06/22/07  


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

Employee Exclusives from ADP
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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.

 

 

 

 

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.

     

The Huvaere Group Report is published twice monthly by the Huvaere Group
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?Copyright 2007 The Huvaere Automotive Group