SRT tour takes to the road

Chrysler Group LLC's newly formed Street and Racing Technology Brand is hitting the road with its first-ever, "SRT High Performance Tour" featuring four drivers and four vehicles - the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 - visiting more than 40 clubs and events in the next four months. The SRT High Performance Tour kicked of Aug. 12 at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich., and will end in November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

"We're excited to take our 2012 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SRT vehicles directly to our performance fans and loyalists across the country," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO - SRT Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Each of these vehicles is loaded with new technologies and content that SRT customers want to fulfill their need for power, performance, contemporary luxury and safety while maintaining each of the vehicle brand's key design differentiators."

Four drivers will be accompanied by a large display trailer filled with video screens of running vehicle footage, SRT-branded merchandise and apparel, and give-away items for attendees. The team will drive from city to city and be on-hand to answer questions about each of the SRT8 vehicles. An interactive map will be updated regularly with information on the dates and locations of the program. Various locations will incorporate ride-and-drive opportunities for attendees. SRT fans and enthusiasts will be able to follow the entire tour at the brand's website and on the SRT Facebook page.

Chrysler, Kettering University resume co-op program

In what must be considered a good sign, Chrysler Group LLC announced a new partnership with Kettering University to revive the cooperative education program the automaker canceled during the automotive industry crisis of 2008. The automaker brought along some of its hottest cars to lure students to its co-op program, as part of "Chrysler Day" at the engineering school. The event at the Flint, Mich., campus also featured information displays and recruitment booths. Kettering uses a cooperative education model where students alternate full-time study with full-time work. Chrysler has already recruited eight students for its program from Kettering and was hoping to find eight more last Wednesday.

"Kettering University has been a good source of key technical talent in the U.S. and at our company for many years," said Nancy Rae, vice president of human resources at Chrysler. "We are excited and proud to continue our relationship with the university and its students." [8/16/2011]

Town & Country or Caravan: Which will survive?

The next generation of Chrysler's minivan is due in 2014, according to Chrysler's planning documents. Chrysler Group has said it wants to eliminate duplicate vehicles in showrooms, which implies that either the Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan will be deleted or modified as a crossover. The Town & Country has been Chrysler's answer to upscale versions of the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The Grand Caravan has been positioned in the below-$30,000 price bracket.

Deciding the minivan issue will be one of Chrysler's most difficult challenges.

We want to know which one you think should be saved. [8/16/2011]