Mopar Insiders Articles

UAW Leadership Turmoil: Controversy Over VP Boyer’s Removal VP Rich Boyer Challenges Reassignment Amidst Disputes Over Negotiation Transparency... In recent developments within the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, a letter from UAW 1178 Shop Chairperson Trey Durant has surfaced online, shedding light on UAW President Shawn Fain’s controversial decision to remove Vice President Rich Boyer from his role overseeing the Stellantis department. The letter, posted on the Facebook page “UAW Real Talk, GM, Ford & FCA,” provides context to the ongoing leadership issues and the rationale behind this significant decision. https://moparinsiders.com/uaw-leadership-turmoil-controversy-over-vp-boyers-removal/

Fiat’s Grande Panda: Previewing the Next-Gen Jeep® Renegade? Affordable Electric and Hybrid Crossover Set to Influence Jeep's Future Lineup... Fiat teased its upcoming Grande Panda crossover last week. This B-segment utility vehicle (UV) aims to serve as the flagship model for the Italian brand’s subcompact offerings in the global market. While the new subcompact crossover is generating a lot of buzz in the international market for its style, it has us looking at what it could be sharing with the next-generation Jeep® Renegade. https://moparinsiders.com/fiats-grande-panda-previewing-the-next-gen-jeep-renegade/

CAUGHT: 2025 Ram Rampage Big Horn With New Powertrain New Diesel Engine and Transmission Are Headed To Brazil Market... Ram continues to experience record growth in the Brazilian marketplace. Despite being a “premium” marque in Brazil, Ram is expanding its lineup with more mainstream and affordable options. The Brazilian-designed and built compact Ram Rampage pickup, launched last year, has quickly become one of the most popular pickups in the market. Initially available in three trims—Rebel, Laramie, and R/T—the Rampage has been out of reach for some due to its premium pricing. However, the new 2025 Ram Rampage Big Horn is set to change that, bringing more affordable options to Brazilian customers...

Stellantis Prepares for Major Job Cuts in North America Tavares Looks To Eliminate More Positions In North America, For Cheaper Jobs Elsewhere... In a move sending shockwaves through the automotive industry, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavareshas announced a sweeping cost-cutting initiative targeting North American operations, with a significant focus on the Auburn Hills office tower. This restructuring effort, revealed at last week’s investor meeting, marks a critical pivot as Stellantis seeks to enhance its global competitiveness, particularly against Chinese automakers. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-prepares-for-major-job-cuts-in-north-america/

The Dodge Durango has been instrumental in the Dodge brand’s “Brotherhood of Muscle” mantra for over a decade. While the first two generations of Dodge Durangos were body-on-frame three-row SUVs, the third generation that debuted for the 2011 model year placed the Durango on a unibody architecture. Still offering HEMI® V8 power and three-row functionality, the third-gen Durango (WD) morphed from a capable family hauler to a performance machine in 2018 with the introduction of the long-awaited Durango SRT. Since then, Dodge has reworked and updated the Durango into more of a performance-oriented offering, thanks to Dodge Charger-inspired looks, a … (read full article...)

Stellantis’ Tychy Plant Begins Leapmotor T03 Production Polish Facility Starts Manufacturing Chinese EVs For European Market... The Stellantis Tychy Assembly Plant in Poland, known for producing the Fiat 500, Jeep® Avenger, Fiat 600, and Alfa Romeo Junior, has now commenced production of the Leapmotor T03, a small electric city car from the Chinese EV startup Leapmotor. This move is part of a joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor, signaling a significant shift in the plant’s output and the European EV market. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-tychy-plant-begins-leapmotor-t03-production/

This rare gem from 1982 hits the auction block on the popular auction site BringATrailer.com. This Jeep® J-10 Laredo (SJ), a short-bed Townside pickup, is a testament to the enduring allure of vintage vehicles. With its iconic features and rich history, this Jeep offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors alike. Powering this classic … (read full article...)

Stellantis’ VP of AI, Algorithms, and Machine Learning Has Resigned Berta Rodriguez-Hervas, Joins The List of Higher-Ups To Leave The Automaker... Berta Rodriguez-Hervas, Stellantis’ Vice President of Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, and Machine Learning Operations, has resigned from the automaker. She is the latest in a series ofhigh-level executives to leave Stellantis. A company spokesperson confirmed her departure and stated that Rodriguez-Hervas decided to pursue a new opportunity. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-vp-of-ai-algorithms-and-machine-learning-has-resigned/

The muscle car wars are back on with the introduction of the next-generation Dodge Charger. While the Charger is moving past its HEMI® V8 lineup in favor of a new twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, the new Charger two-door coupe looks to take on Ford’s new Mustang Dark Horse head-on in early 2025. While Ford has vowed that a V8 will be under the hood of its S650 Mustang for as long as possible, the boys at the blue oval upped their game for 2024 with the introduction of the Dark Horse – a 500 horsepower Coyote V8-powered performance machine with some … (read full article...)

Stellantis Engineers Return To In-Person Work In Auburn Hills Staff Have Been Coming Back To Campus Since Mid-February... Stellantis has made a significant shift in its work-from-home policy under the leadership of Ned Curic, Executive Vice President and Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. In a reversal of CEO Carlos Tavares’ previous stance, Stellantis engineers are now required to work at least three days a week in the office, with the possibility of up to six days during new vehicle launches. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-engineers-return-to-in-person-work-in-auburn-hills/

Jeep® Cancels Next-Gen Compass for India Amid High Costs Stellantis Shifts Focus to Sustaining Current Model with Updates for Indian Market... Jeep® has decided not to bring the next-generation Compass (J4U) to India. The new compact SUV, which is scheduled for a 2026 model year release, has been deemed commercially unviable due to the high costs associated with the new STLA Medium architecture. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-cancels-next-gen-compass-for-india-amid-high-costs/

2015 Dodge Challenger HELLCAT Convertible Heads To Mecum Sharp Drop Top Challenger Is Sure To Catch A Lot Of Looks... Challenger enthusiasts, mark your calendars for Friday, July 12th, as Mecum’s Florida Summer Special Auction 2024 will showcase a unique offering: a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT Convertible. With its custom modifications and powerful performance, this rare gem will turn heads and ignite bidding wars. https://moparinsiders.com/2015-dodge-challenger-hellcat-convertible-heads-to-mecum/

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares Admits Strategic Missteps in U.S. Market Blames Excess Inventory, Manufacturing Issues, And Lack Of Market Sophistication... In a candid interview with Fortune magazine, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, he openly admitted to strategic errors affecting the automaker’s performance in the U.S. market. Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Fiat, Chrysler, and Jeep®, has been grappling with several challenges, including declining sales and stalled inventory, leading to a shrinking market share in the U.S. https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-ceo-carlos-tavares-admits-strategic-missteps-in-u-s-market/

Jeep® Brings Back Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition For 2025 Back By Enthusiastic Demand... Jeep® is bringing back the Wrangler Rubicon 392 for the 2025 model year, responding to enthusiastic demand from the Jeep community. The Wrangler 392 continues to be the quickest and most powerful Wrangler ever built and is set to make its triumphant return with the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 Final Edition. https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-brings-back-wrangler-rubicon-392-final-edition-for-2025/

Stellantis Recalls Four Jeep® Wrangler SUVs for Power Distribution Issue Four Models Affected by Trailer Lighting Malfunction... Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling four units of its popular Jeep® Wrangler (JL) SUVs for a power distribution center that may prevent the trailer turn signal lights and taillights from operating as intended. As such, these four vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 requirements, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-recalls-four-jeep-wrangler-suvs-for-power-distribution-issue/

Fiat Teases All-New Grande Panda Crossover Designed As A Global Vehicle, Could The Grande Panda Make It To North America? Fiat has just revealed the first images of its all-new Grande Panda crossover, rekindling the legacy of the iconic Panda from the 1980s. The Grande Panda, the first in a new family of vehicles, is designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide, offering both electric and hybrid powertrains. https://moparinsiders.com/fiat-teases-all-new-grande-panda-crossover/

Dodge//SRT Extends Partnership With Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro OEM Sponsorship Of NHRA Drag Racing Will Continue... Dodge//SRT has reaffirmed its commitment to NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing by extending its successful partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro for the 2024 season and beyond. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment as Tony Stewart, the legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and owner, navigates changes in his motorsports endeavors, including the announcement of the sale of his NASCAR team with Gene Haas, Stewart-Haas Racing. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-srt-extends-partnership-with-tony-stewart-racing-tsr-nitro/

SPOTTED: Alfa Romeo Junior ELETTRICA B-UV Alfa's Newest Offering Has Been Spotted On Public Italian Roads... The 2025 Alfa Romeo Junior, a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV), has been spotted testing on public roads in Italy, captured by spy photographer Walter Vayr (@GabetzSPYUnit). This new Polish-built B-segment utility vehicle is the first to feature Alfa Romeo’s latest design language, setting the stage for a significant update to the brand’s portfolio, including future launches of the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia. https://moparinsiders.com/spotted-alfa-romeo-junior-elettrica-b-uv/

Dodge and Ram Dominate 2024 Vincentric Best Value In Canada Awards Durango, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 Take Top Honors In Their Segments... The 2024 Vincentric Best Value in Canada Awards have recognized Dodge and Ram brand vehicles for their exceptional value, with multiple accolades highlighting their dominance in the automotive market. These awards, which use a statistical analysis of market prices and five-year ownership costs to determine the best value in each segment, underscore these models’ strong performance and cost-efficiency. https://moparinsiders.com/dodge-and-ram-dominate-2024-vincentric-best-value-in-canada-awards/

Stellantis Recalls One 2022 Ram 1500 Classic For Rear Camera Issue Wiring Harness Defect May Disable Rearview Image... Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling a single 2022 Ram 1500 Classic (DS) pickup due to a wiring harness that may short-circuit and prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, “Rear Visibility.” https://moparinsiders.com/stellantis-recalls-one-2022-ram-1500-classic-for-rear-camera-issue/