Archive for the ‘Patriot’ 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...

Want American-made and fuel-efficient? A small car, too? You don't have many choices.

Shoppers are valuing fuel efficiency more than before, especially now that they might be able to take advantage of a $4,500 Cash-for-Clunkers incentive. While there are plenty of stars-and-stripes-waving larger vehicles, the list of smaller, frugal American-made cars is very limited.

And at a time when you're likely wondering how you can do your part to support the economy—whether locally or nationally—chances are the dealership salesperson will be of little help to some nagging shopping questions like "Where is this car built?"

Luckily, you'll find...

Sergio Marchionne took the reigns of Chrysler less than a month ago, and already he's showing that life at the new Chrysler/Fiat isn't going to be la dolce vita. Taking advantage of the capital and credibility that come at the start of many corporate tenures, the CEO is making some very bold choices--and some difficult ones, too.

Over the weekend, we mentioned that Marchionne is readying plans to rebadge a number of Dodge models for European markets and to rebadge Alfa Romeos for America. Now comes news that Marchionne also seeks to cut a number of underperforming and duplicative models from the Chrysler lineup. Facing the chopping block:...