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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Jury sides with DaimlerChrysler in suit over wreck
Stealth Dodge Chargers Join the California Highway Patrol
While returning home from a routine leisure patrol in Lake Tahoe last weekend, Telstar Logistics decided to do some reconnaissance at the California Highway Patrol's Fleet Operations Facility just off I-80 in West Sacramento. The Fleet Operations Facility is a centralized location where the CHP takes delivery of brand-new vehicles and preps them for duty by installing equipment like emergency lights, sirens, radios, and Highway Patrol decals.
Most of the time, the giant parking lot is packed with black-and-white Ford Crown Victoria Interceptors lined up in tidy rows like cute little ducklings. For example, the following is a photo of the facility we took back in April 2006. As you can see, nothing but Crown Vics:
Last weekend, however, we saw something very different: long lines of new Dodge Chargers in a wide variety of colors — with no black-and-whites. Upon surveying the scene, we whipped out our handy dandy spy-cam to snap a few photos:
We then raced home to research our strange discovery. Here's what we learned:
According to Government Fleet, a trade journal, the CHP paid $1.9 million for 88 Dodge Chargers, paying $21,673 per charger. Most of the new cars are slated for undercover operation, although nine will be retained in Sacramento for training use. The order was placed last year, but it seems the agency has now taken delivery of its new undercover cars. And soon they'll be out on the streets.
To be sure, the new Chargers are stealthy. Unlike Crown Vics, which scream COP CAR!! even when unmarked, there's not much about the CHP's new Chargers that would attract attention from even an alert motorist. No clunky steel wheels. No visibly beefed-up suspension. No A-pillar spotlights. Granted, they look somewhat like rental cars, but that's a far cry from anything which would suggest that Ponch and Jon are riding inside.
Just as significant, perhaps, is the fact that the CHP has started to diversify. Crown Vics have been the backbone of the CHP's marked fleet, and today the agency operates more than 2,100 of the venerable Fords. Meanwhile, troopers in many other states have already traded in their Crown Vics for new Chargers, and as one astute analyst recently noted, the Dodge cop cars look pretty badass.
Here's a slicktop Charger in service with the Massachusetts State Police:
Photo by christopdesoto
And here's one (with the telltale steel wheels) used by the Michigan State Police:
Photo by squeez91270
Chargers have also been embraced by the NYPD and the LAPD.
Will black-and-white CHP Chargers come to California's highways as well? Frankly, we hope so, if only because it's vastly easier to see a marked Charger than it is to try and spot its low-profile alternative. In the meantime, California motorists... let's be careful out there.
Speed read: News, trends and gossip
Posted By WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Numerous Chrysler models receive pat on the back for crash safety: The 2008 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Town & Country received the U. S. Government's highest safety ratings for frontal and side-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Both passive and active safety systems enhance the inherent stability and safety we design into all of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President, Product Development, Chrysler.Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2008 Dodge Nitro Giveaway Contest Rules
THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY TO THE 2008 DODGE NITRO AUTO SHOW GIVEAWAY CONTEST AT THE CLEVELAND AUTO SHOW, FEBRUARY 23 – MARCH 2, 2008. FAILURE TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS MAY DISQUALIFY FINALISTS/WINNER FROM PRIZE. PLEASE READ ALL RULES.
1.NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
2.Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, Void in Puerto Rico and all other U.S. territories and wherever prohibited by law. Contestants may register by filling out an entry blank at the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association contest booth at the Auto Show at the I-X Center, February 23 – March 2, 2008, (no guarantee of entry acceptance after 4:00 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2008) or by mailing a postcard containing name, address, telephone number and age to 2008 Dodge Nitro Giveaway C/O Cleveland Auto Show, 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Entry blanks void if received outside authorized channels. All entries must be handwritten; no mechanically copied entries accepted. Deadline for receipt of mail-in entry is February 29, 2008. Only one entry per person per day. All entries become property of Sponsors and will not be returned. Sponsor not responsible for lost, late, illegible, misdirected, damaged or postage-due mail.
3.Contestants MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER AND BE A LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER WITH PROOF OF ADEQUATE LIABILITY INSURANCE.
4.The grand prize is a 2008 Dodge Nitro (vehicle subject to change). No cash award will be given in place of the prize. Delivery of actual grand prize vehicle will be determined based upon production by Dodge. Actual delivery date is unknown at this time. Vehicle on display at Auto Show in contest area may not be the actual vehicle awarded. Winners are responsible for all taxes, title, license and registration fees. The retail value of the grand prize is approximately $30,000.00.
5.Starting February 23, 2008 and ending on March 2, 2008, one (1) winner per day will be randomly drawn from daily entries received to qualify as a finalist. Further, one (1) additional finalist will be chosen for the Dodge Nitro Giveaway by WEWS Channel 5 in the following manner: beginning Friday, February 22, 2008 and continuing Monday February 25, Tuesday February 26, Wednesday February 27 and Thursday February 28, WEWS will take the 5th caller after the designated cue to call in during the 6pm newscast. The 5th caller will win a four-pack of tickets to the Auto Show and be entered into a random drawing to become a finalist for a chance to win the Dodge Nitro. All finalists will be notified and it is their responsibility to be at the Auto Show at appropriate time on Sunday, March 2, 2008 for the final contest random drawing to award the grand prize to one of the ten (10) finalists. There will be one grand prize (Dodge Nitro) winner. Finalists are not required to purchase an auto show admission ticket for final contest drawing. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.
6.In the event of the winner’s failure to qualify or claim the grand prize within 30 days of being notified the vehicle is ready for delivery, an alternative winner will be drawn from those who qualified as finalists. Should that winner fail to claim the prize within 30 days of being notified, no prize will be awarded. In no event will Sponsors award more prizes than listed in these Official Rules.
7.Employees of Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company d/b/a WEWS-TV, their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, suppliers and the immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each (collectively, “Sponsor”) are not eligible. Employees of the Auto Show, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, or any of its affiliated companies, employees of any new or used motor vehicle dealership, automobile manufacturer, their advertising agencies and their immediate families are ineligible to win.
8.Winner acknowledges that the Auto Show shall have the right to use winner’s name, likeness and voice in promoting that he/she is the winner, in both print and broadcast. The grand-prize winner must sign a standard release form providing the Auto Show with their address, telephone number and social security number and a W-9 tax form. Winners will be required to sign and return to the Sponsors an affidavit of eligibility and liability and publicity release within 48 hours of notification. If any prize notification is undeliverable, or in the event of non-compliance with any of these requirements, the prize will be forfeited, and an alternate winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries. All taxes and all other expenses, costs or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner; winner will be expected to provide tax ID #. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash or other merchandise and is nontransferable. The Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a similar prize of equal or greater value at its sole discretion.
9.Cleveland Auto Show is the sole judge of all matters pertaining to this contest and reserves the right to change the rules and/or discontinue the contest at any time without notice. All decisions by the Cleveland Auto Show are final.
10.All entrants waive any and all claims of liability against all sponsors, agents, affiliates, parent companies and their employees along with any other acting on behalf, for damages, injuries or other losses which relate directly or indirectly to the 2008 Cleveland Auto Show Dodge Nitro Giveaway.
11.For the name of the grand prize winner, please write to the 2008 Dodge Nitro Giveaway c/o Cleveland Auto Show, 10100 Brecksville, OH 44141 by May 2, 2008. 12.Sponsor: Cleveland Auto Show. 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company d/b/a WEWS-TV, 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
1.NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
2.Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, Void in Puerto Rico and all other U.S. territories and wherever prohibited by law. Contestants may register by filling out an entry blank at the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association contest booth at the Auto Show at the I-X Center, February 23 – March 2, 2008, (no guarantee of entry acceptance after 4:00 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2008) or by mailing a postcard containing name, address, telephone number and age to 2008 Dodge Nitro Giveaway C/O Cleveland Auto Show, 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Entry blanks void if received outside authorized channels. All entries must be handwritten; no mechanically copied entries accepted. Deadline for receipt of mail-in entry is February 29, 2008. Only one entry per person per day. All entries become property of Sponsors and will not be returned. Sponsor not responsible for lost, late, illegible, misdirected, damaged or postage-due mail.
3.Contestants MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER AND BE A LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER WITH PROOF OF ADEQUATE LIABILITY INSURANCE.
4.The grand prize is a 2008 Dodge Nitro (vehicle subject to change). No cash award will be given in place of the prize. Delivery of actual grand prize vehicle will be determined based upon production by Dodge. Actual delivery date is unknown at this time. Vehicle on display at Auto Show in contest area may not be the actual vehicle awarded. Winners are responsible for all taxes, title, license and registration fees. The retail value of the grand prize is approximately $30,000.00.
5.Starting February 23, 2008 and ending on March 2, 2008, one (1) winner per day will be randomly drawn from daily entries received to qualify as a finalist. Further, one (1) additional finalist will be chosen for the Dodge Nitro Giveaway by WEWS Channel 5 in the following manner: beginning Friday, February 22, 2008 and continuing Monday February 25, Tuesday February 26, Wednesday February 27 and Thursday February 28, WEWS will take the 5th caller after the designated cue to call in during the 6pm newscast. The 5th caller will win a four-pack of tickets to the Auto Show and be entered into a random drawing to become a finalist for a chance to win the Dodge Nitro. All finalists will be notified and it is their responsibility to be at the Auto Show at appropriate time on Sunday, March 2, 2008 for the final contest random drawing to award the grand prize to one of the ten (10) finalists. There will be one grand prize (Dodge Nitro) winner. Finalists are not required to purchase an auto show admission ticket for final contest drawing. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.
6.In the event of the winner’s failure to qualify or claim the grand prize within 30 days of being notified the vehicle is ready for delivery, an alternative winner will be drawn from those who qualified as finalists. Should that winner fail to claim the prize within 30 days of being notified, no prize will be awarded. In no event will Sponsors award more prizes than listed in these Official Rules.
7.Employees of Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company d/b/a WEWS-TV, their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, suppliers and the immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each (collectively, “Sponsor”) are not eligible. Employees of the Auto Show, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, or any of its affiliated companies, employees of any new or used motor vehicle dealership, automobile manufacturer, their advertising agencies and their immediate families are ineligible to win.
8.Winner acknowledges that the Auto Show shall have the right to use winner’s name, likeness and voice in promoting that he/she is the winner, in both print and broadcast. The grand-prize winner must sign a standard release form providing the Auto Show with their address, telephone number and social security number and a W-9 tax form. Winners will be required to sign and return to the Sponsors an affidavit of eligibility and liability and publicity release within 48 hours of notification. If any prize notification is undeliverable, or in the event of non-compliance with any of these requirements, the prize will be forfeited, and an alternate winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries. All taxes and all other expenses, costs or fees associated with the acceptance and/or use of the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner; winner will be expected to provide tax ID #. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash or other merchandise and is nontransferable. The Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a similar prize of equal or greater value at its sole discretion.
9.Cleveland Auto Show is the sole judge of all matters pertaining to this contest and reserves the right to change the rules and/or discontinue the contest at any time without notice. All decisions by the Cleveland Auto Show are final.
10.All entrants waive any and all claims of liability against all sponsors, agents, affiliates, parent companies and their employees along with any other acting on behalf, for damages, injuries or other losses which relate directly or indirectly to the 2008 Cleveland Auto Show Dodge Nitro Giveaway.
11.For the name of the grand prize winner, please write to the 2008 Dodge Nitro Giveaway c/o Cleveland Auto Show, 10100 Brecksville, OH 44141 by May 2, 2008. 12.Sponsor: Cleveland Auto Show. 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company d/b/a WEWS-TV, 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
Dodge Viper Competition Coupes
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Chrysler Financial Hosts 2008 F&I Conference
By: PR Newswire
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler Financial hosted its fifth annual Finance and Insurance (F&I) Conference February 11-15. The conference titled "Educate and Accelerate" is a knowledge-based business conference designed to showcase tools, tips, processes and ideas for practical use in the finance and insurance departments of Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealerships. The conference, held in Las Vegas, provided F&I Managers with ideas for increasing profit for the F&I office.
"The conference brought together experts in a variety of auto finance related disciplines -- from seasoned Chrysler Financial professionals to automotive industry leaders," said Mark Manzo, Vice President - Sales and Marketing for Chrysler Financial. "One of our strengths at Chrysler Financial is our commitment to F&I training and providing access to our dedicated dealer consultants," he added.
F&I breakout sessions included the customer F&I experience, structuring the deal, leasing, menu selling, legal matters and power in partnerships. There was also a business expo highlighting Chrysler Financial business support tools like lead generation, e-Finance, insurance and credit card loyalty.
"I could talk all day about what I got out of the CF-Connect session I participated in," said Sam Bass, Business Manager, Farris Motors in Rocky Mount, N.C. "CF-Connect is like a one-stop shop, with all the tools I need available from one screen."
The conference was the ideal location for the new launch of the CF-Connect link through the Chrysler DealerConnect portal. This Web-based interface provides Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customer information for pre-sale, point-of- sale and post sale information. Some of the special new features include the option to generate customer lists for prospecting. The tool also provides real time customer information like current payment, maturity date, line of business, payment range and current vehicle model and a free OFAC check.
"When I left the conference and returned to the dealership, I met with our General Sales Manager to show him some of the new reporting capability in CF- Connect -- his eyes lit up and he immediately set up a meeting to spread the word to our sales staff," said Neville Flintoft, Finance Director, Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Phoenix, Ariz.
Chrysler mum on number of workers taking buyout offers
By Alex Gary and The Associated Press
Chrysler LLC doesn’t plan to announce the number of workers taking its latest buyout offers for several more weeks, even though the company is planning to eliminate a shift in Belvidere by March 7, a company spokeswoman said today.As of Monday, hourly workers at 11 of Chrysler’s U.S. facilities had been scheduled to decide on the offers, which include a $70,000 incentive payment to retirement-eligible workers or $100,000 to workers who agree to leave without future pension or health benefits.
Four assembly sites — Toledo North in Toledo, Ohio; St. Louis North and South in Fenton, Mo.; Jefferson North in Detroit, and Belvidere, where the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass are assembled, had January deadlines to make decisions. Seven additional plants in Michigan had a Monday deadline.
Chrysler spokeswoman Michelle Tinson said workers at other plants are still considering the buyouts. Workers at five plants in Indiana and Wisconsin have until Feb. 25 to make a decision, while workers at an assembly plant in Newark, Del., which is scheduled to close next year, have until March 10. Buyout deals are still being negotiated for Chrysler’s Mopar parts unit, Tinson said.
The buyouts, and how many took them, are a hot topic in Belvidere because of the shift elimination, which will cut the plant’s work force from about 3,600 back to 2,500.
About 600 employees at the plant are working on temporary contracts with no seniority and will be the first to be eliminated. Another 500 workers transferred in from other operations. Some of those workers lost their seniority by transferring and would be the next to go. Workers in both these groups are hoping enough of the more-tenured employees took the buyouts to save their jobs.
Chrysler, which is in the midst of a restructuring after a majority stake in the automaker was sold last summer to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, announced in November it planned to cut up to 12,000 jobs, including 8,000 to 10,000 hourly and 2,000 salaried jobs.
The cuts came in addition to 13,000 layoffs Chrysler announced in February 2007, including 11,000 hourly and 2,000 salaried workers. About 6,400 hourly workers had left the company under that program as of June, but additional retirement packages could still be rolled out under that program, which was scheduled to run through 2009.
Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. announced similar buyout programs for tens of thousands of hourly workers represented by the United Auto Workers union.
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