Congratulations to Pat Carney who is 2 for 2 in Subaru Big Dog Challenge
November 20, 2008
Pat Carney, a sales professional at Heritage Subaru participated in what is called the “BIG DOG COMPETITION”. This was the second year Pat competed. This competition is a challenge that picks the best salespeople in the entire Subaru Mid-Atlantic Region in a product presentation. Each of the 8 districts in the region holds a contest to select the best salesperson in their area to compete against the best of the other districts.
Subaru creates a particular scenario which the salesperson must use to best describe the features and benefits of the Subaru chosen for the presentation. In front of a select group of regional training and sales executives from the Mid Atlantic Region, one by one, the representatives give their presentation while also being filmed. This is a real challenge for the individual giving the presentation.
This year’s event was designed to enhance the knowledge and presentation skills of Subaru salespeople.The format was altered to include sub-regional competitions. To provide a better level of competition there were three distinct competition venues: East, West and South. This provided the region with three distinct winners and a better variety of prizes for contestants.
2008 participants were asked to hone their skills on several factors including need based analysis, product knowledge, competitive knowledge and presentation effectiveness. The featured vehicles were the Subaru Tribeca and Outback 2.5i Limited. First place included a $1,000 cash prize and a tour of the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Plant. Additional cash prizes were also awarded to third through fifth place winners.
For the second consecutive year, Pat Carney has won the competition. Winning once is a huge achievement, considering the level of competition. To win a second in a row is outstanding.
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D–Md.) announces her automotive stimulus plan
November 13, 2008
This morning, MileOne Automotive’s Saturn of York Road dealership was host to Senator Barbara Mikulski’s (D–Md.) press conference announcing her automotive stimulus plan she will be introducing Monday, November 17th when the senate reconvenes. The “Mikulski Auto Ownership Tax Assistance Amendment” makes the interest payments on car loans and the sales/excise taxes tax-deductible for new car purchases made between November 3, 2008 and December 3,1 2009.
The Senator and the other speakers at the conference believe this stimulus plan will not only put money in consumers’ pockets, but help bring the automotive industry through the current economic situation. The tax incentives will create an increased demand for new vehicles driving increased sales at the dealership level and increased production from the manufacturers. The common denominator for the success of the automotive industry across all automotive verticals is the sale of new cars and trucks and the federal government can help drive this success by passing Senator Mikulski’s amendment therby protecting the jobs and livelihoods of the six million Americans who work in the automotive industry.
Speakers at the conference in addition to Senator Mikulski included Peter Kitzmiller, the president of the Maryland Automotive Dealers Association (MADA); Mel Bayo, 23-year automotive sales veteran and corporate trainer for MileOne Automotive; Darren Petty, president of the Maryland State United Auto Workers (UAW); and Fred Swannen, president of UAW Local 239 in Baltimore. Each speaker represents thousands of Marylanders and countrymen alike, affected by the state of the economy. Darren Petty commented on the fact that while the governement is proposing a bailout for the banks and those on Wall Street, most people affected by the current economic climate don’t know or live near anyone on Wall Street, but nearly all of us know or live near someone in the automotive industry.
Dan O’Neil, salesperson at Saturn of York Road, met Senator Mikulski before the conference started and when she asked him what the biggest problem the automotive industry was facing he quickly responded, “No one is coming into the showroom! We have money to lend and fuel-efficient environmentally friendly cars to sell at great prices, but we can’t get people through the door!” Senator Mikulski with a knowing grin intimated her plan would solve Dan’s dilemma and give the automotive industry the boost it needs now and in the place it most needs it – at the dealerships.
Read MileOne’s press release about the event or watch the entire press conference. We wish Senator Mikulski and her team the best of luck next week as they enlist the help of Republicans and Democrats alike to fight on the senate floor to get the Mikulski Auto Ownership Tax Assistance Amendment passed.
Heritage Honda of Westminster Opens State of the Art Honda Service Facility and All-New Used Car Showroom
November 7, 2008
Heritage Honda of Westminster opens the doors to their newly renovated and state of the art 20 vehicle service facility and used car showroom. The new additions will help Heritage Honda of Westminster to better serve their Carroll, Baltimore County and Southern Pennsylvania Honda drivers and used car shoppers.
Westminster, MD (PRWEB) November 8, 2008 — On Tuesday of this week, Heritage Honda of Westminster, a member of the MileOne Automotive family of dealerships, officially began working out of their 20,000 square foot all new service center with state of the art technology and twenty-one service bays including two quick lube areas for their Express Service customers. For the used car customer, a newly renovated Honda certified pre-owned building opened between the new service facility and the Honda new car show room.
“These improvements are a needed step to keep up with the commitment we make to our customers to provide the best Honda service around. We spared no expense to make sure both our service employees and customers enjoy working and servicing with our dealership,” said general manager, Rob Long. “The renovations to both the service and the used car buildings are just part of at three year multi-million dollar project that began in February of this year and will extend through 2010, when we will completely renovate our Honda new car showroom. We are doing this right and updating everything in the dealership down to the signage.“
Service customers at Heritage Honda of Westminster will have two indoor heated/cooled service lanes for dropping off their vehicle, two waiting lounges, flat screen TVs, free wireless access throughout the service waiting area, a children’s play area and a refreshment center. For evening pick up, customers will be treated to a valet service for their vehicles, so they do not have to walk outside into the elements or search for their Honda. In addition, the service lounge contains a Honda Genuine Accessories area for customers to peruse the various options available for their Fit, Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, Odyssey, CR-V or Pilot. Customers can select an accessory and either purchase it right from the parts counter located in the lounge or request installation during service.
According to service manager, Adam Rew, “My technicians are over-the-moon with the new facility. It triples their working area and with the new technology like the $60,000 remote-controlled front-end alignment machine and the road force balancing machine that helps us replicate vibrations in vehicles at certain speeds without having to take them out on the road, we will save our customers and employees time, money and heartache. In 2007, in spite of the limited facilities, we were one of top dealerships for customer satisfaction for our zone, which is a real testament to the effort put forth by my entire team of advisers, Honda certified technicians, cashiers and parts personnel. I know with all of the new enhancements our customers will be overjoyed and not just satisfied. I might have to call Honda North America and have them add a new column to the survey!“
To bring your car in for service at the all-new Heritage Honda of Westminster Service center use their new online appointment scheduler or call 410-876-1540. If you are looking to get in and out quickly, make sure to tell them you want Honda Express Service.
Honda certified pre-owned customers are invited to come tour the new used car showroom at 580 Baltimore Blvd, Westminster, MD 21157.
Cool Mazda video
November 3, 2008
