J.D. Power Awards Honda of Canada Mfg.

We have more good news resulting from the 2013 J.D. Power Awards.  Honda of Canada Mfg. Plant in Alliston, Ontario has been awarded the bronze plant ranking for North/South America in the 2013 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. Not only has the plant been recognized individually, but the Honda Civic, Canada’s best-selling vehicle for the last 15 years won for initial quality in the compact car category.  Honda CR-V and Ridgeline also placed first in their categories for initial quality.

Betty Jones, Quality Division Manager for Honda of Canada Mfg was quoted the following: “These results are validation of the dedication of our Associates…our Associates work exceptionally hard to produce the best possible quality for our customers, so it is encouraging to see those efforts reflected in this year’s results.  We are particularly thrilled to see Civic win its category because the 2013 Civic has some significant changes from its predecessor.”

This annual survey, now in its 27th year, closely measures the number of problems on 2013 vehicles reported after 90 days from purchase and ran from February to May of this year.   This survey had many updates, including more consumer feedback with particular focus to newer technologies such as: lane departure warning, navigation and voice activated systems.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Honda Canada, autos.jdpower.com

Honda Makes Changes to the 2014 Accord Line-up

Honda will be making changes to the Accord line-up this fall as they launch the 2014 Accord Hybrid.  The all-new Canadian version will feature exclusive detailing and unique hybrid badging along with a blue-accented grille and light lenses, LED lighting and a new wheel design and decklid spoiler.  Honda Canada expects the new car to be in Canadian dealerships by this October.

2014 accord hybrid

The Hybrid is projected to have class-leading fuel economy ratings with 45mpg on the highway and 45 mpg in the city.  Honda uses a new two-motor hybrid powertrain and the two-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive Powertrain.  To break this down in simpler terms, the car will have 3 different driving modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive.

The inside of the Hybrid will have all the same features as the 2013 Accord including: Lane Departure and Forward Collision Warning, iMID display, HondaLink and Aha.

If you are interested in more information on this vehicle or any of the vehicles in the Honda line-up, please feel free to Contact Image Honda at 1-888-375-5914 or visit us at www.imagehonda.com

Make sure to follow Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest updates and information on everything Honda!

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Honda Canada

GM tops benchmark J.D. Power Quality Study

Exciting news!  General Motors has won 8 best vehicle awards in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, with all GM brands ranking above the industry average this year! Topping the chart at number 2 is GMC, followed by Chevrolet, who jumped 10 spots from last year to land at number 5. Cadillac tied for 13th and Buick came in at 15.  What is even more exciting is that GMC and Chevrolet are the only two non-luxury brands to make the top 5. David Sargent, vice president of the global automotive practice at J.D. Power and author of the study said, “GM has the best quality of any corporation in the study, the first time it’s been on top.”  To us the dealer, this is solid confirmation, based on the opinions of General Motors customers, that we are producing the highest quality vehicles out there!

JD Power Quality Survey

This annual survey, now in its 27th year, closely measures the number of problems on 2013 vehicles reported after 90 days from purchase and ran from February to May of this year.   This survey had many updates, including more consumer feedback with particular focus to newer technologies such as: lane departure warning, navigation and voice activated systems.

As Chevrolet, Buick and GMC continue to improve the quality of their 2014 models, competitors such as Ford continue to experience a slump as they struggle with the quality of their technologies.  This year, they fell to 27 in the survey from the 5th spot last year.

These are exciting times for General Motors and Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC.  We are proud of our product and thrilled about all the advancements in our award winning line-up.  If you are interested in any of our vehicles or have any questions, please visit us at http://www.queenstonchev.com.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: GM Canada, autos.jdpower.com

2014 Chevrolet Silverado Introduces New Luxury Model

For 2014, The Chevrolet Silverado lineup will feature a new addition – The 2014 Silverado High Country. The new crew cab model will compete in the premium pickup segment. The luxury model features a unique chrome grille with horizontal chrome bars, halogen projector headlamps, unique 20-inch chrome wheels and much more. The all-new 2014 Silverado High Country will join the Chevrolet lineup this fall.Silveado High Country

Inside the High Country is an exclusive saddle brown interior with authentic materials, as well as heated and cooled leather seats with high country logos on the headrests. The truck also features MyLink connectivity with 8 inch touch screen, Bose premium audio, front and rear park assist and more.

“High Country will be the top model in the Silverado lineup, with a higher level of premium features and materials with a rich, Western themed appearance,” said Maria Rohrer, Silverado marketing director. “But at the same time, High Country is a 100-percent Chevy truck, with the capability and dependability customers have relied on for more than 95years.”

Silverado High Country Decal

The High Country Silverado’s standard engine is a 5.3L EcoTec V-8 with 355 horsepower and up to 23 mpg on highway. The all-new 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 will also be available. Both engines feature direct fuel injection, active fuel management and continuously variable valve timing and both engines switch to 4 cylinder mode to save fuel during light load driving.

This new addition to the Chevrolet family will definitely be one to look out for – especially for the many truck enthusiasts here in Ontario. Stay connected to AutoHwy.com  and Hamilton Auto Blog for further updates and visit us at www.queenstonchev.com for the upcoming arrival date.

By Nerissa Mohamed

Source: GM Canada

A Car That Runs On…Social Media?

We have innovation at its finest in Kansas City, Missouri where a group of high school students have built an electric car that runs on….social media?  Yes, you heard it right!  It runs on what the students have coined “social fuel”!  What was once a 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is now an electrified car that has been altered to run on posts, mentions and likes on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Minddrive, a non-profit group whose aim was to inspire and create a doorway for kids who may have no previous automotive experience, worked with this group of at-risk high school students as mentors to create this one of a kind car.

What is even more inspiring is that this week, the team will be driving the Karmann Ghia from Kansas City to Washington D.C. where they will be meeting with elected officials to promote education and funding for programs like Minddrive.  Along the way, they will be stopping at schools in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania to give presentations.

It will take a total of 71,040 watts to reach D.C.  You can help this ingenious car and its creators reach the American capital! Share this blog on Twitter by using the #MINDDRIVE or mention @mindriveorg.  You can also use Facebook “Likes and Shares”, Instagram follows and shares, as well as YouTube video plays, follows and shares.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Minddrive.org

The All-New 2014 Chevrolet Impala

If you would like to see all that the 2014 Chevrolet Impala has to offer, visit http://www.queenstonchev.com today and schedule your test drive!  For the lastest updates and information on our dealership, please check back with Hamilton Auto Blog.

Get Behind The Wheel And Donate to The Walk to Fight Arthritis

Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC will be holding our “Drive for a Cause” event on May 10th and 11th, 2013 at our Queenston on the Mountain dealership.  This event will provide individuals the opportunity to support a great cause and test drive one of our exciting 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicles.  These vehicles include: the re-designed Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, as well as, the new Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore.

For each test drive taken during the two day event, Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC will donate $25 to The Arthritis Society on behalf of that individual. The dealership’s goal for this event is to donate $4,500.Small Logo

Here are some facts regarding Arthritis in Canada:

4.6 Million Canadians Have Arthritis

·         4.6 million, or one in six, Canadians aged 15 years and older report having arthritis. By 2031, approximately seven million Canadians (one in five) are expected to have arthritis.

·         Arthritis can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background.

·         Two-thirds of those affected with arthritis are women.

·         Among all causes of disability in Canada, arthritis ranks first among women and second among men.

 Arthritis Society

For more facts and figures click here or visit The Arthritis Society at http://www.arthritis.ca

The event runs Friday, May 10th from 9am-8pm and Saturday May 11th from 9am-5pm.  For more information, please contact Queenston on the Mountain: 2260 Rymal Road East, Hamilton, ON 905-528-7001 or visit us at www.queenstonchev.com

On Sunday June 9th, 2013 Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC and Image Honda will be participating in the annual Walk to Fight Arthritis at the Royal Botanical Gardens.  If you are interested in participating in the walk or making a donation please visit our team pages and register.

For Queenston Chevrolet, click here
For Image Honda, click here

By: Amy Cochren