Bow-Mel Chrysler Ltd.

Consumer Reports has released its annual Car Reliability Study, and the results weren't very kind to Ford. The automaker saw its ranking fall from 10th to 20th due to issues with three specific models: the Explorer, Fiesta and Focus. Each of those vehicles ranked below average in reliability during their first year on the market due to issues with MyFord Touch and the dual-clutch transmissions in the Fiesta and Focus.

Meanwhile, Chrysler busily inched its way up the reliability ladder. Jeep managed to jump to 13th spot to become the most reliable domestic manufacturer while Chrysler jumped 12 spots in the study and Dodge maneuvered up by three places.

According to the study, the Chrysler 200, Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee all performed very well in their respective reliability evaluations.

PickupTrucks.com asked five half-ton truck manufacturers to provide their best trucks for $30000.00. The entries consisted of the 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 Extended Cab, 2011 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, 2011 Nissan Titan King Cab, 2011 Ram 1500 Quad Cab and Toyota Tundra Double Cab, all of which were put through a variety of tests over four days in and around Detroit. Unlike a comparison that seeks model-feature parity, this one allowed for the manufacturers to provide whatever they thought was best, which is how you get Ford supplying the only regular cab among the field.

After being run through load tests, brake tests, the drag strip, 0-to-60 and even an autocross run, the crown was given to the Ram 1500 Quad Cab. It didn't scorch the competition, but it was always near the top of the field, which gave it enough to take the glory. Head on over to PickupTrucks.com to read the full piece.     

EL SUGUNDO, Calif.- Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine has named the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon the winner of it's coveted 4x4 of the Year Award. This is the 30th year of the enthusiast magazine's in-depth competition of new 4x4 vehicles, and the third time Jeep Wrangler has taken home the award. In fact, Jeep products have won the award more than any other mark, a total of 12 times for different Jeep vehicles.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was pitted against the worthy Ram Power Wagon, both solid axle titans of the off-road world. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ranked high in every category of this year's in-depth test. The grueling 1,000-mile trial evaluates each vehicle's suspension, engine, transmission and transfer case along with the style and creature comforts the vehicle provides. Most importantly, the 4x4's are judged heavily on how well they perform off-road in dirt, mud, rocks, sand and gravel as well as on the highway.

"The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most competent 4x4 ever produced," said Rick Pewe, editor-in-chief of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. "The Rubicon gives you complete confidence in its terrain tracking abilities. It allows you to take the trail less traveled without worrying about the journey. And it does so while leaving a smile on your face. This is one fun ride!"

"No one puts a vehicle to the test more thoroughly than the editors of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road , so Jeep is especially proud to win this prestigious award," said Mike Manley, President and CEO-Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has long been the most capable vehicle on the planet. With a completely new powertrain for 2012, it has reset the capability benchmark, while simultaneously offering customers more fuel efficiency, horsepower and off-road performance in every day driving."

To be eligible to compete, a vehicle must be all new or have substantial improvements that make it perform significantly different from the previous year's model. Vehicles must also be available for sale before January 15 of the model year, have a production run of at least 2,500 units and be equipped with a two speed transfer case. The complete test results and vehicle evaluations for the 2012 4x4 of the Year competition will appear in the February 2012 issue, available December 6, 2011.

Information on the test will also be available on the Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road website,  www.4wheeloffroad.com

Who says you have to drive a cramped, no styling-car "to show you're green and be fuel effiecient on the roadways?"

Chrysler and Dodge certainly don't.

Starting with the 2012 Chrysler 300 and the 2012 Dodge Charger, Chrysler Group is the first U.S. Automaker to offer an eight-speed transmission with its vehicles. Compared to the 2011 versions, the new eight speed transmission means both the 2012 300 and the Charger have the best fuel economy in the large sedan class, according to FuelEconomy.gov.

The new eight-speed automatic, introduced and licensed through ZF, is often found on high-end luxury cars, including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls Royce. For our first models, the transmission is mated exclusively to the 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine, which was introduced last year.

But don't take our word for it. Objective media outlets have put the eight-speed 2012 Charger and the 2012 300 to the test.

Car and Driver: 2012 Chrysler 300S V6 8-Speed Automatic: Eight new reasons to consider the V-6.