Larry P. Vellequette

Clues to the next Wrangler: See the want ads
Jeep has begun searching for the extra bodies to mount its next big project: the redesign of the Jeep Wrangler. ...

Marchionne apologizes for 'wop engine' comment
Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has issued a written apology to an Italian-American anti-bias organization for saying at the Detroit auto show that an Alfa Romeo need ...

Marchionne apologizes for 'wop engine' comment
Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has issued a written apology to an Italian-American anti-bias organization for saying that an Alfa Romeo needed a "wop" engine. ...

Chrysler quality chief: Little difference now with Toyota
The quality gap between Chrysler Group's vehicles and those of Japanese automakers has become so small that it no longer should matter to consumers, Chrysler's quality ch ...

Sources: Chrysler plans high-hp Hellcat V-8
Chrysler Group is developing a supercharged Hemi V-8 with power approaching the 640 hp of the SRT Viper's V-10. ...

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 ...