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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.

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Let’s Get to Work

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

It’s not a bird. It’s not a plane. But baby, it’s super.

And … you guessed it … Hassett Has It, in stock, right now.

Here’s something Ford knows that the other guys just can’t grasp: When it comes to their livelihoods, hardworking pros have no interest in compromise. Whether they’re executives at corporate HQ or bricklayers at bustling construction sites, professionals with half-an-ounce of work ethic don’t appreciate inefficiencies or excuses. They appreciate results. They do their best and they expect their team to do its best. They can’t waste time wondering if their tools are up to snuff – and if they’re working at that construction site, that definitely includes their trucks.

The F-series of pickup trucks has been America’s No. 1-selling vehicle for decades, and that’s no fluke: Ford has always poured its heart and soul (and considerable sweat equity) into its trucks. But even the mega-dependable, tough-as-nails evolution of the F Series trucks pales in comparison to the latest beasts of the line: The 2011 Super Duties, the ultimate Work Truck.

Start with a new powertrain that redefines tough: Tested over 250,000 miles in temperatures ranging from a frigid 40 below to a searing 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the new Super Duty train takes strength and reliability to new heights by locking down sealing capabilities and juicing up structural integrity. Whatever you need to haul, you’ll haul it better.

Of course, toughness alone doesn’t make a truck a Ford. These are Super Duties, so they better be strong. And they are: From best-in-class max towing capacity to new diesel engines equipped with center-mounted turbochargers for faster air displacement and reduced turbo lag, every Super Duty delivers extra power when you need it.

All right, tough and strong. A great start, and more than enough if you’re satisfied playing the offensive line. But if you want to call the signals – if you really want the ball – you need abilities. You need skills. And goodness, these Super Duties have skills.

How about Trailer Sway Control? Ford’s exclusive Hill Ascent feature? The patented Hill Descent Control™ system? How about SelectShift Automatic Transmission™, shifting that power where it’s needed most?

How about top-of-its-class fuel economy that’s achieved without sacrificing any torque or work capacity? Skills indeed.

And how about a line of available accessories that can easily customize your Super Duty to your specific needs? From a factory-installed Gooseneck Prep Package to the unique Electronic Locking Differential (splitting power equally to the rear axle and maximizing off-road traction), these behemoths back their brawn with brains.

Look, you either drive a Super Duty or you know you should. But don’t just take our word for it. It was the reviewers at www.macktruck.org that gushed how the 2011 Super Duty is “raising pickup truck standards.” It was www.4wheelnews.com that cited the 2011 Super Duty’s “best-in-class diesel” and said it was “getting raves for being powered by a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged engine that is B20 biodiesel compatible.”

It wasn’t us, but http://www.detnews.com/ suggesting the new Super Duties “won’t shy away from work, they relish it.” And we certainly don’t tell the respected thinkers over at http://www.edmunds.com/ what to think, but they were nonetheless “struck by how much more refined and quiet the Ford Super Duty was in comparison [to the 2010 Silverado].”

Speaking of the Silverado, click on over to http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/ and see the F Series in action against leading challengers Silverado and Ram … and see for yourself Why Ford, Why Now.

The all-new, all-business 2011 F-Series Super Duty is in stock right now at Hassett of Wantagh. When you’re done playing on the Internet, come in and grab yours. You’ve got work to do.

Posted in Ford, Trucks | No Comments »

THE LEGEND REBORN

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

The tagline reads “All Legend. No Compromise.” And as usual, Ford is as good as its word.

The 5.0 is back, big time, in the all-new, all-awesome 2011 Mustang – the newest and greatest incarnation of one of the top-selling vehicles of all time. Recent Mustang models have drawn on the car’s legendary look; now, Ford engineers pay homage to its iconic history as America’s all-time-champion muscle car.

The power that left the Challenger and the Trans Am in the dust is on full display in a 2011 model optimized for speed and performance. Re-mastered to deliver a dizzying 412 horsepower and a whopping 390 foot-pounds of torque, the new Mustang starts with 5.0 liters and never stops: Twin independent variable-cam timing provides topflight performance at any RPM, while everything from piston-cooling jets to high-flow dual exhaust to the lightweight aluminum engine block combines for an unprecedented display of power and efficiency.

Bottom line: This pony rocks.

“The Mustang is always a great car,” says Lou Evans, GSM at Hassett of Wantagh, where interest in the Ford mainstay is at an all-time high. “But this model is special. With the 2011, it’s all about speed … I mean, this car is fast.”

If an innovative, 32-valve V8 is this Mustang’s heart (305 horsepower V6 models are also available.) and a smooth, six-speed transmission is its soul, its masters wasted no effort prettying it up, either. This is the most luxurious pony ever to roll off the Ford line, a combination of classic looks, sleek upgrades and fantastic creature comforts sure to please every driver.

Start with eleven class-exclusive features, including the industry-first MyKey™ system, which allows you to enforce your own specific driving restrictions. Add the seamless, one-piece instrument panel; a floor console designed specifically for more-precise shifting; ambient lighting in seven available colors; and bright aluminum interior accent panels. Then spoil yourself with available navigation systems (featuring integrated SIRIUS Travel Link™) and the Ford-exclusive SYNC ® system, providing hands-free activation of your phone, music and more.

That’s when you understand how different this Mustang is. And with a starting MSRP of $22,145, the super-charged, super-cool ’Stang remains one of the easiest-to-afford luxuries you’ll ever own.

Come start your own legend at Hassett of Wantagh, where the exclusive Owner Advantage Program adds value to each and every great deal. But come soon … Lou, for one, expects the 2011s to fly off the lot.

“There’s truly never been anything like it,” he says. “Ford has really broken the mold.”

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“It” Lives!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

We tell you all the time that “Hassett Has It,” and it’s true … but what is “it,” anyway?

Anyone who’s ever been to Hassett of Wantagh knows we’ve got the cars. Anyone who’s ever dealt with us for repairs or maintenance knows we’ve got the service. And anyone who’s ever bought a vehicle from us knows we’ve got the best prices. They don’t just call us Long Island’s No. 1-volume Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Subaru dealer, you know.

Individually, none of these things are “it.” Not every dealership is as committed as Hassett to the best selection, the best service and the best prices, and these things are critical to our success, but they’re still not “it,” not entirely.

“It” can be hard to define. You definitely know when it’s there and you definitely know when it’s not, but it’s still difficult to pin “it” down. One thing is certain, though: You can’t fake “it.”

And when you’re as good as Hassett, you don’t have to. For instance, consider Hassett’s exclusive Owner Advantage Program: On top of the selection, the service and the prices comes this goody bag of complimentary benefits, which apply to every vehicle Hassett sells.

“The Owner Advantage Program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our loyal customers, and our way of saying ‘come on in’ to new customers,” says Hassett General Sales Manager Lou Evans. “We know we have the best prices on the greatest cars, we know we have the most efficient and professional service facilities on Long Island, and we’ve always made friendly and timely customer assistance a priority. But the Owner Advantage Program is the cherry on top … it’s our version of above-and-beyond.”

For a seven-time consecutive winner of the Ford Motor Co.’s President’s Award for Customer Service and a repeat winner of the Subaru Stellar Performer Award, improving customer service can be a daunting challenge. The Owner Advantage Program, therefore, had better be pretty special.

It is.

Free first service for all new and certified pre-owned vehicles. Every fifth oil change free. Unlimited free car washes for the first month of ownership. Free loaner cars available for scheduled service visits. Saturday service hours. Round-the-clock roadside assistance for all new vehicles. Exclusive access to Long Island’s largest parts inventory and the Island’s most skilled commercial truck service facility.

Add to these impressive benefits instant cash off on your next Hassett purchase, a rewards program offering five percent in service/parts credit for every dollar you spend and a plethora of impressive, vehicle-specific incentives – free first-year service and a 4-year, 50,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty on all new Lincolns, and a three-year, 3-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on all new Ford, Mercury and Subaru vehicles – and you have the finest customer-appreciation package available.

You have the Hassett Owner Advantage Program. You have Hassett’s definition of “above and beyond.”

You have “it.”

Posted in Awards and Special Recognition, Ford, Hassett Automotive, Lincoln, Mercury, Monthly Spotlight on Hassett, Subaru, Trucks | No Comments »

The Car Guy

Monday, April 26th, 2010

John Fanuzzi does not play golf.

He doesn’t collect stamps, or dress up to reenact Civil War battles, or do much fishing.

Hassett of Wantagh’s Subaru sales manager, in fact, claims only one hobby – one you might expect from a dude who’s been in the auto business since 1972.

“I’m car crazy,” John says, and it shows, whether he’s at Hassett discussing the Outback’s Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year Award or at home fiddling with his classic car collection.

John’s award-winning stash includes a 1966 Ford Mustang convertible and a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR-7, each restored to its original glory. While the ’Stang has been “retired” by the Mustang Club of America – it’s won so many awards in the six years he’s owned it, the MCA bestowed this highest honor – it’s still a prominent part of John’s beloved pastime, right there with the Cougar he’s perfected over 20 years.

“It was my first classic car,” he says of the XR-7. “I’ve loved automobiles all my life. I remember driving around with my dad, sitting in the backseat naming all the different makes and models we saw on the road. I decided when I got out of college that I should pursue an automotive career.”

And he did, selling his first car in 1972 and fanning the flames in his spare time as well. “This is my golf game,” John notes, though it’s not like he stepped up to the first tee and ripped a 300-yard drive down the fairway.

At first, he admits, he was a clueless car collector: “I really didn’t know what I was doing. For instance, I had the Cougar painted but I didn’t do the engine compartment.”

John quickly shifted gears. He learned his game well, and eventually the Cougar enjoyed a “ground-up restoration” – everything was rebuilt and restored according to factory specifications, making the car “as close to new as possible,” he says. “To take a car that’s over 40 years old,” he says, “and have it look better than a brand-new car … that’s really saying something.”

For competition purposes, exterior aesthetics rule, so “having the original tires and wheels and the original mirror and things like that is critical,” John notes. “On my Cougar, even the original grill was restored.”

The result was a precision instrument in pristine condition, worthy of first-place awards at “concours shows” around the Northeast. The XR-7 has taken first place at the Rhinebeck (NY) Car Show, the Old Westbury Gardens Concours Show and Long Island’s Vanderbilt Invitational Concours, among other prestigious showcases.

Nothing to sneeze at, but not quite as impressive as John’s Mustang, a crown jewel worthy of any collection. The ’Stang was restored to what John calls “gold-trailered standards,” indicating it’s as close to assembly-line perfect as possible. “Everything has to be factory correct,” John notes, “from the spark plugs to the tires.”

This advanced TLC has resulted in six national and three grand-national awards from the MCA, atop a heap of other first-place nods. These are ultimate honors for an enthusiast like John, especially since maintaining classic cars to this degree is never easy.

“Getting the right parts is tough,” he says. “Original polyglass tires, for instance … they are not made anymore, so you have to really pursue it to find places that have them.”

John’s obviously serious about his hobby, as serious as he is about his work at Hassett. While Hassett is Long Island’s No. 1 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealer and John obviously has a history with Fords and Mercury’s, his professional focus is on Subarus – and he tackles this task with the same enthusiasm and knowledge.

“Subarus are great cars,” he says. “The International Institute for Highway Safety awarded Subaru the only manufacturer with 2010 Top Safety Picks for all models. The Outback was recently named Motor Trend’s 2010 Sport/Utility of the year, making Subaru the first car company to take home Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility twice in a row.”

There’s no questioning the reliability, safety and fun of a new Subaru. For John, one of the many keen and dedicated enthusiasts on Hassett’s staff, Subarus are the perfect match to those classic beauties filling the garage in his heart.

Posted in Ford, Hassett Automotive, Monthly Spotlight on Hassett, Subaru | 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 »

Fiesta, Forever

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

It’s a European sensation. It’s the hottest thing to roll off the Ford assembly lines in a generation. And as it prepares for its U.S. debut this summer, it has domestic driving enthusiasts licking their lips and lining up, without reservation.

Actually, they’re doing it with reservations, but without hesitation, thanks to the nationwide Fiesta Reservations program. Part marketing drive, part grass-roots movement, Fiesta Reservations allows drivers to build their own Fiesta online, arrange priority order handling, receive personalized vehicle updates and qualify for a no-charge SYNC ® entertainment/communications system, as well as a free upgrade to premium sound – all leading up to ownership of Europe’s favorite new subcompact.

Projected to lead its class in fuel economy (30 mpg city/40 highway), Fiesta is proving how exciting efficiency can be. With a peppy 1.6-liter Duratec engine, twin independent variable-cam timing and an available six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, Fiesta moves with a purpose. But the unexpected power is just the beginning: Consider the Ford-tuned suspension and other technological marvels, including the electric power-assisted steering – which compensates for cornering forces and speed changes to maintain weight and maximize fuel efficiency – and the new “active nibble control,” which overcomes minor steering wheel variations by introducing a nibble-canceling torque.

In short, this driving machine is built to perform. But what truly pushes Fiesta to the head of its class are its creature comforts – amenities usually reserved for more luxurious levels. Available leather-trim seats, Intelligent Access with push-button start, standard multifunctional LCD display and that super SYNC ® system (featuring hands-free Bluetooth-enabled phone, voice-activated music search, audible text messages, turn-by-turn navigation capabilities, real-time traffic updates and personalized news, weather and sports reports) enhance the Fiesta driving experience.

With Fiesta Reservations pouring in from around the country, the excitement is already building at Hassett of Wantagh, according to General Sales Manager Lou Evans.

“It’s very rare that a car like this comes along,” Lou says. “Not only a great car, not just a great driving experience or a really efficient model, but a vehicle that creates so much enthusiasm in advance. People are genuinely excited about this car.”

Perhaps the most exciting feature of all, Lou adds, is the price. With all those engineering wonders, all the high-tech innovations and that incredible fuel economy, you might expect to pay through the nose. But the four-door Fiesta – available in both sedan and hatchback models – has a starting MSRP of only $13,320.

“At that price, this car is going to be a massive seller,” Lou says.

All the more reason to stop by Long Island’s No. 1-volume Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealer today and learn more about the fabulous new Fiesta – or visit www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta and make your own Fiesta Reservation. You can also learn more about Fiesta on YouTube and follow the vehicle on Twitter.

But no matter how you bone up on the hottest car of 2011, remember – Hassett Has It!

Posted in Awards and Special Recognition, Ford | No Comments »

“Reduce, reuse, recycle.”

Friday, January 15th, 2010

It’s the mantra of a world going green … but an auto dealership? That depends on the dealership, of course. At Hassett of Wantagh – where the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the North American International Auto Show’s prized Car of the Year, is among the best sellers – reducing, reusing and recycling take entirely different meanings, and important ones at that.

Namely: Reduce your expenses, reuse some of the highest-quality automobiles in the world and recycle your enthusiasm for the car-buying process.

Hassett is giving older cars new leases on life through its well-stocked and meticulously maintained Pre-Owned Division. According to Pre-Owned Sales Manager Sal Rivela, the division is tearing it up of late – a sign, Sal suggests, of a national economy on the mend.

“Things were so bad last year, and a lot of buyers stayed away,” he says. “Now they’re coming back, and they’re looking at pre-owned first as they try to stay within a budget.”

That’s never been easier at Hassett, where up to 100 top-quality pre-owned vehicles are waiting for a new home. Makes and models of every shape and size – four-cylinders or six, practical mid-sizes or sporty convertibles, even the coveted Shelby GT500 – are readily available, along with “the biggest inventory of pre-owned Ford Mustangs on the Island,” according to Sal.

“We specialize in Mustangs,” he adds. “They’re the hottest cars right now.”

Pre-owned Ford Explorers are popular among those in the market for an affordable and reliable SUV, Sal notes, while pre-owned pickups – particularly Ford’s super-tough F-250 – are also showing resiliency.

Every vehicle in Hassett’s Pre-Owned Division undergoes a 131-point checkup, an exhaustive battery of tests designed to optimize the vehicle’s residual value and street life. The best of the best become Hassett Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, with six-year/100,000-mile warranties, 24-hour roadside assistance, lower interest rates – currently as low as 3.9 percent – and even a full tank of gas.

And for every pre-owned vehicle Hassett offers, the dealership provides a Carfax report at no charge. “We have absolutely nothing to hide,” Sal says.

Longtime customers expect nothing less from a dealership with a 26-year history of stellar service. And with Hassett offering top-dollar for trade-ins and planning a bevy of pre-owned specials for the coming President’s Week sales bonanza, the time is right to come in and check out the deals.

“These are great cars,” Sal says. “And the best part: They’ve already gone through depreciation. When customers go with one of our certified pre-owned cars or trucks, it’s all about short- and long-term savings … and finding the perfect vehicle, at exactly the right price.”

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