It’s “Business As Usual” for Southern Nevada’s Top GM Dealership

General Motors sent pink slips to roughly one out of four of its dealers nationwide this month. Findlay Chevrolet, one of the newest and most successful dealerships in the Las Vegas Valley, was not among them. Just last week, Findlay Chevrolet received “the other” letter from GM. This one asked the dealership “to be part of ‘the new GM.’”

“Findlay Chevrolet has been affected by the economy just like virtually every other business, but we are determined to weather the storm,” General Manager Justin Findlay said. “We are happy that GM feels the same way about us.”

GM determined that the overall performance of the company would benefit from a reduction in the number of dealerships that were - in many cases - competing with each other within the same market.

More than 1,100 “underperforming” stores, as GM put it, were targeted to ensure the automakers’ future retail networks will be stronger down the road.

Mark LaNeve, GM’s North American sales chief, said the dealer cuts were needed to match the shrinkage in the company and in the U.S. auto market.

Late last year, two Chevrolet dealerships in Southern Nevada abruptly ceased operations and shut down, reducing the total number of Chevrolet dealerships in Southern Nevada from five to three. One has since re-opened under new ownership, bringing the total to four.

“If we hadn’t had that attrition earlier in the year, who knows what would have happened here,” Findlay said. “But four seems like the right number. We basically have one in each corner of the market.”

Also last month, Integrity Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, the dealership adjacent to Findlay Chevrolet in the Southwest part of the valley near 215 and Rainbow, announced it was closing under the strain of the economy. Chrysler Corporation also announced it was not renewing several franchise agreements in Southern Nevada, creating a shockwave through the local auto industry and doubt amongst Southern Nevada GM and Ford dealers, who comprise the balance of the “Big Three” in domestic auto sales.

For GM dealers like Findlay Chevrolet, the doubt can now be put behind them.

“Now we are focused solely on what’s in front of us,” Findlay said.

Findlay Chevrolet opened in December 2007 and became the No. 1 GM dealership in Southern Nevada within its first year of business. It is one of 14 dealerships within the Findlay Automotive Group.

Posted June 11, 2009 5:08 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Las Vegas, NV – April 8, 2009 – Ben & Jerry’s, the company that broke the mold for businesses showing you could make a profit while giving back to the community, will commemorate its 31st Annual “Free Cone Day” at the Galleria Mall at Sunset in Henderson with celebrity scoopers to benefit Lied Discovery Children’s Museum and at the District at Green Valley Ranch location to benefit the Nevada Community Learning Centers (formerly Classroom on Wheels). All small cones are FREE with no purchase necessary, but patrons are invited to make a donation to the respective local charity.

Local celebrities will roll up their sleeves and dig in at both locations and work to help raise money by scooping ice cream throughout the day on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from noon to 8 p.m. Celebrities are being confirmed and will be announced shortly.

“Free Cone Day” was originally launched to thank the community for their loyalty to Ben & Jerry’s and to congratulate the staff on the company’s first anniversary. It was such a huge success; it is now a tradition that is celebrated each year. “Free Cone Day” at Ben & Jerry’s will happen across the globe and all proceeds are donated to local charities. This year, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops anticipate to give away more than two million free ice cream cones nationally. While the full flavor line-up is up for grabs on “Free Cone Day” featuring “legend-dairy” palette pleasers like Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia and Chubby Hubby, Ben & Jerry’s will debut its newest offerings as part of the celebration:

• Chocolate Macadamia – A Flavor with a Mission! Fair Trade Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Creams Swirled Together with Fudge-Covered Macadamia Nuts

• Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road – Chocolate Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Butter Brickle and White Chocolate Chunks

• Orange & Cream – A Swirly Sorbet of Orange with Vanilla Ice Cream Blended to a Harmonious Summertime Treat

• Triple Caramel Chunk – Caramel Ice Cream with a Swirl of Caramel and Fudge-Covered Caramel Chunks

The Galleria Mall At Sunset is located at 1300 W. Sunset Road at the intersection of Stephanie Street. Ben & Jerry’s is located on the Upper Level, across from the Food Court. For more information, please contact Ben & Jerry’s at 702-435-0330.

The District at Green Valley Ranch is located next to the Green Valley Ranch Casino on I-215 and Green Valley Parkway. For more information, please contact Ben & Jerry’s at 702-437-3300.

Continue reading "LOCAL CELEBRITIES TO SCOOP ICE CREAM FOR CHARITY FOR BEN & JERRY’S 31st ANNUAL “FREE CONE DAY” APRIL 21" »

Posted April 8, 2009 1:55 PM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It it's good enough for "Ironman," it's good enough for your man.

The Audi R8, which first appeared in the U.S. in a “Godfather-esque” television spot during the Super Bowl this past February, is the company's first mid-engine super car.

It is designed with extreme performance in mind and with other high-end sports cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6, in its sights. For the sports car enthusiast, it’s a highly sought after prize. It’s also won a slew of “Car of the Year” awards from auto enthusiast magazines and organizations, and it’s been featured in several major motion pictures – the most notable being “Ironman” - making it the ultimate gift this holiday.

The R8 is loosely based off of the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. It is powered by a 420 hp 4.2-liter V-8 engine, and has full-time all-wheel drive that puts power to the ground. It is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a R-tronic automated sequential manual transmission that allows for manual or automatic gear selection. Standard features include things like satellite radio, Alcantara/leather sport seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, and bi-xenon headlights. Options include a rearview camera, hill hold assist, Bluetooth, six-disc CD changer and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

This March, the Audi R8 was named as 2008 World Performance Car and 2008 World Car Design of the Year at the New York Auto Show.

When naming the Audi R8 as the 2008 World Performance Car, the jurors observed that it has “exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category.”

For the 2008 World Car Design of the Year award, the jurors praised the Audi R8 for “transforming the sports car landscape. The R8 design is striking, original and full of interesting details, from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical ‘blade’ behind the B pillar.”

World Car design expert Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA commented that the Audi R8 is “a great visual representation of the technology within, a complete package of Techno-Iconic Design.”

Road & Track magazine called it “magic.”

The Audi R8 is available through Audi Henderson, located at 210 North Gibson Road in the Valley Auto Mall. Call 982-4600 or visit www.audihenderson.com for more information.

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Audi R8 Specs

Mid-mounted V-8 engine, 4.2 liter DOHC with FSI® technology produces 420 hp and accelerates the Audi R8 to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds. Top speed of 187 mph.

Posted November 20, 2008 8:47 AM by Blogging Vegas | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This