Friday, March 22, 2013

Aha Radio Retrofit for Subaru Customers Available!

Subaru owners of 2013MY Legacy or 2013MY Outback vehicles equipped with factory navigation

manufactured before the running production change which added Aha Radio application display

capability (vehicles produced before January 18, 2013) are eligible to update their navigation system

hardware at a Subaru dealer from now until the December 31, 2013.

This update will permit access to Aha Radio content on the customer’s navigation screen, which is an

internet

based application to their favorite content on the web that can be organized into personalized,

live, on

demand stations that can be taken with you wherever you go through a smartphone application.

When paired with a smartphone equipped with the Aha Radio application installed on it, the Aha Radio

application content may be accessed using an integrated interface in the Subaru updated navigation

system. Note: Only Android OS and iOS (Apple) smartphone devices are supported in this program. Aha

is not compatible with Blackberry or Windows phones.

Here are the program details:



SOA will send an email and printed letter to each applicable owner (2013 Legacy/Outback

navigation

equipped vehicles sold that were produced prior to January 18, 2013), notifying

them of the program, with instructions to contact their local or preferred dealer if they

desire to participate and schedule a service appointment.



The customer should verify that their vehicle was produced prior to January 18, 2013 by

checking the certification label located at (see illustration, #4 below).



The customer should also download the Aha Radio application from either iTunes (Apple

iOS) or Google Play (Android OS), install and confirm the operation of the application on

their device successfully.



Finally, the customer should also confirm that their smartphone device successfully pairs

with the current Subaru navigation unit in their vehicle via Bluetooth.



At that time the customer should call their local or preferred Subaru dealer, and schedule a

service appointment for the update.



The dealer service department obtains the Aha Upgrade Instructions and the Fujitsu Ten

Exchange Form via Subarunet >> Service Forms. The dealer follows the instructions to

submit for a replacement navigation system from Fujitsu

Ten. FujitsuTen will ship the unit

to the dealer within 24 hours of receipt. At the same time the dealer must order in one (1)

copy of the Aha Owner’s Manual Booklet. (Part # MSA5M1319A 2013 Legacy/Outback

Navigation System Supplement Owner’s Manual)



The cost to the customer is $100 MSRP (plus applicable sales tax) for parts and labor. SOA

will compensate the dealer for the replacement of the navigation head unit at a predetermined

rate. See Subarunet \Service \Forms for full details on dealer reimbursement.



At the delivery of the now updated vehicle back to the customer, the dealer service advisor

should provide the customer one (1) copy of the Aha Owner’s Manual Booklet. (Part #

MSA5M1319A 2013 Legacy & Outback Navigation System Supplement Owner’s Manual)



The Service Advisor should confirm that the customer has installed the Aha Radio

application on their smartphone at the time of service. The phone will then need to be

paired to the new, updated navigation system as outlined for the use of Aha Radio, and the

customer must register & log into the Aha Radio application (setting an email and password)

before the Aha button is selected from the navigation system’s menu. It should be noted

that access to other accounts through the Aha application, such as those for Facebook,

Twitter, or Slacker applications require that those accounts be logged into by the customer

through the Aha application as well. As with any Bluetooth streaming audio application, the

customer should be made aware that data charges from their carrier will apply, and

excessive use of the application may cause them to exceed their data plan limit if not

monitored.

The Starlink/Aha navigation system update program will run from April 2013 through December 31,

2013. For any additional questions regarding this update program, or the Starlink/Aha software and

how it works, refer to

http://www.subaru.com/owners/resourcecenter/electronicsaudio/aharadio/

index.html

or http://www.aharadio.com/.

Monday, March 18, 2013

New 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Announced!

I am excited to announce that we will be receiving the all new 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid shortly.  This model has improved mileage and torque, a new trim and other improvements for a very modest $100 price increase.

- 40 MPG - Extensive re-engineering yields 20% more torque and better mileage!  Now 40 MPG highway!

- New EX Trim - Kia created a new EX trim from the very popular Hybrid Convenience and Premium Technology packages.  Based on strong turn rates, we expected this to become the most popular configuration.

- Larger trunk and other enhancements - More efficient packaging allows for a noticably larger 10.8 cubic foot trunk.  Plus we added Hybrid badging to the front fenders on all models and for the top trim, an EX badge to the trunk lid.

Pricing and value continue to be a strong selling point with only a $100 increase.  The LX starts at $25,900, which is lower than Camry or Fusion, and the EX, which is fully loaded, and offers the most compelling value of any competitor at $31,950.  The 2013 MY Optima Hybrid offers more MPG, torque, trunk room and other flexibility with the new EX trim for only $100 more.

Please see us at Premier KIA in Branford, CT for more information on this Green Optima!