Larry P. Vellequette

2 million extra doors was the best call Daimler made during 'marriage of equals'
It's easy to criticize the way Daimler AG ran and ultimately left Chrysler during the disastrous "marriage of equals" era. I know because I've done it on a regular basis. ...

At Fiat-Chrysler 'it's all about differentiating the brands'
Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer for Fiat and Chrysler, has helped rehabilitate Chrysler Group's image since its 2009 bankruptcy. Chrysler has racked up 37 conse ...

Dealer pairs test driver's phone to car
A Chrysler Group dealer in Michigan has turned a 30-second routine into a better way to demonstrate his technology-laden vehicles. ...

At Chrysler-Fiat 'it's all about differentiating the brands'
Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer for Fiat and Chrysler, has helped rehabilitate Chrysler Group's image since its 2009 bankruptcy. Chrysler has racked up 37 conse ...

Chrysler Group seeks an edge with Chrysler Capital
Chrysler Capital, the private-label arrangement between Santander Consumer USA and Chrysler Group, began operating in the United States May 1 as the preferred lender for ...

N.J. store sues Chrysler over termination
A Chrysler Group dealership in central New Jersey has filed a lawsuit to stop the automaker from terminating the dealership's franchises. ...

Lights, camera -- uh, boss, we have a little problem here . . .
I love wordplay, so when photos arrived of the big blue Pacific crashing against a floundering Ram heavy-duty pickup during a beach photo shoot gone wrong, my mind just r ...

N.J. dealership sues Chrysler to prevent franchise terminations
A Chrysler Group dealership in central New Jersey has filed a lawsuit to halt the automaker's efforts to terminate the dealership's franchises for failing to improve to f ...

Ram photo shoot goes horribly, horribly wrong
I love puns, so when photos arrived of the big blue Pacific crashing against a floundering Ram heavy-duty pickup during a beach-photo-shoot-gone-wrong, my mind just raced ...

Costly launches trim Chrysler's 1st-qtr. profit
Chrysler Group and Fiat Group eked out small profits in the first quarter. Chrysler was hurt by expensive vehicle launches, while Fiat was contending with Europe's nasty ...

Chrysler: No minority buying, no bids
Chrysler Group is serious about spending more with minority-owned suppliers and has penalized four Tier 1s that aren't following its lead. The four lost the ability, at l ...

Fiat ad or (Arianna, Pitbull) music video?
I present to you Fiat's latest video in North America, "Sexy People." Some things just need to speak for themselves. I am left without words. ...

Chrysler up 11% on pickup, SUV sales
Chrysler Group rode strong sales of pickups and SUVs to an 11 percent sales increase in April, its 37th consecutive month of higher year-over-year sales. ...

How Santander will work with Chrysler Capital
Chrysler Capital -- the jointly managed venture between Santander Consumer USA and Chrysler Group -- begins operating today in the United States as the quasi-captive fina ...

Chrysler Capital's first job: Leasing
Chrysler Group expects more consumer auto leases this month when the newly formed Chrysler Capital begins operations as the automaker's preferred lender in the United Sta ...

A rich harvest for 'Farmer' ads
Chrysler Group's chief marketing officer says the automaker's "Farmer" campaign launched during the 2013 Super Bowl is boosting Ram consideration among prospective pickup ...

Chrysler hopes many hats make broad experience
The top-level management changes at Chrysler Group this month may be rooted in the cultivated tension of a criss-crossed management structure that has high-level executiv ...

Chrysler profit tumbles on costs of product launches
Chrysler Group said net income fell to $166 million in the first quarter as costs of two large product launches crimped the automaker's seventh consecutive quarterly prof ...

Why the auto industry needs to slow down
I'd like to offer a bit of counterintuitive thinking, at least in terms of technology. Here it is: The auto industry needs to slow down. ...

Chrysler Capital's first job: Leasing
Chrysler Group expects more consumer auto leases next month when the newly formed Chrysler Capital begins operations as the automaker's preferred lender in the United Sta ...

Dodge CEO must fill the hole left from loss of Ram
New Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, who was given high marks for turning around Fiat's launch in North America, takes over a brand with a shrinking lineup that is growing more de ...

Why it's no big surprise Diaz left Ram
On paper, Fred Diaz got a promotion this month when it was announced that he had agreed to become vice president of Nissan Division sales and marketing. ...

Jeep dilemma: Keep SUV guts, add comfort
With the help of key suppliers -- ZF Friedrichshafen and American Axle & Manufacturing -- that developed two major innovations, the Cherokee is Jeep's best hope to compet ...

Chrysler names Bigland to replace Diaz at Ram; Kuniskis to lead Dodge
Chrysler Group has named Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales and Dodge, to replace Fred Diaz as head of Ram, effective today. Diaz resigned Friday to take a job at Nissan. ...

Nissan lures Ram brand boss Diaz
The departure of Fred Diaz, head of Chrysler Group's Ram brand, to become Nissan Division's top sales executive marks the first time a Chrysler brand chief has voluntaril ...