Chrysler Engineers Work for Next Big Technological Advancement

Timmons Accepting AwardWhat is the future of auto technology?  Is it electric cars?  Is it eight-speed transmission?  It’s hard to tell, there’s no definite “next big thing” attached to any single bit of technology.  That’s why it’s usually such a slow slog to the next innovation.  There’s time and money involved and the risk that goes along with the investment.  That hasn’t stopped Chrysler from stepping up and doing what they can to spur the next generation of auto tech.

In fact, an engineer with Chrysler by the name of Adam Timmons was just awarded for his work.  He is a Battery Cell Technical Specialist and was awarded the Stefan Pischinger Young Industry Leadership from SAE International.

What this award is meant for is to help promote careers in engineering by recognizing the contributions made by workers under the age of 35 that show the ability to be a leader in the industry.  Timmons works at the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills and is responsible for the next generation of electrical propulsion systems.  Specifically, he works on the batteries for the Fiat 500e electric car and the Ram 1500 PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).  This allows for electric vehicles to travel further.
With people like Timmons heading the next generation of skilled engineers creating technology to improve drivers lives, it’s clear that while the next “big” thing isn’t known at the moment, it’s definitely right around the corner.  Can’t wait to see what it is.

Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge operates in the Queens area with top quality staff and tech to help you with your car problems. If you’re having issues with your car, contact our service department and we’re schedule a time to help get you back on the road asap. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter for more news and monthly part 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.

Mopar Lists Top Ten Most Purchased Accessories

13-ram1500-pv-large-redesigned-exterior-interiorThe parts arm of Chrysler, Mopar, offers thousands of different wants to modify and improve your vehicle. The accessory market is a big one totaling and incredible $70 billion dollars worldwide. That’s a lot of customization going on! What is it that people are buying? Chrysler has put together a list of the top purchased parts as well as which vehicles are the most accessorized.

Starting with the vehicles, the first one to top the list seems like the most obvious choice. The heavy-duty Ram 1500. I’ve known enough truck lovers to know that the basics are never good enough. The number one part makes even more sense because of this. The perfect add-on for a truck, side steps and running boards.

Second vehicle is the Jeep Wrangler. Once again, the list for the top vehicles and top accessory match up perfectly. Right underneath side steps in the top ten is Jeep Wrangler Tops.

Here’s the breakdown of the rest of the list:

Vehicles

  1. Ram 1500

  2. Jeep Wrangler

  3. Dodge Challenger

  4. Jeep Grand Cherokee

  5. Dodge Charger

 

Accessories:

  1. Side Steps & Running Boards
  2. Jeep Wrangler Tops
  3. Floor Mats
  4. Trailer Hitches
  5. Bedliners & Tonneau Covers
  6. Suspension Upgrades
  7. Wheel Locks
  8. Splash Guards
  9. Electronic Vehicle Tracking System
  10. Remote Start

The most interesting one is the number 9. An electronic vehicle tracking system is for when your vehicle is stolen in aiding the cops find it.

Make your own statement with customizing your vehicle. Shop the Mopar E-Store online with our website Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Make sure you take advantage of our monthly parts and service specials while you’re on our site. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the special offers we have at the website.

Mopar Announces New Remanufactured Transfer Case Line

Just before Christmas, Mopar announced that it will be expanding its Remanufactured Transfer Case product line.

According to a press release from Mopar, this expansion will include 35 new part numbers that cover trucks and SUVs from 1988 to 2012. Kathy Wideman who serves as senior manager of Mopar Repair / Reman Portfolio, commented on the expansion saying, “Throughout 2012, Mopar has added significantly to our line of Mopar Remanufactured products, and we are please to continue to strengthen our Mopar Reman portfolio with new additions to our transfer case product line.” She went on to praise the precision and durability of the product line as well as Mopar’s history of affordable prices.

To receive more information about Mopar’s Remanufactured Transfer Case product line as well as their other products, stop by the Mopar E-Store on Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge’s website, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more parts and service specials!

Mopar Offers Plenty of Choices to Enhance Your 2013 Ram 1500

There was already a good enough reason to love the new 2013 Ram 1500 but Mopar just gave 300 more.

The good folks over at Mopar are working their butts off to make sure that the new SRT Viper they’ve taken under their wing will be the most exciting sports car on the road.  They still have time to make sure they bring their special touch to the hottest new Ram truck.  When they’re finished, you’re going to be able to find over 300 new accessories.  It’s a wide range for them too, from $12 for hitch plugs to $3,000 for a suspension lift kit.

Not all are meant to add a different level of function to the truck; many are also to provide a custom look.  Chrome grille inserts, sport-performance hood, body-side moldings, plenty of ways to make sure that there is no other 2013 Ram 1500 out there that looks like your own.

Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge offers everything a Ram owner needs to make sure their truck suits their needs.  Browse the online Mopar E-Store and find that special part or accessory that you need.  You can also like the dealership on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for parts and service specials offer only here!

Mopar Preps for SEMA Show

The end of the month brings some good treats to car-lovers. The SEMA show begins in Las Vegas on October 30th. Running through November 2nd, the show will be the place where Mopar plans to give a show of more than 20 specialized models. Everything from Jeep to Dodge and even Fiat will be getting that extra Mopar touch to look and performance.

Nitrobahn has more details on the unveilings that are being planed by the parts company. No official pictures as of yet, so far the only information given so far are teaser renders of five cars. The cars that will be displayed on full come the SEMA show are the Fiat 500, the Dodge Dart, the 2013 Ram 1500, and the Dodge Charger.

Also planned for the show is a golden Jeep Wrangler that was designed by Devan Ninov. This Mopar designed Jeep will have wide fenders, a Warn winch, and a push-bar in front.

The Dodge Dart looks to be the most exciting of the bunch. The body teased to be a white exterior along with what possibly looks like a functional hood scoop, a carbon fiber front splitter, and a tow hook. There’s a hint that this may just be the SRT version of the Dart due to a red chin spoiler under the bumper.

Keep your eyes peeled towards the end of the month to see more details when the SEMA show finally begins. Until then, check out our parts and service specials that we offer at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Do some shopping on the Mopar E-Store available on our website. Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to see our specials as they happen!

Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge – Parking/Road Access Changes

Last Friday, Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge was featured in a Times Ledger news piece regarding parking issues with dealerships in the Bayside area. While Bayside’s parking set-up does not violate any zoning laws and was in fact cleared by a review by the Department of Buildings last month, we want to make certain that the sidewalks and streets are accessible for all Bayside residents.

Currently, we are reviewing our dealership’s layout and the surrounding streets, and we will be making adjustments so that we can continue providing quality service to our customers while showing consideration to our friends and neighbors who share these streets.

Want to contact Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge? You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter or stop by our convenient location at 212-19 Northern Blvd in Bayside, New York.

Woodward “Cruise” is Car Lover’s Dream

Today and tomorrow in Berkley, Michigan, millions of car enthusiasts will brave the last of the sweltering summer weather to be a part of the world’s largest one-day car festival, the Woodward Dream Cruise, and Mopar will be there right in the middle of the action.

This year’s “cruise” promises to be the biggest one yet with classic car parades, live music, games and activities for kids, and car shows all along Woodward Avenue. The event is evocative of 1950s culture with drive-in movie theaters and restaurants like Ted’s Drive Inn and Suzie Q’s, and it is family-friendly with no drinks stronger than a chocolate malt served at the cruise. Over 1.5 million people and 50,000 classic cars will participate in the cruise, and Mopar with the Chrysler Group will present the biggest display they’ve ever had in their history with the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Visitors to the Chrysler Group and Mopar display will get to see more than 75 vehicles including the Ram Raminator Monster Truck, the 2013 SRT Viper, and the 2013 Dodge Dart Rally Car. For those craving the classics, there will also be over a dozen Walter P. Chrysler Museum vehicles on display as well.

If you are making it out to the Woodward Dream Cruise, leave us a comment below and let us know! Looking over the line-up for this year, I can’t help but feel jealous, but maybe next year I will make the trek out to Michigan for the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise.

Looking to fix up your car? Check out Mopar’s E-Store to get a wide assortment of new parts and accessories for your car, and like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Facebook and follow on Twitter to get the latest auto news.

Chrysler Begins Work on 8 and 9 Speed Transmissions

Chrysler is looking to start having more power underneath the hood. To this end, they have decided to have a 8 and 9 speed transmission in their cars by 2013. It’s quite the goal, but the company is making sure to lay the foundation to make it possible.

The recruiting program, according to Rushlane.com, is already underway for this endeavor. Chrysler has already started to put the new equipment needed into three of their plants in Kokomo, Indiana. The production of 8 speed transmission will start later in the year with the 9 speed transmission scheduled to begin the first quarter of 2013. Chrysler is bringing in German auto supplier ZF Group to co-developed the new transmissions.

“It replaces everything, literally. Everything that we are making today will get it,” says Brian Harlow, Vice President Powertrain of Chrysler. The 8 speed transmission upgrades are currently available in the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300. The plan is next to put them inside their SUV’s and trucks such as Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger, the Jeep Wrangler, and Ram trucks. The new transmissions look to be 25% more fuel efficient than the current transmissions.

Make sure to pay a visit to the Mopar e-shop on Bayside’s website. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on parts news.