Chrysler Group's New SRT8 Video Works Visually but not Aurally

We all like watching powerful cars drifting slideways and burning rubber and fortunately, we get plenty of that in the Chrysler Group's new SRT video starring the 2012MY SRT8 versions of the Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger and Charger.

But (there's always a but, isn't there?) while there's no doubt that the clip is visually stimulating, it completely misses the point when it comes to making our ears happy. Watch the video after the break and you'll see/hear what we mean.

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Aftermarket Firms Develop Power Operated Soft Top for Jeep Wrangler

Along with myriads of new concept and project cars, next week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas will also see many aftermarket companies debuting numerous new vehicle components and accessories.

Jeep specialist RuggedRidge and RoadWire both revealed that they would use the SEMA Show to launch new power operated convertible tops for the JK Wrangler.

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eBay Find: 1967 Jeep Jeepster Commando Convertible C101

Now here’s something you don't see very often: a 1967 Jeep Jeepster Commando Convertible that has been listed for sale on eBay. But how about a little history before we see what the "deal" with this eBay find is?

Willys-Overland Motors introduced the Jeepster nameplate after the end of WWII as the company attempted to create a vehicle that would bridge the gap between trucks and passenger vehicles. The original Jeepster was produced from 1948 to 1950.

After Kaiser absorbed Willys-Overland Motors in the mid-1950s, the company re-introduced the nameplate in 1966 with the new Jeepster Commando that proved to be more successful than the original model. It was eventually offered in three body styles including pickup truck, convertible and wagon.

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Change of Plans for Chrysler Group, will Eliminate Duplicate Models, Hints at U.S. Market Delta

The product plan brewing continues over at the Fiat Group – Chrysler LLC alliance. Following the recent news on the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands, the group's CEO Sergio Marchionne offered new details on Chrysler LLC's strategy.

In an interview with Automotive News, Marchionne said that the company has revised its Project Genesis plan, which was put in place in 2008 when Chrysler was still under the ownership of Cerberus Capital Management.

The two key elements of the Genesis plan are merging the dealerships of all four Chrysler group brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram under one roof, (with only a few exceptions), and abolishing duplicate products that are the result of badge-engineering such as the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger, and the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

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Jeep Announces New Ad Campaign for Italy

Jeep is one of the two mainstream brands within the Fiat Group – Chrysler LLC alliance (the other one being Alfa Romeo) that are destined to play a major global role in the company's growth plans for the future.

To mark Jeep's renewed lineup in Italy, the automaker is launching a new TV campaign under the tagline "Don’t' adapt to conventions". The first spot is named "Never Adapt" and it will begin airing on Italian television channels on Sunday, October 9.

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Video: Too Fast, Too Furious Ain't the Way to Tackle an Off-Road Course…

It is a completely different driving world when you're at an off-road course. Sure it can be fun but you should always keep in mind that what you know and practice on the road cannot be applied on a bona-fide trail ride.

The driver of this 4x4 model learned it the hard way when he stomped on the gas pedal to pass over a man-made hill as the vehicle plunged face down at a 90-degree angle. Nevertheless, the ending could have been far worse than the knock on the kid's head.

Video follows after the jump.

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Former Chrysler CEO Nardelli Says Cerberus Could Have Saved the Automaker

It's been two years since Bob Nardelli stepped down as Chrysler CEO while the company was still owned by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, for which he still works, but the 63-year-old exec still has the hots for the Detroit carmaker.

During an interview with The Detroit News on the sidelines of a recent Dow Jones conference in New York, Nardelli said that the Obama administration didn’t have to give Chrysler away to Fiat as he believes Cerberus could have done a better job of saving the automaker.

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Official: Fiat-Chrysler Alliance to Build New Small Jeep SUV at Mirafiori Plant in Italy

We have more news coming out of the Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC camp. After the announcement on the new Alfa Romeo 1.8-liter turbo engine, the group said it has finalized plans to build a new small Jeep SUV model at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy.

The company noted that development of the manufacturing infrastructure at Mirafiori will begin in 2012 with production of the new baby Jeep model expected to begin in the second half of 2013 alongside an updated version of Alfa Romeo's MiTo supermini.

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Jeep's Updated Production Plan Includes Four New Models Covering Most Segments by 2014

While future production plans for the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's Italian brands (Fiat , Alfa Romeo and Lancia) can change from one moment to the other for a variety of reasons, up until now, the American branch of the group has proved to be more reliable and on time when it comes to new projects.

At a recent investors presentation in Germany, the Fiat Group unveiled its product plans for Jeep, which the automaker considers as one of the two global brands in the alliance, the other one being Alfa Romeo.

Under the revitalization plan, which runs up until 2014, Jeep will expand its portfolio with a series of new models to cover all SUV/Crossover segments. The group's –admittedly ambitious- goal is to double Jeep's global sales from around 400,000 units in 2010 to about 800,000 vehicles in 2014.

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