Pennsylvania Auto Dealers

Did you know that one of the exciting new features of the 2010 Toyota Prius is that you do not need a key to start it.

That’s just one of the new pieces of technology that Toyota is utilizing in the new generation of this hybrid brand. Instead of fumbling for your keys, drivers can start the car by simply pushing a power button and pushing on the brake at the same time.

"As the world’s leading hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius offers anything but an ordinary driving experience," Toyota stated on its web site. The keyless ignition is just one of the ways the automaker has accomplished the goal of being anything but ordinary.

Some of the other features that the 2010 Prius is going to have include four-wheel disc brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control (nice!), an auxiliary radio jack, state-of-the-art JBL sound system and much, much more.

The automaker plans to sell 100,000 units of the 2010 Prius this year. You can jump in on this by visiting your Conshohocken area Toyota dealer and putting your order in for one today. Production starts next month and the units should be arriving in the summer so don’t wait any longer!

By now, you have probably heard about the Hyundai Assurance and the Hyundai Assurance Plus programs. Advertisements for these programs ran during the Super Bowl, in newspapers, on TV ads and we’ve written about it several times on this blog. But so far, nobody has used the program which will buy back or make payments on your new Hyundai vehicle yet. That announcement came late last week by Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore.

According to Bedore, that’s good news. That means that the 55,133 people who bought Hyundai vehicles still have their job. Either way, the program has proved to be one of the most effective marketing strategies by any automaker in recent history. It has helped Hyundai’s sales increase when every other automaker around is reporting dropping sales and doing everything they can to entice consumers to their product.

As a bonus, Hyundai also offers a number of other cash-back incentives that are just as good as its Assurance Plus program. You can find out more about these and other things going on with Hyundai by visiting your Lansdale area Hyundai dealer and speaking with a sales representative. With its various programs and incentives, it’s obvious that Hyundai is looking out for you. Why not give them a chance?

If you’re looking for an SUV that meets all of your needs, look no further than the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Hyundai Tucson. This particular model celebrates a quarter of a century on the market in Canada with new hardware that creates an extra special appearance.

The 25th Anniversary Special Edition is only available in the front-wheel drive version, but it includes features like “a power sunroof, color-matched mirrors and a premium Kenwood sound system with in-dash navigation.” According to the manufacturer, there is an added $2,500 worth of hardware in the special edition Tucson, but the price tag is only $1,000 more than the regular edition.

But you don’t have to invest in the special edition version in order to get a great Hyundai SUV. The Tucson has many standard features that anybody can enjoy. Some of those features include heated front seats, lots of headroom, a spacious cargo area and much, much more!

Visit your Pottstown area Hyundai dealer to check out the 25th Anniversary Special Edition Tucson or just one of the normal models. With all of the options and features available, you are sure to find something that meets all of your needs.

If you’ve been affected by the recent problems in the economy, one of the first things you probably did was to drive less. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, your Pennsylvania dealers want to discuss how many fewer miles we are driving less as a state and as a nation.

For the last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported a steady decline in the number of miles Americans drive. This is the first time this phenomenon has happened since 1981-82 and it’s mostly due to last year’s gas prices and this year’s economy.

In total, Americans drove seven billion fewer miles in January 2009 than they did in January 2008. That’s a 3.1 percent decrease!

But Pennsylvania and New Jersey drivers take the prize for biggest change overall. Pennsylvania drivers drove 353 fewer miles during that time period. That’s a 4.5 percent decline for the state. New Jersey drivers raced up 363 fewer miles than last year, too. That’s a decline of 6.5 percent even though NJ has some of the least expensive gas prices in the nation.

If you’re concerned about the amount of gas you’re using by driving where you need to go, consider visiting your Doylestown area Pontiac dealer. We have a number of cars that are so fuel efficient that you won’t even car how many miles you’re driving!

Now that winter is just about over in our neck of the woods, your PA auto dealers would like to offer some tips on spring maintenance. Many drivers think that since the snow is melting, it’s fine to drive carelessly and forget about some common maintenance procedures that helps increase safety. Your PA auto dealers want to reiterate some of those things to check out that will help keep everybody safe.

Check Your Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades may have gotten you safely through the winter, but the ice and snow probably took its toll on them. Just because it’s becoming springtime doesn’t mean you won’t need good wiper blades. Be sure to check them and replace them if necessary so you don’t have to guess about what’s in front of you when the first rain of spring hits.

Get Your Car Checked
Make sure there aren’t any parts of systems in your car that need replacing after neglecting them for the frigid months. Take your car to the service area of your Doylestown area Pontiac dealer or your PA auto dealers for a complete check up. Your brakes could be fading or you could need an alignment from sliding into those curbs all winter. Get it checked today to help yourself and others stay safe on the road.

If you are visiting the Detroit area, you may want to be at the Palace of Auburn Hills on the evening of April 7. That’s because Jay Leno is doing a free concert for a city that has fallen on terribly rough times. Your GMC-Pontiac-Buick dealers want to applaud this decision as my fellow Detroiters could probably use a good laugh these days.

Leno is even going a step further. In addition to putting on a free show, he is also picking up the tab for parking and refreshments. As part of his “Comedy Stimulus Plan,” Leno hopes his 90 minute act will lift the spirits of a city that hasn’t had much to smile about lately.

But as with any good intention, there are the people trying to capitalize on the event. Some people have picked up the free tickets and put them on eBay. Some tickets were selling for as much as $200 each! For some unemployed people, this is probably better than the actual show because they can use that money to put food on their tables or pay their heating bills. Others are complaining that Leno is doing the show in Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, rather than in the actual city limits.

Either way, your GMC-Pontiac-Buick dealers applaud Leno’s decision to do a free show. Maybe his next stop will be Pennsylvania and we can talk him into visiting a Springfield, PA area Pontiac dealer to sign some autographs. We’ll see what happens!

As if the recession and tough economic times weren’t bad enough for luxury auto companies, Hyundai Automotive is adding to the mix.

The new Genesis model is undoubtedly giving luxury car makers a run for their money. The Genesis is an example of detail-oriented construction that makes driving just a little bit easier. For instance, you’ll find little flat surfaces on areas where your fingers do the operating, such as on the turn signal. There are also “nicely illuminated ports” that show where you can connect your iPods and other devices to enjoy your ride.

During the first two months of 2009, the Hyundai Genesis sold more than 2,300 units. That’s encouraging for the automaker that has kept a low profile until recently. But the most troubling part for luxury automakers is the price of the Genesis. These luxury sedans sell for just a tad more than $32,000 for the base model with no options. Getting added features and amenities, however, still allows this vehicle to remain affordable for many buyers.

See why so many people are flocking to their Hyundai dealer near Doylestown to take the Genesis for a test drive. Once you do, you may just end up driving one home!

Almost everybody these days has an iPod or some other brand of MP3 player. They are handy devices to have with you, but they can also be a hazard when you’re behind the wheel.

A recent report in Australia showed that about 20 percent of drivers under the age of 30 use headphones from their MP3 player when they are driving. Unfortunately, headphones distract drivers from their surroundings and they reduce their awareness. As a result, the risk of an accident increases greatly.

“Drivers should always be alert to what is happening around them and by using headphones, the driver is likely to be less aware of the surrounding traffic conditions,” said John Hallal, a spokesperson for NRMA Insurance. It isn’t necessarily listening to music that causes the distraction, he explained, but drivers are often tempted to scroll through their playlists when they should be keeping their eyes on the road. “Eve if it is only for a split second, the consequences can be very serious,” Hallal said.

If you get a new car from your Glenside area Toyota dealer, though, you can get a model that has an auxiliary jack for your MP3 player. With this great feature, you do not have to put your headphones on to enjoy your favorite music. You can also scroll through your playlist on the car’s stereo display so you won’t be taking your eyes off the road.

This weekend’s Pennsylvania Maple Festival is going to be the 62nd installment of this popular event and your PA car dealers encourage you to take some time to check it out.

This year’s Pennsylvania Maple Festival begins on Saturday, March 21 and resumes for March 27-29 at various locations in Meyersdale. You can find most of the action at the Maple Festival Park. Here is where you can enjoy the maple sugar demonstrations as well as a number of arts and crafts, food vendors and children’s activities. The park is located on Meyers Avenue and also includes the historic Meyers Homestead, an old-time doctor’s office, country store and sugar camp.

The Pennsylvania Maple Festival has been a big deal in the community for several decades. It’s really the town’s “claim to fame” and has earned Meyersdale the nickname of “Maple City.”

One of the more popular events during the festival is the Lions Club pancake house. Hundreds of people come to enjoy the delicious pancakes smothered in “genuine Somerset County maple syrup,” which is the centerpiece of the festival.

While you’re in the area enjoying the festival, don’t forget to visit the Glenside area Toyota dealer and get a good deal on a new or certified used car. Just be careful so you don’t get sticky syrup all over the steering wheel!

Your PA auto dealers are excited about the $3 billion that the state plans to use to repair rough roads and bridges throughout the region. This isn’t only good for the economy, it’s also good for when you’re driving your new car that you bought from your PA auto dealers around town.

As long as you can tolerate a lot of “Men at Work” signs and orange cones this year and for much of 2010, these repairs are going to be a great way to improve the state’s infrastructure. According to PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler, busy times are ahead for road crews and drivers.

In the Lehigh Valley region alone, there is about $250 billion scheduled for repairs in this area. Some of the other repairs planned include the following:
• $3.37 million to repair a bridge on I-78 in Lenhartsville
• $2.42 million available to install cameras and radio messages on I-78 between Berks County and Lebanon
• $2 million to repair 11 bridges throughout Lehigh County
• $4.2 million to resurface Route 329 in North Whitehall and Whitehall townships
• $32.7 million planned for projects throughout Northampton County, including safety improvements to Route 33 and resurfacing I-78.

With all of these improvements, you can drive your new car from your Conshohocken area Pontiac dealer without worrying about dodging potholes and other road hazards. Enjoy!