although exact prices are still lacking, BMW expects the 316i about 3,000 euros cheaper can be offered than the current slip, the 320i. The 316i will later this year at the BMW dealer and are thus estimated at around 34,000 euros to go fetch.

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