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Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Creed and a Car Show: Hassett Hits the Road

Friday, August 20th, 2010

A busy summer at Hassett of Wantagh continues this week with a pair of road trips – one to support a great cause, and one just to rock out.

This Sunday, Aug. 22, Hassett will take part in the Wantagh Hook, Ladder, Engine Co. No. 1’s second annual Car & Antique Fire Apparatus Show (while Hassett will not be displaying any antique fire apparatuses, it will be showcasing several of its most popular makes and models). A portion of the proceeds from the event will support the Nassau University Medical Burn Center.

And then, on Tuesday night, Hassett will be at the Nikon Jones Beach Theater, showing off the latest Ford and Lincoln models while multi-platinum megaband Creed continues its comeback tour.

On the scale of events Hassett might participate in, these two are pretty far apart. But they have one important thing in common, according to Hassett General Sales Manager Lou Evans.

“These are fun events!” Lou says. “The first Wantagh Fire Department car show was a blast, and we’re expecting a great turnout this year. And anyone who lives on Long Island or grew up here knows there’s nothing like a summer concert on Jones Beach!”

The Car & Antique Fire Apparatus Show, which Hassett is sponsoring, is slated to run from 9 am to 3 pm Sunday in the Long Island Rail Road commuter parking lot adjacent to Wantagh Station on Park Avenue. Live entertainment is planned, along with numerous vendor raffles and food and refreshments provided by Applebee’s and Pepsi.

“It’s a great summer event,” Lou says. “And we’re very happy to be able to support the Medical Burn Center.”

The Creed concert is a special “Low Dough Rock Show” sponsored by WBAB Radio: Tickets are only $20 each, making it the most affordable show in the 2010 Jones Beach Summer Concert Series.

Creed, which rose to fame in the late 1990s, has sold over 26 million albums in the United States alone, featuring such chart-toppers as “With Arms Wide Open” and “My Sacrifice.” The band split up in 2004, but reunited last year for a world tour that continued into 2010 – and has led them to the Nikon Theater.

Along with being a sponsor of the concert, Hassett is bringing a brand-new, fully loaded 2011 Fiesta, a rock star in its own right: class-leading fuel economy, twin independent variable-cam timing, available six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, electric power-assisted steering, available leather trim, Intelligent Access with push-button start, multifunctional LCD display and a top-rate SYNC ® system featuring hands-free Bluetooth-enabled phone, voice-activated music search, audible text messages, turn-by-turn navigation capabilities, real-time traffic updates …

The list sort of goes on like that for a while. Suffice it to say, the Fiesta is one knockout car, and Creed fans will learn all about it Tuesday night.

“It’s not just the fuel efficiency,” Lou notes. “It’s the driving experience. People get genuinely excited about this car.”

Just like Hassett gets genuinely excited about road trips. Really, is there any better way to spend your summer?

Posted in Events, Ford, Hassett Automotive, Monthly Spotlight on Hassett, Special Promotions | No Comments »

And Now for Something Completely Different

Monday, August 9th, 2010

It’s pretty obvious that Planet Earth’s chief inhabitants are turning a corner: Greener, smaller, big efficiency, small footprint … these are the definitions of “new and improved” now, the calling cards of everything “better,” from light bulbs to skyscrapers.

Somewhere in the middle of all that is an automotive revolution. It’s actually the most innovative era for cars and trucks since the Model T; the drive toward fuel efficiency has inspired an all-out environmental race, and enjoying a comfortable lead – as it did a century ago, when founder Henry mass-produced America’s first affordable car – is the Ford Motor Co.

And just when you thought “green” had run out of automotive steam, here comes Ford again, redefining parameters. Years ago, the world of sports-utility vehicles was turned on its ear by the one-and-only Explorer, still the most popular SUV of all time – and the most durable (according to Hassett Automotive Service Manager Marc Zergebel, of roughly six million Explorers ever sold, four million are still on the road). Now, everything about the Explorer is new – the platform, the efficiency, the amenities, the thinking – and once again, the world has changed.

How new? How’s this: The Explorer is no longer an SUV. Built on a smaller car platform that increases fuel performance and handling, the CUV – as in “crossover” – is completely redesigned, inside and out. And it still offers full-size comfort for seven passengers and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, right at the top of an increasingly crowded CUV field.

“The Explorer is just amazing,” says Marc, who attended the invitation-only unveiling of the 2011 Explorer July 26 in New York City, rubbing elbows with Ford CEO Alan Mulally and TV pitchman Mike Rowe.

“I’m blown away,” he says. “It’s beautiful, it’s efficient, it’s high-tech, it’s safe. It still carries seven people in three rows of seating, very comfortably. It still tows 5,000 pounds. And it does it all with class-leading fuel mileage.”

“The shift from traditional SUV to the crossovers has been great for fuel efficiency, but typically, crossovers have two rows and seating for five,” Marc adds. “The market still demands a seven-passenger vehicle with the versatility of all-wheel drive and the ability to carry a full-size family.”

That family is going to want power enough to handle any road, task or weather, and they’ll get it, whether they choose the Explorer’s standard 3.5-liter Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing V6 or the optional 2-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged EcoBoost™ engine (promising 30-percent better fuel economy). Either way, the Explorer packs impressive horsepower and an aggressive six-speed automatic transmission.

That family is also going to prize safety, so they’ll appreciate Ford’s newest anti-injury innovation: the world’s first inflatable rear safety belts, an option designed and tested specifically to reduce head and neck injuries and enhance rear-seat safety for passengers of all ages. “Really a terrific idea,” Marc notes. “That much more protection, in case of an accident.”

And that family, of course, will want to enjoy the ride. In Ford’s exclusive upgrade packages, they’ll find the latest in mobile communications, security and entertainment.

“Automatic parking, Bluetooth technology, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic, weather, movie listings…” Marc says. “All sorts of information, right on a nice LCD touch-screen.”

Those features and more are indeed available via the optional Ford MyTouch™ System, which promises game-changing driver-connect technology. Responding to over 10,000 voice commands, the touch-screen and steering-wheel mounted controls, the latest incarnation of Ford’s groundbreaking SYNC System controls music, climate, phone and navigation systems, interfacing with passengers on three customizable LCD screens and even enabling WiFi.

Out-of-the-box thinking like this has always set the Explorer apart. But the 2011 Explorer represents a quantum leap, Marc says, sure to “capture the imagination and satisfy the needs of existing (Mercury) Mountaineer and Explorer owners, as well as a whole new market of customers we haven’t seen before.”

“This is exactly what they’ve been waiting for,” Marc says. “It’s the ideal choice for the family in search of quality, comfort, safety and efficiency. And it’s a total blast.”

Hassett expects to take delivery of the first 2011 Explorers later this year, but is already taking orders from excited enthusiasts. For more details on the new Explorer’s breakthrough design and topflight amenities – or to reserve the best ride of your life – swing by the dealership on Sunrise Highway in Wantagh today, or visit Hassett online

Posted in Events, Ford, Hassett Automotive, Special Promotions | No Comments »

Brains of the Operation

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Long Island’s top work-truck dealer. A networking event sponsored by a trade organization representing over 1,500 Island landscape design and maintenance

professionals. A college campus packed with environmentally conscious young-adult drivers.

Lou Evans is no dummy.

Lou, the hardworking general sales manager of Hassett Automotive, knows a marketing opportunity when he sees one. That’s why he made sure Hassett was at the Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association’s July 14 networking picnic/barbecue at Farmingdale State College. That’s why he had Hassett join the NSLGA in the first place – to learn the needs of a critical customer base from the inside. And that’s why he was sure to bring along a shiny new Ford Fiesta when Hassett visited the FSC campus: Though shalt not pass, Lou figures, without offering.

“The kids thought the car was awesome,” he says of the nimble, 40-mpg Fiesta, the European sensation now redefining the U.S. compact market. “They were really intrigued by the economy and surprised at how roomy a small car can be on the inside. It has all the modern features and it’s so affordable … what better place to showcase this car than at a college?”

Clever as it was to showcase that new Fiesta, Hassett was sure to bring the big guns to the NSLGA networking event. Hassett’s pièce de résistance was a Ford F-550 – a Class 5 Super-Duty conventional truck that shares fender, grill, hood and cab designs with smaller pickup trucks – outfitted with what Lou calls a “landscape body.”

“This is the type of vehicle you most commonly see landscapers using,” the GSM notes. “They carry mulch, they carry topsoil, bushes, shrubs … for whatever they need to carry, this is the body of choice, as opposed to a mason body, for instance, that might be better for carrying bricks or cement.

“A landscape body has higher sides and more capacity,” Lou adds. “It’s larger, not necessarily by weight, but by volume.”

Like the Fiesta with FSC’s summer students, the F-550 was a big hit with the NSLGA members attending the July 14 networking event. That’s not surprising, considering Ford F-series trucks have been America’s No. 1-selling vehicles for three decades.

“You go to event where there are people representing companies that sell tractors and riding motors and other things that might interest professional landscapers and gardeners, and something like [the F-550] fits right in,” Lou notes. “It’s a big attraction. This is the vehicle they’re looking for.”

And between the green- minded fans of the peppy Ford Fiesta and the green-thumbed admirers of the gritty F-550, Lou hopes the NSLGA road trip will generate some green for Hassett Automotive.

“Of course we do these things to increase sales,” the GSM says. “But they’re also educational. We want to teach those kids about Fiesta’s efficiency and affordability. We want to show the landscapers everything the Ford Super Duties have to offer. And we want to learn ourselves – what are those customers thinking when they see these vehicles, and how can we better serve them?”

Teaching, learning and making a few extra sales along the way.

Yeah … no dummy, that Lou.

Posted in Community Outreach, Events, Ford, Hassett Automotive, Special Promotions, Trucks | No Comments »

More Than Just a Car Lot

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

We’ve mentioned, once or twice, that Hassett of Wantagh is Long Island’s No. 1-volume Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealer, and not exactly slacking with the Subarus, either. This is more than some statistical claim to fame stamped on a business card. It’s a truth we work hard to maintain, a fact we’re very proud of and, in the end, the ultimate reflection of Hassett’s drive to be the best – and our belief that being the best only starts with the best cars.
Where it goes from there is up to your dealership of choice. At Hassett, we think it should involve a deeper relationship with the customer than the typical browse/haggle/buy dalliance. Many of our customers are repeat buyers – longtime clients who know when they come to Hassett, they’re among friends.

To create and strengthen these bonds, Hassett makes every effort to understand our customers – what they want and need when they come see us, and what they don’t. That’s our definition of customer service, of making a relationship instead of a sale, and it’s just one of the reasons the Ford Motor Company has honored Hassett with its President’s Award for Exemplary Customer Service seven consecutive times.

You may know that Hassett carries a full line of Ford F-Series trucks – the No. 1-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 33 straight years – but do you know how far Hassett goes to understand the mindset of the typical truck buyer? Joe the Plumber, Larry the Landscaper, Eleanor the Electrician … these are the people on our minds, people with jobs to do who choose their rides based on performance, not promises.

So Hassett has joined the Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association, and was an official exhibitor at the association’s 42nd annual Professional Turf, Plant and Tree Conference last week at the Nassau Coliseum. And in January, Hassett participated in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry tradeshow at the Cradle of Aviation Museum – as an official NARI member.

What does a car dealership have to do with landscaping and construction? Not much … except that these professional contractors are the ones buying the trucks, so Hassett wants to learn everything about them we can. What tools they carry. What materials they haul. How far they haul them, and under what conditions. Now, when contractors come in to discuss their truck requirements and options, Hassett is already wise to their needs – and can fill them better. That’s building a relationship that goes beyond the sale.

You also know about Hassett’s award-winning customer service (we just told you!), but did you know we want to meet you whether you’re buying a car or not? More and more past, current and future Hassett customers are signing on to our growing Social Media network, which includes Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages. Learn about upcoming deals and programs at our sprawling Sunrise Highway emporium, discuss personal Hassett experiences or just talk cars – however they tune in, this lively association of auto enthusiasts expands each day, and Hassett is thrilled to connect with and learn from each new friend.

When you’re No. 1, there’s always someone looking to take you down. That’s why Hassett of Wantagh always strives to put the customer first, ensuring that along with exceptional vehicles and superior deals, our customers and friends enjoy an outstanding car-buying experience. The greatest selection, the best prices and exemplary customer service that goes way above and beyond – when we say Hassett Has It, that’s what we’re talking about.

Posted in Community Outreach, Events, Ford, Hassett Automotive, Lincoln, Mercury, Monthly Spotlight on Hassett, Subaru, Trucks | No Comments »

Hassett & Shawnee Mt. Host Winter Adventure

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Record-shattering blizzards? Endless gray skies? Short, cold days and long, frigid nights? Don’t despair: Hassett of Wantagh is beating back the winter blues with an especially adventurous event.

It’s all downhill at Long Island’s most exciting Subaru dealer, where the Ski Hassett Subaru and Save event is gearing up for its big run. February may be the coldest month of the year, but the deals have never been hotter on one of America’s most popular makes. And through a special agreement with Hassett’s friends at Shawnee Mountain, everyone who purchases a new Subaru in February receives two lift tickets for a free day of fun at “the Poconos’ Favorite Ski Resort!”

From the weather-whipping Forester to the back-road-besting Outback, from the edgy WRX to the dynamic Legacy to the urban-legend Tribeca, all trendsetting Subaru models feature four-wheel independent suspensions for optimal handling, plus Subaru’s patented Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. And at Hassett Subaru, free Shawnee lift tickets make these outstanding vehicles even more special.

“Customers should take advantage of this fabulous promotion,” says John Fanuzzi, Hassett’s Subaru sales manager. “You take your rugged new Subaru up a mountain and you hit the slopes, and the skiing is on us. It’s terrific.”

A top dealership like Hassett naturally has friends in high places, so Hassett is thrilled to team with Shawnee on this special offer. Featuring 23 trails, terrain parks for all skill levels and the popular Pocono Plunge Snow Tubing Park, the East Stroudsberg, Pa., resort represents the best of the Poconos – the perfect winter adventure to break in your new action-packed Subaru!

Ski Hassett Subaru and Save also features “the best lease options ever on all Subaru models,” according to John, including the 2010 Outback – Motor Trend’s Sports Utility of the Year – and the rest of Subaru’s super-sleek, super-safe line. Subaru was the only manufacturer to receive 2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models.

Just one of many reasons, he adds, why Subarus continue to achieve new popularity among American motorists.

“Hassett’s Subaru sales were up last year over 30 percent,” John says. “Subaru is one of the only manufacturers with a year over year sales increase, whereas most automakers, even Toyota, were down.

“The redesigned Forester and the redesigned Outback Legacy are extremely popular cars,” he adds. “With all the latest technologies and safety features, it’s a whole different world.”

Ski Hassett Subaru and Save runs throughout February. For more information, visit www.hassettautomotive.com, or stop in and chat with John, or any of Hassett’s friendly representatives. See you on the slopes!

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Party On: New Lincolns Roll into Hassett Oct. 15

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

You know that Lincoln you’ve always wanted? It’s waiting to meet you at Hassett of Wantagh’s biggest Lincoln party of the year.

Hassett, Long Island’s No. 1 volume Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer, is proud to present A Star-Studded Evening, your best chance ever to drive off in a brand-new Lincoln MKZ or MKS, or to snag an all-new MKT – with terms and incentives sure to dazzle even the most savvy shopper. A Star-Studded Evening, a nationwide Lincoln sales extravaganza, kicks off at 5:30 pm Oct. 15 at Hassett, located at 3530 Sunrise Highway in Wantagh.

Hassett’s friends and fans will tell you this dealership knows how to throw a party. But A Star-Studded Evening raises the bar – bigger deals, bigger attractions and bigger prizes, including the no-purchase-necessary Star-Studded Sweepstakes, a winner-take-all in-person drawing for a home-theater package including a stunning 65-inch plasma screen and state-of-the-art Blu-ray player.

The real stars of the evening, though, will be the exquisite automobiles. Hassett of Wantagh is the first dealership to take delivery of the all-new 2010 Lincoln MKT, a seven-passenger crossover, along with the blistering hot 2010 MKZ and MKS sedans – three of the finest machines ever to conquer American roads.

With the exclusive panoramic fixed-glass Vista Roof™, available navigation system with integrated Sirius Travel Link™ and the Sync ® voice-activated communications and entertainment system, the all-new, all-hot Lincoln MKT is the ultimate combination of performance and fuel economy. Featuring three rows of total luxury for the driver and six passengers, a 3.5-liter Ecoboost™ twin turbocharged direct-injection V6, adaptive cruise control and a collision-warning system, the MKT is one giant leap for luxury crossovers – and thanks to A Star-Studded Evening, one small step from your driveway!

The 3.5L Ecoboost™ is also featured on the brilliant 2010 MKS – the first full-size luxury sedan to boast the boost. With the thrust of a V8, the thirst of a V6 and lavish amenities such as heated and cooled front seats, rear-window power sunshade and leather trim, there’s no more comfortable ride. With high-tech features like the exclusive Intelligent Access push-button starter, voice-activated navigation system, THX II-certified surround sound and the Sync ® communications and entertainment system, there’s no finer luxury sedan.

Sirius Travel Link™, the Sync ® system, the climate-controlled seats … you’ll find all the bells and whistles inside the stunning 2010 MKZ. But Lincoln’s sportiest and most affordable model has something even its bigger siblings don’t – an exhilarating zip that only America’s leading luxury automaker can deliver. From the Blind Spot Information System™ (with Cross Traffic Alert) to the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive to the sport-tuned suspension, everything about the MKZ is designed to provide the ultimate driving experience – and we haven’t even mentioned the phenomenal fuel economy, the six-speed SelectShift™ Automatic transmission, the Quietcraft™ interior…

Nobody combines luxury and performance like Lincoln. And nobody throws a party like Hassett of Wantagh. Food, drink, fun with the WKJY radio crew, the Star-Studded Sweepstakes and fantastic package deals on the planet’s sexiest luxury vehicles – that’s how Hassett gets down. Come on by from 5:30 pm to 9 pm Oct. 15 … we’ll show you.

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Adventure! Romance! And some wicked new cars!

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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It’s like a Hollywood movie premier! Only it’s not Hollywood, it’s Wantagh. And it’s not a movie, it’s the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy and 2010 Subaru Outback. And it’s not a premier … but it is a major event.

OK, so, it’s not at all like a Hollywood movie premier. But for driving enthusiasts and anyone looking for a great deal on new wheels, it’s a bona fide blockbuster.

September 24 is the day and Hassett of Wantagh is the place for the 2010 Subaru Love at First Sight Preview Event. Hassett is one of the first U.S. dealerships to take delivery of the shiny new Legacy and Outback models, and it’s pulling out all the stops for a one-night-only showcase filled with amazing cars, spectacular deals and a full slate of family fun.

DJ Jim Douglas and the WKJY staff are slated to emcee an event filled with music, food and fantastic prizes. But no spectacle (in Hollywood or Wantagh) is complete without romance and adventure, so the real stars of this show are the 2010 Legacy and the 2010 Outback.

Confident, dynamic and fun – that sums up the irresistible new Legacy, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick featuring enhanced stopping power, all-wheel drive performance, optional turbocharger for the zippy boxer engine and a spacious, totally redesigned interior. One test drive and you’ll see how thrilling a sedan can be – one look and you’ll fall in love all over again.

Climb behind the wheel of the new Outback and let the adventure begin! A bold new take on Subaru’s most rugged model, the Outback’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, higher ground clearance (8.7 inches), enviable fuel economy (29 MPG highway) and ready-for-anything options (fold-away roof rails, under-floor cargo storage, 12-volt outlets and more) let you tackle any driving challenge. Take it for a spin and you’ll know – the horizon has never been closer.

Making these attractive vehicles even more desirable is Subaru’s Guaranteed Trade-In Program (ensuring the highest possible trade-in price for your old Subaru, plus an additional $500 in Subaru Rewards) and a complimentary two-year maintenance program for all new vehicles purchased during the Love at First Sight event.

The fun and deals are scheduled to run from 5:30 pm to 9 pm at Hassett of Wantagh, located at 3530 Sunrise Highway. See you Thursday, Sept. 24, and remember: When it comes to spectacular romance and adventure, only Hassett Has It!

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2010 Taurus Premiere Event Photo Highlights

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

The star of the evening

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Raffles and giveaways were a big hit

Lucky the Duck from KJOY stopped in to say "hello", check out the newest cars and enjoy some refreshments

Customers got to check out all that the newest member of the Taurus line has to offer inside and out

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Visitors learned about all of Hassett's packages and incentives

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

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The Premiere of the 2010 Ford Taurus, June 9, 2009

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The folks at Hassett of Wantagh are celebrating the arrival of the newly redesigned 2010 Ford Taurus and everyone is invited in to share in the fun. Be one of the first to get a sneak peak at all of the outstanding features that the superbly crafted vehicle has to offer, before it officially hits showroom floors across the country.

Also on display will be the 2010 Fusion, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid (which gets an incredible 41 mpg) and the all-time favorite American classic, the 2010 version of the Mustang, which sports all-new styling inside and out.

This family friendly event takes place on Tuesday, June 9, from 6 to 9 PM at Hassett of Wantagh. All attending will enjoy musical entertainment from Long Island’s own KJOY, a visit by the Lucky the Duck, giveaways, food and beverages and an opportunity to enter a drawing to win a 2010 Taurus. Please RSVP to this invitation only event at www.hassettautomotive.com.

Remember, Hassett is Long Island’s No. 1 volume Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer! Hassett Has It!