Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)
Gordinier Group drivers were blessed with another heavy season of auto shows in 2016. As the competition continues to try to emulate the Camp Jeep and Ram Truck Territory models, we continue to set the bar higher each year with bigger and better courses, improved throughput and better in-vehicle experiences.
We would like to express our thankfulness and gratitude towards our partners and clients at The George P. Johnson Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for allowing us to represent the finest automobiles in the many opportunities listed below:
Jeep
- San Diego Auto Show – San Diego, CA: 12/30/15 – 1/4/16
- Washington Auto Show – Washington DC: 1/20 – 2/1
- Houston Auto Show – Houston, TX: 1/26 – 2/1
- Philadelphia Auto Show – Philadelphia, PA: 1/28 – 2/8
- Chicago Auto Show – Chicago, IL: 2/9 – 2/22
- Cleveland Auto Show – Cleveland, OH: 2/25 – 3/7
- Twin Cities Auto Show – Minneapolis, MN: 3/11 – 3/21
- Dallas Auto Show – Dallas, TX: 3/15 – 3/21
- Denver Auto Show – Denver, CO: 3/15 – 3/21
- New York International Auto Show – New York, NY: 3/22 – 4/4
- South Florida Auto Show – Miami, FL: 9/9 – 9/19
- Orange County Auto Show – Anaheim, CA: 10/5 – 10/10
Ram
- Houston Auto Show – Houston, TX 1/26 – 2/1
- Cleveland Auto Show – Cleveland, OH: 2/25 – 3/7
- San Antonio Auto Show – San Antonio, TX: 11/8 – 11/14
- Fort Worth Auto Show – Fort Worth, TX: 11/30 – 12/5
Other
- Chicago Auto Show – Chicago, IL: 2/9 – 2/22 (Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, SRT)
We look forward to an equally fruitful 2017!
September 24, 2016
The Great Lakes Boy Scout Rendezvous took place in Willow Metropark, located south of Detroit Metro Airport in New Boston, MI . More than 8,000 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and their families spent the weekend inside the park, camping and participating in the many outdoor activities hosted at the event.
Jeep offered event guests the opportunity to experience the 2016 vehicle lineup while riding through the picturesque park on an exciting off-road trail. Eight vehicles were used, consisting of a mix of Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and Renegade. Consumer data was collected on tablets and rides were given by Gordinier Group trained off-road drivers, who provided product information and tips for safe, land-conscious off-road driving.
The off-road trail featured tight, wooded trails with several challenging ascents, descents, and off-camber turns.
All in all, this was a great event, where many lasting impressions were made.
July 13- September 10 2016
In an effort to improve morale and productivity at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, MI , Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and UAW started a program to give employees a different perspective about the Jeep Brand. By inviting all plant employees to the FCA World Class Manufacturing Academy (WCMA).
All plant employees were invited to the FCA World Class Manufacturing Academy (WCMA), to spend the day partaking in team building activities. After spending time in a classroom setting, JNAP guests were brought outside and given the opportunity to drive the Jeep vehicles that they spend their days assembling.
The driving portion was divided into 3 groups – an on-road drive, a full lineup Jeep Trail-Rated off-road drive, and an extreme Jeep Rubicon off-road ride.
The off-road tracks were built by Gordinier Group/Dirt Designs and featured challenging obstacles for the Trial Rated track and downright severe features on the Rubicon track, which actually pushed the limits of the Rubicon Wrangler’s capability.
This program ran for 6 days/week and we were able to give all plant employees an opportunity to learn more about the vehicles that they build, not to mention learning a bit about proper off-road driving (from Gordinier Group drivers), and having a lot of fun and thrills along the way!
Ram has a brilliant marketing plan to sell their coveted trucks – bring the trucks to the places that truck-buyers congregate. This plan seems simple, but it is often overlooked by other automakers.
In 2016, Ram did just that. By bringing the Ram Truck Territory Ride & Drive to the 5 biggest agriculture shows (and letting them drive and ride in the trucks), Ram delivered many important impressions on buyers. This year’s ag show list included:
- World Agriculture Expo – Tulare, CA: 2/8 – 2/12/16
- Wisconsin Farm Technology Days – Zenda, WI: 7/18 – 7/22/16
- Farm Progress Show – Boone, IA: 8/28 – 9/2/16
- Husker Harvest Days – Grand Island, NE: 9/12 – 9/16/16
- Sunbelt Ag Expo – Moultrie, GA: 10/17- 10/21/16
Luckily, the ag events weren’t plagued with rain this year as they were in 2015. In fact, of all of the event days in this year’s tour, only part of one day was lost to foul weather conditions.
The new format for these events has Gordinier Group drivers piloting the trucks on the interior, off-road track. GG drivers tackle the precision driving on the off-road obstacles while delivering information – specs, features, and why buys – to the passenger guests.
Meanwhile, 3 tow vehicles circle the perimeter of the space, giving guests the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a tow rig to experience Ram’s best in class towing prowess. Guests chose between a 3500 dually with a gooseneck trailer (loaded with Case farm equipment), a 2500 pulling a horse trailer full of hay, or a 1500 with trailer loaded with a side-by-side or personal watercraft. In this situation, GG drivers ride shotgun, giving towing tips and product details.
Together, these two tracks give guests a nice picture of what the trucks are capable of doing in practical situations.
