Mopar Insiders Articles

Rare 1996 Dodge Ram Indy Pace Truck Heads to Mecum Low-Mile Pace Truck with Indy 500 Pedigree and Tony George Ownership If you're a Mopar fan or a collector of rare trucks, here's one worth watching: a 1996 Dodge Ram Indy Pace Truck is rolling across the auction block at Mecum Indy on Friday, May 16th, 2025. But this isn’t just any special edition pickup—this one’s the real deal, with just 3,649 miles on the odometer, documented track use at the 1996 Indianapolis 500, and previously owned by Tony George, the former Chairman, President, and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. https://moparinsiders.com/rare-1996-dodge-ram-indy-pace-truck-heads-to-mecum/

Stellantis Shipments Drop 9% Amid North American Plant Slowdown Extended Shutdowns and Product Rollouts Impact Early 2025 Results Stellantis saw its global vehicle shipments drop 9% in the first quarter of 2025, as the automaker dealt with extended factory shutdowns and a slower ramp-up of new truck models in North America. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-shipments-drop-9-amid-north-american-plant-slowdown/

Why You Shouldn’t Slam the Hood on Your 2024+ Charger Daytona Mopar Tech Breaks Down Why You Should Never Slam Your Charger EV’s Hood If you’re one of the people to purchase or lease a 2024+ Dodge Charger Daytona, you might want to rethink how you shut your hood. Slamming it shut hard could land you in the service bay with a broken latch and a lot of regret. https://moparinsiders.com/why-you-shouldnt-slam-the-hood-on-your-2024-charger-daytona/

Jeep® Unleashes 2025 Wagoneer Overland: Rugged and Refined Only 2,000 Units Built for Hardcore Adventure Jeep® has just rolled out the most off-road-capable version of its full-size SUV yet — the new 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Overland Special Edition. Blending rugged off-road gear with a high level of interior comfort and technology, this new limited-edition package is built for those who crave backcountry trails without sacrificing refinement. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-unleashes-2025-wagoneer-overland-rugged-and-refined/

Stellantis Narrows CEO Search to Final Five Candidates Sources Say All Are Men, with Three from Outside the Company Stellantis is closing in on its next CEO, narrowing its shortlist to just five final candidates. The automaker — behind brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Peugeot — is under pressure to find a new leader after former CEO Carlos Tavares stepped down in December 2024. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-narrows-ceo-search-to-final-five-candidates/

Stellantis Halts Buybacks, Approves $2.26B Dividend for Shareholders Rough Year Leads To Payout, But Caution Remains Stellantis is hitting the brakes on its stock buyback program, but shareholders will still see a major payout. At the company’s Annual General Meeting in Amsterdam on Tuesday, investors gave the green light to a cash dividend of $0.77 per share—or €0.68—which adds up to a total payout of $2.26 billion (€2 billion), set to hit accounts on May 5. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-halts-buybacks-approves-2-26b-dividend-for-shareholders/

European Union Targets Carbon Fiber for 2029 Ban New Proposal Could Force Automakers to Rethink Lightweight Materials The European Union (EU) might soon label carbon fiber a hazardous material, a move that could ban its use in vehicles starting in 2029. If approved, this would be the first time any major government treats carbon fiber as dangerous, sending shockwaves through the auto industry. https://moparinsiders.com/european-union-targets-carbon-fiber-for-2029-ban/

Current-Generation Dodge Durango Is Sticking Around? Supplier Sources Have Indicated The Gen3 Durango Will Solider On Till At Least 2028 Looks like the Dodge Durango isn’t leaving the party anytime soon. According to supplier sources who spoke to MoparInsiders, Dodge is extending the production of the current third-generation Durango (WD) until 2028. That’s two more years than previously planned, and yes—HEMI® power is still in the mix. https://moparinsiders.com/current-generation-dodge-durango-is-sticking-around/

Maserati CEO Reaffirms Stellantis Support Amid Tariff Turbulence McKinsey & Co. Brought In To Assess Tariff Impact on Maserati, Alfa Romeo Despite facing a tough year and fresh challenges from newly announced U.S. tariffs, Maserati’s top executive says Stellantis isn’t walking away from the legendary Italian luxury brand. Santo Ficili, CEO of both Maserati and Alfa Romeo, recently confirmed in a letter to the Italian labor union Uilm that Stellantis is standing by Maserati as the company works through a shaky transition and slowing global demand. https://moparinsiders.com/maserati-ceo-reaffirms-stellantis-support-amid-tariff-turbulence/

AUCTION: 12K-Mile 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser LX 5-Speed Super Clean, Low-Mile PT Cruiser Listed on BringATrailer with No Reserve If you remember the early 2000s, there’s no way you missed the Chrysler PT Cruiser. When it hit the streets in 2001, it was a big deal. Chrysler leaned hard into the retro styling trend, and people ate it up. Dealers were marking them up by as much as $10,000 over MSRP just to keep up with demand. But while the hype eventually cooled off, the PT Cruiser stuck around for a solid decade, offering up affordable practicality with funky styling. https://moparinsiders.com/auction-12k-mile-2009-chrysler-pt-cruiser-lx-5-speed/

Stellantis Slumps: Italy’s Car Production Hits 68-Year Low EV Shift, Soft Demand, and U.S. Tariffs Spark Historic Downturn Stellantis just hit a rough patch in Italy. The auto giant’s vehicle production in the country during the first quarter of 2025 dropped to the lowest level since 1956. That’s not a typo—this is the weakest Q1 output the company (and Italy’s auto industry) has seen in nearly seven decades. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-slumps-italys-car-production-hits-68-year-low/

Ram Rampage Scores Big in Brazil with “Best Reseller” Award Compact Ram Pickup Continues To Win Hearts and Hold Value The Ram Rampage just added another big win to its growing list of accolades—this time taking home the “Best Reseller” award from Quatro Rodas and Mobiauto in Brazil. The award recognizes vehicles that hold their value the best after 12 months, and the Rampage did just that, showing only a 14% drop in resale value between January 2024 and January 2025. https://moparinsiders.com/ram-rampage-scores-big-in-brazil-with-best-reseller-award/

Worker Killed in Accident at Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant Police Scanner Traffic Suggests Employee May Have Been Crushed A tragic workplace accident claimed the life of an employee at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant (DEP) in Michigan early Monday morning, April 7, 2025. Details remain limited, but Stellantis confirmed the fatal incident in a statement. The employee’s identity has not been released out of respect for the family. https://moparinsiders.com/worker-killed-in-accident-at-stellantis-dundee-engine-plant/

What’s Going On with the Chrysler Brand? A Legacy at 100, But What's Next? Chrysler is turning 100 on June 6, 2025, yet there has been little fanfare surrounding this milestone. Once a cornerstone of American automotive innovation, the brand has been reduced to just one vehicle in its lineup—the Chrysler Pacifica—two if you count the budget-friendly Voyager (Grand Caravan in Canada). While other Stellantis brands, such as Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, continue introducing new models and performance variants, Chrysler remains in limbo with no significant updates. https://moparinsiders.com/whats-going-on-with-the-chrysler-brand/

AUCTION: Custom 1977 Dodge Tradesman B200 Fully Decked-Out Custom Van with Vintage Flair Hits the Auction Block If you’re into retro vibes and road-trip-ready rigs, check out this wild 1977 Dodge Tradesman B200 Van currently up for auction on BringATrailer.com. Built on a long 127-inch wheelbase, this B200 was originally customized by Grand Systems of Elkhart, Indiana—a name known for turning factory vans into rolling lounges back in the day. https://moparinsiders.com/auction-custom-1977-dodge-tradesman-b200/

Stellantis Seeks McKinsey’s Help for Alfa Romeo and Maserati U.S. Tariffs Prompt Rethink of Italian Luxury Strategy Stellantis is tapping into some outside help to figure out the future of its struggling luxury brands—Alfa Romeo and Maserati. According to people close to the situation, Stellantis has brought in consulting giant McKinsey & Co. to offer strategic advice as the automaker faces mounting pressure from rising U.S. tariffs and sluggish brand performance. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-seeks-mckinseys-help-for-alfa-romeo-and-maserati/

Windsor Shutdown May Stall Dodge Charger SIXPACK Launch Stellantis' Plant Pause Could Push Back Twin-Turbo Muscle Car Production Stellantis has hit the brakes at its Windsor Assembly Plant, and that could mean a delay for Dodge’s highly anticipated return to internal combustion engine (ICE) power with its 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK. The Canadian facility, located just across the river from Detroit, was idled this past Monday. Although the shutdown is being called “temporary,” it’s expected to last at least two weeks—and possibly longer. This development is creating major uncertainty for both plant workers and local suppliers who rely heavily on the plant’s production schedule...

Jeep® Convoy Concept Debuts with Military Grit at EJS Classic Gladiator Roots Meet Modern Off-Road Muscle Every spring, Jeep® fans make the pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, for the annual Easter Jeep® Safari (EJS)—a week-long celebration of all things trail-rated. And for the 59th edition of the event, Jeep rolled in with seven wild new concepts. One of the standouts this year? The 2025 Jeep Convoy Concept. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-convoy-concept-debuts-with-military-grit-at-ejs/

2025 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Sunchaser Shines Bright in Moab Outdoor Wrangler Carries All the Necessary Gear for a Full Day of Activities Every year, Jeep® heads to Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep® Safari (EJS), a legendary off-road gathering that’s part proving ground, part party, and all Jeep. For the 59th edition of this beloved event, the brand has brought out seven wild concept vehicles—and one that really caught my attention is the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Sunchaser Concept. https://moparinsiders.com/2025-jeep-wrangler-4xe-rubicon-sunchaser-shines-bright-in-moab/

Jeep® Wrangler Rewind Concept Brings The ’80s Back To EJS Retro Style Meets Off-Road Capability in Jeep’s Latest Throwback Concept Every spring, off-road fans descend on Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep® Safari, and Jeep never shows up empty-handed. For the 59th annual gathering, Jeep brought out seven new concepts, each pushing the boundaries of what the brand can do. One of the most eye-catching of the bunch is the all-new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rewind Concept, a retro-themed rig that celebrates the golden age of Jeep—1980s and ’90s style. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-wrangler-rewind-concept-brings-the-80s-back-to-ejs/