Newsletter

January 2012

Learn how to beat the gas squeeze and check out the new 2012 Ford Focus!

Practicing What We Preach

All businesses claim to make customer service a top priority, but not all live up to their promises.  Our business philosophy, on the other hand, follows through on our commitment of delivering great service by going above and beyond the norm.  We put the highest value on friendship and respect and treat all our customers like family.

We set out to make our dealership a place where friends meet friends and send their friends.  We try to create a warm and pleasant atmosphere during your sales and service visits exceeding any you've experienced elsewhere.  We want you to feel so happy with us that you can't wait to tell your friends and neighbors.

One major benefit of having a hometown dealership is the opportunity to talk to you one on one, get to know you and find out what we can do to better serve you.  When it comes to buying a vehicle and having it serviced, you have many options.  That's why we work hard every day to exceed your expectations; it's also why your feedback is so important to us.

If you receive a survey with questions about your experience at York's of Houlton, we hope you take a few minutes to complete and return it.  This will help us reward an employee who goes the extra mile to help you, and it will also help us identify areas that need improvement.

Don't feel as if you have to wait for a survey form, however.  Anytime you receive exceptional attention or if a service visit disappoints you, please let us know about it.  Your opinion is really important to us!

Today's technology makes it even easier for you to stay connected with us.  When you provide us with your e-mail address, you receive benefits, in addition to instant access to our dealership.  We can alert you to sales and service specials, and more.  Visit our website to let us know how we are doing, check out our inventory, schedule a service appointment or even apply for a loan.

Your hectic lifestyle may mean your schedule might not fit in easily with ours.  But our website, www.yorksofhoulton.com takes care of that, providing you with a personal connection to our dealership any time of the day or night.  Contacting us couldn't be easier.  The ultimate in convenience comes with just a few clicks; so let your computer start working for you.

Thank you for choosing York's of Houlton for your automotive needs.  We truly appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon.




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In-House News: Trade-Ins

Treat your car right and it will reward you with reliability, safety and a high resale value.  One of the best ways to ensure you get the highest trade-in amount is to follow your factory-recommended maintenance schedule.  In particular, regular oil changes will ensure that your vehicle will run smoothly for a long time.

At York's of Houlton, our technicians are factory trained and certified, meaning they know your vehicle inside and out.  We can help maintain the performance and value of your vehicle.

In addition, our Service Department keeps a detailed, computerized record of your vehicle's service history.  If you can show that your car or truck has been properly serviced, we will reward you with top dollar when it comes time to trade.

It's also wise to keep your car clean and shiny – both inside and out.  This not only maintains its appearance and keeps the body in better shape as the years go by, but it also indicates that you are a careful owner.  If we see that a car or truck has been well maintained, we'll give it every consideration during the trade process.

When it comes time for a new vehicle, you can rely on York's of Houlton to give you the best possible price for your trade.



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Employee of the Month

Every month at York's of Houlton, the Management Team selects an individual for Employee of the Month. The employee is typically selected because they consistently turn in a stellar performance every month and deserve to be recognized for their hard work. Our employees are an important part of our business, for without our people nothing gets done! It is their dedication and diligence to quality and the day-to-day effort to keep everything moving that allows us to enjoy our reputation as a great place to do business.

Congratulations to Mike Brown, Employee of the Month for December.  Mike joined the York's of Houlton sales team in 1993 and has built up a very impressive customer base since he has been here. He is committed to his customers and has an enthusiastic and positive attitude about his job.  Mike is extremely knowledgeable about all the vehicles we sell and takes the time with customers to help them buy the vehicle that makes the best sense for them.  He is always learning about new models, new features and anything else that will help him serve his customers better.  Mike is a dedicated employee who shows up to work every day, including his days off and is always willing to fill in on Saturdays when we are going to have a small crew.  Congratulations, Mike, from all of us at York's of Houlton.


Pictured: Mike Brown


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Product Information: 2012 Ford Focus

Driving the all-new 2012 Focus goes beyond fun and enjoyable.  In it, you'll discover something more visceral.  A dynamic design.  An addictive driving experience.  And technology and interior ergonomics that wrap around and plug you into something that is definitely more than just a car.

It's more than good-looking for the sake of being good-looking.  This kinetic design actually serves a purpose.  An aerodynamic one.  By crafting the Focus sedan to have a body surface eight percent more aerodynamic than the previous model, Ford improved its wind resistance and therefore made it more efficient.  Irresistible to your eyes.  Less resistant to the wind.

Focus, with its torque Vectoring control and available sport suspension, will give you great handling on all roads, especially in the corners.  Throw in electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and get precise response at high speeds and optimal maneuverability at slower speeds when needed.  Start all that up and you're starting more than a car.

The up-to-40 hwy mpg Focus Se has an all-new chassis plus AdvanceTrac electronic stability control (ESC) with anti-lock brakes.  Handling, performance and fuel economy.  You get it all.

It's that first impression you never forget.  In Focus, it happens when you climb inside, close the door and realize you're surrounded by a cockpit ergonomically designed to heighten the thrill of driving while connecting you to a vast array of groundbreaking technology.  First impression?  More like a lasting impression.

Multitasking has an entirely new meaning in Focus.  In here, when you're talking multitasking, you're not just talking about all the things you can do with this many cubic feet of space – you're talking about how available SYNC with MyFord Touch accesses gigs of your music, photos, favorite destinations, climate settings and more.

Technology without a purpose serves no one.  But technology like that found in Focus serves everyone – including people who may never set foot inside one.  Available features such as active park assist help you parallel park, rain-sensing wipers help keep your vision clear, and forward and reverse sensors help alert you to potential hazards

All the thrills, exhilaration, technology and handling mean nothing without safety.  A quality-built car like Focus is engineered so that every element plays a part in helping keep you and yours safe – seats, airbags, steel and body.  That's something you can depend on.

York's of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven't driven the 2012 Ford Focus, stop by for a test drive.  After all, that's really the best way to get to know a vehicle.  And you can get to know us better, too.  We're dedicated to serving you now and in the future.  Whether you're seeking a new or used vehicle, Ford custom accessories, or convenient maintenance and service, we're here for you.  Let us prove it.




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Safe Side: Winter Vehicle Safety

Check your antifreeze/coolant
Antifreeze helps control the temperature of a vehicle's engine. Since it remains liquid and does not freeze in cold temperatures, antifreeze also helps protect the engine during extreme cold starts. Servicing your vehicle's cooling system according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations can help you avoid costly repairs down the line. Check your owners' manual for how often it should be replaced.

Watch the wiper blades
The normal life expectancy for most windshield wiper blades is six to 12 months. Check and clean the windshield wiper blades or replace them if necessary. Checking and replacing them as needed can improve visibility to help avoid a very dangerous situation on the road — particularly in snowy and stormy conditions.

Make sure the battery is strong
A weak battery is less reliable and can take longer to start your car on cold mornings. In fact, a weak battery could lose about one third of its power or more in colder conditions (e.g. below 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure that connections are tight and free of corrosion and have your battery tested to ensure it has ample power to withstand the cold. Start the car with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off to minimize battery strain.

Clean the engine air filter
The engine air filter is a vehicle's lung. A clean air filter helps the engine combust an optimal air-to-fuel mixture, making it run more smoothly and efficiently. When your air filter is clogged, your engine has to work harder and therefore is not operating at peak performance. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out when it needs to be replaced.

Pay attention to oil grade
Motor oil lubricates the engine, keeping it cool and reducing the friction between moving parts. As motor oil circulates, it also cleans away harmful dirt and contaminants. In general, you should use the lightest grade of oil your vehicle's manufacturer recommends for the conditions you drive in. During the winter, this may mean an even lighter grade than usual. Most vehicle owner's manual specifies the correct grade of motor oil for your vehicle during certain driving conditions and seasons.

Keep an eye on tire pressure
Under-inflated tires create extra friction where the rubber meets the road. Improperly inflated tires also wear unevenly, which can impact your vehicle's traction on the road and possibly lead to a dangerous blowout. Check your tire pressure regularly and make sure all of them are filled to the correct level — and remember your spare tire, which can lose pressure in the cold.

Proper tire pressure is vehicle-specific. Tire pressure information for a vehicle is found on a decal typically in the vehicle's door jamb or in the vehicle owner's manual. Do not follow the pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire, as this number is specific to the tire, not the vehicle.

Consider visiting the knowledgeable folks at York's of Houlton's Auto & Tire Center to help you with your winter car maintenance.




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Tech Tips: Beating the Gas Squeeze

Conserving energy not only saves you money, it saves valuable resources and protects the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are many things you can do to conserve energy everyday.

Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of one mile per gallon.

Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to one mile per gallon.

Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about two miles per gallon.

Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.

Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to two miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.

Use your air conditioner sparingly. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as two miles per gallon under certain speeds and operating conditions.

Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.

Plan your trips carefully. Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.



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A Message from Dick York

Last year our customers purchased over 1,000 cars and trucks from us.  That's only happened once before in our 43-year history.  Sure, the economy is still not booming so most of the vehicles we sold, both new and used, were in the "mid-price" range.  Higher priced models would likely have provided a better profit margin per unit, but as the saying goes "we made it up in volume".

We also had a great sales year in the repair shop.  Tire sales were up over 30% from 2010 and the number of repair orders we wrote seemed to increase each month last year, both increases driven by our Tire and Auto Center opened in 2010.  The Tire and Auto Center has allowed us to actually increase the number of people working in our service area since we lost our GM franchises in 2009 – a situation which cost us hundreds of hours of lost GM warranty work.  Today we employ 33 technicians and service writers.

For all of these excellent results I am very thankful to our loyal employees and customers who put their trust in York's of Houlton and who made it happen.  I know that's a trite statement, but if you were in my shoes you would know it's true.

Now we have a new department at York's of Houlton.  Our Customer Care Center (CCC) crew began training just after the first of the year and started official operations about January 10.  The CCC has six people who work in shifts from 8:00AM until 8:00PM Monday through Friday and 8:00AM until 2:00PM on Saturdays.  Their mission is to make appointments with folks who will come in to our showrooms and meet with our sales staff.  Theoretically, more showroom visitors equal more sales.  In addition to their proactive work of contacting potential customers, the Customer Care Center will be responding to all of our Internet leads.  Their goal with Internet leads is to provide very prompt replies to anyone who sends an email inquiry during their hours of operation.  With barely 2 weeks under their belts, the CCC has made a positive contribution to at lease eight vehicle sales.

We had a wonderful holiday season at home.  Dad, brother Jerry and sisters Nancy and Dawn were all there with their spouses and some of their children for Christmas brunch.  My own son and daughters along with their kids (6 grandchildren!) were all there at one time or another.  Sue's parents couldn't make it this year, but her Uncle Jim Porter came up from Rockland for a few days.  Rebecca and Zach, home from UMO (where Rebecca made Dean's list!!!), and many of their friends also paid us visits.

Sue has gone back to college.  She decided to follow her father's footsteps in architecture.  Some people have asked how she is able to run her property management business, teach ballet classes, keep our large house clean and orderly and attend classes all at the same time.  I just say I don't know how she can do it, but I'll bet she can.


Pictured: Dick York