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The Dodge Durango Is Back

Chrysler confirming today that it's bringing back the Dodge Durango SUV.

"It's critical," says Dodge Car Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles. "I think the car's updated in exactly the way it needs to be updated."

The 2011 Durango featured a stiffened unibody construction to give it better on road manners. It will still have towing capacity of 6200 pounds with a V-6 engine and 7400 pounds with a Hemi V-8.

"The new Durango is based off the same platform as the new Grand Cherokee, which is a phenomenal place to start from," said Gilles, in an interview with WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert. "We lengthened the vehicle between the wheels to create enough room for the third row."

The Durango is being built at the Jefferson North Plant in Detroit. Chrysler has hinted that it may need to add a third shift at that plant, but hasn't made any announcement about that. Gilles declined to discuss production plans.

Chrysler ended production of the original Durango two years ago, as gasoline prices soared, and the company faced financial trouble. It had been made at a plant in Delaware that Chrysler ended up closing, then selling to electric carmaker Fisker.

That had left Dodge dealers without a true three row SUV.

"It's important (to have a vehicle like this) we're realizing now more than ever as we cancelled the vehicle almost two years ago," said Gilles. "We have customers coming back in at the end of their leases, or they just want a new car, and we don't really offer any thing just like that as we speak."

Gilles says the 2011 Durango should be available shortly after Thanksgiving.

"We're calling it a performance SUV in every way. It's a real great driver's vehicle."

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