The All-New 2009 Honda Insight

The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009.

The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America - and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™).

A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.

KBB Names Most Researched New Vehicles of 2008

Kelley Blue Book Names Most-Researched New Vehicles of 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Volkswagen Jetta Make Impressive Jumps into Top 20 for 2008

Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announces the most-researched new cars of 2008 on the company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com. The year 2008 marks the third consecutive year that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com saw greater than 140 million unique visitors, with more than half of all online vehicle shoppers visiting kbb.com. Because kbb.com is one of the most trafficked automotive research sites, visitation to specific vehicles has become a leading indicator of sales patterns for manufacturers.

Kbb.com's Most-Researched New Vehicles of 2008
1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Nissan Altima
6. Honda CR-V
7. Toyota Prius
8. Toyota Highlander
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Mazda3
11. Toyota Yaris
12. Ford Escape
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Honda Pilot
15. Honda Fit
16. Ford Mustang
17. Chevrolet Malibu
18. Toyota Sienna
19. MINI Cooper
20. Volkswagen Jetta

"The site traffic on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com demonstrates what is on the minds of today's new-car shoppers, especially when examining the most-researched new-vehicles of 2008," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "Continued interest in Honda and Toyota, Chevrolet's home-run Malibu redesign and an increase in visits to more fuel-efficient, economical vehicles is an accurate reflection of the marketplace in 2008."

Import manufacturers Honda and Toyota frequently dominate the kbb.com most-researched lists, and while they still have a major turnout for 2008 (nabbing 13 of the top 20 spots), this year's list demonstrates that other manufacturers and vehicles also have now made their mark in the minds of consumers in 2008.

Many vehicles made noteworthy jumps into the top 20 most-researched new vehicles for 2008 that were not on the list in 2007. Chevrolet's all-new redesigned Malibu made the most impressive leap, jumping 55 places from last year's rank at 72 to this year's rank at 17. Also new to this year's top 20 are the Honda Fit (last year ranked 35, this year 15), the Toyota Yaris (last year ranked 23, this year 11) and the Volkswagen Jetta (last year ranked 25, this year 20).

The year's roller-coaster fuel prices reflect many shifts in the 2008 list versus last year's list in 2007, with smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles seeing more traffic than in years past. In addition to the inclusion of subcompacts such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris on this year's list, other fuel-efficient vehicles gaining positions in the top 20 include this year's number-one vehicle the Honda Civic, as well as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Mazda3 and Ford Escape. Toyota's Camry and Honda's Civic switched places in 2008 from last year, when Camry ranked No. 1 and Civic No. 3. The Toyota Corolla also switched places with the Honda CR-V when compared to last year, when Corolla was No. 6 and CR-V was No. 4, further indicating a shift toward more fuel-efficient vehicles.

When examining the data from a regional and state-by-state standpoint, domestic vehicles such as the Ford Escape and Chevrolet Malibu are much more popular in their home-state of Michigan, ranking at No. 4 and 5, respectively.The Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (in varying orders each year) have been the top three most-researched new-vehicles on kbb.com each year since 2004.

MINI wins the 2009 Residual Value Awards

Keeler MINI is proud to announce that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com recognizes MINI Cooper Models with Highest Honors for Retaining Residual Value for Six Years Running.


The MINI Cooper family of products has been awarded top honors in the compact car category of the 2009 Best Resale Value Awards presented by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, a leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information. Additionally, the MINI Cooper has been named to the Top 10 models list, which recognizes best resale values across all vehicle segments.
These latest honors from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com mark the sixth year in a row that the MINI Cooper has won in either the compact car, hatchback or convertible categories, and also the sixth time it has earned a spot in the overall list of Top 10 models.

"Primarily, people are attracted to MINI on a very emotional level – for go-kart-like handling, iconic design and nearly endless opportunities for personalization," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "However, in these uncertain economic times it is reassuring to MINI owners to know that their cars also represent a sound financial choice, delivering fuel economy up to 37 miles per gallon and retaining value during ownership." "We are excited to have the MINI Cooper models recognized by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com again this year for leadership in resale value," McDowell said.

Kelley Blue Book established its Best Resale Value Awards in 2003 to complement the company's Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book derives its resale value projections from current vehicle data, sales data, market conditions for each vehicle, competition within vehicle segments, expectations of the future economy and the combined experience of Kelley Blue Book's team of market and pricing analysts. Values reflect projected wholesale pricing for clean, reconditioned vehicles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period.

"The MINI Cooper has been nothing less than a true phenomenon since its entry into the U.S. marketplace," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. "The fact that the car is again a winner in resale value just reinforces that notion, and its excellent resale value record is just one of its many strong suits. Being a blast to drive and inexpensive to own is a nice recipe for success, and that describes MINI to a T."

Keeler Motor Car Company wishes everyone a safe and Happy Holidays!

The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company has received the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best Dealer Recognition Award based on its outstanding performance in 2007 and as a tribute to its success as an independent entrepreneur who routinely exceeds the expectations of Mercedes-Benz owners.

Calling All Keeler MINI Maniacs!

It never ceases to amaze me how much the MINI customers LOVE their cars. They love driving them, showing them off and even "dressing" them up! Two Keeler MINI customers love their MINI so much that they've decided to start a MINI Club for the Capital Region/Albany area. Keeler MINI customers Jamie and Dan Ispen formed the MINI Performance Group (MPG) as a special interest group of the Patroon Chapter of the BMWCCA. To get more information please visit www.patroonbmw.org and click on the MINI Cooper page.

If you have any ideas for events or gatherings we would love to hear about them. Please contact Jamie or Dan at mpgminis@hotmail.com. A schedule of events is being planned and will soon be published on the website mentioned above.

Let's Motor!

Meet our Employees!

Rick Walker
Mercedes-Benz - Service Manager

What is your position at Keeler Motor Car Company?
My position here at Keeler Motor Car Company is Service Manager at The Mercedes-Benz Center.
How long have you worked at Keeler Motor Car Company?
I am coming up on my 19th anniversary on January 2nd, 2008.
What was your first position when you started at Keeler?
My first year here was spent as a Honda Service technician. I then moved to be one of four Mercedes’ techs. We now have room for 21 technicians.
What do you like best about your job?
The part I like best about my job is helping people. It doesn’t matter if it is one of our clients, service writers, sales personnel, techs or anyone else.
How long have you worked in the automotive industry?
Twenty-one years.
How did you get started?
You could say I was born into the auto industry. My father was always into cars and for as long as I can remember I’ve been getting in his way, losing his tools (he swears my brothers and I would bury them in the sand on purpose) and doing whatever I could to get involved with cars. It’s a hobby that just happened to turn into a career.
What kind of training does your job require?
This job takes constant training. The cars are always changing at an alarming rate and not just in subtle ways. At times the operating systems are completely new and must be relearned entirely.
What kind of skills or characteristics does someone need to do this job successfully?
In order to be successful at a job like mine you must be flexible, able to thrive under pressure, multi-task like you wouldn’t believe and smile through it all. You must be able to talk to and more importantly listen to people and empathize with their concerns. This job requires you to be a technician, a computer programmer, a machinist, a maintenance man, a roaming encyclopedia, a receptionist, a problem solver, a cheerleader, a babysitter and more.
What advice can you give to anyone who would be interested in doing what you do?
It’s not for the faint of heart and if you can’t take being pulled in twelve different directions all the time everyday don’t even think about it! It is difficult, but very rewarding. I can’t even convey how fast 19 years have gone. I am very fortunate to have the support of the fantastic people around me without whom I could not be successful. No one knows everything - no one ever could and every day I’m reminded of how much I have to learn.

Thanks Rick for letting us get to know more about you and your position at Keeler!

Introducing the all new BMW X5 Diesel

V-8 power + 4-cylinder efficiency = BMW Advanced Diesel

This powerful BMW X5 xDrive35d boasts 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque at 1,750rpm. When you pair that with a 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and a 26-mpg average on the highway, you've got a fierce addition to the BMW lineup that proves this diesel vehicle is a force to be reckoned with.

Comfort & Convenience
Onboard Navigation System with Traffic Alerts Comfort Access Panoramic Moonroof Third-Row Rear Seat Head-Up Display

Entertainment

iPod/iPhone USB Integrated System SIRIUS Satellite Radio Rear Entertainment System HD Radio™Performance & Efficiency3.0-liter, turbocharged 6-cylinder engine Fuel Efficiency Clean Diesel Technology xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive system Active Steering

Safety & Security

Park Distance Control, front and rear Dynamic Stability Control Run-Flat Tires Adaptive Brake LightsFuel EfficiencyThe X5 xDrive35d has the power you’d expect from a BMW with the fuel economy that diesel is known for. In fact, this vehicle is as fuel-efficient as it is powerful, getting 26 mpg on the highway. That means a single trip can last 585 miles before you need to refuel.

View the Keeler BMW selection of Diesel-powered BMW x5 vehicles!

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