Schaller Honda

Dear Valued Customer,  

On May 26, 2010 New Britain Connecticut experienced a rare storm that included a short period of small sub-marble sized hail.  Some of the vehicles that were located at Schaller Honda and Schaller Mitsubishi were affected by the storm.

The affected vehicles sustained very minor damage to mostly the top painted surfaces, some metal moldings and a few glass panels.  The vast majority of the vehicles sustained negligible to no more than $325 in damage with a few selected vehicles reaching as high as $600.  As a comparison, repairing and refinishing minor front bumper damage on a new car in Hartford can exceed $1200!  

Minor hail damage is repaired by replacing affected moldings with new factory parts and by repairing painted surfaces with a Paintless Dent Removal Process (PDR).  This process repairs the small hail "dent" by applying slight pressure from INSIDE the panel.  The finished panels are nearly perfect and the previous damage is undetectable to the naked eye.  This repair in no way breaks the factory paint finish and does not affect the factory paint or corrosion warranty in any way.  In fact the repair comes with a Lifetime Guarantee from the repairing contractor. 

Schaller Auto World has full confidence in retailing these vehicles and offers some at a substantial discount considering their inconsequentially light repairs. 

If you have additional questions or would like more information on this process please ask to speak to the General Manager, Sales Manager, or consult your salesperson.

Schaller Auto World

 

Achieve Financial Credit Union was proud to help sponsor and organize a financial literacy simulation for high schools students. Students from sixteen high schools, including Avon, Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, Southington, and Wethersfield High, participated in an exercise intended to prepare them for some of the real life decisions they will be making when they complete their education and live on their own for the first time. 

To prepare for the event, students selected a career, researched the starting salary for their selected careers, and forwarded this information to Fair organizers.  The career and salary were used to create an individual budget worksheet which included line items for all of the monthly expenses and one time expenses the students would expect to encounter when living on their own.

Each student was assigned a student loan payment appropriate for the selected career, a savings account and a checking account with modest balances, a credit card with a credit limit and a balance, and a randomly assigned credit score.  Students were then directed to visit over 40 booths set up in CCSU's Alumni Hall to purchase required goods and services such as housing, transportation, food, clothing, and insurance, as well as other optional services such as electronics, pets, and entertainment.  Their goal was to purchase everything they needed while staying within their budget for one month.   Students were then required to meet with a Financial Counselor to calculate their expenses, discuss their decisions, and strategies for credit and savings management.

This event highlights the commitment of your Credit Union to develop financial literacy in our students before they have to make real choices that impact them for the rest of their lives.

Scroll Down to see more - including pictures of Art Schaller attending the event.

Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding VSA Modulator Recall

TORRANCE, Calif. - March 16, 2010 - Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel "soft" or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.

Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the "soft brake pedal" or "low brake pedal" condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.

Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.

Addendum:

Some initial news coverage about this recall incorrectly implied that a temporary repair procedure could be completed on affected vehicles until parts arrive for a final repair. This implication is not true.

If a customer is not currently experiencing a problem with their brakes, no current action is recommended. Recall notifications will start being sent by mail during the last two weeks of April 2010, and customers should wait to receive notification before contacting their dealer for a repair appointment.

If a customer is currently experiencing a problem with their vehicle's brakes, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment to inspect the vehicle as soon as it is practical. Each Honda dealer is able to take appropriate steps to verify the condition, diagnose the cause, and repair the vehicle if necessary. Any repair undertaken prior to the start of recall mailings will not avoid the need to return to the dealership at a later date to have the recall repair completed.

Release Date: 02/23/2010

Thinking about a new car? 2009 is the year to buy.  You may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on your 2009 tax return. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman said, "This deduction enables taxpayers to buy now and get cash back later on their tax returns." You must purchase after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, to qualify for the deduction.

Ready for more good news? The special deduction is available regardless of whether you itemize deductions. The deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns, though. So what are you waiting for?

Here's the fine print: The deduction is limited to the state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of a new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle that weighs under 8500 pounds, regardless of model year. The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers. If you have any questions about this deduction or how it might apply to your purchase of a new vehicle, contact your tax advisor.




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ALG Newsroom

12/2/2009

ALG Announces 11th Annual Residual Value Awards

Santa Barbara, CA, December 2, 2009 -ALG, a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRAK) and the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, today announced its 11^th annual Residual Value Awards, honoring the vehicles in each segment that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. 

This year's awards are based on 2010 model year vehicles.  For the eighth year, ALG has also included awards for the brands with the highest overall predicted resale values among all mainstream and all luxury vehicles.  The awards are derived after careful study of segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends.  The list of winners can be found on www.alg.com.

Subaru of America has won the Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award for the first time, jumping over perennially strong Honda.  Subaru also received individual segment awards for the Forester in the Compact Utility Vehicle category and the Outback in the Midsize Utility Vehicle category. 

"Subaru combines distinct product attributes, such as standard all-wheel drive and the wide use of turbo charged boxer engines, with a rugged but practical brand positioning to generate fierce loyalty among its buyers," said James Clark, General Manager of ALG.  "Subaru also has been restrained with incentives over the past year, and its three core models have all been recently redesigned, helping it to move from second place to first this year." 

Acura, a division of American Honda Motor Company, has won the Luxury Brand Residual Value Award for the second consecutive year. 

Mr. Clark commented, "Acura has taken a different tack than most luxury brands , and its decision to stick with front-wheel drive platforms and smaller engines has served it well in the current uncertain times.  Acura's outstanding reliability, simple packaging schemes and value pricing with low incentive levels were major factors in its repeat finish at the top of the luxury market this year."

Honda, the runner-up for the Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award, received three segment Residual Value Awards, for the Fit (Entry Compact Car); the Accord (Midsize Car); and the Odyssey (Minivan). 
 
Mr. Clark concluded, "We continue to believe that residual value is the best metric for evaluating the overall strength of an automotive brand, and we congratulate all of the 2010 winners for their successful products and marketing strategies."

Summary of 2010 Residual Value Award Winners

Entry Compact Car:  Honda Fit
Mid-Compact Car:  Mazda 3
Midsize Car: Honda Accord
Fullsize Car:  Nissan Maxima
Compact Utility Vehicle:  Subaru Forester
Midsize Utility Vehicle:  Subaru Outback
Large Utility Vehicle:  Toyota Sequoia
Minivan:  Honda Odyssey
Compact/Midsize Pickup:  Toyota Tacoma
Fullsize Pickup:  Ford F-150

 

New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the most dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today at the New York International Auto Show.

Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly? components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:

• a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
• second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
• an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
• a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
• second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
• all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
• a spill-resistant water bowl; and
• Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

"In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components is intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car."

The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle. The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle's existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision. For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.

"In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner's safe travel practices," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns."

The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever "Dog Car of the Year" award.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., 39 percent of all households own at least one dog with an estimated total U.S. dog population of 74.8 million. All pet purchases and related products and services comprise an estimated total market value of more than $43 billion (2008 est.).

Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.

Powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, the Element is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD? can enhance all-weather traction. The interior provides seating for up to four people along with a cargo area that adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). The Element EX has a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that wipes down for ease-of-cleaning and seat fabric that resists moisture.

For 2009, all Elements incorporate significant exterior styling changes that include new front grille and bumper designs, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. Interior enhancements include revised dashboard color combinations with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and enhanced switchgear designs and instrument panel meter graphics. The Element EX exclusively adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.

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Be sure to mention this article for additional savings!

Art Shaller Jr. drives The Honorary parade Marshall and WWII Veteran -John Danielewicz for the New Britain Memorial Day Parade in a 1930 Chevrolet Touring Pheaton.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

American Honda Proudly Recognizes

Daniel DeCarlo

As a Gold Level Award Recipient

 

 

New Britain, CT - Daniel DeCarlo was recently recognized by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for earning Gold Level status - a distinction reserved for an elite group of Honda Sales Consultants who delivered superior results in conjunctions with the 2008 Honda Council of Sales Leadership recognition program.

 

By design, the Council of Sales Leadership program challenges and rewards Honda Sales Consultants for consistently exceeding expectations in three key criteria: sales, customer satisfaction and training.  To achieve this honor, Daniel DeCarlo exceeded annual sales objectives, obtained exceptional customer satisfaction scores, and demonstrated expertise in Honda product knowledge.

 

In the past year, over 3,200 Honda Sales Consultants became members of the Council of sales Leadership.  Of those, only 351 performed at the highest level and attained Gold level recognition.  This award is yet another indication of the high priority places on professions personal service by Schaller Honda and Daniel DeCarlo.  We proudly celebrate their achievements and recognize them as standard bearers of sales leadership and excellence. 

 

 

Honda Press Release

For Immediate Release

Schaller Honda Earns Hondas Top Dealership Award

New Britain, CT ? American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has announced Schaller Honda as a recipient of the 2008 Honda President?s Award. The award is presented to top ranking Honda dealerships across the country and recognizes excellence in all areas of operation ? customer service, sales, training, and facility operation.

More than 1,000 Honda automobile dealerships participate in the President?s Award program annually. Each year, award objectives are established to inspire dealerships to achieve even higher levels of customer satisfaction. This year, 157 dealerships achieved these objectives and ranked to merit Honda?s highest honor.

?Earning the Honda President?s Award takes a team of dedicated professionals unwavering in its pursuit of superb customer care,? says Richard Colliver, executive vice president, Automotive Sales. ?We are proud to recognize Schaller Honda as one of our Honda elite. See for yourself what a difference working with a Honda award-winning dealership can make to your automotive experience.?

Schaller Honda offers three alternative-fuel vehicles ? the Civic Hybrid, Civic GX, and FCX Clarity ? in addition to the full line of Honda vehicles, including the Accord, Civic, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Element, Ridgeline, S2000, and the CR-V.

Dear Mr. Schaller Jr.,

On behalf of the board of directors and staff at the New Britain Youth Museum and the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park, I want to thank you for your very generous donation of $1460.00 for our annual campaign made possible through the Schaller Auto World Fund.

The mission of the New Britain Youth Museums is to promote understanding of global interactions between people and the environment.

Your generous gift to the New Britain Youth Museums helps us to accomplish our mission. With your support, we are able to continue to offer educational programming as well as provide materials for interactive exhibits. Furthermore, your generous contribution helps us feed, house and care for the animals at Hungerford Park, including the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife entrusted to our care.

I've included a picture of a very happy llama, "Lightning Bug", just returning from one of our outreach programs....in non other than our Schaller Honda Mini Van.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Donna M. Veach
Marketing & Special Events Coordinator
New Britain Youth Museum &
The New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park

November 29, 2007                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                

 

LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE DEALER HOSTS CONGRESSMAN MURPHY FOR VISIT

                                   

Congressman Chris Murphy visited Schaller Auto World on Veterans Drive in New Britain on Monday, November 26.

 

Art Schaller, Jr., pictured here with the congressman, said, ?We were delighted to host Congressman Murphy for a visit and discussion about what is happening in Washington, D.C.  We raised a number of issues with the congressman such as trade policy and the current state of the economy.  The congressman was well-informed and also asked a number of good questions about the retail auto business,? Schaller said.

 

Congressman Murphy said he was impressed with the professionalism of Schaller and his staff.  ?The Schaller family has been committed to the City of New Britain for decades.  I really am impressed with their operations and very much appreciate their roots in the community,? Murphy said. 

 

Schaller Auto World sells new vehicles manufactured by Honda and Mitsubishi and used cars at the Veterans Drive facility.  A separate Subaru dealership owned and operated by Schaller is located in Middletown. 

 

The Schaller family has been selling cars in the New Britain area for decades.

Schaller Honda

1 Veterans Drive

New Britain, CT 06051

Dear Schaller Honda,

We wish to thank you for your memorial gift of $50.00 towards St. Maria Goretti's Parish Center Building Fund in memory of Donald Restivo, Jr. You and your family will be blessed in immeasurable ways for your generosity to making His Word more visible to our children and parish.

As I offer Mass, I do so with a heart full of gladness and thanksgiving. Thank you again for your generosity and may God grant you and yours every blessing.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Rev. William R. Sokolowski

TORRANCE, Calif. - March 16, 2010 - Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel "soft" or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.

Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the "soft brake pedal" or "low brake pedal" condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.

Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.

Addendum:

Some initial news coverage about this recall incorrectly implied that a temporary repair procedure could be completed on affected vehicles until parts arrive for a final repair. This implication is not true.

If a customer is not currently experiencing a problem with their brakes, no current action is recommended. Recall notifications will start being sent by mail during the last two weeks of April 2010, and customers should wait to receive notification before contacting their dealer for a repair appointment.

If a customer is currently experiencing a problem with their vehicle's brakes, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment to inspect the vehicle as soon as it is practical. Each Honda dealer is able to take appropriate steps to verify the condition, diagnose the cause, and repair the vehicle if necessary. Any repair undertaken prior to the start of recall mailings will not avoid the need to return to the dealership at a later date to have the recall repair completed.