Tires Stolen Off Trucks At Fulton Dealership

Video: Thieves Steal Tires From Car Lots 2/20/08 Tires were stolen off these trucks at Longley Brothers Dodge in Fulton Sunday. (WSYR-TV) Fulton, New York (WSYR-TV) - The wheels off of some brand new rides are missing. Someone's jacking up cars on dealer lots of and stealing the tires from the vehicles. Now state police are hoping surveillance tape will bust this case wide open. At Longley Brothers Dodge in Fulton, the thieves targeted Dodge Ram 2500 trucks on Sunday afternoon. They jacked them up, then took off the tires and the rims and left the trucks on blocks. Those tires and rims are worth $2,800. Surveillance video shows two men loading the tires into a Jeep Cherokee. They were at the dealership at least 30 minutes, during the day. Police have determined it was a dark blue or black Jeep Cherokee with a rear passengers side brake light out. One man was wearing a camouflage sweatshirt and the other in a dark colored coat with a white strip. Police say this could be connected to thefts at two other area dealerships in the past five months. They do plan to check websites like eBay and Craig’s List to see if they turn up. The Longley Brothers dealership says they're offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. If you know anything, call State Police in Fulton at 593-1304.

BLOG: Nascar 09 What it Needs And What it Doesn't

Agreed...race on Sunday, drive on Monday [Mike]

Nascar 08 was not that great and I have been playing Nascar since the Playstation versions. Nascar 09 needs alcohol sponsors. Really just make the rating T for Teen or E10 If you have too. I hate driving the #2 Kurt Busch car its the #2 Miller Lite car driven by Kurt Busch. Nascar 09 needs many many more paint scheems for all of the cars. That and no fake cars make all the drivers you can the whole fleet. No one wants to race using Jimbo Bobs #189 car. Make all of the car models for the COT and Chraftsman Truck’s. Everyone knows the COT comes in the Chevrolet Impala SS, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry. For the trucks-Dodge Ram, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series, and Toyota Tundra. EA should stop being lazy and make something other than one crappy generic model. The team control’s should come back they were fun. And what ever else needed. Something good I’ve heard Carl Edwards is coming back.

The unmistakable Jeep

ROAD TEST

TED LATURNUS

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

• E-mail

February 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM EST

• 2008 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA
• Type: Two-door SUV
• Base Price: $26,995; as tested: $30,725
• Engine: 3.8 litre V-6
• Horsepower/Torque: 202 hp/237 lb-ft
• Transmission: Four-speed automatic
• Drive: Rear-drive with 4WD
• Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 14.1 city/10.3 highway; regular gas
• Alternatives: Hummer H3, Land Rover LR2, Nissan XTerra, Toyota FJ Cruiser

Like

• Loaded with personality
• Clever back seat fold-away feature
• Removable doors and fold-down windscreen beyond cool

Don't like

Enlarge Image

The Wrangler is the model that still looks the most 'Jeepy,' if you will. (Ted Laturnus for The Globe and Mail)

• Kind of thirsty
• Back seat ingress/egress challenging

Although Jeep has at least half a dozen models on the market (not counting their various permutations and variants), the one that still resonates with most people is the Wrangler.

This is the model that still looks the most "Jeepy," if you will. Sure, others, like the Commander, Liberty and so on, are unmistakable, but the Wrangler most resembles the original that got the whole ball rolling back in the 1940s, and comes with a lot of history.

Although these days it wears the Wrangler badge, over the years it's been known as the CJ, YJ and TJ. It officially became the Wrangler in the mid-1980s (in the United States, anyway); it received a redo in the mid-1990s and another one last year. A four-door version was also added to the lineup in 2007.

Through it all, it's remained a stubby, high-perched sport-ute that places function over convenience and is impossible to confuse with anything else.

For '08, the Wrangler two-door comes in three trim levels: X, Sahara and Rubicon. My tester, the Sahara, is somewhere in the middle; better equipped than the X, but not as hard-core as the Rubicon, which is really aimed at the serious off-road enthusiast.

Power comes from a 3.8-litre V-6 that develops just over 200 horsepower. This engine is used throughout Chrysler's lineup, and although I've complained about its unrefined nature in some of the company's other offerings, in this application, it seems just about perfect. All kinds of bottom end, responsive and useable.

It probably makes as much mechanical noise as ever, but because of the Wrangler's bluff aerodynamics and wind-collecting styling, you don't notice it, and it doesn't really matter anyway. If you're yearning for a civilized, refined driving experience, you should probably look elsewhere.

There are two transmission choices: six-speed manual or four-speed automatic. My tester had the latter and it adds $1,180 to the vehicle's price tag.

If you're in the market for a weekend boulder-hopper that you can take into the boonies on a regular basis, the manual is no doubt the better choice, but I prefer the automatic — just lazy, I guess.

And, anyway, this engine has more than enough grunt to move it along promptly. Fuel consumption for the autobox is, unsurprisingly, inferior to that of the manual, but not by much: 14.8 litres/100 kilometres versus 14.4 in town.

Whatever gearbox you choose, you have to keep in mind that this is essentially a niche vehicle. The Wrangler is not family transport and, usually, the people who buy it don't much care about ergonomics, wind noise, drivetrain refinement or even cargo space.

Either it's an image thing or they really do want to go off-roading in a meaningful way. Speaking of which, the Sahara comes with Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD system accessed through a console-mounted lever. Unless you're a down-and-dirty, bushwhacking commando, it's more than enough for most off-road forays.

My tester had a base price just five bucks less than $27,000, and came with a few extras in the form of a folding removable top ($675), and six-disc CD stereo with MP3 capability ($475). Otherwise, standard kit includes air conditioning, power door locks, power windows, cruise control, fog lamps, a traction control system, and four-wheel disc brakes.

The Sahara is actually quite well equipped, and I particularly like the folding rear seat, which can easily be lifted up and out of the way by pulling on one strap.

There's not a lot of room back there once that's done, and my tester had the soft top rolled up and stashed back there as well, which really cut down on the storage space. Still, it'll accommodate a couple of suitcases or some golf clubs.

Getting into the back seat to actually sit down is another matter; be prepared to lose your dignity.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that my tester leaked water through the roof — up near the windscreen. It might just have been a matter of an improperly fitting top, but when it rained, there was a nice little puddle of water there to greet me in the mornings — on top of the dash and on the centre console/shift lever.

But, hey, this is a Jeep, and while I don't expect these kinds of glitches, they also don't put me off. The Wrangler is saturated with something that's in pretty short supply in today's market: personality.

Despite, or maybe because of, its idiosyncrasies, I actually liked it — a lot. To the point where I could see myself owning one, were I in the market for a car. I like its rough-and-tumble ambience, and the fact that you can take it deep into the back woods, fold the windscreen down, remove the top and even take off the doors is hugely appealing, as far as I'm concerned.

Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who has owned at least four Morgans over the years.

This Day in Auto History:

	2.21.1907 Hendrik Spijker of Spyker drowns when his North Sea steamer breaks up in a storm off the coast of the Hook of Holland, the Netherlands 2.21.1916 The Dixie Flyer is introduced in Louisville, KY 2.21.1944 Coachbuilder Giacinto Ghia dies in Turin, Italy at age 56 2.21.1968 Iso is granted an international copyright for the Grifo name

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

New Dodge Chargers will prowl the streets of Pendleton

By Gwen Strough

Pendleton Police Department has been turning heads ever since the newly-received fleet of 2008 vehicles (six Dodge Chargers and a Dodge Magnum) hit the streets a couple of weeks ago. The vehicles have a modern look and are loaded with important features. “I hate to say that people are stopping us more than we’re stopping them,” laughed Chief Marc Farrer. “But we’re excited that people are noticing the new cars.”

Equipped with the Dodge Hemi 5.7 liter, V-8 engine and 18-inch rims, each vehicle has an onboard electronic stability program. “The ESP feature assists the driver in compensating for loose surface material, such as snow, ice and gravel, and assists in not ‘overdriving’ the vehicle,” stated Farrer. “It is a remarkable piece of technology, in my opinion,” he added.

Farrer said the new police cars have VHF and 800 MHz radios, digital scanners, Gateway laptop computers on mounts, stationary and moving radar, Mossberg 590A shotguns in mounts, Bushmaster AR-15 rifles, first aid kits, and automated external defibrillators.

The push bumper mounted on the front of the Chargers has several uses. It prevents damage to the front bumper and prevents air bag deployment under slight impacts. It also can be used aggressively to pin a fleeing vehicle or push a suspect vehicle, if necessary.

The familiar certified light bars from the past are on the new vehicles. Farrer noted that the lights make police vehicles more visible while operating in heavy downtown traffic.

According to town policy, the average life of PPD vehicles is four to five years, depending on the length of the warranty period.

Before new cars were ordered, Farrer and Captain Randy Sidwell did their homework, which included studying the paperwork from Michigan State Police Department where police cars are tested. They also traveled to a police expe in Kentucky and met with Dodge company representatives. In addition, they spoke with Chesterfield Police Chief Jamie Kim, whose department has driven Chargers for the past few years. Farrer said Kim expressed that CPD is pleased with the cars’ performance.

Madison County Sheriff’s Department has a Charger in their fleet and reportedly has ordered two more.

Farrer gave credit to Sidwell for keeping costs down. “He did an exceptional job, and squeezed the best price out of every vendor used for the completion of this project,” said Farrer. “Had he not worked as diligently as he did, we would probably not have been able to afford a lot of what you see in the new vehicles,” he explained.

Purchased through Kahlo Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge in Noblesville, the Chargers cost $21,969 each and the Magnum cost $23,277. Seven vehicles from the old fleet were sold to the Madison County Coroner, Madison County Emergency Management and the City of Elwood. Monies from those sales were added to existing money in the police budget to help fund the new fleet.

“I would like to point out that when Bill Hill was chief, he saw the need for a special utility vehicle and requested approximately $35,000 for a crime scene vehicle, but monies just were not available at the time. We have been fortunate to fill that need with the Magnum and save thousands of dollars,” commented Farrer.

The Magnum was issued to officer Stan Brown, who is currently trained in crime scene investigation. Farrer said the car provides the extra room needed for the specialized equipment Brown utilizes in processing a crime scene. Additionally, the special utility vehicle has the capability of a safe patrol vehicle.

Farrer commented that the police car market is evolving, and said Ford provided the only full-sized “police package” vehicle since Chevrolet discontinued building the Caprice.

“Chevrolet provided the Impala as an alternative, but in my opinion, it in no way can be described as a full-size police package vehicle. I wanted the department to have cars that could carry all the equipment that we have, provide ample room for comfort, provide specific safety features, and meet the pricing standards needed. We were able to meet each of those needs with the Dodge Charger,” said Farrer.

Detailing of the new vehicles was handled locally by Sign Age. Flat black stickers provide a retro look with a modern flare. The “Super Bee” emblem was removed and replaced with the town logo, which depicts Falls Park, as well as denoting that Pendleton is a National Historic Register Community. The hood sticker is a radical alteration of the full painted hood available on past and current Chargers. The word ‘Hemi’ was replaced with ‘Police’ to provide additional visibility as an official police car.

Chrysler to form China JV with Chery

Feb. 22, 2008 (China Knowledge) - Chinese auto marker Chery Automobile is in talks with Chrysler, the No. 3 U.S. car producer to form a joint venture in eastern China's Anhui Province, but the Chinese company said it would be a long-term option, source said on Wednesday.

"A joint venture with Chrysler was and still is an option, but I am not expecting any big moves of any sort in the near term," a Chery spokesman said.

The new auto plant, located in Chery's home base, is expected to design and produce smaller and cheaper compact cars than Chrysler's previous model Dodge Neon, which has stopped production in 2005, sources familiar with the issue said.

In early June last year, the two has inked an agreement to introduce Chery's compact cars to the U.S. market and sell them under the Chrysler badge, but specific date for the introduction has not been decided since then.

The Chrysler spokesman said the company is eager to bring small cars made by Chery to the U.S. and North American market on the premise that the models have to meet the global standards.

Chery, one of the fastest growing home-grown Chinese car makers, is eyeing global market over recent years and plans to generate 40% of its sales overseas by 2010.

Watching and waiting

Chrysler dealers unsure of consolidation plan’s effect

By Lorraine Halsted
The Winchester Star

Winchester — Local Chrysler dealers say they have not been contacted by the corporate office about getting on board with a plan to consolidate the car manufacturer’s franchises.

Chrysler LLC has recently unleashed Project Genesis, an initiative that would eliminate duplicate models and mainstream dealerships, so that its brands —Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler — would be sold under one roof.

The consolidation would be more cost-effective for dealers, who would eventually have fewer models to sell under a single brand, said Chrysler President and Vice Chairman Jim Press in his remarks to the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Roundtable in San Francisco earlier this month.

"We do know that if the consolidation doesn’t occur before the products begin to go away, it’s going to be a whole lot more difficult for the dealers who don’t get involved early, to get what they want out of it," Press said, according to transcribed remarks provided by Chrysler Canada’s corporate office.

"In theory, it makes good sense," said Glenn Kochel, president and general manager of Clarke Motors, a Dodge dealership in Winchester.

A variety of Jeep models, manufactured by Chrysler LLC, sit on the lot in front of Kern Motor Company on Valley Avenue in Winchester on Wednesday afternoon. Local dealers say they have not been contacted by Chrysler’s corporate office about a plan to consolidate the car manufacturer’s franchises. (Rick Foster)

For example, Kochel said the current setup puts him in direct competition with Parsons Chrysler-Kia in Winchester, which sells the Town & Country — an identical version of the Dodge Caravan.

"It doesn’t make sense to sell against each other," he said.

Right now, Chrysler manufactures several duplicate models sold under more than one brand, including the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber; the Dodge Nitro and Jeep Liberty; and the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen.

Kochel said he has not been contacted by Chrysler and doesn’t expect a phone call from the corporate office anytime soon, since Project Genesis seems to be focusing on franchises in major cities with larger sales volumes.

"We are a secondary market, and it’s more of a metropolitan issue right now," he said.

Beverly Thacker, manager of sales, service, and dealer communications at Chrysler, said corporate officials probably have not contacted Winchester dealerships yet because they are concentrating on one market at a time.

Dick Kern, founder of Kern Motor Co., which sells Chrysler Jeep, said he has only heard about Project Genesis through recent media reports.

"I would be open to it," he said of the consolidation plan. "But the other franchises might not like it."

At issue is how Chrysler will go about consolidating its franchised dealerships.

In Virginia, companies cannot force its franchises to close, since they are independently owned, said Michael Allen, spokesperson for the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association in Richmond.

"Virginia’s laws make that pretty difficult to do without compensating dealers fairly, especially in Winchester, where most dealerships are family-run and a lot of them have been in the family three and four generations and have a lot of investments tied up in them, " he said.

Kochel said the consolidation would have to be voluntary for Virginia’s Chrysler dealerships, and that corporate officials would also have to bring money to the table.

"We are not going to force anyone to close their franchises," Thacker said, regardless of the franchise laws, which differ from one state to the next.

Chrysler has already consolidated 250 franchises in the past four years under Project Alpha, according to a recent report in the Detroit Free Press.

Thacker said corporate officials have not determined how many franchises or which of the 30 models under all three brands will be eliminated.

"Right now, it’s somewhat in a thought process of planning," she said. "The goal is to go into the market and see what’s needed."

Thacker said that current economic conditions have warranted the franchise and model reductions that will be brought about by Project Genesis.

The Detroit Press reported that sales of Chrysler vehicles were down 3.1 percent in 2007.