Latest news with #DodgeDurango
Chicago Tribune
10 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Southland crime: Armed robbery in Oak Lawn, animal cruelty in Monee, and more
VIOLENT OFFENDER: Sergio Ledesma, 45, 6200 block of 83rd Street, Burbank, was arrested July 11 and accused of failing to register as a violent offender, police said. Ledesma was convicted of murder in Cook County court in the death of an infant when he was 19, according to Illinois State Police records online. SEX OFFENDER: James F. Greco, 44, homeless, was arrested July 21 in the 8700 block of Albany Avenue and accused of failing to register as a sex offender, police said. Greco was convicted in Cook County of criminal sexual abuse of a 14-year-old when he was 37, according to Illinois State Police records online. SEX OFFENDER: Charles E. King, 26, homeless, was arrested July 24 in the 8700 block of Kedzie Avenue and accused of failing to register as a sex offender, police said. King was convicted in Cook County court of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 10-year-old when he was 21, according to Illinois State Police records online. FELONY SHOPLIFTING: Mariano Jones, 48, 17200 block of Central Park Avenue, Hazel Crest, was arrested July 4 and accused of felony retail theft after taking merchandise selling for $1,561.32 from a drugstore in the 800 block of 183rd Street, police said. SUV THEFT: Charges are pending against a juvenile suspected of participating in the July 15 theft of a Dodge Durango at gunpoint by three individuals from a driveway in the 14000 block of Churchill Drive, Will County sheriff's police said. Cook County sheriff's police arrested the youth, who is unnamed because of age, and recovered the sports utility vehicle, Will County sheriff's police said. The owner looked out her window at the vehicle at 7:20 a.m. and saw an individual pointing a gun and two others, sheriff's police said. ANIMAL CRUELTY: Denzel M. Clayton, 33, 26000 block of Chestnut Road, Monee, was arrested July 24 on a warrant charging him with cruelty to animals and failing to humanely care for animals, according to Will County sheriff's and court records online. The charge stems from the Feb. 18 discovery of an emaciated dog with multiple visible wounds at his home, police said. NUDE ASSAULT: Ricardo Rodriguez, 29, Joliet, is scheduled to appear in Will County court Aug. 20, charged with public indecency/lewd exposure and aggravated assault of a state employee, according to court records online. Rodriguez was subdued and arrested July 2 at Washington Street and Wintree Lane by officers responding to complaints of a naked man blocking the intersection, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Joe L. Calhoun, 22, 7200 block of Virginia Court, Frankfort, is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 15, charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle, according to court records online. Calhoun, who also goes by Joel I. Calhoun, was arrested July 17 leaving a store in the 2600 block of East Lincoln Highway with a .380 caliber handgun loaded with non-explosive cartridges, police said. ARMED ROBBERY: Two males, one brandishing a knife and one displaying a handgun, robbed an individual in alley in the 9600 block of Pulaski Road on July 1 as he was taking an envelope containing $7,000 from a restaurant to the bank, police said. MISSING TIRE: Darius M. Ballinger, 30, 7300 block of James Lane, Monee, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Bridgeview Aug. 27, charged with drunken driving, illegally transporting alcohol and suspended registration, police said. Ballinger was arrested July 9 in the 14600 block of La Grange Road while driving on three tires and a rim, police said. RETAIL THEFTS: Nicole M. Griffin, 28, Champaign, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Bridgeview Aug. 27, charged with felony retail theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a theft device, police said. Griffin and another woman took nearly 100 articles of clothing selling for $2,356.78 from three department stores at Orland Park Place July 11, police said. Lakendra D. O'Bannon, 39, Urbana, is accused of retail theft, possession of stolen property, possession of a theft device and criminal damage to property in connection with her role, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Jasmin B. Richardson, 31, 13400 block of Clifton Park Avenue, Robbins, was charged July 3 with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon in a vehicle after driving with a loaded .25 caliber pistol in the 2500 block of Western Avenue without a gun permit, police said. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Terrence T. Young, 33, 2400 block of Canal Street, Blue Island, was arrested July 13 and accused of aggravated assault to a police officer and trespassing after officers removed him from a home in the first block of Indianwood Drive, police said. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: A garage service door in the 200 block of Blackhawk Drive was reported kicked in and a floor jack taken July 14. ROAD RAGE: Octavia Howleit, 24, Chicago, is scheduled to appear in Cook County court at Markham Aug. 13, charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to Cook County sheriff's records online. Howleit was arrested July 21 in connection with the April 30 shooting on Interstate 57 near 127th Street that seriously injured another motorist, Illinois State Police said. GUNSHOTS: Officers responding to an 11:30 p.m. July 19 complaint of gunshots recovered six 9 mm shell casings from the vicinity of Chicago Road and 33rd Place, police said. STOLEN CAR: Marshawn J. Davis, 21, 3400 block of Kings Road, Steger, is scheduled to appear in Will County court Aug. 7, charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, theft, possession of burglary tools and criminal damage to property, according to court records online. Davis was arrested July 20 and the vehicle, taken from an apartment complex in the 300 block of West 35th Street, was recovered three blocks away at a gas station in the 500 block of Steger Road, police said.
Motor 1
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I Had to Call a Tow Truck:' Man Trades in Ford Explorer for 2023 Dodge Durango. He Claims Defect Has Left Him Stranded 6 Times
A 2023 Dodge Durango driver is warning people against buying one. Scott Parish ( @officerparish ) says a defect in the Durango has left him stranded six times. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In a TikTok, Parish reveals how frustrating his experience owning a Dodge Durango has been since trading in his Ford Explorer. 'I would never advise anybody to buy a Dodge Durango because they are the most aggravating pieces of [explicit] I've ever had in my life,' he begins. About three weeks after owning it, Parish says the Durango has randomly shut down without any warning signs multiple times. 'It runs good and sounds good, part of the time, six times we've been stranded in a parking lot somewhere due to the car not cranking up,' he complains. The Durango has issues starting back up after parking, Parish says, and has even shut down in the middle of the road. 'I had to call a tow truck one time, and died driving in the middle of the road,' Parish shares. Trending Now 'HOA President About to Show Up:' Man Says There's a Recall on Kias, Hyundais Over Brakes. Then He Shows What Can Happen 'Menace to Society:' Man Says Ford, Nissan, and Chevy Make the '3 Most Reckless Cars on the Road.' Are You Driving One? Parish says not even dealerships have been able to diagnose the issue. 'Every dealership I've taken this car to can't figure out what's wrong with it. There should be no reason whatsoever why I should have to pay to fix my vehicle when the dealership doesn't know what's wrong with it,' he vents. Parish was advised by Dodge that a dealership needs to diagnose the problem before he can file a claim. 'What am I supposed to do when nobody can figure out what's wrong with the car?' he says. Parish notes that the dealership diagnosis fee is $160 an hour and a dealership could take up to eight hours just to find nothing. 'Do not buy a Durango or any Dodge car because they will not fix them if there are any issues. I'm tired of paying for a vehicle that doesn't work,' he concludes. His post has been viewed over 300,000 times as of this writing. What Recalls Has The 2023 Dodge Durango Had? The 2023 Dodge Durango has been recalled twice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Consumer Reports shares. According to NHTSA , the two recalls are the column shifter coming out of gear and the rear bumper detaching. Both take place while driving. With the column shifter, the shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power, Kelley Blue Book reports. This recall applies for 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter and dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. The bumper detaching recall increases the risk of accidents as the bumper can easily become a road hazard. Neither of the two recalls apply to Parish's issue. An Assist from the Crowd Via email, Parish told Motor1, 'Within the first three weeks of owning it we began experiencing what we believed to be a fuel issue. It died on my wife multiple times in the parking lot and died on me a few times as well.' 'We had it checked by a tech from Bice Chevrolet and it was believed to be a fuel pump. We had the pump replaced with an OEM pump and within a week of having it, it once again began dying on us. On the way home from Nashville, TN it died on us one last time and that was the final straw,' he continued. According to Parish, suggestions from the commenters helped solve the issue. 'I had all sorts of suggestions, but the primary suggestion was to do a Fuel Pump Relay Bypass because for some reason Stellantis decided to build the relay into the TIPM of the Durango,' he said. Turns out the fuel pump was recalled for 2011-2013 Dodge Durangos. A fuel pump relay recall took place due to potential silicon contamination in the fuel pump relay, which could lead to a no-start or stall condition. The fuel pump hasn't been recalled since then. Nevertheless, it may have solved Parish's breakdown woes in his 2023 Durango. 'My brother at Parish Garage sat down, pulled the recall information on the 2013, and had to learn the pin out to correctly wire in the bypass on the 2023 from the 2013 instructions. We are going on a week now with no issues since we did the bypass. No check engine light, no fuel issues, no dead Durango,' Parish said. More From Motor1 The Dodge Durango Hellcat Refuses to Die What's New In the Dodge Lineup for 2025? Stellantis to Pause Production of Durango, Grand Cherokee Amid Slow Sales Oh Look, Another Ludicrously Expensive Durango Hellcat Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
How European Stellantis Models Could Revive Dodge & Chrysler
You might have noticed that in recent times, it seems that most of Stellantis's North American model lineups have been slimmed down to just a small handful of options–options that seem like they're either incredibly dated, like the Dodge Durango whose current generation has been around to see three different CEOs, or the Dodge Charger EV which hasn't been able to resonate with long-time Mopar muscle car buyers. After some time spent walking around the streets of Europe and the United Kingdom, I've begun to wonder why these North American-based Stellantis brands don't offer any of the popular models offered exclusively to European buyers. You may recall a time when Saturn–one of General Motors' sub-brands that received the corporate axe, as well as Buick- offered rebadged Opel products to North American buyers. One example is the fifth-generation Buick Regal, which was essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia and was hugely successful for the brand. According to GM, the fifth-gen Buick Regal "helped to boost Buick's total annual sales 40 percent," and actually helped the brand appeal to a younger demographic that it desperately needed. GM noted that "More than 60 percent of Regal Turbo customers alone are younger than 55," and that the model actually swayed buyers who otherwise would not have considered a Buick towards the brand. Saturn employed similar strategies, selling the Opel Astra in North America. Although it found some success in the United States, it proved significantly more popular in Canada, where the country's European influence tends to result in more willing buyers for Euro-style hatchbacks and station wagons. Unfortunately, Saturn ended up being axed from GM's brand portfolio as a result of the 2008 financial crisis, with Buick being saved thanks to its popularity in China. However, in the years leading up to its inevitable demise, rebadged European models kept Saturn afloat. Now, however, in 2025, Opel no longer falls under the General Motors brand umbrella. Instead, Opel belongs to Stellantis–along with other Euro-exclusive brands like Peugeot, Lancia, and DS Automobiles. To me, this begs the question as to why North American Stellantis brands like Dodge and Chrysler, which now exist with massively diminished model lineups, don't take a page out of Saturn and Buick's playbook and offer North American buyers models that are exclusive to Europe. Using generative text-to-image artificial intelligence software and Adobe Photoshop, we take an imagined look at what some Opel and Peugeot models could look like if rebranded as Dodges or Chryslers. These renders are for speculative and entertainment purposes only and in no way resemble any actual Dodge and Chrysler products. Alright, maybe describing the Sebring as "venerable" is a bit of an exaggeration, I'll admit, but there's no denying that people still recognize the name to this day, and it's perfectly fitting for a semi-premium mid-size sedan that isn't quite the old-school, rear-wheel drive 300. Using the second-generation Peugeot 508 as a foundation, which has been in production since the 2019 model year, could allow Chrysler to offer a significantly more advanced and modern successor to previous mid-size sedan models like the Cirrus, the Sebring, and the 200. Although the mid-size sedan segment has dwindled in recent years in North America, a few brands still carry the torch with notable examples being the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and the Kia K5. Using some of Peugeot's efficient and modern powertrain options, a Chrysler-badged 508 could not only offer competitive performance, but it could also offer something truly unique in its segment: a 355-horsepower plug-in hybrid option. While its standard powertrain would most likely be the Peugeot 508's 222-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter PureTech four-cylinder, the revived Chrysler Sebring could also offer up the turbocharged 1.6-liter PSE plug-in hybrid powertrain, which pairs 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. That would make it a one-of-a-kind offering within its segment and match current Stellantis efforts to offer more plug-in hybrid variants across its various lineups. If you throw a stone almost anywhere in Europe or the United Kingdom, odds are it'll land near an Opel Astra or a Peugeot 308. Sharing the PSA EMP2 Platform and many of its powertrains, the pair of hatchbacks has taken Europe by storm, rivalling other hatchback heroes such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Toyota Corolla Hatchback–models that we did, in fact, receive stateside. Although the Astra's basic powertrain - a turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three - might be a bit too anemic for North American buyers, its optional 222-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four plug-in hybrid power plant could make an interesting addition to our domestic market. For buyers who are still wary of PHEV technology, the Dodge Hornet's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder could be carried over, offering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps with a modified state of tune and a power figure somewhere just north of 300, we could even see a return of the cult-classic Dodge Caliber SRT4–a possibility made even more likely by the recent announcement that Dodge's SRT division will once again churn out high-performance muscle machines. Don't hate me for suggesting Dodge should slap the Neon nameplate on a crossover, just as Mitsubishi so sacrilegiously did with the Eclipse. The unfortunate truth is that subcompact sedans and hatchbacks just don't cut it with North American buyers anymore. In fact, the segment has been entirely replaced by subcompact crossovers like the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and the Chevrolet Trax. That last one specifically could be the Dodge Neon crossover's main target. By offering an inexpensive yet practical crossover, Chevrolet managed to sell over 200,000 Traxs in the United States alone last year - an 84% increase over its 2023 sales. You may or may not be surprised to learn that the previous generation of the Chevrolet Trax was, in fact, a rebadged Opel Mokka–and so was the Buick Encore, so this strategy is certainly nothing revolutionary within the segment. With its new Stellantis parents, however, the Opel Mokka B is a massive step forward from its previous generation, just as the new Trax is. Using the Opel Mokka B's turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three, which produces 128 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, the Dodge Neon Crossover would remain competitive with the Chevrolet Trax's similarly turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder, which produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Whereas the Trax is available only with a six-speed automatic gearbox, the Mokka has eight speeds. To one-up the Chevy Trax, Dodge could even offer the Neon Crossover with a fully-electric variant, akin to the Opel Mokka-e. Featuring 156 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of instantly available torque, the long-range version of the Opel Mokka-e benefits from a 54kWh battery and an estimated range of up to 252 miles. All this would mean that an electric Dodge Neon Crossover could offer 23 more horsepower, 3 more lb-ft of torque, and 52 more miles of battery range than the Hyundai Kona Electric SE–a feat that buyers of inexpensive EVs would surely appreciate. Admittedly, the hypothetical return of the Chrysler Sebring as a rebadged Peugeot and the Dodge Neon as a rebadged Opel crossover don't seem all that glamorous and exciting, but that's exactly the point. While these models may not be as controversial as the electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack or as exciting as the return of Hemi-powered Ram 1500s, they are sensible and practical vehicles that American buyers want and need. They are vehicles that brands like Dodge and Chrysler used to do quite well with, and they are vehicles that these brands desperately need within their lineups today, because what else do they really have to offer? I don't for a second believe that this solution is a serious one for the long-term longevity of these brands, but I do believe that it's a great way to give their showrooms something to sell in the meantime while Dodge and Chrysler develop more of their own models, buying the brand and its employees some time before their buyers give up completely. Who knows, maybe Stellantis might just find the sense to go through with it. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
How European Stellantis Models Could Revive Dodge & Chrysler
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Americans seem to get the short end of the stick You might have noticed that in recent times, it seems that most of Stellantis's North American model lineups have been slimmed down to just a small handful of options–options that seem like they're either incredibly dated, like the Dodge Durango whose current generation has been around to see three different CEOs, or the Dodge Charger EV which hasn't been able to resonate with long-time Mopar muscle car buyers. After some time spent walking around the streets of Europe and the United Kingdom, I've begun to wonder why these North American-based Stellantis brands don't offer any of the popular models offered exclusively to European buyers. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen VW will introduce a sub-$20,000 EV, but probably not here Watch More 2012 Buick Regal GS You may recall a time when Saturn–one of General Motors' sub-brands that received the corporate axe, as well as Buick- offered rebadged Opel products to North American buyers. One example is the fifth-generation Buick Regal, which was essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia and was hugely successful for the brand. According to GM, the fifth-gen Buick Regal 'helped to boost Buick's total annual sales 40 percent,' and actually helped the brand appeal to a younger demographic that it desperately needed. GM noted that 'More than 60 percent of Regal Turbo customers alone are younger than 55,' and that the model actually swayed buyers who otherwise would not have considered a Buick towards the brand. Saturn employed similar strategies, selling the Opel Astra in North America. Although it found some success in the United States, it proved significantly more popular in Canada, where the country's European influence tends to result in more willing buyers for Euro-style hatchbacks and station wagons. 2004 Saturn Astra Unfortunately, Saturn ended up being axed from GM's brand portfolio as a result of the 2008 financial crisis, with Buick being saved thanks to its popularity in China. However, in the years leading up to its inevitable demise, rebadged European models kept Saturn afloat. Now, however, in 2025, Opel no longer falls under the General Motors brand umbrella. Instead, Opel belongs to Stellantis–along with other Euro-exclusive brands like Peugeot, Lancia, and DS Automobiles. To me, this begs the question as to why North American Stellantis brands like Dodge and Chrysler, which now exist with massively diminished model lineups, don't take a page out of Saturn and Buick's playbook and offer North American buyers models that are exclusive to Europe. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Using generative text-to-image artificial intelligence software and Adobe Photoshop, we take an imagined look at what some Opel and Peugeot models could look like if rebranded as Dodges or Chryslers. These renders are for speculative and entertainment purposes only and in no way resemble any actual Dodge and Chrysler products. Chrysler could revive the venerable Sebring as a rebranded Peugeot 508 Chrysler Sebring Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Alright, maybe describing the Sebring as 'venerable' is a bit of an exaggeration, I'll admit, but there's no denying that people still recognize the name to this day, and it's perfectly fitting for a semi-premium mid-size sedan that isn't quite the old-school, rear-wheel drive 300. Using the second-generation Peugeot 508 as a foundation, which has been in production since the 2019 model year, could allow Chrysler to offer a significantly more advanced and modern successor to previous mid-size sedan models like the Cirrus, the Sebring, and the 200. Although the mid-size sedan segment has dwindled in recent years in North America, a few brands still carry the torch with notable examples being the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and the Kia K5. Using some of Peugeot's efficient and modern powertrain options, a Chrysler-badged 508 could not only offer competitive performance, but it could also offer something truly unique in its segment: a 355-horsepower plug-in hybrid option. While its standard powertrain would most likely be the Peugeot 508's 222-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter PureTech four-cylinder, the revived Chrysler Sebring could also offer up the turbocharged 1.6-liter PSE plug-in hybrid powertrain, which pairs 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. That would make it a one-of-a-kind offering within its segment and match current Stellantis efforts to offer more plug-in hybrid variants across its various lineups. Dodge could revive the Caliber hatchback as a rebranded Opel Astra / Peugeot 308 2026 Dodge Caliber Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI If you throw a stone almost anywhere in Europe or the United Kingdom, odds are it'll land near an Opel Astra or a Peugeot 308. Sharing the PSA EMP2 Platform and many of its powertrains, the pair of hatchbacks has taken Europe by storm, rivalling other hatchback heroes such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Toyota Corolla Hatchback–models that we did, in fact, receive stateside. Although the Astra's basic powertrain — a turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three — might be a bit too anemic for North American buyers, its optional 222-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four plug-in hybrid power plant could make an interesting addition to our domestic market. Dodge Caliber Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI For buyers who are still wary of PHEV technology, the Dodge Hornet's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder could be carried over, offering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps with a modified state of tune and a power figure somewhere just north of 300, we could even see a return of the cult-classic Dodge Caliber SRT4–a possibility made even more likely by the recent announcement that Dodge's SRT division will once again churn out high-performance muscle machines. What if the Dodge Neon returned as an Opel Mokka-based subcompact crossover Dodge Neon Crossover Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Don't hate me for suggesting Dodge should slap the Neon nameplate on a crossover, just as Mitsubishi so sacrilegiously did with the Eclipse. The unfortunate truth is that subcompact sedans and hatchbacks just don't cut it with North American buyers anymore. In fact, the segment has been entirely replaced by subcompact crossovers like the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and the Chevrolet Trax. That last one specifically could be the Dodge Neon crossover's main target. By offering an inexpensive yet practical crossover, Chevrolet managed to sell over 200,000 Traxs in the United States alone last year — an 84% increase over its 2023 sales. Dodge Neon Crossover Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI You may or may not be surprised to learn that the previous generation of the Chevrolet Trax was, in fact, a rebadged Opel Mokka–and so was the Buick Encore, so this strategy is certainly nothing revolutionary within the segment. With its new Stellantis parents, however, the Opel Mokka B is a massive step forward from its previous generation, just as the new Trax is. Using the Opel Mokka B's turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three, which produces 128 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, the Dodge Neon Crossover would remain competitive with the Chevrolet Trax's similarly turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder, which produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Whereas the Trax is available only with a six-speed automatic gearbox, the Mokka has eight speeds. 2024 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV — Source: Chevrolet To one-up the Chevy Trax, Dodge could even offer the Neon Crossover with a fully-electric variant, akin to the Opel Mokka-e. Featuring 156 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of instantly available torque, the long-range version of the Opel Mokka-e benefits from a 54kWh battery and an estimated range of up to 252 miles. All this would mean that an electric Dodge Neon Crossover could offer 23 more horsepower, 3 more lb-ft of torque, and 52 more miles of battery range than the Hyundai Kona Electric SE–a feat that buyers of inexpensive EVs would surely appreciate. Final thoughts Admittedly, the hypothetical return of the Chrysler Sebring as a rebadged Peugeot and the Dodge Neon as a rebadged Opel crossover don't seem all that glamorous and exciting, but that's exactly the point. While these models may not be as controversial as the electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack or as exciting as the return of Hemi-powered Ram 1500s, they are sensible and practical vehicles that American buyers want and need. They are vehicles that brands like Dodge and Chrysler used to do quite well with, and they are vehicles that these brands desperately need within their lineups today, because what else do they really have to offer? I don't for a second believe that this solution is a serious one for the long-term longevity of these brands, but I do believe that it's a great way to give their showrooms something to sell in the meantime while Dodge and Chrysler develop more of their own models, buying the brand and its employees some time before their buyers give up completely. Who knows, maybe Stellantis might just find the sense to go through with it. About the Author Cole Attisha View Profile
Scotsman
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Who's with me? Car rentals are a massive rip-off, right?
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It must be the last frontier to be crossed. So much of modern life has been transformed by technology. Mobiles have replaced landlines, digital photography has pushed aside Kodak and emails have sent Royal Mail to the edge. Yet need to hire a car and the process remains as depressing and baffling as it has always been. It begins hopefully when you spot a good online price for a small vehicle and make your reservation. Then the big day comes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You can always locate the company you booked with because they will be the one with the enormous queue. At every other window the staff will be staring into space but your reservation will be at the desk with ten people waiting, including one man who only speaks Greek and wants to swap his Honda Civic for a Bedford van but only if it's electric. READ MORE: Why Scottish cider converts like me head to Anstruther No one wants to end up careering down Rome's Spanish Steps in a two-tonne Dodge Durango because they were 'upgraded' from the Fiat Punto they booked (Picture: Alberto Pizzoli) | AFP via Getty Images After watching the start of your holiday disappear before your eyes, you eventually reach the front of the line and that's where the problems really begin. After being offered a bewildering range of additional payment options, the staff take a deposit the size of Belgium's national debt, then reveal your choice of car is unavailable. They always sweeten this by telling you that you've been upgraded, which is fine unless you've booked a Fiat Punto for ease of navigating the narrow streets of Rome and instead end up driving a two-tonne Dodge Durango down the Spanish Steps. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Do they even own the cars they advertise? I'm not sure because I really can't remember the last time I got the one I actually booked. This summer the Fiat 500 I'd reserved turned into some weird Kia with an enormous scratch down the side. And one on the bonnet... and the rear bumper. I pointed all that out to the man who gave me the key, shrugged and scribbled something on a piece of paper. Returning a week later, all seemed to be fine. I hadn't added to the scratches, I'd filled up with fuel and even got back a few hours early. The man grunted and scribbled on some more paper and that was that until a week later when an email arrived charging an extra 200 euros for Protection Plus (whatever that is) and the cost of filling up the tank... which I'd already done. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After some badgering, they backed down and refunded the money but what an amazing business model. You promise a product for a price, then make people queue, then give them a different product they didn't want, then charge them much more for it. And the worst thing is, they have different logos, brands and promises but they are all basically the same. The car rental market is ripe for an ambitious disruptor to move in, rip up the spurious charges and calculations and offer a transparent price and good customer service. Could the obstacle to that possibly be a cosy cartel involving car manufacturers who rely on fleet sales and the big rental operators who shield together to hold onto the biggest consumer-scamming operation in the holiday market?
