Have you checked out Grand Theft Auto: How Citizens Fought for the American Dream?

Click the link below to find out more about the book written by Alan and Alison Spitzer that gives you a behind the scenes look at the auto industry bailout

New Book Grand Theft Auto: How Citizens Fought for the American Dream Now Available

Latest release from New Year Publishing exposes the steep price dealerships paid for
Chrysler and General Motors government bailouts

 

DANVILLE, CA, <August 29, 2011> - New Year Publishing is pleased to announce the release of Grand Theft Auto: How Citizens Fought for the American Dream, a new book that goes behind the scenes of the multi-billion dollar auto industry bailout. Grand Theft Auto exposes how decisions made by the government’s Auto Task Force put thousands of dealerships out of business—and how a determined group of dealers fought back. Starting today, Grand Theft Auto is available in hardcover and e-book versions.

 

Penned by Alan Spitzer, a multi-franchise dealer from Ohio, and his daughter Alison, Grand Theft Auto explains how conditions attached to the government bailouts shut down thousands of dealerships in defiance of state laws. Given no recourse or independent appeals process, Spitzer and colleagues Jack Fitzgerald and Tammy Darvish led a grassroots movement for federal legislation to overturn the terminations. Against all odds, their efforts resulted in the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act, signed into law by President Obama in December 2009, which put hundreds of dealers back in business and saved tens of thousands of jobs.

 

“If McDonald’s wants to sell more hamburgers, they don’t start out by eliminating thousands of their restaurants,” says Alan Spitzer, a third-generation car dealer whose family has been in business for more than 100 years. “Not only were the actions of the Auto Task Force counterproductive to ensuring the viability of Chrysler and GM, but the decision to terminate the franchises of profitable businesses was completely un-American.”

 

Grand Theft Auto is available in hardcover from online booksellers, including Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com, for a suggested retail price of $28.95. It is also available digitally for Kindle, Nook, and Apple’s iBookstore. To learn more about Grand Theft Auto, visit http://www.grandtheftautothebook.com.

 

About the Authors

Alan Spitzer is a third-generation member of the Spitzer family, whose business encompasses 35 separate entities including 16 automobile dealerships. He has served as Spitzer Management’s CEO and Chairman of the Board for over twenty years. When Chrysler and General Motors terminated more than 2,000 dealers in the spring of 2009, Alan led a coalition of dealers who successfully lobbied the United States Congress to overturn the closings. Alan’s oldest daughter, Alison, has been involved in the family business since 2007 and currently serves as a vice president of the organization.

 

About New Year Publishing

New Year Publishing, LLC was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Danville, California. More information on the company can be found at http://www.newyearpublishing.com.

 

Press Contact

Cindy Berman

CindyKBerman@gmail.com

(216) 952-7510

The 3.6L V6 engine of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a best-in-class driving range of over 500 miles per tank. So you can catch morning tee time in Monterey and the afternoon meeting in Los Angeles without running out of gas.

Just another reason to have trust in your Town & Country.

Take a look at how the Jeep brand has evolved over the past few decades. Remember this great commercial?

The Dodge Brand Races to the ‘XSport Fitness® Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon’

• All-new 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Dodge Charger to pace the race
• Dedicated Dodge running team to compete in the half marathon
• Brand sponsors Challenged Athlete Foundation Swim Clinic
• Money donated to charities for vehicle test drives

August 11, 2011 , Chicago - The Dodge brand is going the distance as an official sponsor of the “XSport Fitness® Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon.” The Dodge running team of nearly 100 corporate volunteers will lace up their running shoes and participate in the half marathon in Chicago on Sunday, Aug. 14. In addition to being an official sponsor and the “Official Automotive Partner” of the half marathon, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Dodge Charger will lead the way for thousands of runners as the official pace vehicles.

“The Dodge brand is an American brand with American values, and we are committed to giving back into the communities where our customers work and live,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “The brand’s sponsorship of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series provides an opportunity to be involved at a grassroots level and gives our team the chance to travel to communities around the country, connecting with the more than 1 million people who are involved with the races.”

The Dodge brand is sponsoring additional activities during the Aug. 12 – 15 race weekend.

Marathon runners and attendees will be fully immersed in the Dodge brand experience with interactive mobile applications throughout the event’s two-day Health & Fitness Expo, Friday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 13. The 2011 Dodge Durango, Charger, Avenger and Journey will be available to test drive at the expo, with Dodge making a $20 donation for each test drive to the participant’s charity of choice.

Additionally, on Aug. 13, the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) will host a Dodge Swim Clinic at the Fosco Park Pool in Chicago. The free clinic will feature instruction from elite swim coaches Alan Voisard and Alison Terry and is part of CAF’s Catch a Rising Star Program. The clinic is designed to enable challenged individuals the opportunity to engage in physical activities.

XSport Fitness Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon is part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and is expected to attract more than 20,000 participants. The series of marathons and half marathons combine entertainment and running in a unique way. Bands stationed at every mile of the race keep runners and walkers energized, engaged and entertained. With more than 300,000 runners participating at 14 events across the nation, it is the largest and most widely attended marathon series in the world.

The Dodge brand kicked off its 2011 partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series in the “P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon” in Phoenix, Jan. 14 – 16. In addition to being the “Official Automotive Partner” and “Official Vehicle” of this year’s races, Dodge will also serve as the title sponsor of six marathons in 2011, including races in San Diego, Seattle, Virginia Beach, San Jose, Los Angeles and Miami Beach.

About Dodge
Dodge is a full line of cars, crossovers, minivans and SUVs that are sporty, functional and innovative. With nearly 100 years of heritage, the brand has a history of providing its customers excellent quality, innovation and value. Dodge is building on the momentum of introducing six all-new or significantly redesigned products, solidifying its message that Dodge offers an excellent value for American families looking for top performance in all the places that matter – from power off the line and handling in the corners to high-quality, dependable vehicles that deliver unmatched functionality and excellent fuel economy in everyday driving situations. In fact, Dodge now offers six vehicles that deliver 25 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway, while retaining that distinctive Dodge innovation and style. With the all-new Dodge Durango and Dodge Charger and significantly revamped Grand Caravan, Journey, Avenger and Challenger, Dodge also now has one of the youngest dealer showrooms in the country with more new product coming.

The Durango commits to being a true SUV.

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Jeep® Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail

Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:00 am by Alan and Jackie Ellis in Adventures, Community

The all-new 2011 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon was specifically designed and tested to conquer its namesake, the Rubicon Trail. This 22-mile long route near Lake Tahoe, California is one of the roughest and most scenic four-wheel drive roads in North America. Sections of the trail are extremely rough, with difficult obstacles, steep ledges, and large boulders to test even the most skilled off-roader. It’s rated “10” on the 1-10 scale of off-road trails. In the spirit of the Rubicon Trail, the Wrangler Rubicon is one of the most capable off-road vehicles in production.  

 

Don’t worry if you don’t have any serious off-road experience but want to try the Rubicon Trail – Jeep Jamboree USA offers a guided trip on August 11-14 to experience this remarkable route through the high Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. This off-road classic was first held in August, 1953. The two-day trip from Georgetown to Lake Tahoe consisted of 55 Jeep vehicles and 155 participants. Known officially as “Jeep Jamboree 1,” it has become Jeep Jamboree’s premier event. From Jeep Jamboree USA: “Originally a Native American footpath, the Rubicon Trail was used by explorers in search of a clear path across the Sierra Nevadas. Today, Jeep [4x4] owners travel from all over to test their prowess on the most grueling 22 miles of off-road driving in America. Trail guides expertly spot you over legendary obstacles like “Big Sluice” and “Cadillac Hill” for an unforgettable experience. At each day’s end, fabulous outdoor cooking awaits.”

 

 

Due to the difficulty of the trail, this Jamboree is one of the few that requires certain modifications be made to your vehicle before heading out. The minimum requirements for all vehicles are: Tow hooks, skid plating, rock rails, and at least 31-inch tires. Luckily, these modifications are standard equipment on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model. If you plan on bringing one of our other rugged Jeep 4×4 models, you’ll need to make sure you’ve made the necessary modifications so that you can participate in the event.

 

The Rubicon Trail wanders through one of the most pristine areas of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. In order to keep the impact on the environment to a minimum, several organizations, including the Rubicon Trail Foundation and Friends of the Rubicon, are dedicated to preserving both the trail and the surrounding environment through trail maintenance, driver education, and public awareness campaigns. Thanks to their efforts, the trail continues to be open; however, it is important for all drivers to do their part to observe the Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly ethics in order to preserve off-highway vehicle use on the Rubicon.