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American Vehicles: Red, White, and Blue..... and Green?

Tuesday May 13, 2008

By Rebecca K. Fay

    Local vehicle dealerships speak up about the quality and efficiency of American vehicles in lieu of the national headlines favoring foreign cars.  At Shea Motor Company in Middlebury, Mark Stacey General Manager explains, “The national press is biased towards American cars, and this affects the local market.”  Scott Foster of Foster Motors explains “The quality of [American] cars [has been] brought to the level of imports…quality and safety have been incorporated, so now it comes to design and how it drives is what's important.”

    Foster Motors Inc. is in its third generation of sales and owned by Scott and Dave Foster.   The dealership sells new and pre-owned Chrysler, Dodge, Dodge Trucks and Jeeps.  Foster Motors is rated an Elite Five Star Dealer in the State of Vermont.  Dave Foster explains this rating means we are “first in Vermont for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.  We outsold other dealers and out sold ourselves from last year.”

    At Foster Motors, Scott Foster is energetic about the recent purchase of Chrysler Corporation by Cerberus, a New York private equity firm.  Scott Foster explains, “This change will return the Chrysler Corporation back to an American icon.”  

    Shea Motor Company sells General Motors (GM) vehicles-Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick.  Marty Syvertson, General Sales Manager explains “we're unique [because] we're the only local dealership where a person can look at three GM vehicles and GM certified used vehicles in one place.”  

    Foster Motors and Shea Motor Company are seeing some effects of the rising gas prices.  Scott Foster explains, “so far this year truck sales have slowed due to gas prices.  People are looking for economy.”  Stacey of Shea Motor Company explains “it's up and down as far as trucks.”  He explains that it depends on why a person is purchasing a truck.  If a person needs the truck for work, than despite the price of fuel they will buy a truck.  

    Syvertson of Shea Motors explains this year, “we have seen an increase of trade-ins of competitors trucks.”   People are trading in their full size pickups to purchase a Chevrolet because “it has the best fuel economy out of all full size trucks.”  Chevrolet trucks incorporate the “Active Fuel Management” technology.  The “Active Fuel Management” technology allows a person to have the power of a V8 engine, when it is needed, but to run on four cylinders when all eight cylinders are not needed.  Sylvertson continues, “This is done seamlessly without any action by the owner.”

    Ron Viau, Sales Manager of Foster Motor Company, adds, “Gas mileage is what's important here, and the [Chrysler] company is listening.  “We have four separate lines of four cylinder affordable vehicles.” If you're in the market for a fuel efficient SUV, Jeep is offering two new fuel efficient SUVs: the Compass and the Patriot.

    At Shea Motor Company, Syvertson explains that they have many fuel-efficient vehicles.  Currently there is the Chevrolet Cobalt, which will get up to 37 highway miles per gallon. General Motors line of fuel efficient vehicles is not limited to four cylinder compact cars.   Shea Motors offers two full size sedans: the Buick LaCrosse and the Chevrolet Impala that get up to 33 highway miles per gallon.” Also, if you are looking for an all-wheel drive vehicle with excellent gas mileage, Pontiac Vibe gets up to 30 highway miles per gallon.  

    Lastly, it is important to note, that Chrysler and GM are developing hybrid technology.  “Chrysler is going green” Scott Foster states.  This fall Chrysler will be introducing two new hybrid SUVs: the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen.  Chrysler is also working on gas hybrid trucks and diesel hybrid trucks.  

    Currently Shea Motor Company has a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.  The Malibu is an affordable midsize sedan that “delivers nearly 10% increase in fuel economy in city driving.”  In 2009 General Motors will launch a Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, “a full-size pickup what achieves 40% greater city fuel economy and a 25% improvement in overall fuel economy.”

    Foster Motors and Shea Motor Company remain optimistic despite the national headlines.  Dave Foster of Foster Motors explains, “The press says Vermont is in a recession.  We don't believe it.  We are not participating in it.  We believe in the people.  We believe in the area.  The Press is negative.  Gas prices are high people will drive less.”

    Marty Syvertson “invites people to come [to Shea Motor Company] and let us show Chevrolets, Pontiacs, and Buicks are comparable if not better in value, quality and reliability of foreign competitors.

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