MERCMAN
08-20-2006, 07:52 PM
This is coming up next weekend and is one of the best I have been to. If anyone is interested, let me know.
Cruz-in together
Family event is free, begins at noon on Saturday
By Alison Brantley
Asst. Managing Editor
For 17 years, DaimlerChrysler management and UAW workers have come together to bring Kokomo its largest car show. This year's Cruz-In will take place on Aug. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Kokomo Transmission Plant.
Car registration will begin at 10 a.m., with dash plaques going to the first 500 entries. "The entire event is free, with the exception of purchasing food, which is even at a discount," said DaimlerChrysler KTP PQI trainer/communications team member Debbie Landrum. "There is no admission fee, no car show entry fee, no charge for ice cream or drinks. Plus we will be giving away door prizes from local businesses. Where else can you spend an afternoon and not pay a penny?"
The communications team said there is no cost for two reasons. One is because they want the event to be for the entire family, which is why there are also kids games. And the other is because they feel that this is their chance to give back to the community for its support. "We take pride in our product," said Terri Mutran, communications team member. "We are glad that the community buys our cars, so we want to give back to them."
1971 Challenger
Another way DaimlerChrysler and the UAW give back is through their annual kids Christmas program.The program brings Christmas to 100 children who would otherwise not receive anything. Kevin Anderson, KTP PQI facilitator, said that at this year's car show tickets will be for sale to win a 1971 Challenger. Proceeds from the sale will go to the kids Christmas program.
"Fifteen guys have been working on re-building this car from the ground up since last December," he said. "Now we are ready for the good stuff. Painting and putting it back together."
Another incentive, Anderson said, of visiting the Challenger for sale is that it will not be the only one on display. "This car is a classic, but DaimlerChrysler brought out the concept Challenger during the Detroit Auto Show," Anderson said. He noted the show will also be a good time for people to see how the new product might look, and to purchase tickets to benefit community children.
Tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20.
Oldies, but goodies
For some DaimlerChrysler employees and car collectors, bringing their cars to the show is something they do every year. Rick Frazier retired from DaimlerChrysler after 30 years of service, but continues to bring his 1934 Dodge Brothers to the annual event.
"The first year we talked about doing the car show, production manager Jim Robertson had friends at Mopar Performance who told us that they would bring their road show if we had a place for them to set up," he said. "We had 60 cars that first year and it has kept on growing. They are doing a great job with it."
Frazier said he thinks the car show is beneficial to show the community that there are actual people behind the walls and fences of the DaimlerChrysler facilities. "We build the products right here that people in our community drive every day," he said. "We need them to support us, and this is our way to say thanks."
He noted that in the past the cruz-in committee has taken some heat about only allowing American-made cars, especially since they have adopted the Daimler name. "I'm a buy-American kind of guy," he said. "And I think that is what makes this car show unique. We have a vested interest in keeping American jobs and products local, which is why we don't allow foreign vehicles. If anything, I think this community should respect that."
Cruz-in together
Family event is free, begins at noon on Saturday
By Alison Brantley
Asst. Managing Editor
For 17 years, DaimlerChrysler management and UAW workers have come together to bring Kokomo its largest car show. This year's Cruz-In will take place on Aug. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Kokomo Transmission Plant.
Car registration will begin at 10 a.m., with dash plaques going to the first 500 entries. "The entire event is free, with the exception of purchasing food, which is even at a discount," said DaimlerChrysler KTP PQI trainer/communications team member Debbie Landrum. "There is no admission fee, no car show entry fee, no charge for ice cream or drinks. Plus we will be giving away door prizes from local businesses. Where else can you spend an afternoon and not pay a penny?"
The communications team said there is no cost for two reasons. One is because they want the event to be for the entire family, which is why there are also kids games. And the other is because they feel that this is their chance to give back to the community for its support. "We take pride in our product," said Terri Mutran, communications team member. "We are glad that the community buys our cars, so we want to give back to them."
1971 Challenger
Another way DaimlerChrysler and the UAW give back is through their annual kids Christmas program.The program brings Christmas to 100 children who would otherwise not receive anything. Kevin Anderson, KTP PQI facilitator, said that at this year's car show tickets will be for sale to win a 1971 Challenger. Proceeds from the sale will go to the kids Christmas program.
"Fifteen guys have been working on re-building this car from the ground up since last December," he said. "Now we are ready for the good stuff. Painting and putting it back together."
Another incentive, Anderson said, of visiting the Challenger for sale is that it will not be the only one on display. "This car is a classic, but DaimlerChrysler brought out the concept Challenger during the Detroit Auto Show," Anderson said. He noted the show will also be a good time for people to see how the new product might look, and to purchase tickets to benefit community children.
Tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20.
Oldies, but goodies
For some DaimlerChrysler employees and car collectors, bringing their cars to the show is something they do every year. Rick Frazier retired from DaimlerChrysler after 30 years of service, but continues to bring his 1934 Dodge Brothers to the annual event.
"The first year we talked about doing the car show, production manager Jim Robertson had friends at Mopar Performance who told us that they would bring their road show if we had a place for them to set up," he said. "We had 60 cars that first year and it has kept on growing. They are doing a great job with it."
Frazier said he thinks the car show is beneficial to show the community that there are actual people behind the walls and fences of the DaimlerChrysler facilities. "We build the products right here that people in our community drive every day," he said. "We need them to support us, and this is our way to say thanks."
He noted that in the past the cruz-in committee has taken some heat about only allowing American-made cars, especially since they have adopted the Daimler name. "I'm a buy-American kind of guy," he said. "And I think that is what makes this car show unique. We have a vested interest in keeping American jobs and products local, which is why we don't allow foreign vehicles. If anything, I think this community should respect that."