Chrysler Posts Robust Earnings in First Quarter

Chrysler SRT brand CEO Ralph Gilles kisses the SRT Viper after its unveiling at the New York Auto Show this month. AP PHOTO






Chrysler's strong comeback continued with the release of its most recent earnings report, which showed the company posted a profit of $473 million, its best quarterly performance in 13 years.
Chrysler said its sales in the quarter rose 39 percent, thanks to healthy performances by its 200 sedan, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram pickup.
Chrysler has predicted that for the full year, it will post a profit of $1.5 billion.
Just a few years ago, things didn't look nearly as rosy for the company, which many predicted would falter.
But after accepting a federal bailout crafted by the Obama administration, the company has revamped its product lineup, gotten its financial house largely in order and now is moving forward with plans to continue to compete strongly against domestic and foreign rivals.
It will release the new Dodge Dart small sedan this year, as well as a new version of the Ram pickup.

Auto Racing's Tia Norfleet to Headline Safety Event at AMS

The Safe America Foundation announced today that Tia Norfleet,
the first and only female African-American licensed NASCAR driver, has agreed to serve as its
safe driving spokesperson for the May 5 SafeTeen Georgia Driving Academy, taking
place at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 
  
In its seventh year at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, the SafeTeen Georgia Driving Academy has
become metro Atlanta’s premier teen driving safety event. The day-long program consistently
averages over 1,000 attendees. It allows parents and teens 14 and older to learn the basics of
safe driving through interactive “Pit Stop” classrooms and demonstrations taught by the Safe
America Foundation training staff, law enforcement, fire fighters, political leaders, emergency
medical personnel and juvenile traffic court judges. 

“We’re overjoyed that Tia Norfleet has signed on as a spokesperson for the 2012 SafeTeen
Georgia Driving Academy,” said Safe America President and CEO Len Pagano. “She speaks with
great authority on the role practice plays in becoming a good driver and we believe that she
has the potential to be a fantastic representative to serve as the face of safe driving here in
the metro region.” 

“As a young person, at 24 years of age, I’ve already had good friends lose both family
members and/or classmates due to unsafe driving and I don’t want to see their losses
repeated,” Norfleet said. “It’s important that the next generation gets it right, and one of
the things we are not doing enough is taking a peer-to-peer approach on driving safety and
that is why I’ve signed on to become the spokesperson for the 2012 SafeTeen Georgia Driving
Academy.” 

In 2010, Norfleet became the first female African-American licensed by NASCAR. The
daughter of former NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet, Tia began following in her father’s
footsteps at an early age racing first on go-carts before moving up to the Bandoleros and then
on to Drag Racing. She is debuting in her first sanctioned NASCAR
race. To learn more about Tia, please visit: www.tianorfleet34.com. 

Ford Recalling 140,310 Focus Models from 2012

Ford is recalling 140,310 Focus cars from model year 2012 in the United States to repair a potential problem with the passenger-side windshield wiper motor, Reuters reports, citing U.S. safety regulators.
Reuters reported that a seal plug in the wiper motor electrical connector may be missing, allowing water into the motor's electrical connection, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show.
The problem could cause an inoperative wiper on the passenger side, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford said no accidents or injuries had been reported related to the issue, according to Reuters. Owners will be notified the week of May 21, and the wiper motor connector will be cleaned and sealed as needed, NHTSA said.
In separate NHTSA documents, Chrysler, which is controlled by Fiat, is recalling 1,689 2012 model Jeep Patriot and Compass sport utility vehicles that may have been built with a fuel tank assembly containing a damaged rollover valve, according to Reuters. In an accident or rollover, fuel could leak and increase the risk of a fire, NHTSA said.
Chrysler said in a NHTSA filing that it was not aware of any accidents, leaks, fires or injuries related to the issue. The recall is expected to begin by June.