West Windsor, N.J. – Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Automotive Technology program added a new vehicle to its garage this month. The college acquired a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona that was provided by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).

The Charger is the latest outcome of the program’s partnership with FCA. Since 1986, the college has worked with Fiat Chrysler to provide the Mopar Career Automotive program, providing students factory training and aiding them in securing apprentice technician internships at Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Fiat dealerships. Student interns receive full-time job offers from their sponsoring dealerships after graduation.

In May 2020, the Mopar program was recertified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’s ASE, which provides program accreditation in Master Automobile Service Technology (MAST).

According to Assistant Professor Jason Evans, the Charger is a top of the line machine. It features a 6.4-liter V8 SRT HEMI MDS engine that generates 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft of torque.

“This Charger Daytona provides eye candy for the students but is still a fully functional vehicle to use for training our students in the latest vehicle technologies,” said Evans. “This vehicle stands out from our other training vehicles because it is more focused on being a high-performance machine than a typical commuter vehicle.”

Currently, MCCC’s Automotive Technology program owns 22 vehicles from makers under the Fiat Chrysler, Subaru and Honda brands. Among other cars, the program boasts a Chrysler 300S, a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a Subaru Legacy, and even a Honda Civic, which was donated by a Mercer County resident.

Evans added that the manufacturers that support the program frequently cycle through models for student use.

“Most of the vehicles we receive are higher-optioned vehicles, and not simply base models, so our students are not working on vehicles with yesterday's technology,” Evans said.

Though the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the majority of MCCC’s courses online, the automotive technology program will operate in a hybrid format, which pairs online learning with on-campus, hands-on work in the lab.

Students and faculty in the program will be subject to regular health screenings and required to wear facemasks and face shields in the lab. The college has implemented a comprehensive cleaning plan, which will see workstations, tools, equipment, workbenches, and training vehicles disinfected after each use.

For more information about MCCC’s automotive technology program, visit the program website. Or to enroll, visit mccc.edu/enroll.

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Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is a publicly supported comprehensive educational institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. MCCC is home to 70 associate degree programs and numerous credit and noncredit certificate programs. The college also offers many educational experiences, leadership opportunities and the chance to interact with other students and faculty/staff members in an informal setting.

More than 40 clubs offer students the opportunity to explore special interests. Many of these clubs are directly affiliated with fields of study and augment classroom experiences.

In addition, art exhibits, dance productions, dramatic presentations, musical productions, and performances by guest artists are sponsored throughout the year. Music organizations include the college chorus, jazz band, symphonic band, dance ensemble, and stage band.

For more information about student life, visit: https://www.mccc.edu/student_services_clubs.shtml

 

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MCCC's Automotive Technology program acquired a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona through its partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

MCCC's Automotive Technology program earned ASE Re-Accreditation earlier this summer. The program works closely with local car dealerships to help students earn apprenticeships.