Will the iPhone finally come to Verizon

Since I handle 99% of Keeler Motor Car's social media posts (which means I'm constantly scouring the internet for fun and interesting articles to tell our customers about) it's been difficult to not see all of the blog posts, articles written, facebook posts and tweets about the iPhone FINALLY coming to the Verizon.  Now, I'm well aware that this topic really doesn't have much to do with the automobile industry.  However, I started thinking about all the employees at Keeler Motor Car and how the minute the "work bell" rings here everyone walking out to their cars has their face in their phone and is either surfing the web, texting or making a phone call. That prompted me to think of all the phone installs we do at delivery.  So, in all actuality this does has something to with our business.  Personally I think it affects all businesses. 

I cannot wait to get the iPhone.  I have been drooling over the sleekness of it, the cool apps, etc since it came out.  See, I'm forbidden to even think about getting one since the hubby works for Verizon.  So I've been waiting...and waiting...impatiently I might add for this thing of beauty to come to Verizon.  And now, I believe it is going to truly happen and I for one couldn't be happier!!! 

Here is just one of many articles I stumbled across today.

The All-New 2011 Countryman is here at Keeler MINI

smart is "againt dumb!"

Have you ever received a gift and thought, "that is the dumbest gift I have ever received."  Well smart USA wants to help you rid of the mindless, dumb gifts in your life.  Now through January 17th you can upload a picture of your dumb, mindless consumption and enter for your chance to win a new smart fortwo coupe!  I'm uploading a picture of the cow bell (yes, that's correct, a cow bell!) I received this Christmas!  It's a shoe in for sure!  Just click here for more details.

Year End at Keeler Motor Car Company

When the holidays coincide with the month end, year end, decade end, and a major winter storm to boot, it tends to create a little "happy" chaos here at Keeler Motor Car Company.  Our new and used car managers are scrambling to get the last few customers into Keeler Motors and on the road in their new rides!  We expected to see many of our customers in here yesterday but as all of you know the Northeast experienced a rather big snowstorm.  Thankfully most of the snow ended up south and east of us but we still got a nice little snowblast from mother nature.  Well our fantastic snow removal crew here at Keeler Motor Car did a fantastic job yesterday and we are eager to finish our month and year up strong!
 
So, what does this all mean for you?  Well - this could possibly be the BEST week ever to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle at any of our Keeler locations. 

Happy Honda Days is still going on at Keeler Honda, the BMW Joy Sales Event is in full swing at Keeler BMW, the Mercedes-Benz Winter Event is still heating up The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car, the All-New MINI Countryman has finally arrived in our Keeler MINI showroom and our smart center Latham has a fantastic deal on the 2010 smart fortwo pure coupe.
 
So much going on and such little time!  Get to Keeler Motor Car this week for these amazing sales.  For more information, or to set up an appointment for test drive, call 518-785-4197 or fill out the contact form at the following link:  Keeler Motor Car Contact

Drop off your Toys for Tots donation at Keeler Motor Car Company

Keeler Motor Car Company is an official drop center for the The United States Marine Corps annual Toys for Tots campaign for the 2010 holiday season. Keeler has drop boxes in all of its stores, including; Keeler Mercedes-Benz, Keeler BMW, Keeler Honda, Keeler MINI and smart Center Latham.  Please drop by any of our stores with your unwrapped toy.  We are taking donations through December 20, 2010.  

This campaign has reached out and assisted needy and deserving children all around the capital region for over 43 years. Without this wonderful program, children in our communities would not have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays the way they deserve to. In last year’s campaign the Marine Corps reached their goal of collecting over 120,000 toys and distributing them to deserving children, making their holiday’s memorable ones. This year, the Marine Corps with your help, hopes to exceed that goal and reach out to even more children. With these trying times and the recession still looming over this holiday season, we are in an even bigger need of support from our Capital Region community.

Come to Keeler MINI this Saturday for a sneak peek at the all new 2011 MINI Countryman

Are you a motoring enthusiast?  Do you love your MINI or have you been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the all new 2011 MINI Countryman?  Well, Keeler MINI is one of only six dealerships in the country to have a new MINI Countryman here to check out and we're going to have a party to celebrate!  Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to see the MINI Countryman - only at Keeler MINI!

Our Excellent Experience with Keeler Honda and Keeler Motor Car Company

On October 9, my wife and I were in a terrible car accident.  While sitting at a traffic light, a pick-up truck rear-ended us at approx 50 mph and totaled our minivan.  Fortunately we came out of this with no serious injuries and none of our five children were with us.

Though we have a lot to be thankful for, this accident did still leave us with much emotional distress and without a car.  So, when it came time to buy a new vehicle, my wife and I knew we wanted a Honda.

Coming here to Keeler Honda and having Bill Kuhn as our sales rep., really helped us.  Bill was such a pleasant person to work with and we were so pleased to have him as our sales rep.

The 2011 Honda Odyssey will surely keep our minds off the accident and give us peace of mind knowing we are driving a safe and reliable vehicle backed by the Keeler Honda excellent service dept.

Our sales rep, Bill Kuhn, was excellent with keeping in contact with us, while we were waiting for our new van to arrive.  When it did come in and was time to pick it up, Bill was fantastic in showing us everything about the van.  He was patient, very kind and really felt like he appreciated our business.  He even took a picture of us with our new Keeler Honda Odyssey!

Thank you very much Bill and Keeler Honda of Latham!
Carol of Latham, NY

2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible Snapped Without Camouflage?

Those quick fingered camera jockeys over at Motor-Talk.de have got what appears to be an undisguised 2012 BMW 6-series convertible. This could be our first look at the new convertible, which is set to go on sale next year, au natural.


Soon after, the Photoshop magicians over at Autobild cleaned up the picture, taking out the cameraman and other foreground obstructions and removing some of the grainy-ness.


It has to be said, this picture looks very close to the artist's impression by e90post forum member 'Alpince325ci', even down to the shape of the bootlid. Well done, sir.


The 6-series Convertible will the most expensive drop top in BMW's lineup, slotting in above the cheaper 3-series convertible and Z4 roadseter. Oddly, it still retains its fabric top, something the current-gen 3-series and Z4 have done away with. Carscoop will have more details and pictures as they come through.
Source:  www.carscoop.blogspot.com

Keeler Motor Car begins Facebook Campaign to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We are at it again! Keeler Motor Car has begun its 2nd Facebook campaign. This time to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every new "LIKE" that Keeler Motor Car receives on its Facebook page we will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society.

"We had such a tremendous success with our April Facebook fundraiser for The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, raising $10,000, that we decided to try it again," said Marketing Director Archie Coupe. This time around the benefactor will be the American Cancer Society. "There isn't a person out there that hasn't been affected by this disease in one way or another." Added Mr. Coupe, "Keeler wanted to show its support, and help raise awareness and better yet money to help find a cure for breast cancer."

To help just go to the Keeler Facebook page and hit the "LIKE" button. It's as easy as that! You can also find a link to our FB page on www.keeler.com.

Keeler Motor Car raises $4,475.00 for the American Diabetes Assoc. Tour de Cure

Keeler Motor Car just received the monthly newsletter from the American Diabetes Assoc. Tour de Cure that lists the top fundraising teams for 2010 and Keeler Motor came in 30th overall with a total of $4,475.00 raised. Congratulations to all our participants. Our top fundraiser's were Daniel Dibble and Wendy Lawrence. Next year's Tour de Cure will be June 5, 2011 in Saratoga Springs, NY. If you're interested in joining the Keeler Motor Car team just respond to this post and we'll get in touch.

BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe Live Photos from the 2010 Paris Auto Show

Easily one of the most dramatic vehicle unveilings at this week’s 2010 Paris Auto Show, the all-new 2010 BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe has made its official world debut and gives us a near-perfect preview of the design that will eventually feature on the upcoming 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe.

The latest concept, meanwhile, shows the classic features of all BMW coupes, with flowing lines giving rise to high aerodynamic levels. The design also fixes many of the problems with the previous model (the horrendous trunk treatment in particular) without looking derivative or taking the safe route. The front end is likely to stir some controversy, incorporating the new BMW corporate face with a unique flair.

As for the production 6-Series Coupe, expect to see it bow into showrooms around this time next year.

Source: motorauthority.com

BMW - Just Don't Blog About It!

At Keeler Motor Car we are always looking for new and exciting ways to advertise our products and services. Well, while doing my daily research for interesting things to post on Facebook, our blog and Twitter today I came across this tweet from the @NYTimeswheels, "BMW Goes for Reverse Psychology" Brilliant! I liken it to telling my kids to do, well just about anything. They inherently want to do the exact opposite. Then I pull the ol' switcheroo on them, "I bet you can't finish those green beans" or "you probably don't know how to brush your teeth." It works (almost) every time!

Well, it seems to be working for BMW. It has piqued the curiosity of many Bimmer fanatics out there. The site is full of short videos and photos of what seems to me to look like a BMW 6-Series. But you be the judge. Here is the site, http://bit.ly/9DbLev Just don't blog about it!

Keeler Honda sponsors the 1st Annual Back 2 School Expo

On September 11, 2010 Colonie Center in conjuntion with Capital Affairs of Albany, NY hosted its 1st Back 2 School Expo. Keeler Honda was a proud sponsor of this event. Thousands of families from all over the Capital District came together to enjoy ongoing entertainment, health screenings, educational food seminars, hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, celebrity appearances and much more! On display, on the 2nd floor of the mall was our Honda Odyssey. Moms, Dads and the kids were invited to sit in the Odyssey and see for themselves what a perfect family friendly Minivan the Odyssey truly is. Thank you to all that visited our booth at the Back 2 School Expo

Keeler Motor Car September Detail Special!

Keeler Motor Car is running a fantastic Detailing special for the month of September! Have your car detailed for only $199.00 + tax (regularly priced at $269.95!) Includes a full interior and exterior cleaning.Full detail includes: Exterior wash, buff and wax; steam extraction of carpets; cleaning vinyl/leather surfaces and application of vinyl/leather and tire dressing.Call us at (518) 785-4197 to set up your appointment today!

Keeler Mercedes-Benz sponsors the Futures Tournament in Albany, NY

Keeler Mercedes-Benz is proudly sponsoring the 2010 Future's Golf Tournament at Capital Hill Golf Course in Albany, NY. The mission of the Duramed FUTURES Tour is to prepare the world's best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. LPGA ALIGNMENT The Duramed FUTURES Tour is known as "the Road to the LPGA" and since 1999, it has been designated as the LPGA’s developmental tour. Best of luck to all the golfer's playing this weekend from Keeler Mercedes-Benz and Keeler Motor Car.

The all new 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid

The all new 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid is now available for test-drives at Keeler Honda! When I went over to the Honda store to check it out (my office is in another building on our Keeler Motor Car campus,) I was first struck by the edgy lines of this car. It screams "i'm a sports car!!" I loved everything about this Honda - I would love it even more if I didn't have two babies and needed a back seat but for all you people out there with no kids (or if you're just in need of a kick-butt sports car that is good for the environment,) come check out the latest and greatest that Honda has to offer. Go here for more information on our website.

World's Fastest 3D Film Showcases the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

We finally know what Mercedes-Benz was up to when Tiff Needel stopped by the Isle of Man to drop in on some sort of high-budget commercial shoot. It turns out that the Silver Arrow wanted to nab the title of the world's fastest 3D film by shooting David Coulthard as he pushed the company's new SLS AMG to 167 mph. The whole shindig was captured by an army of camera vehicles, including at least one helicopter, a boom truck and, fittingly enough, another SLS AMG. The company even talked rally fiend Robbie Head into piloting the lead car ahead of Coulthard. The full feature will air this coming Sunday on the Sky 3D pub channel, but the rest of us can catch the action when the footage hits Mercedes-Benz dealerships all over the world later this year. Here's hoping they'll hand out some equally classy 3D specs just for the occasion. Hop the jump to enjoy a lengthy teaser of the feature as well as a making of video showing just what goes into creating a film with an extra dimension.
Source: www.autoblog.com

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec

Drop the term "Big Benz" in conversation and most people assume you're talking about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While the full-size flagship sedan has – deservedly – earned that moniker over the years, when it comes to sheer size and volume, the GL-Class is truly Benz' behemoth. But don't take that as a negative. The GL350 Bluetec, the automaker's diesel-powered variant of its seven-passenger full-size sport utility vehicle, has plenty going for it. Under the hood is a torque-laden, fuel-efficient diesel, and after a week pulling family duty, we emerged impressed.

The appeal of the GL-Class is its roomy seven-passenger cabin, generous cargo capacity, truck-like ground clearance and ability to tow upwards of 7,500 pounds. Those uninterested in hauling weekend paraphernalia can get their paws on the "its-not-a-minivan" R-Class, which manages 2,500 pounds of towing and makes due with more passenger-friendly ground clearance. But what immediately impresses with the GL is its uncanny ability to hide its mass – it's often mistaken for its smaller (but still large) sibling, the five-passenger M-Class.Visual illusions aside, the GL-Class is nearly as big as a Cadillac Escalade. Yet unlike GM's high-riding luxo-ute, Mercedes-Benz has engineered the GL-Class with unibody construction. In return, the European is 400 pounds lighter than the American and its entire platform is stiffer.

The chromed "350GL" insignia on the rear liftgate infers an engine displacement of 3.5 liters, but don't be fooled. Today's badging nomenclature often has very little to do with what's going on under the hood, and in the case of the GL350 Bluetec, it boasts a 3.0-liter (2,987 cc) all-aluminum six-cylinder turbodiesel fitted with an intercooler. The powerplant delivers 210 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 400 pound-feet of torque starting as low as 1,600 rpm. The EPA rates the GL350 Bluetec at 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Mated to a standard seven-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission, the 5,423-pound oil-burner will accelerate to 60 mph in just over eight seconds. Unlike the archaic live axle suspension found under the rear of the Escalade, the GL-Class utilizes an independent double-wishbone in the front and a four-arm multilink in the rear. All four corners are also dampened by a standard air suspension system – dubbed AIRMATIC – and the SUV rides on 20-inch alloy wheels wearing wide 275/50R20 tires.

Now in its fourth year of production (originally launched as the GL320 in 2006), the GL350 Bluetec has received a minor makeover for the 2010 model year. The freshening included new bumpers, front and rear skid pates, chrome roof rails, LED daytime running lights and a bump in wheel size from 19 to 20 inches as standard equipment. The interiors were fitted with improved seats with active headrests, a new leather steering wheel, redesigned instruments and upgraded burl walnut trim. Decorated in Boralo Red (read: burgundy) paint over Cashmere leather, our 2010 GL350 Bluetec tester arrived with a base price of $59,950. Several individual option packages, including an upgraded steering wheel, full leather and adaptive xenon lights bumped the price up a bit. However, the big hike came with the "Premium 2 Package" ($5,950) that includes navigation, COMAND voice control, Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 audio, HD Radio, an iPod interface and keyless ignition. When the adding tape stopped and destination/delivery was added, the grand total for GL350 Bluetec was $70,945.


Without question, the GL350 Bluetec is beautifully appointed. Passengers are greeted with yards of flawlessly sewn leather on the seats and doors, while darker contrasting leather covers the dashboard. Deep glossy wood trim is balanced with brushed aluminum accents on the vents, dials and various grab handles. The center console is large (thanks to the electronic P-R-N-D controls located up on the tree) and there's storage galore. Fit and finish is excellent, the quality of materials is superb and cabin lighting is nearly perfect. Distinctively European in execution, the overall aura of the cabin is classy, well-polished and appealing.Better still, all seven seating positions are comfortable. The front seats are very supportive, especially for the lower back, feeling as good after 10 hours as they do after 10 minutes. Second-row passengers are equally as content as they enjoy generous room for knees, legs and feet. The third row is a very pleasant surprise. Many SUVs have the obligatory seats back there (BMW X5, Audi Q7, Acura MDX, etc...), but more often than not, they are nothing more than thinly-padded uprights bolted to a shallowly scalloped floor. Thanks to the ML's unibody platform, the German engineers were able to carve out a deep and accommodating passenger compartment in the "way back" of the GL. (By the tape, the last row in the big Mercedes offers as much leg room as the second row in a mid-size Audi A4 sedan). Making it even more pleasant, entry/egress is easy as the second-row seat pivots forward and completely out of the way. It says volumes about comfort when adults volunteer to sit back there for a 40-minute trip – and emerge with a smile.

Source: autoblog.com

Keeler Motor Car proudly presents Miss Saigon at Proctors Theater

Keeler Motor Car Company has long been a proud sponsor of Proctors Theater and this season is no different. Keeler Motor Car is happy to present the Keeler Broadway On Tour shows beginning with Miss Saigon. Miss Saigon will be running from August 10th - August 15th. Click here for more details.

Customer Testimonial - The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company

I have been a Mercedes-Benz owner since 1985. I lived in Long Island until 1995 and then moved to south Florida and now have a summer house in the Berkshires. All during this time I have owned new Mercedes along the way. I presently have four Mercedes-Benz cars. 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 dealer I have ever done business with in the past 25 years. Great Job Keeler Mercedes-Benz!!!! This is also my first letter telling any dealership that their service was excellent.

MINI shows of updated 2011 Cooper lineup

The current (second generation) of the modern Mini has been with us for a couple of years now, so that must mean it's time for a refresh. BMW, which owns the reborn British brand, has updated the front fascia on all three Mini models for the coming model year to visually differentiate them and improve their pedestrian protection performance.

Of special note are the new integrated ducts on the fascias of the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, offering a slightly meaner look to the Mini's cute and cuddly face. The black reflector headlamps that debuted on the 50th anniversary Camden model are now available as an option across the board and all of the Mini variants now have LED lighting at the rear.

Inside, the Minis are now available with a high-resolution screen within in the oversized central speedometer that can display video from an iPod or whatever other device that has been plugged in via the USB port.

To read the entire article click here.

BMW and BlackBerry Team Up to Deliver E-mail to the Dash

The lovefest between smartphones and cars continues, with BMW announcing a hook-up with Research in Motion's BlackBerry that will allow e-mail messages to be displayed on an in-dash screen and heard. Starting this fall, drivers who own both the BlackBerry Pearl 3G and a BMW with the company's ConnectedDrive feature will be able to access e-mail via a Bluetooth connection using the vehicle's iDrive interface.

A text version of the e-mail will appear on the BMW's dash-mounted Control Display and also will be read aloud if the vehicle has an optional voice-output function. The feature will be available on all BMWs with the Professional in-dash navigation system and mobile phone preparation Bluetooth interface.

This comes as no great surprise, since BMW tipped its hand at the CTIA Wireless event last April. Judging from this YouTube video from CTIA, the e-mail text won't be available while the car is in gear -- which is a good thing -- and there's no way to reply to an e-mail as of yet.

ConnectedDrive already allows transfer of calendars, contacts, text messages, tasks and memos from a smartphone to the car, as well as an Internet-connected Google search capability. According to a BMW, adding the e-mail function for other smartphones beyond the BlackBerry Pearl 3G is being planned, and the video below shows it working with the iPhone.

New Keeler Honda Purchase

A letter from one of our fantastic Keeler Honda customers:

Thank you for your letter Ms. Dunning regarding my new 2010 Honda Civic. Many kudos to my Keeler Honda salesman, Greg Germer.

This is the second time Greg has been above and beyone a professional, competent, informed and caring person to work with. the first time was when he sold me my 2004 Honda Civic. He went the extra mile, took the time to explain and work with me regarding the transfer of my 2004 car to my daughter. He made the transition an easy one. Hold on to this guy!!! He makes Keeler Motor Car Company and Keeler Honda shine!

Sincerely,
Patricia C.

The Mercedes-Benz Summer Event at Keeler Motor Car

The Mercedes-Benz Summer Event kicked off June 1, 2010 at The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company and we are celebrating the summer until August 2, 2010 with great offers and deals from Mercedes-Benz. It’s time to come in and own the Mercedes-Benz of your dreams! Each new and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz has qualified for special financing and incentives. The great deals by The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car make leasing a brand new Mercedes much more affordable and enjoyable than you might expect. And as always, when you come in, test drives of your dream Mercedes-Benz cost nothing.

The C300 Sedan redefines the concept of a road trip with excellence in engineering and performance driving and handling. The C300 features the amenities to satisfy your every need, the performance to race past your every expectation and is available starting at $349 per month.

With abundant wood trim, expansive sunroof, and powerful 4-valve-per-cylinder engine, the E350 Sedan offers an unrivaled combination of performance and luxury. With payments as lows as $689 per month, you can easily keep the dog days of summer at bay.

From its NHTSA 5-star rating to the IIHS top safety pick, the ML350 SUV is further proof that utility does not have to come at the expense of performance and comfort. It drives like a sedan and is ideal for family road trips with expansive cargo space and luxury at a great monthly payment of $559.

The GLK350 SUV, a small-sized SUV with full-sized performance, is powered by a 3.5L V-6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission. It has an impressive ride and distinctive look along with luxurious comfort, which makes it great for the open road. Great engineering is great engineering at any size and at a low payment of $459 per month.

And at The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car, when you buy a new or used Mercedes-Benz you get a complimentary Mercedes-Benz loaner when yours is in for service (while supplies last) and car washes. These are just other great services we offer to our customers and we know that they expect no less from us.
The Summer Event is the event for those who have been waiting on their dream Mercedes-Benz. And the wait is over at The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company. Click to view our New or Pre-Owned Inventory.

The all new 2011 Honda Odyssey - interior video

Honda creates fun, sporty hybrid with CR-Z

SAN FRANCISCO -- Although it's no sports car, the Honda CR-Z may change some people's minds about just how sporty a hybrid vehicle can be.

On the other hand, by giving the two-seater such a sporty appearance, Honda may be overstating how hot the CR-Z is.

The basics: For the United States, Honda made the CR-Z just a two-seater, whereas Japan and Europe get a plus-two version of a back seat.

Honda saved development costs by using the engine and much of the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system from the Insight hybrid five-door hatchback. The CR-Z comes with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic.

Notable features: To improve performance, Honda shaved weight in such places as the 16-inch wheels and by using forged aluminum lower control arms for the front suspension.

A "sport" mode provides a noticeable boost in power by monitoring throttle input. An "eco" mode cuts the power but sips gas. The federal fuel economy tests were done in "normal" mode.

The instruments have nice touches, like a 3-D speedometer and tachometer ring that glows green, blue or red depending on how cautiously or aggressively the CR-Z is being driven. The stereo is a six-speaker, 160-watt system with a USB port. Instead of two rear seats, the U.S.-edition CR-Z has an expanded cargo area that can be reconfigured.

Standard features include security system, variable wipers, LED brake lights, automatic climate control, cruise control and the usual traction and braking-assist technologies. Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100621/OEM01/306219987/1430#ixzz0rVl996GV

An Ode to Keeler Motor Car

We just received what could be one of the best letters we have ever seen come across our desks. It is too great of a letter to attempt to paraphrase so i'll just type as it was written...with a trusty #2 pencil! Thank you Steven! You made our day.

6/3/2010

Dear Staff of Keeler BMW,

My name is Steven Churchill and I am a 7th grader at Shaker Junior High School. Even though I cannot yet drive, I have loved cars since age two. My favorite make of car is BMW and the only place I would want to buy one is at Keeler BMW. My favorite BMW is the 850csi because of its styling.

Keeler is my favorite car dealership because it is very close to my house and because of the good selection. I have heard many people comment on your great service and dedication to your customers. With the help of bmw.keeler.com I will always know what cars are in your inventory. Enclosed is a poem I have written about Keeler BMW.

Sincerely,
Steven

"My Favorite Place of All"

Keeler BMW....
My favorite place of all
Everytime I go by, I am glued to the window...
just looking at the great selection
it's in a good location,
but it doesn't matter,
'cause if I was in any BMW, I know the
trip would never be a bummer.
BMW's, BMW's, so sporty and fun...
I could ride in one, even when the sun is no
longer hung.

Keeler BMW...
Filled with great cars....
I couldn't count on getting a great deal from...
well, anyone else.
Z's, 1's or even 3's
5's, 6's and some luxo 7's
I just love it when they are in your collection
Even with so many cars in this world....
I will always be loyal to my friend Keeler BMW
So....Keeler BMW....
You are definitely my favorite place of all.

Keeler Motor Car team to ride in the 2010 Tour de Cure

On Sunday, June 6th, a team from Keeler Motor Car Company will ride in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure in Saratoga Springs. This is the 2nd year that Keeler Motor Car has participated and we are so excited to be joining this important event again.

If you would like to donate to our team please click here, pick a rider on our team and make a worthwhile donation. Your contributions are very much appreciated!!

Wish us luck - go Team Keeler!!!

Mercedes-Benz new video - "Sorry"

In traffic, precarious situations can come unexpectedly: before you know it there is an uninvited passenger. But with the brake assistant BAS + in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class you can even trick the reaper.

The adventurous, facelifted X5 takes on Alligator Alley

The always stylish, facelifted BMW X5 looks great driving in the city but it's built to go out into the wilderness to explore. See it in action on Alligator Alley, Florida:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Earns Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced that the 2010 Hyundai Genesis and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans have earned Top Safety Pick awards. To get the nod, a car must earn the agency's top score of Good in front, side and rear crash tests, and it must pass a roof-crush strength test and be equipped with electronic stability control.The roof test, which was added for 2010, significantly reduced the number of overall Top Safety Picks, but IIHS is testing more and more vehicles for roof strength. The total number of Top Safety Picks is now 33, up from the original 27 when the new ratings were announced.
Source: KickingTires.com

Keeler Honda May 2010 commercial

The Cost of Driving a Car

[Source: Auto Insurance for Autoblog.com]

Sweet Rides

Just for a change of pace, I decided it would be fun to post something a little out of the ordinary while I cover the blog for a couple of days. And since it's nearing the end of the day and I'm getting hungry, my mind inevitably turns to food. How can I combine my hunger and Keeler's line of vehicles? Simple - cake! A couple of quick Google searches later, and here's what I could find:

A great little smart cake - almost looks actual size!

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiedoescakesnet/3954019871/)

This pretty pink MINI seems like an appropriate cake for a 17th birthday - I hope Kaylee got a matching MINI Cooper.

(Source: http://www.sugarliciousonline.com/cakes/birthday/vehicles/pink_mini_car.html)

I think these are great, since I'm a fan of people building edible art. It takes some serious talent! I'll try to post some more cakes in the future... we don't want to leave Honda, Mercedes-Benz and BMW out, after all.

BMW Billboard Placed Above Audi Hong Kong Dealership

A huge BMW billboard has been placed above Audi of Hong Kong just recently. If you remember, BMW and Audi battled it out with a “billboard-war” about a year ago ending with a BMW M3 “checkmate” billboard and Audi’s “check your luxury badge” response. Now after a year, the games seem to have sparked again making it a Hong Kong Audi dealership.

The BMW Gran Coupe Concept

BMW presents the concept of a new 4-door coupe. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé underscores the outstanding design expertise of the German premium automobile manufacturer.

With an exclusive Design Night on the evening of the first press day at Auto China in Beijing (April 23rd to May 2nd 2010), BMW provides an in-depth insight into its design philosophy and development strategy. The program of the BMW Design Night is modular in structure and presents extensive background information on the premium automobile manufacturer’s innovative design culture. In addition to highlighting the long versions of the BMW 5 Series developed specially for the Chinese market, the main focus is on an elegant 4-door vehicle with striking dynamic proportions: the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

The concept study on display symbolises the outstanding design expertise of BMW. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé concentrates the fundamental values of the brand. Its body design authentically captures a sense of superior dynamic performance and high-quality elegance. The shaping style, which follows a coherent pattern down to the last detail, convincingly visualises BMW’s philosophy as an automobile manufacturer. As with the Concept CS 2007, BMW once again sets new benchmarks in the design of 4-door coupes with a distinctive sporty character.

Based on a powerful tradition in this segment, the BMW Concept Gran Coupé carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future. The concept shows the classic features of all BMW coupes: the long wheelbase, the vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, the set-back greenhouse, the flat silhouette, the coupe-style roof line and the short front overhang reflect the dynamic potential of the vehicle. The surface structures and the fact that the design quality is geared towards perfection illustrate the aspiration of the brand BMW to build 4-door high-performance coupes with the sportiest proportions and the most elegant design.

Read the entire story here.

Source: BMWBlog

China auto show: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept previews new CLS

Mercedes-Benz gives us a look at the wagon version of the second-generation CLS at this week's Beijing motor show with the debut of the Shooting Break concept car.

The four-door sporting wagon, outlined in detail by AutoWeek earlier this year, is among a series of new niche models Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche is pursuing as part of an image-building strategy based around the German carmaker's striking new design lineage.

Inspired by the traditional custom-made two-door shooting brake--a genre of car made popular during the 1960s by a number of British-based carmakers--the Shooting Break closely previews the look of Mercedes-Benz's new CLS sedan to be unveiled the Paris motor show in September. It also provides clues to how Mercedes plans to compete against rivals such as the soon-to-be-revealed Audi A7 and recently introduced BMW 5-series GT.

"The Shooting Break is based on a tradition of cultivated sportiness," explains Gordon Wagener, chief designer at Mercedes-Benz. "At the same time it points the way toward the further development of the design idiom of Mercedes-Benz."

While Mercedes-Benz remains tightlipped on production plans, official documentation cited by AutoWeek reveals it has already been given the internal codename X218--a clear signal that the Shooting Break is closer to production readiness than its concept car billing reveals.

As one Stuttgart insider commented: "We don't traditionally provide cars with codenames until they have been granted an official production go-ahead."

Form before function

At 195.3 inches long, 76.8 inches wide and 56.9 inches tall, the concept has the same dimensions as the upcoming second-generation CLS sedan. That makes it 1.8 inches longer, 3 inches wider and 0.6 inch taller than the first-generation CLS. It also rides on a wheelbase that is longer by 0.75 inch at 113.2 inches.

In attempting to go beyond the current CLS--a car credited with breaking the design mold at Mercedes-Benz by boldly placing form before function--Wagoner and his design team have created a bullish looking car that, like its predecessor, is sure to stir controversy and divide opinion.

The most striking element of the new CLS is its gaping grille--a styling feature adopted from the new SLS. Marked by a single-slat chrome insert and large three-pointed-star reminiscent of the look of the classic 190 SL, the so-called soft-nose treatment is set to become common across the Mercedes-Benz line-up in coming years.

The concept's grille is flanked by headlamps with light-emitting diodes for low and high beams, daytime running lamps and turn signals. Set to become an option on the new CLS, they are aimed at providing the car with a differing visual character between day and night.

Read more here.

Honda CR-Z Launch Video

We're bringing the test drive to you, smart fans!

To help celebrate Earth day The smart Center of Latham, a Keeler Motor Car Company, will be be at Crossgates Mall Thur April 22nd and Fri April 23, from 11AM-6PM. We will be located at the upper lot near the food court entrance. We are bringing the test drive to you! Look for the smart RV and make sure to stop by and take a spin behind the wheel of a smart fortwo!

Keeler Motor Car presents "High Fives for Fans" to benefit the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center

Keeler Motor Car Company wants to donate money in your name to the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center!

During the month of April, for every new "fan" that Keeler Motor Car receives on its Facebook page, we will donate $5 to the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. When this promotion began we started with 151 fans - we had just put up our Keeler Motor Car Facebook page in March. We were trying to think of a "win/win" situation to get more fans for our page and came up with "High Fives for Fans" The win/win became a no brainer, more fans for us and a substantial donation for the Children's Hospital at Alb Med. Center!

Please take 5 minutes to become a fan of Keeler Motor Car here. You can also click here to see the amazing and wonderful things they do at The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. It is such a worthwhile institution and one that we hope to provide a BIG donation for!
For additional information please contact Wendy Lawrence @ Keeler Motor Car Co., wlawrence@keeler.com

Report: Smart fortwo Electric Car Announced for 2012

Daimler AG has announced that the second generation Smart fortwo electric drive will go into series production starting in 2012. The announcement was made during the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the facility where the electric Smart cars will be built in Hambach, France.

A small number of vehicles will begin production in November of this year as Daimler continues to test the product durability and battery capability. Using a more compact lithium-ion battery pack sourced from U.S. electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc., the second generation of the Smart fortwo electric drive doesn’t compromise space and has adequate room for two adults. Power is rated at 30 kW (40-hp) and 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs) of torque, with a range of 135 km (84 miles). The initial vehicles will begin testing this year in cities across Europe and the U.S.
Smart claims the cars can hit 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds (the same as the gasoline models) and are speed-limited to 100 km/h (60 mph).

Click here for the official press release.

Source: Autoguide.com

Proper Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance
Written by Rick Walker
Keeler Motor Car Co.
Mercedes-Benz Service Manager

Many people think vehicle maintenance is simply changing the engine oil and filter at regular intervals and “you’re good to go”. I am aware of a few folks who don’t even do that, but I digress. While changing your engine oil and filter is a major part of proper vehicle maintenance it is just a “part” of it. There is a lot to keeping your car running properly and again there is more to vehicle maintenance than simply “keeping it running.” While changing the engine oil and filter will generally keep the internally lubricated engine parts maintained, what about the rest of the vehicle? Not everyone is spending much time thinking about tire maintenance, monitoring pressures and adjusting when necessary, consistent tire rotations, replacing tires when nearing the wear indicators and generally monitoring their physical condition, cracking, sidewall damage etc.

We all know enough to get to the service shop to have the brakes checked out when the warning light comes on but are we giving enough thought to what type of parts we are going to use or are we going to shop for the “cheapest” price? Using parts other than what was designed and engineered for your vehicle can have adverse effects such as extended stopping distance, increased squealing, shortened service life, vibration, and increased pedal effort to name a few.

What about the things that are not “wear items” and do not have regular inspection or replacement intervals? What are we doing to maintain the thousands of parts that make up the dozens of systems that work together to create this machine that is responsible to carry you and your loved ones from place to place, safely and comfortably in all kinds of weather? What about the suspension springs, drive shaft, control arms, differential, half shafts, heating and cooling system, exhaust system, etc. etc?

Simply changing the oil won’t cut it. You must have professionals inspect your car at regular intervals. Professionals who know what they are looking at and what to look for. Recognizing a minor problem and correcting it before it becomes a big one has tremendous value. No one knows your vehicle better than the people who made it. Following the manufacturer recommended service schedule will guarantee you will not suffer a break down due to your neglect and many times will head off potential break downs and unnecessary added expense.

At times there may be open service campaigns generated by the manufacturer for issues you couldn’t possibly be aware of and while all warranties eventually come to an end, having a strong service history can possibly earn you some compensation on a break down or repair even after your warranty has expired. I promise you will never receive this anywhere other than the manufacturer.

Vehicle maintenance is “looking after” your car, not just changing the oil. It is having it inspected by experts who know what they are doing with guidance and training from the manufacturer. It is not only replacing worn out “wear items” but keeping up with minor issues along the way to help avoid the major ones. It is using the correct manufacturer parts, many of which carry at least one year nationwide parts and labor warranty when installed at your dealer, to keep it performing to the level it was intended.

“Look after your vehicle, it will look after you”

New York Auto Show: A Smart iPhone App, Literally

How do you make a Smart car even smarter? You guessed it: Create an app for that.

Smart has developed an iPhone app that acts as a infotainment system for the Fortwo.Smart’s new Smart Drive App for the Lilliputian Smart Fortwo is more ingenious than most. Developed by Mercedes-Benz software engineers, the coming application for the iPhone not only adds features like navigation to the car, but also does something the iPhone usually can’t do on its own: multitask.

Demonstrated at the New York auto show, the software is part of a package that will include a cradle than needs to be installed by dealers. The application divides the iPhone screen into larger, legible quadrants, rather than using tiny icons that might tend to distract the driver (or distract the driver even more). The four on-screen buttons cover media, phone, map and assist functions.

The phone button takes drivers to the usual hands-free calling functions, while the quadrant entitled maps takes drivers to a full, turn-by-turn navigation program based on Navteq’s maps. Like built-in nav systems, it will mute a call in favor of spoken instructions, and it’s here where the multitasking function comes in handy. Unlike other nav-only applications for the iPhone, you don’t have to choose between chatting on the phone or following the nav system. It can run both simultaneously because the developers built both functions into a single application. In other words, the iPhone doesn’t know it’s multitasking.

Also tapping into the iPhone’s abilities, the Smart app can play music from the phone or tune in countless Internet radio stations from around the world using the vTuner service (sorry, no Pandora yet). Again, because it can trick the iPhone into multitasking, the program will automatically mute the music for instructions from the navigation part of the program.

Lastly, the car assistance section includes Google 411 for free searches of local points of interest via voice instructions, and it will find and call a local dealer should your Fortwo break down. Best, however, is the automatic car finder feature. Like the coming iTag software for Android phones, the Smart software automatically marks your car’s location when you remove the iPhone from the car’s cradle. So if you forget where you parked the car (or just can’t find it in a sea of S.U.V.’s) the phone will lead you back to your wheels. No more marking the spot before you leave.

The company says the software will be available by June for $9.99, but a price for the cradle and professional installation hasn’t been set yet.

Source: NY Times, Wheels Blog

Keeler Honda Certified Pre-Owned Commercial

Why service your Honda at Keeler Honda?

Why is Keeler Honda Service best for both you and your dealership ?

When you have a legal problem, you go to a lawyer . When you’re sick, you go to a doctor. And when you need your vehicle repaired, you should come to Keeler Honda for service.
Here is why.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
With the cost of vehicles rising every year, consumers can ill afford to rely on anyone other than professionals to keep those vehicles in shape. Keeler Honda offers the highest level of technical training, equipment and parts.

TRAINING
To keep technicians up to date on today’s increasingly complex and sophisticated vehicles, dealers are spending a lot of money on continuous training . Technicians need to pass rigorous training; on line computer training and at the American Honda Training facility.

EQUIPMENT
Over the years, advancements in computers and electronics have turned Keeler Honda into a high–tech center for repairs and maintenance. To maintain the level of commitment that our customers are accustomed to, we utilize state-of-the-art tools and diagnostic equipment in our shop. We also have the ability to link with American Honda factory service experts, should the need arise.

PARTS
Keeler Honda utilizes Honda replacement parts specifically manufactured for your vehicle. You will always be assured of the correct look, fit and original equipment quality that came with your vehicle.

WARRANTY PROTECTION
All new Hondas carry manufacturer’s warranties that specify maintenance schedules and repair procedures. Service from a franchised dealer eliminates the possibilities of voiding the warranty or having warranty repairs denied for failure to meet manufacturer requirements. It’s also worth considering the purchase of an Extended Warranty, in the event you keep your Honda past the original manufacturer’s warranty. Although we never expect any major repairs, it’s good to have a cushion for an unexpected bump in the road.

CONVENIENCE
Keeler Honda is always striving to maintain your business by making it convenient to get service. We now offer Express Service and Express Service Lanes for routine maintenance, oil changes, New York State Inspections and simple repairs while you wait. Traditional appointments can also be made by calling 785-7823 extension 284, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. ,Monday through Friday.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Keeler Honda's number 1 goal is to satisfy all our customers . The only way to achieve this is to do good work at a fair price. We know that repeat and referral business in both service and sales depend on it. Without this philosophy, Keeler Honda would not have achieved the prestigious Honda President’s Award . We are extremely proud to consider ourselves the premier Honda franchised dealer in the capital region. Keeler Honda has now received the American Honda President's Award for the 14th time being only one of two dealers in the country to have done this. AND we are the ONLY dealership in the country to have won this award 11 consecutive years.

Should you have any comments ,suggestions or questions please feel free to contact me @ 785-7823 extension 261 or my E-Mail address, gguadagnino@keeler.com.

This post was written by our Keeler Honda Service Manager Guy Guadagnino - one of the BEST in the business. Thank you Guy for all you do for Keeler Honda and Keeler Motor Car Company.

Keeler Motor Car presents "High Fives for Fans" to benefit the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center

Keeler Motor Car Company wants to donate money in your name to the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center!

During the month of April, for every new "fan" that Keeler Motor Car receives on its Facebook page, we will donate $5 to the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. When this promotion began we started with 151 fans - we had just put up our Keeler Motor Car Facebook page in March. We were trying to think of a "win/win" situation to get more fans for our page and came up with "High Fives for Fans" The win/win became a no brainer, more fans for us and a substantial donation for the Children's Hospital at Alb Med. Center!

Please take 5 minutes to become a fan of Keeler Motor Car here. You can also click here to see the amazing and wonderful things they do at The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. It is such a worthwhile institution and one that we hope to provide a BIG donation for!

For additional information please contact Wendy Lawrence @ Keeler Motor Car Co., wlawrence@keeler.com

Congratulations to our Keeler MINI Sales Staff

Congraulations are in order for our Keeler MINI Sales Staff, Andrea Monzo and David Delaney. They both obtained MINI Achievements in Motoring from MINI USA which honors the top 100 advisors in the country based on sales performance and customer satisfaction. This is a very noteworthy accomplishment and one that everyone here at Keeler Motor Car Company is extremely proud of. Congratulations Andrea and David!!

Tire Maintenance

Rick Walker is our Keeler Mercedes-Benz Service Manager. He has been with Keeler Mercedes-Benz for over 20 years. Rick will be writing articles for our blog regarding service and maintenance of your vehicle. If you have anything you would like Rick to write about please comment below. We're very excited to present to you Rick's first article...Tire Maintenance

Safety and security, something that seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. When I speak to people about their vehicles they are always quick to point out their due diligent on maintenance for the safety, security, and longevity of their cars. We speak about proper oil changing, replacing brake pads and the occasional burnt out bulb.

I am always surprised at the lack of attention to the single most important component of your car directly involved with its safety and security, the tires! If all goes right the tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the world around it, they are responsible for accelerating, stopping, maneuvering, high speed stability, and any other movement your vehicle makes. Ironically your tires are wear items, they must wear to perform so why do we generally ignore our tires? It seems each new generation of vehicle becomes higher performance and more powerful and tire manufacturers attempt to keep up by developing tires that grip better. Tires for today’s modern high performance vehicles are “lower profile” or less side wall creating less “slip angle” or less flexibility in the tire, which gives us very responsive steering but also greatly increases the load directly on the tread itself. This coupled with softer compounds and less tread depth make it more important than ever to “maintain” our tires.

There is a lot more to tire maintenance than one might initially think. If your car has the same size tires all the way around, tire rotation approximately every 5000 miles is one of the most important maintenance items. Tire pressure is also very important. Tire pressure must be periodically adjusted because air molecules can actually penetrate the rubber and exit naturally over time. There can also be parasitic loss between the tire and rim bead seal as well as the seal around the tire valve. Temperature changes also effect tire pressure, 10 degrees of ambient air temperature is equal to approximately 1 pound of air pressure in your tires. So adjusting tire pressures with the change of seasons is very important. Tire manufacturers recommend checking tire pressures monthly. You should be aware of your tires each time you walk up to your car, you can get a nail at any time and if any of your tires appears to be low on air there is a strong possibility it is very low on air.

Tires are considered to be worn out when they reach the manufacturers built in” wear bars” molded in the tread which is approximately 2/32in. or 2-3 mm of tread depth. And remember... as the tire wears down and the tire becomes thinner tire punctures become much more likely.
All new vehicles as of 2008 must have a tire pressure monitoring system. This is a very useful system that can save you from having a road side break down. It can save a repairable tire before it becomes unrepairable and it could even save your life! Unfortunately the system cannot work unless proper tire maintenance is carried out and the tire pressure monitor system is properly reset each time the tire pressure is reset. If this is not done then the system becomes an annoyance because the warning light is on more than it is off and people begin to ignore the warning. This can be a fatal mistake. A little time spent learning the very simple tire pressure monitor system and basic tire maintenance is a very smart investment.

by Rick Walker, Keeler Motor Car Company

2010 Albany Auto Show

The 2010 Albany Auto Show will be held April 9th - April 11th at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. Keeler Motor Car will be on hand representing Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, MINI and smart. You can go to www.enycar.org for more information.

Honda expects boost to global vehicle production of nearly 10%

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Honda Motor Co. expects its global production to rise nearly 10 percent in the business year starting next month, led by growth in Asia outside of Japan, the Nikkan Kogyo industrial daily reported on Monday.Honda, Japan's No.2 automaker, has told its main parts suppliers of plans to produce up to 3.3 million vehicles in the business year beginning April 1, an increase of nearly 10 percent from an estimated 3.05 million vehicles this fiscal year, the paper said.

Production is expected to fall in North America and Europe, the paper said. Honda's North America production is up 51 percent this year through the first three weeks in March.

A Honda spokeswoman said the automaker does not disclose production plans, and the Nikkan Kogyo did not cite any sources.

The newspaper said the automaker plans to keep Japanese production flat to limit the impact of a stronger yen, while boosting output in the rest of Asia. In China, production is expected to rise more than 10 percent.

Contact Automotive News

Car Care: How to prepare your car for Spring

When you think about seasonal car care, you rarely think about how to prepare your car for spring. You're much more likely to think about getting things ready for the snow, ice and cold of winter than you are the mildness of the spring season. Still, if you want to keep your car in tip top shape, protect your investment, and make sure your car is as safe and economical as it can be, you need to know how to prepare your car for spring.

The first thing you should do in order to prepare your car for spring is to check all of your belts and hoses. During the winter, the cold harsh weather can cause quite a bit of wear on your car's hoses and belts. Look for any cracking on the hoses and belts and for any leaking of the hoses. Catching these problems early can mean the difference between a quick and inexpensive repair and being broken down alongside the road needing expensive repairs.

You should also check your tires in order to get ready for spring. During the spring, your car needs to be able to pull you through the mud, as well as get you over wet roads. In addition, it's not uncommon for tires to lose some air over the winter. Check to make sure that your treads on your tires are in good shape, and that your tire pressure is at the levels recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer.

Spring is a good time to check your spark plugs and spark plug wires, too. If your plugs or plug wires need to be replaced, you'll want to take care of it so you're not stranded.

You should also check your engine coolant in the spring. You want to make sure that your coolant levels are where they should be. You'll also want to make sure that your coolant is nice and clean.

When you're getting ready to prepare your car for spring, you should also get an oil change. Running your car too long in between oil changes can cause a number of problems with your engine, all of which tend to be very expensive to fix. Make sure your engine oil is clean and full. Ultimately, just following a few simple steps to prepare your car for spring can save you hours of headach and, in many cases, hundreds of dollars down the road.

Source: AssociatedContent.com

You can drive to the YUKON in a Smart car

THANKS to a combination of passion, planning and patience, man has not only proven that he can walk on fire, but that he can also walk on the surface of the moon.

With that spirit in mind, I like to think that my gas tank is always half full rather than half empty. Anything's possible. What's the worse thing that can happen? I've got life insurance. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

That said, even a perennial optimist like me was filled with doubt when Mercedes-Benz Canada sent me an invitation to partake in a winter driving expedition from Kelowna, B.C., to Whitehorse, Yukon. The itinerary outlined a four-day, 2,500-kilometre road trip to the Arctic that promised to be the adventure of a lifetime.
The only catch was we had to take this expedition in a Smart car.
My initial thought was that maybe the Smart marketing team wasn't as smart as those cute little cars they sell.

A division of Mercedes-Benz, the Smart is the smallest road-legal car sold in Canada. Although I'd driven one in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it, I have to admit that the mere prospect of driving a Smart car through some of the harshest and most severe weather conditions on the planet had me thinking that this was a very tall order for a very small car.

Dubbed the Smart Winter Expedition, the checklist did little to ease my doubts. Seven Smart cars, three Mercedes-Benz support vehicles and a flock of automobile journalists from across the country. The fact that a support team made up of professional drivers and technical specialists had been assembled to hold our hands throughout the journey helped to somewhat ease my worried mind, but as I boarded the plane I still couldn't help but wonder what I was getting myself into.

Read the rest of this great article here.

The Weekend is finally here...what are you doing?

Yes, we do sometimes write about things completely unrelated to the car business!

This weekend is my "single parent" weekend. The hubby (as i like to refer to him) is away to Myrtle Beach for his annual boys golf weekend which leaves me as a single mom for the next few days. So, I'll leave my comfy, no-kid zone, office at Keeler Motor Car, venture back up the Northway to Malta and pick up my two girls from daycare. From there, I'm sure, all hell will break loose. When I am alone with the girls I try to fill up their dance card with a ton of activities. I'm not sure why, maybe it makes me feel like a better mom?? Probably more along the lines of, I know they'll be exhausted at the end of the day! Regardless, I do it everytime the hubby is away.

Which leads into..."what are you doing this weekend?" There is a ton going on - The St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Albany, Annie at Proctor's, Parent's Night Out at the Saratoga Children's Museum, St. Pracktice Day at Irish Times with the Fighting 86's, etc. I'll be bringing my oldest to see Annie on Saturday night - she cannot wait!

So, it's "Peace Out" from Keeler Motor Car this week...no time to blog over the weekend! Have a good one!

2011 Honda CR-Z First Drive

Honda's once-proud sporting image has taken a beating lately. Its last foray into Formula 1 was a disaster, made even more embarrassing by the fact its former team swept the championship the year after it pulled out -- with Mercedes engines. The on-again, off-again NSX supercar program is now truly dead, along with the iconic S2000, both killed in favor of channeling resources towards good, clean family transport like the Fit, Civic and CR-V. But now an unlikely hybrid sports coupe with a 6-speed manual gearbox -- a world first for a hybrid drivetrain -- is set to inject some passion back into Honda's performance heritage. It's called the CR-Z.

The production CR-Z's exterior is nowhere near as taut and tight as that of the concept Honda revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which sent the blogosphere into a frenzy of anticipation: Was Honda bringing back the CR-X? While the production CR-Z lacks some of the muscularity of the concept, it still looks like nothing else on the road; that large, imposing grille and upslanting headlights start a design motif that finishes with a bold swish for a C-pillar and a sculptured rear deck.

Many readers will remember the wedge-shaped CR-X of the early 80s and see some strategic resemblances. But as project leader Norio Tomobe pointed out at our drive session: "We were not aiming for a modern day CR-X. We wanted to create a totally new type of hybrid sports coupe that would take us into a more discerning and environmentally-conscious 21st century. The fact that's it's a hybrid just adds another intriguing dimension to the sporty mix. If it reminds you of the CR-X then that's purely coincidental."Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_1003_2011_honda_cr_z_drive/index.html#ixzz0hzbTMWeC

The Next Frontier in Auto Safety is Behind Us, Says Mercedes-Benz USA Executive

I'm sure everyone reading this (the few and the proud!) have had this happen, or at least something similar; you're driving home late at night (my worst experience was while driving home from a U2 concert at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse) and you start to get tired. You do the head bob and wonder how long you actually closed your eyes for. You reach for the volume knob on the radio and crank it up. Then you reach for the button on the door to slide the window down and get a blast of fresh air hoping these two things will keep you awake for the hour or so you have left to drive. Your passengers are FAST asleep and the next service area on the Thruway is at least another 30 miles. Time to pull over and take a nap? Well, current Mercedes-Benz models will tell you exactly that. They have a new safety feature called ATTENTION ASSIST which monitors the driver so they don't get into dangerous situations.

Our Sales Manager at the Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car currently drives a Benz that has this feature and it came in handy for him. He was driving back from PA one weekend, started dozing off when the alarm went off and popped a Coffee Icon on his display panel. He said it could have saved his life as his car was starting to veer off to the right lane. Below is the Press Release from Mercedes-Benz on this very cool new feature:

For National Sleep Awareness Week, Mercedes-Benz Explains Why Preventing Drowsy Driving Accidents Before They Happen Is Next Safety Frontier

MONTVALE, N.J., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that Americans do not get enough sleep. This isn't just a health issue; it's also a public safety issue. Recent studies show that drowsy driving leads to 100,000 accidents in the U.S. each year, more than drunk driving. During a panel discussion at the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Health and Safety 2010 Conference recently held in Washington, D.C., a Mercedes-Benz executive explained that in order to prevent these accidents and advance safety technology into the future, you must look to the past.

Sascha Simon, head of advanced product planning for Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), said, "Moving forward means going backward in time. When people think about safety, they think about passive safety features like airbags that are designed to mitigate the impact of collisions. The other aspect is active safety - technology like traction control and handling dynamics that help enable vehicles to avoid collisions. The next dimension is helping drivers avoid the situations that can lead up to collisions. The Mercedes-Benz ATTENTION ASSIST™ system monitors drivers so they don't get into dangerous situations in the first place. This is accident prevention at its best because it can help stop accidents before they happen."

Simon explained that the Mercedes-Benz ATTENTION ASSIST™ uses an algorithm to produce an individual driver profile that recognizes typical patterns of behavior and then compares that profile with current data from sensors to detect the driver's transition from a state of alertness to a state of tiredness -- with 70 parameters measured in total. Over the course of several years of drowsy driving research, company scientists observed several consistent behaviors during early stages of drowsiness behind the wheel, including trouble steering a precise course in their lane and making minor steering corrections both quickly and abruptly.

The in-vehicle sensors used in ATTENTION ASSIST™ can detect unintentional lane departures, delayed reaction times coupled with over-corrective steering as well as driver inactivity. That data is then combined with information detailing the time of day and the length of time the driver has been behind the wheel. When drowsy driving is detected, ATTENTION ASSIST will sound an alarm and offer a visual warning in the form of a coffee cup, displayed in the vehicle's instrument cluster.

Click here to read the article in full.

Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

BMW to go front-drive

Not sure if we'll ever see these at Keeler BMW but BMW announced that they will be producing front-wheel drive. Read the article below:

BMW is set to introduce a new front-wheel-drive entry-level model, positioned and priced beneath the existing 1-series and using shared Mini hardware, according to the firm's chairman Norbert Reithofe.

The new model is being developed as part of plans to help increase parts sharing and bolster the potential for production savings between the BMW and Mini brands, thus bringing an end to the era of rear and four-wheel drive-only BMW models.

Speaking to Autocar at the last week's Geneva motor show, Reithofer said internal BMW studies revealed that, despite the downturn in the world’s economy, there is continued demand for what he described as "premium vehicles" in the small car class. He then officially acknowledged plans that will see BMW producing a rival to the recently unveiled Audi A1 and a new Smart Forfour presently under development at rival Mercedes-Benz.

"We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models and variants," said Reithofer.

Being careful to separate the new price-leading front-wheel-drive model from BMW's upcoming city car - a totally different project as part of its Mega City Vehicle electric car initiative - Reithofer added, "For these new vehicles [the new BMW and Mini] we are developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive."

While exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, Autocar can confirm the new entry-level BMW has been conceived to run the same front-wheel-drive underpinnings as the next-generation Mini Cooper.

The new Mini Cooper is not due out until 2014, but the small BMW could be on UK roads as early as 2013 as part of a major thrust by the company to become the undisputed sales leader in the premium small car class.

Plans to base the new entry-level BMW on the same platform as the Mini Cooper also raise the question of where the new car would be built. Although BMW is being vague, Autocar understands the new car could be built alongside the Mini Cooper in Oxford, using a new generation of petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW's engine plant in Hams Hall.
Studies are also under way that could result in the new platform structure referred to by Reithofer being used for future generations of the 1-series - although BMW is still undecided on whether the third-generation model, due in 2018, will be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.
"We are looking at alternatives," a Munich insider told Autocar. "With the new platform set to support four-wheel drive, it wouldn't be that hard to use the transmission tunnel for a rear-wheel-drive application."

Source: Autocar.co.uk