New Chrysler LLC Board of Directors Appointees Bring Fresh Perspective

Some recent changes to the Chrysler Group board of directors earlier this month had people talking with the board's newest members include a United Auto Workers strategist and the president of Brown University.

Erickson N. Perkins and Ruth J. Simmons were appointed to the board of directors as former Michigan Governor James Blanchard stepped down. Prior to being appointed, Perkins was part of the UAW's negotiations team during the 2011 contract negotiations, and Simmons was president at Brown Universtiy and Smith College and a variety of other administrative roles at Princeton University, California State University, and the University of New Orleans.

Together, Perkins and Simmons bring something different and fresh to the Chrysler Group board of directors. Aside from Ronald L. Thompson, Simmons is the only member of the board with substantial background working in academics, and having worked side-by-side with auto unions, Perkins will bring a unique perspective to the table. Looking over their impressive resumes, it isn't hard to see why Chrysler appointed them to the board of directors.

Click here to view Chrysler Group LLC's current board of directors and read biographies for each member. Also, check out the full line-up of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles online here, and keep up with the latest news from Chrysler Group by liking Bayside on Facebook, following Bayside on Twitter, and subscribing to Bayside on YouTube.

Chrysler's “Imported from Detroit” Wins Grand Effie Award

After taking home an Emmy and numerous other prestigious awards, Chrysler's 2011 “Imported from Detroit” Super Bowl commercial is still winning in 2012.

Last Saturday, the Grand Effie award for effective advertising went to Chrysler's now-famous “Imported from Detroit” commercial. The commercial featured many real Detroit residents including a local choir, a professional football player, a champion ice skater, and rapper Eminem. Audiences responded well to the commercial because of its strong tie-in to the Chrysler brand and its uplifting message of hope and pride in Detroit.

Grand Effie jury members praised Chrysler and the ad campaign, calling it a stand-out amongst the finalists “that sold the product the category and the city.” One jury member went so far as to say that the ad “gave [Chrysler] its soul back.”

The “Imported from Detroit” campaign joins other memorable campaigns from Old Spice, Apple Inc., and Microsoft Xbox's “Halo 3.” To see a full list of past Grand Effie winners, click here.

If you somehow missed out on this outstanding ad, you can watch it below, and make sure to check out the full Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram line-up online here. You can also keep up with the latest news from Chrysler by liking Bayside on Facebook and following Bayside on Twitter.

2012 Dodge Charger's Uconnect Touch Earns Edmund's Award

Every year, Edmunds.com recognizes a vehicle that sets the bar for innovation technology in automobiles. The award of “Breakthrough Technology Award for 2012” was given to the 2012 Dodge Charger for its Uconnect Touch system.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dodge brand Reid Bigland was pleased to hear the news from Edmunds. “We’re very proud Edmunds.com is recognizing the 2012 Dodge Charger with its Breakthrough Technology award.” He was quick to add the praise to the Dodge Charger as well, saying, “The Charger’s Uconnect Touch system with the 8.4-inch touch screen is really world class, intuitive and easy to use. When you combine it with Charger’s available eight-speed transmission that gets best-in-class fuel economy of up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2012 Dodge Charger really does offer the latest high-tech features, all at a tremendous value, wrapped up with iconic styling.”

The Uconnect Touch system is Dodge brand's approach to linking today's technology. The Uconnect system on the Charger includes two 4.3 inch and two 8.4 inch in-dash touchscreen models. The system is all about providing the driver with information and control over the vehicle. You can control all the entertainment, climate, phone, and other settings. The 2012 version will be adding new features such as hands-free texting, voice commands for Garmin navigation, and full iPod control features.

To get more information on the Dodge Charger and other Dodge products, you can view it on Bayside's website and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Chrysler Awards FIRST Grants

Chrysler Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2011-2012 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) and First Lego League (FLL) grants. Each FIRST team will get a grant of $6,625 while the FLL teams will get grants of $500. In total, Chrysler will be handing out $133,000 to 22 teams all across the country. These grants will go a long way to offset the costs that are associated with items such as parts and materials, registration fees, and team apparel. There will be additional funding awarded for teams that qualify for and are attending the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship or FIRST Lego League World Festival.

Jody Trapasso, the Foundation President had strong words to say about the grants. “The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group are proud to play a role in encouraging students to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” In the past 16 years, the Chrysler Foundation has given over $1.7 million in support of FIRST robotics program. Mark Chernoby, head of Vehicle Engineering and Vice President of Chrysler Group, was proud of the work and money given to the FIRST Program. “Bright and talented engineers are vital to our industry's future and the FIRST program is an ideal platform for developing a student's interest and skills in science and engineering.”

Chrysler has made a name for themselves in providing the funding necessary to keeping many of the great engineering programs alive. This is just the next step in showing how much they care for the future engineers that could come work for Chrysler in constructing the next generation of great automobiles.

To see all the available products that Chrysler currently has to offer, you can go to Queens Bayside's website and follow them online with Facebook and Twitter.

Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 Awarded by US News and World Report

The Jeep Wrangler has become a sort of magnet when it comes to attracting awards. I think it is a testament to the quality put into it. Otherwise, the Jeep Wrangler wouldn't always be on the minds of buyers and car enthusiasts alike. This time, the award is from US News and World Report for the “2012 Best Off-Road SUV for the Money.” That's not all, however, as they also have an award for “2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money” and that honor went to the Ram 1500.

“The Ram Truck brand is meeting the needs and expectations of our customers with the best trucks in the market,” said Ram CEO Fred Diaz of the news. “U.S. News and World Report's 2012 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money award is a powerful, independent accolade, standing as an endorsement for the 2012 Ram 1500 and its value for the money.”

These awards are the consensus of opinion held by both industry experts and reviewers. It looks at outstanding value and availability of features that a buyer would want in an everyday car. The awards focus on 23 different categories and include cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs. The awards are a combination of scores from US News car rankings with five-year total cost of average price data and ownership.

“Jeep Wrangler has set seven consecutive monthly sales records. The new 2012 Wrangler offers consumers more value and appeal than ever before, with improved fuel efficiency and everyday driving dynamics, more power and even more legendary Jeep capability, “says Mike Manley, the CEO of Jeep.

I believe the Jeep Wrangler needs to get some extra shelf space installed for the all the awards and accolades it has been piling up with every magazine's and website's end of the year awards. Even better, some of that love is being shown to the hard-working team at Ram and their efforts to make Ram the best trucks out on the streets.

Too view the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 and all the other vehicles available, goto Bayside's website. Follow them also on Facebook and Twitter.

Autobytel's 2012 SUV of the Year is the Jeep Wrangler

Automotive website Autobytel has named the 2012 Jeep Wrangler as their “2012 SUV of the Year.” The Autobytel editors have a large range of variety in driving styles and ages. These editors have driven hundreds of vehicles with over 75 years of combined experience. With this is mind, it isn't really a surprise that they came to the conclusion of which SUV is truly the best of the year.

Autobytel says that the Jeep Wrangler has “always been the ultimate SUV.” No matter what terrain gets put in front of it, it has always been able to handle it. Wrangler has always been a preference of the editors of the website, but the 2012 model had something extra that really pushed them to loving it. The addition that really gave the Wrangler the edge, though, was the addition of the powerful Pentastar V-6 engine. This new power-train delivers not only amazing power but also is fantastic with fuel economy. The editors also took note that the Wrangler is an “easy open-air drive, and, like its predecessors dating back to 1941, the 2012 Wrangler can still be enjoyed with the windshield folded down and the doors removed.”

The Jeep Wrangler has always been a magnet for awards. It is never surprising when auto enthusiast walk away from riding inside of one with such a positive attitude. After reading the reasoning behind Autobytel's choosing of it for their “2012 SUV of the Year” it is clear to see that they have been long-time fans. This award proves that won't be changing anytime soon.

To get more details on the Jeep Wrangler and all of Jeep's available vehicles you can go online to Bayside and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Chrysler Gives Toys for Tots $150,000.

About a month ago, the Chrysler Mid-Atlantic Group put out the word that they were helping this Christmas with Toys for Tots. The offer they gave to consumers was a $750 incentive to customers that were picking up a 2011 or 2012 Town & Country, Journey, or a Grand Caravan. Additionally, Chrysler would donate $100 for each car that was sold. The dealers that lined the eastern seaboard were also a drop-off point for toys.

In a continuation on that story, Chrysler presented Toys for Tots a check for $150,000. That check represents a $100 donation for every one of those Dodge vehicles sold during this event. Luckily, the incentive program continues on even after the delivery of this giant check. Chrysler Mid-Atlantic will still be making that $100 donation for the purchase of the select 2011 & 2012 vehicles. The dealerships will still be serving as a drop-off point for anyone looking to help out families in need, even after the holidays. This offer continues until January 3^rd, 2012. The offer also includes an incremental $750 Holiday Bonus Cash towards a purchase of the 2011 and 2012 models that are part of the incentive.

It was a great treat to see what Chrysler had done to aid Toys for Tots back in November. It makes it even better to see the success the program ended up having. I only hope that when the offer ends in the new year, Chrysler will have an even bigger check to present to a program looking to help out those in need.

To take advantage of these great deals, check out your local Bayside dealership and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.