Missouri Car Dealer BlogA Blog for Missouri Car Dealerships

Carmakers are entering a new era. In the past, my local New Jeep Dealer in Bridgeton could get away with selling a car based on the performance and exterior look alone. But those days are quickly becoming a thing of the past.  Consumers in the market for a New Car or Jeep are looking for something a little more sophisticated.  And today, buyers are demanding roomier, and much more luxurious interiors.  Apparently, carmakers are listening and taking head as more and more carmakers are earmarking a bigger portion of their yearly budget, to go towards the purchase of materials to make more elegant interiors.  Now more than ever, it’s the interior that will make or break a deal for many car buyers.

At a conference hosted by WardAuto this month, Designer Robert Gelardi was quoted as saying, “The interior has become so much more important. The exterior is about projection of the brand image but the interior is where you experience the brand.” Mr. Gelardi also stated, “People are more aware of design and recognize craftsmanship.”  This statement couldn’t be more true, or more timely.  Car buyers are more knowledgeable about the type of interiors they want and they are not willing to settle for anything less than their expectations of quality, comfort, roominess and style.  The Jeep Grand Cherokee is packed with enough of these amenities to satisfy even the most cynical of car buyers.  Stop in to your local Jeep Dealer today.  Take a test drive and you’ll quickly see that not only do the new Jeep products deliver in performance and durability, but their interiors are no a part of the game as well. It is easy to see after one look at the new Grand Cherokee that Jeep is paying special attention to the needs of its consumers.

Posted under Jeep Dealer

This post was written by ds_blogger

In case you missed part one and part two of our discussion on EV’s and PHEV’s, we have been taking note of the differences between the two options.  In our final part three of EV’s and PHEV’s we are touching on the final aspects to consider when making your decision on an electric car.

According to edmunds.com you have to really consider what your actual driving habits are.  They believe that most people have a somewhat inflated idea of how much they really drive.  Edmunds suggests keeping a notebook in your car to log your miles and time spent driving for a few weeks before you set out to make a purchase.

One of the biggest considerations in making your final determination will not necessarily be money saved or even miles driven, but it will be charging accessibility.  Some electric cars can take approximately seven hours to fully charge from a completely depleted battery.  It may take less time if the battery isn’t drained, but if you need a full battery to get home from work, then you must be parked close to the proper electrical outlets to be able to plug it in while you are away.  If you are lucky enough to have a quick-charge station on your route home then you may be able to get the job done in thirty minutes and enjoy a good magazine while you wait.

After taking all things into consideration, your style of driving may be completely changed if you have determined that an electric car is the best choice for you.  Come check out your local Blue Springs Ford cars Kansas City dealer to see their latest in EV’s and PHEV’s.

Click on the links below to review previous articles:

Part One, Part Two

Posted under Ford Cars

This post was written by ds_blogger

Many students are finally waving goodbye to their colleges and are anxiously looking ahead to their future. If you are recent college grad and are looking for a way to reward your hard work and effort consider buying yourself a new car. A safe and reliable car or truck will probably be a vital component to landing and keeping your dream job. If you are like millions of other Americans you will need reliable transportation to your job. If you shop wisely for your new car you will drive off the dealership lot with money in your pocket.

The Ford Motor Company not only offers some of the best cars and trucks on the market, but they also offer some of the best financial programs, especially for grads and students. The Ford Motor Company offers a financial program which is aimed to promote education by making it highly affordable to drive one of their reliable cars or trucks. Whether you are a full time student, a part time student, a graduate student, a trade school student, or a recent college grad you have the ability to take advantage of these special incentives and programs.

Once you sign up for the Ford College Student Purchase Program you will automatically receive a $500 student bonus when you buy or lease a 2011, 2012, or 2013 Ford or Lincoln vehicle. The Ford Motor Company offers a number of new Ford cars near Blue Springs which are aimed to save the owner money on an ongoing basis. For instance, the Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, and Ford Fusion cars are all known for their exceptional fuel efficiency capabilities as well as their affordable pricing and ability to outlast competitor brand models.

Posted under Ford Cars

This post was written by ds_blogger

As discussed in EV’s and PHEV’s Part One, there are differences in these two options that should be reviewed when you are considering an electric vehicle.   According to edmunds.com there are specific aspects of your life you should look at when deciding to purchase a new electric car.

First and foremost, you should consider your drive time to work and back every day.  If the car will travel 100 miles on one charge and that exceeds the miles you travel in one day you will have to consider recharging options available to you.  Manufacturers suggest that have a dedicated 240-volt EV charging station for your EV or at the least you should have access to a 110-volt outlet that will be close to where you park your car.  These will most likely become more available as time goes on but we aren’t quite to that point yet.  If this is your second car you may be better off.  This way you will always have a back-up fuel powered car for longer trips.  They also suggest analyzing your climate.  If you live in the mountains or in the extreme hot or extreme cold it may not be a good fit for you as it can affect the quality of your battery life.

Also, there isn’t currently an electric truck on the market so if you need to tow, that may be difficult for you.  Ford engineers are striving to be at the head of the industry in technology and they predict it won’t be long before you will see new Ford trucks available in electric models.  Stay connected with your local Blue Springs Kansas city Ford trucks dealer for the latest news on EV’s and PHEV’s.

To review EV’s and PHEV’s Part One, click here.

Posted under Ford Trucks

This post was written by ds_blogger

As decades pass it is clear to see which automotive manufacturers are making the concerted effort needed to stay abreast of the changes in consumer demand and anticipate their next move. It is these manufacturers which have stood the test of time thus far, such as the Ford Motor Company. Over the years Ford has driven to give the consumer exactly what they want at the price they deserve. Ford hits the mark from everything from customer service, to engine development. In looking at their processes and their track record it is clear to see Ford is here to stay and will continue to be a staple in American living and driving.

Over the past five years the Ford Motor Company has worked to develop new models to meet consumer needs. In fact, they believe they are a much different car company than the one they presented just five years ago. Over this time period they have trimmed down their focus, eliminating the Mercury brand and focusing solely on the Ford brand and the Lincoln luxury brand. Since then models such as the Ford Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion have been recognized for their capabilities. However, the Ford F150 has stayed true to what it does best. Since there is such a tight following of Ford truck lovers there is no reason to mess with what is working. They simply make improvements on their truck line including those new Kansas City Ford trucks found at your local dealership. Now the truck line is being equipped with the popular, fuel- saving EcoBoost engine. This engine allows the owners to keep the power and performance while improving their fuel economy.

Posted under Ford Trucks

This post was written by ds_blogger

As fuel costs keep going up, car buyers are increasingly considering other options for transportation that will allow them to save money and still have the convenience of owning their own car.  Hybrids have flooded the market in the last several years and now electric cars are registering more highly on people’s radar when researching cars.  There is a lot of talk in the industry about EV’s and PHEV’s and the average buyer may not understand the difference between the two.  Edmunds.com has provided a break-down of the two options and we have highlighted a few of the important distinguishing factors here.

Both EV and PHEV are electric-drive vehicles and both depend on batteries that are rechargeable.  EV’s depend solely on battery charge and some of the current models on the market can travel approximately 100-125 miles on one charge.  This fluctuates across manufacturers and they are all working diligently to out-last their competitors.  PHEV’s are plug-in hybrids and they will go a shorter distance than an EV on a fully charged battery but they will automatically switch over to gas or diesel engine generators when the battery runs out.  Some cars will only travel 15 minutes on battery charge but even that short break from fuel consumption can drastically increase fuel efficiency and save you money.

There are options for both EV’s and PHEV’s on the market today.  Ultimately, you will have to decide as the owner if this will be an option that will work for you with your driving habits.  Thoughts to consider will be discussed in part two of EV’s and PHEV’s.  Contact your local Blue Springs Ford dealer Kansas City to see Ford’s leading options in the industry of electric vehicles.

Posted under Ford Dealer

This post was written by ds_blogger

Allstar New Dodge Dealer in Bridgeton is pleased to announce that Chrysler Group LLC has released the first quarter results for the 2012 fiscal year. In a recent press release, Chrysler reported preliminary net income of $473 million for the first quarter, up more than 300 percent from $116 million a year ago, driven primarily by its 40 percent increase in U.S. retail sales. Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group LLC said in the statement, 
“Another positive quarter, built on sales gains that have surpassed the industry average, is affirmation that the Chrysler team is maintaining its focus.” He continued to say, “We continue to deliver on the targets in our five‐year plan and are now focused on successfully launching the Dodge Dart, a car that is a true melding of Chrysler’s and Fiat’s engineering and styling strengths.”

Given the financial state of many automotive corporations in the recent years, this comes as a refreshing sign for the motor company.  Chrysler also announced this week that they would skip their normal summer 2 week break due to the huge consumer demand for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and as a result will be adding 1100 jobs.

Allstar Dodge Dealer is proud to be a part of the Chrysler parent company.  We believe the 2012 first quarter results are in direct correlation with our commitment to serve our consumers needs. One visit to our dealership and you will see be greeted by our knowledgeable experts.  Our salesmen are trained to listen to your needs and put you in the right vehicle, while our finance experts are there to aid you in finding the best financing possible for your situation.  We believe this commitment to excellence will keep us at the top of your leader board.

Posted under Dodge Dealer

This post was written by ds_blogger

When you are in the market to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle you want it to be an exciting time, as it should be.  As exciting as this is, there is a certain level of anxiety that naturally accompanies a purchase of this size.  You want to make sure you are making a solid, confident decision so you don’t leave the lot with buyer’s remorse which can leave you scrambling the next day for a way out. One of the big decisions you will find yourself making when you are searching for a pre-owned option is whether or not to buy a used or a certified pre-owned car.

Toyota will have a wide variety of either option for you to choose from, but it is certainly worth your time to take a deeper look into their Certified Toyota Used Vehicle program.  Weiss Toyota will always strive to make sure you are happy with the car you drive off the lot with, but having the certified label means that your happiness comes with a guarantee for an extended amount of time.  Here is a run-down of what a Toyota certified car, truck, or SUV will mean for you as a buyer:

• 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Warranty
• 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
• 1-year of Roadside Assistance
• 160-Point Quality Assurance Inspection
• CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™
• Certified customers are eligible for standard new car financing rates

Visit your local Weiss dealer serving Washington, Missouri to inquire about any of the services offered above and take a look at the current deals they have to offer on certified Toyota cars St. Louis.  They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about their certified program.

Posted under Certified Toyota

This post was written by ds_blogger

Being reluctant to trade-in your car with a dealer has become a notion of the past.  It used to be that people would do everything they could to sell their vehicle as a private seller so they could make more money and avoid the hassles of negotiations and issues with dealers.

According to edmunds.com there are many aspects of trading-in your car that are becoming more and more appealing to buyers today.  We live in a country of convenience, and ultimately buyers love the convenience that trading-in their car provides.  There isn’t any wait time in this process.  Shoppers can go onto a lot and buy a new car and sell their old one all in the same day with no concern of unsatisfied new owners the next day.  While owners may still receive a little less for their trade-in than they would if they sold it on their own, it may be a price difference they are willing to take.  Not only do they save on time, but they also save in advertising costs, paperwork issues (that the dealer handles for you when you trade-in), and having to deal with using another vehicle in some instances, allowing their car to sit in an unsecured location that will get a lot of traffic for viewers.

Other good news for shoppers who wish to trade-in is that values for their cars are reaching record-breaking highs in the market right now.  Dealers are experiencing a shortage of used cars on their lot and they are doing what they can to build up their inventory by offering top dollar for trade-ins.  Visit your local Weiss dealer to discuss what your used Toyota St. Louis is worth.

Posted under Used Toyota

This post was written by ds_blogger

Toyota is excited to announce their plans for a production shift in new Prius cars.  According to autonews.com Toyota analysts predict annual sales to top 200,000 units by the year 2015.  This will be enough in sales to justify the addition of a new manufacturing plant for the car.  Plans are set into motion to being distributing these cars in North America by the time they reach this highly anticipated sales number in 2015.  Toyota is currently seeking out North American suppliers for inverters, electric motors, and batteries to facilitate this upcoming growth.

What does this mean for consumers?  The Prius will become a more easily obtainable car and the prices will stay competitive.  You can purchase a Prius knowing that you are boosting America’s economy and helping to create jobs in North America.  As the Prius grows, the price should stay with the trends of supply and demand, keeping it an affordable option for people in the market to purchase a new car.

Check out the new “city-friendly” member of the Prius family: The Prius c.  The possibilities are endless with this amazing car.  With EPA estimated mpg of 53 city/46 highway/50 combined you will have nothing to lose, and because Toyota believes there is no such thing as being too safe, it comes standard with 9 airbags.  If technology is what you want, you won’t be dissatisfied with what the Prius c has to offer.  Available is the 3-door smart key system with push button start, navigation and Entune multi-media system, and of course Bluetooth hands-free phone capability so you can stay safe while you stay connected.

Contact your local Weiss dealer serving Missouri and Illinois today to check-out the Prius c and see the difference in what Toyota cars St. Louis have to offer.

Posted under Toyota Cars

This post was written by ds_blogger