Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 44)

44 • MARCH 24, 2008 www.UnitedCarCare.com 1-800-571-6412 NEED SALESPEOPLE? NO! You need committed, well trained salespeople with no bad habits that understand how to talk to a ‘fresh’ customer, but are more focused on driving in their own business! ■ Pa. dealer group elects officers The new officers of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association are pictured. Seated are Michael Smith, left, of Laurel Auto Group in Johnstown, chairman; Gregg Semel, center, of Billco Motors in Wexford, secretary; and Allan Jennings Jr. of Jennings Chevrolet-Cadillac in Chambersburg, treasurer. Standing are Fred Savage, left, of Savage Automotive Group in Sinking Spring, vice chairman; and George Benson of Benson LincolnMercury in Pittsburgh, immediate past chairman. J. Paul McMillen, the association’s president, is not pictured. ■ 30 with Honda Art Schaller Jr., left, and Mark Smith of Schaller Honda in New Britain, Conn., received a 30-year award for Honda from American Honda Motor Co. ■ 25 with Chevrolet Hank Graff, right, of Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison, Mich., receives a 25-year award for Chevrolet from Sam Prabakaran, Chevrolet’s northern Michigan zone manager. six people. Please include names (left to right), titles, dealership name and city, franchise(s) held and franchise for which award is given. You may send a photo electronically in jpg format and at high resolution (300 dpi). E-mail items to: autonews@crain.com Or send them to: Dealers Section Automotive News 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207 STOP Letting your salespeople dictate how busy you are and START Expecting your salespeople to develop their own book of business through Dealer anniversary awards We invite news items and top-quality photographs for the dealers section. Please include your telephone number. We do not run items for anniversaries of fewer than 25 years. Photos for 25-45 years (one-column photos) should include only two people posed shoulder to shoulder. Photos for 50 or more years (twocolumn photos) should have no more than NETWORKING! 2-week classes available! Specialize in Business Development and Network Marketing! We can get you new people or train the ones you have! • • Milestones Peter Smith of Smith Motors (Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac) in Fort Atkinson, Wis., received a 25-year award for Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac from General Motors. Other Tommy Kelly celebrated 40 years as an employee of Franklin PontiacBuick-GMC in Franklin, Tenn. He is the dealership’s senior service technician. Don’t wait another second CALL 800-878-5090 NOW! ©AM-2008 www.automaxtraining.com Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Sportier 2009 has more safety and high-tech features Kathy Jackson kjackson@crain.com Need Salespeople, Tech’s, Managers & Other Employees? The Auto Industry’s #1 Recruiting, Training & Marketing Company Salespeople~BDC~Detailer~Porter~Technician Body Tech~Service Advisor~Service Manager Parts Counter~Parts Manager~Sales Manager Finance Manager~Office Staff~GSM~GM 800-421-4550 www.clickhereforadvice.com Brian C. Hall, President & CEO SAN DIEGO — Acura’s redesigned 2009 TSX offers the first glimpse of the brand’s new styling and technology direction for sedans. The exterior design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. But a wider, bolder stance gives the second-generation TSX a sportier look. The new TSX sits on a longer wheelbase and is roomier than its predecessor, which debuted as a 2004 model. The TSX also has many safety and technology firsts for Acura. The basics: The five-seat TSX is powered by a new 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 201 hp. The 2008 TSX was capable of 205 hp. The 2009 model’s torque is up eight pounds-feet to 172. American Honda Motor Co. says that while horsepower is lower, fuel economy is improved. Estimated highway mileage is 30 mpg for the automatic transmission version, up from 28 mpg for the comparable 2008 model. Estimated city mileage is up by 1 mpg — to 21 mpg for the automatic. Two transmissions are standard: A 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic that can be operated manually 1 1”x17” MAILERS NO GIMMICKS! NO DISCLAIMERS! A PIECE IN HOMES 888-788-0142 with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. The wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than the 2008 model. Overall length increased 2.4 inches, and the 2009 model is 3.0 inches wider. Interior space has expanded by 3.6 cubic feet to 94.5 cubic feet. Notable features: The new TSX includes several Acura firsts. It uses a fully enclosed cross brace roof construction that provides greater body rigidity. Frame rails beneath the car improve aerodynamics for better fuel economy, lower emissions and reduced noise. The TSX also gets Honda’s advanced compatibility engineering body structure, which helps minimize the effects of frontal crashes. The technology has been used on other Acura models, but not the TSX. Another Acura first is a weather information function — part of an optional technology package that includes a navigation system, voice recognition and real-time traffic. The weather function provides one- or three-day forecasts, a weather-alert map and warning messages on the programmed route. The optional technology package also includes a 10-speaker surround sound system with an XM radio function that allows users to store songs and play them later. Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and a Homelink remote-control system are standard. What Honda says: “TSX is the first step in the advancement of our sedan lineup,” says Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics at American Honda. “We have more resources than ever before to advance the Acura brand.” Shortcomings and compromises: The TSX goes up against such competitors as the Audi A4, BMW 3 series and Lexus IS 250. Those vehicles have features such as all-wheel drive, rearwheel drive, turbocharging and six- American Honda says that while the 2009 Acura TSX’s horsepower is lower than that of the previous model, the fuel economy is improved. Roomier TSX The 2009 Acura TSX, on sale in April, is bigger than the previous model. 2009 TSX 2008 TSX Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Base engine Horsepower Torque Base price *Estimate **includes shipping 106.4 in. 186.1 in. 72.4 in. 56.7 in. 3,419 lbs. 2.4-liter I-4 201 @ 7,000 rpm 172 lbs.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm $29,000* 105.1 in. 183.7 in. 69.4 in. 57.3 in. 3,257 lbs. 2.4-liter I-4 205 @ 7,000 rpm 164 lbs.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm $28,905** cylinder engines. A diesel version of the TSX is planned for 2009. A turbo also may become available. The market: The TSX goes on sale in April at an estimated base price of about $29,000 — about $3,000 to $4,000 less than the Audi, BMW and Lexus. Another competitor, the Nissan Altima sedan with a four-cylinder continuously variable transmission, is about $8,000 less. Bonawitz projects 11 percent annual growth for the near-premium sedan segment. With the TSX, Acura is targeting an equal number of men and women, a median age of 30 and a household income of $90,000. The skinny: Acura needs help. Sales were down 9.1 percent through February, with all nameplates down except for the MDX crossover. In 2007, the brand’s sales were down 10.5 percent from 2006. Typically, the TSX has been the third-best-selling Acura nameplate, behind the TL sedan and the MDX. The TSX’s best sales year was 2006, when 38,035 units were sold. Acura expects to sell 40,000 a year of the redesigned version. c http://www.UnitedCarCare.com http://www.UnitedCarCare.com http://www.automaxtraining.com http://www.clickhereforadvice.com http://www.clickhereforadvice.com http://leonwatch.com http://autonews.com http://www.forceevents.com http://www.forceevents.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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