Ram
March 30 – April 1, 2012
ACM Experience
The 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS honored the top country artists as well as up and coming musicians this past weekend, broadcasting LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday night. The festivities, however, extended the entire weekend as the Academy of Country Music hosted the first ever ACM EXPERIENCE. “Las Vegas is already a destination for so many country music fans and The ACM Experience is a natural extension of the Academy’s focus on bringing them the best in free, family-friendly events that promote the genre and provide additional exposure for both established acts and new artists,” said, Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Ram Test Drive
The country lifestyle event was open Friday 10-6pm, Saturday 10-9pm and Sunday 10-4pm at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. In addition to live country music artists and world class BBQ vendors, the ACM Expo was held inside the Mandalay Convention Center where unique vendors displayed customized jewelry, western wear and furniture items for sale. The ACM BBQ Throwdown roped in the competitive BBQ circuit, offering a $50,000 prize and the Ram Ride and Drive outdoor test track put country fans in the seats of the new 2012 Ram 1500 trucks.
Ram Test Drive
The Gordinier Group professional drivers donned their country garb and joined in the fair, demonstrating to event guests the best-in-class performance and capabilities of the 2012 Ram 1500 Express, Sport, Outdoorsman, Lone Star Big Horn® and Laramie®. The closed course included obstacles exhibiting the vehicles’ ground clearance, articulation, body strength, suspension and traction. Country music legends Zac Brown, Craig Morgan, Easton Corbin and James Wesley were some of the most enthusiastic participants.
Ram Test Drive
“Ram Truck fans and country music fans are one and the same as they are cut from the same cloth of authenticity with a genuine work-hard, play-hard attitude,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are excited to be a part of this first-ever fan experience event at the ACM Awards and to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride, drive and experience the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market.”
Check out the Academy’s event coverage HERE.
The Country Vibe provides the whole line up on their blog post HERE.
KTNV Channel 13 covers the ACM Experience with live footageHERE.
March 9 – 24, 2012
Ram Test Drive
Rodeo Austin wrapped up its 75th Anniversary on Saturday, a milestone for what has become one of Austin’s premier events, spotlighting ProRodeo events, daily concerts and a livestock showcase. The Gordinier Group was back for the Ram Test Drive’s third year in a row. This year brought exciting new obstacles to the closed course.
Ram Test Drive
Rodeo guests took their pick from Ram lineup including the 1500 Longhorn, 2500 Laramie 6.7, 2500 Lone Star 6.7, 2500 Outdoorsman Hemi, 3500 Chassis Cab and 3500 Longhorn, driving through rolling hills to test the trucks’ traction, 30-degree tilts to display the vehicles’ stability and turning circles to demonstrate the turning radius. Here’s what consumers had to say about the experience:
“I never thought I could drive a truck, but it turns so easy!”
“It actually rides smoother than I expected for a truck this size!”
Ram Test Drive
Ram test drivers received a $10 gift card for their participation which they were given the option to donate to the Rodeo Austin Scholarship Fund. This year, Ram worked with the volunteers at the rodeo and were thrilled to donate over $10,000 to the Rodeo Austin Scholarship Fund.
Check out all the events at Rodeo Austin HERE.
February 8-19, 2012
Camp Jeep Chicago
The Chicago Auto Show covers more than 1 million square feet of McCormick Place and is open to the public for 10 days, making it the largest automotive exposition on the continent. This year’s show saw a surge in attendance, generating the most successful finish in 4 years.
Chrysler Group attracted the masses with three indoor test tracks this year. Gordinier Group’s staff consisting of trained, professional drivers and product specialists showcased the brands’ capabilities and new product features while simultaneously transporting guests through a number of demanding obstacles. Below is a photo of Jim Morrison, Director of Jeep Brand Product Marketing, addressing the Gordinier crew before the big show.
Mr. Morrison speaks
Camp Jeep made its its eighth consecutive appearance at the Chicago Auto Show, displaying ground clearance, stability, maneuverability, suspension, articulation and traction in the latest Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, Grand Cherokee Overland, Liberty Renegade, Patriot and Compass Jeep brand models. Guests were taken to exhilarating heights of over 18′ and thrilling grades of up to 35 degrees.
Camp Jeep Chicago
Camp Jeep Chicago
Camp Jeep Chicago
The RAM Track Experience entailed a virtual construction site, with real life obstructions demonstrating traction, body and frame strength, handling and suspension, ride quality, ground clearance, stability and payload in various models of the RAM 1500.
Ram Test Track
Ram Test Track
Ram Test Track
The Multi-Brand Track Experience offered more scenic surroundings, exhibiting vehicles such as the Chrysler 200 and 300, the Dodge Charger and Challenger and the Fiat 500 Cabrio and Sport models. Handling, ambient noise, ride comfort, slalom, acceleration and braking challenges attested to the vehicles quality and stamina.
Chrysler Multi-Brand Track
Chrysler Multi-Brand Track
Chrysler Multi-Brand Track
Jeep took home the prize with “Best Exhibit.” “Best of Show voting has become a benchmark measure, and winning in any category is quite meaningful for our manufacturers and exhibitors,” said Steve Foley Jr., chairman of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. “In a year where attendance increased yet again and we boasted four indoor test tracks and five outdoor test drives, consumers had a better chance than ever to weigh the competitors and let their voice be heard.”
There is no doubt Chrysler Group let their voice be heard at this years Chicago Auto Show. Below are a list of links covering the indoor track experiences, but before you take a look, don’t miss this stunning video montage of Camp Jeep, the RAM Track Experience and the Multi-Brand Track Experience.
Take a look at photos and video from Chrysler Group’s blog coverage HERE.
Road and Track’s blog reported on Chrysler’s Test Tracks HERE.
Jim Choate, with Allpar.com, covered each of the Jeep, RAM and Multi-Brand courses in their Chicago Autoshow highlights.
February 12-14, 2012
Ram Test Drive
The 45th annual World Ag Expo was held in Tulare, CA this past weekend, boasting 1600 exhibitors and covering 2.5 million square feet of agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. In the midst of farm equipment, chemicals, communications, and technology exhibits, RAM build an off-roading course allowing attendees to test drive the RAM truck line up. Gordinier Group’s experienced coach riders and product specialists accompanied consumers, answering questions about the brand and providing product information as needed.
Ram Test Drive
Ram Test Drive