The Holiday season is almost upon us and we'd like to take this opportunity to give everyone a chance to brighten the Holidays for a child. Raymond Chevrolet is an offical drop off Toys for Tots. Bring in any unwrapped present between now and the first week in December and help others in need.
We hope to see you, and your generous spirit, there.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Is Carmageddon officially over?
In my reading over the last few days it seems as though the general consensus is that "Carmageddon," the complete collapse of the auto industry, from the last few years seems to have gone the way of the 8-track. While I personally don't think we're completely out of the woods yet, things are dramatically different than they were even at the beginning of 2010. Things are much more optimistic. Inventory levels are good, but not bloated. People are willing to buy a vehicle, albeit more challenging to obtain financing than it has been in the past. Do I think sales will rebound to the levels they were at a mere 5 or 6 years ago? Probably not. At least not in the next year. Is that a good thing? Probably. Hopefully next year I'll be writing about how car sales are going gangbusters and things will be up, up, up in 2012.
I distinctly recall a mere 2 years ago the aura of disbelief and uncertainty that surrounded much of the automobile industry. This directly stemmed from the manufacturers and suppliers and trickled down to the dealership levels. I mean General Motors was going bankrupt!! I think even in my wildest dreams I NEVER thought GM would be broke. Five years ago I would have bet that if any auto company would be bankrupt, it was going to be Ford. I have to give credit where credit is due, with Alan Mulally at their helm, Ford has turned that ship around and impressed everyone in the process.
Every time you looked dealers were shutting their doors because they could no longer afford to be in business. A business they thought would sustain them and the families they support for many years to come. Between having their floor plan (the dealer equivalent to an inventory mortgage) called in to the bank, the dramatic downturn in business, the credit crunch, lack of leasing programs and a overstocked inventory supplies all made for what is now being called Carmageddon.
Slowly but surely, the stronger dealers have weathered the storm and are beginning to emerge a little battle worn, but smarter and leaner for having been in the fight. Internal spending and budgets have been cut. Staff has been pared down through lay-offs or by attrition. The belts have been tightened and in general dealers have become smarter and leaner. While we're starting to see the belt loosen a bit and things creeping back to "a new normal" level. However, the lessons of the past two years will not be forgotten.
Now in the final quarter of 2010, at a time when we see sales figures returning to an acceptable level, I ask you, is this over? Will Sales rebound to 2005 levels? Should they rebound?
I distinctly recall a mere 2 years ago the aura of disbelief and uncertainty that surrounded much of the automobile industry. This directly stemmed from the manufacturers and suppliers and trickled down to the dealership levels. I mean General Motors was going bankrupt!! I think even in my wildest dreams I NEVER thought GM would be broke. Five years ago I would have bet that if any auto company would be bankrupt, it was going to be Ford. I have to give credit where credit is due, with Alan Mulally at their helm, Ford has turned that ship around and impressed everyone in the process.
Every time you looked dealers were shutting their doors because they could no longer afford to be in business. A business they thought would sustain them and the families they support for many years to come. Between having their floor plan (the dealer equivalent to an inventory mortgage) called in to the bank, the dramatic downturn in business, the credit crunch, lack of leasing programs and a overstocked inventory supplies all made for what is now being called Carmageddon.
Slowly but surely, the stronger dealers have weathered the storm and are beginning to emerge a little battle worn, but smarter and leaner for having been in the fight. Internal spending and budgets have been cut. Staff has been pared down through lay-offs or by attrition. The belts have been tightened and in general dealers have become smarter and leaner. While we're starting to see the belt loosen a bit and things creeping back to "a new normal" level. However, the lessons of the past two years will not be forgotten.
Now in the final quarter of 2010, at a time when we see sales figures returning to an acceptable level, I ask you, is this over? Will Sales rebound to 2005 levels? Should they rebound?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
We've got an app for that
Launching today, 2011 Chevrolet customers can download an app for their iphone or android phone. The apps are revolutionary in the auto industry and communicates a host of information to their users. The myChevrolet and the myLink OnStar applications are available for free download to owners who's vehicles are equipped with OnStar.
A summary of functions is as follows:
mylink OnStar - GPS parking reminder, reference material for your vehicle, database designed to explain warning lights.
myChevrolet - lock and unlock doors, automatically start your vehicle, offer diagnostic information, such as fuel, oil, tire pressure.
Visit www.chevrolet.com and get your application today.
A summary of functions is as follows:
mylink OnStar - GPS parking reminder, reference material for your vehicle, database designed to explain warning lights.
myChevrolet - lock and unlock doors, automatically start your vehicle, offer diagnostic information, such as fuel, oil, tire pressure.
Visit www.chevrolet.com and get your application today.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Come meet our management team
We've gone through some major changes at Raymond Chevrolet Kia over the last few months, including a complete change of our management staff. Our managers are 100% commited to providing the people of Lake County Illinois, McHenry County Illinois and Southern Wisconsin with the very best experience when purchasing a new Chevrolet, Kia or a pre-owned automobile. This customer service experince extends to our service department as well. We are 100% commited to fixing your vehicle to your statisfaction and correctly. Next time your out and about around Route 173 in Antioch, stop in and meet our staff.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Car Care Clinic and Customer Appreciation Saturday, October 9, 2010
Come and stop by Raymond Chevrolet on Saturday, October 9th. From 9:30 am - 10:30 am there will be a car care clinic. Stop in to learn how to take the best care of your vehicle and get tips and pointers from the experts.
After the car care clinic, Raymond Chevrolet will be hosting a customer appreciation event open to all! There will be pumpkins, face painting, battery checks, a petting zoo, food and more! We hope to see you at Raymond Chevrolet on Route 173 in Antioch, IL!
After the car care clinic, Raymond Chevrolet will be hosting a customer appreciation event open to all! There will be pumpkins, face painting, battery checks, a petting zoo, food and more! We hope to see you at Raymond Chevrolet on Route 173 in Antioch, IL!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Shoooo the Flu at Raymond Chevrolet
It's hard to believe that it's THAT time of year. Flu season is upon us and no one wants to fall victim to the dreaded flu bug. At Raymond Chevrolet, we'll try and help you beat the flu this winter. On October 11, 2010 Raymond Chevrolet will be holding a flu shot clinic with Senior Car Pharmacy for those of you in need of getting a flu shot. The clinic will be held from 10 am - 12 pm right in the Raymond Chevrolet showroom at 118 Route 173 in Antioch, IL. The cost will be $20, a receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement if necessary, and no-cost to Medicare Part B receipiants. Appointments can be made with Kim Neiss at 847-395-3600 or kneiss@raymondchevrolet.com
The flu is a contagious, respiratory disease which can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. It affects people of all ages as it spreads through the air from person to person. The virus can be as contagious as the common cold and is easily transmitted from people who are already infected. You can also get the flu from those who have been exposed, but have not yet developed symptoms. This means that you can be contagious and not even know it.
The flu is more serious than a cold, often causing severe symptoms such as body aches, exhaustion, high fever, respiratory inflammation, congestion, cough, and more. You could be ill for a week, with some symptoms lingering for up to a month. For people that are classified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as high-risk, it is especially important to get vaccinated. This group includes people over 65, health care providers, anyone with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorder, blood disorder, or an impaired immune system.
A flu shot is your best shot at protection.
The flu vaccine is 75 to 90 percent effective in preventing infection. Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from highly purified egg-grown viruses that have been rendered noninfectious.
The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies that protect it against the virus. Even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. Each year the flu strain changes and your body slowly loses its immunity to the flu.
As with any vaccine, the flu vaccine has some side effects. Less than 1/3 of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5 to 10% will suffer mild side effects such as low-grade fevers and headaches. Anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to eggs or egg products should not receive a flu shot since the vaccine is grown in hens' eggs.
This year the CDC recommends that seasonal flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
The best way to protect you and your family against influenza is to get vaccinated each year.
The flu is a contagious, respiratory disease which can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. It affects people of all ages as it spreads through the air from person to person. The virus can be as contagious as the common cold and is easily transmitted from people who are already infected. You can also get the flu from those who have been exposed, but have not yet developed symptoms. This means that you can be contagious and not even know it.
The flu is more serious than a cold, often causing severe symptoms such as body aches, exhaustion, high fever, respiratory inflammation, congestion, cough, and more. You could be ill for a week, with some symptoms lingering for up to a month. For people that are classified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as high-risk, it is especially important to get vaccinated. This group includes people over 65, health care providers, anyone with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorder, blood disorder, or an impaired immune system.
A flu shot is your best shot at protection.
The flu vaccine is 75 to 90 percent effective in preventing infection. Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from highly purified egg-grown viruses that have been rendered noninfectious.
The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies that protect it against the virus. Even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. Each year the flu strain changes and your body slowly loses its immunity to the flu.
As with any vaccine, the flu vaccine has some side effects. Less than 1/3 of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5 to 10% will suffer mild side effects such as low-grade fevers and headaches. Anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to eggs or egg products should not receive a flu shot since the vaccine is grown in hens' eggs.
This year the CDC recommends that seasonal flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
The best way to protect you and your family against influenza is to get vaccinated each year.
Monday, September 27, 2010
OnStar getting a technology upgrade in 2011
GM announced last week that OnStar, their vehicle safety and secruity system, will be getting a technology upgrade sometime in 2011. According to Car and Driver Magazine, OnStar will undergo many changes including the development of an application called MyLink that will integrate with smartphones and allow drivers to control functions remotely. The technology will also allow the vehicle to give the driver updates, for example, if a tire goes flat the vehicle owner will get a text message.
The new Onstar functions also are slated to include text to talk and reading facebook status updates. Before this new technology is brought to the market, it still must go through extensive safety testing to determine the safety for drivers. OnStar's primary focus is to keep drivers eyes on the roads and off of their mobile devices. Their hope is that this new technology will do just that.
The new Onstar functions also are slated to include text to talk and reading facebook status updates. Before this new technology is brought to the market, it still must go through extensive safety testing to determine the safety for drivers. OnStar's primary focus is to keep drivers eyes on the roads and off of their mobile devices. Their hope is that this new technology will do just that.
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