Wilson Auto Group

January News

2012-01-09T11:32:00.000-06:00

Up 87% in Kia sales! Up 45% in Hyundai sales! What more can we say except....THANK YOU! 2011 was a great year for Wilson Auto Group and we look forward to serving our customers in 2012. With over 1000 new Kia's and Hyundai's sold, Wilson Kia and Wilson Hyundai on Lakeland Drive is one of the largest Kia/Hyundai dealerships in the nation. We are so thankful for your support and business.

One of our highlights of 2011 was opening our high-line used car operation at the former Paul Moak location on I-55 and Steed. We opened The Wilson Premier Collection in November and the response has been phenomenal. We will be having a grand opening all month during January and invite you to stop by and just look around and see all the nice nearly new Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura as well as nearly new Hyundai's and Kia's. Our service team is EXCELLENT there and we invite you to try it out. We service all makes and models but specialize in highline, Kia and Hyundai.

www.wilsonpremiercollection.com

In other news, we started Saturday service in June and discontinued it recently because of lack of support. It just was not being used by our customers and my workers were here an extra day but mostly standing around for lack of cars being brought in. We may try it again at a later date but it would seem that folks value their Saturdays too much to spend them getting their cars serviced.

2011 brought many new models to our showrooms. This time last year we didn't have the all new Hyundai Elantra, the beautiful Equus luxury car, the Sonata Hybrid or the sporty new Veloster. Likewise, we hadn't gotten the all new Kia Optima mid-size sedan or the Forte 5 Door or the all new Rio small car. We are so thankful for Kia (www.kia.com )and Hyundai (www.hyundai.com ) and the great vehicles they are building and their generous 10year/100,000 mile warranty. And most of our Kia's and Hyundai's are built right here in the deep south in West Point Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama.

Please let me know if I can be of service.

Doug Wilson

CEO

Wilson Auto Group, Inc.

dba Wilson Hyundai and Wilson Kia on Lakeland

Wilson Premier Collection

2011-12-14T10:38:00.003-06:00

Thank you for a great year in 2011! We are blessed to be able to serve your transportation needs!!!
…whether it’s a new Kia or Hyundai, used car, Certified Pre-owned Kia or Hyundai or an exotic Mercedes, BMW, Lexus from our new Wilson Premier Collection…. or just service/parts on your existing vehicles.

By the way, Wilson Premier Collection service is NOW OPEN and has great staff to service your BMW, Mercedes, Kia or Hyundai (or any make) at our super nice new facility in Madison County!

If you or someone you know is in the market for a vehicle, I just bought 10 program cars yesterday! We can make a great deal on these as the market right here before Christmas is low. For instance, we bought two 2010 Accent's to sell for just 11,995 or $184 a month!
$184 a month, 72 months at 5.5% apr, only $695 down cash or trade. And you not only have a small $184 car payment, you’ll enjoy the benefits of our 10yr/100,000 mile warranty, cheap tag and insurance costs in addition to great 30+ MPG fuel economy!

Also....used 2011 Sonata's...35 mpg HWY and now only $19,990.

Used 2011 Genesis sedans....V-8, Tech package, loaded with navigation, leather, sunroof. This car new is $46,000....these program/used ones are now priced at only $32,000.

Also at The Wilson Premier Collection, (yes we are open) we have 30+ BMW's, Mercedes, Lexus, Volvo and others on the lot at tremendous savings. Most 2-3 years old, still in factory warranty, clean Carfax, no paintwork and HALF the cost of a new one! Drive a quality BMW or Mercedes at half price! That’s why we say, “Luxury for less at the Wilson Premier Collection”.

Visit our website for specifics, 16 photos, prices and current availability at www.wilsonpremiercollection.com

Merry Christmas...inbox me if I may be of assistance!

Doug Wilson
CEO
Wilson Auto Group, Inc.
www.wilsonautogroup.com
________________________________________________________________________

December News

2011-12-02T10:38:00.000-06:00

The great news from here at Wilson Kia (www.wilsonkia.com and www.facebook.com/wilsonkia), our YTD sales are up 88.3% over 2010!
At Wilson Hyundai (www.wilsonhyundai.net and www.facebook.com/wilsonhyundai ), our YTD sales are up 41.5%!

We thank everyone who helped make that possible from customers, employees and our great manufacturer partners who build such highly desirable vehicles. Our used car inventory is available at www.wilsonautos.com

In November we also opened "The Wilson Premier Collection" which is an upscale used car operation on "car row" along I-55 North in Madison County MS. (www.wilsonpremiercollection.com ) There we stock the nicest, most desirable cars in the world...usually 2-3 year old ones at up to 50% off their original price! It is going great and we have assembled a great team up there in sales as well as service.

Nationally, here is the automobile industry news:

For automakers and dealers, November sales were at their best monthly rate since August of 2009, when Cash for Clunkers was in full swing. The surge is partially credited to black Friday shoppers, who turned out at some of their highest levels in recent years to take advantage of great deals.
Hyundai’s sales were up 21.8 percent; Kia was up 39.1 percent; Nissan was up 21.5 percent; and Mercedes Benz had its best November ever with sales of 27,841 units, up 42.6 percent from a year ago. Toyota, well on its way to recovery from March’s earthquake and tsunami, was up 6.7 percent and picked up a point in market share. Honda continues to struggle, now with supply issues caused by flooding in Thailand, and saw sales fall 6.2 percent from November 2010.
“Bolstered by falling unemployment rates and attractive deals, consumers who had been deferring automotive purchases returned to dealerships in droves last month,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “Dealers are optimistic that last month’s numbers bode well for 2012.”

(source AIADA Dec 2, 2012)

I wish everyone a joyful and prosperous Holiday Season full of Joy, Hope and Love!

Doug Wilson
CEO
Wilson Auto Group, Inc.
www.wilsonautogroup.com

October News!

2011-10-18T11:27:00.001-05:00

Car sales for Sept:
GM +20%
Ford +9%
Chrysler +27%
Toyota -18% (fifth straight decline of 13% or more) Honda -8% Nissan +25% Hyundai 12% Kia +18%

Here at Wilson Hyundai, our YTD Hyundai sales are up an incredible 45.9% over last year.
At Wilson Kia, our YTD Kia sales are up 95.3%!

This is a great time to be a Kia and Hyundai dealer. Inventory has loosened up a lot since the summer and we now have a great selection of the hot-selling Hyundai Elantra's, Sonata's, Santa Fe....even the all new 2012
Veloster. We have 3 Veloster's in stock and 12 more coming so October will
be a great time to buy.

On the Kia side, we have seen record allocations of the hot selling Kia Sorento and Kia Optima; both built at Kia's tech-savvy plant in West Point, Georgia...right here in the USA!
Please call on me if we can serve your transportation needs.

September News

2011-09-07T10:09:00.001-05:00

August was a tough month with all the debt ceiling crisis threatening to cast the USA into default on our $14Trillion dollar debt, the resultant WILD swings in the stock market and fresh threats of a new recession. However, Wilson Hyundai and Wilson Kia on Lakeland persevered and had a great month with over 135 new and used vehicles sold.

Our used car department has really perked up with all these nice, clean, low-mileage trade-ins we are recieving due to the "hot" nature of our Kia and Hyundai product lines. Our full used car inventory with prices, 20+ photos and more can be seen at www.wilsonautogroup.com

We are excited as we head into September with a fresh shipment of 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV's that we have specially priced at only $19,995. That is unheard of in the car business....SUV's for under $20,000! And these are not left-over 2011's...brand new 2012's, automatic, air, tilt and cruise, power windows, power door locks...even am/fm/CD/Satellite stereo system and our famous 10yr/100,000 mile warranty....all for just $19,995...and we have several AT THAT PRICE. Not one stripped model. Several, fully equipped and all on sale in September at the advertised price of just $19,995!

Wilson Kia is also having a sale on SUV's...our famous, MADE IN THE USA, 2012 Kia Sorento with 7 PASSENGER SEATING (3rd row of seats), automatic, air, power windows and door locks, tilt and cruise plus a great stereo system with CD/am/FM and Satellite radio. All for the low price of just $23,995. Try finding a 7 passenger SUV for that price. And we have 38 Kia Sorento's to choose from.

Thank you for all your support. Please email me if I may be of service at doug@wilsonautos.com

Doug Wilson
CEO

Wilson Auto Group, Inc.

dba Wilson Hyundai

Wilson Kia on Lakeland

(near Dogwood Festival Mall and the Jackson Airport)

4200 Lakeland Drive

Jackson MS 39232

(601)914-4200

www.wilsonautogroup.com

July Newspost

2011-07-08T09:54:00.001-05:00

June ends and so does the first half of 2011. Hard to believe this year is half over already!

Wilson Hyundai's YTD sales are up over 43% over 2010 while Wilson Kia's sales are up a whopping 113%. Our product lineup of fuel efficient small to mid-size sedans and SUV's are just what the market wants right now.

We are so thankful for all our faithful friends,loyal customers and our enthusiastic employees who have made this year our best ever in the automobile business. It is fun to be a Kia and Hyundai dealer right now and we have something going for us that is very precious....MOMENTUM and a CAN DO attitude.

June 2009 was a dark time in our country as we were in the throes of a serious recession and both GM and Chrysler were in bankruptcy. Locally, my Dodge franchise was terminated at a very precarious time after over 20 years as a Dodge dealer...being the #1 Dodge dealer in the entire state of MS for 15 of those years.
Now, with the advantage of hindsight, all I can say is THANK YOU. What some meant as evil towards our company has turned into the best thing that has ever happened and we are so grateful. In the bible, Romans 8:28 says "God works all things out for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purposes" I think I could be a walking/talking real life example of that. We are so blessed and thankful.

Hyundai is building a great car. The Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Elantra, Santa Fe and Tucson are all hot sellers. The all new 2012 Hyundai Accent is just now arriving (40 mpg!!) and we have them introductory special priced starting at just $14,995....with AC and Power windows! The all new luxury flagship, Equus, is selling well...I never thought we'd be selling $60,000 sedans at full price with no incentives but this car offers so much value at $30,000 less than a comparably equipped Lexus LS460, it is apparent to smart shoppers.

On the Kia side, the USA built (in the deep south in a brand new, technologically advanced 2200 acre plant in West Point, GA) 2012 Kia Sorento is selling well. Now with an improved gasoline direct injection engine that produces "BEST IN CLASS" fuel economy, we are certain that it will do even better in its second year. We have over 40 brand new Sorento's to choose from and a July special running for just $249 a month.

Kia Soul and Kia Forte both have been stellar sellers as well. With Kia Motors Finance aggressive lending and our good relationship with them, we are getting "less than perfect" credit buyers financed with a nationwide company at great rates without all the subprime hassles. Apply online at www.mscarloans.com or our website www.wilsonkia.com . We would love to help you.

Thank you again to all our customers, friends, employees and citizens for your support. Whether you bought a car from us or just said a nice word about us to someone in the market; we appreciate you.

Please call on me personally if I may be of service in your transportation needs.

Sincerely,
Doug Wilson
President/CEO
Wilson Auto Group, Inc.

April News

2011-04-12T17:00:00.001-05:00

Wilson Auto Group sales were up 46% over February 2011 and up 57% over March 2010. YTD our Hyundai sales are up 27% over last years first quarter and our Kia sales are up a whopping 208%!

I just got back from Las Vegas and the Hyundai National Dealer meeting. What an inspired and excited dealer body! I believe 90% of all Hyundai dealers were there and the atmosphere with Hyundai's new products, fuel efficiency leadership and sales momentum was electrifying!

Our newest baby, Accent, will be for sale in a few weeks along with the new Sonata Hybrid, giving Wilson Hyundai two more 40 MPG vehicles. Veloster will follow this summer and it is quite impressive in person...another 40 MPG hit coming soon.

April is destined to be a great month as gas prices have car shoppers thinking small to med-sized cars/SUV's which is the heart of our product line-up. New Sonata's start at just $19,990 and new Tucson's are only $19,995....under $20,000 for a fuel efficient, roomy, safe and reliable Crossover SUV! AND...Wilson Hyundai has our best-ever selection of Tucson's.

Kia continues to have tremendous sales momentum and will set records in April with our largest selection ever of the hot-selling Kia Sorento SUV. Produced here in the deep south in West Point, Georgia, Sorento gets 29 MPG and is priced under $20,000! With the room, 5 star safety ratings, 10yr/100,000 mile warranty and great styling....Kia Sorento can't be beat and has been named by a promient consumer magazine as its "TOP FAMILY SUV"....ahead of Honda CRV, Toyota and Nissan.

Wilson Kia has a huge selection and they are all sale priced in April to "turn and earn". In addition, the fuel efficient Kia Forte is sale priced in April for ZERO down and just $269 per month. We are encouraging customers to take advantage of a return to the market of major sub-prime/near-prime lenders. With Forte's $1000 rebate used as down payment, we expect to put a record number of Forte drivers behind the wheel with low payments of just $269 per month.

In addition, the all-new Kia Optima is arriving in greater quantities and we are sellling them literally as they arrive off the truck.

Call us at (601)914-4200 or browse our entire inventory at www.wilsonautos.com

We expect a record April as we drive towards a fantastic year at Wilson Auto Group. Consumer confidence has returned, gas prices have given lots a new reason to trade and lenders have loosened up...how could this not be a great month?

Doug Wilson

President

Wilson Auto Group, Inc.

March SUV Madness

2011-03-09T09:58:00.001-06:00

For March, Wilson Hyundai and Wilson Kia on Lakeland have stocked up and sale priced the hottest, most fuel efficient SUV's on the market!

2011 Kia Sorento midsize SUV:

Stock #K1513591 with COLD Air-conditioning, power windows, power door locks, 6 speed transmission, tilt, cruise, am/fm/cd/SIRIUS Satellite stereo system…even has BLUETOOTH, Remote Keyless entry, 5 Star Safety and 6 Airbags. EPA rated at 20 city and 27 HWY. 10 Year/100,000 mile warranty! And not one stripped model....Wilson Kia has 8 AT THIS PRICE.

Retail price was $22,867….sale price $19,995 or $249 per month

2011 Kia Soul Crossover Utility Vehicle:

Stock #K2653331. Price is $13,995 or $159 per month

Equipment: COLD Air Conditioning, 26 MPG City/31 MPG hwy, 6 Airbags, Power Windows, Power Door locks and…a killer sound system: am/fm/cd/Sirius Stereo system! 10 Year/100,000 mile warranty! Under $14,000 with power windows and airconditioning!!!!

2011 Kia Sportage compact CUV:

10 Identically equipped to choose from…all with retail price of $23,217. Now priced for SUV Month at Wilson Kia at just $21,995 or $219 per month. Not a price leader...we have 10 AT THIS PRICE!

Equipped with: Automatic Transmission, fuel efficient 4 cylinder engine, power windows, power door locks, tilt wheel, cruise control, am/fm/cd/Sirius Satellite system. 10 Year/100,000 mile warranty! 22 mpg city and 31 mpg Hwy.

Other equipment: Bluetooth and 6 speed automatic.

Disclaimer for Kia examples on this page.

Tax and title extra, rebates applied, customer option. With approved financing thru Kia Motors Finance. 36 month lease with purchase option, $2399 due on delivery, 12,000 miles per year with credit approval.

Not to be outdone, Wilson Hyundai has loaded up on our fuel efficient Sonata's and SUV's too!

Hyundai March 2011 Examples:

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV Sale:

2011 Santa Fe ...MPG of 20/26 hwy with a V-6!!!! Loaded with: Automatic Trans, Power windows, power door locks, tilt, cruise, am/fm/cd/XM satellite stereo.

GLS, V-6 Stock #H0208151 Retail is $26,892….Sale Price is $21,995 Or $244 per month with $2399 due at signing. 36 month lease.

Hyundai Tucson SUV:

GL model. Stock # H243246-1 Equipment: Automatic Transmission, AC, PW, PDL, Tilt and Cruise, AM/FM/CD/XM satellite stereo system

MPG is 22 city and 31 Hwy. Retail is $22,032…sale price is 19,995 or only $218 per month.

36/ $218 per month/ $2399 cash DOD

31 mile per gallon on a SUV! With great styling, America's best warranty and Power windows and Automatic!

Hyundai Sonata:

2011 Sonata…not a SUV but a great deal and we need to keep the momentum going on our top selling Hyundai! Fully equipped with AT, AC, PW, PDL, Tilt and Cruise, am/fm/cd/XM satellite radio….$19,995 stock # H158669-1

Talk about selection!!!! We have 50 Sonata’s to choose from and they are EPA rated at 35 MPG HWY! Lease for 36 months at 199/36/ $2399DOD

Disclaimer for Hyundai examples on this page.

Tax and title extra, rebates applied, customer option. With approved financing thru Hyundai Motor Finance. 36 month lease with purchase option, $2399 due on delivery, 12,000 miles per year with credit approval.

We are prepared for a BIG MARCH!
You'll make the buy of a lifetime if you get one of these HOT BUYS!!!!!!

Doug Wilson

Dealer Principal

Wilson Hyundai

Wilson Kia on Lakeland

www.wilsonkia.com

www.wilsonhyundai.com

Dixie National Rodeo

2011-02-10T09:35:00.001-06:00

Dixie National Rodeo Sale
It's that time again....the biggest rodeo east of the Mississippi River...The Dixie National Rodeo. I have been involved in this rodeo as a sponsor way back as far as 1988 as a sponsor. Although we are no longer a truck dealer, we have hundreds of loyal customers who recognize our years of support for this huge MS event.

Fuel economy is getting more and more important as gas rises over $3.00 a gallon...and with the economy headed up...will only increase demand for fuel...further raising the price. Get ahead of the game and trade now for a fuel efficient Kia or Hyundai. And if you see us in February, you'll save like never before.

Kia specials:
2011 Sorento CUV's...now just $19,995....try to find a SUV for under $20,000 anywhere else!

2011 Optima's...all new and starting at just $18,995

2011 Soul's...the NBA's favorite vehicle and now sale priced at Wilson Kia for just $13,995!

In the Hyundai Showroom:
2011 Sonata's....now just 19,995....several to choose from...with automatic, air, pw, pdl, tilt and cruise...loaded and under $20,000!!!! no wonder its killing Camry and Accord in the marketplace!

2011 Santa Fe...been in short supply...now sale priced with a big selection...starting at only $22,990

Doorbuster sale!!!!! Loaded...hard loaded, V-8 Genesis..2009 North American Car of the Year...leather, smart cruise control, heated and airconditioned seats, NAVIGATION....hard loaded....choose from several...only $499 mo/36 mo lease/ $2399 due on delivery including sec deposti, first payment, everthign!

Come see us in February when you are in town for the Dixie National Rodeo...Mississippi's largest indoor event! Try out the great restaurants at Dogwood Festival Mall, Lakeland Drive and our adjacent area when you are in town.

All the Best,
Doug Wilson

Doug's November Newsletter

2010-11-09T12:35:00.002-06:00

Last week's mid-term elections seem to have sparked a good rally in the stock market and also increased the number of car shoppers we are seeing as well. Our economic recovery seems to continue although it’s not as robust as any of us would like. We are particularly blessed to be part of the incredible Hyundai and Kia success story in America.

Sales Update:
Nationally, Hyundai sales increase in October by 37.6% and Kia was up 38.7% in a market that overall was up 13.4%. Toyota continues to suffer due to recalls and blows to its quality reputation and was down 7.0%.
Here in Jackson, MS at Wilson Hyundai, our Hyundai new vehicle sales are up 51.7% year to date and our Kia sales are up 52.5% YTD.
Thank you Mississippi for your support!

Motor Trend (Dec 2010 edition) SUV of the Year Awards:
The SUV of the year awards from Motor Trend were just announced and the Porsche Cayenne was the winner but the Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Tucson all were prominently featured!

Of the Kia Sportage, Motor Trend said: "Over the past few years, Kia has made gigantic strides in building not just competitive but potentially segment-leading vehicles. The new 2011 Kia Sportage is no exception with its all-new exterior, interior, and drive train upgrades."

"Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design theme, which debuted on the second-gen 2010 Tucson, has paid big dividends...with year to year sales...jumped 131%...needless to say, Americans like 'em some Tucson." "value" "excellent fuel economy"

full article is online at www.motortrend.com

New Alabama-made product coming:
We are real excited about the new Elantra which is scheduled to arrive in our dealership in the next 60 days. It shares the "fluidic sculpture" design of the 2011 Sonata (sales up 125% nationally last month!) in a package/price to compete with Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in the huge volume compact car segment. I have personally seen this new car and cannot wait to get them. To build our allocation of the all new 2011 Elantra, we have bought extra 2010 Elantra's and are sacrificing the profit to earn allocation. Right now, with year-end rebates and our 2010 Model Year closeout sale...you can get a brand new Elantra for only $13,995...with AC, Power windows and lock, XM Satellite/CD stereo and much more!

Made in America!
CNNMoney.com article on American built content quotes Hyundai CEO as saying Hyundai will have over 80 of our vehicles built in America by this time next year....building our 3 top selling vehicles here. Ford builds its best-selling car in Mexico. Only 60-70% of GM's cars are built here...at 80%, Hyundai would build a higher percentage of its vehicles here (and in our beloved SOUTH!) than GM, Chrysler or Ford!

Sonata Turbo here:
The all new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo is here now at Wilson Hyundai. With 274 horsepower, it has more power than any of its competitors V-6's...plus gets better fuel economy than any of its competitors 4 cylinders! You read that right.

Kia Sorento leads the pack:
The all new 2011 Kia Sorento is Kia's best selling model and is built right here in West Point, Georgia on the Alabama/Georgia line. As a mid-size SUV/crossover, its great looks, incredible fuel economy, $19,995 price point and 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty is earning it a lot of fans!

New Facebook pages:
www.facebook.com/wilsonkia is our new Kia Facebook page and www.facebook.com/wilsonhyundai is our new Hyundai page. We have already given away tickets to Talladega, movie tickets, $25 gift cards to Stix Restaurant, SEC football tickets and have an IPOD contest going on now! Real people winning real prizes....plus car care tips, recipes and unadvertised vehicle specials. Come join the fun and look thru all the photos we post daily of happy new Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners!

Auto Press gets hands on newest car:
Automobile Magazine's December edition will include a story on the all new 2011 Kia Optima. Here what they had to say..."The 2011 Optima is a cleanly designed, elegant sedan that's missing not a pinch of visual appeal due to cost-cutting. It's roofline is worthy of a Jaguar, and its proportions are phenomenal. In fact, aside from its me-too fender vents, it looks unlike any other car on the road, and its easily the best looking car in its class." also said...."Kia is now clearly out front" "The power to surprise? We'll say."

Thanksgiving time:
Personally, I am so thankful for all the support from nice people like you who have supported us this year. We appreciate every single person who shopped with us, serviced their vehicle here or bought a new or used vehicle. We covet your business and strive to be worthy of keeping it and having another opportunity down the road. 2011 has been a great year for us at Wilson Hyundai and Wilson Kia and we owe it all to YOU!

Please do not think twice about contacting me if I may be of service in finding a new or used car, truck or SUV or if you need service/parts on your current vehicle...or just some unbiased advice on an auto-related matter.
My personal email is doug@wilsonautos.com

Hyundai article about taking on BMW

2010-10-19T17:45:00.001-05:00

Hyundai took on Toyota. Now for BMW.
Now the Harmons are a Hyundai family.
They already own two — a 2008 Santa Fe sport utility vehicle and a 2005 Elantra — and Mr. Harmon, a Chicago-area electrical contractor who owns several construction companies, has his eye on the Equus, a nearly $60,000 sedan that arrives in November.
“This will go head-to-head with the BMWs and Mercedes,” Mr. Harmon said. “If you test-drive all of them with your eyes closed, you’re going to pick the Hyundai.”
The idea that Hyundai could compete with luxury automakers would have seemed absurd two decades ago, when its low-quality cars made the South Korean company a laughingstock in the United States.
These days, rivals know not to underestimate Hyundai and its affiliate, Kia, which have been posting record sales during one of the auto industry’s most difficult periods.
“The challenge for the Korean companies is just to keep this winning streak going,” said James Bell, executive market analyst with the automotive information firm Kelley Blue Book. “In a lot of ways, they followed the Japanese model of how to succeed in the marketplace.”
But while Toyota and Honda built their empires largely on reliability and fuel economy, Hyundai and Kia have taken that formula a step further with a focus on making their vehicles attractive.
“You didn’t really buy a Toyota Tercel because it was a beautiful car,” Mr. Bell said. “The factor that the Koreans have added to that mix is styling.”
As a result, Hyundai and Kia are becoming a serious threat to the Japanese dominance of most passenger car segments. Hyundai’s midsize car, the Sonata, was the most researched vehicle in the country in May, according to Compete, a Boston research firm.
Sales of the Sonata, which accounts for one-third of Hyundai’s total volume, are up about 50 percent this year, while demand for the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord is down slightly. Even though the Camry and Accord remain tops in their segment, Hyundai has been closing the gap quickly.
Over all, Hyundai’s market share in the United States has increased to nearly 5 percent, from 3 percent in 2008. Kia’s share has grown to more than 3 percent, from 2.1 percent in 2008.
Together the two companies, which operate independently from each other in the United States but share some operations, now outsell the Japanese carmaker Nissan. In the second quarter, Hyundai was the fifth-most-considered brand in the country, bumping Nissan to sixth place, according to a Kelley Blue Book study.
Hyundai, Kia and Subaru of Japan were the only three automakers whose sales here increased in 2009.
Hyundai expects its United States sales to top 500,000 for the first time ever this year, as its rivals grapple with sales that are far below the level of several years ago, before the recession.
In fact, the recession has been a big reason behind the success that Hyundai and Kia have enjoyed in recent years. Their models are priced lower than most of the competition, but in better times many shoppers still might not have researched Hyundai or Kia enough to see what the vehicles offered.
“It gave us an opportunity to really reach some people who might not have looked at us before — people who would have defaulted into an Accord or Camry,” John Krafcik, the chief executive of Hyundai Motors America, said. “Times like these that force people to go deeper into the purchase analysis definitely favor us.”
David Champion, the director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, said shoppers who had not checked out Korean cars lately would probably be surprised.
“You’re not getting a bargain-basement car,” Mr. Champion said. “You’re getting a very well-equipped car with good reliability. Every new Kia and Hyundai that we’ve tried has been so much better than the previous model and really, really competitive.”
But for all their strides, the Korean companies still have work to do before they are broadly perceived to be among the industry’s elite brands.
“It’s still going to take time to get people into the cars and to spread the word of mouth,” said Mr. Champion, who described Hyundai’s foray into the luxury segments as selling “an Armani suit with a Wal-Mart label.”
Hyundai and Kia have been marketing themselves heavily to overcome outdated perceptions — in some cases filling voids left as the Detroit automakers pulled back on sponsorships and ads during big events like the Super Bowl.
“We didn’t use to see doctors and lawyers and that type of affluent buyer, because it just wasn’t socially acceptable to pull up in a Hyundai,” said Brian Malpeli, who has sold Hyundais since the brand’s early years and is the general sales manager at World Hyundai in Matteson, Ill. “But the more and more people start noticing us, the more they see the value in it.”
Mr. Harmon, who bought his Santa Fe at World Hyundai, says saving thousands of dollars to get what he considers a more enjoyable vehicle trumps any concerns about whether the brand is fashionable.
“I know what kind of quality I’m sitting in,” he said. “I don’t care if I pull up next to a Porsche in my Santa Fe, because he spent $110,000 for his, and I spent $30,000 for mine, and I like mine more than his.”
Article from: NY Times

August news from Wilson Auto Group

2010-08-05T10:25:00.002-05:00

Kia and Hyundai beat the industry in July sales:
Kia sales increased 20.7% and Hyundai was up 18.8% in an overall market up only 5.2% (from 2009 which was an anemic year). Honda was the big loser with sales decreasing 6.2%. Hyundai and Kia are both capacity constrained now or their sales increases would have been even more dramatic. Remember also that last July was the first month of the two month “Cash for Clunkers” program which artificially inflated sales in July and August 2009. Our Kia sales are up 78% YTD over last year and our Hyundai sales are up 292% YTD!

THANK YOU!
That’s all I have to say about the newly released SIGTARP report from the special investigator assigned to audit TARP funds and specifically the closure of thousands of dealerships last year at the request of the Obama Administration in exchange for getting billions in taxpayer money for GM and Chrysler to exit bankruptcy. We never would have voluntarily surrendered our Dodge franchise after over 20 years of building it up, but had that not happened, we would not be experiencing this surge in Kia and Hyundai sales. Sometimes the darkest hour REALLY IS just before the dawn of something beautiful! Thank you to all our friends and customers who encouraged us, shopped with us (even if you didn’t buy….you at least came and shopped us and gave us a chance). We appreciate the tremendous support from the community, the media and our loyal customers. You really find out WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE when you go thru tough times like we have been and still are going thru. It’s still a tough economy out there….but we are VERY THANKFUL to still be in business and have such fast growing manufacturers.

FREE INSPECTION STICKERS:
We are showing our thankfulness with a FREE inspection sticker offer to anyone regardless of where you purchased your vehicle. We do this for our customers for life and remind them on the month of the anniversary of their purchase which is when their sticker normally expires. No appointment necessary…just stop by either our main service building (Hyundai) or our Kia Service Building.

Straight from a customer’s mouth:
“I am writing to tell you about the wonderful experience that I had with your staff today. They were most helpful and were able to assist me with a car deal that Acura of Jackson was not able to perform. Your staff completed a trade for my 2004 Ford Explorer, and placed me in a vehicle with a monthly payment that fits my budget. This was the best car buying experience I have ever had. I will definitely recommend Wilson Hyundai, and Wilson Kia to my friends, family, church members and members of the health care community.

Good leadership is reflected in the results of teams that work together.
Congratulations on your teams ability to get the job done!”

Gas Mileage claim from a customer’s perspective:
Dear Doug,
My wife, Becky, and I just took a one day overnight trip to New Orleans, LA. You will be pleased to know that we went 452.6 miles on 11.4 gallons of gas. This includes at least 50 -100 miles of hard city driving..
We averaged nearly 40 miles per gallon !. That is with air conditioning !. The car performed extremely well in tight situations. I especially love the very tight turning radius.. I would highly recommend this car to anyone.
Signed,
A very happy Hyundai Elantra owner and customer of Doug Wilson Hyundai in Flowood.

December 16 Charity Auction Event:
We are planning a charity auction on Thursday December 16 to raise funds to off-set the expense of our plans to give-away 10 used vehicles ($4000-$5000 each) to working men and women in Madison, Hinds and Rankin Counties. Working with some of my friends who run faith-based organizations to determine the true needs, we hope to invest in the lives of 10 families and give them “working cars for working folks”. If you have a vehicle you would like to donate to this effort or want to attend the fundraiser, please email me personally and I will take care of it. This is going to be fun and with the benefit of well-known ministry leaders in Jackson, we will find folks who truly are deserving of a “leg-up instead of a hand-out”. We are excited about giving back to the community in this manner…it really is a true need. It’s next to impossible to get a job without a car and you can’t get a car without a job.

Doug’s recipe of the month:
With 100 degree heat outside and gardens ripening, my best meal lately was a fresh, cold salad of a mixture of fresh vegetables straight out of a friends garden. Tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, squash, zucchini….whatever you like and have in your garden or pick up at the farmer’s market or grocery…clean and cut em up….no lettuce! Makes a cold, wet, nutritious meal that is sure to put a big smile on your face on these hot Mississippi Summer nights! Enjoy! (We are also blessed to have friends/customers who we have serviced their cars for years stop by with a piece or two from their garden…yummy! Thank you for that and for allowing us to serve you).

SERVICE SPECIALS:
We would like to welcome Paul Bounds as our new Kia Service Manager. Greg Smith is concentrating solely on the main Hyundai shop and our used car reconditioning operations. Paul brings over 15 years experience to our Kia shop and while originally from MS, has been working in large service operations in Florida. We welcome him back home to be closer to his elderly parents and his roots! With that in mind, we have a super special good in both our Hyundai and Kia service areas in August:

GOOD
$26.95 OIL CHANGE
BETTER
$34.95 OIL CHANGE & TIRE ROTATION
BEST
$69.95 OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION & BALANCE
For an appointment, just email Paul at service@wilsonkia.com

Facebook:
Join our Facebook “group” which is “Wilson Auto Group”. We have over 1000 “friends” in our group and post pictures of new vehicles and friendly people on that special day when they take delivery of a new Kia or Hyundai or used car. Also, please “friend” me on Facebook and Twitter and keep up with what is going on with us from a personal standpoint. I like to share bible verses that impact me, inspirational quotes and encouraging thoughts….look me up and send me a friend request…Doug Wilson in Jackson MS.

Excited about August!
We asked for and got special extra allocation of the hot-selling 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Consumer Reports hit the newsstands this week and raves about the 2011 Sonata!), the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV (just awarded the IIHS Safest vehicle award) and the all new 2011 Kia Sportage. These are the hottest vehicles in the auto industry and we have over 100 of these in stock to prepare for a fantastic August! Plus August means Model year closeout on all remaining 2010’s. There is not a better time to buy than in August. Grab a killer deal on a 2010 before the selection gets too picked over….0% deals, rebates, discounts, lease deals…we have it all. I’ll buy the gas if you take a test drive, ok?

Thank You!
Thank you for the encouragement and thoughts as we all travel thru a season of economic hardship that has touched nearly all of us. If it don’t kill you, it makes you stronger, right?? I am a testament to the fact that it is true. As iron sharpens iron…tough times create a sharper edge that will make us all better in the long run.In the short term, we all have a better understanding of the importance of family, friends, love, laughter, our health and the areas we are so blessed in. Remember the mountain is defined by the depth of the valley!!!!

2010-07-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

News/Views plus a secret NY restaurant's Crab Cakes recipe....

Thank you for a great first half of 2010. It’s hard to believe that this year is over half over! But what a great year it has been. We are blessed to have great lines that are HOT!!!!
Hyundai
2010 255,782
2009 204,686
+25.0%
Kia
170,070
147,404
+15.4%
These are YTD numbers….Hyundai and Kia combined (we have both) have sold 425,852 vehicles so far this year…tracking 850,000 for the year!
Great new products, all-new Southern USA high-tech plants, award winning quality and our famous 10 year/100,000 mile warranty is the reasons for great success in an tough market.

Last year, when Chrysler (and GM) filed bankruptcy, we thought the end was near. But what a difference it makes to concentrate on our Kia and Hyundai lines. Our Hyundai and Kia sales are up over 200% this year and we have lots more room for used vehicles now. Life is good!

In July, we are offering specials on our 2011 Hyundai Sonata (over 100 sold by Wilson Hyundai so far this year) and 2011 Kia Sorento CUV (over 100 sold by Wilson Kia so far this year!). We have great lease specials as well as purchase specials and have found a super finance source that is purchasing car paper like the old days! J If you got good credit, we have been able to get 3.9% on regular deals as well as 0% thru Hyundai Motor Finance. Even with weak or soft credit, we are getting folks financed that a year ago we could not have helped. Let us prove we want your business.

Prices on NEW Hyundai’s and Kia’s start at just $8995 for a brand new 2010 car with 10 year/100,000 mile warranty! (you’ll pay more than that for a four-wheeler!) We want YOUR business.

Now for our recipe of the month from my old college friend Steve Laird’s restaurant in NY..

Chef Luis (from Painter’s Restaurant in New York) is divulging his legendary crab cake recipe this month ...he likes to serve them Latin style with a garlicky & spicy remoulade sauce....

LUIS' CRAB CAKES
serving 4 people
1 # jumbo crab meat
1 egg
3 tbspn mayonnaise
1 tbspn Coleman mustard
4 dash of Worcester sauce
5 tbspn fresh squeezed lime juice
1 cup seasoned French bread crumbs
(Luis uses a mix of south American and spicy Cajun seasonings)

MIX TOGETHER IN BOWL UNTIL YOU HAVE A SMOOTH CONSISTENCY

SEAR IN VERY HOT OLIVE OIL IN CAST IRON PAN 2 MINUTES EACH SIDE

LATIN REMOULADE
2 hard cooked egg yolks, sieved3 cloves garlic, crushed1 1/2 tbsp. Coleman’s mustard1 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1 tbsp. Worcestershire2 tbsp. paprika1 1/2 tbsp. horseradishHEALTHY Dash of Tabasco2 tbsp. vinegar1/4 c. finely chopped parsley Salt & pepper to taste

Please call on me personally if I can help with any of your transportation needs. Back to school cars, hard to find used cars and good service is my specialty. We want YOUR business!
Email me at doug@wilsonautos.com

2010-07-07T13:14:00.002-05:00

Driving Games for Kids

Summer is here, and with it comes the family road trip. In order to make the journey just as pleasant as the destination, Wilson Hyundai has come up with four driving games that you and your passengers can play along the way to keep children of all ages happy.

I-Spy
This is an oldie but a goodie. Have one person pick something that is either in the car or that is always in view as you head down the road and simply say, “I spy something that is….” Fill it in with a descriptive and let everyone else in the car try to figure out what it is.

Alphabet Game
Great for kids of all ages and a favorite at Wilson Hyundai, this game requires that you use license plates, road signs, and billboards to see who can get to the letter “Z” the fastest. To make it extra hard, try to do it with just license plates.

Hyundai Hit
An updated version of Slug Bug, this requires your car pool to be vigilant. Every time anyone sees a Hyundai, they’re to shout, “Hyundai hit!” Extra points are awarded if they find the same model as you’re driving.

Twenty Questions
Some of the associates at Wilson Auto Group aren’t sure if this one is a blessing or a curse, but it’s an old favorite. Pick something—anything—and see if your car pool can guess what it is. Popular questions include, “Animal, vegetable, or mineral?”

Be careful out there and be sure to visit our service pro's before heading out on the road. Underinflated tires cause more rolling resistance and thus more friction and heat buildup which leads to blow-outs. Tire blowouts can be dangerous and deadly...so make sure your tires are properly inflated before heading out on the road.

Doug Wilson
President
Wilson Hyundai
Wilson Kia on Lakeland
Jackson MS
601-914-4200

May news from Wilson Hyundai and Wilson Kia

2010-05-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

Wilson Hyundai And Wilson Kia on Lakeland May Newsletter
May 2010

No more Salespeople: We have changed our job description of our sales people to “Product and Marketing Specialists” and high productivity ones to “Product and Marketing Professionals”. With our new “no-haggle” pricing, we don’t have the need for the negotiating aspects of a salespersons job…now, at our store, it is all about knowing the products and our inventory in order to assure a good fit for the customer.

Now Hiring $26,000 starting salary Product Specialists:
The internet has made customers much more knowledgeable and our processes are changing to become more and more transparent. By hiring product specialists at $26,000 salary per year (with bonuses and incentives for high achievers) we will differentiate our store from all the others in customer treatment and internet processes.
If you know of someone who is good with people, honest, friendly and wants a steady sales type position with no travel, no Sundays, no night work and their own professional office, computer, phone in a fast growing business located in state of the art facilities…tell em to shoot us an email at opening@wilsonautos.com

May Markdown Mania!!
Wilson Hyundai and Kia on Lakeland is having a huge sale in May on our entire inventory.Mention this email and we’ll give you our best INTERNET price up front with no haggling.

Sonata’s selling well: The all new Sonata is going great. It’s on the front cover of Motor Trend in May plus USA TODAY also has extremely positive articles. Test drive one…on sale for just $19,995 with 35 MPG highway, high-end styling and our famous 10yr/100,000 mile warranty. Accents start at just $8995! Over 100 new Kia and Hyundai’s in stock right now…the biggest selection in the mid-south!

What A difference a year makes: Approximately a year ago on May 14, 2009, I got “the letter” when Chrysler was in bankruptcy. From that dark day came wonderful things and we will continue to love life selling Hyundai’s and Kia’s…as well as the extra room it has made for our expanded pre-owned inventory. This has been the best thing to ever happen to me….what looked like terrible timing, has been fabulous with the roll-out of new and improved Kia and Hyundai products (built in the USA) and the acknowledgement in the automotive press of the great quality, fresh styling and reliability of our products.

Thank you…If I can help you find a special used vehicle (or a new one), please email me.I am finding different clients low mileage Mini Coopers, BMW’s, Infiniti among others.
I buy most of my used cars online and have developed processes to find virtually anything.

May Recipe of the month:
I love May and especially how the fish bite like crazy in May. Not too hot yet and a great time to fish. Here is a recipe from my mom…one of the best cooks in the world…Honoring her for Mothers Day in May!!

Mom-N-Billy’s Pecan Encrusted Mississippi Fresh Bass Filets (or substitute other fish)

Catch, filet and remove skin from largemouth bass creating two skinless, boneless filets.
Crush approximately ¾ cup of pecans (for 2 filets) and season crushed pecans with lemon pepper seasoning, regular pepper, garlic powder.

Dampen fish and roll the filets in above mixture.
Pat it in the fish to make sure it sticks.

Put it in the oven 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes then turn oven on Broil for about 5-10 minutes.
Delicious!!!

7 Biggest Mistakes in car buying (and how to avoid them)

2010-03-24T16:57:00.003-05:00

7 Biggest Mistakes in Car Buying

1. Paying too much: The obvious one, right? There really are unethical sellers out there who overcharge. There are also private used car sellers who try to sell WAY OVER market value simply because they owe a bunch on the vehicle. Lots of ‘em are flipped (upside down) thousands and can’t stand the payments so they try to sell it for payoff…which may have included thousands in deficit equity from a previous trade and could be thousands over realistic market value. Do some research. Look at the source of that research and determine if they are pursuing their own agenda.

2. Buying too much car: Even if you got a great deal, if the car payment is 35% of your income, you could be headed for a financial disaster that could wreck your credit and having you paying exorbitant interest rates for years (or driving a junker). Establish a budget or at least estimate your monthly expenses and seek to have transportation no more than 20-25% of your income.

3. Bad Service or No Service: No manufacturer is shipping them with the hoods welded shut. All vehicles are complex mechanical products and they all break and they all will need service. One of the reasons you want a newer car is to have some warranty, right? Warranty doesn’t determine whether you will get good service…just who pays for it. Used car superstores, independents and private sellers don’t have factory trained technicians and OEM parts…in fact they may not have a service or parts department at all. You won’t be able to claim priority handling in service when you bring in your Chevy you bought at CARMAX to the Chevy dealership. As rational business people, dealers will want to take care of their own loyal customers first.

4. Vehicle doesn’t fit needs: Sometimes your needs change and you get stuck with something you need to sell way before you expected to and take a beating on it. This can be especially true in trucks/SUV’s where a knowledgeable salesperson can help you determine the GVW, towing capacities, etc. When you over spec a product, you lose the incremental over spec; when you under spec, you stand to lose a lot more. You would not believe the number of people who don’t even test drive a new or used vehicle before buying it.

5. Buying from a private seller: You’ll have no warranty and recourse on the seller if a problem arises later. Even though the seller may have a clear Mississippi title, you may find that it had a previous salvage or flood title. This is because there is no national title database, each state does it. And some states (MS included) allow a vehicle to be brought in with a salvage title, go thru a simple inspection and magically issued a clean title. That can be a big mistake if you met a guy in a Wal-Mart parking lot to do a deal.

6. Poorly structured financing: You can obviously get clocked in financing but how do you really know if it’s a good rate or not? The best way is to get your free annual credit report that the government makes the credit bureaus offer. http://www.equifax.com/ You should do this annually to guard against identity theft and if you are actively car shopping, spring for the extra fee and get your FICO score (not the Experian score or any knock-off) . The median FICO score is 723 and below 620 is “subprime”. It has been reported that 678 is “average” but that is not exactly right. A closely related pitfall is not putting enough money down. Even if you are a 800 beacon score, if your vehicle is stolen or totaled, you may owe more than its worth. Lots more if you drive a lot and/or don’t put much money down.

7. Buying based on the salesperson: One of the top reasons people give why they bought where they did was “they liked the salesperson”. Unfortunately car salespeople are notorious for high-turnover so choose instead to buy from a reputable company. A local company that contributes to local charities and soccer teams is a part of the fabric of the community. It’s likely they will be there when you need them. Choose a reputable, local, service oriented company that has several recessions under its belt so you don’t find yourself needing some records, advice, service or whatever and find the door padlocked.

About Wilson Auto Group: We started as a Dodge dealership in 1988 on Highway 80 West in Jackson. After earning a high degree of success and becoming the number one Dodge dealer in Mississippi for over 15 straight years, we acquired Kia in 2000 and Hyundai in 2003. We have won numerous major Customer Satisfaction awards in service.

We believe in treating people like we would like to be treated and giving back to the community of our time and resources. Our core values are: honesty, integrity, courtesy and professionalism. We also have a consignment program where we will get you RETAIL value for your trade-in…whether you buy from us or not.

We believe our mission in life is to serve the public with their transportation needs.
If you have any questions concerning this, we are here to help.
We are available 6 days a week (closed every Sunday) at 4200 Lakeland Drive near Dogwood Festival Mall and the Jackson Airport. 601.914.4200 or doug@wilsonautos.com

Or visit us online at http://www.wilsonautogroup.com/

Doug Wilson
President/CEOWilson Auto Group, Inc.
4200 Lakeland Drive
Jackson MS 39232

March 2010 Service tips and coupon specials

2010-03-10T16:38:00.001-06:00

We have some great service specials for Used Car owners (any make/any model) at Wilson Hyundai on Lakeland this month. Now is a great time to get your car into shape after a long, hard, cold winter with these specials. We appreciate your business and welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can improve our service. We have a saying around here that the only complaint we don’t like is the one not brought to our attention!!!

Print this and bring in before March 31 as our coupon specials for YOU!!!!

Nitrogen…$39.95: improves gas mileage and prevents TPMS light activation due to changes in temps….now only $39.95 for all four tires. If you are not doing Nitrogen, at least check your tire pressure as temps heat up to prevent a blow-out from underinflated/overheated tires.

Wiper Blades…$13,95: Spring showers are legendary in Mississippi…make sure your rubber blades haven’t hardened over the winter…$13.95 per blade installed. Two for most cars but three on minivans and some SUV’s…replace them all or just one…your call.

Brake System Flush…$69.95: brake fluid is very corrosive and operates at a very high temperature. Your brake fluid should be inspected for discoloration which might indicate a need to replace the fluid and flush the system. Brake fluid is clear to slightly yellowish when new…but darker colored fluid indicates a need to replace it and flush the system or at about 30,000 miles. Brake fluid attracts moisture, and this moisture can rust the insides of the brake system. This moisture was not that big of deal 10 years ago, but on ABS brake systems of today, the rust and other debris that accumulates in the fluid can do lots of internal damage, and can be very costly. Brake fluid can also break down over time from excess heat that is created from within the brake system.
Our special price in March is just $69.95 to get you stopped during those emergency stops on I-55 in traffic!

New Brake Pads…$149.95:
Like flushing, braking is a major safety issue. When your pads wear out, replace them for only $149,95…front or rear pads at this price. Most models. Turning or replacing rotors or drums is additional cost. When doing a brake job, I suggest you also replace the brake fluid for the reasons listed above. Waiting too long to replace your pads will cause the rivets on the pad to eat into the drum or rotors which can be very costly…play it safe and replace the pads when in doubt.

We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.
For a fast email appointment, email Greg,
service manager at service@wilsonautos.com

Be sure to look at our newest babies when you are here:

2011 Hyundai Sonata’s…intro priced at just $199 a month 36 month lease
2011 Kia Sorento’s…built in the USA and prices starting at just $18,995…and gets 29 MPG hwy according to EPA

2010 Hyundai Elantra…named tops by Consumer Reports…now with an incredible 24 month lease for just $149 a month or buy it for just $14,995
2010 Genesis Sedans and Hyundai Veracruz CUV’s…great selection arrived last week.
2010 Kia Souls, Forte Sedans and Koup’s…good selection and great savings!!!

We still have new 2009’s that we must clear out…DEAL!!!!
3 2009 Sonata’s
1 2009 Genesis Sedan V-8, rwd, loaded
11 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe’s

1 Kia Sedona minivan
2 Kia Rio’s
1 Kia Rondo

We hope to see you soon in service. We appreciate your feedback.
Email me personally if I can help at doug@wilsonautos.com
Or Greg at service@wilsonautos.com

Doug Wilson
President
Wilson Auto Group, Inc.
601.914.4200
www.wilsonautogroup.com

March 2010 News

2010-03-04T10:09:00.000-06:00

Wilson Auto Group March 2010 news:

Kia’s new USA plant on the History Channel tonight:
Kia Motors has collaborated with the History Channel to integrate Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) and the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento into the premiere episode of Modern Marvels, the highly acclaimed television show, which features stories of those who created extraordinary architectural structures, technological breakthroughs and man-made wonders. The episode, titled “Start to Finish,” premieres on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. CST and features an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at automotive manufacturing, including the advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technologies utilized at Kia’s brand new manufacturing plant. In addition to the television program, viewers can visit history.com/tour for an interactive tour of KMMG that features video, imagery and facts about the various stages of automotive production. Through the interactive tour visitors can see selected views of the plant and learn how Kia is revolutionizing the auto manufacturing business.
Be sure to watch Modern Marvels on the History Channel (channel 45 on my cable system..7pm) TONIGHT!!

Consumer Reports:
I was waiting for a prescription at Kroger this week and picked up the new “Best Cars, SUV’s and Trucks” edition of Consumer Reports. I was pleasantly surprised to see where the Kia Optima, Kia Rondo, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Azera and Hyundai Veracruz CUV were on the “recommended” list. Hyundai and Kia both are building great cars and have the best warranty in the business, 10 Years/100,000 miles….and now with superior styling and quality to go with the 5 star (highest) safety ratings and superior fuel economy.

Kia Sorento 60 second video tops 950,000 youtube views:
The entertaining “Dream Ride” video with Sock Monkey, Mr. X, Teddy, Robot and Muno has reached superstardom!! Watch it by searching for “Kia Sorento” on youtube or going to www.kiasorento.com And the advertising and publicity is working…this 2011 Sorento is selling like crazy. Under $20,000 for a SUV is incredible but add a 10yr/100,000 mile warranty, built in the USA and 28 mpg fuel economy…and you know it’s a value WINNER!

#1 in Mississippi:
Wilson Hyundai outsold all other Hyundai dealers in MS in Feb as well as all dealers in Shreveport, Memphis and Nashville.
Likewise, Wilson Kia was #1 in the state with Kia. Thank you to all our customers and friends that made this possible. From the Chrysler bankruptcy to a newly renovated Hyundai showroom that may be the largest in the USA, we are indeed blessed and thankful. We are in the top 10 of all Hyundai dealers in a 5 state area that includes MS, TN, AR, LA and Alabama.

Hyundai named by EPA “Most Fuel Efficient in America”:
Not Honda and not Toyota…Hyundai was recently named by the EPA as the most fuel efficient automaker in the USA! Our new 2011 Sonata is a mid-size to large car…yet is EPA rated at 35 MPG on Hwy. Our small cars get even better fuel economy.

Academy Awards Sunday night:
Wilson Hyundai will be all over the Academy Awards telecast this Sunday night on WAPT-16….the highest watched television event second only to the Super Bowl. From the Barbara Walters pre-show to the Red Carpet intro event to the WAPT news afterwards, we will be running at least 10 Hyundai local and national spots. Please tune in to ABC and see the exciting new product Hyundai is unveiling.

Leasing is back!!!
Hyundai Motor Finance has plenty of money (even for those with less than perfect credit) and is getting really aggressive with leasing.
We have a STRONG $199 (36 month) lease on the all new 2011 Sonata as well as an unbelievable $149 a month 24 month lease on the 2010 Hyundai Elantra (Consumer Reports, “Most Recommended” list). See us for details. we have a huge inventory of these expecting great response in March.

Kia press release regarding February Sales:

KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES BEST FEBRUARY SALES EVER
All-New 2011 Sorento CUV is Kia’s Best-Selling Vehicle for the Second Consecutive Month

IRVINE, Calif., March 2, 2010 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the brand’s best February sales ever of 24,052 units, a 9-percent increase over the same period last year and 2.3-percent over the previous February sales record of 23,512 set in 2007. February sales were led for the second consecutive month by the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, which hit dealerships nationwide in early January and is the brand’s first U.S.-built vehicle[1]. Sorento posted sales of 8,207 units, an 11-percent increase over January.

“In addition to being our best-selling vehicle for the second month in a row, the all-new Sorento also is bringing new, more affluent customers into our showrooms and indicates the growing interest in the Kia brand,” said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). “Having recently celebrated the grand opening of Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, Sorento’s strong performance validates the investments Kia has made in the U.S. market as more and more consumers are recognizing our commitment to quality, safety, design, value and technology.”

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built at the company’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, builds on the momentum established in 2009 with the introduction of the Soul urban passenger vehicle and the Forte compact sedan and two-door Forte Koup.

Business is improving:
I see a definite increase in the willingness of folks to step up and buy a new car or good used car. I see the mood much better about the future and think that the “hunkering down” that occurred over the past 24 months has indeed repaired a lot of households balance sheets and helped them to reduce debt. Although unemployment remains high, I am hopeful for a continued improvement in overall economic conditions. As business improves, companies will start hiring again.

We are. With business improving, Wilson Auto Group is looking for two good sales consultants. We require no experience and will train the right individual. If you know of someone who might be interested, tell them to send us an email at opening@wilsonautos.com

If I can help with any of your transportation needs, please email me.
Doug Wilson
President
Wilson Auto Group, Inc.
601.914.4200
www.wilsonautogroup.com
[1] KMMG vehicles are assembled in the United States from U.S.- and globally sourced parts.

Super Bowl video characters are here now at Wilson Kia on Lakeland

2010-02-19T13:55:00.001-06:00

The now world famous Kia Sorento Super Bowl video characters are here now in the Kia showroom at Wilson Kia on Lakeland Drive. see the video and get $25 test drive offer at www.kiasorento.com

Wilson Kia's 2011 Kia Sorento (built in the USA)

2010-02-03T14:31:00.003-06:00

The all new 2011 Kia Sorento is here and on sale. Wilson Kia on Lakeland has over 25 in stock and selling them fast. We sold 10 new Sorento's last month! This is the all new product from Kia's state of the art auto plant in West Point Georgia!

I visited West Point Georgia a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to tour the new plant as well as drive several Sorentos over the test track that Kia has built there. The production facility is immaculate and the most technologically advanced in the world. From Kawasaki robots doing 100% of the welding to a fully automated paint shop to the giant Komatsu steel press, this is one advanced plant. I have toured many domestic as well as import plants and was more impressed with Kia's new plant than any other. They literally receive rolls of steel in one end of the plant and roll new 2011 Kia Sorento's out the other.

The Sorento styling is crisp and fresh with hints of the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 330. With optional V-6 power and 7 passenger seating, configurations are very family friendly. The ride is smooth and VERY quiet with brisk acceleration from either the fuel efficient 4 cyl or the V-6. Both deliver impressive fuel economy.

Fit and finish are excellent and the quality of this SUV is excellent! You need to test drive one at Wilson Kia on Lakeland Drive in Jackson MS. email us at doug@wilsonautos.com or visit our website at www.wilsonautos.com

Doug Wilson

President

Wilson Auto Group

Fortune Magazine cover story

2010-01-25T16:32:00.002-06:00

You will really want to read the Feb 18, 2010 copy of Fortune magazine which features Hyundai on the cover. The headline is....The Toughest Car Company of the All. Subtitled...."Hyundai is for real. Competitors hate them. Customers love them."

Email me at doug@wilsonautos.com and I will send you a pdf copy of it as well as a copy of my paper "7 Biggest Mistakes in Car Buying".

Largest Hyundai store in the USA?

2010-01-25T16:02:00.002-06:00

Here is a photo of our newly renovated Hyundai showroom...one of the largest Hyundai dealerships in the USA!

2009-10-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from its death throes ?

He's now 82 years old and has a new book, 'Where Have All The Leaders Gone ?'Lee Iacocca Says: 'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening ? Where the hell is our outrage ?

We should be screaming bloody murder ! We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course'Stay the course ? You've got to be kidding. This is America , not the damned, 'Titanic'.

I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the bums out !'

You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore.The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq , the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving 'pom-poms' instead of asking hard questions.

That's not the promise of the ' America ' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you ? I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. The Biggest 'C' is Crisis ! (Iacocca elaborates on nine C's of leadership, with crisis being the first.)

Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.On September 11, 2001 , we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A hell of a mess, so here's where we stand.We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving.We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia , while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy.

Our schools are in trouble.
Our borders are like sieves.
The middle class is being squeezed every which way.
These are times that cry out for leadership.

But when you look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders gone ?'

Where are the curious, creative communicators ? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense ? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo ?

We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.

Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies ? How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it ?

Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debit, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem with out a TELEPROMPTER. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of ? That some bonehead on CNN will call them a name ? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change ?Had Enough ? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope - I believe in America .

In my lifetime, I've had the privilege of living through some of America 's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: The 'Great Depression,' 'World War II,' the 'Korean War,' the 'Kennedy Assassination,' the 'Vietnam War,' the 1970's oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11.If I've learned one thing, it's this: 'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book.

It's a "Call to Action" for people who, like me, believe in America '. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work. Let's tell'm all we've had 'enough.'

2009-10-05T09:06:00.002-05:00

October is here and the state fair is right around the corner. September sales ended up with GM down 44.8%, Chrysler down 42.1% but Kia up 24.4% and Hyundai up 27.2%. Here at Wilson Auto Group, our Kia and Hyundai sales were up 106% from September of last year!

Kia and Hyundai continue to outperform the market with exciting new products, outstanding value and the tendency for folks to watch their money a little closer in this economic recession.
We are real excited about the all new Hyundai Sonata and Tucson which are coming out in the 4th qtr of 2009.

I recently toured the new Kia production plant in West Point, Georgia which represents an investment of over $1 Billion dollars in the USA by Kia. This plant is the most technologically advanced automobile plant in the world and makes extensive use of robotics and non-union labor for maximum efficiency and quality.

Here at Wilson Auto Group, I am especially proud of my team for capturing the number one sales honors for the entire state of Mississippi as well as outselling Hyundai competitors in Memphis, New Orleans, Birmingham, Nashville, Shreveport and many other southern cities.

Our goal is to consistently be in the top 10 in a 5 state area that includes: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisianna, Arkansas and Tennessee. My team did a great job in Sept and posted at #6 in this 5 state region!

Stop in and see the Hyundai and Kia lineup that is breaking all records and posting huge market share gains in this tough enviroment and you'll see why.
Doug Wilson

Power of Pink!

2009-09-16T08:40:00.006-05:00

Wilson Hyundai has joined WLBT in the Power of Pink! I am sure that all of you know someone that has been affected by this disease! Now it is your time to help with the fight against Breast Cancer.

Come down and see the new Hyundai Sante Fe Power of Pink car! Make a donation and we will let you sign the Power of Pink car.

The car will also be unveiled on October 26th at Highland Village. October 26th is the Power of Pink day, so make sure you wear your pink and come down to support all who want to fight Breast Cancer!

If you would like to nominate someone who you think should tell their story about their battle against Breast Cancer, please click on the link for http://www.wlbt.com/ and click on the Power of Pink link. You can nominate your special candidate and tell them why you feel they should be considered a finalist in The Strength In Pink Special Tribute. Check out http://www.wlbt.com/ for all of the details. The winner will receive a 3 day/ 2 night weekend GETAWAY at a Robert Trent Jones Resort in Alabama.

Check it out and help us win the fight against Breast Cancer!

2009-09-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

“It should not be surprising that when we elected politicians last year that those politicians would use their influence and taxpayer money to pursue the political aims they were elected to represent. That is what politicians do and that is what Cash for Clunkers (CFC ) was all about….offering an incentive for US Citizens to move towards more fuel efficient and less polluting /cleaner vehicles. The political aims being to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by consuming less fuel and to reduce global warming by swapping high polluters for much cleaner burning vehicles.

Regardless of your thoughts about the polar bears or global warming, you have to concur with the fact that older vehicles do not meet the same pollution standards that 2010 vehicles do. When you are behind them at the red light, you can readily smell the noxious fumes. 80% of the vehicles we “clunked” were built in the 80’s and 90’s and didn’t meet 21st century tailpipe emissions standards.

I will freely admit that I love it when the government subsidizes someone to buy my product, especially when I spent over 20 years selling Dodge vehicles which almost 100% qualified as a clunker and virtually ALL our fuel efficient Kia’s and Hyundai’s qualified as a replacement vehicle. By the way, we did right at 100 CFC deals and OVER 22% were old Chrysler products that we traded people into a New Kia or Hyundai!!! Talk about poetic justice.

Timing is everything in business and this could not have come at a better time for us. May 14, we got “the letter” from bankrupt Chrysler telling us we had only till June 9 to sell off all our inventory of Dodge vehicles. We had 136 new Dodge’s and sold all but 6 during our going out of business sale. We then ordered heavily from our Kia and Hyundai manufacturers to replenish our inventories. Just as all these fuel efficient vehicles were arriving, on June 24 President Obama signed CFC into law…going into effect July 1.

While everyone else was running out of small to mid-size cars and SUV’s, we had truck after truck of factory fresh units arriving! Now our challenge is to liquidate an abundance of inventory without CFC in a short period of time now that model year change is upon us.

One criticism of CFC centered on the perception that these were usable vehicles that were being sent to an early grave. While that is certainly true in some cases, 80% of the vehicles we “clunked” were manufactured in the 80’s and 90’s. Only 20% were year model 2000 and up. Some of these vehicles had over 200,000 miles on them. But wouldn’t the program have to stipulate running vehicles? If it didn’t , wouldn’t we be paying people to get rid of the non-operable vehicle sitting in their yard? That wouldn’t reduce emissions very much, would it?

Which would you rather have? An incentive to do what big government wants you to do…or a penalty or imprisonment? For all the criticism about cash for clunkers; you probably would prefer an incentive to a $2.00 per gallon gas tax or just simply decreeing or outlawing thirsty (read larger) vehicles. I believe it would take at least a $2 per gallon price increase via an additional tax on top of the free market price of gasoline to motivate consumer behavior radically towards fuel efficient vehicles or electric vehicles. That would be devastating to our already fragile economy.

Finally, I have stated that CFC could have been called “The 2009 Act to Subsidize Foreign Vehicles And Trade Out of a Domestic Vehicle”. But what is a foreign vehicle? My former manufacturer, Chrysler, is run by Fiat in Italy and most Dodge vehicles we sold were produced outside the USA; while Hyundai has a huge manufacturing plant in Alabama and Kia, one on the Georgia/Alabama line, employing our southern neighbors and utilizing supplier plants some of which are located in Mississippi.

CFC was great for our business and will definitely reduce carbon emissions and improve the overall fuel economy of the US fleet. Considering the price tag…$3 B…compared to the $787B “stimulus” package, it was a bargain. If Congress would give the car industry just 10% of that stimulus and put the 90% back into the US Treasury, car dealers would get this economy rocking again…employing thousands of southern plant workers, supplier companies, truck drivers, salespeople, radio/newspaper/television/advertising personnel plus many more as the tentacles of the automobile business reach into virtually every crack and crevice of the economy…all the while giving state and local governments a nice shot in the arm also from increased sales tax collections. And the polar bears like it too.

2009-08-25T12:52:00.003-05:00

Boy are we glad the Cash4Clunkers is over....we need to get out of the 2009 model business cause we have 2010's coming in daily.

By the way...what do we call 2010's? Are they "Oh tens" or "twenty-tens"?

2010 KIA Soul

2009-08-19T18:51:00.003-05:00