Driving Green in Today’s Environment

With skyrocketing gasoline prices being what they are, the hazards of global warming, and the public’s concern about foreign oil, more and more automakers are offering electric, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles. While purchasing a green vehicle is a great start toward reducing the environmental impacts of driving. Of course, the vehicle you drive is the most important factor, but your driving habits and how well you maintain your vehicle will also impact the environment in a positive or negative way.
A Green house Gas (GSG) is any gas that, when released into the atmosphere, traps infrared radiation (heat) and causes a slow heating of the planet. The most common GHGs are: carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrous oxides (N 2 0). CO 2 makes up about 70 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, which is why many vehicles produce several times their weight in greenhouse gases each year. In fact, most of the fuel you put in your gas tank becomes GHG emissions!
Let’s face it – owning a car is a necessity in today’s world, so what kind of actions can you take to help you “drive green”?
In hot weather, park in the shade when possible and open doors and windows to cool the car off before you turn on the air conditioning. Window shades also help cut down on heat and sun damage. Use of AC increases fuel consumption, and involves using fluids that are potentially harmful to the environment.
Avoid driving in rush hour traffic. Start and stop driving increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants.
Go easy on the brakes and the accelerator. Jack-rabbit starts result in wasted fuel and releases more pollutants into the environment. Let your vehicle coast to a stop as much as possible and save wear and tear on your brakes.
Obey the speed limit. If you drive 65 mph instead of 55 mph, you will lower your fuel economy by almost 10 percent, and increase exhaust pollution output.
Instead of taking separate trips, combine them as much as possible. An engine that is already warm generates far less air pollution. Catalytic converters only work well when the exhaust has warmed them to a certain temperature. If you cold-start your vehicle and drive just two miles, the emissions are much higher than driving an additional two miles to stop at the grocery after your usual evening commute. Combining several short trips into one can make a big difference when it comes to driving green.
Use your tire gauge! Properly inflated tires are a must. Fuel economy decreases by about two percent per every three pounds below the recommended pressure. Check the air pressure regularly; especially before going on a long trip. Your tires will last longer, too.
A tune-up can have a substantial impact on your fuel economy. Check fluids, spark plugs, and the air filter. Change the oil (to go even greener, ask for recycled oil) and replace worn belts. Rotate the tires and have your wheels aligned for even tire wear.
Avoid topping off the gas tank after the automatic nozzle shuts off. Spilled gasoline is carcinogenic to breathe, evaporates into the atmosphere, and can leak into the ground, pollute the water, and poison wildlife.
Save on fuel and decrease pollution by biking or participating in a car or van pool to get to work, and share rides to and from the kids’ activities.
There are three particular dealer groups in Cincinnati Ohio that are leading the way in the “Green” crusade. The first of these groups are the Cincinnati Buick Dealers who are working on creating more environment friendly automobiles. The Cincinnati GMC Dealers along with the Cincinnati Pontiac Dealers are also becoming more involved in their efforts to be more “Green”.
By following these simple tips and guidelines, you can do your part to offset global warming and help the environment. Go green!

Leads, Leads and More Leads

Although the new car lead business has been around a long time, dealers are taking a new approach to driving quality prospects to their dealerships. With dozens of dealers competing for the same customers in a saturated marketplace of new and used car sales, dealers know they need to get a leg up on the competition.
Considering the fact that the average dealerships operate in the red, they know that getting back in the black isn’t easy to do. When dealers need to get leads fast, they find that approaches such email campaigns, search ads, microsites and advertised incentives can drive more leads through the door. Dealers are finding that other approaches such as Google PPC can be an invaluable source of for getting more prospects as well.
Market saturation, such as the Midwest markets of Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky, are a hotbed for aggressive online advertising. Particular General Motors franchises typically spend a greater portion of their overall advertising budgets in online advertising. Cincinnati Pontiac Dealers are leading the way in the online leads push. Not to be outdone in this highly contested market are the Cincinnati Buick Dealers followed closely by the Cincinnati GMC Dealers. These franchises pride themselves are quick, accurate responses to the leads and setting up face to face appointments.
A number of studies have been done that show that more than 60 percent of customers that send a lead to a dealer end up purchasing a vehicle. When generating leads, if the dealer chooses to utilize search engine marketing and if the leads are scrubbed for accuracy, dealers are able to receive a much higher level of quality leads. In addition, techniques such as Live Chat can be used to engage car buyers as soon as the lead is submitted. It doesn't matter if you are the biggest dealer or the smallest, a lead is a lead and comes with a customer plain and simple. If they don’t become your customer then they will become your competition's customer. Following up quickly and continuing to work the customer can mean the difference between closing the deal and a lost customer. With all the time and effort put into get customers to request a quote, a much bigger issue can be the lack of follow up once the lead is in the hands of the dealer. Every dealer hopes for a closing ration of no less than 50% which can easily be achieved with just a little training and effort on the part of sales personnel.
There are a number of companies such as Dealix, AutoBytel, and CarsDirect who have made their mark on the new car business by grabbing the attention of consumers and then connecting them to dealerships for a price. Their websites are well advertised and designed to get customers to submit for a quote. For most dealers the additional leads from a source such as this come at a premium cost per lead but may be worth the additional cost.

So bottom line is pick you source, work the leads and follow up again and again until the sale is made!