Virginia Beach Dealers

Halloween Weekend Specials and Concert at Checkered Flag Hyundai

 

Hunting for an extra special treat this Halloween weekend?  Then, you need to head out to Checkered Flag Hyundai in Virginia Beach. 

This Halloween weekend, when you purchase any new car, van, or SUV from Checkered Flag Hyundai, you'll also be heading home with a brand new widescreen LG HDTV!  Talk about a sweet treat!

And this Saturday, you can catch a FREE concert featuring the finalists of our Checkered Flag "Test Drive Your Tune" contest.  Three local artists will take the stage between 1pm and 3pm.  The winners of the contest will be announced at the end of the show! 

Now don't forget the spooktacular October Hyundai specials and incentives including this great deal on 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS for $18,390 (plus tax and fees). 

 

Doors open at 9am this Friday and Saturday and noon this Sunday.  Call Checkered Flag Hyundai at (757)490-1111 for more information or directions to our Hyundai store on Virginia Beach Blvd. 

HallowScreen TV Event at Checkered Flag Toyota

 

Those screams coming from Checkered Flag Toyota aren't so scary.  That’s only the sound of joy coming from our Checkered Flag HallowScreen event. 

This Halloween weekend, when you purchase any new car, truck, or SUV from Checkered Flag Toyota, you’ll also be heading home with a brand new widescreen LG HDTV!  Talk about a sweet treat!

And, don’t forget the spooktacular October Toyota specials and incentives including this great deal on 2011 Toyota Corolla for $15,990 (plus tax and fees).  



Doors open at 9am this Friday and Saturday and noon this Sunday.  Call Checkered Flag Toyota at (757)490-1111 for more information or directions to our Toyota Store on Virginia Beach Blvd. 

 

Trick or Treat for HD TVs at Checkered Flag

 

This Halloween weekend, Checkered Flag is throwing in an extra treat for our customers.  Throughout this Halloween weekend, Checkered Flag Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, and Checkered Flag Volkswagen are all throwing in a brand new LG HD Widescreen television with the purchase of most new cars, trucks, and SUVs. 

Oh, and did I mention?  This is on top of spooktacular sales and specials offered at each Checkered Flag store.  (Keep an eye out for those specials right here on CheckeredFlag.com)  So, you can be confident that you’re not only getting the best car, SUV, or truck deal in Hampton Roads, but you’ll also be coming home with a great new HD TV. 

Call any Checkered Flag dealer for more information at (757)490-1111 or stop by any of our ten locations on Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach and Checkered Flag Honda in Norfolk. 

Little Girls Perform Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass"

 Who needs an extra smile today?  Well, get ready for a full dose of cuteness-with a little edge.

If you haven't heard of Sophia Grace Brownlee, then you are missing out.  Check out the following video of a very talented little girl and her trusty sidekick that has taken the internet by storm.  If the video does not appear on this page, choose the following link and scroll down to this article.  Link:  Sophia Grace performs Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" 



Awww.  Reminds me of my little sister and me performing Madonna when we were little.  

And, if that wasn't enough cuteness to warm your heart this morning, check out this second video of little Sophia Grace meeting Nicki Minaj in person on the Ellen show.  Link:  Nicki Minaj sings with Sophia Grace on Ellen. 



Now, I don't know that we'll see anything this cute this Saturday, but we are holding a free concert this Saturday at Checkered Flag Hyundai featuring a handful of talented local artists.  Stop by our "Test Drive Your Tune" contest page and vote for your favorite video before heading to the free Virginia Beach concert this Saturday.

 

Free Concert This Saturday at Checkered Flag Hyundai

 

What better way to spend a Saturday than checking out the hottest new local artist for FREE! 

From 1 to 3 this Saturday afternoon, your favorite Virginia Beach Hyundai dealer, Checkered Flag Hyundai is hosting a FREE concert to round off the "Test Drive Your Tune!" contest.  

Local artists were invited to submit original songs that were then narrowed down to three finalists.  The three finalists were given the opportunity to have professional music videos produced and featured on our website, CheckeredFlag.com. 

Checkered Flag and local radio station fans have been voting for the three finalists over the past few weeks and the winner will be announced this Saturday following the concert at Checkered Flag Hyundai.

Now, you still have time to check out our three finalists and vote before this weekend's presentation.  I checked them all out this morning and I have to say, all of our finalists are truly talented.  This competition is going to come down to the wire, so, check out the three videos at the following link and place your vote.  Link:  Checkered Flag Test Drive Your Tune contest

Oh, and did I mention, everyone who votes online this week is automatically entered to win a $100 American Express Gift Card!

Don't forget to come out and see all three finalists perform this Saturday from 1pm to 3pm at Checkered Flag Hyundai on Virginia Beach Blvd.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Perfect Tailgating Rides From Checkered Flag

 

I don't know about you, but around here at Checkered Flag we are ready for some football!!

Well, the 2011 NFL and 2011 College Football seasons are in full swing, and we couldn't be more ready!  This weekend we are couching it with some homemade jambalaya and a few libations, but next week we will certainly be taking part in one of the greatest American traditions ever:  TAILGATING!!!

That's right, all you Checkered Flag Winners and sports fans!  It is time to pack up the BBQ Sauce, drop the gate, and get out that homemade tailgating grill you aren't quite sure won't blow your face off when you light it up!
 
Now, my Toyota RAV4 with its barn door is great for tailgating, but what about your ride?  If you were thinking about moving into something a little bigger, this is the time to do it.  You can get started with your tailgating game plan as early as next weekend!!
 
I have picked the following three vehicles from different Checkered Flag locations that are perfect for packing up the friends and family and coolers of all sizes.


 
First, we've got the Honda Pilot.  Check this tank out!  A friend of mine owns the Pilot, and I can tell ya, it has plenty of space for everything you need for the big game.  Gas mileage is 18 city 25 highway, but for the size, that's fantastic!  The Pilot is available at Checkered Flag Honda in Norfolk starting at a little over $28,000.  For more information, chose the following link:  Checkered Flag Honda Pilot.



Next pick goes to the Toyota Tundra.  I mean, c'mon, it's a big ol' truck just made for partying before the big game.  The photo below was featured in one of my earlier articles from 2010.  It's the special edition Midnight Rider Tailgater by Brooks and Dunn.  Now, I don't expect you all to go out and purchase this exact Tundra, but it does give you a good idea of the kind of possibility you have with the space that the Tundra offers.  Tundra Crewmax starts at around $35K at Checkered Flag Toyota with lower priced trim levels available as well.  For information, click here:  Checkered Flag Toyota Tundra Tailgate.



Now, my third pick might surprise you, but I can't leave out something for you UVA or William and Mary Alumni.  Don't gasp.  I've tailgated at both of those schools and I think anyone who says this wouldn't fit right in is a liar.  The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is the perfect mix of "look how successful I am but I still care about the environment and appreciate sports" vehicle.  Besides being terribly snazzy, the Cayenne is completely practical for game day.  There's room for all your buddies, your pot of chili, and all of the Tums you will need on the way home.  Cayenne Hybrid at Checkered Flag Porsche starts at $67,700, but with a mileage of 23 city and 26 hwy, you'll make the difference from the regular model up in not time.  For more Cayenne information, just visit Checkered Flag Porsche at the following link:  VA Beach Porsche Checkered Flag.

Whatever your style may be, we definitely have something here for you at Checkered Flag.  If you would like information on any of these, or any other vehicles, please give us a call at (757)490-1111.

Checkered Flag VW Looking Forward to Halloween

 

Pumpkins are popping up on porches everywhere.  And huge bags of candy are on sale everywhere!  It must be that most spooktacular time of year again.

While doing some very important research for Checkered Flag this week, I happened to notice that people love to dress up their cars for Halloween almost as much as they like to dress up their kids..or dogs..or cats, for that matter.  But guess what was the number one most decoratable vehicle out there??  The VW Beetle, of course!
 
Now, I don't know if you guys are aware of this or not, but all new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is finally here and available at your favorite Hampton Roads Volkswagen store, Checkered Flag VW.  So, if you are a fan, like I am, you only hurry in this October to your Virginia Beach VW dealer to snatch one of these Bugs up.  To schedule a test drive at Checkered Flag VW on Virginia Beach Blvd, or for more information, just call (757)490-1111.
 
Check out a few of the photos I came across of these frightening little bugs: 

Can Having More Facebook Friends Make You Smarter?

Now, there's finally a reason to deal with all of those people you call "friends" on Facebook.  They could be making you smarter.  Well, at least, they could be making your brain bigger. 

Article source: [wtkr.com]

More Facebook friends linked to bigger brain areas
Ben Hirschler Reuters  October 18, 2011

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found a direct link between the number of "friends" a person has on Facebook and the size of certain brain regions, raising the possibility that using online social networks might change our brains.

The four brain areas involved are known to play a role in memory, emotional responses and social interactions.
So far, however, it is not possible to say whether having more Facebook connections makes particular parts of the brain larger or whether some people are simply pre-disposed, or "hard-wired," to have more friends.

"The exciting question now is whether these structures change over time -- this will help us answer the question of whether the Internet is changing our brains," said Ryota Kanai of University College London (UCL), one of the researchers involved in the study.

Kanai and colleagues used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the brains of 125 university students, all of them active users of social media site Facebook, and cross-checked their findings in a further group of 40 students.

They discovered a strong connection between the number of Facebook friends and the amount of "grey matter" in the amygdala, the right superior temporal sulcus, the left middle temporal gyrus and the right entorhinal cortex. Grey matter is the layer of brain tissue where mental processing occurs.

The thickness of grey matter in the amygdala was also linked to the number of real-world friends people had, but the size of the other three regions appeared to be correlated only to online connections.

The students, on average, had around 300 Facebook friends, with the most connected having up to 1,000.

With more than 800 million active users worldwide, Facebook has become a major component of social interaction, especially among the young.

"Online social networks are massively influential, yet we understand very little about the impact they have on our brains. This has led to a lot of unsupported speculation the Internet is somehow bad for us," said Geraint Rees of UCL.

"This shows we can use some of the powerful tools in modern neuroscience to address important questions -- namely, what are the effects of social networks, and online social networks in particular, on my brain."

The study results were published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Heidi Johansen-Berg of the University of Oxford, who was not involved in the research, said the findings were intriguing but did not mean Facebook was a short cut to making people brainier.

"If you got yourself 100 new Facebook friends today then your brain would not be bigger tomorrow," she said. "The study cannot tell us whether using the Internet is good or bad for our brains."  End of Article.

Makes sense, right?  You’d have to have bigger brain to keep track of everyone.  Makes me wonder if we’ll start seeing number of Facebook friends showing up on resumes and college applications. 

I guess since Checkered Flag Autogroup’s Facebook has over 3,400 friends, we must be the smartest new or used car dealer in Tidewater! 

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend “liking” Checkered Flag’s Facebook page.  We post important information for anyone in Hampton Roads including news and traffic updates, and we post contests and free-giveaway prizes all the time!  Click on the following link to join the fun:  Checkered Flag Facebook

Photo source: [gawker.com]

Checkered Flag in Hampton Roads Now Hiring

Several locations of our Hampton Roads new and used car dealer, Checkered Flag, are currently seeking experienced individuals for the positions listed below.  If you or anyone you know is interested in any of the following positions, call Checkered Flag Human Resources at (757)490-1111.  All interested applicants will need to visit Checkered Flag’s Human Resources Department and fill out an application.  

Shuttle Driver
This position is responsible for enhancing the customer’s positive service experience by driving them to or picking them up from their homes or offices while service is being performed on their vehicles. 
Qualified applicants must be 21 years of age, should possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and have the ability to read and comprehend instructions and information. Customer service experience, a professional appearance and demeanor, strong communication skills, and good driving record are required. 

Parts Counterperson
Qualified applicants should possess a high school diploma or equivalent, the ability to read and comprehend instructions and information. Customer service experience, a professional appearance and demeanor, and good communication skills are required.  Previous experience is preferred.

Body Shop Technician
The qualified applicant should possess a High School diploma or equivalent. Must have the ability to read and comprehend instructions and information. Must possess general collision repair skills, a valid driver’s license and be able to deliver a good driving record. Manual dexterity, good decision making skills and judgment, and computer and keyboard familiarity are required.  Ownership of necessary hand tools is required.  Any additional automotive certifications are a definite plus.  I-CAR training, manufacturer training preferred.  Up to $5,000.00 Sign-On Bonus for Qualified Applicants. 

Service Advisor 
High Line experience preferred. Must have minimum of 2 years experience.  Qualified applicant should have customer relations ability, communication skills, product knowledge, and administrative skills.  Qualified applicants have a valid driver’s license with a good driving record and the ability to operate manual transmissions.   Top quality people skills are essential. 

Service Detailer
Detailers are responsible for cleaning and detailing new and used automobiles, as well as customer automobiles through the service department. 
Requirements: Qualified applicant should have the ability to comprehend instructions and information, manual dexterity and good judgment. Valid Virginia driver's license and a good driving record are required.  

Service Greeter
Qualified applicants should possess exceptional customer service skills, the ability to read and comprehend instructions and information, and have a positive attitude and be a team player. This position requires the ability to operate manual transmissions, be at least 18 years of age and provide a good driving record. 

Call Checkered Flag Human Resources at (757)490-1111 for more information or additional Norfolk and Virginia Beach job openings.

Hyundai Holds on to Top Customer Loyalty Spot

So, what to Hyundai customers look for when they are ready for a new car or SUV?

They look back to Hyundai, of course. 

Hyundai is keeping up its stellar track of customer loyalty above all other automotive brands, according to Kelley Blue Book. 

This is no surprise for Checkered Flag Hyundai.  Our Virginia Beach Hyundai customers cannot help but brag about their new or pre-owned Sonatas, Hyundai Santa Fes, and value-priced Hyundai Accents.  We have Hyundai customers return and trade up every few years.  Also, most of our Hyundai customers end up purchasing another Hyundai for other members of their household. 

Customer loyalty is the greatest compliment of any business, and Checkered Flag Hyundai could not be more proud. 

Hyundai Maintains No. 1 Spot for Brand Loyalty on Kbb.com for Second Consecutive Quarter; Toyota Closing In

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today reports that Hyundai upheld its No. 1 spot for brand loyalty on kbb.com for Q3 2011, marking its second consecutive quarter on top.

For Q3 2011, Hyundai's brand loyalty was at 48 percent, with Toyota nearly closing in at 47.9 percent and Subaru at 45.9 percent.  Rounding out the top-five brands for Q3 2011 are Kia in the fourth spot at 45.3 percent and Ford in fifth at 45.2 percent.

While Hyundai continues its lead in brand loyalty, it dropped 4.4 percentage points from the previous quarter.  Hyundai's decline can be attributed to cooled interest in the Sonata and Elantra models. 

For the first time since Kelley Blue Book began tracking loyalty, Honda is outside the top-five brands, sitting in the sixth spot at 44.2 percent.  Honda's dip in loyalty is the result of lukewarm reception of the 2012 Civic.  In addition, Honda's perceived supply issues also have influenced shopper activity in Q3 2011.  As year-end approaches, brand loyalty slowly begins to rise. 

While the majority of automakers still show declines in year-over-year loyalty, a quarter-over-quarter shift into the black reveals that consumers may be taking notice of seasonal blowout deals and loyalty incentive offers.  Manufacturers also have released the majority of their 2012 models; therefore consumers' shopping choices may narrow as they become familiar with the options available in the marketplace.

"The latter half of the year tends to draw interest toward sport utility, crossover and other large vehicles due to weather conditions and seasonality," said Arthur Henry, market intelligence manager for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.  "Since Hyundai's flagship vehicles are its compact and mid-size sedans, it is natural that it suffers in this regard."

Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence examines brand loyalty while consumers are still in the shopping phase.  For this analysis, loyalty is defined as owners of the brand who are currently shopping the same brand for their next vehicle.  This includes data from consumers who view a trade-in page or private party page in addition to a new-car page on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.  End of article.

Want to experience what all the fuss is about?  Well, stop by Checkered Flag Hyundai on Virginia Beach Blvd.  Call (757)490-1111 to set up a Hyundai test drive.


New 2012 Hyundai Veloster