The biggest car show in North America was halted for two years due to the pandemic. It resumed recently at Michigan's Motor City. One of the most appealing reveals for Canadians came when Chrysler announced plans to reboot the 300 sedan. It will be made in its plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Starting with the 2023 model year, the company
plans to make around 200 cars for the US market and just 200 for Canada.
Chrysler's Brampton facility also makes gas-powered Dodge Charger and Dodge
Challenger vehicles.
The first 300 was launched in 2005 and saw
strong sales for about a decade before demand started to reduce as smaller, and
more fuel-efficient models became more popular. The last version of the 300 was
produced some time in 2020.
Chrysler Brand CEO Christine Feuell said, "This
is the last model year for the 300. We really wanted to give our 300
enthusiasts something to celebrate, as we sunset this version. We're hoping to
build up enough inventory to have some stock sales for some time ... until the
new product launches."
The new car will mostly be electric as the
company plans that in the future, like most other automakers. The first battery
electric car will be released in 2025. Chrysler wants to offer only
electric-powered vehicles and say goodbye to internal combustion engines within
seven years.
Feuell stated, "Our transition really
starts in the next couple of years as we migrate to full electrification."
The displays at the recent auto show in Detroit
had familiar brand names that car buyers have seen and known for years. But it
also had many newcomers, which gave a glimpse of the electric future of the
auto industry.
One of the newcomers that have gained a lot of
attention is a Detroit-based startup called Plug Zen. It grabbed the highlight
when it showed off its lineup of charging stations and infrastructure. Another
name that has gained the attention of car lovers is Harbinger Motors. The name
is quite apt as it is the maker of electric vehicle vans. The company's lineup gives
a glimpse of what's to come for delivery trucks.
One more name that's worthy of attention is
Blue Arc. It showed off a portable car charger that can be powered by solar or
wind. If it becomes popular, it might help relieve the pressure on the
electrical grid if it becomes overloaded.
The company's CEO, Eric Fisher, stated, "The
unit is designed to be dropped off at any location at any given time to be able
to do charging within minutes. Think of it like a mobile gas station."
Car enthusiasts should also know that the truck
unit of Swedish brand Volvo has also announced plans for six new
electric-powered trucks. It is also aiming to make half its fleet electric by
the decade's end.
There might be multiple variants of the BEV
models. It might also include three different power ratings.
Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/chrysler-auto-show-sedan-1.6582334
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2022/09/13/2023-chrysler-300c-detroit-auto-show/69492416007/
https://moparinsiders.com/next-gen-dodge-challenger-charger-to-be-built-in-windsor-ontario/