Dodge News

Chrysler Group has done a deal with the makers of the new Superman movie Man of Steel, to promote its Ram ute as well as the soon to be released movie.It has come up with a special Superman-themed truck that was presented at the New York premier of the movie earlier this month and will be rolled out at a series of promotional events across the US.Chrysler Group provided “several vintage trucks and other vehicles” to Warner Bros. for use in the Man of Steel movie, although it wasn’t clear when this story was written whether the current model Ram pick-up is featured.It did develop a special Man of Steel version of the Ram Power Wagon, which is still a ute despite the use of the word wagon in its name. The custom Man of Steel pick-up truck uses several visual cues to align itself with the movie.These include anodised red grille inserts and a high gloss black roof, with painters applying 14 coats for maximum effect. The rest of the body is covered in a dull grey, best described as steel grey, body wrap, with a black strip along the sills that matches the black front and rear bumpers.Chrysler Group says the texture was designed to match Superman’s suit. There are S-shield logos on several locations around the truck’s exterior and also the inside. The cabin features grey leather seats, with red trim sections on the doors, dashboard and seats, which also feature mesh inserts modelled on Superman’s suit. Forged 17-inch alloys and chunky off-road tyres finish of the muscular look.At this stage, Chrysler Group says the Man of Steel ute is a one-off and will be auctioned off for charity once it has finished its promo role. Even so, if it gets a good reception, the idea of a special edition Superman Ram ute might just take off. 

If there’s anyone doubting the Fast and Furious franchise’s ability to still stun audiences after all these years, then this is the trailer to watch.

The American shell is just the same, but the Freemont has an Italian heart that reflects the future of transatlantic development deals between Fiat and Chrysler.It comes to Australia with a starting price of $27,000 driveaway, as well as smaller engines and a five-seater cabin - with seven on call - that provides clear space around the Journey and a new opportunity for Fiat.The Italian brand claims the Freemont is the most fuel efficient vehicle in its people mover class, thanks to the 2-litre turbodiesel that starts at $32,600. The Freemont is not the most imaginative model spawned by the Fiat-Chrysler Alliance, with Maserati set to tap the Jeep well for its upcoming SUV and also picking up parts from the 300C, but it shows the new thinking at the company"This is the start of our new product offensive. You have to start somewhere," says Clyde Campbell, the president of Fiat Chrysler Group Australia."This was readily available and we thought we should give it a go. We think it will do reasonable volume, be a good contributor." Campbell, who has led the re-branding the re-positioning of Fiat and Alfa Romeo in Australia, says there is a lot happening at the Italian-American conglomerate."The thinking behind the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, which has become more than an alliance, now, is that they can share from what each other does well. We'll see it in multiple platforms."Fiat is good at small engines, so the Freemont gets launched here with a four-cylinder petrol and a good little diesel engine. Dodge and what Dodge stands for is probably not a 2-litre petrol."The Freemont is a mid-sized people mover with a flexible cabin that brings five seats and up to 1461 litres of cargo space - third-row seating costs $1500 - with Base, Urban and Lounge trim levels but even the starter car getting remote central locking, 17-inch alloys, aircon and power steering, rear parking radar, tyre-pressure monitoring and a 4.3-inch touch screen for an infotainment system including Bluetooth audio streaming."There's a lot of value. And there are a lot of trim levels, compared to the Dodge," says Campbell. But it's the planning around the Freemont that shows where Fiat-Chrysler is going."Chrysler builds it and ships it. But they fit it with the Italian engines," Campbell says. And he says there is much more action planned for 2013."We've got other Fiat product coming this year. We're going to re-launch the Punto and launch the Panda."We've already re-positioned Fiat and Alfa here with lower prices and more models. Now it's the product."This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

The US might be the "home of custom cars" but an Australian from a country town has outclassed them.Justin Hills has taken the title of World's Most Beautiful Custom Car away from the Americans at the renowned Sacramento Autorama with his 1960 Dodge Phoenix.It's the second time Mr Hills has entered the Autorama competition, which showcases more than 450 cars from hot rods to classics.Read more here.  

A car dealership in the Adelaide suburb of Frewville will be forced to take down its latest marketing after complaints were raised with Burnside Council. Belcar Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership, on Glen Osmond Rd, erected a bright orange jeep that rotates atop a 12m pole last month. Burnside Council received two complaints about the jeep last month. The council's communications adviser, Jenny Barrett, said the dealership did not apply for approval. The dealership has been given until February 28 to take it down, otherwise council would take legal action. Belcar Chrysler Jeep Dodge general manager Grant Jasper said the dealership did not apply for approval as it believed it was unnecessary for a temporary structure. He said Belcar offered to submit a retrospective application and lower the pole's height. "We spoke to the council and we were just shut down," Mr Jasper said. "We were flatly told if we made an application it would be denied." Belcar staff were disappointed the "Jeep on a stick", which would have been on display for six months, would be removed.  

The facilities – set to open in August in the Gold Coast’s only dedicated vehicle precinct -- will house the group's Mazda, Hyundai, and prestige used-vehicle dealerships.They will complement the group's Southport and Tweed outlets and will comprise three showrooms, each with workshop facilities along with customer amenities. The construction project is understood to represent a $10 million investment for the company which is rolling out the facilities on a 1.5ha site at 4 Brabham Circuit.The Frizelle motor group will join the Grand Motors, Von Bibra Motors, and Hinterland Toyota dealerships at the Automall, which also is home to a number of complementary businesses. Its site was purchased at a cost of $9.57 million from RPA Properties in a deal that settled in 2011.The Frizelle group called tenders for the showroom project in October and the construction contract was awarded to Condev, which launched initial siteworks before Christmas. The showroom facilities, conceived by Design Imagery, will share 4950sq m of floorspace and 93 parking bays and each will feature display space, parts and administration areas.They will offer driveway service, house a combined 31 vehicle-servicing bays, and accommodate a range of client facilities including lounge areas and wi-fi-enabled work spaces. The two brand-specific buildings will comply with Mazda and Hyundai corporate image guidelines and all buildings will feature LED lighting to minimise power use.They also will utilise low-emission, energy-efficient glazing to minimise the airconditioning load. Rainwater will be stored for irrigation and general dealership usage. The group's dealer principal, James Frizelle, said the project represented a significant growth milestone for the business and had been made possible by the company's strong customer base."We strongly believe the market will support the expansion at Robina and we will continue to strive to provide top-level sales and after-sales care for our customers," he said. Executive Brett Frizelle said the Automall project presented a prime market area opportunity for the group's Mazda and Hyundai marques which were continuing to grow market share."We have confidence that the Coast market will continue to grow and there is the convenience factor for existing customers of the central-city location," he said. "We also see big opportunities in the used-car segment. "We expect to sell 11,000 vehicles in calendar 2013 and are trading a large number of high-quality vehicles."The Frizelle Automotive Group's dealerships also include Audi, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Skoda marques. 

   

But that's not stopping Brisbane plumber and earthmover Andrew Wilson, 49. His 1926 French Amilcar AC will be the oldest car in the field at the 17th annual Leyburn Sprints on the southern Darling Downs this weekend, but it is still expected to give the more modern cars a run for their money. “It holds the lap record for vintage cars at Phillip Island, Lakeside and Winton circuits and is considered the fastest vintage car in Australia,” says Wilson. Despite costing more than Wilson is brave enough to admit in front of his partner, Millie Davenport, he's prepared to spin the wheels and burn some rubber at the iconic sprint event around the streets of Leyburn. “They're getting a bit expensive to go racing,” he says. “It could cost a lot of money if you crash them.” So Wilson is planning to stay on the tarmac and off the barriers this weekend. Last year his Amilcar, which is powered by a supercharged AC Bristol two-litre straight-six engine, not only won the vintage category but finished half way through the field. “It's detuned now, but it still scares the hell out of you,” he said. Wilson's Amilcar will be among about 190 high-performance historic cars lining up for the time trials in the sleepy former gold town 220km southwest of Brisbane.  The entry list spans eight decades and includes other European and British thoroughbreds such as MG, Auto Union, Sunbeam, Jowett and Alfa Romeo and rare Australian-built racing marques Elfin, ASP, Bolwell, Centaur, Skelta and Bowin. The event celebrates the 1949 Australian Grand Prix on a nearby ex-wartime airstrip and is run around the streets past houses, the post office, a general store, RSL club and historic hotel. Competition starts at 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Adult entry is $15 a day or $25 for the weekend. Children under 14 are admitted free.  www.leyburnmotorsprints.com.au/