by Chris Tutor

Not that there was a lot of speculation about Dodge possibly dropping out, but Dodge’s senior manager for motorsports, Mike Deahanty, says the brands presence in NASCAR will remain under Chrysler’s new ownership by Cerberus Capital Management. Petty Enterprises and Evernham Motorsports have both renewed their contracts with Dodge.

Top Speed, however, says sponsorship for the Evernham team, which currently includes Dodge dealers and the United Auto Workers, could change, with Budweiser rumored to be interested in paying Kasey Kahne to wear its red livery.

So rest easy, NASCAR Dodge fans. You’ll still be able to see Dodge Chargers (or at least machines with Charger written across the nose) roaring around in circles.

[Source: Top Speed]

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by Alex Nunez

A little Google surfing spat forth this little nugget. If you’re into entering sweepstakes, you can register to win a new Dodge Charger R/T from Goody’s Headache Powders. The ride will be finished to replicate a 1971 Richard Petty STP Charger, complete with the #43 on the doors and the Petty/Goody’s anniversary logo on it, well, somewhere. Anyway, this might be even cooler to have than one of the modern takes on a “General Lee” Charger. Sadly, it’s not an SRT8, but hey, it’s free and it’s got a HEMI. You can enter here. Be prepared to get all kinds of crap in the mail from GlaxoSmithKline, though.

[Source: Goody’s via SceneDaily]

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In 1901, John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge moved their Dodge Brothers Bicycle & Machine Factory to Detroit, Michigan. Their bearings and other parts were in demand with the early automobile industry, and they helped design motor parts for early Oldsmobiles.
In 1902, the Dodge Brothers were approached by Henry Ford, who was looking for help in financing his own automobile company. Dodge Brothers helped finance the start of the Ford Motor Company as well as manufacturing parts for early Fords, to Ford’s and the Dodge Brothers’ mutual financial benefit. Through 1913, nearly all Ford running gear (chassis, suspension, brakes, engines, transmissions, etc.) were built by Dodge.
In 1914, the Dodge Brothers started their own auto company, which they named the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company, choosing 50 dealers initially from hundreds of applications, some of which remain successful today. In a boost to their fortunes, the Dodge brothers brought a successful lawsuit against Ford in 1917. In the same year, Dodge Brothers began building motor trucks as well, at first for use by the United States Army during World War I, then commercially after the war’s end.
In 1925, the Dodge Brothers Company was purchased by Dillon, Read & Company for US$148 million, said to be the largest cash transaction in history up to that time. Dillon Read in turn sold Dodge to the Chrysler Corporation on July 31, 1928.

Source: Wikipedia

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by Damon Lavrinc

One of the issues ailing domestic automakers is a bloated sales network, which sometimes includes pitting two dealers of the same brand against one another within the same market. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors have been trying to make inroads into this problem over the past year, and while these efforts are for the good of the company, the effects take their toll.

According to Automotive News, the Big 2.5 cut 462 dealerships between them in 2006. So far in 2007, GM has killed off 222 of its own dealerships, compared to this time last year. Much of this effort is the consolidation of franchises that only sold a few of the automaker’s brands, to now include as many as they can handle (i.e. a GMC dealership now carries Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, HUMMER, Saab, etc.)

GM isn’t alone in their neighborhood downsizing, as both Chrysler and Ford have made significant cutbacks so far this year, with the former nixing 134 dealerships, while the latter cut 126, when compared to 2006 figures.

The upside to all of these cutbacks is more profits for fewer dealers, but at the same time, dealers that have been in the business for decades are being forced to sell their stores to local competitors. As expected, these retailers are leaving their livelihood feeling bitter and dejected.

Whether or not any of this will make a difference to the Big 2.5’s bottom line remains to be seen, but it should be interesting to see how many total dealers were lost in 2007 and how many more will be killed off in 2008.

[Source: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

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by Frank Filipponio

Americans are apparently suckers for a good bargain. Or maybe we’re just addicted to rebates. In what appears to be a growing trend among automakers, Dodge is beginning Avenger sales by offering a sales incentive right off the bat. Granted it’s only a small rebate, at $500, but it still strikes us as odd that Dodge doesn’t think a brand new model can generate enough interest on its own. Ford and Mazda have done the same thing recently by offering incentives on a couple of fresh models that we thought would be able to create some dealer traffic just by showing up. The midsize Avenger apes the macho styling of the Charger and despite some mixed reviews from the media, it seems to be selling well since being piped into dealerships last month. Even before the national ad campaign has started. We can understand using these incentives to clear out decaying models, but this just seems silly. Maybe Dodge wants to guarantee they have a winner, but in sales it seems you never want to offer a discount until it’s asked for. They must know something we don’t. According to Kicking Tires, all Avenger trim levels qualify for the $500 rebate, which will expire April 2.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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by Alex Nunez

Joining a list of artists that includes LeAnn Rimes, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lenny Kravitz, Grammy winner and former American Idol queen Kelly Clarkson has signed a deal to form the biggest-ever partnership between NASCAR and a musical artist. Vegas oddsmakers have not yet announced the Over/Under for Kelly appearances on The NASCAR Channel SPEED TV this season, but you can pencil us right in for the “over” because it is the lock of the year.

You’ll also be shocked…shocked to learn that Kelly says she’s a big NASCAR fan and looks forward to hanging out with the whole ever-lovin’ NASCAR community. NASCAR (obviously) feels that this relationship will develop into something big. Welcome to the NASCAR/Kelly mutual admiration society.

Her NASCAR debut will be as the headliner in the “Tribute to America” concert that’ll air prior to next month’s season-opening Daytona 500. During the show, NASCAR will shoot a TV commercial that spotlights Kelly as she sings a new song off her upcoming CD. Finally, she’ll be the official spokesperson for the fourth annual NASCAR Day this May, during which the organization raises money for charitable causes.

[Source: Yahoo News]

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