Hyundai Has Huge Jump In Residuals And Brands As “Modern Premium”

ALG, a leading provider of residual value information, announced that the Hyundai brand made a big jump in predicted residual values for the coming year.  Hyundai ranked No. 3 in ALG’s 2012 Residual Value Awards, based on ALG’s forecast for January through December 2012.  They ranked No. 7 a year ago.

“We don’t usually see that much movement in only a year,” Eric Lyman, director of residual solutions for ALG said. “That’s a huge improvement.”

This should mean more leasing opportunities for Hyundai in the long run.  A higher residual value implies lower monthly payments. In leasing, the customer in effect borrows the difference between the upfront cost of a vehicle and its predicted residual value at the end of the lease.

Hyundai averaged 17 percent lease penetration for 2011, up from 12 percent in 2010, Hyundai spokesman Dan Lienert said.  According to the Power Information Network, the industry average for lease penetration was 19 percent in the third quarter.

The Hyundai Elantra won ALG’s compact car segment for the highest residual value.  The Elantra was also named North American Car of the Year this month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Separately, the Elantra also won a 2012 Polk Automotive Loyalty Award with a customer-retention rate of 27 percent.

Hyundai wants to capitalize on this rise in customer awareness and loyalty.  In just a few short years, Hyundai has positioned itself effectively as a company known for manufacturing cars of excellent quality, above-average warranties, and state-of-the-art amenities at very affordable prices.  Now, however, the Hyundai corporation wants to take their branding one step further.  Coining the term “modern premium,” Hyundai eschews the supposition that “premium” means “high priced.”  On the contrary, says Chung Eui-sun, “Today, customers do not believe that expensive cars with unnecessary technology are premium. Instead, they want their core needs fulfilled at an accessible price and with a car that exceeds their expectations; a car that reflects their values and the times in which they live.

“Hyundai is not just a company that makes cars. Hyundai is a company that creates new possibilities. Our goal is not to become the biggest car company. Our goal is to become the most-loved car company and a trusted lifetime partner of our owners,” Chung continues.

John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said the brand is quickly shedding its image as a purveyor of cheaper new cars and becoming a major player in the global industry.  Hyundai has raised transaction prices 14 percent since 2009, all the while maintaining a strong reputation for value.  Hyundai has also cut vehicle rebates to just 18 percent of its incentive spending in 2011, down significantly from just three years ago.

“The orthodoxy inside the company just three or four years ago was, seriously, ‘We can’t sell a car without a rebate on the hood,’” Krafick said.

Hyundai boosted U.S. sales 20 percent to 645,691 vehicles in 2011, which included a 41 percent gain in Elantra sales and a 15 percent gain in Sonata sales.  On the whole, the American market rose 10 percent last year.

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!

My parents host a Super Bowl party every year.  It’s always loud and fun, with good food (macaroni and cheese and lasagna, what’s not to love?) and good company (even when they root for opposing teams).  As an adult I can appreciate the game, but as a kid, it was all about the commercials.  I remember playing with the other children in my bedroom during the game action, but running back into the living room in time to see the ads.

From Coca-Cola to Budweiser, GoDaddy to E-Trade, there have been many memorable Super Bowl ads.  Car commercials, however, have tended to be on the dull side.  In the last couple of years, automobile companies have been trying to rid themselves of the formulaic “driving on a winding road” scene.   The 2010 Kia Sorento commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuSfLoXq22w) is a prime example of that effort.  And this year, Kia is pulling out all the stops to continue that trend.  To promote its Optima family sedan, they have recruited supermodel Adriana Lima, the band Motley Crue, and martial arts fighter Chuck Liddel.  Just prior to its Super Bowl broadcast, the ad will be screened in movie theaters.

Although most of the spots during the show are just 30 seconds long, automakers prefer to air 60 second spots in order to attract more attention.  It seems to be working for Chrysler and Volkswagen, who both saw sales growths of 25% and increases in market share after their ads in last year’s telecast.  Kia, one of the best performing brands in the American auto market last year, hopes to sink its fingers into that post-Super Bowl buzz.  It doesn’t hurt that American auto sales are also expected to continue their slow recovery from the recession, with a predicted 14 million units to be sold in the coming year.

No matter how big a fan of football you may be, let’s be honest; the Super Bowl is all about the ads.  I for one, can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this year.

INTRODUCING…

The brand new 2013 Veloster Turbo!

And the 2013 Genesis Coupe!

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Starting at around $17,000, the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a more than your average sporty coupe.  A surprise third door on the passenger side gives easy access to those riding in the rear two-person seat.  However, while roomy, the back seat is not made for those with a height advantage, as the roofline from the hatchback is rather low.  The hatchback itself has great versatility when combined with the split fold-down rear seats, great for whatever size items you wish to carry.  A panoramic sunroof, LED headlight accents, 18-inch alloy wheels with painted inserts, and a rearview camera with backup warning sensors round out the Veloster’s stylish and functional exterior.

The Veloster’s interior includes a plethora of high-tech features to keep everyone safe, entertained, informed and connected.  A Bluetooth hands-free system with voice recognition and phonebook transfer and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, the equivalent to GM’s OnStar, come standard in the Veloster.  A navigation system and XM Satellite Radio help you stay on course and up-to-date on the latest traffic, weather and news.  The 7-inch multimedia touchscreen is the largest screen in this class, and doubles as an entertainment system where you can watch movies or play XBox 360.

Safety is of the utmost importance to all Hyundai cars.  The Veloster boasts a Vehicle Stability Management System, an Electronic Stability Control System, Anti-Lock brakes, six airbags and other safety features all standard in ensuring a protected and secure ride.

Powering the Veloster is a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that, paired with new six-speed manual or six-speed Dual Clutch automatic transmissions, with respective EPA ratings of 38 mpg and 40 mpg highway.

The Veloster is safe and sensible, but at the same time combines a hip urban design, a sporty driving feel, reasonable comfort, and enough features to satisfy and entertain a crowd that’s always connected.  The stiff suspension can be a little rough around town, but that long wheelbase makes the Veloster feel happy and at home on the highway.

Gary Rome Auto Group values its customers’ opinions and wants to know what you think about the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster.  Leave a comment and let us know!

Total 4×4 Announces Kia Sorento as Best SUV for Second Straight Year

For the second consecutive year, the Kia Sorento has been named the best SUV by Total 4×4.  Launched in the UK in February of 2010, the Kia Sorento continues to excite car experts and customers alike.  While available in both two- and four-wheel drive, it is the

full-time four-wheel drive model that was the impetus for keeping the title.

“The Sorento was our reigning champion in the full-size SUV class, and it impressed us every bit as much this year as last.  Its style, poise, kit and practicality all score heavily in its favour,” commented Editor Alan Kidd.  “Make no mistake, this award wasn’t about just being cheap.  The Sorento beat a long list of premium opponents because it’s very good at everything that matters.  Its bargain price and unbeatable seven year warranty merely seal the deal.”

The versatile Sorento comes in three models, the LX, EX and SX – standard, mid- and top-of-range levels, respectively.  Michael Cole, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., said, “From the day of its launch we knew that the latest Sorento continued the car’s impressive record of delivering excellent go-anywhere ability coupled with on-road sophistication at a great value price.  Sorento has been a long-time favourite in the Kia range and its popularity amongst a wide variety of customers – from those who want on-

road towing security or all-weather ability to the more adventurous owner who needs to head away from the main roads.

“I am delighted that Total 4×4 has again awarded Sorento its Best SUV accolade – especially in the face of so much impressive competition in what remains a hard-fought sector of the market,” he added.

2011 has been a banner year for Korean automakers.  Both of the Korean companies, Kia and Hyundai, have won best model awards

this year; Hyundai’s Equus was crowned best Large Premium Cars in the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.  Kia’s sales increased a whopping 36% in the past year, and Hyundai’s sales have increased 21% since 2010.

For more information on buying a Hyundai Equus or other Hyundai models, check out Gary Rome Hyundai at www.garyromehyundai.com, or call 888-637-4279.

The Nanny State—Literally!

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”– C. S. Lewis

In Ohio County, an 8-year-old third-grader weighing more than 200 pounds was taken from his family and placed in foster care because his mother wasn’t doing enough to lessen his weight.

According to Government growth charts, the average weight for an 8-year-old is 60 pounds. The boy taken away is 3 times the normal weight and is at risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Cuyahoga County’s Children and Family Services removed the boy from his home since his mother, who was told to get her son’s weight down, did nothing to make the boy lose weight. Because of a lack of health concern for her son, the mother was charged with medical neglect and the county was approved by a judge to remove the boy from his home and place him in foster care.

According to Patricia Rideout, an Agency Administrator from Cuyahoga County’s Children and Family Services, that “We have worked very hard with this family for 20 months before it got to this point.” (http://www.masslive.com/talk/index.ssf/2011/11/ohio_county_takes_200-pound_8-.html).

County workers were alerted to the boy’s weight early last year after his mother took him to a hospital for breathing problems (his mother did that? Where were the boys foster parents?). He was diagnosed with sleep apnea, which is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep and can be weight-related, and he was given a breathing machine.

This case started a debate on whether a parent can lose custody if their child is severely obese.

According to Dr. Naim Alkhouri, “Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. As a society we’re all responsible.” It’s not enough to just encourage some children to eat healthier and exercise, he said, because there’s also ‘a big psychological component.’ “When it comes to involving the authorities, I don’t think we have clear guidelines,” he said. “Starting the debate is a good thing. We need more guidance on how to react to the issue.” (http://www.masslive.com/talk/index.ssf/2011/11/ohio_county_takes_200-pound_8-.html).

Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children’s Hospital Boston, said the point isn’t to blame parents but rather to act in children’s best interest and get them help their parents can’t provide.

According to Dr. Norman Frost, a medical ethicist at the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus, the goal of putting the boy into foster care is to make him less obese.

The 8 year old is not the only child taken from his parents due to obesity.

The boy’s mother said that she tried to deal with the weight issue and that the county is making it seem as if she doesn’t love her child.

Sam Amata, a public defender for the family said that the custody removal would be challenged based on the contention that the boy is not in imminent danger.

When reading about this story a few thoughts when through my mind. This case isn’t really shocking. The government extends its power on our daily lives all the time. Just last week I read a story about a man who caught an 881 pound tuna fish which was seized by the feds and sold for $396,000 (which the government collects of course) since the fisherman caught the fish with a net instead of a fishing hook.  Anyone who truly believes we live in a free society seems to believe what they are told or just doesn’t know what freedom is.

The government doesn’t help people or make our lives better in any way. The government can take away anything it wants from you. There is a law called eminent domain, meaning that the government can take your house if they feel it will be of use to others (both for public use and even can take your home to benefit private businesses). The law of eminent domain says that the government has to give you just compensation for one’s home, but what does that mean? People have more than a monetary connection to their home. Many people built their own house and there are nostalgic memories attached to one’s house than is worth no price. Why should one’s property (and no, a child is not one’s property) be forcibly stripped away from someone just because other people want it?

There is something in America known as civil asset forfeiture, which is that the police can seize any property that is involved in a civil crime and take it. For example, if a person got into a car crash, the police can take a person’s car and not return it. The police don’t have to wait until a person is guilty of the crime (getting charged is enough) and can even keep a person’s belonging’s if the person is acquitted of the crime. If the police have a warrant to find drugs in a person’s house and finds money in their home, the police can take the money as well. An example of this is when police stopped Ethel Hylton at Houston’s Hobby Airport because a police dog scratched her luggage. The police searched Ethel Hylton and didn’t find any drugs. The police did find $39,000 during the search. Ms. Hylton had documents to prove that she got the $39,000 legitimately and was never charged with a crime, but the police took her money anyway. (http://www.isil.org/resources/lit/looting-of-america.html and http://www.progress.org/fold13.htm) Civil asset forfeiture is a terrible law which gives incentives for injustice. By allowing the police to keep property that was accused of being part of a crime, the police have an incentive to search for people to charge and take property from without the police needing a trial to prove the clichéd but untrue myth of “innocent until proven guilty.”

Sorry for going on a tangent but I think it’s important to discuss the corruption in our government. The justice system might call themselves the justice system, but justice is something to discuss. No one has a monopoly on justice. The government might try to delude the public that the courts determine what is just, but courts don’t do that, they only determine what is legal (legal for the citizens, the government doesn’t have to follow the laws they make their citizens follow).

According to Dr. Naim Alkhouri, severe obesity doesn’t only cause health problems but psychological problems. Does Mr. Alkhouri not believe that a child being forcibly being taken away from their parents won’t cause psychological problems? Imagine the trauma the poor child must feel and the hatred of the government he must feel as a result of being taken away from his family. I agree that it’s a parents responsibility to take care of their child and for parents to allow their child to become so overweight is a problem that should be discussed. The parents are not forcing their child to be obese and it’s not the job of the government to intrude on every aspect of our lives. The government can’t just take away a child from his parents because the government doesn’t approve of the parent’s actions. The government aren’t gods that are the ultimate arbitrators that get to control every part of our lives. The job of the government is to protect us from aggression and to allow us to be free and lives our lives according to our own value systems not to vote away and take away our rights; that is a corrupt government.

Let me just leave you with 3 more quotes to ponder:

“The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates.”– Tacitus

“The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.”– H.L. Mencken

And my favorite, which I wish those removing the child from his parents would consider: “The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society.” – Mark Skousen

The staff at Gary Rome Auto Group would love to hear your thoughts on this story. Do you think the government did the right thing by moving the obese child into foster care? Do you think the government should do something when parent’s children are severely obese? Do you feel there are other ways to solve this problem of childhood obesity that don’t involve force? If so, what?

UMass Amherst Bike Share Program

During the first week of October, 2011, UMass Amherst begins the Bike Share Program, where those at UMass Amherst are able to borrow a new bike in order to help students and faculty get to class faster and to make it easier to get around, and/or just to take a scenic tour along the Pioneer Valley bike trails.

Bikes may be borrowed for up to 30 hours per loan from the Student Government Association office upstairs in the Student Union by anyone with a UMass Amherst UCard. 25 one-speed bicycles as well as 10 renovated bikes are available to use, and more bikes are planned on being made available in the future.

Josh Stoffel, Amber Hewett and Claire Hopkins started the Bike Share Program, which was influenced by students who want to have more a more environmentally-friendly programs—such as water and energy conservation education and waste reduction.

The 25 new bikes were bought from New York City-based Worksman Cycles, a newly solar-powered, environmentally friendly company specializing in industrial bicycles, adult tricycles and carts for over 100 years.
To help pay for the costs, the Bike Share Program received support from the Student Government Association (SGA) and the campus Sustainability Initiative, including $3,000 from the UMass Amherst Physical Plant, a $10,000 gift from the UMass Amherst Class of 2010, as well as subsidies from the from the vice chancellor for administration and finance’s campus improvement program to build and install the first bicycle shelter outside the Student Union.

The goal of the Bike Share Program isn’t only to help people get to classes faster, but to also provide a more environmentally-friendly alternative to car transportation, in the hopes of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cam Kackley, an economic major from Upton became active in UMass in order to preserve the earth and live in a healthier environment. Kackley is secretary of sustainability for the SGA which made the Bike Share Program possible.

Gary Rome Auto Group hopes that the Bike Share Program will hopefully be a great success, providing a green transportation alternative to cars, making it easier and faster for students and staff to get to class, and allowing students to borrow bikes in order to enjoy a nice scenic path along the Pioneer Valley bike trails.

Congress to Pass A Bill To Try And Create Jobs, Senate Passes Job Bill

President Obama asks Congress to pass the patent and trade bills, bills for free-trade agreements whose goal is to create jobs.

Obama says that Congress could make a bill that will make it easier for entrepreneurs to patent new ideas and products. President Obama said that, “Right now Congress can advance a set of trade agreements that would allow American businesses to sell more of their goods and services to countries in Asia and South America.” (http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/
2011/08/congress_has_a_shot_at_passing.html).

“The main intent of the patent bill is to streamline a system that has resulted in a backlog of 1.2 million pending patents and ensure that the Patent and Trademark Office has adequate funding. It also would switch the United States from the “first-to-invent” system now in effect to the “first-to file” system for patent applications used by all other industrialized countries.” (http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/
2011/08/congress_has_a_shot_at_passing.html).

Supporters of the patent bill say that first-to-file (as opposed to first-to-invent) system removes doubt about who owns the patent of the product, reduces lawsuits about who owns the product, thereby reducing unnecessary costs and leading to more job creation. Supporters of the patent bill also say that first-to-file will increase businesses for intellectual property industries that account for more than half of U.S. exports. According to Lamar Smith, a House Judiciary Committee Chairman (and a Republican from Texas), “These industries also provide millions of Americans with well-paying jobs.” Vermont Democrat and Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy agrees with Republican Smith that the patent bill and reform is what the United States needs the most in order to create more jobs.

The fact that both Republicans and Democrats support the free-trade bill makes me think that the free-trade bill might be a good idea. Republicans and Democrats (especially in the last 10 years) have been so hostile to each other and disagree on everything, so in the rare case where they do agree (like in passing a free-trade and patent reform bill) must mean that the free-trade and paten bill must have some truth and validity to it.

“The trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama could have an even more direct impact on jobs. The administration says that ratification of the Korea agreement alone could mean 70,000 new jobs from increased exports, with more jobs possible from opening up Korea’s service market to American firms.” (http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/
congress_has_a_shot_at_passing.html).

The trade agreements will increase exports by $13 billion a year and according to Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus, will create more jobs in the United States.

Some Labor Groups oppose the free-trade bill, saying that increasing exports and free-trade agreements will make it easier for businesses in the United States to hire workers oversees instead of creating more jobs here (in the U.S.).

The future of American doesn’t look bright and it seems that there has been an increase in hostility and incompetence in the last 10 years from our politicians. Hopefully, the free-trade bill will increase jobs (although I doubt it). I hope this free-trade bill and patent reform will get us out of the morass we’ve been in the last few years and will create more jobs and lead to the good type of “change” (instead of all the bad “change” that has been going on).

Gary Rome Auto Group hopes the free-trade bill will be successful in creating more jobs. What do you think of the patent reform and free-trade bill? Are you optimistic? Do you think the new patent and trade bills will create more jobs? We would love to read your comments and are curious on what your thoughts are on the new patent and trade bills proposed by Obama.

Stop by the showroom at Gary Rome Hyundai to pick up your FREE Holyoke Blue Sox tickets

The Blue Sox Educational Tour which began in the middle of May consists of players going to Pioneer Valley schools and talking to the students about the value of education, about how important it is to stay in school and how important it is to be good role models for their community (just like the Blue Sox players are doing by taking this education tour).

The brand new van which the players use to travel to the Pioneer schools was donated by Gary Rome Hyundai. At each school event the kids will get free tickets to a Blue Sox baseball game, which is another donation the Gary Rome Auto Group has given to the Holyoke Sox.

To find out more about the Blue Sox Education Tour and what the Holyoke Blue Sox baseball schedule is for this year go to http://www.garyromehyundai.com/Holyoke_Blue_Sox.cfm.

Dads Want A Day For Them And Feels That Father’s Day Ignores Them

Father’s and Mother’s Day are interesting holidays in that they celebrate regular people instead of specific unique events. Father’s Day falls out on the third Sunday of June in the United States and it’s time to recognize the fact that there are more fathers out there than dads.

What is the difference between dads and fathers? Well fathers can be a verb and dads can’t. To father someone is to be a father. If I fathered someone that means I helped create them. Whereas, a dad connotes not so much an action but an emotional response. We all have or have had fathers (even if we never met them), but we don’t all have dads. A dad is something more than just DNA. A dad is someone who is there for their children, cares about them. A father is someone who creates them. Therefore, it is interesting that the focus is on celebrating people who simply created you and not on people who are there for you and work hard at becoming a dad.

While many may consider dad to just be a synonym for father, there is also this societal difference between the two words. People want to be dads and saying you are a dad sounds a bit more flattering than saying you are a father. Having your child say, “I love you father” doesn’t have the same ring as saying, “I love you dad.” Dad sounds like a humane word, whereas father sounds almost mechanical. Father sounds bureaucratic and intimidating, whereas dad is palindromic and loving.  I blame the “er” at the end for this.

Mother sounds bossy and cold, whereas mom sounds sweet and friendly. If I want to insult my parents I would say, “I love you mother” and “I love you father” instead of saying “I love you mom” and “I love you dad.” Dad and mom sounds so much nicer than father and mother that I would rather my child say, “I hate you dad” than say, “I love you father.”

Feeling this way about dads and moms, I find it interesting that there is no “Dad’s Day” (although there already is a D-Day, which doesn’t sound quite as flattering) and “Mom’s Day.” Okay, Father’s Day sounds more grammatically correct than “Dad’s Day” but maybe that’s just because we are used to Father’s Day.

I propose an alternative day to Father’s Day. I have two suggestions for the name: Dad’s Day (not very original I know) or “@#$% Father’s: Dad’s Are The One’s Who Really Love Their Children’s Day.” While I prefer the latter title, I don’t how many people will feel comfortable saying, “Happy @#$% Father’s: Dad’s Are The One’s Who Really Love Their Children’s Day.” (Well I know dads will have no problem with this greeting, but fathers might not like it so much).

We at Gary Rome Auto Group would like to wish those dads out there a “Happy @#$% Father’s: Dad’s Are The One’s Who Really Love Their Children’s Day” come this Sunday. Enjoy your day: you’ve been neglected long enough!