Weekend Warriors, Start Your Engines!

As the weather becomes warmer, the need to be outdoors gets higher on the priority list.  If you are looking for things to do this weekend, We can help!

Here in the Tri-Valley, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds.  For the wanderlusts of the world we have oceans and mountains to get lost in.  For the city-folk, we have bay-side restaurants serving champagne and oysters, tech-apps walking you through bridge architecture and car shows introducing you to the future while reminding you of the past.

If you haven't had a chance to experience a car show, prepare yourself.  They come in different shapes and sizes, from a local show featuring under fifty cars to national levels such as the ones you'd find at The Grand Prix or Sonoma Races featuring hundreds of concept cars, race cars and featured models being launched that following year.

Growing up in Southern California, I was raised on The Toyota Grand Prix.   Every April the grumbling of the speeding cars would call to us.  We knew it was coming because the streets off Ocean Blvd. would start getting blocked off and the road mediums began to appear in track formation.  Just as a fun tradition, we would watch a bit of Days of Thunder's opening sequences right before we piled into the car.  With pit-passes strapped around our necks, we bee-lined it into the Long Beach Convention Center where cars and lifestyle would open up before our eyes.

  

Car shows offer the visitor an incredible opportunity to touch, feel and play with all the newest features the automobile industry has to offer.  Bringing together vendors,  dealers and enthusiasts all in one location, car shows are the most direct way to explore everything that makes your car so special.

If this sounds like fun to you, come on out and experience the car shows for yourself!  The Good Guys hosts some of the largest car shows in Northern California and they have one this weekend! To get more information about this or other upcoming car shows click the link below!

https://www.good-guys.com/

For The Weekend Wanderlusts of the World

Weekend Wanderlust Warriors

If you are like me, my head begins to think of the weekend right about Wednesday afternoon.  As soon as the mid-day meal begins to sink deep into the belly, my mind will begin to drift to where I would much rather be at that moment.   That usually involves me, my car and the open road.

Being a mom of a six year old, the ability to just “get up and go” has become a thing of the past, but what I have been able to do is create “adventure days” and have become an avid Weekend Warrior. 

What does that mean?  Very simply, I have learned to tap into my inner gypsy and utilize my weekends for exploration and travel.  

Being able to travel by car allows for me to bring my daughter along, as well as every favorite toy she swears she’ll need while away for those two days.  The added convenience of ample storage space, a wicked stereo system and full blue-tooth connection for my phone allows me to stay connected and prepared for life's emergencies, while enjoying the much needed disconnection I strive for. 

You don’t have to travel by plane to experience luxury while enjoying stunning views that would wow even the most avid of Instagram users.  To satisfy my need for extravagance, I have found a few locations that have been able to entice the likes of even the Teslas' of the world to “unplug” for a weekend.   If it’s good enough for Mr. Tesla, it’s good enough for me.

First on the list, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.  From sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean to the dramatic cliffs that the resort is housed upon, to the hotel resident golf course and exclusive in-house culinary adventure at the hotel restaurants you can’t help but feel a bit posh just by walking through the hotels entryway. 

If you are more of a foodie than a golfer, The Epiphany Hotel hosts lofty ceilings with full-height sliding glass doors and spacious verandas.  For you night life, they provide two signature restaurants that provide atmosphere and indulgence to wow all five of the senses.  A must try for all city slickers.

These are just a couple of locations that I've been able to experience, but there are so many more to choose from, and all within driving distance from the heart of San Francisco.   To see photos or to make reservations at these or one of the many remarkable locations available to you, click on the below link:

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Staycations-of-the-tech-elite-6266118.php

Why Choose The Pleasanton Automall?

When deciding to work for the Pleasanton Automall, you are not only entering into the reputable Hendrick Automotive Group, but you are also becoming a part of an incredibly rare team-oriented environment.   Here at the Pleasanton Automall, the rule of thumb is PEOPLE FIRST.  

This not only includes our clients, but our team mates as well.  Here at the dealership we value hard work just as much as we value quality of life, and the support and dedication to balance them is apparent in everything we do.  We had an opportunity to speak with one of our team mates, Rosemarie Destura about the hiring process and what it’s like in the product enthusiast role.

What was the deciding factor for becoming an employee at The Pleasanton Automall?

Rosemarie states, “Being able to work for a company that promotes such a team atmosphere allows for each of our employees to know and feel how important their roll is here at the dealership.”

Following an inverted management structure, our management team is able to maximize their support to our key players out on the showroom floors allowing for them to create nurturing relationships within our community.

What process is used by a Product Enthusiast when working with clients?

Rose: Well first I listen.  The clients may not always know exactly what they want, but I’ll be that much closer to helping them if I stop and let them talk.  I try to offer options whenever possible and I want my client to feel comfortable and trust in my abilities so I ensure that am transparent with all client interactions.  Finally, I use patience.  I know the goal is about the relationship with our client.  

Our product enthusiasts go through college style vehicle training courses culminating in a test of knowledge prior to then moving onto the showroom floor.  Upon moving into the showroom, our product enthusiast gets hands on training while shadowing current enthusiasts and sales associates. 

What challenges do you face in this role?

Rosemarie D: “Gaining trust of a guest when you have such limited time with them.  You only have one chance to make a lasting first impression that may lead to a long lasting relationship.  I will always try to find an alternative instead of just saying no, while constantly including management to ensure our clients concerns are expressed. “

What can you expect from working with a Product Enthusiast?

Being able to have any questions about a particular vehicle answered, not being placed in a high pressure environment, and at the same time accomplishing any goals and getting to know the sales staff and dealership are just a few of the benefits of working with a Product Enthusiast. 

The ultimate goal of our dealership is to create relationships with our guests.  Determining their needs and enabling that they leave here feeling like their needs and concerns matter and were being addressed whether we sell a car or not. 

25 years ago the Acura that left its mark on the auto industry

The 2014 Chicago auto show may be devoid of sports car debuts and introductions, but that wasn’t the case twenty-five years ago. The 1989 show saw both the introduction of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the first public showing of the Acura NSX. Both cars couldn’t have been any more different: one was a simple, affordable, front-engine roadster; the other a high-end, aluminum-intensive, mid-engine sports car designed to wrestle with blue-blood exotics.
 
Despite those differences, the MX-5 and NSX have something in common: both cars shocked the global automotive industry. The dawn of the 1990s marked what now seems to be a golden age of Japanese automobiles. Japan’s automakers were gunning for their foreign rivals in a way they had never done before. Engineers were encouraged to explore new technologies, while product planners sought to carve new niches in the market. Bolstered by a short-lived economic bubble back home, these automakers freely innovated in ways we’ve rarely seen since, and spurred the rest of the industry to re-evaluate both its product portfolios and its future plans.

Although quite a few cars exemplify this Japanese automotive renaissance, we can’t help but notice that five of the strongest examples—including the aforementioned Mazda and Honda—debuted in the States in 1989, exactly a quarter-century ago. Here are the five Japanese cars that shook the automotive industry 25 years ago.
 
 

 

Acura NSX

When the Acura NSX arrived in 1990 following its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, it seemed almost too good to be true. Honda channeled all of its engineering expertise into a trailblazing supercar that sought to achieve a level of refinement and driver-focused simplicity absent in European supercars. The result was a lightweight two-seat mid-engine coupe producing 270 hp from a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V-6 mated to a five-speed manual gearbox — a memorable formula that is revered for being much more than the sum of its parts. Unflinchingly, we called the NSX “the most cooperative and best-handling mid-engined car we have ever driven.”

Although the 1991 Acura NSX clocked in an impressive 0-60 mph sprint of about 5.5 seconds and could hit 155 mph (thanks in part to Honda's variable valve timing technology), the real success of the NSX was that it offered then top-shelf performance with almost none of the compromising drawbacks thought to be inherent to a purpose-built supercar.
 
“Probably the most striking single impression the NS-X prototype made on us was how few concessions it demands in return for the racy layout and the thrusting performance,” editor Kevin Smith noted in September 1989. “How many times have we resigned ourselves to the odd, skewed, cramped driving position of the 308/328-series Ferraris? And the athletic entry and exit, the scattered minor controls, the nonexistent rear-quarter visibility? Didn’t we actually revel in those eccentricities, cherishing the quirkiness, because that was the price of character?...Hey, it’s not for everyone. Hey, it’s something special. Hey, it’s a Ferrari. Well, hey, forget it.”
The Acura NSX had a comfortable, livable cockpit with reasonable trunk space; a simple, gimmick-free design; smooth, predictable power delivery from the V-6 and five-speed manual transmission; and an innovative aluminum monocoque chassis that kept weight down to only 2860 pounds. It was a supercar you could actually drive and afford, starting at just $62,000 when it hit U.S. showrooms in 1990.
Selected as our 1991 Automobile of the Year, the Acura NSX has remained one of the most celebrated enthusiast's cars because of its rare combination of performance, livability, and affordability. “The best thing about the NSX is that it exists at all,” we wrote in May 1989, “and that big, respectable Honda is going to produce it for sale to the public.” The NSX ended production in 2005 with more than 18,000 units sold worldwide, but its explosive arrival on the automotive landscape will long be remembered as a watershed moment for Japanese engineering that helped set the bar for the next generation of supercars.
-Eric Weiner


Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/1402-five-japanese-cars-that-shocked-the-auto-industry-25-years-ago/#ixzz2t93qYD9L

2014 Acura MDX first drive from Consumer Reports

There is a lot to be said about the Acura MDX since it was first introduced.

As Acura's best selling model, owners have shared with us why they chose the MDX.

1) 3 rows of seating. For up to 7 passengers
2) Roomy - space for both passengers and their gear
3) Good acceleration
4) Good fuel economy - now with variable cylinder management - anticipated class leading fuel economy for the 2014 MDX *
5) Easy to navigate and fun to drive
6) Reliable
7) Good value

What would your reasons be to choose an Acura MDX?



For more details on the 2014 Acura MDX click http://www.acuraofpleasanton.com

* Prelimary EPA mileage estimates determined by Acura. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at this time. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Will AM/FM radios continue into the Future?



Some of you may remember ridng in a car as a kid and the radio was playing. Changing stations meant twisting a knob or pushing stiff plastic buttons to move the "dial" to a station. Everyone in the car was forced to listen to what was playing on the AM or FM station at that time.

Then came eight track tape players and it revolutionized in car entertainment. No longer you forced to listen whatever was on the radio or the off-key sing-alongs with your siblings.

Cassette tape players follow after and then the digital age with compact discs or CDs for higher sound quality.

Remember what it was like to try to skip to the next song?

Technology never sleeps and now there is wired and wireless audio connections to stream from your cell phone or personal music device. Satellite radio so you never have to miss your favorite radio station while driving long distances.

Programming from satellites can offer coverage
that traditional broadcast signals cannot.

For convenience and safety, like those found in many of our Acura vehicles offer hands-free voice commands systems to manage functions such as volume, channel selection, switching from radio to CD or Satellite.

Just press and speak a command.
Many Acura vehicles offer this feature.

The latest with in car technolgy now include features previously only available while at a computer or on a smart phone. Music services, such as Pandora radio and Facebook are now available in many vehicles.

The 2014 Acura RLX now features two display screens,
one for touch controls similar to that on a tablet.

With all these advancements in technology, is traditional AM/FM radio dead? Many experts on boths sides have their view points as there are limitations even with the most modern services since they rely on a good internet connections.

What are your thoughts? Is AM/FM dead? Do you still listen to CDs while driving? Tell us what you think.

Luxury, taken to a whole new level in the 2014 Acura RLX

Starting with a clean slate, Acura designed and developed the 2014 Acura RLX to be the most advanced flagship sedan in Acura history.

Starting with an all new chassis featuring Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steer (PAWS) and using new manufacturing techniques with light weight materials, the 2014 Acura RLX is both beautiful and nimble. Most people will first notice the all new 16 lenses of the LED "Jewel Eye" headlamps. These precisely focused lights are the most efficient headlamps used by Acura. With a lower energy requirement and lighting output that is even whiter, brighter than HID or halogen headlamps.

The RLX is powered by an all new 3.5-liter V6 direct gas injection engine enhanced with Variable Cylinder Management and the Acura i-VTEC^® system. With 310 horsepower and 272 lbs.-ft. of torque while achieving an EPA Fuel Economy Rating of 20/31/24 mpg*. (city/highway/combined). The Variable Cylinder Management which automatically and seamlessly changes the engine to run on six, four or three cylinders in response to driving conditions.

This combined with a 6 speed Sequential SportShift Automatic, the RLX is a equally at home on the highway or driving around town.

*Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle

Acura has long recognized the greatest level of connection any driver has with a vehicle is from the interior and the 2014 Acura RLX was engineered with extensive attention to details. With an available soft, perforated Milano Leather seating covering both front 12-way adjustable seats with 2 driver memory for driver's seat, steering wheel and side mirrors positions.

At 38.8 inches, the 2014 Acura RLX features a class leading rear seat leg room the rivals most competing brand's full size luxury sedans such as the Lexus LS and Audi A8.

Dual screens highlight the available navigation system while providing the user with intuitive interface to directly access over 30 button functions in a mere nine.

 

These are just some of the highlights of the 2014 Acura RLX available now at Acura of Pleasanton. To experience all that this new flagship has to offer, call us at 866-NOW-ACURA (866-669-2287) or Click here