A new auto company backed by Texas billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens and staffed by former Mazda design Chief Tom Matano plans to build "environmentally friendly" vehicles in Louisiana. V-Vehicle Co. will bring about 1,400 workers to a Monroe plant that once belonged to General Motors. Founder and CEO Frank Varasano said production could begin in 15 months.

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Chrysler Group LLC said today it will restart seven of its North American plants the week of June 29. The plants have been closed since Chrysler filed for bankruptcy on April 30.  The plants will open to finish production of 2009 models and close for the previously announced summer shutdown the weeks of July 13 and July 20, the company said in a release. After retooling for the 2010 models, the factories will reopen.

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U.S. auto sales should begin to recover by the end of 2009, the head of French carmaker Renault said in a newspaper interview published this week.  Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Renault and Nissan, also said the European auto sector is unlikely to see a recovery before 2011, "I don't see it in Europe before 2011. I see 2010 at the same level of 2009, with ups and downs," Ghosn said.

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General Motors is looking to sell three brands and kill off one, Pontiac. And which brand was overwhelmingly named by consumers in a recent survey as the one they'd like to live on? Pontiac.  Consumers' fondness for Pontiac likely has something to do with its starting the muscle-car craze.  In a new worldwide survey from online auto community CarGurus, consumers were asked which of the four brands they would most like to see survive. Of the nearly 1,700 respondents, 44 percent named Pontiac.

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Ford Motor Co. has found advantages in going without the federal emergency aid that supports its domestic rivals, Executive Chairman Bill Ford said.  "We don't know what the implications are going to be, but one thing is for sure: I like our position," Ford told reporters on the sidelines of the National Summit.  An uncontrolled General Motors or Chrysler bankruptcy would have had "catastrophic" consequences for the auto sector and other industries, he said.

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General Motors Corp. consistently lost money on Saab Automobile AB and ran out of cash as it was preparing to launch the next generation of vehicles at the Swedish automaker, GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson said Tuesday. Henderson's comments came in a wide-ranging Web chat with reporters hours after GM announced it had reached an agreement to sell Saab to Sweden's Koenigsegg Automotive AB, a low-volume luxury sports car maker.

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Doing its best impression of Rasputin, the Chrysler PT Cruiser will avoid death and live on until late 2010. Chrysler announced earlier this year that the PT Cruiser would end production at its Toluca, Mexico plant this summer, but the automaker's recent tie-up with Fiat will see the retro hatchback live on until December 2010.

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Nissan says that its upcoming NISMO 370Z - the sportiest Z on offer - will list from $39,130 when it goes on sale shortly. It will offer just a trio of options, ranging from special floor mats ($115), a trunk mat ($95) and illuminated kick plates ($200) in addition to its race-inspired interior and exterior, specially tuned suspension, lightweight alloy wheels and, of course, an extra 18-horsepower.

 

As you can see above, gas prices are on the move again.  Of course there is no good reason for it, but it is still on the rise.  The DFW average has shot up 54 cents in the last 60 days.

At www.carguyshow.com, I have an excellent way for you to see what effect this has had on your pocketbook.  For instance, for a driver who gets 20 miles per gallon and drives the average 15,000 miles per year, your monthly fuel cost has gone from $124 per month 60 days ago, to $158 per month, an increase of $34 per month.

The tool is also extremely good for figuring out what effect trading cars will have.  Just punch in the annual mileage you drive, current fuel prices, and the miles per gallon the old car and the new car are getting.  This will allow you to see the effect a more fuel-efficient car will have on your overall budget.

On the website, you will find the calculator on the CarGuy's Console page, or here is a direct link you can click:  CARGUY FUEL COST CALCULATOR

 

 

 

Word:   Encomium

Pronunciation:  in-KO-me-yum

Definition:  A glowing tribute

Used in a sentence:    Kevin has never ceased to offer encomiums to Herb's Paint and Body after each of his frequents trips there for repairs.

Brought to you by North Texas Fleet Services (www.ntxfleet.com ).

 

Q.  If you buy a car for $21,000 and then add $5,000 worth of items after the sale, are those items covered by your insurance?

A.  Yes Average Guy, but it's doubtful you'll get full price for the additions unless the vehicle is stolen or totaled out in the early days of ownership.  The burden of proof is also on you to prove those items were actually on the vehicle.  It's a good idea to keep ALL receipts for anything added, and once you are done with your customizing, take some good pictures of the vehicle.

I also continue to remind people to periodically get their car appraised at one of the Sam Pack dealerships.  That is irrefutable proof of the value of your car, regardless of age or mileage in the event something happens to the car.

Keep receipts too for mechanical work, or body work, or tires and such.  Insurance companies will often add for those things if you can prove they were recently done.

My regular every Friday segment on the TXA 21 First in Prime News will resume on June 26^th.

However, if you missed any segments in the past, you can see 86 videos I have done in the last year, click: 

CARGUY GARAGE: THE SERIES

Not long ago you would see Richard Arledge regularly on TV doing commercials with his wife for his Suzuki dealership.  He was in the midst of building a new dealership south of Denton when it abruptly closed.  Now we know why.

 

The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking federal conspiracy charges against the McKinney man for laundering drug and prostitution money through his car dealership.

A federal grand jury indicted Richard Alan Arledge, 54, last week in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Texas on a count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments through his car dealership, Richard Arledge Suzuki of Hickory Creek and Expressway Financial, according to federal court records.

U.S. Attorney John Bales and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shamoil Shipchandler said in the indictment that Arledge, along with dealer employees 38-year-old Cecil Coleman of McKinney, 46-year-old Steve Ham of Richardson and 33-year-old Rustyn Thomas of Sanger, sold luxury vehicles to fellow defendants with money earned from illegal practices and concealed the identity of the purchasers to erase their money trail back to their original owners.

The purchasers would make large cash payments disguised as "down payments" on the vehicles and Arledge failed to report these payments to the Internal Revenue Service to further conceal their identities, according to the indictment.

The money used to purchase the vehicles was obtained through illegal business practices from drugs to prostitution. The indictment said that 33-year-old Warren "The Governor" Barconia of Carrollton, 39-year-old Jerome "Rome" Helen of Richardson obtained their money from prostitution. 46-year-old Stoney O'Neal Kidd, 33-year-old Charo Deuntray Knight and 32-year-old Clarence "Rat" Williams all of Dallas obtained their money through the sale and distribution of controlled substances. 46-year-old Tyrone McCray of Plano obtained his money through fraudulent financial crimes.

 

One of Arledge's final purchasers was an undercover IRS agent posing as a drug dealer looking to launder his money through the dealership, according to the indictment.  Upon conviction, each defendant could receive a prison term in a federal penitentiary not to exceed 20 years and/or a fine not to exceed $500,000 or "not more than the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to one other than the defendant or both," according to the U.S. Code.

• Get a FREE VEHICLE APPRAISAL at any one of the Sam Pack dealerships.  It is a good idea to know exactly where you stand in your car at all times, if for no other reason than if you need to make an insurance claim.  Find the location nearest you at www.sampack.com.
• At City Garage, get nitrogen in 4 tires, regardless of the size, for $20.  Just tell them the CarGuy Sent you and you'll get that special pricing.  www.citygaragedfw.com for their 16 DFW locations.  They also extend CarGuy Show discounts on other repairs.
• Have you been in a wreck in the last two years that was not your fault?  If so, you are entitled to a DIMINIISHED VALUE claim.  Call Kirk Kyler the Owner.  Here is his website:  www.diminishedvalueoftexas.com.  He takes GREAT care of CarGuy Show listeners!
• I found THE best window tinting place I have ever seen.  It's called Blair's Texas Window Tinting and they are REAL pros.  CarGuy Show listeners can take an extra 10% discount off their everyday low prices!  Click here to visit the website:  www.textint.com
• For you Toyota owners, Dane Minor at Freeman Toyota will do a FREE tire rotation with any oil change!  Just tell your service advisor there you are a CarGuy Show listener! www.freemantoyota.com
• Car MD is a diagnostic tool that will analyze your car, tell you things that are wrong, or tell you why your check engine light is on.  CarGuy Show listeners get FREE SHIPPING.  Just go to www.carmd.com and enter the promotional code CARGUY to get the free shipping.
• Don't spend money running a used car history report, send it to me and I'll run an AutoCheck for you FREE!
• Need a windshield or a chip repaired?  Get a 10% discount from ASAP Auto Glass.  I've used them for years and they are great.  Call Troy Medders at 214 476-3065.  In most cases, he will come to you!  Troy put a windshield in for me this week!
• Have a dent or ding you need removed?  Call New Visions Auto Dent removal for a 15% CarGuy Show discount on repairs over $100.  I've used these folks several times and they are the best I have ever seen and will come to you.  Their number is 972 816-4555 or on the web at www.dentgeeks.com.
• How about some unique automotive art?   I have one of these myself and LOVE IT!  You can see it all at this website:  www.garagecreations.net.  CarGuy Show listeners get a 15% discount!

Jerry,

I wanted to follow up with you about our car search.  We figured that if one car was good, buying two was better.  I wanted to thank you for getting us in touch with BJ at Five Star Ford.  It was a great experience for us.  We were only looking at the Edge but BJ worked hard and told us about the incentives for a Fusion.  We were able to get into two cars and only increase our payments by about $40/month.

We are now the proud owners of a Black 09 Edge and a Red 09 Fusion. 

I will be sure to recommend you to any friends who are looking for a car.    

Thanks again for your help. 

Adam

 

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Jerry,

I went to Five Star Ford in NRH yesterday and purchased the F 150 Supercab. and talked with Justin Compton and Terry Rich and they were very helpful and courteous. Also I must say my experience with the finance guy(can't recall his name) was one of the best I have ever experienced.He kept working until we got a pymt I was comfortable with.

 

Will return again. Thanks for all your help Jerry

Brad

 

                                                                                      

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Jerry,

 Got the Navigator from Classic Lincoln Mercury on Sat. and it was a great experience and what a good guy Rick Wick is.

 Thanks for your help!

Loren in Athens

 

 

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Thanks Jerry,

 

We bought a 09' Highlander from BJ at Freeman Toyota on Monday and he beat the best price I had found to date by 2,300.00 dollars, well worth the car.  We did everything but the test drive over the phone and he was our type of sales rep. 

 

Love the show and it made me 2,300.00 dollars in 15 minutes. 

 

Thanks,

 

 Grady and Susie

 

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Good Morning Jerry,

 

Thank you very much for recommending Rusty Wallis Honda.   I went to the dealership on Saturday, took a 2009 CRV for a test drive and knew it was the car for me.  Steve Coalson was great to deal with.  He made car buying easy and I am confident I got a fantastic deal. 

 

They did not have the model I wanted in stock in the color I wanted but were very prompt in finding me one in the metroplex.  My car was transferred to the dealership on Monday and I was out the door with it Monday night.  It has only been three days, but I am very pleased with my new car.

 

Thank you again!

 

Jennifer

 

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Thank you, Jerry. That's precisely why I was checking it out before taking any action.  I had already noticed that the vehicle was not listed on ebay.  Love listening to your show.  BTY - used to drive a toyota corolla, darn good car.  Now drive a Kia Optima...Wow...love everything about it.  Ride, Handling, Mileage.  My opinion, for whatever it's worth.  The twin sister Sonita is sweet and big sister Genesis...well, your review was right on.

 

Keep up all the good work doing the job we envy you for...driving new cars day after day.
 

Chris

 

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Hi Jerry.

 

I went up to FreemanToyota this weekend and met with Steve Dewitt.  And he and another guy Lee got me all set up.

 

I am so glad.  I ended up with a 2008 Toyota Corolla with only 8900 miles on it.  My nephew met me up there, which is what I should have done in the first place, this time I felt fine going alone, but he wanted to be there.

 

I am satisfied now though.  Just wanted to let you know and say thank you again for all of your help and for listening to me.  If it weren't for you, nothing would have ever been done.

 

Debbie

 

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Jerry,

 

We just finished up the paperwork.  We also picked up on their 3 yr bumper to bumper warranty as well.

 

Leo and everyone at Park Cities Chrysler Jeep Dodge was pleasant to deal with and made things painless.

 

Thanks for the assist.

 

This contest is only for the subscribers to the newsletter. 

 

Sometime during the show, I will use the word PRELUDE .  When you hear that word, the THIRD person to call 817 695-0037 will win golf for three including two carts at the new and refurbished Eastern Hills Country Club in Garland.  You'll want to be sure to eat there too...they have a terrific Chef and he is putting out some of the best food I have ever eaten!

 

Congratulations to last week's winner, Wes Williams of McKinney who knew the word was Montclair.

 

Here is the website to Eastern Hills:  www.easternhillscc.com

DFW Audi is sponsoring a half-day driving camp for parents and their teenagers on June 27^th and June 28^th at Texas Motor Speedway.  Parents and their kids will be taught defensive maneuvers to avoid accidents, and you'll be driving the hot new 2009 Audi A4 while you do it!

 

Each participant will receive a free gift bag, and this could qualify you for insurance discounts.  DFW Audi is underwriting all but $50 of the cost of the half-day camp.  Make plans now to attend this once in a lifetime opportunity that could save your teenager's life.

 

For more information or to enroll, call 817 430-4343.  There are a limited number of people that can attend and reservations are taken on a first come-first served basis.

 

Thanks to Owner Bobby Baillargeon for this terrific opportunity for parents!

 

I will be back in studio this week again with Kevin and we'll bring you two hours of straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive. 

WBAP's call in number is 214 787-1820 from anywhere in the Metroplex.  Outside the DFW area, it's 1 800 288-WBAP or # 820 if you are a Verizon user.  If you would like to get through on air, call EARLY.  After the first segment of the show, the lines fill completely and it's very difficult to get through.
 
We would love it if you would take a moment and tell a friend about the show.  Most of our listeners tell us that they never thought they would look forward to a show about cars.  You may have friends or relatives that feel the same way.  THANKS!

 

Be sure to read below details of our Houston Show below.  If you are near a computer, you can enjoy 5 straight hours of the CarGuy Show this week!  

Join us for the Houston CarGuy Show.  We are on Sports Radio 610, KILT for 3 hours.   We start about 5 minutes after we go off the air on WBAP at 11 AM and run until 2 PM.   My plan is to go the entire three hours today!

 

If you want to join us over the Internet for more of the CarGuy Show, click here: 

 

HOUSTON CARGUY SHOW: LISTEN LIVE