Message from
the President
Attention: Smokers! Pick up your butts. On a recent tour
of the property I saw areas where the ash trays are provided and the area was
still covered with "butts". This is very unsightly and not complementary to our
dealership. Remember first impressions never get a second chance so those of
you that smoke are asked to pick up all the butts you see next time out.
Thank you,
Dick Huvaere
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Safety group: Blind spots a deadly flaw for most SUVs
The backup cameras available as
standard equipment or as options on large vehicles may become more popular if a
move focusing on deadly blind spots in SUVs picks up steam. With a camera the
big blind spot in the rear disappears, MSNBC points out in a column discussing
the growing concerns, noting some of the safety systems also have sensors that
set off an alarm if something is back there. Janette Fennell, the Kansas mom who
founded Kids and Cars, drives an SUV with a built-in backup camera. "I'd never
drive a car that doesn't have it," she is quoted. According to the consumer
group she started, as many as 62 children could sit in the blind zone behind an
SUV and the driver would never see them. And that's a huge problem. Click the
link to read why more buyers could opt for this high-end accessory.
Cars outsell light trucks for first
time since 2002
It's a dramatic shift, but is it permanent? More cars than light trucks were
sold in the United States last month, reports from the automobile companies
showed Friday, as gasoline prices nationwide soared to more than $3 a gallon,
the New York Times reports. Overall, vehicle sales were up 0.7 percent from May
2006. Car sales were up 2.2 percent, while truck sales slipped 0.7 percent.
Toyota, Nissan, General Motors and the Chrysler Group all said their sales rose
in May compared with 2006, primarily because of stronger car sales. Toyota said
its May sales set a monthly record, up 9.7 percent from a year ago. Ford Motor
Co. sales fell 11.7 percent from 2006. G.M. held 23.9 percent of the American
market in May, while Toyota held 17.3 percent. Ford's market share was 16.1
percent, while DaimlerChrysler, including Mercedes-Benz, took 14.2 percent of
the market. The last time cars outsold light trucks was in May 2002, according
to Autodata. But light trucks have routinely been outselling cars each month
since 1997, when consumers' tastes for big vehicles tipped the scales in their
favor. Caring for Your
Car During Summer
Summer can be tough on cars,
especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and
stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle
components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid
breakdowns and car problems, according to the Car Care Council.
Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat
causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal
structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging
system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate,
which will eventually destroy a battery. To get
the most life out of a battery, the council recommends having
the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct
rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off,
check it often, especially in hot weather and add
distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the
battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which
drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it
becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.
The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent
overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working
effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture
for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a
reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the
coolant level in the reservoir. As a rule of
thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most
vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which
helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper
boiling point and protection. A pressure test,
thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual
inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done
annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or
frayed edges. The radiator should be kept clean
by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush
to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris. Tires also
need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put
added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire
condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated
every 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure
within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to
check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's
manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's
tires.
"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs
properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can
definitely be minimized by taking a few extra
preventive maintenance steps," said Rich White,
executive director, Car Care Council. The council
reminds motorists that the vehicle's exterior also can be
damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air
pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles
should be washed weekly and waxed every six months.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care
Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular
vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the
council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit
http://www.carcare.org
.
Shelf Units For Sale
We have for sale the shelf units from our parts department
remodel. Each unit measures 7' high by 3' wide by 12" deep, and includes 4
shelves. Cost is $30 each or discounts for multiple units. Also available are
five 24" deep by 36" wide units. These will be available for $45 each.
If you would like more info or
would like to purchase some of these units, see Andy Osebold.
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This Month's Employee Profile:
Ken Kline
Service Consultant

Ken's
family:
Ken is married and has 2 kids, Jack age 3 and Lilly age 6
months. If he wasn't at work, Ken would be:
"Home with my kids."
Ken's
Hometown:
"St. Clair Shores"
Ken's favorite place to travel:
"Up North, Petoskey."
Ken's first job:
"Grocery stock boy, Village Market in St. Clair Shores."
Ken's
favorite television how is:
"Soprano's"
Ken's
favorite place to dine is:
"Luigi's in Clinton Township."
Ken's favorite vehicle is:
"1980 Grand National"
Something you may not already know about
Ken:
" I used to perform stand-up comedy."
Ken has been with us just over 3 years. Thank you
Ken
for being such an asset
to The Huvaere Group!
Today's Motivational Quote
"Change has a considerable psychological impact on
the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that
things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may
get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to
make things better."
King Whitney Jr. |