Latest news with #WalterPChrysler
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chrysler Turns 100! Chrysler Brand Shares 1,500-plus 100th Birthday Group Photo Honoring Employees, Announces Century of Innovation Summer Celebration Events As It Looks to Next 100 Years
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,500 Stellantis employees come together for a group birthday photo at the Chrysler Technology Center campus, honoring those who have made 100 years of Chrysler possible Group photo participants also help commemorate the Chrysler Century of Innovation with the dedication of a unique time-capsule replica of Walter P. Chrysler's toolbox The replica toolbox time capsule is encased with memorabilia and artifacts, including historic Chrysler brand and vehicle badges, brochures, merchandise, vehicle sketches and a clever nod to Walter P. Chrysler Toolbox time capsule also includes a list of names of those participating in the group photo, as well as letter from Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell to future employees and customers Chrysler announces summer 100th celebration activities at enthusiast events, including the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals car show in Pennsylvania and Woodward Cruise in Metro Detroit Chrysler's seven-part Century of Innovation social media video series takes an in-depth look at trailblazers, iconic vehicles, groundbreaking concepts, technological innovations and historic moments from Chrysler's 100 years Full-length videos featured on Chrysler brand and Stellantis North America YouTube channels, with shortened versions on Chrysler brand's (Instagram) and Stellantis North America's (Facebook/Instagram/X/LinkedIn) social media channels Chrysler Century of Innovation sales event also kicks off in June to mark the brand's 100 years of automotive innovation Chrysler 100th anniversary line of branded merchandise, including apparel and gifts, available at For more information on the Chrysler Century of Innovation celebration, visit Chrysler officially turns 100 today, June 6, 2025, and the brand is celebrating by recognizing the people who have powered its path to the century mark — a rare accomplishment for any brand or company. More than 1,500 employees came together at the Chrysler Technology Center campus in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Thursday, June 5 to participate in a special group "birthday" photo honoring the thousands who have worked over the decades to make 100 years of Chrysler possible. "Chrysler held a pivotal role in shaping both the automotive industry and American culture, standing as a symbol of innovation, resilience and breakthrough design for 100 years," said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO. "From the revolutionary, powerful HEMI® V-8 engine to inventing the minivan and introducing innovations like Stow 'n Go seating, Chrysler has consistently pushed boundaries. As one of the original Big Three, we've helped drive industrial growth and have left an indelible mark with vehicles like the Chrysler 300. But Chrysler is more than a brand—it's a legacy built by generations of passionate employees, and we're proud to celebrate their contributions as we look ahead to an exciting new era for the next century." Employees at the June 5 event also received a commemorative Chrysler T-shirt and birthday cupcake, and helped commemorate the Chrysler Century of Innovation with the dedication of a unique time capsule, a replica of the toolbox Walter P. Chrysler used early in his career. The iconic toolbox, which held more than 60 tools and reflects Chrysler's precision as a machinist, is a cherished family heirloom once displayed atop the Chrysler Building in New York City. Encased in the replica toolbox time capsule are rare memorabilia and artifacts, including historic Chrysler brand and vehicle badges showcasing the evolution of the brand and specialty vehicle launches, as well as historic brochures, merchandise, vehicle sketches and a clever nod to Walter P. Chrysler. A list of names of those participating in the group photo was also included in the time capsule, as well as a letter from Chrysler brand CEO Feuell to future employees and customers. Summer Century of Innovation CelebrationChrysler is also announcing plans this summer to reach out and recognize the owners and enthusiasts who have supported the brand for decades, starting with the first Chrysler-branded vehicle, the 1924 Chrysler Six, and today's segment-leading 2025 Chrysler Pacifica. The brand will travel this summer with special displays and activations at popular automotive enthusiast events, including: Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, July 11-13, 2025, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, featuring nearly 3,000 vehicles from all eras of Chrysler and Mopar vehicles Woodward Cruise, the world's biggest car cruise, taking place on Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit on August 16, 2025 More details on Chrysler brand activities at Carlisle and Woodward will be shared later this summer. Chrysler is also rolling out a seven-part Century of Innovation social media video series that takes an in-depth look at the trailblazers, iconic vehicles, groundbreaking concepts, technological innovations and historic moments from Chrysler's 100 years. The newest video in the series debuting earlier this week, "Automotive Legend: Walter P. Chrysler," provides an in-depth look at the man who founded Chrysler 100 years ago, his impact on automotive innovation and how his legacy lives on today a century later. New videos in the series will be rolled out on the Chrysler brand's (Instagram) and Stellantis North America (Facebook/Instagram/X/LinkedIn) social media channels. "Automotive Legend: Walter P. Chrysler " is the third video in the series; previous videos include: "Chrysler Century of Innovation," featuring Chrysler CEO Feuell reflecting on Chrysler's 100-year legacy and Chrysler's vision of the future "Chrysler Through the Decades," with Chrysler Historian Brandt Rosenbusch taking a decade-by-decade look at key moments from a century of Chrysler. Full-length versions of all videos can be viewed on the Chrysler brand and Stellantis North America YouTube channels. A Chrysler Century of Innovation sales event also kicks off in June to mark the brand's 100 years of automotive innovation, and Chrysler is also featuring a 100th anniversary line of branded merchandise, including apparel and gifts, at For more information on the Chrysler Century of Innovation celebration, visit Chrysler BrandChrysler marks its 100th anniversary in 2025, honoring Walter P. Chrysler's legacy of innovation, engineering excellence and beautiful, affordable designs. As the brand celebrates this milestone, the future looks bright with exciting new releases: a refreshed Chrysler Pacifica in 2026, a new crossover soon after and a third product inspired by the Halcyon concept. The Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan ever, continues to lead the segment it created more than 40 years ago. The Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, the first electrified minivan in its class, achieves 82 MPGe, with an all-electric range of 32 miles and a total range of 520 miles. With class-leading safety features and available all-wheel drive, Pacifica is designed for modern families. Chrysler will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and storage system in 2025, as well as the return of the budget-friendly Chrysler Voyager to the lineup. Chrysler is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit Follow Chrysler and company news and video on:Company blog: website: brand: (Twitter): or @StellantisNAYouTube: or Stellantis North AmericaStellantis (NYSE: STLA) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Chrysler, Dodge//SRT, Jeep®, Ram, Alfa Romeo, FIAT and Maserati. In 2025, the company celebrates 100 years of influencing culture and contributing to the history of the automotive industry in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit Follow company news and video on:Company blog: website: @StellantisNAYouTube: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stellantis
Car and Driver
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
View Photos of Chrysler's 100th Anniversary Celebration
Chrysler's turning 100, and the company hosted a birthday celebration at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle—where Walter P. was a member—and invited all its favorite concept and production cars of the past. Scroll through to see some of the highlights. READ THE FULL STORY
Car and Driver
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Sampling the Best of the Brand for Chrysler's 100th Anniversary
It's been 100 years since former railroad mechanic Walter P. Chrysler gave his last name to a burgeoning car company. Chrysler cars were upscale and technologically advanced, early adopters of safety features like non-splintering windscreen glass (1933) and padded dashboards (1949) as well as experimental designs like the wind-tunnel-tested Airflow (1934) and the radical Turbine Car (1963). Later Chrysler cars competed with Lincoln and Cadillac to be the preferred ride for fat cats and big shots. In the '80s, Chrysler went family-friendly, introducing the minivan first as Dodge- and Plymouth-branded models, and later under its own nameplate as a Town & Country. When the Hemi engine made a return in the 2000s, Chrysler went for the sleeper muscle car with the 300 SRT (a highly slept-on collectible, in my opinion) but was soon eclipsed by the Hellcat-powered Dodges, Jeeps, and Rams, leaving what was once the flagship brand as the least interesting of the options. All of which could have left Chrysler celebrating its century in a kinda gloomy mood, but instead the company hosted a birthday celebration at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle—where Walter P. was a member—and invited all its favorite concept and production cars of the past. We also got a look at an anniversary edition Chrysler Pacifica, which unfortunately does not incorporate the woodgrain, big fins, or plaid wool seats of lovely Chryslers past, but does come in a patriotic trio of color options (Red Hot, Bright White, or Hydro Blue) and has special badges and new-for-2026 grille and wheel options. If you're excited about owning an anniversary edition, they should be on sale now (June 2025) and start at $44,390 ($47,385 with AWD) for the nonhybrid and $52,565 for the Pacifica PHEV. 2026 Pacificas sans birthday badges will retail at $42,465 with PHEVs starting at $51,070. Stellantis 2026 Chrysler Pacifica 100th Anniversary Edition. But a single minivan does not a party celebration make, even if it does have semi-gloss granite crystal trim, so Chrysler let us get behind the wheel, or at least in the passenger seat of some of the cars from its heritage collection. Here are a few favorites. 1924 Chrysler Six B70 Prototype Walter himself drove this car some 100 years ago, it's pretty cool to take it out on the road. We weren't allowed to drive this one, something about it being one of five prototypes that has been owned by the company since its inception. As its name suggests, the 1924 Chrysler is powered by a straight-six engine making 68 horsepower and backed by a three-speed transmission with a dog-leg shift pattern. Production versions of the B70 won the Mount Wilson hill-climb in California, finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and set a 100 mph lap record at Brooklands race circuit in the UK. We didn't get quite to 100 mph, but the B70 has good off-the-line acceleration and a spectacularly roomy back seat. Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1924 Chrysler B70 Prototype. 1934 Chrysler Airflow The Airflow (top of page) looks so normal by today's standards that it's hard to understand how shocking its rounded front and smoothed out fenders must have looked to car buyers in the early '30s, when every other brand was still upright and squared off. Orville Wright of the Wright brothers worked with the Chrysler engineers to test the models for the Airflow in his wind tunnel, and while the results were too wild for the consumers—and too complex for Chrysler to produce in a quick and affordable fashion—we can see the influence of the Airflow on today's aerodynamic profiles. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1934 Chrysler Airflow. 1948 Chrysler Town & Country, 1951 Chrysler New Yorker, 1955 Chrysler 300, and 1958 Chrysler 300D I'm putting all these together because they represent the introduction of name plates that would grace Chrysler fenders for decades to come. This was Chrysler's big shot era, making cars that paced the Indy 500, introduced power steering and semi-automatic transmissions, and (with the '55) shoved a Hemi V-8 engine under the hood. Riding in cars of this era is a reminder of how cushioned and soft a luxury car used to be. The plaid-covered seats and tall white-walled tires soak up every pavement imperfection. The interiors are also fantastic, with chrome and Bakelite details that make something as pedestrian as opening a fresh-air vent feel like an important event. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car Eeeek, this wasn't just a ride-along, it was a scientific experiment. Powered by a gas turbine mated to a modified Chrysler automatic transmission, this car represents the impact of of the space-race on the mainstream. There were 54 turbine cars made, and nine in existence today, of which only a few are in running condition. The turbine car whirrs like a jet engine and has a tach that goes to 60,000rpm—although most documents about the car suggest redline was closer to 45,000. Chrysler received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the turbine cars, especially after running a loan program which allowed regular civilians to borrow the cars for a few months. As is often the case with ambitious ideas, the project was expensive and never went into full production. This is truly one of the wildest cars ever to grace public roads, and getting to see and feel it in action was very cool. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car. 1976 Chrysler Cordoba Is it wrong that out of all these fabulous machines, the '76 Cordoba might have been my favorite? It was just such a baller machine with its intimidating four-light front end, balck and silver paint, and grumbly 360 V-8. This particular car belonged to Ricardo Montalban, whose smooth voice made "Corinthian leather" into a phrase still used today. Ironically, this car did not have leather from Corinth, but instead was trimmed in silver vinyl. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Here's that woodgrain and nameplate again. The K-car gets a lot of grief, but it saved Chrysler from financial disaster, and I have to say, this was a pretty sweet ride. I felt like I should be heading to a country club to lay out by the pool but not go in for fear of ruining my new perm. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver 1996 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan Talk about nostalgia. The second I got in this, turned the key, and heard that distinctive seat-belt chime, I felt like I was back in carpool on the way to middle school. It actually gave me some unfinished homework anxiety. My mom never had a minivan but plenty of my friends' parents did, and it was quite the flashback to roll that heavy sidedoor back and scramble into the third row. Note to all modern SUV designers: The '96 minivan has a perfect space between the seats to keep a handbag or backpack. 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8 Speaking of nostalgia, the Chrysler engineers must have been thinking back to the '55 when they stuffed the new 6.1-liter Hemi into the 300 and revived the idea of a luxury muscle machine. It was funny to drive the 300 after all the plush-riding machines that preceded it. The early 2000s were all about a stiff suspension and direct steering. Still, I think the 300 SRT8 was overlooked when it came out, and would make a good buy today for someone thinking of future collectibility. After sampling so many of Chrysler's excellent machines, one wonders what's next for the brand. Today's Chrysler is at a crossroads, with only a few variations of the minivan in its line-up. The role of glamorous SUVs is being covered by Maserati, Alfa, and of all things, Jeep. Big, fast cars are under Dodge, and trucks, even if there was room alongside Ram, have never been a Chrysler focus. It doesn't leave a lot of space, but there's still the possibility that Stellantis could return the company to big luxury cruisers, or even "banker's hot rods," like the 300. VIEW PHOTOS Elana Scherr | Car and Driver Recent concept cars like the futuristic Halcyon revealed in 2024, show that Chrysler's designers and engineers aren't just thinking about third rows and Stow 'n Go seating. Here's hoping they bring back five-digit redlines, under-cover performers, and fine Corinthian leather. Elana Scherr Senior Editor, Features Like a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn't know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver's license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews. In 2020, she received a Best Feature award from the Motor Press Guild for the C/D story "A Drive through Classic Americana in a Polestar 2." In 2023, her Car and Driver feature story "In Washington, D.C.'s Secret Carpool Cabal, It's a Daily Slug Fest" was awarded 1st place in the 16th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards by the Los Angeles Press Club. Read full bio
