4 Things Smart Dealerships Do when Women Buyers Visit

by Anne Fleming on Apr 13, 2011

So a woman has stepped onto your lot and is looking to purchase a vehicle. What happens next and the direction the visit goes is largely determined by how the dealership, specifically the salesperson, engages and influences her experience. Research shows that 45% of women feel apprehensive and 34% are intimidated when shopping at new car dealerships. The factors that lead to whether she stays or goes to the competition can be summed up with several factors that are fundamental to converting a female visitor to a happy and long-term customer:

1. Treat her fairly and with respect, as the front negotiator. Be willing to work with her without any intimidation tactics, pushiness or condescending attitudes. If she is with her husband or a man, treat her as the front buyer and keep consistent eye contact with her.
   
   
2. Maintain a relaxed and no-pressure environment, allowing her to feel cared for and listened to.
   
   
3. Build trust by ensuring she understands the safety standards and warranty information. Appreciate that she may likely have children passengers. Answer all questions in a way she feels listened to, and make sure all her questions get addressed. Don't use words like 'always' or 'never' - she will stop listening.
   
   
4. Make her experience enjoyable and educational, so she can drive away with more knowledge and awareness. Be the go-to knowledge provider and treat her with respect, which she will almost certainly share with her friends and family.  

Women account for 54% of new car purchasers, and influence 82% of the purchases for the family. Successful women-friendly car dealers know how to have all their sales and service team members work with women buyers with finesse and respect.

http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/automotivepr/2011/04/13/4-things-smart-dealerships-do-when-women-buyers-visit-?hq_e=el&hq_m=983222&hq_l=3&hq_v=c240df170a

Vehicle Electrification: 5 Technologies to Watch

Vehicle Electrification: 5 Technologies to Watch

APR 13, 2011

April 13th, 2011

The electric car is alive and well, and Ford has big plans for its future and that of electrification advancement. Just ask Chuck Gray, the Ford Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. He shared his insight at the SAE 2011 World Congress (April 12-14) on the top five technologies from Ford, which by the way, has more than 244 patents for its electrification technology. Electrification is an important element in the Ford overall product sustainability strategy, which includes the launch of five electrified vehicles in North America by 2012 and in Europe by 2013. Ford launched the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van in 2010 and will launch the all-new Focus Electric later this year. These models will be joined in North America by the new C-MAX Hybrid, a second next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.

But it's not only the electrified vehicles capturing the spotlight - it's also the surrounding technologies, and Chuck highlighted the emerging top five.

Auto Stop-Start: Not just for electrified vehicles, this fuel-saving technology that automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop will soon be added to conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America. It's a feature currently found on the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrid and on some Ford cars in Europe. The Ford-patented new Auto Start-Stop system for gasoline engines will improve fuel economy for most drivers by at least 4 percent. The gain can be as high as 10 percent for some drivers, depending on vehicle size and usage. It also reduces tailpipe emissions to zero while the vehicle is stationary or waiting at a stoplight with the engine off.

Human Machine Interface: Sure, the name of the technology might sound a little sci-fi, but it is a significant component in the Ford suite of electrified vehicles that helps to inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers. Just as the growing leafy vine of today's SmartGauge^TM with EcoGuide represents fuel efficiency in the Fusion Hybrid, the cluster display in the Focus Electric will use blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond one's charge point destination - the more butterflies there are, the greater the range. At the end of each trip a display screen provides distance driven, miles gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric. Other range enablers will include a budget view, range view and Brake Coach, which gives drivers feedback on their braking performance to maximize recuperation back into the battery.

The Focus Electric also will feature the MyFord Touch^TM map-based Navigation System using the vehicle's center stack 8-inch touch screen, which is another iteration of HMI. After adding their driving destinations, including their next charge point, into the vehicle's Navigation System, the vehicle will coach drivers on how to achieve the desired range - or if travel plans need to be adjusted. The onboard Navigation System provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient EV driving.

Motor: The new Ford C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid models build on the success of the critically acclaimed powersplit architecture Ford uses in its current hybrids, including the Fusion Hybrid. In a powersplit hybrid, the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine can work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions, and work with the engine at higher speeds.

While this system enables the current Fusion Hybrid to operate in fuel-saving electric mode up to 47 mph, Ford is targeting higher electric operating speeds for C-MAX Hybrid and even more capability for C-MAX Energi, which will have the advantage of additional battery power.

Battery: "Our battery and motor systems engineering are key enablers of our electrification strategy," said Chuck. "Our goals are to continue to improve energy efficiency while simultaneously reducing costs, providing a value benefit to the consumer." Future Ford hybrid and electric vehicles will use new lithium-ion battery systems that are designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in the current, critically acclaimed Ford hybrid vehicles.

Li-ion battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today's hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and they can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid models all will be powered by advanced lithium-ion battery systems that are being engineered by Ford. The Focus Electric battery system uses heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and fuel-free driving range. Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of pure electric vehicles. The system also features cabin climate preconditioning while on charge from the wall plug to further maximize electric range during driving.

Regenerative braking system: Regenerative braking is a function that captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Greater than 90 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means less than 10 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes.

"As we see continuing escalation in the price of fuel, people are becoming more interested in electrified products," Chuck explained. "We've developed a clearer picture of how these technologies can be leveraged and brought to market, and we're confident that each will further improve the efficiency of our expanded portfolio of products."

You can keep up with the latest Ford electrification news at the Ford Electric Vehicles Facebook page.

Fw: Callaway Silverado C19 SportTruck Revealed

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 5:06 PM

Subject: Callaway Silverado C19 SportTruck Revealed

Photos: Callaway Cars

The Callaway Silverado "C19" SportTruck has arrived. Callaway Cars, the legendary American tuning house known for powerfully modifying Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, has released photos and information about its first-ever high-performance full-size pickup truck.

Based on the current Chevy Silverado 1500 half-ton, Callaway is amping up both the 5.3-liter V-8 and 6.2-liter V-8 haulers with Eaton's Twin Vortices Series roots-type superchargers. The same superchargers are also used to boost power to stratospheric levels in the Chevrolet ZR-1 and Cadillac CTS-V.

Callaway's powertrain tweaks also feature an air-to-liquid intercooler system plus high capacity fuel injectors and a high flow air intake system.

The bottom line is 450 horsepower high up the curve (@ 6,200 rpm) and 450 pounds-feet of torque (@ 4,000 rpm) in the 5.3 and 540 horses (@ 6,200 rpm) and 522 pounds-feet (@ 3,800 rpm) in the 6.2, according to Callaway's website. That an increase of 135 horsepower and 115 pounds-feet of torque over the stock 5.3 and 137 horsepower and 105 pounds-feet over the stock 6.2.

Despite the huge performance gains, Callaway promises the trucks will keep the same fuel economy ratings as the standard Silverado, which the EPA rates at 15/21 mpg city/highway for the 5.3 4x2 and 13/18 mpg for the 6.2 4x2.

Other Callaway improvements include: Carbon fiber injector covers, a low-restriction exhaust system, embroidered headrests and floor mats and Callaway badging and key fobs. A three-year, 36,000 mile warranty is standard.

Optional upgrades include: Chrome-coated supercharger housing, Callaway nine spoke alloy wheels paired with BFG tires, a Callaway suspension and LeMans GT brakes, a sport interior package, tonneau cover, a five-year, 100,000 mile extended warranty and you can pickup your Callaway pickup at the factory.

The Callaway Silverado package starts at $15,995, before options. It's available for two-wheel and four-wheel drive trucks in any cab style or bed length.

We'll take a regular cab short box C19, please.

[Source: Callaway Cars]

Fw: 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

From: Steven J. Ewing

Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 11:59 AM

Subject: 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Cadillac, GM

2012 Cadillac SRX - Click above for high-res image

Cadillac has officially announced a host of changes for the 2012 SRX crossover, including a new standard engine - General Motors' 3.6-liter direct-injected V6. This powerplant will serve as the only available engine on the SRX here in the United States, replacing both the base 3.0-liter V6 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that was axed earlier this year.

Under the hood of the 2012 SRX, the 3.6-liter mill produces 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque - increases of 35 hp and 37 lb-ft over the anemic 3.0-liter engine that served as the base engine when the SRX was refreshed for the 2010 model year. The new V6 offers the same amount of horsepower as the discontinued 2.8-liter turbocharged unit, though it's down on torque by 35 lb-ft.

In addition to its new heart, the 2012 SRX will offer standard Bluetooth connectivity on all models, and a standard heated steering wheel on luxury, performance and premium trims. Additionally, performance and premium trim levels get a new 20-inch wheel option. Pricing will be announced in a few months when the 2012 SRX officially starts production. GM's official press blast is available after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

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Fw: Brewery Turns '58 Chevy Apache Into Electric Hot Rod

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:53 PM

Subject: Brewery Turns '58 Chevy Apache Into Electric Hot Rod

By Dave Lee

Steam Whistle, a brewery based in Toronto, is home to a fleet of classic rides used to promote and deliver its pilsners, and among them is a 1958 Chevy Apache that runs on green power.

The Apache, part of the brewery's Green Initiatives project, has been retrofitted with 24 lithium batteries that provide a driving range of about 93 miles, according to the brewery's website. A high-efficiency motor supplied by Azure Dynamics (which also supplies motors for Ford's Transit Connect small cargo van) can produce 465 pounds-feet of torque at only 200 rpm.

An ongoing video series documenting the creation of the green-powered Apache — nicknamed "Retro Electro" — is posted on Steam Whistle's website here.

[H/T to Steve for the tip]