HEMIs make their final model year last stand at DARCARS in Rockville (Photos)

It's the end of an era at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 755 Rockville Pike in the Ritchie Center. Some of the final "last call" vehicles in the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300 lines are now on the premises. Parent company Stellantis has claimed these will be the final HEMI V8 models of these nameplates to ever be produced. In fact, the last HEMI car rolled off of the Brampton, Ontario assembly line only a few days ago. Earlier in the year, it was rare to see these models on the lot here.

Dodge Hornet arrives in Rockville (Photos)

The new Dodge Hornet has arrived in Rockville. This Dodge Charger-inspired crossover SUV in now in stock at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Rockville at 755 Rockville Pike. It's an American version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Hornet is available in hybrid and old-fashioned combustion models.

Lotus of DC advertising down the Pike in Rockville

Lotus of DC is advertising its presence further down MD 355 at the Ourisman Mazda/Volkswagen dealership at 801-A Rockville Pike. A Lotus with the dealership's website URL is parked out front in a Mazda-reserved space. The real dealership is further north at 15301 N. Frederick Avenue, where the old Ourisman Chevrolet showroom has been being remodeled for Lotus sales. It opened last year, and operates from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday - Friday.

Car stolen from dealership in Rockville

Rockville City police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from an automobile dealership on Rockville Pike yesterday afternoon, March 11, 2023. The vehicle was taken from a dealership in the 800 block of Rockville Pike. There are two dealerships on that block: Ourisman Mazda and Ourisman Chevrolet. As thefts from dealerships have persisted recently, a security vehicle has been seen patrolling the Chevy dealership lot at night.

Car stolen from dealership in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at an auto dealership yesterday afternoon, December 21, 2022. The vehicle was reported stolen at a dealership in the 1300 block of Rockville Pike at 2:15 PM on Wednesday. There is a new Tesla dealership on that block.

King Buick GMC closes in Rockville (Photos)

It's the end of an era at King Buick GMC at 16200 Frederick Road in Rockville. The dealership has closed permanently, although some vehicle inventory remains on the property. King Motor Company was born in 1928, but it was in the 1950s that King family scion Conrad V. Aschenbach opened his first dealership in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. His son, Bill Aschenbach, said the family was forced to sell the dealership because it could not find another location in the area. The dealership's property will become an EYA townhome development, and be annexed into the City of Rockville.

Bill Aschenbach says that he will join a new dealership group founded by his son, Conrad. That group expects to have nine dealerships by December 31 of this year. The existing King franchise is being acquired by Criswell Automotive at its Gaithersburg Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership. But many of the King employees from this location will be moving to the Ideal Hyundai Buick GMC dealership in Frederick, Maryland, Aschenbach said.  

This is the second venerable car dealership to be lost along this stretch of MD 355 in the last decade. Reed Brothers Dodge at 15955 Frederick Road was the first Dodge dealer in Montgomery County. Today, the Bainbridge Shady Grove apartments stand on its former site.

Tesla opens new gallery in Rockville (Photos)

Tesla has opened a new gallery location in Rockville. What's particularly interesting is the location: 1300 Rockville Pike. This is where upstart Tesla competitor Rivian was operating out of earlier this year. Unlike Rivian, which never posted signage or other visible signs of its presence, the new Tesla facility has signage. Behind the large glass windows is a welcoming showroom, with Tesla vehicles on display inside and out in front of the building.

This location is so new, it doesn't even appear on the Tesla website yet. Tesla has an existing Rockville area gallery and service facility at 52 Derwood Circle. Rivian has closed its operations here on the Pike, and will be relocating its Montgomery County operations to another site. Unlike Rivian, it appears Tesla will be able to fully capitalize on this high-profile location on one of Maryland's busiest highways.

Rockville auto dealership broken into

Rockville City police responded to a burglar alarm at an auto dealership early yesterday morning, October 18, 2022.  The burglary took place at a dealership in the 1400 block of Rockville Pike at 3:41 AM. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry.

Rockville Dodge dealer sells out of Hemi V8 Chargers, Challengers as models enter their final year

Three weeks ago, Dodge announced it would be phasing out its gasoline-powered Charger and Challenger muscle cars after the 2023 model year. Hemi fans are apparently taking action now, to ensure they get one of the last cars that will be produced. DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Rockville at 755 Rockville Pike is now temporarily sold out of Hemi V8 versions of both vehicles, as of yesterday. Some V6 models are still in-stock, as you can see above, until the next V8s are delivered. After special versions of both cars are produced for 2023, the Charger and Challenger will be replaced with an electric sports car for the 2024 model year.

Lotus of Washington DC auto dealership opens in Rockville

Lotus of Washington DC, a new dealership selling the British luxury performance vehicles, has taken over the former Rockmont Chevrolet property under the giant American flag at 15301 N. Frederick Road in Rockville. The brand hasn't had a stand-alone dealership of its own in Montgomery County since a Bethesda location closed in 2016. Lotus of Washington DC is carrying the Evora, Emira, Evija and Eletre models. The showroom is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Polestar electric vehicles arrive at new Rockville dealership (Photos)

The Polestar showroom is still under construction at 15401 Frederick Road in Rockville, but the first significant inventory of Polestar 2 electric vehicles has arrived on-site. Previously, individual owners could take delivery of their vehicles at this location; this is the first time that vehicles have been parked outside the dealership. 

A Polestar logo obelisk has also been erected near the street, and a logo has been placed on a fence at the side of the showroom. Previously, like the new Rivian facility down Rockville Pike, the dealership property has had no signage to indicate its existence alongside a Volvo showroom. The Polestar 2 vehicles on display are in Snow, Midnight and Thunder colors.

Rivian truck spotted at Rockville Rivian facility (Photos)

The parking lot at the new Rivian facility on Rockville Pike is usually empty, save for the flatbed trucks used to deliver the new electric pickup trucks to their owners. Trucks are picked up for delivery as quickly as they arrive here. But one of the fast-moving EV pickups was finally caught on-site yesterday. 

There was an intriguing sign on the dashboard, which instructs delivery drivers in capital letters to unbuckle the truck's seatbelt after loading. I can't find any explanation online for that, but it clearly must be important, and it would be interesting to know why. It's too early for Guardian Mode on this Rivian. 

The tonneau cover was closed over the pickup bed. I think this truck is in Launch Green. Has anyone seen a Limestone yet? I'm partial to Rivian Blue myself.