For the second year in a row, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, for sale in Seattle at Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point, has made a very important list. Ten other Chrysler group vehicles joined the Grand Cherokee. What list, you ask?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named 11 models from Chrysler Group LLC as Top Safety Picks for 2012. The 2012 models include the Chrysler Town & Country, 300 and 200; Dodge Grand Caravan, Durango, Charger, Journey and Avenger; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Patriot and the Fiat 500, for sale in Seattle at FIAT of Kirkland. The IIHS annually recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover and rear crashes based on a “good” rating in a series of tests conducted by the Institute.

Additionally, the vehicles must be equipped with standard electronic stability control systems.

Following their introduction last year, both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger return again after achieving the highest ratings. Both models received ‘good’ ratings in all four categories.

Also returning to the list are the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Chrysler 200. The three models were introduced last year and received top marks from the institute too. Dodge Avenger and Journey have been named Top Safety Picks by IIHS for four consecutive years.

Recently, the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, along with the 2012 Fiat 500, were named Top Safety Picks. Both minivans offer more than 40 standard or available safety features. The 2012 models of Town & Country and Grand Caravan received strength-to-weight ratio ratings of 4.51, among the highest of the minivans tested and above the IIHS requirement of 4.0. The U.S. government’s minimum requirement is 1.5.

The Fiat 500 features a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven air bags.

Among the latest safety innovations that are standard or available on many models is SafetyTec, which includes ParkSense rear park assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection.

“With 11 vehicles that have been named Top Safety Pick for 2012 by IIHS, this underscores our commitment to engineering safety and security across all vehicle segments,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President – Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. “As we continue our product transformation, we’ll continue to engineer new technology and more capabilities into all our vehicles.”

You can find the entire lineup of Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram at Seattle Jeep dealer, the Rairdon Group. We have four Washington State locations:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham

Your Seattle Chrysler dealer, Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point knows how great the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine is. Just in case you don’t want to take our word for it, Chrysler‘s Pentastar engine once again is recognized by the editors of Ward’s Automotive as one of the “10 Best Engines” for 2012.

“Every year, Ward’s Auto recognizes the industry leaders in engine technology,” said Drew Winter, editor at Ward’s Auto. “Chrysler has successfully demonstrated the breadth of this engine and how it delivers on all fronts including fuel economy, lower emissions and power.”

Named to the exclusive group of engines last year after its introduction in the 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V-6 engine is now standard or available on Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan. For 2012, the Pentastar 3.6-liter engine also is now standard on the new Jeep Wrangler.

Editors tested the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, for sale in Seattle and the Chrysler 300, for sale in Seattle, in this year’s shootout.

Designed to meet a variety of requirements across both front-and rear-drive models, the Pentastar V-6 also is the exclusive engine used with the new eight-speed automatic transmission on Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models. The engine and transmission combination deliver 31 miles-per-gallon (mpg) on the highway.

On the Jeep Wrangler, the 3.6-liter engine improved fuel efficiency to 21 mpg on the highway while delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. This brings the improvement up of 40 and 10 percent, respectively.

“We are continuing development of advance technologies, which will be applied to the Pentastar V-6 as they become available, for even more fuel efficiency and performance,” said Bob Lee, vice president and head of engine and electrified propulsion engineering, Chryler Group LLC.

You can find the entire lineup of Chrysler vehicles at Seattle Chrysler dealer, The Rairdon Group. We have four Washington State Chrysler dealerships:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham

Your Washington State Dodge Dart dealer, Rairdon’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point, told you last week that the Dodge Dart is being reborn in 2013. That is kind of ALL we knew though. Slowly, in advance to its debut, we are getting a little more information on it. This car is going to set a new standard in the compact car segment, and we couldn’t be happier!

The Dodge brand is giving a sneak peek into the high-tech, precisely crafted and highly customizable interior of its all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, for sale in Bellingham at Rairdon’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham as soon as it hits US streets. Scheduled to be introduced Jan. 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the new Dodge Dart’s interior sets a new standard for compact cars.

Setting a New Standard – Quality & Spaciousness
Dodge designers focused on creating a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, exciting bursts of color and hand-sculpted shapes when designing the Dart’s interior, which is made with materials and technology typically found in more expensive vehicle segments. Starting with modern Dodge DNA and through the use of innovative ambient interior lighting, high-quality soft-touch materials and high-tech features, the 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with cool amenities and unexpected delights for both drivers and passengers.

The Dart’s “driver-centric” layout is designed to put all controls within easy reach of the driver. Customizable displays and comfort-tuned seats are packaged in an exceptionally spacious, pleasing interior. Packaged in the footprint of a compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart features the interior spaciousness of a mid-sized sedan, and it boasts best-in-class hip and shoulder room.

Unmatched Customization
Customization was key in the all-new Dodge Dart’s development, and with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions, each Dodge Dart can be personalized by every buyer to fit their individual style. And the combinations are multiplied exponentially, as Mopar will also offer hundreds of customization options and themed packages specifically developed for the Dart.

Class-leading Technology
The high-tech centerpiece of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, for sale near Skagit County, is the class-exclusive floating island bezel, which houses the segment-exclusive available 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround that also houses the available class-exclusive UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center — the largest touch-screen in its class.

Thoughtful storage options throughout fit today’s technology. The glove box easily conceals a stowed iPad; the center console features auxiliary jacks to plug in a wide variety of electronic devices, and thoughtful, inventive storage solutions, such as console map pockets, which are perfect for storing mobile phones, receipts, or pen and paper.

Lighting in all the right places provides drivers and passengers a warm, comfortable cockpit. Available “racetrack” lighting surrounds the floating island bezel. Ambient lighting for the door handles, map pockets, foot wells, glove box, storage bin and illuminated cup holders is both useful and provides a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle.

Unmatched Safety
Safety was also at the forefront in the development of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, for sale in Whatcom County. Built on a strong foundation, constructed with 68 percent high-strength steel, engineers added both active and passive safety features, including 10 standard airbags, which is unsurpassed in the segment. The 2013 Dodge Dart is also the only car in its class to offer blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection.

Continue to follow this blog for all news related to the 2013 Dodge Dart and when Bellingham will see it. You can find the Dodge Dart in Washington State at all four Rairdon Seattle Dodge locations:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe

When you’re looking for a new or used Dodge in Seattle, come to Rairdon’s and save!

Quick, what’s the first vehicle you think of when you think of an off-roading vehicle? Chances are, you thought of the Jeep Wrangler and with good reason!

The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, for sale in Snohomish County at Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point, has been named “Four Wheeler of the Year” by Four Wheeler magazine. The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading off-road enthusiast magazine.

“The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon owned nearly all aspects of off-road testing during our annual ‘Four Wheeler of the Year’ competition,” said Four Wheeler Editor John Cappa. “The grueling 1,000-mile trek put each contending vehicle through its paces in several on- and off-road environments, including high-speed graded roads, jagged rocks, shifting sand dunes, and more. The universal do-all capability of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon allowed it to outperform the other competing 4x4s, making it our 2012 Four Wheeler of the Year award winner.”

To qualify for the competition, entries had to be entirely new or have substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year. Testing was conducted over more than a thousand miles on a variety of terrain, including pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks and mud, at elevations ranging from sea level to more than 9,000 feet.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon “Four Wheeler of the Year” award comes a year after the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the premium icon of the brand – captured the award, and less than two years after the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was named the Best 4×4 vehicle of the 2000-2009 decade by Four Wheeler magazine.

The “Four Wheeler of the Year” award is the latest in a list of awards the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler has received since its introduction in September. Other recent Wrangler accolades include:

• 4×4 of the Year, Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine
• Mid-size SUV of Texas, Texas Auto Writers Association
• Best Value Off-Road, Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) award
• Hottest 4×4 SUV, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) award
• ALG Residual Value Award – Best Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Top-10 Cars

For the 2011 calendar year, Jeep Wrangler sales are up 29 percent in the U.S. November marked Wrangler’s sixth consecutive year-over-year monthly sales record.

You can find the new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon at Seattle Jeep dealer, the Rairdon Group. We have four Washington State Jeep dealerships:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham

Guess which truck just won Four Wheeler Magazine “2012 Pickup Truck of the Year” award? That would be the Ram 2500 Power Wagon, for sale in Everett at Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point. Your Everett Ram dealer could not be more proud of this!

To  qualify for the competition, a vehicle must have been entirely new or have substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year. For 2012, the award winning Ram Heavy-Duty lineup features an all-new six-speed automatic transmission for gas powertrains, available 6.7-liter Cummins diesel with 800 lb.-ft. of torque and an all-new RamBox for the 6-ft.-4-in bed.

“You can’t beat the versatility of the 2012 Ram Power Wagon,” said John Cappa, Editor of Four Wheeler Magazine. “Its aggressive BFG All-Terrain tires, tuned suspension, disconnecting sway bar, selectable lockers front and rear, and a Warn winch make it nearly unstoppable off-road, yet it’s still civilized enough to be daily-driven. The Power Wagon crawls over the most difficult rocky terrain just as easily as it speeds over rough dirt roads or commutes on smooth highways. Add in a 10,200-pound towing capacity along with multiple useful storage compartments, including the RamBox, and you end up with a remarkable factory-built ¾-ton truck that easily deserves Four Wheeler’s 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year award.”

The Ram Power Wagon, for sale in Bellevue, comes equipped with an off-roader’s wish list, including: electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein tuned shocks, 33-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, significant underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio and a custom-built Warn® 12,000-pound winch that is accessible through the front bumper.

RamBox was previously only available on the Ram 1500 with a 5-ft.7-in. bed. Buyers can now opt for RamBox on Ram 2500 and 3500 (single rear wheel) Crew Cab and Mega Cab models with 6-ft.-4-in. beds, including Power Wagon—making the feature available on 80 percent of the Ram lineup.

Ultimate truck capability is now available in three trim levels, ST, SLT and Laramie. The new Ram Power Wagon ST, for sale in Seattle, will offer off-road enthusiasts all of the Power Wagon’s legendary capability in a value-oriented package. The existing Power Wagon SLT will continue to provide a mix of comfort with off-road components and the new Power Wagon Laramie will offer more comfort and luxury features. Each of the three Ram Power Wagon models will have its own distinctive look.

You can find the entire lineup of Ram trucks in Seattle at all four Rairdon Washington State Ram locations:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham

When you’re looking for a new or used Ram truck in Seattle, come to the Rairdon Group to save!

It’s baaaaaccccccckkkkkkkk. Well, not quite, but almost! The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is in Washington State sometime next year. This time, it will be a compact form, with an all-new, state-of-the-art four-door sedan delivering class-leading aerodynamics.

With Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge’s passion for performance at its core, the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, for sale in Seattle, is a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, beautifully designed and crafted, agile and brings fun back to driving in the segment.

Similar to the Dodge Dart of the late 1960s, the 2013 Dart offers a special blend of style, performance and innovation. The Dodge brand leveraged its nearly 100-year history of passion for building high-quality, innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and style, as well as from its partner Fiat’s global compact car expertise, to develop the all-new Dodge Dart.

ALFA ROMEO DNA

The all-new Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture – adapted from the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is renowned for satisfying the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety, with exceptional driving dynamics. The Dart leverages all of these attributes within a lengthened and widened platform delivering segment-leading levels of interior roominess.

The all-new Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) architecture underpinning the Dart is a state-of-the-art architecture with an industry-leading 68 percent of the body composed of high-strength steel, resulting in a very strong and rigid structure. Combined with responsive steering, four-wheel independent suspension, and available 18-inch wheels, the Dart brings fun back to driving in the compact car segment.

UNMISTAKABLE STYLE

The all-new 2013 Dart marks the Dodge brand’s re-entry into the compact sedan segment, hitting the bulls-eye with a modern, unmistakable Dodge design that builds upon its performance heritage while evoking emotion, efficiency and fluidity of movement.

Eye-catching exterior proportions are set off from every angle by dynamic lines and curves, along with advanced technology, to deliver class-leading aerodynamic performance. The personality-packed front view is instantly recognizable as an all-new Dodge with its tailored split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps and fog lamps and accentuated fenders. Signature Dodge full-width LED ‘racetrack’ tail lamps and class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust – both inspired by Dodge Charger – accentuate the athletic and muscular stance of this dynamic and passionate new design.

You can find the 2013 Dodge Dart in Everett at Dodge of Smokey Point. I will continuously update this blog on the progress and release date of the Dart, so keep your eyes peeled! The Rairdon Group is your premier Seattle Dodge locations, with four Washington State Dodge dealerships to choose from:

Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Kirkland
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Monroe
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Smokey Point
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham 

You save at Rairdon’s!

The folks over at Kbb.com must have a crystal ball, because their predictions are always spot on when it comes to the vehicles that retain their value for each given year. What is great if you are a Seattle 2012 Jeep Wrangler owner, or a Seattle 2011 Jeep Wrangler owner, is that your car is one of the ones that will retain it’s value better than almost any other car on the road, according to Kbb.com

“Jeep had one of the better year-over-year improvements with a 4.1 percentage point gain in its 60-month residual value for 2012,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book. “Particularly the Wrangler, among this year’s top-10 list, has been a steady performer, consistently racking up high values. For example, the 2007 model has yet to dip below 60 percent of MSRP as a 5-year-old vehicle. Each succeeding model year has managed to maintain that same high level of performance.”

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide, determined by a skilled staff of automotive analysts. These prestigious awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original list price after five years of ownership. Vehicle’s projected resale value is specific to the 2012 model year.

“In the last 18 months, we have completely updated the entire Jeep vehicle lineup, highlighted by the introduction of an all-new Grand Cherokee, as well as a new, more fuel-efficient and powerful Jeep Wrangler” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The result has been increased showroom traffic, a 44-percent improvement in sales so far this year, and increased residual values for our vehicles. We are delighted that Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com has recognized the Jeep brand’s improvements, and particularly these two awards for the Wrangler.”

You can find the all-new Jeep Wrangler at Seattle Jeep dealer, the Rairdon Group. We have four Washington State Jeep dealerships to serve your Jeep needs:

Jeep of Kirkland
Jeep of Smokey Point
Jeep of Monroe
Jeep of Bellingham

When you’re looking for a new or used Jeep Wrangler in Bellevue, come to Rairdon’s and save!

Hot on the heels of numerous awards won for Dodge Brand vehicles from the North American Dealer Association, Consumers Digest and the Texas Auto Writers Association, the Dodge Charger, for sale in Kirkland, is now an Automobile Magazine “All-Star” for 2012.

“We were impressed at how much more refined the 2012 Charger is from its previous generation,” said Jean Jennings, President and Editor-In-Chief ofAutomobile Magazine. “The interior is sophisticated, the exterior design is striking, and it is thrilling to drive. The Charger definitely earned its place on this very exclusive All-Star list.”

Building on the success of the all-new Charger introduced in 2011, the new 2012 Dodge Charger, for sale near Seattle, is now the first domestic sport sedan to feature a state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission – delivering a best-in-class 31 miles per gallon (mpg) highway.

“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award. The Automobile Magazine All-Star selection is validation for how we have transformed the Dodge Charger into the no-compromise class leader in driving dynamics and fuel economy,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “Combined with a sophisticated 292 horsepower Pentastar V6, the Charger’s new eight-speed transmission helps deliver mid-size fuel economy in a full-size sedan, wrapped in an iconic design that separates Charger from any other four-door on the market.”

This state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission is available on rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger SE, SXT and SXT Plus models equipped with the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. Combined, these Dodge Charger models deliver 292 horsepower along with improved performance and class-leading fuel efficiency with respect to:

• Best-in-class highway fuel economy (31 mpg highway)
• Best-in-class V-6 AWD fuel economy (18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway)
• Best-in-class combined fuel economy (23 mpg with RWD, 21 mpg with AWD)
• Unsurpassed city fuel economy (19 mpg city RWD, 18 mpg AWD)
• Overall unsurpassed fuel economy in its class (19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with RWD)

Designed for hard-core enthusiasts who crave even more performance, the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T models feature the legendary HEMI® V-8 engine with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver technology, 370 horsepower and 0-to-60 mph in under 6 seconds. And with its performance-tuned suspension, larger performance disc brakes and standard Uconnect Touch 8.4-inch media center, the Dodge Charger R/T is designed for the customer who demands V-8 power, rail-like handling and state-of-the-art technology.

Crafted in world-class materials, including a standard aluminum bezel that creates the center of focus on the driver’s cockpit, Charger’s passengers are surrounded with comfort, craftsmanship and style, thanks to premium soft-touch materials and four available distinct interior color combinations. The Dodge Charger’s state-of-the-art Uconnect® Touch integrates world-class infotainment and convenience technologies to keep passengers connected, comfortable and secure.

The 2012 Dodge Charger, for sale near Tacoma, features more than 65 safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support, available adaptive-cruise control (ACC) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection and ParkView® rear backup camera with grid lines. The Dodge Charger, for sale in Bellingham, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

You can find the Dodge Charger in Seattle at Seattle Dodge dealer, the Rairdon Group. We have four Dodge dealerships in Washington State:

Dodge of Monroe
Dodge of Kirkland
Dodge of Smokey Point
Dodge of Bellingham

When you’re looking for a new or used Dodge Charger in Seattle, come to Rairdon’s and save!

Look outside, look at your computer, think of your car, look back at your computer, now back to your car. Don’t you wish your car was more like this one? (my silly attempt at the Old Spice commercial)

Building on the success of three special-edition Wrangler vehicles produced last year, the your Seattle Jeep dealer is introducing its latest Wrangler model: the new Jeep Wrangler Mojave, for sale in Washington State in both Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited editions.

Paying tribute to the well-known and rugged western desert Mojave Trail, Jeep Wrangler Mojave, for sale near Everett, features a unique desert theme inside and out, and an aggressive wheel and tire package to tackle the toughest terrain.

“The Mojave Trail is known for expeditions, exploration and a rugged environment that features elevation, sand, canyons, a river crossing and hill climbs – the perfect landscape for the Jeep Wrangler,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “By creating the Jeep Wrangler Mojave, we are able to deliver another specialized vehicle that Jeep enthusiasts will love, while drawing new customers into Jeep showrooms.”

Spanning 138 miles, the Mojave Trail begins near Laughlin, Nev., and travels to Afton Canyon near Barstow, Calif.

Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the Mojave’s unique desert theme conveys off-road Wrangler fun. Exterior features include a body-color hardtop and fender flares, “Mojave” and lizard decals on the hood and rear, and the Sahara model’s side steps. Jeep Wrangler Mojave, for sale in Smokey Point, also offers an aggressive Wrangler Rubicon tire and wheel package, with mineral gray 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires. Finishing touches on the exterior include a black fuel filler door and taillamp guards.

Inside, Wrangler Mojave’s seats are dark saddle leather with a lizard logo embossed on the front seats. Unique driftwood surrounds the vents, front-passenger grab handle, steering-wheel spokes and door-handle inserts. Mopar tread pattern slush mats and overhead grab handles complete the Mojave package.

The new Jeep Wrangler Mojave, for sale in Washington State, is available in Sahara Tan, Bright White and Black.

The Jeep Wrangler Mojave option is available at Seattle Jeep dealer, the Rairdon Group in June. Our locations:

Jeep of Kirkland
Jeep of Monroe
Jeep of Smokey Point
Jeep of Bellingham

You save at Rairdon’s!

Rairdon Community Posts.