MORE CHEERFUL INTERIOR AWAITS PACIFICA BUYERS

Chris Vander Doelen, Windsor Star - - Part of the changes to the refreshed Pacifica revealed in Chelsea recently are in the interior, and they might interest both the Chrysler workers who build them and the consumers thinking of buying one.

As reported last week, the biggest parts of the refresh are new front end lights and metalwork, a six-speed transmission and a more powerful 4.0-litre engine. (The engine, for those who want to know, is a reworked version of the Chrysler 3.5-litre, company sources say).

The interior changes include lighter plastic panels on the upper portions of the doors.

Chrysler has decided to go to lighter colours to make the interior more cheerful. That may be of interest only to Chrysler workers smacking parts on all day, but the rest of the changes might lead to more sales: they're making Electronic Stability Control side air curtain bags standard equipment.

They're adding an eight-inch DVD screen, and a backup camera called Park View. Many consumers complain that the high waist design of many of today's crossovers make it too difficult to back up safely and park the tall wagons.

The final change is the addition of a new miracle fabric for seating surfaces that would be a boon to families with young children. Called YES Essentials, the fabric repels stains, is anti-static, and as a major bonus, also repels odours.

"It's really unique and it should be good especially for families," says Kathy Graham.

Just as they did with Magna's Stow 'N Go seating, DaimlerChrysler has negotiated an exclusive two-year supply contract with the creators, Milliken Automotive Fabrics.

YES Essentials will be available only on a range of Chrysler Group vehicles for the next two years: Chrysler's Pacifica and Sebring, Dodge's Caliber and Nitro, and Jeep's Compass and Patriot.

STERLING HEIGHTS PLANT TO GET TWO SHIFTS TO START

Chris Vander Doelen, Windsor Star - - Now this is where Chrysler's flexible manufacturing plans, many years in the making by LaSorda and Frank Ewasyshyn as engineers and junior executives, should start paying off for the company.

The Sebring and its variants will be manufactured in Sterling Heights (not Jefferson, as reported last week. That's where the new Grand Cherokee diesel will be assembled). It will probably only require two shifts to meet demand for the Sebring, LaSorda said. "I don't see (three shifts) at this point. But I said that about Caliber."

Belvidere assembly, outside Chicago, which builds the Caliber and its siblings, the Compass and Patriot, recently added a third shift of short-term contract employees to meet rising demand for the Caliber, which is selling so quickly there is only an 11-day supply of them in the dealer system.

"We can't make them fast enough," said a beaming LaSorda. But if one or more of those four vehicles explodes into a monster hit like the PT Cruiser did, Chrysler won't be caught short of product this time because it will be able to add capacity at either Belvidere or Sterling Heights.

Both of those plants have identical capabilities as flex plants, and extra Compass or Caliber capacity could be brought on stream quickly in Detroit if orders start to outpace what Belvidere can produce, LaSorda said.

There was much gnashing of teeth inside Chrysler after the PT Cruiser came out because limited production capacity left tens of thousands of potential sales unfulfilled. The company considered adding a second PT Cruiser plant, but the bean counters balked at the prospect of investing another billion bucks and taking on another workforce for life to build a car that might be flash in the pan fad. So they backed off.

LaSorda isn't anticipating such a turn of events with the Sebring, but they're prepared: "The plant is in great shape to make a lot of these," he said of the Sebring.

CONVERTIBLE SEBRINGS PUT SMILE ON LASORDA'S FACE

Chris Vander Doelen, Windsor StarPublished: Tuesday, July 04, 2006

CONVERTIBLE SEBRINGS PUT SMILE ON LASORDA'S FACE
Several automotive trade magazines report there will be two convertible versions of the new Chrysler Sebring unveiled in Chelsea, Mich., last week by Tom LaSorda, president and CEO of the Chrysler Group.

"We're looking at the convertible," LaSorda said with a smile, prevented from spilling the beans until the marketing department tells him he can.

According to the trade mags, which were quoting anonymous parts suppliers, there's going to be a traditional soft-top convertible Sebring and a more expensive folding hardtop version similar to those being popularized by Volvo and the German carmakers.

But there will be no coupe version of the new Chrysler Sebring, LaSorda said.

Why not? "Coupe sales are down dramatically in all segments," he said flatly when asked.

There will be a Dodge version of the Sebring, however.

What Can We expect at SEMA 2006

HEMISPERICAL BLOG, LAS VEGAS - - Well, SEMA is coming fast. What should we expect that would be hit for us muscle car performance fanatics? Dodge Challenger concept coupe displayed with a 6.4-liter Hemi with a SRT badge? Force induction blown Dodge Challenger concept coupe? Or pehaps the next MOPAR crate motor from the in-house performance builders - SRT utilizing the next gen Hemi block that has rocked the NHRA world since the 60s?

Stay tuned for more updates...coming soon!

Chrysler Group Turns Up the Heat with Employee Pricing Plus for All Customers

Employee Pricing will be available to all customers beginning July 1, 2006

Chrysler Group offers the industry-exclusive 30-day return program

Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealerships will maintain extended hours for the holiday weekend for first time in Company history

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 30, 2006 - Chrysler Group kicks off the summer selling period with the introduction of the Employee Pricing Plus program on qualifying 2006 model year and select 2005 model year Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles.

Customers who visit the nearly 3,900 participating U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers will immediately receive employee pricing on Chrysler Group vehicles plus zero percent financing for 36 months on most models financed through Chrysler Financial plus the option to return the vehicle under the company’s 30-day Return Program upon satisfying certain conditions. Or, in lieu of special financing, customers may choose to receive employee pricing, cash back up to $3,500 and the 30-day Return Program.

“Chrysler Group is setting the pace for the summer selling season with robust buying opportunities for customers who visit our showrooms,” said Joe Eberhardt, Executive Vice President – Global Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group. “And, we are standing behind our products with the added security of a 30-day Return Program, which offers customers a peace of mind proposition for buying our cars and trucks.”

The Employee Pricing Plus program includes virtually the entire 2006 model year lineup of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, including best sellers like the Dodge Ram pickup, segment-leading minivans like the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan with the exclusive Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage system and the head-turning Chrysler 300.

The Dodge Viper, Dodge Ram SRT10 pickup and Dodge Sprinter van are excluded from the program.

For the first time in the company’s history, participating Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships nationwide will be open until midnight each day beginning July 1, 2006, through July 5, 2006, in support of the Employee Pricing Plus program.

Customers will have ample opportunity to visit dealer showrooms to browse available dealer inventory and take advantage of the employee pricing specials. “Chrysler Group took the unprecedented step of asking our dealers to maintain extended retail hours during the holiday weekend, giving customers ample opportunity to visit our showrooms and take advantage of the Employee Pricing Plus celebration,” said Eberhardt. “Our broad selection of segment leading, head turning products at each Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge showroom will appeal to consumers in nearly every category.”

The Employee Pricing Plus program will kick-off on July 1, 2006 in conjunction with the “Ask Dr. Z” advertising campaign, communicating the best of American and German engineering and design in every Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle. The multifaceted “Ask Dr. Z” campaign focuses on the innovative design, quality, reliability, performance and fuel economy of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles today. The Employee Pricing Plus program runs through July 31, 2006.

Chrysler Employees spell out "O Say, Can You See"

DAIMLERCHRYSLER MEDIA, AUBURN HILLS MI - - Chrysler Group employees cheer as more than 300 gather to form the first five words of “The Star-Spangled Banner” – “O say, can you see” – Friday, July 7, 2006, on the front lawn of DaimlerChrysler’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., to promote the National Anthem Project, a national education effort sponsored by Jeep®, to re-teach Americans the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Two out of three Americans don’t know the words to the national anthem, according to a Harris Poll survey. The formation measured approximately 10 feet wide by 100 feet long.

2006-07-07 07:26 (Mw 6.1) TONGA -15.3 -173.6

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: TONGA
Geographic coordinates: 15.258S, 173.605W
Magnitude: 6.1 Mw
Depth: 35 km
Universal Time (UTC): 7 Jul 2006 07:26:12
Time near the Epicenter: 7 Jul 2006 20:26:12
Local time in your area: 7 Jul 2006 08:26:12
Location with respect to nearby cities:
257 km (160 miles) SW (231 degrees) of APIA, Samoa
331 km (206 miles) WSW (250 degrees) of PAGO PAGO, American Samoa
379 km (236 miles) N (6 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
2575 km (1600 miles) W (272 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US pwaf
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/uspwaf.php

This Day in Auto History: 7 June

7.7.1899 - William A. Hatcher completes the drawings for the first Packard

7.7.1919 - Roger J. Helder of the Chrysler Corporation is born in Grand Rapids, MI

7.7.1936 - Racer Eldon Rasmussen is born

7.7.1944 - Racer Steve Krisiloff is born

7.7.1958 - Joseph F. Merkel, designer/manufacturer of the 1905-1907 Merkel, dies in Rochester, NY

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

Photo Credit: cache.tias.com

California and Sweden Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Biomethane and Other Renewable Fuels

FLEET CENTRAL NEWS - - California and Sweden Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Biomethane and Other Renewable Fuels PASADENA, CA – In a ceremony held at the Ministry of the Environment in Stockholm, representatives of the Kingdom of Sweden and the State of California signed an agreement pledging the two governments and their related industries to work together to develop bioenergy, with a particular emphasis on biomethane.

More than 8,000 vehicles in Sweden are powered by a combination of natural gas and biomethane. The vehicles include transit buses, refuse trucks, and more than 10 different models of passenger cars. There are more than 25 biomethane production facilities in Sweden and 65 filling stations. The Swedish biomethane industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 20 percent over the past five years.

In particular, Sweden has been a global leader in terms of converting biowaste, largely agricultural material and residues, into usable biomethane. This gas is then used to either generate electricity, residential heating, or as a transportation fuel. Roughly 50 percent of the methane used to power Sweden’s natural gas vehicles comes from biological sources.
Sweden was motivated to develop its biomethane industry because it has no natural gas reserves, to more efficiently manage its waste, and to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord. Since biomethane is developed from methane sources that would normally release into the atmosphere, it’s considered one of the most climate friendly fuels. Methane is 21 times more reactive as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). Sweden is currently meetings its objectives and schedule as outlined in the Kyoto accord.

Biomethane is developed by heating up and breaking down biomaterials in a digester. Among other raw materials, Swedish operators feed their digesters with slaughterhouse waste, swine manure, and even grassy crops. After the materials breakdown over a 20-day period, technology is then used to remove the impurities and produce biomethane. Once cleaned-up, biomethane is 98 percent methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline standards.

In addition to biomethane, Sweden is also taking a leadership position in the development of an ethanol refueling network. Sweden has more than 300 E-85 stations. Among others, Volvo and Saab have developed cars that can effectively run on E-85.

Photo credit: univ-pau.fr

M 3.7 EQ NEAR FORT ROSS, CA 01:43:24 PM PDT Thursday, Jul 06, 2006

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
California Integrated Seismic Network
http://www.cisn.org
USGS/Caltech/CGS/UCB/UCSD/UNR
Version 2: This report supersedes any earlier reports about this event.
This is a computer-generated message and has not yet been reviewed by a seismologist.
PRINCIPAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
_______________________________
Magnitude : 3.68 ML (A minor quake)
Event Date & Time : 07/06/2006 01:43:24 PM PDT
07/06/2006 20:43:23 UTC
Coordinates : 38.4983 N, 123.4705 W
: (38 deg. 29.90 min. N, 123 deg. 28.23 min. W)
Depth : 0.0 miles ( 0.0 km)
Location Quality : Fair
20 km ( 12 miles) W (265 degrees) of Fort Ross, CA
40 km ( 25 miles) W (275 degrees) of Monte Rio, CA
42 km ( 26 miles) W (269 degrees) of Guerneville, CA
42 km ( 26 miles) WNW (297 degrees) of Bodega Bay, CA
46 km ( 28 miles) W (281 degrees) of Occidental, CA
67 km ( 42 miles) W (275 degrees) of Santa Rosa, CA
More Information about this event and other earthquakes is available at http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latestfault.htm
ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
number of phases : 139
rms misfit : 0.21 seconds
horizontal location error : 0.4 km
vertical location error : 0.8 km
maximum azimuthal gap : 196 degrees
distance to nearest station : 27. km
event ID: 51172355
SOURCE OF INFORMATION/CONTACTS
________________________________
CISN Northern California Management Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Berkeley Seismological Laboratory
http://www.cisn.org/ncmc.html

DaimlerChrysler's Global Mercedes June Sales Rise 6.4% on New Vehicles

July 6 (Bloomberg) STRUTTGART GERMANY -- DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes Car Group, the world's second-largest luxury carmaker, said worldwide June sales rose 6.4 percent on new models such as the Mercedes- Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle and S-Class sedan.

Sales by the group's Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach brands increased to 118,800 vehicles, the Stuttgart, Germany-based company said in an e-mailed statement. First-half group sales rose 8.7 percent from a year earlier to 627,300 units.

``Based on the positive development, we now expect higher sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand in 2006 than last year,'' Klaus Maier, who's responsible for sales and marketing at Mercedes, said in the statement.

Mercedes has revamped its lineup as competition picks up from Volkswagen AG's Audi division and Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand. Mercedes in 2005 introduced updated versions of the M- Class and S-Class and added the all-new R-Class and B-Class models, which both mix features of minivans and station wagons.

Munich-based Bayerische Motoren Werke AG overtook Mercedes- Benz unit as the world's biggest luxury-vehicle maker in March 2005 helped by models. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles rose 8.9 percent to 106,200 in June and increased 13 percent to 565,300 for the first half. BMW reports sales results tomorrow.

Sales by Mercedes-Benz are growing fastest in the U.S. The company sold 20,800 cars and SUVs in the world's biggest car market last month, a 14 percent increase. Sales rose 6.8 percent in Asia and increased 0.6 percent in Germany.

In Western Europe excluding Germany, the company sold 43,600 cars, a 6 percent gain.
Sales of the Smart small car declined 11 percent last month to 12,600 units. For the first half, sales at the brand slumped 20 percent to 62,000 cars. The company is phasing out the four- door ForFour model after cutting the roadster version and plans to focus only on the two-seat ForTwo. To contact the reporter on this story:

Jeremy van Loon in Berlin at jvanloon@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: July 6, 2006 07:50 EDT

Chrysler Dominates the Field in a Business Week Picks

Top Twelve American Vehicles
Posted Jul 3rd 2006 7:06PM by Joel Arellano

AUTOBLOG NEWS BUSINESS WEEK - - If your next vehicle absolutely has to have American design, American heritage and American power (though not necessarily be built in America, that's another list), Business Week has some suggestions for you.

The business magazine scoured through every domestic car, SUV, truck, and van and picked the top 12 domestic winners in each segment.. Without further ado, the 12 best American vehicles are:

Small Car: Ford Focus
Sedan: Chevrolet Malibu
Wagon: Ford Focus Wagon
Minivan: Dodge Caravan
Small Truck: Dodge Dakota
Large Truck: Ford F-150
Luxury Sedan: Chrysler 300
Mid-Sized SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Luxury SUV: Jeep Commander
Supercar/Exotic: Saleen S7
Special: Ford Escape Hybrid
Special: Dodge Viper SRT10

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Binz (not Benz) stretches the S-Class

AUTOBLOG NEWS, BY ALEX NUNEZ - - UK-based limousine manufacturer Binz has unveiled an S-Class limo concept, which will be available by special order in addition to the company's current E-Class-based stretch.

The S-Class limousine adopts a 6-door configuration with three forward-facing rows of seats. The presence of three doors on each flank is a little unusual-looking, but the arrangement probably makes for a much more comfortable ride for passengers. Anyone who's had to sit on a sideways bench in a fully-occupied "regular" stretch limo (think "bridal party" here) can attest to this.

Getting in and out of the car is probably easier as well, thanks to the 6-door setup. The big Binz comes with "middle eastern specification" A/C (Brrrrr), and can also be equipped with entertainment options such as headrest-mounted video screens.

The standard engine is the S320's CRD V6, with the S350's gasoline V6 available as an option. All onboard electronics have been recalibrated to account for the size and weight gain resulting from the conversion.

[Source: Binz]

Tsuchiya is awarded an interior patent for her work on the latest concept Chrysler Akino

United States Patent: D524,211

Inventor: Tsuchiya [Carlsbad Ca, DaimlerChrysler Corporation]

Awarded: July 4, 2006

[Click for large image]

Image Credit - US Patent Office

Chrysler appoints CEO in Canada

AUBURN HILLS -- DaimlerChrysler AG 's Chrysler unit named Reid Bigland as president and CEO of its Canadian operations. Bigland, 40, has been president of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. , a South Carolina-based unit of DaimlerChrysler's Commercial Vehicle Group , the automaker said in a statement today on Canada News Wire.

Congrats...

This Day in Auto History: 7 JUNE

1908 Packard Thirty Model

This Day in Auto History:

7.6.1891 Automotive engineer Earle Steele MacPherson is born in Highland Park, IL

7.6.1907 The first 1908 Packard Thirty Model UA is produced

7.6.1914 Dodge Brothers, Inc. grants its first retail franchise to J. D. Picksley Cheek St. of Nashville, TN

7.6.1930 Racer Ian Burgess is born in London, England

7.6.1942 Robert F. Runge, Vice President of SKF Industries, Inc. since 1920, dies at age 56

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit Brass Auto

2006-07-06 03:57 (Mw 5.7) TAJIKISTAN 39.1 71.8

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==


Region: TAJIKISTAN
Geographic coordinates: 39.113N, 71.822E
Magnitude: 5.7 Mw
Depth: 7 km
Universal Time (UTC): 6 Jul 2006 03:57:51
Time near the Epicenter: 6 Jul 2006 09:57:51
Local time in your area: 6 Jul 2006 04:57:51
Location with respect to nearby cities:
136 km (84 miles) WSW (239 degrees) of Sary-Tash, Kyrgyzstan
148 km (92 miles) SSE (163 degrees) of Farghona (Fergana), Uzbekistan
156 km (97 miles) W (271 degrees) of Karakul, Tajikistan
263 km (163 miles) ENE (77 degrees) of DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US pvac

Oil Prices Surge On Missile Tests - 75 dollar

Photo Credit BNL [US Government]

FORBES, MONEYLINE, Michele Steele, 07.05.06, 6:10 - - PM ETSurging oil prices plus North Korea's decision to test-fire seven missiles weighed heavily on stocks, pushing all the broader indexes lower. Crude oil futures closed at a record $75.20 per barrel. That move might be enough to push national average gas prices above $3 per gallon by this weekend.

HEMIDAKOTA - - This is stupidty at its best when the pricing has nothing to do with 'Supply & Demand' but speculation. Go figure.

This Day in Auto History: 5 JULY

Photo Credit: Encompass DUC

7.5.1915 - - The Omaha, NE 1 ¼-mile board track opens with a 302-mile race won by Eddie Rickenbacker in a Maxwell

7.5.1933 Robert C. Stempel of General Motors is born in Trenton, NJ

7.5.1945 --Julius Dorpmuller, the head of the Autobahn project, dies in Malente, Germany at age 75

7.5.1956 --Oscar C. Kreis, a design draftsman with the Packard Motor Car Company 1902-1908, Chief Engineer with the Gray Motor Company 1908-1916, Chief Research Engineer with Continental Motors Corporation 191601932, and later a consulting engineer to the Studebaker Corporation and General Motors, dies at age 78

7.5.1974 --Ralph Hamlin, driver of the first car to reach the summit of Mount Washington, NH and later a Franklin dealer, dies in Los Angeles, CA at age 93

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

JULY 2006 US Dealership Incentives