Jill Lajdziak deliver smart fortwo electric drive to Mindy Kimball of Silver Spring, MD
Washington, DC (January 26, 2011) – smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske
Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), today delivered the first smart fortwo electric drive to a
retail customer in the United States. Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske and
smart USA President Jill Lajdziak made the ceremonial delivery to Mindy Kimball at her home
in Silver Spring, MD.
“This is a groundbreaking day for smart in the United States,” said Lajdziak. “We are extremely
excited to add the smart fortwo electric drive to the smart product lineup, solidifying our
position as a key player in transportation electrification.”
Mindy Kimball is a 36-year-old early adopter of electric vehicle technology and a Major in the
United States Army. Kimball chose the smart fortwo electric drive after thoroughly comparing
and evaluating every electric vehicle available because she believes smart’s offering is the
most modern electric car on the market. She has been a volunteer presenter with The Climate
Project since 2007, educating the public about the science of climate change and the ways to
reduce negative impacts on the environment. Kimball is also an active member of the Electric
Vehicle Association (EVA) of Washington, DC, and she will display her new car in the EVA/DC
booth at the 2011 Washington Auto Show. smart USA will have three smart fortwo electric
drive vehicles at the auto show including the “Advanced Technology Superhighway” exhibit.
The smart fortwo electric drive is a zero-emission vehicle and the ultimate visual statement on
conservation. It is powered by a 30 kW magneto-electric motor and 16.5 kWh lithium-ion
battery. According to the U.S. EPA LA4 test cycle, the smart fortwo electric drive can travel up
to 98 miles on a full charge. In combined city and highway driving, the U.S. EPA estimates the
range on the smart fortwo electric drive to be 63 miles. Using a 220 volt outlet, it takes only
three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity and about
eight hours to reach full charge from a depleted battery.
This year, smart USA is strategically placing 250 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles across the
United States with companies, municipalities, organizations and individuals interested in
-moremaking a passionate statement on conservation and environmental awareness. Series
production on next-generation vehicles for retail sale through smart USA’s dealer network is
expected in 2012.
Mindy Kimball becomes the first member of “Team 250,” an elite club, featuring a concierge
service, for all smart fortwo electric drive lessees. Each Team 250 member will have personal
access to smart USA’s electric drive expert, 24/7 roadside assistance, receive electric drive
communications, and be able to participate in dialogue around their electric drive experience.
Members of Team 250 will also have the first opportunity to move into the next-generation
smart fortwo electric drive vehicle.
The smart fortwo electric drive is available for lease through participating smart USA
dealership locations at http://www.smartusa.com/electricdrive.
About the smart fortwo and smart USA
smart USA Distributor LLC, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is the exclusive
distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. The smart fortwo is a brand of and is
manufactured by Daimler AG. The smart fortwo and the smart fortwo electric drive form a
portfolio of sustainable, forward-looking technologies for urban mobility. The smart fortwo
achieves an EPA estimated 41 mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle, as
certified by the State of California Air Resources Board. The smart fortwo is available in three
trim levels starting in price from $12,490* to $17,690*. The smart fortwo electric drive is the
ultimate zero-emission visual statement on conservation and environmental awareness and is
available for lease. Both vehicles measure 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and
come equipped with many functional and safety features. smart is currently sold in more than
40 other countries, and more than one million smart fortwos have been sold since 1998.
*Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.
About Penske Automotive Group
Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 323
retail automotive franchises, representing 39 different brands and 25 collision repair centers.
Penske Automotive, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance
products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it
represents, has 172 franchises in 17 states and Puerto Rico and 151 franchises located
outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom.
Penske Automotive, through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC, is the
exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo vehicle and related parts in the United States. smart
USA supports over 75 smart retail centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. Penske
Automotive is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 14,100
employees. smart and fortwo are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.
Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may involve forward-looking statements, including forward-
-morelooking statements regarding the anticipated availability of future products. Actual results may
vary materially because of risks and uncertainties, including external factors such as consumer
credit conditions, adverse conditions affecting a particular manufacturer, macro-economic
factors, and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking
statements should be evaluated together with additional information about our business,
markets, conditions and other uncertainties, which could affect our future performance. These
risks and uncertainties are addressed in Penske Automotive's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). This press release speaks only as of its date, and we disclaim any duty to update the
information herein.
For additional information, visit www.smartusa.com or www.penskeautomotive.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Autoblog.com posts a fantastic review on the 2011 Honda Odyssey
My mornings at Keeler Motor Car consist of; punch in, turn my computer on, check email, check voicemail, get coffee and skim my RSS Feeds for relevant content on any of our franchises....Mercedes-Benz, smart, BMW, Honda, and MINI. One of my favorite blogs is Autoblog.com. They have a healthy mix of useful information on the industry, product reviews, new product launches, "green" information on the automotive industry and then they throw in some comedy relief every once in a while (just to name a few things!) Yesterday I was skimming through Autoblog.com and came across a fantastic review on the 2011 Honda Odyssey. Let me tell you, it's few and far between to come across a review that is so glowing in nature. Guess that just goes to show you how amazing the 2011 Honda Odyssey really is.
Below is the article in its entirety:
While we shouldn't be shocked by anything coming out of Madison Avenue, part of me is incensed to hear Honda using Judas Priest to advertise its new Odyssey. That's right, the opening riff of the greatest album from the gods of heavy metal deployed, not in the service of Satan, but to sell a minivan?
While the 18-year-old headbanger in me would like to stand up and rail against Honda ("If you think you're going to make me think your stupid soccer mom taxi is cool, well, You've Got Another Thing Coming!"), the truth of the matter is that Honda's ad agency nailed it. We're not teenagers anymore. We've grown up and had families. I even own a minivan, and, indeed, there is at least one Judas Priest CD that lives in the center console. And after driving the new Odyssey for a week, I have serious van envy. Honda has crafted the ultimate, state-of-the-art people mover, even if it's not much more than some flashy design and incremental improvements in areas like powertrain, fuel efficiency and equipment.
The biggest changes in the redesigned Odyssey are obvious at first glance, as it no longer looks so much like a conventional minivan. Honda's ideas on styling have been polarizing as of late (read: the Accord Crosstour is ugly as sin), so it's smart that the company chose the Civic as the donor of the new minivan's face. The venerable compact is still the most complete and fluid execution of modern Honda design language, and what it lends to the Odyssey works to make Honda's largest vehicle appear smaller and sleeker. It helps that the Odyssey has a lower and much wider stance, having been stretched over two inches across.
While its front and back sections don't exactly mate up well in profile, each works on its own. The flying buttress D-pillar helps the rear end achieve a more contemporary look, like that of many crossovers. Honda is calling the quirky jog in the beltline at the Odyssey's C-pillar a "lightning bolt," and it's more than just a clever device to give the vehicle a dynamic, moving-forward look. That little dip makes the third-row windows bigger and increases the feeling of roominess for passengers in the way back.
Honda clearly wants to make the back of the bus a more desirable place to ride, and it's come up with some enticing new features to serve the rear-seaters' needs. The first is that the third row now has two sets of LATCH anchors, while the second row can be had with three. These carseat attachments mean more than horsepower to breeder parents, and the Odyssey has more of them than the competition.
The second row is interesting in that Honda has decided not to follow Chrysler into its folly of designing seats to fold into the floor like those in the third row. Understanding that it's the rare day when you want to use your minivan like a pickup truck, Honda instead designed a system that allows the second-row seats to be moved laterally to make more room for passengers or car seats, while improving third-row access through the center in the process. The optional second-row-center seat can even be moved forward to place an infant carseat closer to mom and pop in the front. This is smart engineering trumping gimmicky marketing. Up front, the cockpit is functional and the controls are similar to any number of other Honda or Acura vehicles (save for a dash-mounted shift lever). While having a central LCD display with a field of buttons and one large controller knob below seems to be the industry norm these days, it's unfortunate to see Honda abandoning the touch-screen interface that made its in-car navigation systems the class of the industry a decade ago. Also upsetting is Honda's decision to place the climate controls above those for the audio and navigation systems, a huge flaw when you consider that many drivers will set an automatic temperature setting and then rarely look at it.
Behind the wheel, the Odyssey is a nice driver, though it no longer feels as much like an Accord. It's not that this new version of what used to be the best driving minivan on the market can't corner, but that the steering doesn't provides as much feel as its predecessor.
If the Odyssey drives more like a minivan than a station wagon now, it certainly doesn't accelerate like one. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 makes 248 horsepower in the 2011 Odyssey, along with 250 pound-feet of torque. It revs quickly and has great throttle response, and Honda has done a masterful job of matching the gear ratios of the new, optional six-speed automatic transmission to make the Odyssey move. This is a minivan than can go quicker than it should, at least with babies onboard.
Honda has also included its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system as standard equipment. This shuts down two or three of the V6's cylinders when they're not needed, improving fuel economy. This and some other measures, including a 50-to-100 pound weight reduction, have helped the Odyssey boast some impressive EPA numbers for a roughly 4,400-pound vehicle. With the standard five-speed automatic, the van is rated at 18 mpg city, 21 combined and 27 on the highway. The six-speed automatic improves each of those numbers by a single mile-per-gallon, and that's tops among any vehicle that can carry eight passengers.No minivan these days would be complete without some sort of video screen for the kids, and Honda has gone big in this department with an optional 16.2-inch widescreen that folds down from the headliner in the second row. (A more conventional nine-inch screen is also available.) Before you get too excited about having a display larger than a MacBook Pro in the Odyssey, however, understand this is really just two normal-sized displays mated into a single, wide LCD panel. While it's possible to stretch out a single video source to cover the entire screen in a grotesquely distorted aspect ratio, the more useful application is to allow each side of the vehicle to select a separate input source for their half of the screen, choosing from the DVD player, composite auxiliary inputs and an HDMI port.
While this HDMI port is bound to get video game geeks excited, it's more of a way for Honda to future-proof its van than anything else. The screen in the Odyssey is still pretty small, making most modern video games designed for widescreen, high-definition displays difficult. Your World of Warcraft addiction will have to be a lot more severe than mine to want to play in the back of an Odyssey.
As much as I like the Odyssey, I do have three caveats that are absolutely worth mentioning. The first is an audio system that had issues outputting varying levels of distorted sound across all audio sources throughout a 1,000-mile roadtrip, making even podcasts unlistenable. I'm trusting the tester was merely defective, and that this isn't a widespread problem with Honda's Active Noise Cancellation system, which uses the audio system to make the interior of the vehicle quieter.
The second issue is an aesthetic one: Why can't Honda hide the Odyssey's door track? Honda knows the importance of styling, given how much its redesign of the Odyssey was based on making a van that looked different from any that have come before. So why is it, then, that this company continues to allow these giant gashes on either side of the minivan to persist. Toyota and Chrysler tuck their door tracks under the third-row window, and such a configuration would make all the difference in tidying up the Odyssey's busy rear, which looks too much like it has been on the losing end of a battle with a guardrail.My final complaint has as much to do with my own financial situation as it does with Honda, but $40,775 to get an Odyssey with the six-speed automatic seems a wee bit dear. That's an exceptional amount of money when the base model costs just $27,800. Whatever happened to paying an extra $1,500 for the better transmission? Why is the six-speed transmission bundled with a nav system and DVD player? This kind of business practice is akin to a cell phone provider offering a cheap plan with a token few minutes for thirty bucks, and then charging twice that amount to get enough minutes to actually use your phone.
As fantastic as the Odyssey is, there's a bigger question at hand: Can it (or Toyota's "Swagger Wagon," or a nicely revamped Grand Caravan from Dodge, or the all-new Nissan Quest) convince the masses that minivans aren't the automotive equivalent of wearing sweatpants? Surely there are a sizable amount of people who wouldn't drive a minivan even if it came with a personal invitation from Rob Halford himself. But Honda thinks that this market is primed for growth, and that's reasonable speculation. With plenty of consumers making the SUV-to-crossover jump in the interest of cutting their fuel bills while maintaining a capacious interior, giving minivans another look is the smart thing to do.
END OF ARTICLE
Although the writer does have a couple of issues with the minivan they're nothing to stop you from buying this road warrior! But check it out for yourself - you be the judge - I promise you will not be disappointed. Stop in to Keeler Honda and take a test drive of one of our many in-stock 2011 Honda Odyssey's or call us at 518-785-4197 and ask for Keeler Honda.
Below is the article in its entirety:
While we shouldn't be shocked by anything coming out of Madison Avenue, part of me is incensed to hear Honda using Judas Priest to advertise its new Odyssey. That's right, the opening riff of the greatest album from the gods of heavy metal deployed, not in the service of Satan, but to sell a minivan?
While the 18-year-old headbanger in me would like to stand up and rail against Honda ("If you think you're going to make me think your stupid soccer mom taxi is cool, well, You've Got Another Thing Coming!"), the truth of the matter is that Honda's ad agency nailed it. We're not teenagers anymore. We've grown up and had families. I even own a minivan, and, indeed, there is at least one Judas Priest CD that lives in the center console. And after driving the new Odyssey for a week, I have serious van envy. Honda has crafted the ultimate, state-of-the-art people mover, even if it's not much more than some flashy design and incremental improvements in areas like powertrain, fuel efficiency and equipment.
While its front and back sections don't exactly mate up well in profile, each works on its own. The flying buttress D-pillar helps the rear end achieve a more contemporary look, like that of many crossovers. Honda is calling the quirky jog in the beltline at the Odyssey's C-pillar a "lightning bolt," and it's more than just a clever device to give the vehicle a dynamic, moving-forward look. That little dip makes the third-row windows bigger and increases the feeling of roominess for passengers in the way back.
The second row is interesting in that Honda has decided not to follow Chrysler into its folly of designing seats to fold into the floor like those in the third row. Understanding that it's the rare day when you want to use your minivan like a pickup truck, Honda instead designed a system that allows the second-row seats to be moved laterally to make more room for passengers or car seats, while improving third-row access through the center in the process. The optional second-row-center seat can even be moved forward to place an infant carseat closer to mom and pop in the front. This is smart engineering trumping gimmicky marketing. Up front, the cockpit is functional and the controls are similar to any number of other Honda or Acura vehicles (save for a dash-mounted shift lever). While having a central LCD display with a field of buttons and one large controller knob below seems to be the industry norm these days, it's unfortunate to see Honda abandoning the touch-screen interface that made its in-car navigation systems the class of the industry a decade ago. Also upsetting is Honda's decision to place the climate controls above those for the audio and navigation systems, a huge flaw when you consider that many drivers will set an automatic temperature setting and then rarely look at it.
Behind the wheel, the Odyssey is a nice driver, though it no longer feels as much like an Accord. It's not that this new version of what used to be the best driving minivan on the market can't corner, but that the steering doesn't provides as much feel as its predecessor.
Honda has also included its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system as standard equipment. This shuts down two or three of the V6's cylinders when they're not needed, improving fuel economy. This and some other measures, including a 50-to-100 pound weight reduction, have helped the Odyssey boast some impressive EPA numbers for a roughly 4,400-pound vehicle. With the standard five-speed automatic, the van is rated at 18 mpg city, 21 combined and 27 on the highway. The six-speed automatic improves each of those numbers by a single mile-per-gallon, and that's tops among any vehicle that can carry eight passengers.No minivan these days would be complete without some sort of video screen for the kids, and Honda has gone big in this department with an optional 16.2-inch widescreen that folds down from the headliner in the second row. (A more conventional nine-inch screen is also available.) Before you get too excited about having a display larger than a MacBook Pro in the Odyssey, however, understand this is really just two normal-sized displays mated into a single, wide LCD panel. While it's possible to stretch out a single video source to cover the entire screen in a grotesquely distorted aspect ratio, the more useful application is to allow each side of the vehicle to select a separate input source for their half of the screen, choosing from the DVD player, composite auxiliary inputs and an HDMI port.
While this HDMI port is bound to get video game geeks excited, it's more of a way for Honda to future-proof its van than anything else. The screen in the Odyssey is still pretty small, making most modern video games designed for widescreen, high-definition displays difficult. Your World of Warcraft addiction will have to be a lot more severe than mine to want to play in the back of an Odyssey.
The second issue is an aesthetic one: Why can't Honda hide the Odyssey's door track? Honda knows the importance of styling, given how much its redesign of the Odyssey was based on making a van that looked different from any that have come before. So why is it, then, that this company continues to allow these giant gashes on either side of the minivan to persist. Toyota and Chrysler tuck their door tracks under the third-row window, and such a configuration would make all the difference in tidying up the Odyssey's busy rear, which looks too much like it has been on the losing end of a battle with a guardrail.My final complaint has as much to do with my own financial situation as it does with Honda, but $40,775 to get an Odyssey with the six-speed automatic seems a wee bit dear. That's an exceptional amount of money when the base model costs just $27,800. Whatever happened to paying an extra $1,500 for the better transmission? Why is the six-speed transmission bundled with a nav system and DVD player? This kind of business practice is akin to a cell phone provider offering a cheap plan with a token few minutes for thirty bucks, and then charging twice that amount to get enough minutes to actually use your phone.
As fantastic as the Odyssey is, there's a bigger question at hand: Can it (or Toyota's "Swagger Wagon," or a nicely revamped Grand Caravan from Dodge, or the all-new Nissan Quest) convince the masses that minivans aren't the automotive equivalent of wearing sweatpants? Surely there are a sizable amount of people who wouldn't drive a minivan even if it came with a personal invitation from Rob Halford himself. But Honda thinks that this market is primed for growth, and that's reasonable speculation. With plenty of consumers making the SUV-to-crossover jump in the interest of cutting their fuel bills while maintaining a capacious interior, giving minivans another look is the smart thing to do.
END OF ARTICLE
Although the writer does have a couple of issues with the minivan they're nothing to stop you from buying this road warrior! But check it out for yourself - you be the judge - I promise you will not be disappointed. Stop in to Keeler Honda and take a test drive of one of our many in-stock 2011 Honda Odyssey's or call us at 518-785-4197 and ask for Keeler Honda.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Officially Official: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK pops its auto-tinting lid [w/video]
The thing about innovation is that to follow up, you tend to need another dose of innovation to keep people interested. Case in point: Mercedes-Benz having shoes to fill with its little SLK. The original was one of the first cars on the market with a modern retractable hardtop, taking after its costlier forebearer, the SL. And fourteen years later, with nearly everyone fitting folding tin roofs to their convertibles, the Stuttgart has launched the third-generation model with Magic Sky Control.
The innovative roof, as we've reported in the build-up to its release, adjusts the tinting of the glass panels automatically. It's an option, and buyers can still get a solid metal folding roof or a fixed-tint glass one if the electronic trickery is too much. Naturally, though, that's not all that's new about the new SLK.
The latest compact roadster from Stuttgart sits on a new platform with new styling. Whereas the outgoing model aped the SLR with its Formula One-style nose, the new SLK takes its cues from the SLS AMG with its more upright grille. The new shape is also more aerodynamic, and Mercedes has incorporated a new transparent panel between the rear roll hoops that tilts to optimize airflow and keep turbulence in the cabin to a minimum.
The SLK will launch in the North American market in SLK350 guise, packing a 3.5-liter V6 good for 302 horsepower and a 5.4-second sprint to 60 mph. The 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, 201hp SLK250 will follow, as is expected the naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8 SLK55 AMG. The new SLK gets its official launch later this month at the head office in Stuttgart in celebration of the company's 125th anniversary, with its public debut slated for the Geneva Motor Show in March
The innovative roof, as we've reported in the build-up to its release, adjusts the tinting of the glass panels automatically. It's an option, and buyers can still get a solid metal folding roof or a fixed-tint glass one if the electronic trickery is too much. Naturally, though, that's not all that's new about the new SLK.
The latest compact roadster from Stuttgart sits on a new platform with new styling. Whereas the outgoing model aped the SLR with its Formula One-style nose, the new SLK takes its cues from the SLS AMG with its more upright grille. The new shape is also more aerodynamic, and Mercedes has incorporated a new transparent panel between the rear roll hoops that tilts to optimize airflow and keep turbulence in the cabin to a minimum.
The SLK will launch in the North American market in SLK350 guise, packing a 3.5-liter V6 good for 302 horsepower and a 5.4-second sprint to 60 mph. The 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, 201hp SLK250 will follow, as is expected the naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8 SLK55 AMG. The new SLK gets its official launch later this month at the head office in Stuttgart in celebration of the company's 125th anniversary, with its public debut slated for the Geneva Motor Show in March
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
We're tooting our own horn - cause we can!
Since this is called "tooting our own horn," we're going to kill two birds with one stone (or two subjects on one blog post.)
First; we are very proud to announce some very substantial local and international contributions. At the end of 2010 Keeler Motor Car donated $10,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York; $10,000 to the Albany Medical Center Foundation and $10,000 to the Max Cadet Dental Foundation out of Haiti. The Max Cadet Dental Foundation is near and dear to our heart as it was started by Dominque Cadet and the Cadet Family. Dominique has been working as a sales consultant in our Mercedes-Benz store for 13 years. The foundation's primary purpose is to provide funding for the operation of a free dental clinic in Canapẻ-
Secondly; all-year long our dedicated, hard-working employees receive some amazing compliments that go highly unnoticed since the testimonials page of our website does not get a lot of hits. So I would like to share some of them here for you to read. As a nine year employee at Keeler Motor Car it makes me very proud to read these because I know how most of the population out there dreads going to a dealership and buying a car.
"The most knowledgeable"
"So glad I switched to Keeler Honda"
I brought my Honda CRV to Keeler Honda for some new tires. I knew it needed a 30,000 mile tune up but was unsure I could afford to do it all at this time. I have always serviced my car at the dealership and have never missed any scheduled maintenance.
My Service Advisor was Nick Franzese. He was so kind and attentive. He assisted me and I was able to get the new tires and do the 30,000 tune-up.
I have always received wonderful service from your dealership since I purchased my car there - this is my first Honda. I love my car and love your dealership!
I just wanted to write a note to let you know how grateful I am to Nick for all his assistance. I am so glad I switched to Honda.
"Long time Mercedes-Benz owner"
"Truly Exceptional"
"Keeler BMW Salesman was fantastic"
First; we are very proud to announce some very substantial local and international contributions. At the end of 2010 Keeler Motor Car donated $10,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York; $10,000 to the Albany Medical Center Foundation and $10,000 to the Max Cadet Dental Foundation out of Haiti. The Max Cadet Dental Foundation is near and dear to our heart as it was started by Dominque Cadet and the Cadet Family. Dominique has been working as a sales consultant in our Mercedes-Benz store for 13 years. The foundation's primary purpose is to provide funding for the operation of a free dental clinic in Canapẻ-
However, with the earthquake of January 12, 2010, the building housing the dental clinic sustained major damage. After the earthquake, the need for dental services is even greater based on the number of injuries and casualties suffered, and the collapse of the health infrastructure within Haiti. Keeler Motor Car is thrilled to be able to help this very worthwhile cause.
Secondly; all-year long our dedicated, hard-working employees receive some amazing compliments that go highly unnoticed since the testimonials page of our website does not get a lot of hits. So I would like to share some of them here for you to read. As a nine year employee at Keeler Motor Car it makes me very proud to read these because I know how most of the population out there dreads going to a dealership and buying a car.
"The most knowledgeable"
I've been car shoping for several weeks now and have recently helped two friends purchase new cars. The process has been very stressful and dealing with the salespeople at other local dealerships was generally a displeasure. Ken Hughes, however, was by FAR the most knowledgeable and friendly. He knew that the model I was interested in wasn't available and didn't try to push me into considering another car. I plan to recommend Ken and your dealership to family & friends looking to purchase Honda's in the future.
"So glad I switched to Keeler Honda"I brought my Honda CRV to Keeler Honda for some new tires. I knew it needed a 30,000 mile tune up but was unsure I could afford to do it all at this time. I have always serviced my car at the dealership and have never missed any scheduled maintenance.
My Service Advisor was Nick Franzese. He was so kind and attentive. He assisted me and I was able to get the new tires and do the 30,000 tune-up.
I have always received wonderful service from your dealership since I purchased my car there - this is my first Honda. I love my car and love your dealership!
I just wanted to write a note to let you know how grateful I am to Nick for all his assistance. I am so glad I switched to Honda.
"Long time Mercedes-Benz owner"
I have been a Mercedes-Benz owner since 1985. I lived in Long Island until '95 and then moved to FL and now have a summer home in the Berkshires. All during this time I have owned new Mercedes along the way. I presently have four Mercedes-Benz. Two are new and two are classic convertibles. My service experience at Keeler Motor Car company was by far.....nothing ever came close, the best of any Mercedes-Benz dealer I have ever done business with in the past 25 years. Great job!!! This is also my first letter telling any dealer that their service was excellent!
"Truly Exceptional"
The service level is one of the main reasons we keep returning to Keeler Motor Car Co. Keeler Mercedes-Benz is not cheap but several times in the past it has provided service at a level that was TRULY EXCEPTIONAL - - above and WAY beyond what a customer could reasonably expect to receive.
In fact, I feel somewhat guilty that several times in the past when we did receive such service and where it would have been appropriate for us to write Keeler's management to commend its staff, we did not. It's sad that it's much easier to complain than to commend.
"Keeler BMW Salesman was fantastic"
My salesman Joe Marcil was fantastic! He was patient and took as much time as I needed to familiarize myself with my new BMW. This was the most pleasant experience I have ever had buying a car and Joe was a big factor in that. I absolutely love my X3! Every day I drive it is a thrill for me and I still can't believe I own a BMW.
I would definitely consider buying another car from Keeler Motor Car in the future. !
MINI keeps pace with the new MINI Paceman concept car
MINI KEEPS UP THE PACE WITH THE NEW PACEMAN CONCEPT
• Paceman Concept reinforces the MINI brand’s unconventional creativity
• Sporting, masculine appearance blends with versatile character
• Paceman could be another building block in the development of the MINI brand
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 18, 2010… A new MINI design concept, the MINI Paceman Concept vehicle, will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) which will be held January 10 - 23, 2011. Although no decision has been made about a future production version, Paceman could form yet another building block in the development of the MINI brand.
A MINI Crossover Coupé – urban and masculine.
The MINI Paceman Concept retains the familiar MINI family frontal appearance but adds its own distinctive flavor. Large headlights with chrome surrounds extend deep into the front wings, and together with the distinctively contoured bonnet, emphasize the imposing nose of the Paceman. The radiator grill is essentially the same as that of the Cooper S Countryman, with additional air intakes in the bumper to deliver improved brake ventilation and the incorporation of new deep set fog lights.
From the side, the MINI Paceman Concept features a fresh interpretation of the front wing and side indicator that attracts the eye from the A-pillars down to the unique design 19-inch front wheels. This rugged and sturdy design element is complemented by dark wheel arch surrounds with matching side skirts that emphasize the masculine, sporting nature of Paceman.
The familiar MINI shoulder line that rises towards the rear of the Paceman Concept also hints at its sporting intent. Less familiar is the glass and roof treatment. As the waistline rises, the flat roofline flows into a wide C-pillar that appears to be transparent. The windows appear to wrap around the car like a band of glass with the roof ‘suspended’ on top and painted in a striking, contrasting color. This is known as the ‘helmet’ roof. The coupé-style windows taper towards the rear and the whole effect is one of a dynamic wedge shape.
“In contrast to the more vertical design of the MINI Countryman, we’ve given the MINI Paceman Concept a horizontal emphasis and accentuated the width of the car more to underline the powerful appearance of the study,” explained Marcus Syring, Head of MINI Exterior Design.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Click here to see our Keeler MINI inventory and monthly specials
Monday, January 10, 2011
2011 Detroit Auto Show – BMW 1M World Premiere
BMW’s 1M packs 340 hp spun from the N54 twin-turbo 3 liter inline six. 332 lb-ft of torque is on tap from low in the rev range, and in harmony with the M limited-slip differential, we see this as a recipe for tail out fun.
BMW intends to open the M brand up to a larger, younger demographic with the 1M – hoping to capture the M5 buyers of tomorrow.
Our editor Hugo Becker shares with us his first impressions of the 1M:
“The new 1 Series M in person is a bit more subtle than one feared (boy racer this isn’t). The front and rear fascia show the most distinction from the existing 1 series along with the flying biplane M3 side mirrors.
Where the difference between the existing 1 and the 1M really shows is in the wheels and brakes. The brakes have a very serious appearance – the floating calipers showing well even up against the stylish Brembos on the regular 135i.
The most striking element of the 1M is the the Valencia Orange paint. It is a polarizing color, more so than the Sedona Red launch color of the 1 Series. Fortunately it is also available in black or white.”
Be sure to check out our exclusive photo gallery from Detroit, and stick around for a video walk around of the 1M later today.
Source: bmwblog.com
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Keeler Motor Car - Meet our employees!
When we first started this blog back in 2008 (wow, I can't believe it was that long ago!) we highlighted an employee once a week. For some reason we got away from doing it, not sure why. I think people/customers like to know a little bit about the people they do business with. I know at Keeler Motor Car we have many customers who have become close friends to their sales consultant and sales manager. So, with that being said, i thought we should reignite the "get to know our employee" segment of this blog.
Of course it is the end of the month and end of the year so anyone in the car business knows that it is, as Crazy Eddie would say, INSANE around here!! So I'll be a little self indulgent and start with myself.
ME: What is that you do at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: Well, first of all my name is Wendy and I have been working at Keeler Motor Car Company for 9 years this month. I have been working in the Marketing Dept since I began. I started in Customer Relations and now I am the Assistant Marketing Director. I am the social media coordinator, event planner, sponsorship manager, blog writer, lunch coordinator and Keeler cheerleader!
ME: Do you have a family?
ME: Yes, I've been married for 9 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters; Chloe is 3 1/2 and Madeline is 2 1/2.
ME: Have you always been in the automotive industry?
ME: No. I have been in the restaurant business my entire life. My family owned a Tavern in Mechanicville that my husband, brother and I eventually bought and ran for a few years. I also worked at the old Professor Moriarty's Restaurant in Saratoga for many years.
ME: What do you love about working at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: First and foremost I love working for an amazing owner. Mr. Keeler is not only supportive and loyal to his employees but also to his customers. He is also incredibly generous to local charities but never wants recognition for it. I also love the people that I work with and the customers, many of whom have become like family to us.
ME: What are some of your hobbies/favorite activities?
ME: In the summer our family enjoys boating on Saratoga Lake and going to the Saratoga Racecourse. My girls (and husband!) love the horses. In the winter we tend to hibernate a bit but we are looking forward to taking our girls skiing and snowboarding for the first time. And of course, sleigh riding!
ME: What are some of your favorite restaurants?
ME: Since Saratoga is our backyard we tend to go there to eat; Chianti's, 8 Tables, Forno, Sperry's and Maestro's are some of our favorites.
ME: What kind of car do you drive? What's your favorite car at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: I'm currently driving a 2006 BMW X5 which I absolutely love. It was my very first NEW car. As far as my favorite car at dealership...well that's a tough one. I saw the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first time this year and all I can say is WHOA! When our tech drove that into the service drive-thru I was blown away at its sound. I really love the all-new MINI Countryman. It's getting some really great reviews too. I also like the new Honda Crosstour.
ME: Do you have any New Year's resolutions for 2011
ME: Keep working for Keeler Motor Car, be more healthy and enjoy every minute of every day because you just never know where your life might lead you.
Of course it is the end of the month and end of the year so anyone in the car business knows that it is, as Crazy Eddie would say, INSANE around here!! So I'll be a little self indulgent and start with myself.
ME: What is that you do at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: Well, first of all my name is Wendy and I have been working at Keeler Motor Car Company for 9 years this month. I have been working in the Marketing Dept since I began. I started in Customer Relations and now I am the Assistant Marketing Director. I am the social media coordinator, event planner, sponsorship manager, blog writer, lunch coordinator and Keeler cheerleader!
ME: Do you have a family?
ME: Yes, I've been married for 9 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters; Chloe is 3 1/2 and Madeline is 2 1/2.
ME: Have you always been in the automotive industry?
ME: No. I have been in the restaurant business my entire life. My family owned a Tavern in Mechanicville that my husband, brother and I eventually bought and ran for a few years. I also worked at the old Professor Moriarty's Restaurant in Saratoga for many years.
ME: What do you love about working at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: First and foremost I love working for an amazing owner. Mr. Keeler is not only supportive and loyal to his employees but also to his customers. He is also incredibly generous to local charities but never wants recognition for it. I also love the people that I work with and the customers, many of whom have become like family to us.
ME: What are some of your hobbies/favorite activities?
ME: In the summer our family enjoys boating on Saratoga Lake and going to the Saratoga Racecourse. My girls (and husband!) love the horses. In the winter we tend to hibernate a bit but we are looking forward to taking our girls skiing and snowboarding for the first time. And of course, sleigh riding!
ME: What are some of your favorite restaurants?
ME: Since Saratoga is our backyard we tend to go there to eat; Chianti's, 8 Tables, Forno, Sperry's and Maestro's are some of our favorites.
ME: What kind of car do you drive? What's your favorite car at Keeler Motor Car?
ME: I'm currently driving a 2006 BMW X5 which I absolutely love. It was my very first NEW car. As far as my favorite car at dealership...well that's a tough one. I saw the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first time this year and all I can say is WHOA! When our tech drove that into the service drive-thru I was blown away at its sound. I really love the all-new MINI Countryman. It's getting some really great reviews too. I also like the new Honda Crosstour.
ME: Do you have any New Year's resolutions for 2011
ME: Keep working for Keeler Motor Car, be more healthy and enjoy every minute of every day because you just never know where your life might lead you.
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