Mopar Insiders Articles

REPORT: Dealers Sources Say Jeep® To Drop Wagoneer Name For 2026 Grand Wagoneer To Cover Entire Lineup Next Year After months of speculation and dealership whispers, it appears the Jeep® Wagoneer nameplate is on its way out. Multiple Jeep dealers are now confirming that the company plans to discontinue the standard Wagoneer after the 2025 model year, consolidating the lineup under the more prestigious Grand Wagoneer name for 2026. https://moparinsiders.com/report-dealers-sources-say-jeep-to-drop-wagoneer-name-for-2026/

Fox Factory™ Teases Street-Ready Ram 1500 Performance Pickup Coming October 6th Fox Factory™ is gearing up to reveal something Mopar fans have been waiting for—a street-focused Ram 1500. The performance suspension powerhouse, through its Fox Factory Vehicles division, has teased what looks to be a low-slung, asphalt-ready pickup. The big debut is set for Monday, October 6th, 2025, and expectations are high for a fresh take on Ram’s full-size truck. https://moparinsiders.com/fox-factory-teases-street-ready-ram-1500/

Stellantis Cuts 10,000 Italian Jobs Since 2020 Union Says Automaker’s Production Has More Than Halved Since 2004 Stellantis has reportedly eliminated nearly 10,000 jobs in Italy over the past four years, according to a new report from the Fiom-Cgil union. The announcement highlights the challenges the automaker is facing as it adapts to shifting demand, the transition to electrification, and growing pressure from Chinese automakers. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-cuts-10000-italian-jobs-since-2020/

Stellantis CFO Shake-Up: Ostermann Out, Laranjo In Leadership Change Shocks Industry, Raises Questions About Stellantis’ Future Stellantis stunned everyone this morning by announcing that Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Doug Ostermann has stepped down immediately, citing personal reasons. In his place, the company has tapped longtime financial executive Joao Laranjo as the new CFO and a member of the Stellantis Leadership Team. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-cfo-shake-up-ostermann-out-laranjo-in/

Caravan SRT-4: The Turbo Minivan That Never Was @AbimelecDesign Reimagines Dodge’s Family Hauler with Neon SRT-4 Power When you think of Dodge’s most outrageous performance machines, the Neon SRT-4 probably doesn’t jump to the top of the list. But back in 2003, it was one of the best bang-for-your-buck cars on the market—turbocharged, lightweight, and seriously fast for the price. Now imagine if that same fire-breathing attitude made its way into the family-friendly 2003 Dodge Caravan. That’s exactly what digital designer Oscar (@AbimelecDesign) set out to envision—and the results are downright awesome. https://moparinsiders.com/caravan-srt-4-the-turbo-minivan-that-never-was/

Jeep® Korea Unveils Exclusive 2025 Fathom Blue Edition Limited-Run Wrangler & Gladiator Models Celebrate “Quiet Freedom” Jeep® Korea is wrapping up its “Color My Freedom” summer campaign with a bang—introducing the third and final special color edition for 2025, the Fathom Blue Edition. This limited-run package, available only in Korea, takes the Jeep Wrangler (JL) and Gladiator (JT) into deeper, more personal territory, symbolizing a quiet yet unwavering sense of freedom. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-korea-unveils-exclusive-2025-fathom-blue-edition/

Rare 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda Convertible Heads to Hemmings Auction Numbers-Matching 340 With a Four-Speed If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a rare piece of Mopar history, Hemmings is giving collectors and enthusiasts a golden opportunity. Up for auction is a restored, numbers-matching 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda Convertible, equipped with a 5.6-liter (340 cubic-inch) small-block LA V8 and a heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission. This isn’t just another muscle car—it’s one of the rarest combinations built during the golden era of Detroit horsepower. https://moparinsiders.com/rare-1971-plymouth-cuda-convertible-heads-to-hemmings-auction/

728-Mile 2017 Dodge Viper SRT GTC Coupe Hits BringATrailer Ultra-Low-Mile Viper In Rare Snakeskin Green Heads To Auction If there’s one car that embodies raw American muscle in its purest form, it’s the Dodge Viper. This 2017 Dodge Viper SRT GTC Coupe, now listed on BringATrailer, checks every box for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Showing just 728 miles on the odometer, it’s essentially a brand-new example of Dodge’s final hand-built supercar. Bidding wraps up on Tuesday, October 7, at 4:13 p.m. EDT, making this one to watch. https://moparinsiders.com/728-mile-2017-dodge-viper-srt-gtc-coupe-hits-bringatrailer/

Stellantis Expands AI Partnership with Mistral to Transform Operation Automaker Aims To Put Artificial Intelligence at the Center of its Business Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword in the automotive industry—it’s becoming a real competitive advantage. Stellantis has taken another significant step in this direction by expanding its partnership with French tech company Mistral AI. The announcement was made during Italian Tech Week, signaling Stellantis’ intent to embed AI into nearly every corner of its business. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-expands-ai-partnership-with-mistral-to-transform-operation/

Jeep® Avenger To Be Built In Brazil Starting In 2026 Stellantis Adds Fourth Jeep Model To Porto Real Plant Stellantis has officially confirmed that the subcompact Jeep® Avenger will roll off the assembly line at its Porto Real Automotive Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, beginning in 2026. This announcement solidifies the Avenger as the fourth Jeep model to be produced in the country, joining the Renegade, Compass, and Commander in Jeep’s local lineup. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-avenger-to-be-built-in-brazil-starting-in-2026/

1969 Plymouth Road Runner Spring Special Heads To Mecum Indy Sharp Lime Light-Colored Beep! Beep! Big Block Heads To Auction The muscle car era is filled with icons, but few carry the mix of raw performance and quirky character like the Plymouth Road Runner. At the upcoming Mecum Indy Fall Special on Friday, October 3rd, collectors will get a chance at a rare piece of Mopar history — a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Spring Special, restored and dressed in high-impact Lime Light (FJ5). https://moparinsiders.com/1969-plymouth-road-runner-spring-special-heads-to-mecum-indy/

Opel Pushes Ahead With AI-Powered Light Communication in Autonomous Cars Smarter Headlights Show the Future of Vehicle-To-Pedestrian Trust For more than a century, headlights have done one thing—light the road. Opel, backed by Stellantis and researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt, is proving that in the age of self-driving cars, headlights can do much more. At this year’s International Symposium on Automotive Lighting (ISAL), the German automaker rolled out a specially equipped Grandland SUV that uses artificial intelligence and advanced lighting systems to communicate directly with pedestrians and other road users. https://moparinsiders.com/opel-pushes-ahead-with-ai-powered-light-communication-in-autonomous-cars/

Dodge Rebrands Attitude in Mexico as Attitude R/T Sportier Sedan Gets A Bold New Identity When Dodge decided to freshen up its compact sedan lineup in Mexico, it didn’t just roll out a new trim—it changed the name entirely. As of July, the popular Dodge Attitude now officially goes by Dodge Attitude R/T, making “R/T” part of the car’s name rather than a trim designation. That means shoppers can actually buy an Attitude R/T SXT, Sport, or GT, which has already caused a little confusion, but Dodge says the move helps separate this new performance-inspired model from the value-focused Attitudes of years past. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-rebrands-attitude-in-mexico-as-attitude-r-t/

Primal RC Unveils 1/8 Scale Ram 1500 ROC RTR Trail Truck Big TRX Style, Big Scale RC Package If you’ve ever wanted a Ram 1500 TRX in your driveway but don’t have the space—or the six-figure budget—Primal RC has the next best thing. Teaming up with Traction Hobby, the company has launched the 1/8 scale Ram 1500 ROC Brushless RTR 4WD RC truck, and it’s one of the most detailed and feature-packed remote-control rigs we’ve ever seen. https://moparinsiders.com/primal-rc-unveils-1-8-scale-ram-1500-roc-rtr-trail-truck/

Ram Argentina Hosts First-Ever RAM Performance Drive Exclusive Driving Experience Strengthens Ram Society Program Ram Trucks Argentina just took its owner loyalty program to the next level with the launch of the very first RAM Performance Drive. Held at the Autódromo de Buenos Aires, the event marked the debut of a new driving clinic designed exclusively for members of Ram Society, the brand’s customer experience platform. https://moparinsiders.com/ram-argentina-hosts-first-ever-ram-performance-drive/

Stellantis Turns Up the Heat at the Texas Auto Show Big Debuts, Family Fun, and A Celebration of Muscle, Trucks, and Innovation Everything is bigger in Texas — including the 2025 State Fair of Texas, and Stellantis is making sure its presence matches the hype. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT, and Alfa Romeo have all converged on the Texas Auto Show with fresh vehicles, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly fun. From all-new powertrains to classic V8 muscle returning under the hood of Ram trucks, Stellantis is making a statement in Dallas this year. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-turns-up-the-heat-at-the-texas-auto-show/

Our 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack BRICKED! A Two-Day Ordeal with Five Tow Trucks Revealed the Bigger EV Challenge Back in May, I decided to lease a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack. As a lifelong Mopar enthusiast, the idea of driving Dodge’s first all-electric muscle car was intriguing. Over the years, I’ve owned and reviewed countless gas-powered performance vehicles, but I wanted to experience electric ownership firsthand. https://moparinsiders.com/our-2025-dodge-charger-daytona-scat-pack-bricked/

AMW4x4 Opens New Global Headquarters in Burton, Michigan HEMI® Jeep Builder Expands Into a 100,000 Sq.-Ft. Facility America’s Most Wanted 4×4 (AMW4x4), the well-known leader in HEMI®-swapped Jeep® vehicles, has officially leveled up. After years of operating out of a modest shop in Holly, Michigan, the company has now opened the doors to its brand-new global headquarters in Burton, Michigan. The new facility—built inside what was once a Lowe’s—spans more than 100,000 square feet and represents a massive leap forward for the aftermarket upfitter. https://moparinsiders.com/amw4x4-opens-new-global-headquarters-in-burton-michigan/

We Took Our Demon 170-Swapped HELLCAT to the Track – Here’s What Happened Strong Results Despite Fuel and Traction Issues Show Promise for the Build Last week, we gave you an inside look at our Demon 170-swapped 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT project—the culmination of a massive transformation that blends OEM performance with aftermarket ingenuity. Now, we’ve finally brought it to the drag strip to shake it down and gather crucial data for refining the tune. https://moparinsiders.com/we-took-our-demon-170-swapped-hellcat-to-the-track-heres-what-happened/

Carvana Expands Into Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram Dealerships Online Auto Giant Makes Bold Moves Into Brick-and-Mortar Retail For years, Carvana has been recognized as the online disruptor that changed the way Americans buy used cars. Known for its touchless delivery and futuristic “car vending machines,” the company has long leaned on its digital-first approach. But now, Carvana is moving deeper into the traditional dealership world—this time targeting Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram (CDJR) stores. https://moparinsiders.com/carvana-expands-into-chrysler-dodge-jeep-ram-dealerships/