Our Engine Is "Engine Of The Year"!

I am pleased to announce that the Subaru 2.5 liter turbo engine has been named the International Engine of the Year!

Subaru recently announced that the Subaru 2.5 liter turbo engine won the 2008 Engine of the Year in the 2.0 liter to 2.5 liter category. The Subaru BOXER engine beat BMW's 2.5 liter 6 cylinder engine twice in its category for the International Engine of the Year in the last 3 years.

This continues to be a testament to the quality and performance of the Subaru engine and product, in general!

The SOUL of Premier Subaru

THE SOUL OF PREMIER SUBARU.

That is the title to our new TV commercial that summerized the way we do business. Like you, I do watch some television and am tired of the same old car commercials and, quite frankly, the same old way that people in the car business seem to "think" you need to do business. Maybe it is because I am not originally from this industry (I am from the banking industry), but, I belive that people are too smart to go for all of that "whatever it takes" jargon. So, I wanted to relay this to prospective customers in our newest TV commercial.

The soul of Premier Subaru is not really a "tag line" or "commercialized" idea. It really is the "feeling" of the culture of Premier Subaru. I am often told by customers, vendors and just about anyone else that crosses the threshold that our dealership doesn't feel like a dealership. Our salespeople are not like "other salespeople" and our service department really does care. I don't think that this culture is something that we just "came up with", rather is something that was developed over time. Quite frankly, I am real glad that I came from the banking business, as our dealership has that level of professionalism.

I received a call from a customer this past Saturday. What was unusual about it, was that, this customer had moved from Madison, Connecticut to Scottsdale, Arizona. She called me at about 11am, EST, which would be around 8am in Arizona. The purpose of this call was to tell us how much she had liked doing business with us and how she wished we were out there. You can't even imagine how gratified I was to have heard this. I was floored. This customer made my day - well, weekend, by taking the time to call across the country and let me know about her experience at her new "local" dealership in Scottsdale. To me, to have established such a strong relationship with somebody was a testimate to our way of doing business. Our honesty. Our counsel. It is the Soul of Premier Subaru.

I know that nobody watches for commercials - but, I hope that I got - even a little of this - across in this ad. Thanks to Bob Bateson of WTNH TV - Channel 8 - for helping me out with this.

Thank you for doing business with us. That is something that I don't take lightly.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!

I am completely excited because, for the third year in a row, Premier Subaru will be a sponsor of the Shoreline Arts Alliance, based on Guilford, Connecticut. Specifically, Premier Subaru will be a 2008 Supporting Sponsor of Shakespeare on the Shoreline and the presentation of "Much Ado About Nothing".

I will be certain to post more details of this spectacular program which brings live Shakespeare to the Guilford Green!

Save On Insurance through the SUBARU ADVANTAGE INSURANCE

SAVE ON INSURANCE THROUGH THE SUBARU ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM.

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company offers Subaru Owners automobile and home insurance with a number of special features and services specifically designed for Subaru owners through the Subaru Advantage Insurance Program.

Features:

Through this special program, Subaru owners are eligible for an exclusive discount of up to 10% off Liberty Mutual's already competitive rates on auto and home insurance just for being a Subaru owner. Subaru owners are eligible to save even more with discounts based on driving experience, Subaru safety features, college education and other factors.

Other features of the program include:

• 24 hour Emergency Roadside Assistance - at no charge
• Towing "free of charge" to the nearest Subaru dealer
• Genuine Subaru Replacement Parts! THIS IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE!
• New Subaru Total Loss Replacement - if an insured's new Subaru is totalled in the first two years of ownership, and within the first 30,000 miles, it will be replaced by a brand-new Subaru! THIS IS AN AMAZING ADVANTAGE TO THIS PROGRAM!
• Bicycle replacement for stolen cylces under Subaru Advantage Insurance Home Coverage!

This program has saved Premier Subaru owners many hundreds of dollars per year in coverage. We have also had customers who have received brand new Subaru vehicles under the Total Loss Replacement portion of this coverage. As you can imagine, they were completely thrilled during a trying time!

If you are a Premier Subaru customer, please contact:

Dan La Pila, our exclusive Subaru/Liberty Mutual Contact. He can be reached at:

203-294-1505 extension #228 or 800-458-3749 extension #228

Email: daniel.lapila@libertymutual.com

website: www.libertymutual.com/lm/daniellapila

Please be sure to identify yourself as a Premier Subaru Customer to receive these exclusive benefits, as well as an additional discount!

FREE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR YOUR SUBARU!

AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY AND DEPENDABILITY TAKE CENTER STAGE AT
INSPECTION EVENT FOR SUBARU OWNERS.

Motorists can learn more about the benefits of performing scheduled vehicle maintenance and needed repairs during the month of April, 2008. A part of National Car Care Month activities nationwide, Subaru owners are invited to have their vehicles checked, at no charge, by Premier Subaru in Branford, Connecticut from April 7th to the 18th, 2008. Inspections shall be performed Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and on Saturday’s from 8am to 12 noon at the company’s dealership located at 150 North Main Street (Route 1, Exit 54) in Branford, CT.

“These free inspections can disclose potential safety and operational problems because of deficiencies such as low brake fluid or under-inflated tires”, said Dennis Cullen, Service Director at Premier Subaru. “Nine out of 10 vehicles going through the check lanes have at least one discrepancy. Improper tire inflation, which accelerates wear and affects safe handling, was near the top of the 2003 frequency list. Antifreeze-coolant was low in 15 percent of vehicles checked, meaning some of these vehicles would be vulnerable to transmission or engine damage.”

Beyond the effect that vehicle neglect can have on a vehicle’s safety, dependability and performance, a safety check discovery can help prevent a breakdown at a busy intersection, or, even worse, on a deserted road far from home.

“Motorists appreciate our National Car Care Month check up events”, says Robert J. Alvine, President and General Manager of Premier Subaru. “It’s a community activity event that strives to encourage motorists to care of their vehicle prior to needing a costly repair. This is important, need-to-know information for anyone who owns or leases a car. We are also opening this up to Subaru owners who may have a different brand car in their garage too. We feel that strongly about the importance of this event.”

To find out more about the National Car Care Month event going on at Premier Subaru, or, to schedule a free, no obligation appointment, call Premier Subaru at 800-411-4551 or log onto the company’s website at www.premiersubaru.com.

SUBARU'S QUICK CHARGE ELECTRIC CAR MAKES AN APPEARANCE!

I am pleased to have seen that all new Subaru R1e - the Subaru electric vehicle on display at the New York International Auto Show. I took some photos and also attached the original announcement by Subaru of America. When meeting with officials from Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent) two years ago, I asked them to look into bringing the R1 into the United States (the gas version of the vehicle is on sale now in Japan). I was reall excited to see this car!

SUBARU TO EVALUATE QUICK CHARGE ELECTRIC CAR
WITH NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY
▪ 50-mile Charge Costs Less Than $2 Dollars
▪ 80-Percent Re-Charge in 15 Minutes


NEW YORK, March 20, 2008 – Subaru today announced that it would begin evaluating its R1e electric vehicle (EV) in the United States this summer. The Subaru R1e will be on display at the New York International Auto Show, from March 21-30 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Based on the Subaru R1 minicar sold in Japan, the R1e was developed by Subaru in partnership with the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO). The utility has been testing a fleet of R1e electric cars since 2006. As part of a U.S. test program, two of the Subaru R1e electric cars will join the New York Power Authority (NYPA) fleet.

“This new partnership with the New York Power Authority is further demonstration of Subaru’s ongoing efforts in applying electric car technology in real world situations. Along with our newly introduced diesel powered cars, electric cars are a viable response to our need to improve fuel consumption and carbon output,” said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, Inc. “The R1e electrical vehicles are designed for city dwellers looking for an environmentally friendly and fun to drive alternative to gas powered cars.”

“This joint venture with Subaru builds on the New York Power Authority’s extensive involvement with clean transportation and gives us the opportunity to offer the latest in electric drive technologies to our customers,” Roger B. Kelley, president and chief executive officer, New York Power Authority.

The Subaru R1e employs state-of-the-art, fast-charge lithium ion battery technology that eliminates typical lithium ion battery issues of charge memory loss, allowing partial charges and quick charges that do not decrease battery life. The two-seat Subaru R1e is capable of driving at speeds up to 65 mph with a range of up to 50 miles, making it an ideal urban commuter. The Subaru R1e can be “quick-charged” to 80 percent capacity in only 15 minutes using quick-charge technology. The vehicle can be fully charged overnight (eight hours) while connected to a standard household electrical outlet. The R1e uses an AC permanent magnet synchronized motor producing 40 kW.

“Subaru’s goal is to become the leading brand in the electric vehicle market,” said Ikuo Mori, president, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. “The R1e is an example of today’s cutting edge battery technology, while the Subaru G4e Concept Car shows a glimpse into the future of electric cars.”

There are currently 40 Subaru R1e vehicles in use and Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries will place an additional 100 electric vehicles for test marketing in Japan in 2009. Subaru is focusing on the development of new battery technology for future power train applications. Compared with nickel metal hydride or nickel-hydrogen battery technology, lithium-ion battery technology offers a number of advantages, among them easier packaging, higher power density and better cooling for longer life.

Service life for the high-density lithium-ion battery is estimated at 10 years and 100,000 miles, another environmental benefit of Subaru technology. The battery pack is also designed to be easily recycled. The laminated battery packs are flat, rather than cylindrical, offering EV manufacturers wide latitude in vehicle design and packaging. The battery’s basic design and composition consist of laminate, manganese, and lithium ion.

COME TO OUR ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TODAY!

I am honored to be facilitating a rountable discussion on March 19, 2008 for the Small Business Resource Center at the Branford Chamber of Commerce entitled "How to grow your business through customer service". This program is being held at the Blackstone Memorial Library and is free to Chamber Members. It runs from 4pm to 5:30pm. I hope to see you there!

DRIVING THE NEW 2009 FORESTER! AMAZING!

One of the things that we do to foster complete product knowledge and familiarity, is to put our sales consultants behind the wheels of our cars, as well as, those of the competitors. This is called a RIDE AND DRIVE. In anticipation of the arrival of the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester, we sent our Certified Subaru Sales Consultants to the Moroso Motorspeedway in West Palm Beach, Florida to drive and experience the all-new Subaru Forester. This is the first ride and drive event that I also went to in quite some time, given the importance of the Forester to us and our client's. It was an amazing experience. We compared these cars to the Honda CRV, the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan Rouge and the Hyundai Tuscon. In every respect - fuel economy, safety, all wheel drive and even price - the new 2009 Subaru Forester exceeded the competition in every way. We will be posting a DVD of the event on YouTube, so that you can see for yourself the performance of the vehicle.

By the way, in the photo, you will see put the new 2009 Subaru Forester up on 2 wheels. That is done to show our consultants the strong integrity of the car (you can open the door and close it), as well as is done to show you how the standard vehicle dynamics control works! An Amazing car!

Thank You So Much for Your Donations Towards Our Blood Drive!

I would like to thank all of the donors who came out on a rainy and snowy February 27th day to give blood during our Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. I would like to also thank Jamie Russo in our Service Department for the hard work that she puts into these drives, all to ensure their complete success. Thank you also to Salvatore's By The Green, Jersey Mike's of Branford and Subway for their donations of needed food for the donors. Premier Subaru has sponsored four blood drives in the past two years and these organizations have been always more than willing to contribute delicious treats for the blood donors. If you didn't get a chance to donate this time, please go to www.gifealife.org for the next drive location and date.

NEW SUBARU OWNERS! YOU ARE INVITED!

We are, once again, proud to welcome our new Subaru owner's to a NEW OWNERS CLINIC to be held on February 26, 2008 at 6pm at our dealership. This is the 31st time we are holding one of these very popular clinics. It is an information gathering where we show you some basic maintenance tips, as well as have you interact with some of our Certified Subaru Technicians. We put some cars up on the lift so that you can see the undercarriages and be more familiar with the vehicle you just purchased. If you are interested in attending, please call our Service Department, or your sales consultant, and they will make the arrangements. The entire event lasts about 60 minutes and we even offer you free food and drink! It is a relaxed and informal environment designed to allow you to be familiar with the operations of your new Subaru and it's basic maintenance needs. See you there!

I would like to thank those owners who participated in our last new owner's clinc! Thanks also to our Service Director and his award winning staff!