Archive for the ‘Avenger’ Category

The coveted Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) used to be quite exclusive—and a way for safety-conscious shoppers to narrow down their possibilities to a few top-rated vehicles in a segment. But since 2007, the number of Top Safety Picks has roughly doubled each year, going from just 23 vehicles then to 94 models—a huge portion of the new-car market—for 2009.

That’s slated to change beginning with 2010, as the IIHS requires that vehicles be rated ‘good’ in its new roof strength test in order to be named a Top Safety Pick.

The result—at least so far for 2010—is that the Institute’s 94...

If you consider safety one of the top priorities in your next new-car purchase—as you should—and are carefully combing through features and occupant protection ratings, you're in for a pleasant surprise: There are a lot more models designated Top Safety Picks this year from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Why? Although some models have been redesigned with stronger, more crash-resistant structures, improved side protection, and other features, along with electronic stability control (a requisite for the award), in a number of other models it was as simple as redesigning the seats.

The 2010 Chrysler Sebring and 2010 Dodge...

The board of Chrysler Group met last Friday to approve the newly restructured company's five-year product plan, and although the full document won't officially be released until mid-November, a handful of the plan's details have already begun leaking out.

The most recent rumors concern two of Chrysler's low-selling sedans: the Chrysler Sebring and the Dodge Avenger. Neither of those models has done well in showrooms, and both were expected be pulled from the Chrysler Group lineup. In fact, the plant that manufactures the vehicles in Sterling Heights, Michigan, has already been scheduled for shut-down. However, it seems as if both sedans...