Mopar Offering Customization at North American Auto Show

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Whenever big auto shows are involved, Chrysler has had the mentality of going as big as possible. With the upcoming 2014 North American International Auto Show coming up, Chrysler is letting Mopar loose to engage the attendees in a big way.

At the auto show, happening in Detroit, Mopar will be setting up shop to give people the chance to experiment with cars. Each person in attendance will be given a chance to get a hold of a iPad with an app allowing them to put together a custom car to their liking.

Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, said in a statement concerning the event, “This is a great addition to the Mopar Garage, which we introduced last year as a display to give consumers a look at how to customize their current vehicles with an incredible selection of aftermarket quality Mopar parts and accessories.”

The Mopar exhibit will be the largest exhibit to date in at the Cobo Center hosting the auto show. It will take up 5,500 square-foot to give people a look at the vast array of parts that Mopar has. Also at the exhibit will be all of Mopar’s specially customized vehicles that were shown off at the previous year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association Show. Among this special vehicles will be the 2014 Mopar Dodge Challenger, SRT Viper, Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver, and the Jeep Wrangler Recon.

The 2014 North American International Auto Show will be open to the public January 18th through the 26th. If you’re in the Detroit, this will be a great chance to mess around with some fun Mopar toys.

For more auto news and specials, like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Mopar “Top Eliminator” Chooses Winner!

Mopar’s 2013 “Top Eliminator” program has chosen New JerseSay what you will about Mopar fans, but one thing that is completely undeniable is their loyalty to the brand.  It’s about showing off that love and loyalty by displaying just how well equipped your ride is.  That’s what Mopar loves to see, their fine work in the hands of fans and so the parts maker put together the “Top Eliminator” program to see the best of the best.

This year’s contest took place at the same place where Chrysler was already making a giant splash by showing off a new concept Ram truck, the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The winner comes from the east coast, a New Jersey resident Bill Mann and his 1970 Dodge Charger.  And what a unique Charger it is with a white-over-Plum exterior.

The other Mopar pick from this year’s contest was Miles Watsko and his 1964 Plymouth Savoy that was held at Midwest Mopars In the Park held in June.

By being a winner, both Mann and Watsko get more than just bragging rights to the rest of the Mopar community.  They also get to be showcased as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise happening this weekend in Detroit.

To read more into the inspiration and work that Mann put into his Dodge Charger, Mopar Muscle Magazine has an extensive breakdown that is a fascinating looking into the work of a gear head on his vehicle.

If you’re interested in sprucing up your current ride, contact our parts and service department at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and see what we can do to help give your vehicle a unique flavor.

Chrysler Custom Challenge Championship Seeks Best Mopar-ized Vehicle

UntitledThe Spring Festival of LXs in Irvine, California started when a group of four wanted to have a get-together to show off their rides to one another. As these things can do, it grew. The following year, more people showed up and the year after that even more. Now the event brings in thousands of people and around a thousand cars from all over the country.

Drivers weren’t the only ones who noticed, Chrysler did as well. The event was started specifically to out of love of their products, specifically the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum, and Chrysler 300. The automaker loves the idea of their fans gathering and they want to be part of it.

The CEO of Chrysler, Saad Chehab, has pledged their support to the Mopar fanatics by creating the “Chrysler Custom Challenge Championship.” To enter, all you do is pay a visit to Chrysler Facebook page and upload a picture along with a description of your vehicle and you could win a trip to the 2014 North American Auto Show in Detroit, a luxury vacation package for two, and a two-year lease of a Chrysler vehicle.

Good luck to all who enter!

In need of a check-up?  Schedule an appointment online at our website or contact us at 888-425-7294.  Like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for a full list of our special monthly offers.

Is Electric the Future for Cars?

2013 Fiat 500e

Every industry has the same problem.  No one can predict future trends.  Try as much as they might, the market reacts however it wants.  That’s a problem that the auto industry is going through right now.  How can they prepare for a future that is looking more and more to not be dependent on traditional gas?  Recent developments that have been made with electric cars certainly point to this being the most potential industry.  But CEO of Chrysler Sergio Marchionne questioned whether this would be the case.

Speaking at the Society of Automotive Engineers 2013 World Congress in Detroit, Marchionne brought up the subject the new technologies.  His major critique was against the government adding incentives to the market to convince people to embrace electric cars.

“I believe we should continue to explore the potential of electricity, but without being strong-armed by regulators and in combination with benefits of all other available technologies.”

He continued by adding that he thinks the US should be neutral to technology and has the automakers be the ones that test potentials for alternative fuels.

Currently, the US has a $7,500 federal tax credit for buying a plug-in electric or all-electric vehicle.  While it’s a great incentive to those on the fence about getting one, but the tax credit hasn’t seemed to have made an impact yet.

While Marchionne may not be completely on-board with electric quite yet, it hasn’t stopped the automaker from producing their first all-electric car, the Fiat 500e.  It’s being speculated that Marchionne may be raising warning signs about electrics cars due to the loss the company takes with each vehicle sold.  And that’s after all subsidies.

New technology is difficult to accept especially when it’s taking over for something that’s been ingrained for so long in a products existence.  Only time will tell if electric is the way of the future or if there is something else just wanting to be discovered.

Is your service light on?  Need a check-up before a family vacation?  Stop by Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge in the Queens area.  Our service department features top-quality customer service and will work with you to make sure you’re satisfied with the service provided.  Like us on Facebook and follow the dealership on Twitter for more tech news and future parts and service specials.

Mack Avenue Plant Makes Final Engine; Readies for Pentastar

It’s the end of an era at the Mack Avenue Engine Plant in Detroit.  They reached a mile stone with the production of a 4.7 liter V-8 engine.  Normally it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, making another quality engine for Ram trucks and other Chrysler vehicles.  This one, however, happens to be the last one they’ll ever make as production is ceasing.

C-Mack47signedenginesignv1The Mack Avenue Plant has put together more than 3 million powerplants.  They are now planning to move on to the next engine type.  Back in November of last year, Chrysler invested $198 million dollars into the plant, as well as added around 250 new jobs, so that the Mack Planet can start production of the Pentastar V-6 engines.

The final engine made was signed by the employees and will now be displayed in the lobby of the plant.  It’s a bittersweet moment as the workers begin to transition over to the next phase in production.

“Producing more than 3 million engines is a testament to each and every person that has worked at Mack Avenue Engine Plant 1 during the past 15 years,” said UAW Local 51 President Lorenzo Poole.

Plant Manager Bob Hollingsworth continued, “The Mack Avenue team should feel incredibly proud of what we have accomplished.  I applaud all the men and women who have helped build the 4.7 for all these years.  We are going to celebrate because we have a lot of work ahead of us, producing the award-winning Pentastar engine.”

If you are in the Queens area and are looking for top quality service, bring your vehicle into Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Contact us and schedule a time for us to take a look at your car.  You can also shop online at the Mopar E-Store for a special treat.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more news and service specials.

Chrysler Might be Investing in Plant for New Pentastar Engines

A news story on Mlive.com is about a rumor going around that Chrysler is looking to add a huge investment into one of its plants with the purpose of building a new Pentastar engine. Chrysler Group LLC is allegedly going to put forth $198 million to make this happen at their Mack Avenue Engine I plant in Detroit. An added benefit of this additional funding for the plant would lead to the creation of 250 new jobs.

The company said in a statement, “Chrysler Group will be working with the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan regarding potential economic development incentives to assist us in making the business case for the investment.”

The Mack Avenue Engine I plant currently makes the 4.7-liter V8 engines in the Ram 1500. The plant was converted to produce the Dodge Viper in 1992 but unfortunately, it was moved to the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in 1995, and that includes the new Viper SRT. The plant currently employs 144 hourly workers.

As soon as Chrysler makes an official comment on the speculations, we’ll be sure to let you know. Until then, check out the available Mopar E-Store online at Bayside’s website. Also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for constant updates on Mopar deals and news.