McKenney Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram M-F 8:30-9:00 SAT 9-8 Closed Sundays

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: What an upgrade this 2011 Dodge Durango is. From its overly curvy, awkward predecessor to this bold, in-your face henchman of an SUV, the new Durango delivers. It's luxurious, powerful and imposing. The only drawback is that the gas mileage is not great. But remember, you're driving a Hemi-powered fortress. The updated Durango now feels like a utility-vehicle version of the Ram. That's a good thing. The pickup is one of the best-driving in its class, and this Durango now shares that dynamic. The V8 power is exactly what one wants in a vehicle this large. The 360 horses come on smooth, and this five-speed automatic is effective and efficient. Dial up more than 5,000 rpm, and this ute blasts off. Power from launches is impressive yet civilized, and the Hemi growls and purrs depending on what it's being called upon to do. The steering is light, similar to that of the Ram, but adds satisfying feedback into maneuvers. The chassis is all-conquering, and I annihilated a pothole on the expressway without even blanching. This trench was the kind of obstacle that would have ripped the bottom off a smaller car. The Durango was unflinching. The styling is beefy and taut. I like the way the sheetmetal fits yet still has some attitude. Whereas the old version was almost cartoonish, this one is well-tailored and sharp. The headlights are perfect, and the wheels are simply huge. Inside is a smart black and caramel layout, and the white-and-red-accented gauges present well. You sink into these seats, and there's a commanding road view. The Citadel package marks the summit for the Dodge Durango. I'd take one for our long-term fleet in seconds. I like this muscle ute even more than I like our long-term Infiniti QX56, which is a tank in its own right. But the Dodge is pretty much just as blinged-out, looks better to my eye and costs $24,030 less than our long-term Infiniti. That's high-protein food for thought. EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: I would agree with Greg on liking this better than our long-term Infiniti QX56. Actually, I was stunned at just how good this new Durango really is. Think of this as a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a third row. I actually had two different people come up and ask me about the vehicle, what it was, etc. Both commented that it looked so good that they were surprised it was a Durango. That's a good thing, because the old Durango was, well, let's just say it didn't have anywhere near the refinement this one has. I loaded this up with seven passengers for a trip to Michigan State University for my daughter's graduation, and a trip after to dinner. Even those in the way-back seats had nothing to complain about. I like the black and caramel two-tone treatment, and the seats are very comfortable. The Hemi underhood is strong and made no complaints as we loaded the thing up. The Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe is probably still the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to full-size sport-utes. But there is nothing wrong with this new Durango. It is so much better than the vehicle it replaces it probably should have had a new name. It is that good. EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: Add me to the chorus singing the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango's praises. I think Dodge should have just dropped the link to past vehicles and used that Citadel moniker as the vehicle's new brand name. It's that different, and good, compared with the old Durango. The old truck was barely competitive, while this one offers a ton of Hemi grunt, sharp styling, a superb interior, and top-notch ride and handling for a 5,400-pound, four-wheel-drive beast. As much as the Grand Cherokee, with which this shares its platform, is a great vehicle, the Durango's three rows and Hemi power might put it a step above the Jeep. And looking at Roger's observed fuel-economy numbers, posting nearly 20 mpg is certainly livable. I like this truck--a lot. 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Base Price: $44,645 As-Tested Price: $48,530 Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V8; AWD, five-speed automatic Output: 360 hp @ 5,150 rpm, 390 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm Curb Weight: 5,397 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 15/18.7 mpg Options: 5.7-liter Hemi V8, dual rear exhaust with bright tips, two-speed on-demand transfer case, heavy-duty engine cooling and 220-amp alternator ($1,895); customer preferred package 25j including rear DVD entertainment, video entertainment system, satellite radio and TV ($1,695); inferno red crystal pearl coat exterior paint ($295) Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110524/CARREVIEWS/110529911#ixzz1NwBFw6Dh

May 24, 2011 Chrysler Group LLC Completes Refinancing and Repays U.S. and Canadian Government Loans in Full More than six years ahead of schedule, Chrysler Group fulfills promise to taxpayers and repays original government loans totaling $6.7 billion, in addition to $1.8 billion of interest and other consideration Intervention by U.S. and Canadian governments and strategic alliance with Fiat leads to 16 all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles currently in dealerships; more than $3 billion in facility upgrades; and increased employment with the hiring of 6,000 Chrysler Group employees Company???s return to profitability and double-digit worldwide sales increases show new product lineup gaining momentum in marketplace Auburn Hills, Mich. , May 24, 2011 - Chrysler Group LLC today announced the repayment of $7.6 billion in outstanding U.S. and Canadian government loans following the completion of new refinancing transactions. The original loans were repaid in full, more than six years ahead of schedule, along with the payment of accrued interest and additional consideration. Today, the Company made payments of $5.9 billion to the U.S. Treasury (UST) and $1.7 billion to Export Development Canada (EDC) to retire the loans granted when Chrysler Group began operations in June 2009. EDC is the holding company through which the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial governments extended loans to Chrysler Group. The Company borrowed $5.1 billion from the UST and $1.6 billion from the Canadian governments in June 2009 ($2.6 billion from the original loan facilities was undrawn and the facilities will be canceled). In total, Chrysler Group has paid the UST $6.5 billion and the EDC $2.0 billion, including $1.8 billion in interest and additional consideration. "Less than two years ago, we made a commitment to repay the U.S. and Canadian taxpayers in full and today we made good on that promise," said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. "The loans gave us a rare second chance to demonstrate

   As our way of saying Thank You to all our troops active and retired for your service during this holiday weekend for Armed Forces Day, we are offering you Supplier Pricing through end of business today the 23rd! We appreciate all you have done for this great country and this is just a small token of our appreciation.

   Thank you again and we here at McKenney want you to know WE are here to serve YOU!

Gaston Speedfest is coming Sunday afternoon May 19, 2010 10:59 PM

WHAT: The Home Builders Association of Gaston County present the first Gaston Speedfest

WHEN: Noon-6 p.m. Sunday
 
WHERE: Carolina Harley-Davidson and Home Depot parking lots off Franklin Blvd

ADMISSION: Free and open to all ages.
 
BENEFITS: Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County

ORGANZIED BY: Britt Goodrich, a member of Brad Keselowski's Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series pit crews and president/owner of Goodrich Builders, Inc. QUOTE: "I just wanted to do something that will create some excitement," said Goodrich." I used to work in sales and marketing I just started piecing it all together."

FEATURES: Country artist Travis Powell will headline Speedfest. Eclectic cover band Blind Manifest will kick things off around noon. Cottonmouth will add rock and blues to the musical mix, while the Gazette's own Monte Dutton will step away from his laptop for the day to play his country/folk songs. Gaston County native Melany Myers, a DJ for WRFX-FM 99.7, will be the guest emcee.

COME HUNGRY: There will be plenty of food, including barbecue, wings and ribs, and non-alcoholic beverages.

MORE THAN MUSIC: There will be race cars, dirt-track cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs on display. There are plans in the works for live pit stops and tool demonstrations. Raffles, which will likely include race packages and car rental packages, will be held at the end of the event around 6 p.m.

DETAILS: Visit facebook.com and search for Gaston Speedfest for additional information leading up to the event.

What a beautiful morning! Gas prices have dropped a little bit which is GREAT! We have a lot to do today to get ready for the big events coming up. Hopefully we will have some pics today of the new Jeep custom job! well, I'll be back in touch shortly, hope everyone is having a great day!

 
We are currently overstocked on Grand Cherokee Laredos. This is tremendous news for those of you who are looking to make a purchase in the month of May!! We are going to be selling ALL of our Laredos in stock for $1,000.00 BELOW INVOICE!! Not only that, but we are throwing in another $1,000.00 in incentives!! There has NEVER been a better time to make your purchasing decision for one of these luxury SUVs!