2011 Hyundai Genesis at Tustin Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Accent at the New York Auto Show

AUTOSHOW-Hyundai offers trade-in value guarantee....Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:31pm EDT

Hyundai offers trade-in guarantee on used-car value

* Program comes after other U.S. warranties drive sales

* Hyundai seen poised to take sales amid tight car supply

NEW YORK, April 20 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) will offer U.S. consumers a guarantee that Hyundai vehicles will hold their value over a four-year period when they are traded in for a future vehicle from the Korean automaker.

The trade-in guarantee is the latest in a series of warranties and other pledges from the Korean automaker that have helped it build sales momentum in the U.S. market in recent years.

Under the new Hyundai Assurance Trade-in Value Guarantee, Hyundai buyers will be guaranteed that any model that they purchase will hold the value forecast for it by the third-party Automotive Lease Guide.

The program guarantees that Hyundai vehicles will be worth at least the value forecast at the time a customer trades in for a subsequent purchase at a Hyundai dealership.

The program, which was announced at the New York auto show on Wednesday, takes effect in May. The guarantee would not apply if Hyundai owners decided to trade in for a different car brand or other conditions were not met.

Details of the eligibility requirements of the program had not been posted on the Hyundai website as of Wednesday afternoon.

Hyundai has been one of the fastest-growing brands in the U.S. market in recent years. Its sales shot higher by 24 percent last year while the overall market rose only 11 percent.

In 2009, the Korean automaker won consideration from car shoppers by offering a guarantee that they could return purchased vehicles if they lost their jobs during the depths of the recession.

Hyundai's fast-growth period goes back to its 1998 introduction of a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Hyundai executives have said that their focus is to reshape consumer perceptions of the brand by addressing lingering concerns about quality and how well vehicles will retain value.

"While Hyundai's depreciation is now among the lowest in the industry, (this program) will remove many of the barriers and concerns about vehicle ownership," Hyundai's North American chief executive, John Krafcik, said in a statement.

Analysts have said Hyundai is one of the automakers best positioned for gains if sales for Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and Honda Motor Co (7267.T) lose momentum in the coming quarters because of limited production and parts shortages after the March earthquake in Japan. (Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman, writing by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

"Customer Service" what does it mean to YOU?

I love this video of Ross Shafer's and have used it often in training. I am about to use it again, but this time I got to thinking..."why in the world don't we make our own?" (No offense Ross!) This little dealership I work for is awesome. We do all the right things. We're nice, we're friendly, we like you. Or do we? Well, yes indeed we like you, but do we like you the way you want us to?

Put your consumer hat on for a minute and think of two things. 1) the worst buying experience you ever had. 2) the best buying experience you ever had. Ahh...the stories, right?

But is it always about worst and best? Is there more to it? Is it that a "person" was responsible for the worst or best experience, or was it the entire company? People come and go. Companies hang around.

So, now I wonder if every time I go to my dry cleaners will I always get amazing service? Or is only that when I go, I'm always helped by the owner's wife? Is it because we're about the same age, have kids the same age, she's just really a nice person? What happens when she goes on vacation? Will the dry cleaner sitter be my age, be nice, know my name, let me pick up today and pay next time? Does my dry cleaner have a Customer Service Statement? Customer Service Philosophy? Customer Service Promise? Customer Service Procedure? And if they do, are all the employees trained in how to deliver it?

If you, the consumer wanted to help me make a video about customer service for our little company, what would you want to see in it? I think a lot of companies assume they have great customer service because they are really happy about adding you to their data base and to their bottom line. Being happy promotes great service, right? (Yes, that would be sarcasm dripping from my words...)

Customer Service is my passion. I don't know why...it just is. My family thinks I'm nuts, because I really don't mind if a customer yells at me. Really, I DON'T MIND. It means my customer is passionate, too. Passionate about the way he wants to be treated.

As a consumer, I happen to be every company's worst nightmare. I'm the consumer that quietly walks out, and never tells the company why. No second chance, no letter of complaint. I just take my money somewhere else. So, when a customer is unhappy and wants to talk to me, I can't wait! That means we can fix it, because WE FIX PROBLEMS HERE. I get to be the VP of Yes where I work. It means that he might just might give us a second chance. It means that he's about to give our company very valuable feedback, and I just want to hug him for it. It means he going to tell me what's broken. Thank goodness he's not like me!

I think Ross is saying more in his video than just a lovely story about Maria....I think he says the company she works for promotes great customer service, because they promoted an employee that gives it.

When you're the customer, what do you want from the company? I'd love to know! I'll even put your name in the credits when I make our own company video. I'm thinking the title might look something like this..."Customer Service, the OC Auto Team way, as presented by our Customers".

I'm hoping for tons of feedback, please share...don't be me!

Lynda Nelson, Director Customer Affairs (aka VP of YES!)
OC Auto Team lnelson@ocmazda.com or lnelson@ochyundai.com

The Hyundai Equus is the car of the month, says NADA! Have you seen this yet? We've got two in our showroom right now!

Hyundai Equus: Car of the Month by Sydney Bessler on April 8, 2011 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) named the Hyundai Equus the car of the month for April 2011. The vehicle earned high marks for its interior design, comfort, smooth performance and quality engineering. NADA stated that the Equus had no comparable vehicles in its category, Troy Synder Director of Product Development for NADA guides stated, “What Hyundai has created with the Equus is the most distinguished, fulfilling and desirable luxury vehicle we have driven. The quality and care taken to produce even the simplest of switches and knobs is more than required.”

Elantra Top 10 Green Cars of 2011

Kelly Blue Book named their Top 10 Green Cars of 2011 and our 2011 Hyundai Elantra made the cut. Kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, annually announces this list to present a variety of the best fuel-efficient vehicles worthy for buyers’ consideration – like the 2011 Hyundai Elantra!

The editors considered which ‘green’ vehicles were the best of the best at the best price.

To be considered for the Top 10 Green Car of 2011 list, each vehicle was required to offer fuel economy and CO2 emissions superior to the bulk of vehicle in its class, and at the same time provide all the safety, creature comforts and driving enjoyment that would make it pleasant to own.

From Kbb.com:

“There are now a few non-hybrid compact cars that deliver highway fuel economy of at least 40 miles per gallon, but the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is the only one that does so in every trim. In addition to the impressive efficiency, we’re fans of the all-new Elantra’s bold sheet metal, stylish interior and attractive list of standard and optional features.”

Check out the fuel-efficient Elantra today.

Register in Education Promotes OC Auto Team Jingle Contest

Nothing thrills us more than when a fun new idea gets propelled along by a great partner like The Orange County Register. They are helping us promote our Social Media Songwriters Challenge on Facebook to local schools through their Register in Education program.

The OCR's Register in Education program is part of a national effort called Newspapers in Education (NIE). Newspapers across the nation, including The Orange County Register, have been working collaboratively with local schools for decades to provide teachers, students, and parents with innovative teaching tools and the opportunity to use the newspaper as a living textbook.

Learning programs allow students to delve into subjects like math, science, politics, health, geography, and much more using up-to-the-minute information found only inside the daily newspaper. These programs are provided FREE to Orange County schools, thanks to generous donations from corporate sponsors and individual contributions from people like you.

Our Social Media Songwriting Challenge comes with a $2,000 Grand Prize which any school can use toward reaching their fundraising goals. Register in Education and Tustin Hyundai both know how much talent there is in Orange County and that our next catchy jingle (We like "buying a car's a dream with the OC Auto Team", but you can submit anything) will probably be submitted by a student!

Just create a catchy jingle and upload at least a 60 second video to our Facebook page here.

Five top nominees will be selected and all runners-up will receive $250.

All winners will have donations made on their behalf to Musicians on Call, which brings music to the bedsides of patients in treatment facilities.

Cool 3D Video of the Accent

...and the winner is...Richard Van Lint!

Richard, (on the right) is the proud owner of a brand new Hyundai Sonata, and also just won an iPad from us!! Way to roll, Richard! Congratulations! Troy Kerth, General Manager is presenting the iPad, and we can't tell which of them looks happier. Come on in and enter our iPad contest and maybe you'll be next!

http://www.tustinhyundai.com

Consumer Reports Names Elantra Top Small Car

This article and video review is driving a ton of Elantra sales. It doesn't get any better than a TOP PICK recommendation from Consumer Reports.

Here is the article and video from the Consumer Reports website.

OC Auto Team's John Patterson Named Entrepreneur of the Year Semi-Finalist

Tustin, April 5, 2011 – OC Auto Team (Tustin Mazda, Huntington Beach Mazda and Tustin Hyundai) today announced that President, John Patterson is a semi-finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2011 Award in Orange County. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. John was selected as a semi-finalist from nearly 60 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 11 at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 25^thanniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 140 cities and over 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 12, 2011.

The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, and is held from November 9-13, 2011.

Join the Hyundai Movement and Win a $200 Gas Card

Be a part of something special. Go to our Facebook Page here and tell us why you should win a $200 Gas Card! The most Facebook Likes wins...contest ends May 15.

April Lease Incentives Continue

Hyundai Continues Auto Lease Incentives Through April

By Liz Opsitnik
Monday, Apr 04 2011 11:52

Hyundai is promoting low auto loan rates, cash back incentives and auto lease deals on most new vehicles in April.

Hyundai is offering 0 percent auto loan rates again in April on its Genesis and Veracruz. New for April is the 0 percent rate on the 2011 version of the Genesis and Veracruz. Last month, it was only available on the 2010 version of these vehicles. The interest-free rate is good for 36 months. For up to 48 months, Hyundai is offering 0.9 percent on these models. The 2010 Veracruz's 0 percent auto loan rate is good up to 48 months.

Hyundai's auto loan rates on other vehicles in its lineup range from 0.9 to 2.9 percent in April on most 2010 and 2011 vehicles. These low auto loan rates are good on 36- and 48-month loans. Higher interest rates are still available if you prefer a longer auto loan. Hyundai is offering auto loans up to 72 months on most vehicles in April.

Here is the direct link to this article.

Why be a car buyer when you can be a Happy Equus buyer at Tustin Hyundai!

Dr. Choi sent us this beautiful picture today...he stopped to take this shot of his new Hyundai Equus while taking one of the ultimate California road trips....PCH to San Francisco.

Thanks Dr. Choi. (Next time, let us know if you need a driver, we've got a dealership full of volunteers!)

Our very first Sonata Hybrid is in the house!

Coming in right off the truck...shazam, you should see this car in person!

Be a Happy Car Buyer

Smile and the world smiles with you. Why have a frown on your face when you can choose to brighten someone's day? Our ads reflect our attitude. We want you going home HAPPY!