Ram Dealership

[Timd32]

Stand alone Ram dealership. Neat idea could see this working in certain markets, others not so much.

Reminds me of the Hummer dealerships, I still see them around from time to time with that semi quonset hut design.

http://amp.timeinc.net/thedrive/new...ram-dealership-opens-in-california?source=dam

 

[Wayne M.]

That does not sound good for Dodge and especially Chrysler.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I’ve never liked the name Quick lube. From past experience, it’s never quick and it’s never done completely correct. I avoid places like this.

 

[jgillott]

The new Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealer here in Connellsville may as well have been just a Jeep Ram dealership. There may be less than 10 Dodge and Chrysler vehicles total on the lot.

 

[JR]

This could be beneficial to truck owners in that a place like this SHOULD have competent diesel techs. Of the 3 FCA dealerships within 80 miles of me there is only one that employs any diesel techs at all, and it just so happens to be the one that's the furthest from me.

But yes not a good look for Dodge/Chrysler. Could be another step in the phase out of both.

 

[jgillott]

This could be beneficial to truck owners in that a place like this SHOULD have competent diesel techs. Of the 3 FCA dealerships within 80 miles of me there is only one that employs any diesel techs at all, and it just so happens to be the one that's the furthest from me.

But yes not a good look for Dodge/Chrysler. Could be another step in the phase out of both.

Very good point. I wonder if it is unwillingness of the dealers to hire the diesel techs or just a general lack of qualified techs to hire.

My cousin's son was here last weekend last weekend visiting from California. He is the one that works for BMW as a tech. He was just telling me that they are just dying for more techs and have very aggressive recruiting programs. If it is that difficult to find an competent ASE certified tech, I can't imagine what the demand is for a diesel specialist.

 

[JR]

I wonder if it is unwillingness of the dealers to hire the diesel techs or just a general lack of qualified techs to hire.

At least around here I believe it is the overall low take rate on diesels. Neither of the two closer dealerships even have any new Ram CTD on the lot. Most of the farmers buy gassers for the duty cycle, short trips and countless ignition cycles through out the day.

 

[Wayne M.]

Regarding the tech shortage, there’s plenty of finger pointing to go around.
- The auto shop at my kids high school is dying. The most popular majors are Med Tech and law. There aren’t many gearheads amongst the young, and they know they won’t get rich.
- Around here, the image of a mechanic is near that of a criminal who runs a legal hold up joint. Meanwhile that person goes into Costco and spends big on a 55 drum of Nutmeg and Nike’s.
- There ARE shingles out everywhere. I just ran up n down US1 in NJ the other day, and I saw 4 shingles out in front of dealers and shops, and I wasn’t even looking.
- The shops are screaming for help, but will they pay? Or at least have a decent benefit package? I know a car tech who’s playing the field now, and he can’t get a 24 hour/ week guarantee. If he gets stuck on a task he can’t resolve (think dead pedal, or other lemon law quality issue) he’s only getting paid 24 hours to put in 40.
- ASE doesn’t carry the weight with certain OE’s. It’ll get you in the door, but they want their particular certs, especially the Germans.

 

[jhenderson]

Having seen some of the German engineering ( needlessly complicated) I can understand why they want brand specific training.

 

[jgillott]

Having seen some of the German engineering ( needlessly complicated) I can understand why they want brand specific training.

In the case of my cousin's son and BMW, they covered his training costs once he was hired. 16 weeks in Orlando at their training center if I remember correctly and his choice of any number of locations to work at after completion. For a kid in his early 20's, it was an exciting deal.

On a side note, he told me that 80% of his work is dealing with the electronics. He gets very few mechanical repairs.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I wonder if they'll offer competitive pricing like Dave Smith and Dennis Dillion???

 

[JR]

Shingles?

 

[Wayne M.]

Shingles?

Who has shingles?
OH!!
Yea sometimes a help wanted sign is called a shingle.

 

[jgillott]

Who has shingles?
OH!!
Yea sometimes a help wanted sign is called a shingle.

Shingles...don't even mention those things. Been there. Had them for almost 4 weeks in January of 2013. That's the only time in my life I have ever thought that I was going to die.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Shingles...don't even mention those things. Been there. Had them for almost 4 weeks in January of 2013. That's the only time in my life I have ever thought that I was going to die.

I had them for about a month back around ‘93. In my armpits, insides of my arms and down my sides.

 

[jgillott]

I had them for about a month back around ‘93. In my armpits, insides of my arms and down my sides.

Both arms, down my sides and my upper legs. Not something that I would wish on my worst enemy.