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Also In This Issue! Membership Committee Update Page 10 Reynolds Article Page 11 OEConnection Article Page 12-13 ADP Article Page 14-15 Hanel Article Page 16-17 Our Supporting Vendors Page 18-19 Dealer Tire Article Page 20-21 StarParts Article Page 22-23 When Insults Had Class Page 24-25 TidBits Page 26-27 Life Explained Page 27 The Price of Children Page 28-29 Executive Committee Page 30 MMG Motto Page 30 AUGUST 2007 LEADERS IN THE SALE OF QUALITY PARTS MAGAZINE Pages 8 & 9 It’s NADA Time Again! Register by August 31st See Pages 3 - 7

2007-08 August

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Pages 8 & 9 It’s NADA Time Again! Register by August 31st See Pages 3 - 7 Membership Committee Update Page 10 Reynolds Article Page 11 OEConnection Article Page 12-13 ADP Article Page 14-15 Hanel Article Page 16-17 Our Supporting Vendors Page 18-19 Dealer Tire Article Page 20-21 StarParts Article Page 22-23 When Insults Had Class Page 24-25 TidBits Page 26-27 Life Explained Page 27 The Price of Children Page 28-29 Executive Committee Page 30 MMG Motto Page 30

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Page 1: 2007-08 August

Also In This Issue! Membership Committee Update Page 10 Reynolds Article Page 11 OEConnection Article Page 12-13 ADP Article Page 14-15 Hanel Article Page 16-17 Our Supporting Vendors Page 18-19 Dealer Tire Article Page 20-21 StarParts Article Page 22-23 When Insults Had Class Page 24-25 TidBits Page 26-27 Life Explained Page 27 The Price of Children Page 28-29 Executive Committee Page 30 MMG Motto Page 30

AUGUST 2007 LEADERS IN THE SALE OF QUALITY PARTS

MAGAZINE

Pages 8 & 9 It’s NADA Time Again! Register by August 31st

See Pages 3 - 7

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One of the main goals the current officers placed upon our two-year term was to in-crease membership by recruiting new members to the guild. The Membership Com-mittee has recently completed the task of recruitment which started back in April. Dur-ing that time they compiled the Mopar Masters list, mailed letters of invitation and made follow up phone calls to potential members. The committee did a fantastic job which is evident from the list of new members published in this current issue. Some on the list are past members and many are new to the MMG. I would like to welcome all of them and I also look forward in their joining and contributing to our future meetings and Per-formance Groups. And, speaking of Performance Groups. It is not too late to sign up for the one in Park City, UT on September 20-21st. We still have room for more. At last count we have 38 signed up. Out of this number seven are service managers. So, if you want to bring your service manager along, he is more than welcome. And, he will also receive train-ing credit. This will be a great time to discuss and learn from each other on how ‘Dealer Rewards’ has influenced our day to day business. Also, in this issue is registration for NADA 2008 in San Francisco. If you are planning on attending please adhere to the deadline for return of the registrations and follow the instructions listed. If you have any questions at any time you may call our NADA plan-ning committee of Steve Hofer and Rick Montiero. See you in Park City! Take Care, Gerry

Mopar Masters Guild President Gerry Oakes

Baxter Chrysler

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NADA 2008 February 7-12

NADA and the MMG meeting dates:

Thursday February 7th – Tuesday February 12th Our Hotel for NADA 2008 in San Francisco is the Parc55. Rooms run $275 per night and require a $150 de-posit that is due no later than August 31st. DO NOT SEND ANY FORMS TO THE NADA CONVENTIONS SERVICES

PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A GROUP RATE AND WILL SUBMIT ALL THE FORMS TOGETHER.

***Tentative schedule***

Thursday February 7th - Arrival and check in, Executive committee meeting, place TBD. Friday February 8th - MMG business and vendor presentations 7:30-5:00pm Parc ballroom

- Cocktail reception 7:00pm to 10:00pm place TBD Saturday February 9th - MMG business and vendor presentations 7:30-5:00pm Parc ballroom 1 Sunday February 10th - Open for convention business Monday February 11th -Mopar Performance group meeting 8:00am-5:00pm - Reception/dinner 7:00pm-10:00pm place TBD Tuesday February 12th- Mopar performance group meetings 8:00am-1:00pm

Register Today!

Please send all registrations forms no later than August 31st.

Mail to: Park Chrysler Jeep Attn: Steve Hofer

1408 West Highway 13 Burnsville MN 55337

952-890-5337

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Cerberus takes control of Chrysler Bradford Wernle Automotive News

August 3, 2007 - 11:40 am EST DETROIT -- It's official -- the 1998 transatlantic merger that was supposed to change the auto industry has ended. Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP took 80.1 percent ownership of the Chrysler group today. DaimlerChrysler retained 19.9 percent. Citing "highly volatile U.S. credit markets," DaimlerChrysler said it would combine with Cerberus to loan Chrysler's automotive business $2 billion. Of that, DaimlerChrysler will provide $1.5 billion and Cerberus $500 million. A DaimlerChrysler statement said the loan is "a strong sign of its overall determina-tion to make sure that, under the majority of Cerberus, Chrysler has a good start as a successful standalone car company." Tom LaSorda remains CEO of Chrysler. Bodo Uebber takes over purchasing for the German automaker, as LaSorda, Eric Ridenour and Tom Sidlik leave the board of management. Chrysler officials plan a celebration on Monday, Aug. 6, at its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., to mark the change. A 15-story blue "Get Ready" banner was raised on the headquarters building on Thursday, Aug. 2. DaimlerChrysler will continue to be known as DaimlerChrysler officially until a share-holders meeting Oct. 4 in Stuttgart.

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Cerberus names Bob Nardelli as Chrysler CEO With the ink not yet dry on its purchase, Chrysler LLC has named the controversial former Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli as the new chairman and CEO, says a source familiar with the situation. Chrysler’s new majority owner, Cerberus Capital Management LP, was expected to an-nounce the appointment Monday morning August 6th. Nardelli, 59, served as the head of Home Depot from 2000 through January 2007, when he resigned. He left the retailer with a $210 million severance bonus. The move was a surprise for two reasons. First, Chrysler had been expected to name for-mer COO Wolfgang Bernhard to the top job. Bernhard was offered the title of non-executive chairman, but declined for personal reasons, says the source familiar with the situation. He is not expected to continue working with Cerberus. Second, Chrysler already had a CEO -- Tom LaSorda. The source told Automotive News that LaSorda will remain as vice chairman and president. The UAW and Ron Gettelfinger were consulted about the management moves, the source noted. “Bob Nardelli is one of the top five CEOs in the world,” the source said. “We were lucky … to get him. He can benefit from Tom LaSorda’s experience.” Cerberus was attracted to Nardelli’s retailing background -- experience which could help Chrysler improve its strained relations with dealers. He is expected to work from Chrysler’s Auburn Hills headquarters. “The dealer network will like this,” the source said. On Monday, Chrysler also was expected to unveil its new 11-member board of directors, which includes Nardelli and LaSorda. In addition to his six years at Home Depot, Nardelli spent 29 years working for General Electric Co Nardelli will not draw a salary, the source added. “Bob Nardelli will not make a dime until Chrysler turns around,” the source said. “His compensation will be tied to the equity value of Chrysler.” In another senior management move, COO Eric Ridenour, 48, has chosen to leave the company to pursue other opportunities. His position will not be filled, the source said. .

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Membership Committee Update

I want to thank my fellow Membership Committee members for a fantastic job of con-tacting and talking to our new 2006 Mopar Masters members. Mike Gerber, Steve Hofer, Larry Morris, and Robbie Jackson went above and beyond to ensure a smooth contact and fol-low-up process. Gerry Oakes & Brent Hoge stepped in to help out too. As you meet these managers at our future meetings please introduce yourself and make these members feel comfortable and a part of our Guild.

Submitted By: Dan Murphy

Dealer Parts Manager City State

ALLEN SAMUELS DODGE Casey Brown Houston Texas

AUTOWEST CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE Alex Kalasatis Roseville California

AVONDALE DODGE Patrick Vigil Avondale Arizona

DODGE CITY OF MILWAUKEE Pat Halbach Milwaukee Wisconsin

EARNHARDT CHRYSLER JEEP Gary Prate Tempe Arizona

FAIRBANKS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE Brian Saunders Tamarac Florida

GALEANA CHRYSLER JEEP John Karaniuk Columbia South Carolina

GALEANA'S VAN DYKE DODGE Leo Smith Warren Michigan

GO CHRYSLER JEEP WEST Mike Mulkin Golden Colorado

GREENBRIER CHRYSLER JEEP Larry Parker Chesapeake Virginia

JEEP CHRYSLER OF ONTARIO Jesus Belao Ontario California

JIM CLICK DODGE Cory Gossen Tucson Arizona

KEN GARFF WEST VALLEY CHRYSLER Brent Christensen West Valley City Utah

LANDMARK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP Brian Sloan Morrow Georgia

MANHATTAN JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE Ed Kennedy New York New York

PARK CITIES DODGE Serris Soward Dallas Texas

RAY BRANDT DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP Tim Pela Harvey Louisiana

SCHAEFER & STROHMINGER DODGE WHITE MARSH Angie Delcostella White Marsh Maryland

SOUTH OAK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP Bob Novak Matteson Illinois

SOUTHTOWN DODGE Doug Simmonds St. Louis Missouri

STEW HANSEN'S DODGE CITY Mike Hopper Urbandale Iowa

WESTBURY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE David Graham Westbury New York

YARK CHRYSLER JEEP Don Espen Toledo Ohio

ZANGARA DODGE Jim Baca Albuquerque New Mexico

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Parts Barcoding Inventory Management for the ERA DMS: Latest Feature Aims to Make Parts Physical Inventory Process

More Efficient How would you answer the following question about parts physical inventory at your dealership? Parts Physical Inventory is:

A) An event that my dealership parts team dreads each year. B) A time-consuming process full of error and confusion. C) A costly and tedious process due to the amount of family members that are brought in to

complete the counting cycle. D) All of the above.

Or, would your dealership answer the question this way?

E) None of the above – It’s a more efficient and accurate process because my dealership uses Parts Barcoding Inventory Management from Reynolds.

With Reynolds Parts Barcoding Inventory Management for the ERA® dealership management system (DMS), dealerships can drastically reduce the tedious and often inaccurate physical inventory process by us-ing wireless, hand-held scanners that are integrated with ERA to count and record the entire parts inventory. Dealerships that already have purchased the Parts Barcoding Inventory Management solution are able to rent additional scanners from Reynolds so that several people can be performing inventory at the same time. The scanners come with two rechargeable batteries. In addition, physical inventory counts are written directly to the memory card in the scanner to help prevent data loss between the time parts are scanned and the inven-tory is transferred into the ERA DMS.

How It Works • The inventory pad from the ERA DMS is loaded onto each scanner. • To begin counting, each person with a scanner simply scans the bin or enters a bin number on the

scanner. Then, the person scans all of the parts in the bin either by scanning each part individu-ally or by scanning one part and entering the quantity counted directly into the scanner keypad.

• Once parts bins are scanned, variance reports can be run and corrected before making adjust-ments to inventory in the ERA DMS. In addition to a Pad Variance report, several other reports are available to show multi-bin parts, write-ins, bins not counted, and so on.

• After variances are reconciled, updated inventory can be transferred to the ERA DMS with the click of a button, reducing the amount of time spent waiting for someone to enter thousands of individual quantities into the ERA DMS and, at the same time, helping to reduce key-punch er-rors.

For more about Parts Barcoding Inventory Management, visit our Web site www.reyrey.com or contact your Reynolds and Reynolds account manager.

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Hello MOPAR Masters~ The Chrysler CollisionLink rollout is in full swing! OEConnection’s ecommerce tool for processing parts orders, CollisionLink, can get you a more accurate, more complete parts order so you can ship the right parts the first time. CollisionLink can help: • Sell more OE parts – see the entire order, including aftermarket and sal-

vage parts, and offer OE parts at competitive prices • Reduce returns –VIN-scrubbing feature verifies part numbers for accuracy

and suggests alternatives for questionable part numbers • Strengthen relationships with shops – they’ll come to trust that they’re

getting the right parts the first time • Increase efficiency – all orders are shown on one screen – no more deal-

ing with messy faxes and headaches involved in typical parts order proc-essing.

Don’t forget – OEConnection will help you every step of the way. We’ll train your salespeople and shops, and answer any questions. Don’t hesitate to call – 888-776-5792, x2 – 8:00am to 8:00pm ET. CollisionLink can help improve your business. Less returns – fewer head-aches – more OE part sales. ~OEConnection

Already enrolled in CollisionLink?

Send OEConnection your shop list. Our representatives will help you get more orders!

Need CollisionLink flyers?

Send OEConnection your logo and contact information.

Phone: 888-776-5792, x2 Fax: 330-523-1700 [email protected]

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Management of Special Order Repairs By Ray Alther ADP’s CustomerTouch

SOR notes:

• Changes SOR into a process • Receipt is the last piece on SOR – CT provides a trigger • Multi-step SOR • Obsolete • Report goes to the dealer • More than Review - a process

A number of dealerships face an important challenge in the Parts Departments. There are customers who order parts and then do not immediately bring in their ve-hicles for service – meaning you carry this extra inventory. This situation often arises due to the vehicle owner’s lack of awareness that the part is available or sim-ply forgetting the service appointment. ADP’s CustomerTouchTM provides a com-prehensive package of notices and service reminders to keep the vehicles coming into the shop and maintaining a strong parts inventory flow. Consider the benefits delivered by this service:

• Expedites delivery of the part order • Delivers “real time “ automated message triggered 15 minutes after the sys-

tem receipt of a special parts order • Messages delivered using automated voice and email • Creates urgency to pick up part or face return • Prompts customer to schedule service appointment to complete the work

(Continued on page 15)

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ADP CustomerTouchTM is an automated communications service that can be used to inform customers when a part has arrived or directly market Parts promotions through a series of channels that include email, direct mail, or even text messages. CustomerTouch also offers a customer satisfaction survey that is a highly effective tool to gauge the experience of fixed operations customers. With CustomerTouch you deliver either a quick 2 question survey or a more extensive 6 question survey. You can contact Ray at [email protected]. For additional information concerning any of our ADP’s CRM solutions please con-tact us at 888-424-6342 or visit us at www.DealerSuite.com/crm

Practical training and solutions

(Continued from page 14)

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Our Supporting Vendors Support those who support you

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Our Supporting Vendors Support those who support you

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As parts and service are becoming more and more critical to the bottom line of most dealerships, growing that

side of the business has become a priority. Uncovering ways to keep customers coming back for service is one

of the main challenges for Gary Atkinson, Service Manager at Ed Voyles Chrysler Jeep. From his experience,

he has learned that his number one customer retention tool is tires. “If you sell customers replacement tires, we

find it keeps them coming back for routine services such as alignments and rotations,” said Atkinson.

Selling Tires Breeds Loyalty

Gary’s opinions and experience are also backed up by independent research conducted by Dealer Tire where it

was found that on average, selling a customer replacement tires contributes double the amount of service profit

over the life span of the vehicle compared to customers who don’t purchase tires from the dealership. In addi-

tion, customers who buy tires at the dealership are 17 percent more likely to purchase/lease their next vehicle

from that dealership. In other words, selling tires equals customer loyalty. If a customer takes his business

outside of the dealership for service, they generally don’t come back. That’s a risk most dealerships can’t af-

ford to take.

(Continued on page 21)

Gary Atkinson, Service Manager and Steve Johnson, Parts Manager,

Ed Voyles Chrysler Jeep, Marietta GA

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Keep the Customer Informed

So, now that we know selling tires is important, how do we do it? According to Steve Johnson, Parts Manager

at Ed Voyles, “informing customers and knowing how to sell tires.” Now that the service department is inspect-

ing every vehicle on the drive and documenting the tread depth on every RO, the customer is fully aware of the

“health” of their tires and can make an educated decision about whether or not it’s time to replace them.

“Simply making customers aware is a crucial step that many dealerships just don’t do,” continued Johnson. The

next important step is product training for parts and service employees.

The Importance of Tire Training

In one year Ed Voyles tire sales have increased more than 80 percent – incredible growth for an already success-

ful dealership. Gary attributes much of this growth to training and awareness. “Product knowledge is extremely

important,” said Atkinson. “Dealer Tire has conducted on-going training in our dealership to keep our Service

Advisors up-to-speed with tire knowledge and effective selling on the drive. Customers already know the deal-

ership has the expertise to service their vehicles, and now we have the expertise to service tires as well,” said

Gary. The service department has become a one-stop-shop where a customer can get all repair and maintenance

items conveniently and expertly taken care of. A tire store certainly can’t say that.

Stock the SKUs that Sell

Dealer Tire has also helped keep the parts department stocked with the right mix of tires by providing monthly

stocking guides that looks at the most common vehicles and what’s currently in stock. “Stocking correctly is

very important to making the sale,” said Johnson.

(Continued from page 20)

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What’s New for 2007?

StarParts Lite!

The new backup for StarParts is “StarParts Lite”. You’ve waited patiently for the new and im-proved backup and it will soon be available on DVD. StarParts Lite looks virtually identical to StarParts, it has the same look and feel of StarParts, so with StarParts Lite there is no learning curve. You can install it and be using it within the same day! If you have already signed up for StarParts Lite, stay tuned for the actual launch date, if you haven’t signed up yet, you still have time, the sign up process is easy: Logon to the StarParts website at: http://starparts.chrysler.com Select the eFiche/Sprinter tab Select the eFiche order form (the e-fiche order form will allow the 1st time users to sign up for StarParts lite, convert from e-fiche to StarParts Lite or continue your subscription with e-fiche). Features of StarParts Lite:

• Monthly Updates • Tech Tips • Supersedence • Resides on one DVD • Comparable pricing to e-Fiche. Cost $1,150.00 (includes monthly updates) • Purchasing one DVD allows you 5 licenses. • Easier & more user friendly navigation than e-Fiche

(Continued on page 23)

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StarParts Requirements:

• DVD Drive • 10 - 12 GB of hard drive free space to load graphics • 1 GB memory • Administrator rights to do the initial load

Common Group Service Information Model (CG-SIM)

What is CG-SIM?

Common Group Service Information Model (CG-SIM) – The communization of group names between Service Information, Parts Technical, Warranty Claims and Labor Operations. You will see the initial communization in the StarParts catalog. Service Information, Warranty and Labor Operations will follow in the near future. StarParts has already converted the 2008 RT’s, CS , D1 , DC , DR , JS , RT , ZB , KA , DH , JK , WK , XK & KK books to the new CG-SIM format. Please see the StarParts website for future and in process catalogs that are being converted. Please note that model years 2007 and back will not be changed. Once Service Information, Warranty Claims & Labor Operations have changed to the new CG-SIM format, all group names will be the same, so that no matter where you look you will see a common group name.

(Continued from page 22)

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When Insults Had Class "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

-- Winston Churchill "A modest little person, with much to be modest about."

-- Winston Churchill "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."

-- Clarence Darrow "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."

-- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway) "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"

-- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner) "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it."

-- Moses Hadas "He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know."

-- Abraham Lincoln "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."

-- Groucho Marx "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."

-- Mark Twain "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."

-- Oscar Wilde "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one."

-- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one."

-- Winston Churchill, in response "I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."

-- Stephen Bishop "He is a self-made man and worships his creator."

-- John Bright (Continued on page 25)

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"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."

-- Irvin S. Cobb "He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others."

-- Samuel Johnson "He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."

-- Paul Keating "He had delusions of adequacy."

-- Walter Kerr "There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure."

-- Jack E. Leonard "He has the attention span of a lightning bolt."

- - Robert Redford "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge."

-- Thomas Brackett Reed "He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebears, but by diligent hard work, he over-came them."

-- James Reston (about Richard Nixon) "He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."

-- Forrest Tucker "Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"

-- Mark Twain "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."

-- Mae West "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

-- Oscar Wilde "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination."

-- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." -- Billy Wilder

(Continued from page 24)

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Tidbits

Klegon: Chrysler, Mercedes will keep sharing The plan by Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz to share future electrical architectures, SUV chassis components and other technology remains in-tact despite the pending breakup of DaimlerChrysler 4-door Wrangler sizzles SUV accounts for 82 pct. of Ohio plant's output The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door has gone from hot to hotter. The Chrysler group's Toledo Supplier Park is cranking out 600 vehicles per day. Of those, 82 percent are four-door Unlimiteds and 18 percent are two-door units. Earlier Chrysler reported the mix was about 60 percent four-door and 40 percent two-door Chrysler will monitor Chery quality closely To ensure that China-built vehicles with Chrysler brands meet global quality standards, Chrysler personnel will be on the scene early and often during manufacturing and development. "We're very prepared to have a lot of people involved early in the process," Steven Landry, Chrysler's executive vice president for NAFTA sales, global marketing, service and parts. Alabama factory at the center of Daimler, Chrysler cooperation Mercedes-Benz and Chrys-ler will still cooperate plenty after Daimler-Benz and Chrysler part ways, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche says. And the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. plant will be the focal point of that relationship. The plant celebrated its 10th year of operations last week. New Mitsubishi will get dual-clutch gearbox The next generation of the high-performance Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sedan will have a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, all-wheel drive and stability control. The sedan, the 10th generation in the Evolution series, will go on sale this fall. Purchasing chief focus: Restructure Chrysler Simon Boag's first job as the Chrysler group's new purchasing chief: help complete the automaker's restructuring plan for its new ownership Chrysler must get on same page as its dealers Chrysler group officials still have work to do rebuilding dealer relations. Since controversial sales chief Joe Eberhardt departed last Decem-ber, Chrysler has taken important steps to improve relations with its disgruntled dealers. Chrys-ler listened to dealers and gave its advertising strategy a badly needed overhaul. Foose, Metalcrafters seek high-end niche Customized coupes sell for $299,000 Hot rod designer Chip Foose wants to revive the glory days of Duesenberg. In the 1930s, the famed luxury brand produced 470 cars, each customized to the buyer's taste. Foose wants to re-vive that tradition with the Foose Coupe, an exuberant, open-wheel hot rod that pays homage to the Deuce coupes of yore. The concept that was developed is called the Hemisfear.

(Continued on page 27)

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Chrysler offers lifetime powertrain warranty The Chrysler group is providing a lifetime powertrain warranty on all 2006 through 2008-model Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles deliv-ered after July 25. The warranty applies only to the original purchaser or lessee. It is not trans-ferable to subsequent owners. Owners must have the powertrains inspected once every five years. Look for hard-nosed Chrysler board Expect a lean, no-nonsense board of directors at the newly private Chrysler. The board will be appointed by the new majority owners, Cerberus Capital Management LP, hard-charging investors unburdened by the obligation to please public shareholders

(Continued from page 26)

Subject: Life explained On the first day, God created the dog and said: "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said: "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years, I'll give you back the other ten?" So God agreed. On the second day, God created the monkey and said: "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span." The monkey said: "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?" And God agreed. On the third day, God created the cow and said: "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years." The cow said: "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"! And God agreed again. On the fourth day, God created man and said: "Eat, sleep, play, marry, and enjoy your life For this, I'll give you twenty years." But man said: "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back? That makes eighty, okay? " "Okay," said God, "You asked for it." So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grand-children. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone. Life has now been explained to you...

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The Price of Children

I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I

have seen the rewards listed this way. The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about

sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

.But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into: * $8,896.66 a year, * $741.38 a month, or * $171.08 a week. * That's a mere $24.24 a day! * Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice is, don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140? * Naming rights. First, middle, and last! * Glimpses of God every day. * Giggles under the covers every night. * More love than your heart can hold. * Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. * Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. * A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate. * A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites * Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks per-formed that day. For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to: * finger-paint, * carve pumpkins, * play hide-and-seek, * catch lightning bugs, and * never stop believing in Santa Claus.

(Continued on page 29)

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You have an excuse to: * keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, * watching Saturday morning cartoons, * going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. * You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay or Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day. For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for: * retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, * taking the training wheels off a bike, * removing a splinter, * filling a wading pool, * coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless. You get a front row seat to history to witness the: * first step * first word * first bra * first date * and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an edu-cation in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so, one day they will, like you, and love you without counting the cost.

That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!! Love & enjoy your children

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THE GUILD MOTTO “THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BY LIKE SIZE DEALERS IN A

NON COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT” This is the reason the Guild exists. The strength of our existence relies not on the voices of a select few, but on the combined knowledge of all. With this in mind, everyone should remember to become as pro-active as possible. The Guild is YOURS, be proud of it and be part of it!

2007 Mopar Masters Guild Executive Committee

Gerry Oakes President Baxter Chrysler Roy Benner Vice President Allen Samuels Dodge Brent Hoge Treasurer Larry H. Miller CJD Mike Gerber Secretary Eastside CJ Marvin Windham Don Drennen Chrysler Alan Yancey Hayes Chrysler Rick Monteiro Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge Dan Hutton Tom O’Brien Chrysler Robbie Jackson Salsbury’s Dodge City Steve Hofer Park Jeep

Guild Committees

Membership Committee Mike Gerber Eastside CJ Dan Murphy Earnhardt CJ Steve Hofer Park Jeep Larry Morris Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Robbie Jackson Salsbury’s Dodge City

Vendor Chairman Paul Allred Metrolina Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Newsletter Chairmen Dan Murphy Earnhardt CJ Don Cushing Bald Hill Dodge Chrysler

Performance Group Chairman Ole Olson Elk River Ford-Dodge

Finance Committee Chairmen Roy Benner Allen Samuels Dodge Brent Hoge Larry H. Miller CJD

Reynolds and Reynolds Paul Allred Metrolina Chrysler Jeep Dodge Tom Watson Performance Dodge John Gilbert Preston Dodge Rick Cutaia Rick Hendrick Dodge Larry Morris Franklin Sussex Auto Mall

ADP Jim Stoneman Westoaks CD Roy Benner Allen Samuels Dodge Steve Hofer Park Jeep Mike Mulkins Go Chrysler Jeep Tommy Thrift Haynes Motor Co.

Snap-On Business Solutions Dan Hutton Tom O’Brien Chrysler OEConnection Brent Hoge Larry H. Miller CJD Dealer Tire (Dan & Brent are the chairs for Snap-on. OEConnection and Dealer Tire)

Hanel Storage Terry Doll Earnhardt Dodge Dan Murphy Earnhardt Chrysler Jeep

Interstate Batteries Mark Skinner Power CJD Dan Murphy Earnhardt CJ Tom Watson Performance Dodge

Full Circle Solutions Tom Welz Lou Fusz Dodge Rick Stewart Commonwealth Dodge

NADA 2008 Planning Committee Steve Hofer Park Jeep Rick Monteiro Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge

Website Chairman & Webmaster Mike Gerber Eastside CJ

Mopar Masters Magazine Page 30