Heiser Chevrolet August 2013 Newsletter, (414) 327-2300
Brian Crandall Provides Out of the Ballpark Leadership at +Heiser Chevrolet!
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Heiser Chevrolet General Manager: Brian Crandall |
This month we recognize our Heiser Chevrolet General Manager, Brian Crandall. Known for his outgoing smile and genuine demeanor, he is always out to win over customers. One way he accomplishes this is by keeping an “open door” and remaining accessible to all. Yet, it is Brian’s love of cars that keeps him on the showroom floor, often demonstrating product features and helping answer shoppers’ questions.
In a recentdealerrater.com review, one customer stated:
Brian joined the Heiser family in 2004, perhaps because he had always been a Chevy buyer, (he’s owned everything from a 1982 Chevy Celebrity to a 1993 Chevy Cavalier RS). He started in Sales yet quickly rose to the top, wearing a variety of hats along the way. Brian can empathize with employees and often helps coach them on improvement. He is seen as a versatile and friendly leader who understands the challenges and rewards of each role at the dealership.
His motto is “treat everyone equally and with respect.” So, Brian encourages great service and revels in the outstanding online reviews the dealership receives. Oftentimes, they highlight feeling “valued” and remark on the way Heiser Chevrolet goes out for their customers. It’s a genuine effort that trickles down from the top, with Brian encouraging all to take the time to get things done right.
Besides running the dealership, Brian believes it is important to be active in the community. He’s a hometown West Allis native, who attended the local schools, so it’s easy for him to feel a part of the south side scene. Recognizing the value of education and extra-curricular activities in building that community feeling, Brian has committed hours to helping the local Rec. Department and has served on the School Board.
Outside of the showroom, Brian enjoys an active sports life, playing baseball, football, fishing and golfing. It’s a way for him to relax yet remain competitive. Prior to his life in the automotive industry, Brian made a name for himself, pitching for UW Parkside on a baseball scholarship!
We invite you to stop in and see Brian soon or email him at bcrandall@heiser.com.
In a recentdealerrater.com review, one customer stated:
“I have been working with the Heiser Group for my last 6 vehicle purchases. I specifically enjoy the relationship I have developed with Brian Crandall. As a manager, Brian always has made sure a sales person knew what I was looking for and that I was taken care of. I am a no nonsense buyer, so when it was time to talk numbers, Brian was there to assist and close the deal quickly. I have always left the dealership feeling like I mattered to them as a customer. Everyone wants the best "deal" they can get on whatever their vehicle of choice is, I have always left feeling good about the price of the vehicles I have purchased. I look forward to a continued relationship.”
Brian joined the Heiser family in 2004, perhaps because he had always been a Chevy buyer, (he’s owned everything from a 1982 Chevy Celebrity to a 1993 Chevy Cavalier RS). He started in Sales yet quickly rose to the top, wearing a variety of hats along the way. Brian can empathize with employees and often helps coach them on improvement. He is seen as a versatile and friendly leader who understands the challenges and rewards of each role at the dealership.
His motto is “treat everyone equally and with respect.” So, Brian encourages great service and revels in the outstanding online reviews the dealership receives. Oftentimes, they highlight feeling “valued” and remark on the way Heiser Chevrolet goes out for their customers. It’s a genuine effort that trickles down from the top, with Brian encouraging all to take the time to get things done right.
Besides running the dealership, Brian believes it is important to be active in the community. He’s a hometown West Allis native, who attended the local schools, so it’s easy for him to feel a part of the south side scene. Recognizing the value of education and extra-curricular activities in building that community feeling, Brian has committed hours to helping the local Rec. Department and has served on the School Board.
Outside of the showroom, Brian enjoys an active sports life, playing baseball, football, fishing and golfing. It’s a way for him to relax yet remain competitive. Prior to his life in the automotive industry, Brian made a name for himself, pitching for UW Parkside on a baseball scholarship!
We invite you to stop in and see Brian soon or email him at bcrandall@heiser.com.
Chevy Impala is first Detroit 3 car to top +Consumer Reports sedan rankings
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The 2013 Chevrolet Impala |
"The domestic auto makers, they
do a lot right but there's often something that's holding them back," Jake
Fisher, director of Consumer Reports' automotive testing, told Automotive News, a sister publication of Tire Business. "This car just
kind of gets it all right. They really have a winner here."
In its September issue, Consumer
Reports said the Impala "rides like a luxury sedan, with a cushy and
controlled demeanor," and "is competitive with cars that cost $20,000
more, including the Audi A6 and Lexus LS 460 L," along with the Acura RLX
and Jaguar XF. It also praises the car's "solid, almost vault like
atmosphere" and the Chevrolet MyLink control system.
"It has been transformed into a
thoroughly modern and remarkably enjoyable vehicle," the magazine said.
The 2014 Impala has also been widely praised by other publications, including
the Wall Street Journal, Car and Driver, and Autoweek,
another Tire Business sister publication. Only the Tesla Model S, which
received a rare 99 out of 100, and BMW 135i coupe, which received a score of
97, rate better than the 2014 Impala. "GM's really put it all on the
line," he said. "Gone are the days when GM said, 'We can't make the
Chevy too nice because we have to sell Cadillacs.' They didn't hold back at
all."
Chevrolet Cruze Diesel 46 MPG Sets Highway Fuel Economy Benchmark
The new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean
Turbo Diesel delivers an industry best EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway –
better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America.
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The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Difference |
The Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel is the
best diesel passenger car on the market. With this car, Chevrolet is
redefining the meaning of great fuel economy. With a starting price of $25,695,
including an $810 destination charge, the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is a better
value than a similarly equipped VW Jetta TDI automatic. Compared with
Jetta, the Cruze Diesel offers standard equipment including the Chevrolet
MyLink infotainment system, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed
seating, a longer five-year 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a
two-year maintenance plan.
Cruze Diesel also beats its rivals
in performance with a segment-leading estimated 148 horsepower (110 kW) and
estimated 258 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm), and can go 0-60 in about 8.6 seconds.
Its advanced 2.0L turbo-diesel engine has an overboost feature capable of
increasing torque to an estimated 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) for short bursts of
stronger acceleration when needed, such as entering freeway traffic.
Cruze Diesel is powered by the cleanest
diesel passenger car engine produced by General Motors. The vehicle generates
90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions when compared to
previous-generation diesels. Chevrolet
has sold more than 2 million Cruze models globally since it was launched in
mid-2010. More than 35,000 of those were diesel powered in 2012.
2014 Chevrolet Volt Now Offers Even Greater Value: Pricing for the 2014 model will start at $34,995
The Chevrolet Volt, already
recognized by for having the most satisfied owners will soon come with
another people pleaser: a lower price. The 2014 model will start at $34,995,
including an $810 destination fee (excluding tax, title, license and dealer
fees). If consumers include federal tax credits ranging from $0-$7,500
(depending on individual tax liability), pricing could start at $27,495.
Individual tax situations differ so consulting a tax professional prior to
claiming any credits to confirm eligibility for vehicle tax benefits is
recommended.
Environmentally conscious drivers
really love the Volt. By reducing the cost, Chevrolet has made the Volt a
viable option for many more consumers. Volt owners who charge regularly
typically drive 900 miles between fill-ups and visit the gas station about once
a month. The 2014 Volt will continue to provide impressive fuel economy of 98
MPGe (electric) and 35 city/40 highway on gasoline power without any need to
change their daily driving habits while saving $900 in annual fuel costs.
The Volt continues to be the best
selling plug-in vehicle in America and is attracting new buyers to Heiser
stores and the Chevrolet brand. More than 70 percent of Volt buyers are new to
General Motors. Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius is the most frequently
traded-in vehicle for a Volt. The Chevrolet Volt allows gas-free driving
for an EPA-estimated 38 miles, depending on terrain, driving techniques and
temperature. The range-extending engine gives the Volt up to 380 total miles of
total driving range. With the 2014 Volt, Chevrolet will introduce two new
colors – Ashen Gray Metallic and Brownstowne Metallic – and a leather-wrapped
steering wheel.
Chevrolet’s Iconic Bowtie Celebrates 100th Anniversary
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The Chevrolet Bowtie History |
Chevrolet’s globally recognized
bowtie celebrates its 100th anniversary this year with 25 product
launches helping the symbol find new roads around the world despite an origin
that is still uncertain. In 1913, Chevrolet co-founder William C. Durant
introduced the signature Chevy bowtie on the 1914 Chevrolet H-2 Royal Mail and
the H-4 Baby Grand, centered at the front of both models. Sixty million
Chevrolets are on the roads worldwide today and the bowtie has adorned 215
million Chevrolets over the last century. A Chevrolet car, crossover or truck
is sold every 6.39 seconds in one of 140 countries, and the brand set a sales
record of 2.5 million in the first six months of this year. The bowtie’s
centennial is marked by new entries, such as the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel
compact sedan in the U.S.
“The Chevrolet bowtie is recognized
around the world and has become synonymous with American ingenuity,” said
Chevrolet Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney. “Whether you’re pulling
thousands of pounds through rocky terrain in a Silverado pickup or commuting in
a Spark EV, Chevrolet’s bowtie will always be at the fore front of your
travels.”
While the bowtie has been present
for 100 years, the details surrounding its origin are still uncertain. Stories
range from Durant being inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel to
a newspaper advertisement he saw while vacationing in Hot Springs, Va.
Durant’s widow and daughter have offered alternative explanations.
According to Margery Durant, in her
1929 book My Father, Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on
pieces of paper at the dinner table. "I think it was between the soup and
the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used
on the Chevrolet car to this day," she wrote.
But in a 1968 interview, Durant’s
widow, Catherine, said the bowtie design originated from a Hot Springs vacation
in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design
and exclaimed, “I think this would be a very good emblem for the
Chevrolet.”
Unfortunately, Mrs. Durant never
clarified what the motif was or how it was used. But that nugget of information
inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to
search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution
newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern
Compressed Coal Company for “Coalettes,” a refined fuel product for fires. The
Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar
to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon.
Did Durant and his wife see the same
ad – or one similar – the following year a few states to the north? The date of
the paper Kaufmann found was just nine days after the incorporation of the
Chevrolet Motor Co. The first use of the bowtie by Chevrolet appeared in the
Oct. 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post with the words “Look for this
nameplate” above the symbol.
Music BandUses 2014 Chevrolet Impala as Recording Studio: 2014 Impala is Chevrolet’sQuietest Full-Size Sedan Ever
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The Gentlemen Mutineers |
Impala customers cannot believe how quiet the Impala is,
especially when we they hear a band recorded a song inside the cabin. The new
2014 Chevrolet Impala
is quiet by design, due in part to active noise-cancelling technology. Active
Noise Cancellation is standard on new Impalas with four-cylinder powertrains
and helps make the redesigned flagship Chevrolet’s quietest full-size sedan
ever for drivers. Active noise cancellation even helps owners of the new Impala
save money at the pump by using three ceiling-mounted microphones to detect low
frequency engine noise during idling. The frequencies are processed by an
onboard computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio
system’s speakers and subwoofer. This technology allows the engine to operate
at the fuel-conserving range of 1,000 to 1,500 RPM, and helps eliminate the
need for some sound-deadening materials, all of which contributes to improved
fuel efficiency.
A quiet ride is important to drivers. Impala engineers and
designers used the most advanced tools available and performed many hours of
road testing to deliver Chevrolet’s quietest full-size sedan ever. Impala
also uses a variety of sound-buffering and -absorbing materials to minimize
wind, road and engine noise, including:
·
Acoustically laminated windshield
and front-door glass
·
Liquid-applied sound deadener
applied to the floor pan and trunk
·
Triple-sealed doors with acoustic
perimeter water deflectors
·
Sound-absorbing carpet and dash mat
·
Acoustic foam baffles inside body
cavities and between inner and outer quarter panels
·
And an isolated engine cradle.
Having a quiet cabin makes it easier
for Impala’s voice recognition software to understand commands. A quieter cabin
also makes it easier for front and backseat passengers to have a conversation
at normal speaking levels. Voice recognition is part of the MyLink system
that comes standard on LT and LTZ models, and helps drivers safely place calls,
enter destinations and control other functions while keeping their eyes on the
road and hands on the wheel. To make the Impala as quiet as possible, engineers
tested the Impala’s interior acoustics with a mannequin-like binaural recording
device called an Aachen Head. Named for the headquarters of Head Acoustics GmbH
in Aachen, Germany, the tool uses specially calibrated microphones to precisely
record a dynamic range equal with human hearing during test drives on a variety
of road surfaces at GM’s Milford Proving Ground.
2014 Chevrolet Impala Receives Five-Star Safety Score
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The Test Photo for the 2014 Chevrolet Impala |
The redesigned, full-size sedan presents
drivers with one of the most comprehensive collections of standard and
available safety features in the segment. It employs advanced technologies –
including radar – to help avoid crashes. Visual and audible alerts, depending
on the alert feature, help drivers identify potential crash situations and even
intervene when a crash threat appears more imminent. The alerts are designed to
identify potential threats with sufficient warning to give the driver time to
react and make changes.
The available safety features and
benefits include:
·
Full-speed-range
adaptive cruise control –
Radar technology senses traffic in front of the Impala to adjust vehicle speed,
including stopping the vehicle in heavy traffic and accelerating again. It is
the first application in a Chevrolet.
·
Crash
imminent braking – Another Chevy first: Radar
technology detects a possible crash threat and alerts the driver. If the driver
does not appear to react quickly enough or doesn’t react at all, this feature
intervenes to apply the brakes in an effort to avoid the crash.
·
Forward
collision alert – Camera technology detects a
possible crash threat and alerts the driver, giving him or her time to stop
and/or change course.
·
Lane
departure warning – A camera-based lane
detection system warns the driver of unsignaled lane changes. The camera,
mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and
provides audible alerts.
·
Side blind
zone alert – Using radar sensors on both
sides of the vehicle, the system “looks” for other vehicles in the blind zone
areas of the Impala and indicates their presence with light-emitting diode, or
LED-lit symbols in the outside mirrors.
·
Rear cross
traffic alert – Based on the radar sensors
of side blind zone alert, it warns the driver of vehicles in traffic when
backing out of a parking spot – including angled parking. Visual and audible
alerts are triggered if moving vehicles are detected.
·
Rear
vision camera with dynamic guidelines –
With a display in the center stack infotainment system, the camera provides a
view of objects directly behind the Impala, while the dynamic guidelines
provide a reference that helps make parking and other maneuvers easier.
·
Ultrasonic
rear park assist – Uses sensors in the rear
bumper to detect objects directly behind the vehicle and alerts the driver.
·
Brake
pre-fill feature – To quicken the response time
of the brakes and help shorten stopping distances, this features “loads” the
brake calipers in anticipation of hard braking by slightly increasing the hydraulic
pressure in the brake lines whenever the driver lifts off the accelerator
pedal. This feature is included on models equipped with adaptive cruise control
and collision mitigation braking.
·
Hill
hold/start assist – Applies the brakes for about
1.5 seconds to prevent roll-back when the driver moves his or her foot from the
brake to the accelerator pedal.
The advanced, crash-avoidance
technologies complement the Impala’s occupant protection features that keep
owners safe, including 10 standard air bags. Impala also employs systems
that enable greater vehicle control, including standard StabiliTrak electronic
stability control system, all-speed traction control, four-wheel disc brakes
with four-channel antilock brakes and electronic brake force distribution,
which ensures optimal braking force at both axles for maximum stability under
heavy braking. OnStar is standard. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to
automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar service also includes
MyLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information and OnStar services via the
customer’s smartphone.
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