2011 Detroit Auto Show – BMW 1M World Premiere

 Breaking from Detroit, BMW has released their new 1M sports car on North American shores. The long awaited BMW 1M features cost effective engineering solutions (ie. part sharing) to provide enthusiasts with the M experience at a more affordable price.

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

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.

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.