All-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note unveiled at NAIAS

 Nissan gave the world its first look of the all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this week in Detroit, Michigan.

2013 Ram 1500 named Truck of the Year

 

Over the past month, the 2013 Ram 1500 has hauled away “Truck of the Year” honors from numerous automotive experts.

The editors at Motor Trend, The Detroit Free Press, AOL Autos and Four Wheeler Magazine all chose the new Ram 1500 as their Truck of the Year after evaluating trucks on the market this year. Each group touted the power, design and dependability of the truck.

2013 Jeep Wrangler awarded SUV of the Year

 

 Autobytel, an industry-leading automotive advisor, has picked the 2013 Jeep Wrangler as the 2013 SUV of the Year.

“The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is the prototypical off-road warrior, and for the 2013 model year it continues to offer a very impressive package of all terrain capability matched with a decent amount of daily practicality,” write the editors at Autobytel. “…it's impossible to deny that the Wrangler is without a doubt the most capable affordable SUV around when it comes time to tackle the rough stuff. Its variety of four-wheel drive systems, excellent ground clearance, and solid front and rear axles are not to be trifled with on the trail.”

The 2013 Wrangler has the capability and power to get you to the highest mountain peak or to the edge of the ocean with great fuel economy to boot. It also features standard electronic stability control, Hill-Start Assist and Trailer-Sway Control.

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is currently available in Allentown, PA at Jeep dealership Rothrock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.  

2013 Nissan Altima named Top Safety Pick Plus

 

The Institute for Highway Safety recently awarded the 2013 Nissan Altima with a “Top Safety Pick Plus” designation. The award recognizes passenger vehicles for their outstanding performance in five safety tests issued by the IIHS.

"Driver and passenger safety are top priorities for Nissan, which is why we make features like Safety Shield technologies available," said Bob Yakushi, Nissan's director of product safety. "The 2013 Altima is truly Nissan's most innovative Altima ever, and the 'Top Safety Pick Plus' designation by IIHS reflects the engineering and design that have gone into this car to make it stand out in the class."

Nissan’s Commitment to Staying Green

Nissan was one of the first companies to successfully produce and market an electric car to the masses.  By doing so, the Nissan LEAF, which was introduced in the United States in December 2010, has been able to bring home several accolades that speak to its innovative ways, including the “2010 Green Car Vision Award,” the “2011 European Car of the Year,” the “2011 World Car of the Year,” and the “2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.”

Now, Nissan is upping the ante on their green initiatives once again by cutting its use of the rare-earth mineral dysprosium in the LEAF’s engine by 40 percent without affecting performance.  In fact, if anything, drivers should actually feel increased performance in their LEAF.  Dysprosium is used in the electric motor magnets to help increase their resistance to heat.  However, a new process called “grain boundary diffusion” allows Nissan to drastically cut back on its use of the rare-earth mineral.

As if this isn't impressive-enough news, Nissan also announced that they will be creating 15 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years.  Nissan has always been one of the most innovative companies we know of, and with commitments like that it’s easy to see why.

Rothrock Reviews: The 2013 Dodge Dart

Now that the 2013 Dodge Dart has been out for a few months, we think it’s only fair to give it a proper review.

Let us start by stating that we love this car.  We just can’t get over the look of it; it’s unique enough to never be mistaken for another car, yet has enough subtle inspirations from well-loved past Dodges like the ’66 Charger to make it immediately recognizable as a Dodge.  Some of our favorite stylistic touches include the flying buttresses and the racetrack-shaped LED taillights.

Making our way to the interior, we’re faced with an infotainment package that outshines anything else in its class.  The 8.4-inch Uconnect in-dash technology is quick and intuitive, and features a slew of information including multiple speedometers, navigation information, economy readouts and vehicle information updates.

Under the hood you’ll find a 2.4-liter turbocharged Tigershark engine capable of producing 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque.  That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

If you’re interested in taking one of our 2013 Dodge Darts for a test drive, please feel free to give us a call at 866-204-3627.

Would You Buy This Car For $3,000?

What would you say if we could offer you a brand new Nissan for just $3,000?  Just about everyone we know would say something along the lines of “Where do I sign up?!”

Well, we have good news and bad news.  The good news is that Nissan is actually planning on making this a reality by reviving their Datsun model from the 1950s.  The bad news is that in order to realistically bring the cost of the car down to that level, just about everything has to go.  And when we say just about everything, we aren’t just talking about handy features like electronic locks and windows.  We really are talking about just about everything.

Start by throwing out anything electronic, and then scrap the air conditioner.  Then add broadcloth seat fabrics, a two-cylinder engine, and forget about automatic transmission.  After that, it’s time to get rid of some of the safety features that are standard on nearly every car under the sun.  This includes anti-lock brakes and stability control.  Also, throw out that strong emissions control; this car is not going to be environmentally friendly.

So in the end, the revival of the Nissan Datsun might not be the most luxurious car.  But it was never meant to be luxurious, only affordable.  We can’t wait to see the prototype.

Impressive Safety Features of the 2013 Nissan Altima

 

There’s no two ways about it: The 2013 Nissan Altima is one of the most impressive 2013-model year vehicles there is.  It’s full of tech, fuel-efficient, comfortable, attractive, powerful, and is even a bit luxurious, and you get all this for a starting MSRP of just over $23,000.  There’s one thing that you don’t hear about too often with the 2013 Altima, though, and that’s safety features.

Many trim levels of the 2013 Nissan Altima come standard with safety features that you may expect to see in cars that cost in excess of $50,000; one of these features is the Lane Departure Warning System.  This system works by having a small camera scan the lane markers as you drive.  If the camera senses that you are going to drift out of your lane, a warning light will turn on and you will hear a subtle beep.

Another impressive safety system is the Blind Spot Warning System.  The same warning light used with the Lane Departure Warning System will emit if you try to change lanes when another vehicle is in your blind spot.  It will even apply the brakes if the warning is ignored.

Yet another safety system featured in many trim levels of the 2013 Nissan Altima is the Moving Object Detection System.  The backup camera begins coming standard on the 2.5 SV trim level, and the Moving Object Detection System takes the camera a step further by adding clear guidelines to offer perspective and emitting a warning tone if something might be in the way.

Your Thanksgiving Dinner is on Us!

Thanksgiving can be a fantastic time to get together with friends and family around a table full of fantastic stuffing, turkey, potatoes and cranberry sauce.  Unfortunately, all this food comes at a price.  In fact, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner in 2011 was $49.20.  For those with large families, this cost of food could really put a strain on your wallet.

Thankfully, the Rothrock Pre-Owned Super Center has a solution.  From now until November 30, when you purchase any pre-owned vehicle at our Rothrock.com internet price, you’ll also get a FREE $250 gift card for Giant Food Stores.  That’s enough for five Thanksgiving dinners!  Now that’s something to be thankful for.

For more details, please call 1-(866)-218-7720.  You can view our pre-owned inventory online at Rothrock.com here.  Our pre-owned inventory is constantly changing, so feel free to stop by often.  Remember: if you don’t see your next car listed, we’ll find it for you!

How to Take Care of a Flooded Car as a Result of Hurricane Sandy

 

Hurricane Sandy caused massive damage over almost the entirety of the East coast, and we couldn’t be more aware of it here in the Lehigh Valley.  Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have lost so many irreplaceable items and to those less fortunate than us.  Here’s what to do if your car, truck or SUV has water damage.

Call Your Insurance Company – You usually need to have comprehensive coverage for flooding or water damage to be covered.  Be sure to call your insurer to check if you’re unsure.

Leave the Engine Be – Until your car has been inspected by an expert, you need to go as long as possible without starting your car.  You could actually cause even more problems if water is in certain parts of your engine.

Leave a Wet Interior to the Professionals – Fixing the issue of a wet interior isn’t as easy as simply letting it dry.  Carpeting and upholstery can press moisture pressed against metal parts which can cause rust and can grow mold.  Cars and homes have been further destroyed in the past from people trying to dry their cars themselves using heaters or hair dryers, so we highly recommend against the DIY method.

If you have any further questions, please call our service department at (484) 223-0570.  Good luck to everyone and stay safe.

Welcome to Rothrock "eService"

 

Recently consultants in a Harvard Business Review study started asking about the amount of effort a client needed to put into a service experience. The study revealed that clients weren’t looking at price or speed.  Instead, they were looking for effortless.

Now, when reflecting on my own past experiences, I have a tendency to agree. Even in an environment where we all are looking at getting the most out of every dollar, sometimes there are still other factors at work.  That includes the ease of a transaction.

With that being said, we at the Rothrock Family are happy to present the eService experience.  The “e” in eService is a state-of-mind, and takes on many meanings.

The first meaning is easy. We want the process to take as little effort as possible on your behalf.

·         We have extended service hours for your convenience.

·         We have factory trained technicians who can do all levels of repairs

·         No appointment needed

It doesn’t get much easier than that.  Call our Service Department at (484) 223-0570 and see how effortless we can make the process for you!

Jeep’s Command-Trac 4WD System

Jeeps are well-known as off-road vehicles.  Much of their off-road capabilities must be attributed to their powerful engines and sturdy frames, but the true hero can be found behind the scenes.

In vehicles like the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep’s Command-Trac four-wheel drive system is what gives it its off-road prowess.  The system is based on a Dana 30 solid front axle, the transmission (automatic or manual is fine) and a Dana 35 rear axle.  This system allows for a very easy and smooth transfer from two-to-four wheel drive.

Two-wheel drive is designed for every day driving on paved surfaces and provides the best fuel economy.  Four-wheel drive high range is best for when your Jeep is driving over loose terrain or if you get stuck in snow or ice.  The system also has a neutral system for situations where you’d like your Jeep towed behind another vehicle.  Finally, the system also offers a Four-Low range mode, which is used for difficult off-road or towing situation.  This mode requires that you move that a very low speed, but multiplies your torque to 2.72-1.

If you’re interested in a 2013 Wrangler or other Jeep vehicle, let us know!  We’d be happy to set up an appointment for a test drive!

What’s a Jeep Jamboree?

 

Did you know that only about 20 percent of people who own four-wheel drive vehicles use them to drive off road?  That’s sad news to us, because that’s what the Jeep was originally built for in the 1940s!

If you’ve ever been interested in taking your jeep off-roading but you don’t know where to start, you’re in luck. Jeep Jamborees, which are simply get-togethers for people who love their Jeeps, have been held since 1953, and involve taking your Jeep off road with other Jeep owners in places like the Maine Mountains, the Rubicon Trail, through Canyon de Chelly and even Coal Mountain in our very own PA.

If you’re interested in signing up for a Jeep Jamboree, you can visit http://jeepjamboreeusa.com/.  They hold several events in many places in the United States each year and there are still quite a few events available for 2012!

Interested in participating in a jamboree but missing the Jeep?  Have no fear!  Stop by Rothrock Chrysler Dodge Jeep or call us at 866-218-7720 and we’d be happy to show you our selection of Jeep vehicles.

October is National Car Care Month!

October is known as National Car Care Month, and we think that’s a reason to celebrate!  We feel the best way to give the proper celebration for such an event is to host a plethora of specials that we hope will get you in the mood to treat your vehicle right!

1. Express Oil Change Service Special – From now until Nov. 30, 2012, have your oil changed with our express service department and get a free exterior car wash, a free multi-point vehicle inspection and a free tire rotation.  Did we mention that our express service department is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday?
2. AAA Members Special – If you’re a member of AAA, simply show your membership card and receive a 10% discount on all repairs!
3. Repair Special – Do you have scratches or dents on your car?  Stop by our collision center to make your vehicle look like new again!  We repair all makes and models, and since it’s National Car Care Month, we’ll even throw in an extra 10% off!
4. Wiper Blade Special – All of our wiper blades are 10% off!  Ever have a time where your wiper blades just couldn’t do the job against a winter storm?  Don’t let that happen to you again this season!
5. Accessory Special – We’re even offering 10% off on all Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Nissan vehicle accessories!
6. Free Battery Test – Last but not least, we’re offering free battery tests!  If you decide that you need a new battery, we’re even offering $5 rebates on all of our batteries.

These specials will last until Nov. 30, 2012 and cannot be combined with any other offer/discount.  Some offers cannot be used toward insurance claims or deductibles.  Please call 484-223-0632 for details and to make appointments.  We hope to see you soon!

Express Tire at Rothrock

 

 

Before we know it, it’s going to be the time of year when road conditions begin to deteriorate. From leaves on the road to cold rain to winter storms, a plethora of conditions can affect the roads we drive on every single day. Unfortunately, these driving conditions aren’t just tougher on us as drivers.  They’re tougher on our cars, too.  To be more specific, these conditions are negatively affecting your tires.

Sometimes the only way we know that our tires are beginning to lose their effectiveness is when we start to “feel” it.  Increased stopping distance and a lack of traction is a scary feeling under any circumstance.

Let me give you some tire “numbers.” A brand new tire is measured at 10/32s. At 10/32s, when traveling at 50mph, it will take your vehicle approximately 195.2 ft to stop. When your tires start to wear and they measure 4/32’s, which is just a little less than half, the stopping distance at the same speed is increased to 290.0 ft!  When your tire is at 2/32’s the stopping distance goes to 378.8 ft! That’s the length of a football field! Imagine hitting your brakes and having it take the length of a football field to have your vehicle come to a complete stop!  That’s not just dangerous for you; it’s dangerous for other drivers on the road as well.

Thankfully, you can do something about your tires before it’s too late.  We are happy and proud to announce the opening of our Rothrock Express Tire Center. We at the Rothrock Family realize that you need something done, you need it done now. We have also extended our Express hour to 8:00pm during the week and until 2:00pm on Saturdays. So now can you not only have your oil and filter changes done with no appointment needed, you can also have all your tires needs done the same quick and easy way.

We understand life is busy and we at the Rothrock Family of dealerships are here to make the servicing of your vehicle as easy as possible.

The 2013 Dodge Dart is Available Now!

The 2013 Dodge Dart is available now at Rothrock Motors!

 

The Dart is a fantastic piece of machinery, combining fun-to-drive aspects with cutting-edge technology, a spacious cabin, top of the line safety features, a high mpg and a revolutionary exterior design.

The Dodge Dart has one of the nicest cabins in its class according to Edmunds, with padded surfaces, colorful trim and an available 8.4-inch touch screen.  There’s also plenty of room on the inside, with lots of legroom and a large back seat.

The exterior is unique in design, but borrows certain cues that have been successful with other Dodge cars in the past.  The racetrack LED lighting in the back of the car is inspired by the current generation Dodge Charger, and the flying buttress was inspired by the second generation Dodge Charger.

The safety features of the Dart are hard to beat, because antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags all come standard.  A rearview camera, a blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic alert system are also available.

Also, the 2013 Dart delivers incredible performance.  Estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway, and the standard  2-liter four-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque.  A turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine is also available.

If you’re interested in the 2013 Dodge Dart, be sure to call or visit us at Rothrock Motors, 866-218-7720, and we’ll be happy to arrange a test-drive.

What is our North Star?

“What is our North Star” is an analogy that is meant to describe what someone or something (like a our company) uses as its “guiding light”.

In this case, the term “North Star” comes from when sailors would use Polaris as the constant to navigate the ship to safe ports. The North Star was the one star that they always thought was the brightest one in the night sky, so it could always be found.  If you knew where the north star was, you could use it as a reference point to plot your course.

We at the Rothrock Family have something that we use as our “North Star,” and that is our customers. You are what we use to keep us on course, to guide us in the night sky of business to make sure we are on course.

When you do business with us in sales or service you can count on the fact that if we are “going off course” in the way we do things, it is only by you, by our “North Star” that we can get back on course, and that can only happen by you letting us know.

Our goal is to make every transaction you have with the Rothrock family be a remarkable and memorable experience. And as our guiding light, we count on you to correct and guide us with everything we do.

Posting Online Reviews

 

My wife Carmen and I recently had a great dining experience at a local restaurant and I felt compelled to write an online review. When I went to the Google reviews page, I was surprised to see a bunch of negative reviews at the place that we just such a wonderful experience that evening.

Now, of course reading the negative reviews didn’t have the ability to change the great time that my wife and I had, but I did have to reflect on my event. After reading all the negative reviews, it made me even more compelled to write a great review.

I became interested in reading people’s opinions about a lot of the places that I frequent. Strangely (in my mind) most places I loved had negative reviews, although most had very few. I wasn’t sure if the reviews were saying something about my tastes, something about online reviews in general or a little of both. But as I became an online review addict, the more I realized that the system worked, because even if I loved a place, everyone has different experiences everywhere they go.

There were places that had hundreds of reviews, and they were all great. And you know what? I started looking at them differently.

We in the Rothrock Family also provide the ability for people to write online reviews and we welcome you to do so. It is only through your honest feedback that we can alter our processes to make your next experience better.

I have found that whether with my own personal service experiences or with the experiences that we provide for our valued clients at Rothrock, it is not always the absence of problems that makes a great experience, but rather an appropriate and prompt response and an openness to make the process better that shows the character of a business.

So please feel free to make online comments about your experiences, and we’ll always be happy to hear what you have to say.

Who Are We?

 

 

 

Hi, my name is Rex Weaver, and I am the Service Director at Rothrock Motor Sales.

I remember calling a credit card company about some charges that I thought were incorrect. As I prepared for the call, my dislike for this company grew, and I was ready to take it out on whoever might answer the phone. I was sure I was right, and this company had no right to take advantage of me, “the little guy”. The phone was answered by a very friendly person, but I wasn’t having any of that, because I was on a mission. As the call progressed, though, I realized that I wasn’t talking to the “company,” but instead a person. And that person was just doing their job. They weren’t the company; they were an employee of the company.

Of course, this thought made me think of my own company. When people call a car dealership (and more specifically, the service department) they may think that they are calling a company, but they are actually calling me or one of my teammates.

 

And do you know who we are? We are the same people you see at the store or the baseball game. You see us in church or at the movies.

Now, while we are part of a great company and we all share the Rothrock Family vision, we are people just like you, and we are here to help. Because when we see you and your families at the store or out and about, we want to be able to be proud of what we are able to do for you at Rothrock. We want to be able to see you be happy, and we hope you would want the same for us.

One simple way to accomplish this is by giving us feedback. If something doesn’t go the way you expected, we want you to tell us. Our obligation to you is to take that feedback and be productive with it, and to actually make changes to make the experience better for you and all our other clients the next time and every other time afterwards.

It is not by the absence of problems, but by an appropriate response to a problem that shows the character of a company. Some of the best business relationships I have are with clients and other businesses where not every aspect of our business together went as planned, but the response was effective and well received. So while we strive for the best experience every time you come in for service, you can rest assured that if you have a problem, we are here to help.

Like most of the Rothrock Family, we live in the Lehigh Valley. Our children go to school here and we are proud to be part of this community, and we all look forward to seeing you not only at the dealership, but also in our community.

Should I go to the dealer when my vehicle needs service?

We know that we’ve all debated this question. People might say, “I have my own guy” or, “They are way too expensive.”

We’re here to set the record straight. There are many advantages of going back to the dealership where you bought your car to have it serviced.  Here are just a few:

1.    The dealership knows your vehicle: The technicians at the dealership are all trained and certified to repair and service your vehicle. Some people seem to think that all cars are the same and if you have a garage, you can fix or service any type of vehicle. Sadly, this just isn’t the case. As technology advances, so does the training of the people who work on vehicles, and having a factory trained technician who is updated on all the latest advancements is the best thing you can do when dealing with an investment as important as your vehicle. Being an expert on every type of vehicle is a tough job, so stick with the people who can focus on your specific vehicle, not every vehicle. I think we all know the old saying: “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

2.    The dealership has the right parts: I’m sure the same people who think anybody can fix a car would also think that a part is a part, but again, not the case. There's a huge selection of parts like oil filters and exhaust pieces, and the difference between one and another is remarkable. Sure, sometimes the best parts can be more expensive, but the old saying goes, “Good things are rarely cheap and cheap things are rarely good.” And, if you ever had the pleasure of working on a vehicle, there is nothing more frustrating on having an aftermarket part not fit. Factory parts are designed specifically for your vehicle.

3.    The dealership has more on the line: Dealerships not only service vehicles, but also try to sell you your next vehicle. If aftermarket garages don’t make you happy and you go somewhere else, that’s it for them. At a dealership, though, losing your service business means they wouldn’t expect you to purchase a vehicle from them in the future, either.

4.    The dealership can help with warranty issues: If you have a one-stop place to go for all your service needs, why wouldn’t you? Dealerships have trained technicians who can find warranty issues on your vehicle that you may not even be aware of, and they can help you with it while the vehicle is there. Of course, an aftermarket shop wouldn’t be able to bill the factory for the repair.

If you’ve never had your vehicle serviced at the dealership, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. Great amenities and hospitality, a group of trained professionals and available parts that your vehicle is designed to run on is a recipe for success when it comes to your satisfaction.

And if it’s been a while that you’ve visited Rothrock Motors, stop in and see us. We are the people trained to keep your vehicle in tip top condition and always look forward to seeing you.

We have an Express Service Station available that does not require an appointment, a complete service department with extended hours for your convenience and a full service body shop. We can satisfy all your service needs, including tires.

Stop in for complimentary Multi Point Inspection and enjoy the Rothrock Experience.  Click on the graphic below to view all the benefits of having your vehicle serviced at Rothrock!