Distinguished members of MoparForums.com,

My name is Scott Vandekerckhove. I am a new member here at this forum and I am on a mission. A mission for all of you, to be exact.

Let me cut right to the chase, I work for Chrysler on the Auto Show/Specialty Event Circuit all across the country. I work under the title of “Product Specialist.” When I am not on the Auto Show floor, I am actively involved in grass roots marketing activities, most often in Dodge. In fact, it is likely that I have met several of the members here in person at some time or another.

The highlight of my work, thus far, was a nationwide tour showcasing the Dodge Challenger when it was launched back in 2008. Our exploits were chronicled on RedLetterDodge.com, Dodge’s official blog (I am sure you are aware of). To prove I am who I say I am, please view the following links as proof...

Challenger Trip publicized on Insideline.com...
http://www.insideline.com/dodge/chal...oad-trips.html

Dodge’s Official Flickr page with photos from the tour...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgech...7606825358516/

Sirius Radio Blog interview that featured me with the Challenger while in NYC...
http://siriusbuzz.com/dodge-challeng...d-whistles.php

Blog post from National Speed in Wilmington, NC...
http://www.nationalspeedinc.com/blog...-came-to-town/

With the Challenger currently in full swing, and an all new Charger fast on the horizon, things are really starting to heat up.

But without the loyal fan base of Mopar enthusiasts throughout the world, where would we be?

That said, I am trying to find out what exactly Mopar clubs want from Dodge? In particular, Charger and Challenger fans everywhere.

It could be any number of things:
-Is it a centralized Official website dedicated exclusively to the clubs?
-Is it a special event held exclusively for the clubs?
-Would you want more opportunities to interact with Dodge engineers and marketing reps? Focus groups?
-Or is it a vehicle giveaway that you desire?

Bottom line: What can be done to make a true impact on the clubs? Something specific and unique that you would all enjoy!

Also, what is the best way for us to communicate with all of you in mass? What is the quickest, most direct way of getting in contact with EVERYONE?!!!

This is your opportunity to voice your ideas. We want to hear what’s on your mind. Be inventive. Be honest. Be yourselves.

Feel free to email me directly at SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET

Thanks for listening. I truly look forward to hearing all you have to share. And, by all means, spread this around so that we get as much input as possible.


Sincerely,
Scott Vandekerckhove
srv@eventsolutions.net

 

How about an arbiter to deal with problems between Dealerships and customers/potential customers on problems we may have? After the closings, I'm left with only one dealership I can reasonably deal with, and in the past I've had a number of bad experiences with them. Now I face the prospect of having warranty issues addressed by them.

Each time I've tried to buy a car from them, I've been faced with such creative issues as "POL Charge, $1000.00" My explanation for this charge was "Paint sealant and the first 10 oil changes were free". It was a non negotiable charge, but at that time I had the option of two additional dealerships within 25 miles. Now I have no choice but to deal with their arrogance and hope to be treated somewhat fairly.

 

i'd settle for a 5.7 hemi crate engine and 5-speed...

 

Just a quick thought,Chrysler has not had a lot of exposure in my area. There is alot of Mopar People in the state. NASCAR just anounced yesterday that they were going to move from running at the Milwaukee Mile to Road America Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. This would be a great time to show the cars and have some made up like the old TransAms Sam Posey ran back in the 70's. I can assure this race will be BIG. If I can be of any help let me know.

 

Mopar fans abroad,

I hope this note finds all of you well. With Christmas now behind us, I also hope that it was an enjoyable holiday for you and your families.

I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you. Thank you for contributing such valuable information to my forum post request. Thank you for taking time out of your busy days to share your thoughts. And thank you so much for your honesty.

I asked you all to be inventive. I asked you all to be yourselves. And you have all delivered in spades with the most raw, thought-provoking, and intense responses imaginable. I have even had the opportunity to speak with some of you on the phone. This has already far exceeded my expectations.

The outpouring of posts and emails is simply overwhelming. Literally hundreds of responses sit in front of me; printed out stacking nearly two inches in height. I have a lot of material to draw from. And please rest assured that not a single word of this will be wasted.

After reading many of the posts, however, I must address one concern of mine; that being your concern over my motivations and genuineness when it comes to this task.

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products. My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe. After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4. Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4. So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Furthermore, I have spent the last 4 years of my life proudly representing Chrysler on the Auto Show/Specialty Event circuit as a Product Specialist and continue to do so with great pride. In this position, I have had the pleasure to travel the country representing the greatest car company and car culture on Earth…Chrysler and their fans. For me, this has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

Last of all, I have spent nearly another 4 years actively working on Chrysler’s National Press Fleet here at ESI. In this time, I have had the distinct luxury to drive Chrysler products day-in and day-out; logging tens of thousands of miles behind the wheel. I deliver the cars to journalists; help out on new vehicle launches to the media; road test and detail the vehicles before loans; and inform the public about these cars. It has been a wild ride!

I have immense passion for all things Chrysler. I take, very seriously, the things I have been asked to research here and do so with absolutely no ill will whatsoever.

I ask you to please view this as the start of a dialogue; a way to express your feelings. I also ask for your patience as I explore your thoughts in mass quantities. I am currently working on this project alone until my team mate comes in on Monday. We are also working on other facets of this project. We love this! This is what we live for!

Some of you have asked if I will be at Auto Shows coming up. The answer is yes. I am currently scheduled to be at both Detroit and Washington D.C. Auto Shows in January. I will most likely be in Chicago as well come February. Beyond that, my schedule has not been finalized. If you are going to be at one of the aforementioned shows, stop by, ask for me, and we can chat there as well if you choose.

Please keep the thoughts coming. If possible, please send them directly to my email address of SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET. My messages get sent directly to my phone and it streamlines the information to one source. I am often on the road and away from my office and computer for long periods of time.

Rest assured, as well, that I am not compiling a huge email list solely to blast you with frivolous marketing SPAM. That CANNOT and WILL NOT happen here!

Just the facts; that is all I desire.

Thank you all again!

Sincerely,
Scott Vandekerckhove
SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET

 

Hello to the Mopar Community abroad.

I wanted to give you all a brief update on our quest for capturing your feedback towards the Dodge brand; specifically Challenger and Charger.

Your responses have been overwhelming, to say the very least. The passion displayed by forums all across the net is most impressive.

Due to the sheer quantity of responses, it has been nearly impossible to respond to each individual post. For that reason alone, we let the messages collect in mass and have just finished combing through them. Not a single word was passed over. In fact, responses still continue to surface.

The fan base has spoken very clearly as to what they truly desire. Glaring patterns have been established amongst the hundreds of replies we received.

That said, it is now our job to report your intelligence back to those who asked for it. All we ask for now is your patience.

This may be our last update for a little while, but that is not a bad thing. Organizing this material and presenting it takes careful planning. We are as eager as you all are to share this invaluable information.

And, by all means, if you have further input, share it! Email me directly at SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET. The offer to speak in person also stands as I will be at Auto Shows in Detroit, Washington D.C., Chicago, and beyond.

Thanks again for all your thoughts, and have a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Scott Vandekerckhove
SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET

 

Bullit Charger. No BS 4 door junk.

All 6.1 Hemis, all 6 speeds, ALL BLACK. NO AUTOS. And a bumblebee stripe.

MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A 68 CHARGER...

 

Well with those long post that is made I doubt anything will happen. I don't think our loyalty to Mopars is enough for Fiat. Look for nothing to happen or worse Mopars become rebadged Fiats.

 

i'm sure they have top men on it...top men

 

i think dodge has "tried" to get back into making muscle cars when it came out with the dodge charger but why make it 4 door (but hey i will settle with 4 doors since it has some bit of styling and a functional hood scoop and a decent engine)...but hey they made a big deal about putting hemi's back in circulation but i think they kinda over did it and flooded nearly every model with hemi's...personally i think what makes older hemi's so desireable is the rarety of them (since the 440s were nearly as good of an engine and "non hemi")

and then came the challenger...yummy...very sexy looking and had a body style that matched its older version (since the new chargers dont really resemble older ones)...so now you have a car that looks much like an older muscle car with upgraded innards...awesome...but again you cheapen the hemi name by having nearly all models equipped with them (sure different sized hemis but all hemis)

what SHOULD be done...well you can look at Mr Norms mods and maybe see some things, like convertibles or shaker hoods...also throw some limited editions out there that are NEW...superbirds, superbees, R/T etc etc etc were good but maybe make some very limited new ones superhawk or whatever with a new paint scheme/different power plant/different interior and advertise it as the big boy on the block