02/29/08
Message from the President
Our Dealer Connect survey results are completed. I'm happy to report that for the last 3 years there has been a steady increase in our employee and customer satisfaction. Compared to other dealers in the Great Lakes Business Center region, our averages are higher than everyone else in approximately 70% of the categories. We all still need to improve, but we've made big gains, and over the next few months we will be looking at additional ways to improve that other 30%. Thank you to everyone that answered the survey.
Our Cafe is prospering and will be with us for many years to come. Both the employees and customers have commented to me how nice it is having the cafe here, especially Wednesday when Anne is cooking! Achatz soups are meals in themselves. Keep up the good work girls!
As you all know, this year marks our 30th anniversary in Richmond. As part of our renaissance, I have given out to the employees over 400 new button-down shirts. This will give us that extra look of professionalism and a more consistent look among our people that come into contact with the general public. Keep reading this newsletter for more upcoming changes.
 Our Pre-Owned department this week has begun moving into it's new location in the old Enterprise Rental Building at the South end of the property. The move will bring that department closer to the Lease Retention Center, plus allowing a distinct area for the Pre-Owned vehicles. This also will make it easier for our Pre-Owned Vehicle customers to know where to look for vehicles and salespeople. The move should be completed by the middle of next week.
Dick Huvaere

Why shop at Dick Huvaere's Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep?
We are here because of and for you, the customer. We know that when you're shopping at Chrysler dealers in Michigan, you will choose us because you expect a high level of service. We realize when you are looking among Dodge dealers in Michigan, you want a huge selection of new Dodge vehicles to ensure you can find exactly what you want. We understand that you expect to find the most knowledgeable staff among Jeep dealers in our area. We are here to deliver your expectations.
The Five Star Difference
The dealership experience - buying and servicing new and used vehicles - doesn't have to be painful. In every Five Star dealership, the dealership team member who works with you is your advocate, rather than your adversary, in the processes of buying, leasing, service, and maintenance. It's not a one-time certification; dealers must maintain compliance with all requirements and pass quarterly reviews and comprehensive annual re-certification audits. There are also processes for probation and de-certification to ensure that only those dealers who meet our high standards of quality display the Five Star brand sign.
First Dealership Executive MBA offered at Northwood U
In response to the increased demand for advanced degrees specifically tailored to retail dealership operations, Northwood University's DeVos Graduate School of Management, in conjunction with the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP), will offer the first-of-its-kind Master's of Business Administration (MBA) program for dealer executives. The new academic offering marks the first Dealership Executive MBA in the world. The accredited program is scheduled to begin in 2008 in Midland, Mich.
 The new MBA program will serve in-store executives employed by dealerships in the franchised new vehicle, independent used vehicle, RV, marine, motorsports, and motorcycle markets. The Dealership Executive MBA will also benefit executives working for captive and institutional lenders and aftermarket product vendors that support the retail trades.
Designed with the career demands of upper-echelon executives in mind, the accelerated 30-month MBA capitalizes on the best of distance and on-campus learning environments. While the relevant course-related information can be effectively conveyed online, honing the knowledge into powerful leadership skills requires face-to-face exposure with seasoned professors and fellow student-executives hailing from every facet of the industry. The program structure includes five intensive weeklong classroom modules in conjunction with the online coursework.
The interactive discussion-based model utilizes the signature DeVos Case Study method. According to Keith Pretty, president, Northwood University, "The Dealership Executive MBA program builds on our strong undergraduate tradition of educating thousands of managers and dealer principals that are in leadership positions across the United States and around the world."
"Northwood is the recognized leader in powered conveyance retailing and fixed operations education," said David Robertson, AFIP's executive director. "Our association's AFIP Certified F&I Professional program has been part of Northwood's undergraduate curriculum for many years. In candor, the DeVos graduate school was the only venue considered for the graduate-level executive education initiative."
The DeVos Graduate School of Management, Northwood University, offers Evening MBA options in Lansing, Midland and Troy, Michigan, a Full-time MBA option in Midland, Michigan, and Montreux, Switzerland, as well as corporate and international partnerships across the globe. These integrated management curricula employ a dynamic student-driven learning approach. The discussion-based style inspires MBA candidates to learn management by practicing management in an interactive format using the signature DeVos case study methodology. For more information regarding admissions, program content, and requirements, please visit the DeVos web site at www.northwood.edu/graduate.
Dodge Finishes 1-2 in 50th Daytona 500; Newman Wins With Teammate Second
Dodge Awards $1 Million Bonus To Penske Racing
Teammates Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch gave Dodge its first ever 1-2 sweep in NASCAR's premier event, the Daytona 500, winning the 50th running of the "Great American Race" Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. The Dodge Charger domination didn't stop there. Six of the first eight positions were filled by Dodge drivers. Reed Sorenson finished fourth, Elliott Sadler fifth, Kasey Kahne sixth and Robby Gordon seventh.
 Rusty Jarrett/Getty ImagesChrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli met with Dodge team owners earlier Sunday and announced there would be a $1 million bonus for a Dodge victory. During a meeting with several members of the motorsports press later in the day, he predicted a Dodge victory.
Newman and Busch put together the winning charge on the final lap. The teammates were second and third as the field took the white flag. They drafted their way to the front down the backstretch and stayed glued together through the final two turns and down to the tri-oval for the 1-2 finish.
It was Newman's first Daytona 500 victory and snapped an 81-race winless streak. He led four times for eight laps in the No. 12 Alltel Dodge Charger, but the most important was the final circuit. The win was also the first Daytona 500 victory for car owner Roger Penske, the most successful owner in open wheel history with 14 Indianapolis 500 victories. "I've been here almost 30 years trying to get in victory lane," said Penske. "To achieve this with the competition, with Ryan and Roy and the whole team, it's just unbelievable. We've worked hard. We've come close. I think it was a pure team effort. Ryan drove a masterful race, as he has done many times and come up short. But today was special for us." It was the first Daytona 500 win by a Dodge driver since Ward Burton visited victory lane in 2002. Newman collected $1,506,045 for the win plus the $1 million bonus from Dodge. Other Dodge finishers were Juan Pablo Montoya 32nd, Dario Franchitti 33rd and Kyle Petty 34th.
Chrysler Goes Holistic to Revolutionize Back Pain Care in the Workplace
Armed with the knowledge that low back pain is a prevalent affliction with a hefty price tag, Chrysler has taken a unique approach to alleviate back pain among its employees.
The program is 10 times more effective and less costly than conventional physical therapy at eliminating back pain and is expected to translate into significant healthcare expense savings.
More than half (55%) of employees who received the intervention eliminated their chronic back pain, compared to 0% of controls at program completion. Intervention participants also experienced significant reductions in disability, stress, and depressive symptoms, as well as improvement in sleep. In comparison, conventional physical therapy produced only five percent elimination of chronic back pain in a separate clinical trial with a similar population.
These findings offer a glimmer of hope after a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that, despite all the money that has been spent by Americans on back and neck pain relief, pain levels haven't improved.
In 2007, Chrysler LLC partnered with Health Alliance Plan (HAP), a Detroit-based nonprofit health plan, and the Henry Ford Medical Group (HFMG) provider network to pilot the "We've Got Your Back" program at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters. This holistic approach utilizes complementary and alternative medicine in a group model in the convenience of the workplace. Using modalities such as group feedback, guided relaxation and somatic movement reduction (teaching the brain to maintain control of the nerve and muscle system and release over-contracted muscles), the program treats a large number of individuals at one time while minimizing time missed from work.
Chrysler recruited more than 200 employees meeting eligibility criteria to participate in the pilot program. Employees were randomized to intervention or untreated control groups and their health status was measured at the start, middle and end of the five-month project period.
As a result of the successful pilot, Chrysler will continue to offer the program to its employees and will also pilot a separate program using similar complementary and alternative medical techniques to reduce stress.
According to the authors of the JAMA study, the U.S. spent nearly $86 billion on treatment of back and neck problems in 2005, an increase of 65 percent from 1997, after adjusting for inflation. Individuals with spine problems spent over $2,500 more on medical care in 2005 than those without spine problems.
Euchre Party to support The Special Olympics
Wertz Warriors are sponsoring a Euchre party to raise money in support of The Special Olympics Sunday March 9, 2008 at 3pm, Eagles Hall, 7542 Palms Rd. Fair Haven. The party includes raffles, a silent auction, prizes and food. A cash bar is available. Cost is $15 per person and includes entrance to play, prizes, and food. To register contact Jim Simpson at 810-533-3410 or email jsimpson@huvaere.com . Proceeds to The Special Olympics Michigan, www.somi.org .
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Employee Profile:
Jeff Vantorre
Maintenance

Jeff's family:
Jeff is single

If he wasn't at work, Jeff would be:
Up north.

Jeff's hometown:
St. Clair Shores.

Jeff's favorite place to travel:
Alpena MI.

Jeff's first job:
Stock clerk at Farmer Jack's.

Jeff's favorite television show is:
Sportscenter.

Jeff's favorite place to dine is:
Texas Road House.

Jeff's favorite vehicle is:
Chevy Silverado.

Something you may not know about Jeff:
Enjoys playing roller hockey in Clinton Twp.

Thanks Jeff for being such an asset to The Huvaere Group.

 

Today's Motivational Quote
"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. "
Chinese Proverb