Chrysler is the 1st auto maker in the United States offer live mobile TV. Why? Because Chrysler gets it. They get the fact that driving is a time where you feel ineffective being restricted from mobile devices and being connected as we normally are.
There’s lots of people still guilty of texting and driving, but it’s not because they want to put everyone else in danger.
Today we are all in the same boat, its a scramble of getting things done and managing things has become a major chore. Technology and all it’s widely adopted time saving techniques has one problem, they require your attention.
Without digressing, the applications and social networks have been slowly pulling us away from our other responsibilities and if they could they’d get you while you’re driving too. The great thing about what Chrysler is doing is making a solution that has the capabilities in bringing e-commerce to the automobile.
Mopar eStore
“With online ordering, Mopar will make it easy for consumers to purchase authentic parts and accessories. Consumers may now log on to the Mopar eStore at www.mopar.com and purchase any of the more than 100,000 parts and accessories available for a variety of Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram and Plymouth vehicles.”
Sure, this is extremely enticing to enthusiasts and will be a very slick way to sell products, but there is another opportunity that some may not be overlooking for long and that’s integrating an application marketplace for developers. Consider the ability to select groceries from a touchscreen and electronically sending in an order to your local grocery store. Time is the only thing we can’t get back, so we’ll have to wait and see if Chrysler is heading that way.
Kids and DVD’s and Video Games
Perhaps you’ve seen just how engaging games, TV and movies can be for kids. They are learning machines with their little minds, so how about delivering some educational programs like learning a foreign language or playing an interactive game to identify sounds.
What about connecting and learning between friends in different vehicles, all learning together or saying hi via live streaming video.
There’s all sorts of opportunities here, it’s great that Chrysler has taken this step. One last idea, if it were a detachable device to take onto planes or into other Chrysler vehicles might influence what kind of car to rent on that next vacation.
Jeep Grand Cherokee is changing the focus for the SUV market
The vehicle personalization and customization market was and always will be a lucrative source of revenue for auto manufacturers. The main issues that OEM’s face when it comes to upselling accessories is the expectation that costs will be inflated.
Some people prefer lots of different products to accessorize or personalize their vehicle and fleshing out these products typically happen in the aftermarket industry where some products are home runs and some never make it.
The brand recognition aspect also has significant influence on which product has the best quality. The auto industry has very unforgiving tendencies when it comes to a product that doesn’t perform to the extent it claims to in the marketing material.
Buying Aftermarket Vs. Buying OEM
One of the disadvantages that the aftermarket products face is the fact they can potentially void warranties and jeopardize reliability. Owners fail to heed the warnings and become fixated on the statistics promised by products that simply can’t fulfill. This results in a poor ownership experience and frustration.
Limiting Products to Mainstream Buyers
OEM’s like Chrysler have identified the different lifestyles of their loyal owners and aimed to improve specifically upon those interests and created packages which cater to them. The Grand Cherokee specifically has more than adequate offroad ability, and combines it with a sophisticated, newly developed platform with great design and functionality.
Typically, the consumer is left to the products developed in the automotive aftermarket, a solution that isn’t typically ideal for someone who doesn’t desire to alter the vehicle much.
The types of accessories available for the Grand Cherokee represent the vehicles wide range of upgrades from four wheel drive enhancements to electronics.
[source: Chrysler]
Following are select Mopar performance parts and accessories available on the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. A complete list of Mopar parts and accessories is available at www.mopar.com.
Exterior
Wheels: Mopar offers five accessory wheels in a variety of sizes ranging from 17 inches to 20 inches. “Rugged” style aluminum wheels are available in polished silver and painted black and are treated in a durable clear-coat finish. Wheels meet strict strength, corrosion and balance standards and requirements. A stamped-steel wheel for the snow-tire market will also be available. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): Starting at $90
Chromed Parts: A variety of chromed parts give the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee a unique, customized appearance.
Parts include side-mirror covers, exhaust tips, and fog-lamp bezels for the front bumper.
MSRP for side-mirror covers: $89, part number 82212218. MSRP for exhaust tips: $77.30, part number 82212400. MSRP for fog bezels: $81.40, part number 82212341.
Molded Splash Guards: Deluxe and flexible front and rear splash guards are molded to the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s contours for a custom fit and provide excellent lower body protection. MSRP for front splash guards: $35.10, part number 82210219AB. MSRP for rear splash guards: $35.10, part number 82212020AB
Skid Plates: Available for fuel tank, transfer case and engine, Mopar skid plates are made of heavy-gauge steel and painted with a high-quality black finish in order to provide protection to vital components when traveling off-road. MSRP for fuel tank skid plate: $264, part number 82211999. MSRP for front-axle skid plate: $92.75, part number 82211995. MSRP for transfer-case skid plate: $92.75, part number 82211994
Sport-utility Bars: Mount to original-equipment side rails in order to allow other rooftop carriers to be installed with ease. Lockable bars are made of aluminum and help protect against corrosion, while T-slots allow for quick carrier installation. MSRP: $244, part number 82212072AB
Roof Cargo Basket, Soft-side Roof Cargo Carrier and Bike and Ski
Carriers: Mount to sport-utility bars on vehicle roof and allow for two-tier loading. MSRP: starting at $121
Trailer Hitch and Trailer Wiring: A variety of towing products are available. MSRP for trailer hitch: $233, part number 82212180. MSRP for seven-way round wiring connector: $67, part number 82212196AB
Tubular Side Steps: Constructed of light-weight, anodized aluminum and available in black or chrome, tubular side steps provide wide skid-resistant stepping surfaces for easy entry and exit. MSRP for chrome: $516, part number 82212129. MSRP for black: $309, part number 82212130
Vehicle Covers: A front-end cover protects the vehicle from bugs, dirt and road debris and is made of black vinyl with 22-oz. polyester backing. MSRP: $195, part number 82212083. A full-vehicle cover is made of premium, heavy-weight material that is washable and water resistant. Cover helps protect finish from ultraviolet rays, dirt and other airborn pollutants. MSRP: $212, part number 82212084
Wheel-lock Kit: Kit protects against wheel and tire theft and includes four chrome-plated locking nuts, and one exclusive Mopar key. MSRP: $45.35, part number 82210879
Interior and Electronics
Bright Pedal Kit: Made from aircraft-quality polished stainless steel with chemical-resistant rubber, bright pedal covers are designed specifically for production pedals and are easy to install. MSRP: $55.65, part number 82212055
Dog Bed:Bed is 31 inches by 36 inches and made of a 2-inch thick tan and grey textured material. The zippered cover removes for easy washing. MSRP: $72, part number 82210316
Door-sill Guards: Brushed stainless-steel guards protect interior sills from scratches and feature the Jeep Grand Cherokee logo on front sills. Front sills are also available in stainless steel with an illuminated Jeep logo. MSRP for stainless: $89, part number 82212118. MSRP for illuminated: $169, part number 82212120
Engine Block and Battery Heater Kits: Heaters plug into standard 110-volt outlet and ensure fast starts and quick warm-ups. MSRP: starts at $37
Katzkin Leather Seat Covers: Premium leather seating packages in a variety of colors and trims. Fully customizable as to color, leather, logos and stitching. MSRP starts at $1,199
FLO TV™: Chrysler Group LLC, through Mopar, is the first automaker in the U.S. to offer live, mobile TV. Content includes programming from ABC, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family, ABC News, Adult Swim Mobile, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, CNN Mobile, COMEDY CENTRAL, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Original Movies, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN 2, FOX, FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, Fuel TV, MSNBC, MTV, NBC, NBC2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, Nickelodeon, Playhouse Disney, SOAPNET and Speed. MSRP: $509 plus installation, part number 82212162AB
iPod Interface Kit: Play iPod music files directly through the vehicle’s audio system by plugging the iPod into the custom cable and controlling the music selection with the iPod’s control wheel. iPod interface cable to be used only with Mopar Uconnect phone kits with iPod integration. MSRP: $87.15 plus installation, part number 82211853
ParkSense® Rear-park Assist System: Assists at low speeds in Reverse to detect stationary objects. Consists of audible warnings for the driver and has a display in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) integrated into the instrument cluster. MSRP: $359 plus install, part number 82212158
Portable Navigation System: Mopar offers a variety of competitively priced, easy-to-use navigation systems that provide precise guidance to destinations through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology. MSRP: starting at $179
Rear-seat Video, DVD: Mopar 10-inch DVD player is integrated into the headliner and is controlled by infrared remote (not available with dual-pane roof). Audio may be accessed through the vehicle’s sound system and/or through two wireless headphones. An auxiliary input is provided for a video camera, CD, MP3 and video games. MSRP: $1,105 plus installation, part number 82212362.
Uconnect Phone: Uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-controlled wireless communication between occupants’ compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s onboard receiver. MSRP: $407 plus installation, part number 82211755AB
Uconnect Web: Turns your vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing every passenger to harness the power and entertainment value of online accessibility. MSRP: $499 plus installation, part number 8221856AB, service sold separately.
Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:
• Camper trailers: first to introduce off-road camper trailers
• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
• FLO TV: first to offer live, mobile television in the United States
• WiFi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a suggested MSRP starting at $30,215.
When Chrysler and Fiat joined forces they did so because together each one would bring more to the table than they could individually. This is typically true only in cases where two companies actually have gaps to fill, because in other cases a merger can cause conflict and difficulty in trying to bridge the culture of the two.
Fiat is widely known for their technology and innovation with regards to manufacturing. The Italian company has been very good at building a car that has no reason to compare themselves to the others because they truly are unique. One look at a Fiat and you know what that brand stands for and then having a conversation with someone who owns a Fiat will be an even further indication of a company that doesn’t need to be the biggest in the world.
If there were niche car companies that could take on the giants, Fiat would be one, if not the only one which has the capabilities of being as large as they want to be but at the same time staying as small as they should.
Fiat makes small cars, and they’ve been doing well at it so why change.
There’s more to just making a small car that factors into being a fantastic automobile manufacturer. They have basically taken everything they need and made it fit for their application. Jump into a Fiat and you’d see some of these things jump out at you, and soon you’ll like to know more about this great company.
Chrysler partnered with them because they wanted to leverage the capabilities of a great car manufacturer, it’s processes, it’s engineering, it’s quality for producing great products regardless of what the others are doing. It’s as if they wanted to get with a manufacturer that could demonstrate self sufficiency and build great products that give a strong brand awareness.
Chrysler and Fiat are making their worldwide debut together with the Grand Cherokee, and it’s extremely exciting because you’ll hardly notice the seamless blend they’ve achieved in combining efforts here. But that’s not to say you won’t notice something great when you drive it, it’s going to feel different and it’s going to feel like there is a level of technology we’ve been waiting for to inspire us as car owners to try to sense where these improvements are at.
What full size pickup truck is built to last a lifetime, has a timeless design and has a shockingly solid drivetrain – the answer – Dodge Ram. The striking features possessed by this truck are:
- Bulletproof frame
- All new seating
- 5.7L Hemi V8 engine
- Multi link coil suspension
- Uconnect web access
- Dual Exhaust
- Rambox
You need to ride in a Dodge Ram to get an understanding of its capabilities and to truly appreciate how this truck manages any terrain with ease. The Dodge Ram is a 5.7L Hemi V8 with an impressive 390 Hp and 410 ft.lbs of torque. It consists of aluminum cylinder heads with crescent ignition compartments, with platinum sparkplugs for each cylinder ablaze by a distributorless ignition, which helps in disengaging half the engine’s cylinder in gas reduction mode when a reduced amount of power is required.
For more power requirements, the Dodge Ram offers the 4.7L SOHC V8 engine. If economy is a priority then perhaps the 3.7L V6 engine will suffice. The bulletproof body is upgraded due to the use of elevated power steel thereby making it lighter and sturdier.
The coil suspension with its soft traversing and comfort will make towing a breeze. The dual exhaust is adjusted to sound as striking as the trucks appearance. With the new seating, the Dodge Ram has 4 doors and 6 seats, all of which are adequate in size. The heated and ventilated seating provide comfort in whatever weather conditions. All the passengers have a choice to access Uconnect web through WIFI mobile. For storing tools and accessories, 74 cubic feet of lockable and durable storage called the Rambox will make life easier.
The Dodge Ram offers a lifetime powertrain warranty, the first of its kind in its class. This truck packs a punch, solid truck at a price that is realistic.
