Blogging by The Village

Technology + Nature = Cars for the Adults of Tomorrow

2011-12-06T12:05:00.004-05:00

Cars are already greener than they have ever been, and chock full of technology unimagined even a few short years ago, but the consumers of tomorrow are going to demand even more progress. Two recent studies jumped out at me recently:

#1 - technology. A new study showed that roughly half of college-age kids would choose internet access over keys to a car.

#2 - the environment. A recent poll of teenagers spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy found that overwhelming majorities of kids care about the environment and addressing environmental issues.

What does that say to us in the automotive business? Not only do the manufacturers have to continue to actively integrate technology into the cars, but we at the dealerships better get real good at making sure we can help explain that Bluetooth connection or how to get your iPhone integrated with the car's entertainment system. And we have to continue to seek ways to make our cars and our businesses greener.

Growing up, everyone dreamed of a Mustang, or a Firebird or a Camaro. Horsepower ruled. These days my kids don't dream of cars - the thing they were most impressed with in my last new car was the Nav System. Does it get me to school, to soccer, to the beach? Does my smartphone plug in? Is it quiet so I can talk on the phone? Is it better for the environment that our last car? We'll see what the future holds, but maps and MPG's are going to be big parts of the equation....

AutoShow Comments

2010-12-10T16:17:00.000-05:00

Inspired by Pierre's AutoShow remarks - see http://crsaab.blogspot.com/ - here are some more comments:

SAAB did have the best display, hands down. Great space, beautiful cars.
Audi has an impressive product line-up. And I would say that even if we didn't just acquire an Audi store! Wow.
I totally agree with you Pierre on the Acura comments. Honda should be doing a lot better with this make.
Interesting that Hyundai had their Elantra as the centerpiece of their display. Just like the Sonata has upped the ante, the Elantra sure puts Honda and Toyota on notice that you can have a sharp-looking car at what qualifies as lower price points.

Cadillac-LaSalle Day

2010-09-15T15:44:00.000-04:00

We have another superb Village event on tap, slated for this upcoming weekend - here are the details:

The 10^th Annual Cadillac Day featuring the New England Cadillac and LaSalle Club will be hosted by Cadillac Village of Norwood on Saturday, September 18^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event is one of the most popular and well-attended shows of the year for both the New England Cadillac and LaSalle Club and the dealership. A great turnout of over 80 vintage Cadillac and LaSalle autos is expected making this a not to be missed event. Cadillac Day at Cadillac Village of Norwood is not a judged event. LaSalle Club members show their classic and vintage Cadillac’s in a relaxed atmosphere. Cadillac Day is a perfect way to see firsthand the evolution of the greatest American brand of automobile. So if you are in the area be sure to come and see these cars up close and meet the people who collect them. Located on Route 1 along the “automile”, Cadillac Village of Norwood is the largest Cadillac dealership in New England. It has an unparalleled inventory of new and pre-owned Cadillac’s. The dealership will also have the all new 2011 CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe on display for this event.

Food and beverages will be provided and this year Cadillac Village of Norwood will also be presenting the band Elegance. Learn more about this event and the New England Cadillac and LaSalle Club by visiting them on line at www.nerclc.com

The NEW 9-5 is superb!

2010-09-03T12:30:00.000-04:00

Just had an opportunity to drive the new SAAB 9-5. Best way to sum it up is to say that it more than passes the test for being 'Saab-ish'. You look at it, you sit in it, you drive it, you accelerate, you hug a corner, and you know you're in a Saab. I've had a few 9-5s in my garage over the years, and the new one does exactly what it should do - it takes a classic and updates it for 2010, with the bells and whistles that current drivers expect. This is just what Saab needs for its renaissance.

And BTW, it is a car that really wants to be going fast...

Swedish Car Day, Part XI

2010-08-27T11:29:00.000-04:00

For those who love/like Swedish Cars - or who want to get out and about on a gorgeous summer day - we have our 11th annual Swedish Car Day over at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline this Sunday (www.mot.org for directions). It truly is a special event that we have nurtured over the years, and this year promises to be the biggest and the best now that we've moved the event from October to August. Thankfully the rare summertime N'oreaster has moved on, so we have 0% chance of getting rained/muddied out like we did in 2009!

We take great pride in our Swedish heritage at The Village. We are the oldest Saab dealer in America, and as Saab resurrects itself we are primed to be one of the largest - if not the largest - Saab organizations in the USA. As for Volvo, we started selling Volvos before anyone else in New England, and given the strength of our sales, service and parts departments, no one sells more Volvo-themed products than us in the USA. Volvo and Saabs are unique and wonderful vehicles, but most importantly they are designed with safety at the forefront, which is the central reason why we feel such devotion to them.

Please come celebrate with us on Sunday the 29th. With Saab and Volvo on new and exciting paths, it is a great time to celebrate the promise of the future.

The SAAB 9-5 is back.

2010-08-20T11:25:00.000-04:00

For those of us who hold a dear place in our hearts for Saab, it is fantastic to see the new 9-5 finally on the ground (for all the pix, click over to Charles River Saab's Facebook page). If you ever drove an old 9-5, it truly was/is a fantastic car; the blend of handling, power, quickness, solidity, comfort, uniqueness and fun for the $$ made the car a superb buy. Now we have the gorgeous new 9-5, and with it the promise of an invigorated Saab. It's a good day in Watertown.

Chris Fousek: E-Commerce Guru

2010-08-17T12:32:00.000-04:00

Be sure and check out all the latest news on Chris Fousek, our guru of e-commerce! Chris was recently profiled in Digital Dealer - you can check it out via this link (notice the iMagic and Bruce Springsteen screen shots on his PC screens - that says all you need to know about Chris!).

And if you can stomach having to go to Vegas to attend the conference, Chris is scheduled to speak at this Fall's Digital Dealer Conference in October.