Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Jeep

Even before we've received our first supplies of new Grand Cherokee SRT8, the yanks are announcing a face lifted version. Presumably running the same 6.4 litre engine, the 2014 model will likely get a fresher grill and some interior changes as you'd expect in a MY14 vehicle.

Fingers crossed that we'll have the MY13 launch model in October. Call into Northstar Jeep at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.northstarchrysler.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 spy photo 20.8.2012 / Automedia

Revised styling, upgraded interior

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has been spied undergoing testing.

Modestly disguised, the prototype is wearing a standard facelifted body. It features a new front fascia with a revised grille and restyled headlights.

The cabin has a new instrument cluster, revised switch gear and an updated infotainment system with a larger display. We can also see a new gear knob and additional metallic accents....read more

Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Jeep

Fear not the comments by this journalist, Jeep Cherokee certainly isn't dead - "The rumours of my demise are greatly exaggerated". It's really the only way that most journalists can get you to read their waffle - create a sensational headline.

The reality is way different from the headline. Expect to see the Cherokee/Liberty replacement at the Detroit Motor Show in early 2013 and production commence in the USA shortly after that. The replacement will be available in 4WD and 2WD versions but the good news for off road enthusiasts is that there will be a 'get it dirty' Trail Rated Version. And yes, it will probably be based on a softer platform and will feature the world's first 9 speed auto transmission in an off road vehicle, but there will certainly be a petrol and diesel engine offered.

If you're interested, Northstar Jeep will have good supplies of the current model through to the end of the year and into the first half of 2013. Jeep Australia reduced the prices recently on the long lead run out and frankly the Jeep Cherokee is a bargain.

Call into Northstar Jeep at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.northstarchrysler.com.au  or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655.

The Jeep Cherokee has finished - but Australian supplies will last through to next year.

Chrysler, the parent company of Jeep and owned by Fiat Group, this week finished production of the 11-year-old Cherokee in the US and in June 2013, starts making its replacement.

The next Cherokee will be a “softer” vehicle based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform - a layout that is also used to create the Dodge Dart hatchback - and will be made both as a front-wheel drive and a 4WD.

It will come with the option of a world-first nine-speed automatic transmission and a new V6 engine. Until then, enthusiasts have a chance to buy the last of Jeep's hardcore mid-size 4WD.

Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Motor Group

There's an old saying in the motor industry - it's either product or price.

If you've got a hot product (reference Volkswagen Polo GTI, Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ) then customers will beat a path to your door to get one. If the product isn't so hot, then you have to have a really sharp price.

The Fiat 500 and most of the Alfa Romeo range is, bluntly, too expensive. Apart from some customers who must have a Fiat at any price, there's just too much choice and competition to even think that a brand will sell because of the brand. Fiat Chrysler Australia worked that out last year, when the price of Compass and Patriot came down to the mid twenty thousands. The brand will have its best year ever in Australia in 2012. Centre stage Clyde Campbell, the Fiat Chrysler CEO in Australia - who is determined to get these iconic Italian brands their little slice of the magic. Forget .5% or 1% - Campbell sets his sights high at 2 or 3% and good on him. We're still got fingers crossed that we'll have a Northstar Fiat and Northstar Alfa Romeo franchise in 2013.

Whilst we can't sell you a Fiat or Alfa yet, call into Northstar Motor Group at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.nsmg.com.au  or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655

Fiat-Chrysler boss desperate to secure sub-$20K Fiat 500, more RHD models for Oz

A FIAT 500 priced at less than $20,000 – at least $3000 less than at present – is a top priority for Fiat-Chrysler Australia.

The factory-owned outfit believes it has more scope to expand the range than previous Fiat and Alfa Romeo distributor Ateco Automotive, which officially handed over the keys on May 1.

Fiat-Chrysler Group Australia managing director Clyde Campbell said expansion of sporty premium marque Alfa Romeo will take longer in the absence of new products, but likens the Alfa brand to Jeep in that it has strong heritage and qualities that just need bringing to life with the right vehicles and marketing.

Despite Mr Campbell’s rallying of right-hand-drive markets to secure production of more right-hook products, there is little progress on the development of an RHD version of Fiat’s Chinese-built Dodge Dart-based Viaggio sedan.

Mike Manley, the global president and CEO of Jeep and COO of Fiat-Chrysler Asia-Pacific, told GoAuto he sees “much bigger potential” with the Alfa Giulietta, from which the Dart/Viaggio platform originates, and “would want the guys to focus on that first”.

However, he said there is “potential for us to take (Viaggio) to many markets” after its Chinese launch in September or October....read more

Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Chrysler

Mama Mia? An Italian car with an American influence. Surely not.

Well that's the way the world is going with the sharing of componentry, platforms and drive trains. It's a simple equations - if prestige manufacturers want to keep building their high end models, then they'll have to have economies fo scale further down the food chain.

There's no doubt that the Fiat influence has already been felt at Chrysler with a  Fiat owned diesel engine manufacturer (Mitori) supplying their engines for vehicles as diverse as Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300. Guys, you have to live with it. Sure there'll be screaming Italians and gnashing of teeth, but surely Maserati will exert their influence over what in reality is a very nicely powered and built car.

2011 Chrysler 300 - 12.21.2010

Quattroporte also cursed with Chrysler tech?

According to a recent report, Maserati's entry-level sedan will be based on the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Lancia Thema.

Autocar is reporting the model, which could be called the Levante, will ride on a modified version of Chrysler's rear-wheel drive architecture. It will reportedly share the same 3052mm wheelbase with the other sedans and feature attractive styling that was developed in-house...read more

If you want to experience Chrysler in the flesh, call into Northstar Chrysler at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares, our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced. Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.northstarchrysler.com.au or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au . Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655.

Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Chrysler

It's been interesting reading the reviews by various automotive journalists so far since they were exposed to the 300 at Phillip Island last week.

There's the "I drive a small car and this is an environmental vandal" type journo's and then there's the "At last someone's given me a car to drive that suits my personality" type. I think Ewan Kennedy falls into the latter. His review is based on someone who likes to drive a larger car - fast.

I'll let Ewan tell you all about the 300 in this review. If you want to experience 300 in the flesh, call into Northstar Chrysler at 320 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula. We're only 15 minutes or so from Brisbane Airport and a leisurely drive down the highway from Noosa, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and a short trip from Nambour, Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Bribie Island. We also get a lot of our customers as FIDO - that's not a dog by the way, that's fly in drive out. With cheap airfares our customers come in from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mt Isa and even Sydney, Melbourne and as far away as Perth.

We'll happily arrange a drive home registration and you know the best thing about this? The drive home gives you just the best running in you'll ever get. New engines love a long drive to bed everything in and you'll get the best economy you've ever experienced.

Alternatively if you're time or distance poor, check us out online at www.northstarchrysler.com.au  or read more reviews at www.mycarreview.com.au  Finally, if you can't come to us, we'll come to your home, workplace or worksite - call Northstar on 1300 894 655.

New 300 - enough said.

A raft of safety features has already earned the Chrysler 300 the top rating from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the new 2012 Chrysler 300 with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

A new home and a new family waiting to move in – that’s what’s on the agenda for the Fiat Chrysler Group in Australia right now with the new, almost-finished HQ at Port Melbourne being the scene recently for the launch of the company’s latest 300 range of large sedans.

VALUE

Along with the new 300s come the first eight-speed automatic transmission in a large car costing less than $70,000, a choice of V6 petrol or diesel power, or V8 petrol, a dynamic suspension, more than 60 advanced safety and security features, carbon fibre and wood grain finishes and Napa leather upholstery.

Kicking off the Chryslers is the 300 Limited, then comes the 300C, the 300C Luxury and the range-topping SRT8. Prices start at $43,000 for the petrol Limited, the diesel adds $5000, and top out at $66,000 for the Hemi V8 SRT8.

VERDICT

Saad Chehab, Head, Chrysler Brand - Chrysler Group LLC, says: “The 2012 Chrysler 300 is built on the idea that luxury feels better earned - that those who worked hard to achieve their place in the world should demand as much as is demanded of them.” That just about sums it up....read more