plus 4, Infinite Prospects Inc. – A NJ Automotive Digital Advertising Agency - PRLog (free press release)

Infinite Prospects Inc. – A NJ Automotive Digital Advertising Agency - PRLog (free press release)
United Hyundai owner closes Las Vegas dealership - Las Vegas Sun
Mitsubishi Fuso Oman awarded Historical Sales Award - AME Info
New, moving or expanding: St. Cloud auto parts store grows, buys 2 ... - St. Cloud Times
Phila. car collector publishes book - Philadelphia Daily News

Infinite Prospects Inc. – A NJ Automotive Digital Advertising Agency - PRLog (free press release)

Posted: 03 Jan 2010 09:01 PM PST

PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 04, 2010 – Infinite Prospects Inc. is a digital ad agency focused on helping automotive dealers sell more cars online and works exclusively with Internet-based advertising sources and vendors. In much the same way that traditional ad agencies tie together all of an auto dealer's campaigns and purchase the media from the advertisers, Infinite Prospects is an expert in tying digital ad campaigns together and purchasing digital media in the latest rapidly expanding advertising frontier: the Internet and new media.

In the auto dealer business or any industry, a large component to online sales success relies on implementing, executing, and utilizing proven best-practice methods and processes. Infinite Prospects, through years of experience working both on the vendor and on the dealer side, can help a dealer perform this monumental task. A majority of auto dealers are still developing or refining their online sales process, and this is often an area where chaos rules and philosophies change weekly or monthly. These changes lead to an inconsistent experience by consumers, and could cost potential sales. By providing ongoing on-site training to the sales staff, combined with support from top management, Infinite Prospects will stabilize a dealer's messaging to its customers and prospects; providing a consistent, positive experience every time the store is represented.

More than 75% of all new-vehicle auto shoppers use the Internet as a research tool(1), yet according to many industry-accepted studies, only around 8% of consumers who submit an online quote or test drive request to a dealer through 3rd party (Manufacturer, Edmunds, KBB, AutoTrader, etc.) buy from that dealer(2). Typically, when that request comes directly through the dealer's website, closing percentages can reach as high as the 15-20% range, because the consumer is looking specifically for the dealership as opposed to offers from multiple dealers. Infinite Prospects will focus a dealership on faster, more accurate response processes and using all available communication tools and methods to contribute to increasing these percentages for an individual dealership, setting it apart from its competition.

Most auto dealers today purchase online advertising directly from vendors. The average dealership is currently working with at least 6 different online vendors – each with sales reps, customer service reps, accounting departments, etc. The time it takes to meet and maintain those relationships is time and manpower spent not working with customers. Infinite Prospects works directly with a dealer's online vendors, freeing up more time for dealer sales and support to set more appointments and sell more cars.

Today, there are so many different methods an auto dealer can employ to advertise using the Internet and new media that it can be a standalone full-time job. However, most auto dealers don't have the time or desire to fully understand the intricacies of how to maximize value from each individual site or tool, therefore missing out on potential sales and possibly wasting valuable advertising budget. With the obvious goal being to generate sales and maximize ROI and to help dealers benefit from each source they choose to advertise through, Infinite Prospects has the background, connections, and visibility to know where, and through whom, to advertise online.

Auto dealers also can't manage what they don't measure. If the Internet has taught us anything, it's that everything is measurable and traceable. Online sales success can only be furthered by analyzing results and adjusting based on those results. Infinite Prospects takes a unique approach to reporting, providing a detailed but easy-to-understand breakdown of what happened during any given period of time.

(1) J.D. Power and Associates Reports: For New-Vehicle Buyers, Automotive Manufacturer Web Sites and Third-Party Automotive Web Sites Serve Widely Different Needs – October 5, 2009
(2) 2007 Dealer eBusiness Performance Study: The New Buying Influences - Presented by Cobalt, in partnership with Yahoo!, and R. L. Polk & Co. – October 18, 2007

Infinite Prospects' sole goal is to help a dealer's Internet department become profitable. To learn more or schedule an on-site evaluation of your Internet Department, please contact us through our website or call us directly at (201) 481-1424. Visit our Digital Advertising Agency http://www.infiniteprospects.com

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

United Hyundai owner closes Las Vegas dealership - Las Vegas Sun

Posted: 03 Jan 2010 08:47 PM PST

By Steve Green (contact)

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 | 4:48 p.m.

Facing lawsuits filed by lender Bank of America, the owner of United Hyundai over the New Year's weekend abruptly closed the dealership at 2025 E. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas.

Phones went unanswered at the dealership Sunday, but signs on the windows showed the dealership had closed down.

Competitors Planet Hyundai, 7150 W. Sahara Ave.; and Henderson Hyundai Superstore, 460 N. Boulder Highway, remain open. The Henderson dealership advertised on its Web site that it's ready to serve customers of the closed United Hyundai.

With the recession driving unemployment to 12.1 percent in the Las Vegas area, several dealerships closed last year, including Centennial Hyundai in the Centennial Centre in the northwest Las Vegas Valley.

At least five lawsuits are pending in Clark County District Court pitting Bank of America against United Hyundai owner FT Automotive and related companies over United Hyundai and other FT Automotive dealerships.

FT also owned United Dodge, 5750 Sky Pointe Drive; and United Chrysler Jeep, 3250 E. Sahara Ave., which were ordered closed as part of the Chrysler bankruptcy last year.

In one of the lawsuits filed Dec. 8, Bank of America complained FT had defaulted on loan obligations for the Dodge, Chrysler Jeep and United Hyundai businesses. The bank said it was owed $12.3 million and asked the court to appoint a receiver to supervise the United Hyundai business and protect its collateral.

But in court papers in one of the earlier lawsuits, FT Automotive executive Donald Forman Jr. said the termination of the Dodge and Chrysler Jeep franchises due to the Chrysler bankruptcy made it impossible for FT Automotive to meet its loan obligations to Bank of America.

He said through the June 9 closures of the Dodge and Chrysler Jeep businesses, "FT worked diligently to liquidate its inventory and reduce the amount of the obligations to the bank."

"Still, the bank accelerated the indebtedness due under the Dodge dealership loans and the Chrysler dealership loans and is now aggressively pursuing a collection action against FT" and its guarantors, Forman said in a court filing.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Mitsubishi Fuso Oman awarded Historical Sales Award - AME Info

Posted: 03 Jan 2010 10:20 PM PST

Zubair Automotive LLC, sole distributor for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus in Sultanate of Oman attribute its success to the steady market growth under His Majesty's wise leadership. The award was achieved after achieving record sales of the Fuso, Canter and Rosa bus range of vehicles.

On a recent trip to strengthen ties with Mitsubishi Japan, Husam Al Zubair, Director and Mark Tomlinson, General Manager of Mitsubishi Fuso, received an award of behalf of Zubair Automotive in recognition of achieving a historical sales record in the Sultanate.

Commenting on the award, Mark Tomlinson said, "We are proud to accept this award in recognition of our excellent sales results on behalf of all of our entire Mitsubishi Fuso sales team, without their professionalism, dedication and hard work this would not have been possible. Achieving this global recognition reflects on both how highly our customers value the Fuso brand and how well our sales team are able to tailor vehicles within our range to specifically meet our clients individual requirements."

Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is widely accepted trucking solution among all kind of users due to its powerful engine which gives output of 120 PS @3200 rpm and whooping powerful torque of 30 Kgs at 1800 rpm. The Canter range offers the highest payload in its class due to its larger tyres and higher axle load capacity. Due to its rigid box frame chassis and ability to work in any kind of terrain Mitsubishi Canter Crew cab is a favorite among many PDO operators. The Canter range provides 3.9 ton payload to 4.6 ton payload and is used for various kinds of applications like general transport, crane mounted trucks, trucks for frozen food transportation and water tankers.

Mitsubishi 's Fuso range offers wide application truck in medium duty as well as heavy duty truck, payload starting from 7.7 ton Chassis payload to 40 ton GCW tractor head. Zubair Automotive has launched Fuso's 40 ton GCW prime mover and rigid chassis for 10 cubic meter tipper in 2008. MFTBC Rosa Buses is very popular amongst all companies that require relocation of people around the city and the entire Sultanate of Oman. The vehicle is available in three variants of 25 passenger, 29 passenger and 33 passenger seating capacity.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

New, moving or expanding: St. Cloud auto parts store grows, buys 2 ... - St. Cloud Times

Posted: 03 Jan 2010 10:27 PM PST

Locally based aftermarket auto parts chain Automotive Parts Headquarters has expanded again.

It announced last month it had completed a merger and an acquisition of Aitkin Auto Value and Carquest of Aitkin.

It bought the two businesses and decided to move the previously independent Aitkin Auto Value into the Carquest building.

Carquest has dissolved, and the parts store is doing business as Aitkin Auto Value.

The St. Cloud-based auto parts chain, with this change, decided to increase the inventory of national products by 6,000 units, according to a news release.

It made other changes, including extending store hours.

Automotive Parts Headquarters is a third-generation, family and employee-owned business.

It has stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Michigan.

It has been in St. Cloud since 1972.

The company estimated it would end 2009 with $75 million in sales.

President Corey Bartlett is a 2009 winner of the ROI Central Minnesota magazine 5 Under 40 award, given by Times Media, which publishes St. Cloud Times, ROI magazine and other publications.

To submit information, call 255-8745, fax to 255-8775 or e-mail bljohnsen@stcloudtimes.com.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Phila. car collector publishes book - Philadelphia Daily News

Posted: 04 Jan 2010 12:00 AM PST

Fred Simeone worries about today's crop of young men. Too many lack drive and ambition. They drain their competitive juices playing video games and watching the NFL. They are passive and inert and seem to relish their status as slackers.

Simeone, a retired neurosurgeon, is a devoted Darwinian. He knows that the brain is stimulated by competition, which he defines as "the inner drive to be better than whomever you're competing against." We humans have survived and thrived because of competition, he argues, and he approvingly quotes John Stuart Mill's observation that competition is indispensable to progress.

So it's no accident that his new book about his fabulous collection of rare and historic racing sports cars is titled The Spirit of Competition.

"The competitive urge is biological," he says. "It's what makes our genes change. These cars are another way of showing the meaning of competition beyond sports."

Simeone wrote every word in the book, which is adorned with exquisite photographs by esteemed automotive photographer Michael Furman. Printed on thick glossy stock, the 384-page coffee-table tome is authoritative and gorgeous. The price: $185.

Simeone, 73, who lives in Chestnut Hill, inherited four cars and $8,000 from his father, a general practitioner who ran his practice out of a Kensington rowhouse. During the last 40 years, he has acquired and preserved some of the most beautiful and important cars ever made.

More than 60 of those cars - Alfa Romeos, Bugattis, Bentleys, BMWs, Ferraris, Jaguars, Porsches, and such American makes as Stutz, Duesenberg, and Cunningham - are on display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Southwest Philadelphia, which opened in 2008. There, the story of competition is told through evolutions in engineering, style, and performance.

"If it were not for the biological desire to win," Simeone writes, "would the modern sports racing car look, feel, sound, and even smell so exciting?"

The focus of Simeone's interest is the racing sports car - a car with headlights and fenders that any amateur could drive on the road.

The book reflects the organization of the museum in tracing how the urge to compete was expressed in early road races at such locales as Fairmount Park, endurance challenges that pitted cars and drivers against distance and the clock, and contests at such storied venues as Watkins Glen, Sebring, and Le Mans.

The book is also a manifesto for Simeone's philosophy of collecting: Historically significant cars should be preserved, not perfected.

"Do no harm to historically accurate artifacts," he declares in what he calls the "the automotive Hippocratic oath."

Restoration is a form of degradation, Simeone believes, that ruins the value of these automotive treasures just as surely as stripping the finish and patina from a priceless piece of antique furniture.

"I want to see the battle scars, the frame that was bent in a race in Fairmount Park," Simeone says at the museum. "History is why I have old cars."

Ostensibly a car book, The Spirit of Competition is really a storybook, or a book of stories, about iconic examples of rolling sculpture and the men who designed, built, raced, altered, salvaged, and coveted them.

"Over the years, the most common questions I'm asked have been: 'Where did the car come from?' and 'How did you get the car?' " Simeone says.

There's the story of the stylish and swift 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900A that Simeone discovered in Argentina, owned by a hermit and covered with pigeon droppings.

And the 1928 Stutz BB Black Hawk Speedster, a boat-tail classic sacrilegiously painted red, whose original black paint was painstakingly revealed and refurbished.

And the 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe, which, piloted by Craig Breedlove, set 23 speed and endurance records at Bonneville in 1965. Owned at one point by record producer Phil Spector, the car passed to his bodyguard, then his bodyguard's daughter, who put it in storage in 1971 and refused to let anyone see it. Though she was earning only $18,000 a year as a warehouse worker, she declined several offers. Finally, in 2001, she agreed to sell to a high-end car dealer representing Simeone. After the sale, she arranged for the proceeds to go to her mother, and set herself on fire.

Complementing the stories are driving impressions, usually contemporary with the cars and eloquent with auto-eroticism of high literary merit. Of an Alfa Romeo, a British driver rhapsodizes: "It's a pure racing piece of machinery that will rev up to 5,500 r.p.m., where the howling of the supercharger and the Memini carbs almost drowns out the Wagneresque culmination from the exhaust."

For Furman, 56, who lives in Old City, the opportunity to photograph so many spectacular cars so close to home was "a real treat." The museum was "a perfect space to shoot in," a spacious studio where he could take photos of any car at any time. In preparing to photograph a vehicle, he often spent an entire day setting up lights and draping the ceiling with black velvet to bathe the car in even illumination and minimize reflection. Many of the cars were shot in profile at ground level from 75 feet away to reduce distortion and render their true form.

"I didn't try to make the cars look prettier or more colorful. I wanted the photographs to be accurate so that when you see these cars in the book you know what they really look like."

"He's a perfectionist," Simeone says with evident admiration. "Watching him work made brain surgery seem uncomplicated."

Furman came to know many of these extraordinary cars intimately, which led to this realization: "Some of most successful cars are also the prettiest. Beauty and performance are not mutually exclusive."

Simeone says he hopes the book will be regarded as "a legacy piece that people will refer to as the source." He hopes also that it will attract readers beyond car guys who will recognize that he and Furman strove to achieve the ambition expressed in Alfa Romeo's credo: "The search for beauty in every part."

Contact staff writer Art Carey

at 610-313-8106 or acarey@phillynews.com.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.