November 27, 2008

Students gain increased access to the latest in automotive technology

WHITBY, ON. – With an eye clearly focused on the road ahead, automotive students at Durham College moved out of the driver’s seat and under the hood today, thanks to the donation of a limited edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 500 from Chrysler Canada Inc.

Durham College faculty, staff and students joined representatives from Chrysler Canada Inc. at an event held at the college’s Whitby campus to unveil the donation and the unlimited learning opportunities it will provide to students enrolled in the college’s automotive programs.

“On behalf of everyone at Durham College, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Chrysler Canada for this wonderful equipment donation,” said Marj Rempel, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. “Thanks to Chrysler’s generosity and commitment to ensuring the students of today have access to the technology of tomorrow, Durham College students now have an increased opportunity to learn from the most up-to-date machinery offered by the automotive industry, enabling them to gain the hands-on skills and experience required to adeptly serve Ontario’s automotive sector post-graduation.”

The Challenger took an unusual route to Durham College as it was originally destined to be the last of 500 limited edition models produced for 2008. However, damage during assembly necessitated the production of another model No. 500, enabling Chrysler to donate the vehicle to the college.

The first-year collector’s edition Dodge Challenger SRT8 500 is reminiscent of the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 and is a testament to Dodge’s strong racing heritage. The Challenger SRT8 500 shares many of the attributes associated with Dodge’s racing heritage such as its HEMI performance, sure grip differential, performance brakes and unique performance exhaust, suspension and steering. The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 500’s sprint is clocked at 0 to 60 m.p.h in less than five seconds.

All models feature a special 500 badge in both the front grille and instrument panel and all customers receive a unique Certificate of Authenticity. The Challenger SRT8 500 is powered by a 6.1-litre HEMI V-8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. It also includes a wide range of high-tech equipment such as dual carbon-fibre hood stripes harkening back to the original Dodge Challenger; an AM/FM six-disc DVD MP3 radio; 13 speakers; Kicker SRT High Performance Audio; UConnect Hands-Free Communication; a security alarm; and a rear-view auto dim mirror with microphone.

The interior includes race-inspired leather seats with added bolstering and an exclusive orange accent stripe; exclusive stitched accents on the seats and steering wheel; four-bomb gauges with tachometer and speedometer in the centre and an SRT-exclusive reconfigurable display (RCD) with Performances Pages that provide drivers instant feedback on 0 to 100 km/h time, 100 to 0 km/h braking, G-forces and quarter-mile time.

“The demand and enthusiasm generated by the Dodge Challenger are unprecedented,” said Reid Bigland, president and chief executive officer of Chrysler Canada Inc. “We are honoured to donate one of today’s hottest cars in the business to the students and faculty at Durham College. These young people are the future of our retailer body in Canada.”

In addition to offering Durham College’s Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship and Motive Power Technician – Service and Management diploma programs, Durham College’s Whitby campus also houses the Skills Training Centre, which provides apprentices and post-secondary students in priority sectors with the critical skills and knowledge to drive personal success and economic growth in Durham Region and beyond. With 200,000 square feet of shop, class and student service space, the centre offers 17 apprenticeship programs – 11 of which are Red Seal designated. Currently, 1,600 apprentices are enrolled at the Whitby campus along with 120 Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) apprenticeship students.

A 40,000-square-foot expansion of the centre is also planned for the coming years including the launch of a new focus on energy comprised of industry-relevant programs and a retrofit of the centre in support of Durham Region’s energy leadership.

Students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician and Motive Power Technician – Service and Management programs are training for a variety of careers in the automotive and transportation fields.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About the Dodge brand
The Dodge brand’s first crossover vehicle – the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey – is now available and is the number one selling crossover in Canada. Currently at dealerships in Canada is the full range 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup including a fuel efficient 3.5L V6 engine. Currently arriving at dealerships across Canada is the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship. With 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go seating system, the Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be the best-selling minivan in Canada.

Media contact: 

Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Jack G. Sulymka 
Chrysler Canada Inc.
905.821.6164 (office) 
416.884.7584 (cell) 
jgs1@chrysler.com

Daniel Labre 
Chrysler Canada Inc.
514.630.2587 (office) 
514.235.7512 (cell) 
dal20@chrysler.com

 

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