Save on Auto Parts, Accessories, and Service Through Costco!

Costco 1You may already know you can buy a car, truck or SUV through the Costco Auto Program. But did you know you can also save on repairs, servicing, and accessories for that vehicle, or any other vehicle you own, through the same program? It’s true! Costco members can save up to 15% at participating auto dealers and service centers like Butler Auto Group! To find out more visit Costco’s Auto Program website or call one of Butler’s Service Centers for details.

Suzuki Service and Parts Still Available at Butler Auto

suzukiWhen Suzuki Motor Corporation filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and pulled out of the North American market in late 2012 many Suzuki customers were left feeling abandoned and full of questions: What were they supposed to do about repairs, service, and parts? And what about warranty work? Who would take care of that?

The answer, at least in Southern Oregon and Northern California, is Butler Automotive Group! Suzuki gave dealers the option of taking a buyout to shut down all Suzuki-related services, or continuing to offer Suzuki service and parts. Butler chose the latter. Technicians at the Butler Hyundai location can not only fix and maintain your Suzuki vehicle, but they continue to sell Suzuki parts and honor Suzuki warranties. In fact, Suzuki roadside assistance is even still in effect (call (877) 794-8853)! Butler’s Service Manager, Curtis Hancock, says Suzuki Motors is obligated to support us in those efforts for at least a decade after the bankruptcy(until 2022). So, if you need help with your Suzuki but aren’t sure where to go contact our service department at (888) 326-8069 or make an appointment on-line. Suzuki owners, you’re not alone!

Presenting New Butler Auto Group Websites!

If building new websites is in the virtual world what construction is in the physical world then Butler Automotive Group has remodeled!  In the spirit of a grand opening we invite you to vist our new websites:  www.butlerautogroup.com, www.butleracura.com, www.butlerford.com, www.butlerhyundai.com, and www.butlerkia.com.  You can search our inventory, learn about our staff, make appointments for test drives or service, and even apply for financing! We’re in love with the sleek new look and easy navigation.   And while, as with any renovation, we’re still working out some bugs, we think the new sites will serve you well!  Enjoy!

Suzuki Auto Files Chapter 11, Pulls Out of U.S. Market

2013 Suzuki

Suzuki will focus new car sales efforts on other shores.

Goodbyes are never fun but sometimes they’re imposed upon us.  That’s the case with the announcement this week that American Suzuki Motor Corporation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will discontinue the sale of new cars in the U.S. market.

As a Suzuki dealership, we’re especially bummed.  The automaker is recognized around the globe for its quality and, while struggling to gain a foothold in the U.S. has outsold many other well-known brands elsewhere in the world, even topping Honda sales in Japan.  Chuck Butler, owner and founder for Butler Auto Group, says, “We all know what a fine product Suzuki brought to the American market and, it is unfortunate that these international financial factors impacted the profitability of American Suzuki Motors overall.”  He adds that Butler will continue to offer Suzuki service and parts, and will honor all customer warranties until expired.

Suzuki’s decision affects automobiles only;  Motorcycle and marine engine business will stay unchanged.   While that’s some consolation we’re still sad to know we’ll be taking no more new deliveries of such fan favorites as the Kizashi or the towable Grand Vitara.   So, farewell Suzuki.  We’re glad to have known you.

Look for liquidation prices to be posted on Butler Suzuki stock in the near future.  For a walk down Suzuki memory lane visit http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/remembering-suzuki-of-america-in-commercials/.

September 2012 Hyundai Owners Open House

Thank you to all who joined us last night for our last Hyundai Owners Open House of the year.  The weather was perfect, attendance was great, and a fun and educational time was had by all!  And we mean that; While we put lots of effort into making sure all your questions are answered and needs are addressed, we’re bound to miss some things so, we’re open to any ideas you may have as to how to make the events better.  To those wo offered suggestions, like Mark who requested vegetarian food, we thank you.  Stay tuned to our facebook page for the announcement of last night’s raffle winner!

Are There Too Many Options?

America was founded on the premise that her citizens should have options, and not only options but, the freedom to choose among them. The founding fathers were primarily concerned with religion and politics but, the idea pretty much sums up the free market system, as well.

Which is exactly the problem. Sometimes there’s just too much to choose from.

While grocery shopping the other day I spent 20 minutes in the toothpaste aisle. It’s not that there are too many brands to choose from, it’s that each brand has an entire array of products.

There’s toothpaste to whiten, freshen, and protect; to ward off sensitivity, plaque and gingivitis; to battle germs, prevent bacteria and strengthen enamel. There’s regular, there’s gel, there’s some swirly combination of both. And then there are the flavors: Cinnamon, mint, citrus breeze, root beer, licorice, and, for those rare diehard carnivores, pork. There’s even one the brains at MIT allege can forecast the weather (I kid you not: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/mit-media-labs-build-weather-forecasting-toothpaste%E2%80%94with-flavors-5-1-2010/). Is it any wonder my brain short circuits if I even consider moving past “Regular Tooth Paste”?

But the real question is, why do I find it so annoying to wade through the broad selection of toothpaste but on the other spectrum, excessively liberating to have just as many, if not more, choices when buying a car?

The view from my office in the Butler Acura showroom includes any number of Fords, Acuras, Hyundais and Kias, one super clean Mini-Cooper, a Dodge Ram and a handful of Ford F-150s (to see what I see visit: www.butlerman.com.) They are new and previously loved, sedans and hatchbacks, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. They represent a host of options, colors, and possibilities. I love having the ability to see each and every one of them and, unless they’ve been sold by the time I get around to them, I plan to test drive them all. I’m looking forward to it.

So far, my “research” has put me behind the wheel of an Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Ford F-150 King Ranch, and a sweet 2011 Ford Mustang. This weekend, I drove one of Butler’s new powerful 2011 F-150 Lariats, you know, just to get a feel for the latest class of Ford trucks. In seeing my temporary ride, and knowing me the way she does, my mom smiled and nodded. “You have a good job,” she said.

So, I guess it comes down to passion. Obviously, someone (at Crest, Colgate and, apparently, MIT) is in love with toothpaste. For that person, the more toothpaste options, the better… even if he’s still driving the same car he’s had since high school. I, on the other hand will revel in every new car and truck that rolls onto our lot, while continuing to stick to Regular Crest. In doing so, both us are confirming our right to choose, upholding our freedom of choice. Being American.

Best, Worst, and Weirdest Car Names Ever

 

The infamous Chevy Nova

Remember the story about Chevy and the Nova? The auto maker’s efforts to market the car in Latin America failed spectacularly . Turns out “no va” in Spanish means “it doesn’t go”, and nobody wants a car that doesn’t go!

The story is usually cited to illustrate the difficulties in translation when it comes to naming vehicles. But I’m not concerned with what American model names may mean in other languages so much as in what they mean – or don’t mean – in America.

Here’s a pretty comprehensive list of the best, worst and weirdest car names: http://www.forbes.com/2004/07/12/cx_dl_0712feat.html. But there must be others out there… can you think of any?

Are You Right-Brained or Left-Brained?

A friend of mine recently bought a sports car. He knew he wanted a used car, and he knew he wanted luxury and performance. But that’s all he knew when he went into the process; he had no brand loyalty or, even brand preference. He researched. He test drove. He compared numbers, and not just the ones having to do with price.

Ultimately, the car he ended up buying was the one he’d originally dismissed for fear it would be too expensive. While he’s over the moon with his purchase he’ll also tell you his choice made sense. It was driven by reason.

What impressed me about his process was that it was so methodical, so logical, so left-brained. I have never gone about buying a car like that. In my world, a certain budget must be adhered to and… that’s about it. For me, the decision is all emotional. I either love it or I don’t and the rest is not up for discussion.

That attitude is shifting in that the desire to be more environmentally friendly is coming into play, as are considerations like fuel economy and seating capacity. Daisy Dog and I don’t take up too much space or cover a tremendous number of miles so, the latter two are still flexible. But even if they weren’t, I just can’t see myself, unless it were absolutely necessary, buying a vehicle that didn’t bring me joy. I need to love the feeling of driving it. I need to appreciate its lines. I need to adore, yes, even the color (See “Silver” blog: http://butlerautogroup.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/9/). It’s not completely irrational… but it’s close. My process is driven by the right-side of my brain.

Which side governs yours?

Why “Like” Us?

Why “Like” Us?
                 by Shannon Young for Butler Auto Group

“Something that haunts most social media panels is a  failure to explain the relevance of social media. 
Why should the average person get involved, or read?”                — www.brandstorming.com

Maybe that’s an odd way to kick off the inaugural blog of The Butler Automotive Group.  But, seriously, Butler’s a group of car dealerships.  You already know dealerships sell cars.  You visit their websites when you need one, or maybe when you want one.  Otherwise, you don’t visit their websites.

But we at Butler… or more accurately, I, Shannon Young, former longtime local TV news anchor-turned-Butler spokeswoman… disagree, and I’ll tell you why. 

First, the sites I visit on a regular basis include those for NPR, People Magazine, CNN, anything related to kayaking, and, of course, Facebook.  I’m drawn to websites that enhance my life, whether with information, a break from reality, pretty pictures that remind me of my time on the water, or interaction with people who share similar interests, similar friends, similar anything.

Second, I love cars.  I mean, I LOVE cars.  I can work one of those dealership options kiosks like some kids play Halo.  I love the variety of styles, the niche markets, the sheer multitude of possibilities.  I love how each manufacturer has its followers, how we can outfit our cars to match our personality, how some people are so nuts for their ride they name it, like it’s part of the family.

So… I visit sites that enhance my life… and cars enhance my life.

I know I’m not alone.  I know there’s a truckload of as-yet-outed auto junkies out there.  I also know a good portion of you engage in some sort of ritual every day, whether it’s stopping by a coffee shop, a bagel store, or a website, not just to caffeinate, indulge in baked goods, or see who’s “liked” the latest Harry Potter flick but, to see who’s there, to talk about the weather, to connect… with someone, somewhere who shares something in common.  

Guess what.  Your vehicle connects you, literally in that it gets you places but, also figuratively.  You have something in common with every other human being who’s ever owned a car.  Yeah.  Whoa.

So what better place to start building a relationship than right here?

Butler and I, we’re not just writing a blog, we’re starting a conversation.  And with you in the mix, we might just enhance each other’s life.

Guess that brings us to the beginning: Hi, I’m Shannon.  You already know what lights my fire.  Now, tell us what lights yours…