Thursday, June 23, 2011

Survey Says Car Dealership Professionalism Trumps Price

I have believed this for a long time, but, today, a survey was released by CarWoo.com, an automotive marketplace website.  This study, using transactional and behavorial data, shows that 54.6% of the time the lowest price offer was not the one the buyer took.  That increases to 57.5% when eliminating cases where buyers received only a single offer. 

Behavorial data also indicates that prices is not what drives a buyer's opinion.  In giving 5 star reviews, highly satisfied buyers ranked dealer professionalism as the most important factor 47% of the time and price only 14%.  When dissatisfied buyers gave dealers 1 star reviews, they cited unprofessionalism as the reason 44% of the time, and, blamed price only 19% of the time.

Only when buyers gave a middling 3 star review did price become a driving factor, ranked as primarily 52% of the time.  These reviews, while ostensively neutral, where often negative in tone, much more akin to a grade of a C.

We have thought this all along at Premier Subaru which is why we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients each and every day.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Subaru of America Sales Rise Nearly 8% Year-To-Date

BRANFORD, CT, June 1, 2011 - Subaru of America announced today a nearly 8% year-to-date increase with 20,036 units sold in May, 2011 - resulting in a total YTD sales of 112,255. However, while Subaru Legacy and Outback models experienced year-over-year growth, sales of Forester, Impreza and Tribeca decreased due to inventory limitations.


"While we have had a very strong start to 2011, and demand for our product in dealerships remain at record levels, we are now experiencing a slowdown in deliveries following the disruption to vehicle and parts production in Japan as a result of the March earthquake and tsunami", said Thomas J. Doll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "We expect this to continue in the short term while the production situation in Japan returns to normal. Even allowing for this temporary slowdown in deliveries, we still expect 2011 to be the second best year ever for the Subaru brand in the US."

Like Subaru of America, Premier Subaru in Branford, Connecticut continues to post record results. This is due to the company's business philosophy and desire to exceed the expectations of their clients. Premier Subaru is the only Subaru dealer in the State of Connecticut that is both approved by the AAA for Automotive Repair and Service and has received the A+ designation by the BBB

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Geoff Fox Joins the Premier Subaru Team as a Spokesperson!


BRANFORD, CT May 3, 2011 - Robert J. Alvine, President of Premier Subaru in Branford, announced today that 7 time Emmy Award winner weather personality Geoff Fox has been retained as a spokesperson for the dealership.


Mr. Fox will appear in a series of broadcast television, cable, radio and internet announcements in the coming year. He will also make appearances on behalf of the dealership at select public events and charitable functions.

In announcing the partnership, Mr. Alvine stated, “The Subaru brand has a well earned reputation for exceptional all-wheel performance in all kinds of driving conditions. And given the kind of winter we just experienced, we feel the combination of Subaru performance and Geoff’s extensive knowledge of Connecticut weather would make him an ideal spokesperson for Premier Subaru going forward.”

Fox has over 25 years of on-air experience in the Connecticut market. He recently returned to the air forecasting the weather at WTIC FOX 61 for the station’s 4PM and 11PM newscasts. Prior to his current position, he was a weather forecaster for the state’s ABC affiliate in New Haven for many years.

“I’m looking forward to bringing what I hope is a unique perspective to the automotive market in general, and to Premier Subaru customers in particular. It’s not often that a car comes with its’ own weatherman.” said Fox.

Premier Subaru is located at 150 North Main Street in Branford, Connecticut. The dealership has been in business since 2000 selling new and pre-owned Subaru models, as well as servicing all makes and models of domestic and import vehicles. The dealership is approved by the AAA for automotive service and repairs and is an A+ rated company by the Better Business Bureau of the State of Connecticut. Premier Subaru has also won numerous awards for customer satisfaction and sales excellence. In addition, the dealership sells Subaru parts direct to the consumer in person or on-line. The main phone number for the dealership is 203-481-0687. Additional information about the dealership can be found at http://www.premiersubaru.com/.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Premier Subaru Supports National Car Care Month, Offers Fuel Savings Tips For All Drivers

Branford, CT - April 6, 2011 - Premier Subaru is once again celebrating the Car Care Council's National Car Care Month in April by offering free vehicle diagnostic inspections for Subaru vehicles at their location at 150 North Main Street in Branford, Connecticut. Premier Subaru's theme for this year's program is "MPG: Maintenance Preserves Gas", which underscores the importance of regular vehicle maintenance when it comes to maximizing any vehicle's fuel economy.

Premier Subaru is also sharing some helpful tips on ways to improve fuel economy, which can be used by any driver, for any vehicle:

* Maintain proper tire pressure
* Replace air filter when dirty
* Use cruise control whenever possible
* Remove excess weight inside vehicle
* Change engine oil and filter when dirty
* Drive sensibly
* Tighten the gas cap
* Avoid excess vehicle idling

"Whatever vehicle you drive, these simple tips will help maximize your fuel economy and save money at the pump, which is especially important now that we're seeing a noticeable increase in gas prices" notes Robert J. Alvine, President of Premier Subaru. "Any beyond fuel savings, they'll pay off in other ways, too - you'll increase your vehicle's reliability, you'll reduce the likelihood of costly repairs, and you'll enjoy higher trade-in or resale value down the road".

During National Car Care Month, Premier Subaru will perform a thorough multi-point diagnostic checkup of all major operating systems, and owners will receive a detailed written report of the vehicle's condition. This service is done at no charge to Subaru owners and without obligation.

For additional information, please see the Premier Subaru website at www.premiersubaru.com.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Subaru Models Awarded Four "Top Picks" from Kiplinger's Personal Finance

We are proud to announce that, Kiplinger's Personal Finance recognized three Subaru vehicles for excellence in four areas:
  • The Forester 2.5XT Premium AWD was designated "best in class" for small crossovers
  • The Outback 2.5 Limited won "best in class" and "best resale" in the wagons category
  • The Impreza WRX AWD four door was named "best resale" in the $25,000 to $30,000 category.
Kiplinger's evaluates "best in class" winners on performance, value and safety.  "Best resale" winners were selected using the Kelley Blue Book's estimated trade in price.

Kiplinger's notes that the Forester - also recognized by the publication in 2009 as the "best new crossover" - boasts "agile handling, high resale values and loads of cargo space."  The Forester, like all other Subaru models, is also a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2011 is the second year the the Outback was awarded "best in class".  In addition to "stylish design, strong resale values and heaps of utility", the publication calls the 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine "powerful without pushing down fuel economy".

Kiplinger's also explains that the "turbocharged version of the Impreza boosts the three year resale value from the base models 51% to 55% - and bumps up horsepower by 95 horses to 265 horses.  That's a feat a few in this category can achieve with only four cylinders."

Premier Subaru encourages you to see the entire line of the award winning Subaru models at it's dealership located at 150 North Main Street, Route 1 (I-95, exit 54) in Branford, Connecticut.  The company's dealership is located within 12 minutes of Milford, Connecticut and Wallingford, Connecticut.  In addition, the company is convenienly located proximate to New Haven, Bridgeport and other major metropolitan areas in Connecticut.  You can see more about the company at http://www.premiersubaru.com/.  Or, text the word PREMIER to 50123 for information delivered to your SmartPhone.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Premier Subaru Customers Responsible For More Than $25,000 In Donations During The Subaru Of America "Share The Love" Campaign

Branford, Connecticut - January 3, 2011 - Premier Subaru, in Branford, Connecticut, is proud to announce that it's customers have been responsible for more than $25,000 in donations during the Subaru of America "Share the Love" Campaign which ran from November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2011.

The Subaru of America "Share the Love" Campaign allowed Subaru new vehicle customers to select from five charities to receive a $250 donation from Subaru of America, following the vehicle purchase or lease.

Over the last two years the program had donated nearly $10 milion to its partner organizations.  Once counted, the 2011 contributions are expected to bring that total up to $15 million.  The five charities that participated in the program this year are: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels Association of America, and Ocean Conservancy.

Based on research that shows Subaru buyers have a strong affinity toward charitable donations to worthy causes, the campaign has been developed by the company's brand agency, Carmichael Lynch, to allign that affinity to their vehicle purchase.

"We wanted to create a program that not only stands out from the crowd, but is also relevant to our customer's value systems - they of giving back to the community" said Robert J. Alvine from Premier Subaru in Branford, Connecticut.  "As you can see by the activity in our showrooms over the last 40 days, we also reflect our customer's values in doing the right thing".

In addition to the contributions through the Subaru of America program, Premier Subaru also supported the Toys for Tots program, the Thanksgiving Food Basket Initiative undertaken by Christian Community Action and donated toys to the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven, Connecticut.