Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Dodge Wins 3 Segment Awards In J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study

 

Dodge wins 3 segment awards in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 APEAL study.

The Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Durango, led their respective segments, while Jeep and Chrysler brand vehicles saw significant improvement in this year’s study.

“We’ve listened to our customers and made significant improvements across the product line, launching 16 all-new or extensively updated vehicles in the past year,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President—Quality, Chrysler Group. “We worked very hard to make our vehicles truly competitive with the best vehicles in their respective segments. It’s nice to see this effort being recognized by our customers.”

The APEAL Study identifies consumer likes and dislikes about their vehicle during the first 90 days of ownership, particularly regarding vehicle design, content, layout and performance. According to J.D. Power and Associates, vehicles with high APEAL scores generate faster sales, higher profit margins, and less need for cash incentives. A higher APEAL score also means that a vehicle is more likely to be recommended by a customer.

“Different customers have different opinions about what makes a quality vehicle,” Betts explained. “At Chrysler Group, we define and measure six different types of quality. We’ve set aggressive internal targets and our progress is starting to show up in third-party surveys as well.”

Read more: http://www.dodgeinthenews.com/three-dodge-models-prove-their-apeal/

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tips On How To Properly Wash and Wax Your Car

Check out the tips below on how to properly wash and wax your car.

More than one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products when washing their cars-products that could contain harmful detergents, abrasives and additives. And almost half of motorists don't ever wax their vehicles.

"Waxing at least twice a year is recommended for maximum protection, yet surveys show that 48 percent of motorists don't wax their vehicles at all," said Jeffrey Webb, director of retail marketing at Turtle Wax, Inc.

Motorists should avoid dish detergent, which contains harsh chemicals that, intended to cut through grease, will strip away the wax finish on your car. Some are hard to rinse off and leave streaks. For best results, a formulated automotive wash is recommended, one that gently lifts the dirt and grime while protecting the finish.

Washing an automobile on a regular basis protects it from the natural elements that harm the finish. The Car Care Council recommends the following dos and don'ts when it comes to a do-it-yourself car wash:

  • Don't wash cars in direct sunlight. Do wash cars in shade or in cooler temperatures in the early morning or late afternoon.
  • Don't use dish detergent. Do use a formulated car wash.
  • Do fill your bucket with warm water.
  • Do use a soft terrycloth towel or washing mitt.
  • Do spray the car often with water.
  • Don't scrub the car all at once. Do complete one section at a time, rinsing repeatedly to prevent the soap from drying on the paint.
  • Do use soft terrycloth towels or scratch-free fabric to dry the vehicle.
  • Don't neglect waxing the vehicle. Do prep the car for waxing using cleaner/polish to remove contaminants.

"The myth of not having to wax your car because you have a clear-coat finish is just that, a myth," Webb said. "Clear-coat finish is only as thick as a piece of paper and can become damaged from the effects of sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution."

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

 

I love to see the starry flag
That floats above my head.
I love to see its waving folds
With stripes of white and red.
“Be brave,” say the red stripes.
“Be pure,” say the white.
“Be true,” say the bright stars.
“And stand for the right.”

Author Unknown

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2012 Dodge Avenger R/T Gets Ready to Rock

“The Avenger R/T makes driving a mid-size car a really fun, engaging experience,” said Ralph Gilles, Dodge’s president and CEO. “The Avenger R/T offers performance design cues both inside and out, as well as unique handling characteristics and a sport-tuned suspension. It’s a vehicle that is ready to earn its stripes as part of the Dodge performance family of vehicles.”

With all that Pentastar power in the bank, the key to the vehicle’s enhanced driving dynamics is a thoroughly revised suspension specifically tuned for use with the Avenger R/T. Among the upgrades:

  • Roll stiffness was increased by 18 percent.
  • Spring rates are boosted by 17 percent in the front and more than 12 percent in the rear.
  • Strut-damping rates are up by 15 percent at the front and nearly 20 percent at the back.
  • A larger rear stabilizer bar, with a 21-mm diameter, replaces the standard 19-mm bar.

Read more: http://www.dodgeinthenews.com/2012-dodge-avenger-rt-gets-ready-to-rock/#more-524

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

How are you planning to celebrate/ honor Memorial Day weekend?  Is the holiday a chance to barbeque and hang with friends, or is it a more solemn occasion as you remember a loved one?  Share with us!

But no matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we want you to stay safe.  Here are some tips for grill safety this weekend:

  • Keep food covered or refrigerated until ready to be cooked.  Cook meat to 170 degrees Farenheit as a minimum. 
  • Cooking (by any method) of meats (particularly red meat and chicken) at very high temperatures until surface charring occurs can cause cancer causing substances (Heterocyclic Amines (HCA)) to form.   To avoid this, use marinades and turn frequently.
  • Inspect your grill before you ignite to ensure everything is in working order.
  • Don't use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies.
  • When using a grill, you should use a 10-foot perimeter from anything combustible, including your house.
  • Do not allow children and pets to play near a grill.
  • Only use approved ignition fluids – don't use gasoline to ignite a grill.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire.

These tips are from: http://bbq.about.com/od/grillinghelp/tp/grillsafety.htm

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2011 Mopar Charger Goes From 0 To 60 In 5 Seconds

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The 2011 limited edition Mopar Charger can go from 0 to 60 in five seconds. Currently the Charger is only available in a five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission. 

“The Mopar ‘11 Charger takes the ‘head- turning’ factor up a few notches,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “By adding some of the most distinctive accessories to an already strong performer, we’ve created a special-edition car for enthusiasts.”

Customers who purchase a Mopar ’11 Charger will receive a personalized owner’s kit in a customized Mopar ’11 box. The kit will include a certificate with the vehicle identification number, exact date of manufacture and the number of the vehicle. If you’re eager to get your hands on one of these vehicles, act fast as Chrysler is only building 1,000 examples.

Read more: http://www.dodgeinthenews.com/chrysler-introduces-the-11-mopar-charger/#more-432

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Dodge And Universal Pictures Team Up For ‘Fast Five’

dodge

Dodge helping to promote the movie, Fast Five, which will be in theaters on April 29.

The Dodge brand is proud to partner with Universal Pictures on Fast Five. We enjoyed being a part of the production process and working with the cast and crew, and it clearly comes through in the film,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The chase scenes in this installment of Fast Five are over-the-top and adrenaline-filled, and Dodge fans will be thrilled by the performance of the Dodge Charger.”

In addition to a Charger commercial, Dodge recently debuted the Fast Five Dodge Charger R/T driven by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, Robby Gordon. The No. 7 Fast Five Dodge Charger R/T Dodge will race throughout the month of April during NASCAR races. Dodge fans can also participate in the Fast Five Sweepstakes with the opportunity to win five customer Fast Five 2011 Dodge Charger R/T models. To enter, visit Dodge.com/FastFive.

Read more: http://www.dodgeinthenews.com/dodge-and-universal-pictures-team-up-for-fast-five/#more-428

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