Autotrendz Magazine December 2013
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STEWART’S AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 73 YEARS OF KEEPING JAMAICA MOVING CHICK MAGNET DETAIL YOUR CAR LIKE A PRO WHAT YOUR CAR SAYS ABOUT YOU VOL. 1 - DECEMBER 2013 - MAY 2014
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Autotrendz Magazine December 2013
Transcript of Autotrendz Magazine December 2013
STEWART’S AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
73 YEARS OF KEEPING JAMAICA MOVING
CHICK MAGNET
DETAIL YOUR CAR LIKE A PRO
WHAT YOUR CAR SAYS ABOUT YOU
VOL. 1 - DECEMBER 2013 - MAY 2014
Fasten your seat belts and start your engines as we get set todrive into your homes and offices through our dynamic newautomotive magazine that caters to auto enthusiasts who crave
something a bit different.
Auto Trendz JA will definitely spark your interest in sleek and sexynew cars available for the discerning buyer who appreciates stylingand sophistication in superior automotives. From the stellar Suzukito the premium BMW, we present a plethora of rides that will haveyou salivating as you examining their amazing features, checking outboth the elegant exterior while falling in love with all the gadgetrycontained inside the models.
Auto Trendz JA introduces sharp and incisive articles aimed atboosting your knowledge based on the local automotive industrygenerally, plus tips and advice on how to be a better all-round driveron the always precarious Jamaican roadways. In this, our inauguraledition, we give you features on the illustrious history of the StewartAutomotive Group; A look at the new Suzuki Kizashi; tips on howto avoid Road Rage; the best way to teach teenagers how to driveplus what your ride says about you the owner and much more.
The automotive industry is ripe for new blood and that is what AutoTrendz JA offers and then some. We will challenge your intellectwith quality features and articles, stimulate your vision with awesomephotography and accompanying images and give you great choices ifyou are in the market for a new ride.
Whatever your motoring need, look no further than this high qualityglossy magazine where we invite your comments as we respect yourfeedback as fuel for our future growth and expansion which is ourultimate goal. So sit back as we take you on a most enjoyable ride.
Michele GabayManaging Director
MAPCO Printers Limited
6
15
22 jeffrey panton, from driver’s seat...
3329
1015 chick magnet
18 how to best avoid road rage
29 detail your car like a pro
20 sol petroleum jamaica
30 hot cars for 2014
32 big vs small, choosing the right vehicle
33 2014 car buyer’s guide
52 introducing the suzuki kizashi
49 surviving the learner
61 ssp radcliffe lewis
63 signs that you may need new tyres
71 dover, the dirt, danger , driving force
64 why the dealer is the best option
47 what your car says about you
55 the history of suzuki
10 stewarts automotive group - 73 years
CREDITSPublisher: Mapco PrintersEditor: Nicola Cunningham, CPSContributors: Michael Edwards Elona Williams Alan TurnerGraphics: G-SC DesignsCreative Director: Sheldon CokePhotographers: Nicola Cunningham Michael Williams
Advertising Sales:MAPCO Printers Limited71-73 Montgomery AvenueKingston 10Tel: (876) 929-2623 | Fax: 920-5158
Sales Associates:Michelle [email protected]
Dwight [email protected]
Distribution:MAPCO Printers Limited
Digital Download:www.autotrendzmag.com
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In Jamaica we have many examples of successful businesses;from corporations and hotels to food processing andfurniture manufacturing. However when it comes toautomotive sovereignty, look no further than the StewartsAutomotive Group, a family operated and oriented
enterprise that has made its name through continuous innovationand customer satisfaction.
The secret to their longevity is not really that much of a secret asthe tenets of hard work, expertise and discipline are ones requiredfor any measure of result, but few will put in the ‘elbow grease’needed not just once in a while but consistently year afteryear...after year. That is the Stewarts’ way and it has led to theirenviable track record that has surpassed three score and ten andwith the present generation plus generations in the wings workinghard, the legacy will not only be preserved but further enhanced.
As Richard and Diana Stewart tells it, Stewarts was destined forgrowth from early as its founder Lionel Stewart was a visionarylike no other who learnt to seize opportunity when it presenteditself hence everyone soon realized that he would build his empirewith common sense, sweat, good business practices and yes, alittle motor oil in his veins. An orphan at the tender age of thirteen,young Lionel had to devise a method to support himself, so whenpresented with the opportunity to work on cars and eventually
learn the automotive trade, he jumped at it and soon realised hehad a knack for this trade.
Today the company is headed by Chairman Richard Stewart, whois ably assisted by his wife Diana, who is the Managing Director.Their children are also on board as part of the dream team withson Duncan being the man in charge of parts, merchandise andservice while daughter Jacqueline heads the accounting side of thebusiness. From sunrise and oftentimes well past sunset, theStewarts are either at their desks or behind the wheels as whenit comes to the continued strengthening and expansion of thebusiness, they all have tunnel vision and are not afraid to admit it.
Their longevity and success Richard Stewart feels can be attributedto the high ideals that Lionel Stewart made apart of the company’sphilosophy from day one. “Honour and Integrity were some ofLionel’s key principles and that is inculcated in everyone that is apart of our team. I believe this has taken us a long way becauseour customers truly appreciate these qualities from a service-oriented business.”
This dynamic work ethic originated with ‘Daddy Lionel’, a manwho led by example and so when in 1938 he formulated a plan tostart operating a service garage, no one really batted an eyelid butthen again no one realized he had no intention of just stopping
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there. 24-26 Hanover Street was his base in downtown Kingston,which makes Stewarts the second oldest automotive dealer inJamaica after Kingston Industrial Garage (KIG).
He hung up his shingle and it read ‘Stewart’s Auto Supplies andRepairs’. Back then, motor vehicles were rather costly and thuswere owned by the wealthiest in society as they were expensiveto maintain. Added to this was the fact that it was the pre-WorldWar II era and United States, our biggest trading partner, wastrying to emerge from a very bad depression. Things must havebeen challenging for Lionel Stewart but he kept his eyes focusedon his business, which at the time specialized in repairing Hillman,Austin, Chevrolet and Ford cars.
With the declaration of war in 1939 came gasoline rationing hencemost private cars had to cease running and Lionel witnessed theclosure of his business. But he was determined that it would betemporary and nothing more than a setback. Not one to sit idlyby, Lionel moved to the US and worked in the war effort. PostWorld War he resumed business in 1947 with the assistance ofhis eldest son Patrick and they focused on repair and maintenanceservices. Five years later witnessed the company’s evolution intoStewart's Auto Sales Limited as they became the dealer forDaimler and Lancaster as well as a few English cars. Hard workbegan to pay off for the Stewarts. Five years after that they became
agents for the Singer Motor Company and began importing theSinger Vogue and Gazelle. The Stewart Empire was slowly emerging.
After being trained in engineering and marketing in the UnitedKingdom and gaining experience at the Daimler Motor Company,a young Richard Stewart (now Chairman of the group), Lionel’ssecond son, joined the growing family business as Service Manager.In the year of our independence from Britain, Richard took untohimself a wife and Diana deLisser became Diana Stewart with amarriage than has lasted 50 years and brought forth children whowould have the same passion as their grandfather.
They eventually outgrew their Hanover Street operation and latera changing of the guard saw Lionel handing over leadership of thecompany to his son Richard as succession planning was key totheir longevity. A confident Richard set his sights on Japan.
The 1980s brought with it changes namely Japanese dominationin the form of Suzuki. The SJ410 came first and did so well that
“The Stewart's Automotive Group iscurrently the largest automotive group ofcompanies in Jamaica. We are very proudof that fact .“
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the Samurai 4 wheel drive, Forsa, Vitara 4 wheel drive and theSwift would follow. The number one small car in the island, theSwift’s popularity helped propel Stewart’s forward as did theVitara, the number one selling four wheel drive. Life was good,especially as they added other Suzuki range of vehicles includingtrucks and vans to give the line depth and diversity.
Their longevity Duncan Stewart feels can be attributed to theirmain trump card: being family oriented. “We are first and foremosta family so this business is quite focused on customer service andwe have developed specific competence in our profession so Iguess motor oil does run through our veins.”
But it is not all just about work as Stewart’s takes its role as agood corporate citizen seriously and throughout the years hasbeen involved with not only the Reggae Boyz and West Indiescricket team, but have made meaningful contributions toMissionaries of the Poor and presented vehicles to cricketerShivnarine Chanderpaul and the ’fastest woman on earth’Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser –Pryce. This is in addition to theirbeing amongst several donors of the Tony Thwaites Wingexpansion at the University Hospital of the West Indies and theresurrection of the Edna Manley Health Centre. Stewart’s has alsobeen very involved with the model Community Policing Facility atGrant’s Pen.
So what is next on their horizon? Well, according to Mrs. Stewartwhile they are happy with their growth and success they will notbe resting on their laurels as there is always more that can bedone to take the business further. “The Stewart’s AutomotiveGroup is currently the largest automotive group of companies inJamaica. We are very proud of that fact – our product and serviceofferings are incomparable. We aim to maintain our standing inthe marketplace; continue investing in Jamaica and increase ouremployment of staff in these harsh economic times.”
Lionel’s legacy is more than secure and one wonders what histhoughts would be today had he been alive to witness it all. Dianais confident that he would have been overjoyed. “If he were tosee his legacy manifested today, he would be very proud of howRichard and I have taken his passion and vision for the automotiveindustry in Jamaica and expanded it to be a true automotive centre.Our children, Duncan and Jacqueline, who share our vision, havehelped to carry the legacy in a major way and support our effortswell. Our grandchildren are also poised to join the family business.In fact, one has graduated from Smith and has joined us so I knowhe would be pleased.”
Lionel Stewart has a dream
Stewart’s Auto Salesopens on Hanover St.
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1987, Stewart’s Auto Salesmoves to Orchard Ave.
Automotive Art
Opens
Stewart’s Auto Sales celebrates35 years of Suzuki in Jamaica
Courtney Walsh awarded a
brand new Suzuki Baleno
from Stewart’s
1996 - Stewart’s sponsors the Reggae Boyz
with a fleet of Suzukis for World Cup France 98
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Be Creative
So James Bond did it with an Aston Martin, the artiste knownas Prince loves to boast about his red Corvette and countlessrappers and professional athletes swear that the secret to
snagging the attention of women, comes from the kind of vehiclethey pull up to the curb in.
These luxury and sports models are ‘blinged out’ and simply scream“expensive” and for that reason, are known as ‘chick magnets’.The perception is that when a guy pulls up to the curb, a woman’sbody language will change from one of nonchalance to that of beingreceptive, engaging and flirtatious.
Is this really true or do men perpetuate the myth to makethemselves feel good? Having spoken to both parties, there is somecredibility to the notion of a ‘chick magnet’ and the reasons arenot hard to understand, thus the notion is actually not thatmysterious after all.
Cars are a big status symbol. Cars, like houses, evoke certainfeelings in you when you step into them. For some women (callthem gullible and naïve), a hot ride signifies success, so theynaturally want to be associated with all the trappings of success,especially if their own background and early life was one of financialdepression. People who grew up on a tight budget, when presentedwith the opportunity, want to ‘live a little’ and cruising in a hot carcan transform their lives, even temporarily.
They think it elevates their own ‘stocks’. Sounds shallowright? Well some young women, typically those at the universitylevel, believe being seen in a fancy car will make them moreaccepted in the eyes of their friends and others who they seek toimpress. It does not matter that they do not own it. Being driven
around in one, means that by association they too are ‘hot’, ‘fancy’and ‘stylish’.
Behind every hot car is a rich man. With all the talknowadays of female empowerment through education and hardwork and with all the strides being made to raise the level ofself-worth of young women, there will always be a sect who areperfectly fine taking a short cut to ‘success’ and sometimes thatshort cut is simply finding a rich boyfriend or husband. Who needsto slave at a 9 to 5 and study for endless hours if you can findsomeone to hand you things? Yep. If you see a hot car and theowner is single (or willing), they will flock to him like moths to aflame. Can you say ‘gold-digger’?!
It is a great way to be seen by the powerful and elite. Let’sface it, wealthy people know other wealthy people and they hangout with these people at golf, cocktails, polo matches and dinnerparties. Most of them are influential movers and shakers in theirfield of endeavour, hence women want to meet and network withpersons who can move their lives and careers forward. It is truethat at times it is “who you know” that gets you through thedoors.
It is an aphrodisiac! Believe it or not some women see theowners of these vehicles as worldly, spontaneous and even sexy.When that powerful engine is being revved up, so too is theiroestrogen level, and the daredevil side that likes to be wild andfree takes over. Sounds crazy? Tell that to the men who swearup and down that it is the car that gets the girl for them as thebad boy persona that they exude is a turn on for these women.The acronym ‘YOLO’ is so popular nowadays that women haveeven been getting it as tattoos because it is exactly the philosophythey adopt hence YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE speaks to their needfor pleasure, freedom and excitement and to have a machine withimpressive horsepower throttle beneath them is at times toomuch for them to resist.
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To the average observer she seemed like a sensiblelass. A hard-working mother of three who is aparalegal by day, a student at night and who takes
her children to swimming and karate on the weekends.She volunteers as an usher once per month at her churchand tries to teach her children the right values that willmake them productive members of society.
All in all one would figure her for a very level-headedindividual and that would basically be true…until you seeher behind the wheel of her vehicle. Then all bets are offas, unfortunately, she turns into a bully who has nopatience and curses at everyone she feels should neverhave been issued a road license.
So what fills this otherwise sensible woman with roadrage? What makes her go from zero to a hundred in mereseconds, to the point that she forgets that she is a ‘childof God’ and starts swearing at her fellow motorists likea fishmonger’s wife? What can be done to show heralternative ways of controlling her temper, and how canshe best avoid road rage?
Defined as ‘aggressive or angry behaviour by a driver ofa motor vehicle’, ‘Road Rage’ can include rude gestures,verbal insults or deliberately driving in a threateningmanner that can lead to altercations and in someinstances even death. Traffic congestion is usually seenas the main source of frustration for drivers that can leadto road rage, but it is no legal defence for dumb or violentbehaviour behind the wheel. In order to avoidembarrassment and more importantly jail time forbehaviour that-once calm you will definitely regret, hereare some tips to make your life and that of your fellowmotorists a lot easier.
RoadHow to best avoid
RageGet enough rest/sleep. Something as simple as lack of sleepcan make you irritable and likely to snap at people. Do not take thismood into the vehicle with you.
Do not make the car your outlet for stress relief! Unlessyou are playing a video game, do not use your car to blow off steam.No matter how much your spouse upsets you or how badly yourboss reprimanded you into front of the whole department, youcannot take that pent- up anger into the car with you. Count to 100and think of one good thing that happened to you that day to gainsome perspective.
Surround yourself with positivity. Invest in some soothingmusic or audio self-help CDs designed to make you smile and justbrighten your day with thoughts that are positive and productive.You will be surprised that you not only feel better when you havearrived at your destination, but once on the job it will translate intoyour work and your own productivity will increase.
Plan ahead of time. If you are always rushing from place toplace with very little time to spare, chances are your foot will beheavy on the gas and your temper may get turned up a notch aseveryone seems to be in your way. To avoid the unnecessarychaos, learn to manage your travel time to and from work andappointments. Add an extra fifteen minutes to your travel time andset timers to keep you up to speed with how you are doing. If youleave out a bit early, you will be surprised at the difference in yourframe of mind while driving, so stop trying to beat every red lightand exercise a little more patience.
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20
In In June 2013 a new entrant into the automotive productindustry not only made an appearance but promptly madetheir presence felt. Sol Petroleum Jamaica Limited headedby General Manager Robert Jackson is ready to stake its
claim with the provision of quality lubricants Jamaicans not onlyrecognised, but more importantly trust to do the job effectively.
While they may be new to the Jamaican market, their productscertainly are not as Shell Lubricants are a household brand name,used by thousands of Jamaican motorists annually.
According to Karoline Smith, their Marketing Implementer, SolPetroleum Jamaica Ltd is committed to offering quality productsand excellent energy solutions to their customers. “Being aresponsible and dedicated corporate citizen is also veryimportant to us and we will be taking particular interest incontributing to long-term projects which are linked to energy,environment, education and sports. We will also supportnon-profit organizations and work with industry partners toinvest in initiatives which are able to benefit Jamaica and theregion positively.”
A member of the Sol Group, Sol Petroleum Jamaica Limited,through its partnership with Shell now has access to Shellresources as well as specialists in the field of lubricants who canprovide technical support services. The Sol Group supplies fuels,lubricants, and LPG through an extensive service station networkand supplies petroleum-based products to commercialcustomers who are involved in shipping, luxury boating, aviation,mining, trucking and fleet operations.
Established in 2005, Sol Group now boasts Shell’s assets in theEastern Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname and Belize. Through thepurchase of Shell’s assets, Sol became a licensee of the Shellbrand, making the company the authorized distributor of Shellproducts and services to customers across the region. Theadditional purchase of assets owned by both Shell and Esso hassince given Sol a healthy and robust portfolio.
(L) Karoline Smith - Marketing Implementer ( Sol Petroleum JamaicaLimited) poses for the camera with colleague (R) Loncey Earle -Frontline Technical Support
Robert Jackson - General Manager (Sol Petroleum Jamaica Limited)delivers his welcome speech at the company's launch event heldrecently at the Terra Nova Hotel.
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With more than 55 companies operating in 19 countries globally,the Sol Group’s growth has been a phenomenal one. Chief amongtheir goals is to do their part to assist in strengthening the economyof the countries within which they do business as they know whatis good for the countries within which they operate, is also goodfor the Sol Group. That said their geographical diversity allowsthem to transact business in nine (9) currencies and across four(4) languages within multiple legislative frameworks. This complexbusiness structure is ably overseen by competent local managersin each country of operation and is supported by a corporate headoffice located in Barbados while the entire network of over 600employees see to the extensive and at times complex businesstransactions in the dynamic petroleum distribution landscape.
Lubricant is however not the only product with which the SolGroup is making its mark as they are also key players in the aviationindustry following the purchase of Shell’s aviation business in 2009.Through their business unit, Sol Aviation Services Ltd, they havebeen servicing international and regional airlines and in May 2011,Sol further cemented another pillar of success with the acquisitionof Shell’s retail, commercial and aviation business in the DominicanRepublic. Recently in July 2012, they acquired retail sites andcommercial business in French Guiana.
“Energy is our business and our customers are our # 1 priority”,Smith added. “The team at Sol Jamaica is passionate and determined
to lead the way in providing the very best lubricants for youreveryday needs.”
In addition to their core duties, Sol also prides itself on itscommunity involvement and efforts to do its part to assist thedevelopment of our future generations. The Sol Scholarship isfounded on an agreement between Sol and The University of theWest Indies, Cave Hill Campus with the aim of providing fundingfor high performing students across all campuses of the Universityof the West Indies.
This partnership is very much in line with the work which Sol hasbeen undertaking across the region from a social investment andcommunity development perspective. The Scholarship is awardedto eligible students at the undergraduate and post graduate levelsenrolled in Engineering, Social Sciences and Science & TechnologyFaculties.
Sol is proud of this partnership and will continue to take the leadas a responsible corporate partner to the communities andgovernments which they serve. The Sol team also presented itsemblem as a further demonstration of their commitment to offerscholarships to eligible students at the Mona Campus.
Presentation of the Sol Scholarship cheque to UWI (Mona Campus)L-R : Gina Cummins, Group Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Sol Caribbean Ltd), Karoline Smith, Marketing Implementer (Sol Jamaica),Wendy Wallace, Sales Executive (Sol Jamaica), Joy Dickenson (UWI)
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His name is synonymous with speed, his record on the rallycircuit the stuff that legends are made of. Indeed if anyonewas born with gasolene in their blood it would be JeffreyPanton, a man who not only grew up around automobiles
but took his love for them to a whole other level. First he racedthem and then he sought to do his part to help sustain the economyof his country, hence in early 2013, Panton the racer becamePanton, the Managing Director of a renowned and distinguishedcentury old car dealership.
Having been exposed to cars all his life it was therefore a naturalprogression to get behind the wheels of a race car. At the tenderage of 14, he started rallying and knew he had found his passion.Now almost 30 years later, he still enjoys his passion but has alsodeveloped a new one, that of taking a century-owned automotivecompany into the 21st century.
Auto Trendz JA caught up with the very busy businessman athis offices at Kingston Industrial Garage (KIG), an automotivedealership that is 105 years old and still going strong. KIG is theauthorised dealer of Subaru and Ford vehicles as well as Yamahamotorcycles and Panton took over its reins in May 2013. Neverone to shy away from hard work, Jeffrey Panton is committed tothe promotion, marketing and sales of quality, brand name vehicles.As everyone knows, whatever he is involved with, he gives it 100%and is always pushing the throttle to achieve more.
ATJ: How is it moving from the driver’s seat of a race carto that of an automotive company?
JP: Challenging of course, especially in this present economy thatwe are experiencing. The automotive industry in Jamaica is highlycompetitive. Fortunately for me I have had previous experiencehaving grown up in it as well as having my family before me beinginvolved in it.
ATJ: What do you think you bring to KIG?
JP: I think I bring some vibrancy. KIG has existed since 1908 so itis the oldest Ford dealership outside of the USA. For somethingto be in existence so long there must have been some form ofstagnancy so I bring much needed change, vitality and a new wayforward.
ATJ: What motivated you to acquire KIG?
JP: Well the opportunity arose as the owner, Campari Group,were signing off on all non-core assets which were businesses thatdidn’t have anything to do with distilling and so it became available.We thought it was a great opportunity to expand our businessbeing that our core business was mainly commercial trucks and
pick-ups so KIG provided the opportunity to expand into thepassenger car segment.
ATJ: What are the main challenges you currently face inbusiness?
JP: Getting acquainted with the large number of staff members Inow have. It also takes time to familiarise yourself with the varioussystems and procedures that Ford, Subaru and Yamaha have andthey each have their own way of doing things. So I have to learnall the ropes and at the same time make changes within thecompany for the better. The major challenge is to bring KIGforward into vehicular sales and customer satisfaction.
ATJ: As a race car driver what has been some of yourbiggest achievements?
JP: I would say there have been a couple of great experiences. Ihave been racing since 1984 and I have won most of thechampionships in my genre which is rally. I started at 14. My fatherused to rally before me. I had friends involved in rally. My friendMichael McIntosh and I went as spectators to an event and weboth ended up entering and from there it became addictive. Thefirst year I completed, I won Rookie of the Year and that inspiredme to keep going. The experience of competing in WRC (WorldRally Championship) events against the best in world and travellingto different countries will be with me for a lifetime.
ATJ: KIG is over 100 years old. How has this automotivelegacy inspired you?
JP: Before taking over KIG, ironically I raced for the past 4 or 5years for Ford which is a brand that KIG represents. What haskept KIG around are their core brands Ford and Subaru. Ford hasbeen around forever so the brand quality contributed to thestrength and longevity of KIG.
ATJ: What are the challenges that KIG faces currently asa new vehicle dealer and what do you believe can be doneto make improvements in the industry?
JP: Obviously pricing plays a part in sales and one of the majorreasons for this is import duties, so if import duties would decreasethen sales would significantly increase. The government needs tonot be so short sighted as they would collect more revenue on alarger volume of vehicles.
I would also like to see the company retain and gain market sharein the category of models it provides. We want to be a formidabledistributor in the market place and exploit the full potential of ourbrands and services.
JEFFREY PANTONFROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF A RACE CAR TO A
CENTURY OLD AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY
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SUBARU XV
Whatever comes your way. Wherever your drive leads you. Whenever it takes an unexpected turn. The Subaru XV is poisedto take on all your urban adventures—both the planned and spontaneous. It’s stylish, spirited and versatile, giving you theunique tools and functionality to go where your lifestyle leads. And inside every Subaru is the exclusive combination ofSymmetrical All-Wheel Drive with the SUBARU BOXER engine, providing a delightfully responsive drive and sure controlto deftly navigate the streets. You’ll find an unmatched sense of possibility, security and exhilaration that makes the SubaruXV distinctly suited for the living city. Because what’s inside a Subaru will give you confidence like no other.
■ 2.0-liter DOHC engine■ SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder■ Up to 25cty/33hwy mpg■ Lineartronic® CVT with paddle shift■ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)■ Advanced multi-function display unit■ 17” alloys■ Rear vision camera■ Bluetooth compatible system■ Power sliding, glass sun roof■ 8 Airbags■ Aluminium pedals
SUBARU FORESTER
Combining Utility with just the right amount of sport, you enjoy up to 32 mg on the highway with the New Subaru Forester,that is up to 500 miles on a tank of fuel. Experience better control with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
■ 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder■ Up to 32hwy/24cty■ Lineartronic® CVT with paddle shift■ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)■ Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive■ Premium Audio System / Harman Kardon■ Keyless entry■ Push-button start■ Rear vision camera■ Bluetooth compatible system■ Power sliding, glass sun roof■ 8 Airbags
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SUBARU LEGACY
There’s a sense of satisfaction in doing things differently than the rest. Like building a sedan that offers surefooted handlingand refined smoothness. Intelligent engineering, with a Lineartronic® CVT that gives you more performance for less fuel(32 mpg), and Subaru Symmetrical AWD, designed for quick response and excellent control. And Legacy also offers EyeSight®, an innovative driver-assist system that helps the driver watch for and avoid trouble ahead. These virtues working togetherharmoniously in the Legacy deliver the confidence to relish every curve when you chase the things that matter most to you.
■ Up to 32/24mpg■ 2.5/2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder■ Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive■ Lineartronic® CVT with paddle shift■ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)■ 8 Airbags■ Bluetooth hands-free system■ Rear vision camera
SUBARU OUTBACK
Not all who wander are lost. Outback has what you need to explore whenever and wherever with confidence. With SubaruSymmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a rugged suspension, you get car-like handling with SUV capabilities. And Outback is alsoavailable with an innovative driver-assist system: EyeSight®, a combination of four systems that help the driver watch forand avoid trouble ahead. So grab some gear, a few fellow adventurers and go make some stories.
■ Up to 30/24mpg■ 2.5/3.6-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4/6-cylinder■ Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive■ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)■ 8 Airbags■ Bluetooth hands-free system■ Rear vision camera■ Paddle shift
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SUBARU IMPREZA
The exciting Impreza is packed with cutting-edge features, technology and style.It's the small car with a difference thanks to Subaru's famous All-Wheel Drive System and powerful horizontally-opposedBoxer engine, meaning the Impreza is both playful and controlled.
■ Up to 36/27mpg■ 1.6 or 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder■ Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive■ Lineartronic® CVT with paddle shift■ Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)■ Rear vision camera■ Bluetooth compatible system■ 8 Driver and Passenger Airbags (optional)
FORD FOCUS
Ford have updated the much-loved Focus to bring it fully in line with the Ford kinetic Design philosophy of ‘energy in motion’.The new Focus looks stunning, more athletic and more dynamic; the new car is improved, refined and redesigned.This class-leading model has always been revered for its great driving dynamics, and the new Focus is no exception. Allparts of the new Focus work together harmoniously.
■ 1.6L Ti-VCT■ Up to 28 city/40 hwy mpg■ 6-speed PowerShift Automatic Transmission■ Bluetooth compatible system■ Reverse sensor■ Keyless entry■ USB Connection
26
FORD KUGA
The Kuga takes SUV (Smart Utility Vehicle) styling and technology to a whole new level. It is Powerful, refined and morestylish, both inside and out and packed full of many innovative feature.The all-new Kuga is available with the 1.6 EcoBoost engine, with 150PS, 6-Speed Manual and 180PS with 6-Speed Auto.Both engines deliver plenty of power even in difficult off-road conditions. You'll use less fuel too, thanks to Ford's ECOnetictechnologies. The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system guarantees ultra-responsive handling on any terrain. As a result, theKuga delivers an impressive balance of performance and efficiency.
■ 1.6-liter Ecoboost Engine■ Up to 34 mpg city / 50 mpg hwy■ 6-Speed Automatic / 6-Speed Manual
Transmission■ All-Wheel Drive■ Push-button start■ Rear park sensors■ Hill start assist■ Emergency brake assist (EBA)■ Hands-free power tailgate
FORD MONDEO
With its sophisticated design and wealth of clever technology, the Ford Mondeo continues to win awards. It's been crownedWhat Car? Best Family Car for both 2012 and 2013.The award-winning credentials of the Mondeo come from its perfect balance of style and substance. For example, turn thesteering wheel 30° and the static cornering lights automatically give more light on sharper bends. With the addition ofEcoBoost engines, the Mondeo now delivers significantly enhanced performance and fuel efficiency, while reducing CO2emissions.
■ 2.0-liter 4-Cylinder Ecoboost Engine■ 6-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic
Transmission■ Up to 36.7 mpg (combined)■ 7 Driver and Passenger Airbags■ Intelligent Protection System (IPS)■ ABS■ Auto Start-Stop System■ Emergency Brake Warning■ Bluetooth hands-free & voice control system
27
FORD EDGE
Edge gets noticed. It's just part of its nature. From the bold front grille through the fluid shapes and smooth lines that runthe length of its body, Edge looks like nothing else on the road. With a sleek roof, an aerodynamic shape and a commandingprofile, Edge is ready for action.The 2013 Edge looks great and has smart driver technology. And its performance is every bit as impressive. The 3.5L V6engine with Ti-VCT (twin independent variable cam timing) delivers 285 horsepower plus unsurpassed highway fuel economy.
■ 3.5L Twin Independent Variable CamTiming V6 FWD or 2.0L Ecoboost twin-turbo FWD
■ 6-Speed Automatic (EcoBoost model only)■ Up to 19 mpg city / 24 mpg hwy■ Sunroof - optional on both models■ 8” Touch screen■ SYNC® with MyFord Touch®■ Rear view camera■ Reverse sensor■ 6 Driver and Passenger Airbags■ SOS post-crash system
FORD RANGER
The Ford Ranger has been ruthlessly tested in some of the most hostile environments, under extreme temperatures, andacross the harshest terrain on earth. The vehicle’s also been put to the test by some of the world’s most unforgiving judges,who presented the Ranger with the 2013 International Pick-Up Award. These leading motoring journalists were unanimousin their decision, giving Ranger more points than the combined total for both the second and third-placed vehicles.No doubt the judges were impressed by the extra power, delivered by a line-up of advanced Duratorq diesel engines, whichcan help you transport a payload of up to 1,340 kg and tow up to 3,500 kg. At the same time, the engines provide improvedfuel economy while meeting Euro Stage V emissions standards.
■ 2.2-litre Duratorq Stage V diesel, 150hp /375lbft torque or 3.2-litre Duratorq (DirectCommon Rail), 200hp / 470lbft torque
■ 6-Speed Manual Transmission■ Up to 35.3 mpg (combined)■ Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)■ Hill Descent Control (HDC)■ Hill start assist■ 800mm wading depth■ Fabric or Leather interior■ Passenger and Driver Airbags■ Intelligent Protection System (IPS)
28
FORD EXPLORER
A strong structure with advanced materials and technology serves as the foundation for Explorer capability. It’s what makeseverything possible from travel on off-road terrain to snow-covered roads, with some high-tech help from the availableIntelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System.™ And there’s Curve Control, an enhancement to the standardAdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and its road-hugging capability. Inside, the Explorer provides seating for seven.When carrying things takes priority, the rear seats fold down for cargo space on demand - up to 80.7 cubic feet.
■ 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 Engine or 2.0L EcoboostTwin-Turbo (FWD)
■ Up to 17 mpg city / 24 mpg hwy■ Media Hub with Auxiliary Input Jack■ AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™■ Hill Descent Control™ (4WD Models Only)■ Reverse camera / Reverse sensors■ SYNC® with MyFord Touch® (voice
activated)■ Powered & non-powered 3rd row seats
tailgate■ SOS post-crash alert system■ Sunroof
FORD FIESTA
From its grille, headlamps, available fog lamps and trim to its sleek new hood with distinctive character lines, the Fiestafeatures a new, more sculpted look. Adding to its appeal are all the choices the Fiesta offers. For starters, do you crave asedan or hatch? Which color do you want it in? You have 10 eye-catching colors to choose from. How about an exteriorbody kit graphics package? Would you like fabric, or leather seats?
■ 1.6L Ti-VCT I-4 Engine■ Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)■ AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control
(ESC) SYNC®■ 6-Speed Automatic Transmission■ Up to 27 mpg city / 38 mpg hwy■ 7 Driver and Passenger Airbags■ ABS■ Hill start assist■ Emergency brake warning
29
ou claim you love and cherishyour car so after spending all that
money to acquire it why treat it likea wayward step- child? What is up with
the bucket of industrial detergent youinsist on using to wash it? Think about it -
your car is an investment so why not treat itas such. After all the comfort and conveniencethat ‘Betsy’ has been giving you, why not returnthe favour?
Now Do-It-Yourself (DIY) does not have tomean penny pinching as you can detail your ridewith style if you take a little extra time andpatience to do it right. Consider the followinghelpful tips to make your ‘baby’ look shiny andnew once again. Detailing a vehicle can be atime-consuming procedure, or it can be a quickand simple task. A word of caution before youbegin: if the job is complicated or has too manyintricate steps, leave it to the professionals.
Now in cleaning the inside, use a vacuumcleaner, an air compressor or even a blow dryerto blow dirt from the small nooks and spacesyou cannot easily reach. Try and push it to acentral area where they can be easily scooped.For foot mats and carpets a good stiff brushshould do the trick. Vinyl mats could use somesoap and water, and for your precious leatherupholstery use a conditioner that has aloe forit to really sparkle like new.
If you have not gotten around to cleaning thevehicle in awhile and the birds have been leaving
‘love notes’ on it for you, then a wash isin order but avoid any harsh chemicals.Remember you are washing your babynot stripping a floor! While soap or dishwashing liquid will do the job, it maystrips away its protective wax coatingsand make the paint job susceptible tostains and scratches. Hence a carwashsolution will preserve your vehicle'sfinish much better.
Since your car is your ‘baby’ you haveto treat it delicately, so grab a spongeand hand wash it, starting from the roofand working your way down. Yes, at firstit may seem like a chore, but turn onyour favourite music and get to gentlyrubbing it as this will give you a betterappreciation for its craftsmanship onceagain. More importantly, by manuallywashing it you may notice smallscratches and other stuff that waspreviously undetected.
When it comes to your tyres if you wantto make those bad boys sing, go for thenon-acidic products just to be on thesafe side. The real chemical solutionsshould be left to the experts as harshcleaners tend to cause oxidation. Agood degreaser is recommended tomake them appear new.
Now your paint job is precious and youwant to keep it that way, right? So here
comes car wax to your rescue as itabsorbs a lot of the wear and tear, sun,rain stains and droppings that can maryour vehicle. It is best to boost this upevery couple of months. Theprofessionals say it does not matter if itis liquid or paste wax as long as you arewilling to put in the elbow grease. Theresults will be the same. What youshould do is give it two coats just in caseyou missed a spot the first time.
The glass is the last thing to getpampered and for this delicate yetessential component, we are goingsimple but effective. Forget about thenewspaper and water treatment that wegrew up using as children when cleaningour parents’ cars on weekends. Sourcea cleaner that contains no ammonia. Tomake it sparkle, use a microfibre clothafterwards.
Spend a weekend caring for your ‘baby’and you may startle yourself at thetransformation and realise again why youfell in love with her in the first place.
30
FOR 2014So after years of fighting with clonkers, gas guzzlers and
second hand lemons that emit more smoke thanmosquito fumigators, you have finally decided that anupgrade is necessary. It is time to look at new cars.
Now before you get all excited about checking out new rides,please note that since the recession, the automotive industryhas gone through some serious changes that haverevolutionised the way we see our vehicles. What it has alsodone is move the players around a bit.
Yes, we all know Jamaica is predominantly a Nissan, Honda andToyota buying country but times and tastes have expanded andmany more models have stepped up, revved up and gained theattention of car enthusiasts around the globe. It is a brand newautomotive world in which to shop with many fresh, improvedfeatures and elements that the experts love and have given highmarks. Cars are being made sleek and luxury features areexpanding past the big model cars. Additionally, while comfortis still the name of the game, great fuel capacity is a bigconsideration. Thrown into the mix are crossovers and sportscars and the list is indeed diverse.
Here are some of the top hot rides chosen by Forbes andConsumer Guide Automotive. The list has been tweaked toget a Jamaican perspective hence it features predominantlyvehicles that are available here. The 2014 model year is servingup an engaging array of new and fully redesigned models, rangingfrom family sedans and plush luxury cars to hot sport coupesand utilitarian pickup trucks. We have put our own spin on thefollowing compilation. Some are not available in Jamaica butthere is absolutely nothing wrong with dreaming. Even if youcan't afford a hub cap, try and test drive at least one of themas you only live once!
1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
This vehicle offers an outrageous approach to the word luxurywith bold and elegant new styling and long list of high-techchassis control options including a low-speed autonomousdriving mode, steering that automatically keeps the car centredbetween lane markers on the highway and the ability toanticipate road imperfections in its path and adjust thesuspension accordingly to maintain a butter-smooth ride.Over-the-top-shelf options include rear seats that simulate ahot stone massage, heated armrests and an ionizing andperfuming feature for the climate control system.
2
1
3
2. Jaguar F-Type
Wrapped in curvaceous styling, this one packs a lively 3.0-litresupercharged V6 engine that generates either 340 or 380horsepower, depending on the version and can hit the 60 mphmark in just over four seconds. Its lightweight, yet-rigidaluminium structure, rear-drive configuration and sophisticatedsuspension promise sporty handling abilities.
31
3. Mercedes Benz CLA-Class
It is the German automaker's first-ever front-drive compactluxury sedan. The vehicle is distinguished by a 'swoopy' rooflineand is said to be among the most-aerodynamic car designsamong production cars. Myriad available high-tech amenitiesinclude Mercedes' Parktronic system with Advance ParkingAssist that enables autonomous parking in both parallel andperpendicular parking spaces.
4. Toyota Corolla
The popular Toyota Corolla compact sedan gets its mostradical reinvention in a decade. More athletic looking overall,the Corolla rides on a longer wheelbase, which helps contributeto additional interior room. A freshly cast interior featuresextensive use of higher-quality materials to help infuse thevehicle with a more upscale look and feel and the new LE Ecofeatures variable valve timing and a slightly quicker 140horsepower, with a Toyota-estimated five percent increase infuel economy. Available amenities include push-buttonentry/start, heated front seats, a navigation system and Toyota'sEntune multimedia array with smartphone data connectivity.
5. BMW 4 Series
For 2014, the former BMW 3 Series coupes and convertiblesget a major redesign and a choice of a 240 horsepowerturbocharged 2.0-litrefour-cylinder engine in the 428i, and afaster 300-horsepower 3.0-litreturbo-six in the 435i, and bothcan be mated to either a standard eight-speed automatic orsix-speed manual transmission. A long list of high-tech featuresincludes an adaptive cruise control system that works in stopand go traffic, a forward collision warning system that can warnof a potential collision with a pedestrian, and the latest versionof BMW's iDrive multimedia control system with Bluetoothsmartphone integration and a dictation function with full speechrecognition.
6. Fiat 500L
The 2014 Fiat 500L is an entirely different and much morepractical vehicle featuring specific exterior styling cues with adistinctively cast five-passenger cabin with 42 percent moreinterior room and 13.6 added cubic feet of cargo space. Powercomes from a 1.4-litreturbocharged four-cylinder engine that'sestimated to generate 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet oftorque for sufficient acceleration and highway passing prowess.
7. Kia Cadenza
A brand known more for its budget-minded models, Kia takesa step deep into luxury-car territory with its new Cadenzasedan. Power comes from a 3.3-litre direct-injected 293-horsepower V6 engine and more luxurious interior. It piles onthe amenities and offers a few top-shelf options, including apower retractable rear sunshade and a power tilt/telescopingsteering wheel.
7
6
5
4
32
For any buyer of a new motor vehicle, the prospect canseem overwhelming as there are many factors other thanprice to consider. The vehicle you ultimately purchaseshould speak to your current desires so whether you are
a student, a busy mom of three children, a construction foreman,a sports enthusiast, a corporate executive or a teacher, it has tofit your lifestyle needs.
Auto Trendz JA has come to your rescue as we have generatedour own vehicular buying guide in the form of charts that breaksdown the features of new vehicles available in Jamaica based ontheir category in terms you can understand.
Anyone can give you basic advice or offer a personal opinion asto what would suit you best. We, however, have provided youwith the facts about trucks, minivans, sedans, SUVs and hatchbacksand others in the market with comparative data so that you, theprospective buyer, can make a rational and informed decision.
More than a dozen brands across the board are featured in ourdata analysis, from the relatively inexpensive to the ultra luxuriousand everything between. Some dealers have several makes/modelsrepresented while others have only one or two, but all the majornew car dealerships in Jamaica have been covered. Please notethat prices are subject to change by the time of our publication.
In the ‘Hatchback’ category, all the cars listed get high marks forsafety (rated out of ten) but the Hyundai I30, Honda Fit, FordFusion, Suzuki Swift, Kia Soul and Toyota Yaris all score a 9.3 orhigher. Their reliability rating is also impressive but only the KiaSoul 4-Door hatchback and Picanto offer 6-7year warrantiesrespectively. All the others provide 3 to 5 years. The all-importantfactor of pricing is very interesting with the Nissan March beingthe most affordable at a starting price of $1.25M. The Kia Soul($3.2M), Subaru Imprezza ($3.6M), Suzuki SX4 ($2.85 - $3.2M)and the Hyundai I30 ($2.9 – $3.9) are the priciest of the lot butdo boast some impressive new features.
The ‘Sedan’ listing is wide with practically something for everystyle and taste. More than thirty vehicles are featured and somecar manufacturers have several offerings, so choosing betweenthem can be even harder. For safety, you can roll with the KiaOptima, Subaru Legacy, Audi A1 and the BMW1 Series as theseall got top marks of 10 out of 10. For those interested inacceleration rate(0-60 mph) the Honda Civic, Kia Cerato, ToyotaCorolla, Hyundai Elantra and I40, VW Jetta and Passat and theMercedes E200 scored very high, but in the area of qualityhorsepower it comes down to the Kia Optima, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and 5 Series, VW Passat, plus the Audi A1 and A1Sportback.
Always much sought after, the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)category is rather diverse in its offerings as well. In terms of CCratings (out of 10), four models stood out: the Audi Q3 and Q5scored 9.5 and 9.0 respectively, plus BMX X6 scored a 9.5 and
the Nissan X-Trail copped a 9.0. The reliability factor saw theKia Caren standing out as well as the Toyota line of vehicles sincethe Toyota Prado, Fortuner and RAV4 all received perfect scores,but when it comes to warranty the Audi ruled the roost handsdown as the Audi Q3,5 and 7 come with amazing 10-12 yearwarranties.
The ever important factor of your safety means that manymanufacturers have stepped up their games and indeed a lot ofmodels scored higher than a ‘9’. The top picks however got evenhigher marks, hence VW Touareg, Subaru Tribeca, Honda CRV,Kia Carnival, Toyota Prado, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero,Mercedes Benz ML 250 & 350, BMW X1 and the Audi Q3 andQ5 topped the charts. Now all that is good, but we know youare interested in how much it will cost you. The most reasonablevehicle going for under $4M are the Hyundai Tusan, Daihatsu andMitsubishi ASX, while at the other end of the scale, be preparedto get your bank manager to sign off on the VW Touareg Hybrid,Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz ML350 and the Toyota Land Cruiserthat all cost more than $10M.
Moving on to the ‘Truck/Pick-up’ segment, strength andhorsepower is everything, therefore the Ford F-150 tops thecategory which is not surprising as it won both the Motor Trend’sTruck of the Year 2012 and the 2013 Light-Duty Challenge. Thewarranties are excellent on the Isuzi D-Max, Suzuki Carry,Mitsubishi L200 and the Mazda BT-50 4X4. Safetywise you cannotgo wrong with the Toyota Hilux, and the Ford Ranger trumpseverything else in terms of reliability. No wonder it copped the‘International Pick-Up Award 2013’
The ‘sports car’ category is very competitive. Most men dreamof having one of those super sleek machines at their disposal, socomparative shopping is very important. Before you are temptedto be speed demons and go full throttle, know that the VW GTIplus the Audi S3 and S5 ranked the best in safety, even higherthan the BMW who did pretty well. In terms of ability toaccelerate (from 0-60mph), the VW Polo and the Swift Sport topthis market. To free those ‘horses’ beneath your feet, your bestbet for horsepower are the VWGTI, BMW M6 and BMW 5, butweigh all that against the cost. The VW Polo is the most affordable-being under $3.2M- while the Audi is king of the dollars comingin at $8M.
Ahhhhhh, the luxury cars. Those much sought after vehicles withthe plushest seats and the great, modern features that seem tomake the cars practically drive themselves. In terms of impressiveawards earned, the Jaguar X won both 2013 Luxury Car of theYear and 2013 Luxury Green Car awards; the Mazda 6 won theBest Family Car (July 2013) and the Outstanding Product Design; the BMW 3 series brought home the 2012 Golden SteeringWheel award, 2013 All-Star Award and the Autocar Asian Carof the Year 2013 trophies; The 2013 ‘Best Car for the Money’went to the Audi A4 and the Toyota Camry received the 2013
33
Brands Hatchback Sedan Luxury cars Hybrids Sports Cars SUVs /Crossovers
PickupTrucks
Vans/MiniVans
Toyota Corolla, Yaris Camry Camry, Prius FT 86RAV4, FortunerLand Cruiser,Prado
Hilux Hiace
Daihatsu Terios
Nissan March Versa GTR, Roadster 370ZQuashqai,MuranoX-Trail, Patrol
Navara
Hyundai I30 Accent, ElantraVeloster, I40 Genesis Genesis
CoupeTucson, SantaFE H1
Mazda Mazda 2 Mazda 2,Mazda 3 Mazda 6 CX-5 BT-50 4x4
Isuzu D-Max
KIA
Picanto,Rio 4-door,Rio 5-door,Soul, Cerato,Optima
Carens,CarnivalSorento,Sportage
K2700
Audi
A1, A1Sportback,A3,A3 Sportback,
A4, A5, A6,A7, A8, S5, S6 S3, TT, S5 Q3, Q5, Q7
VW Jetta, Golf,Passat, GTI Passat CC Polo, GTI
Tiguan, Touareg,Touareg Hybrid Routan
Honda Fit Civic, Accord,Fit CR-V
Jaguar XF F-Type
Suzuki SX4Hatchback
KizashiSX4 SedanSwiftCelerio
Swift Sport
Grand Vitara5dr.,Grand Vitara3dr.,Jimny
CarryAPV,APV PanelVan
Mitsubishi Lancer ASX, MonteroSport, Pajero L200 L300
BMW
1 Series,5 Series GranTurismo,Active Hybrid 7
3 Series,5 Series,6 Series,7 Series, M3,M5, M6,6-Series GranCoupe
Z4, M3, M5,M6
X1, X3, X5, X6,X6 Active Hybrid
Mercedes E 200, E 250,E 300 CLS 350 C 180 ML 250, ML 350
Ford Fiesta, Fusion Focus,Mondeo
Everest, Edge,Explorer
Sport Trac,Ranger (SingleCab, SpaceCab, DoubleCab),F-150 (SingleCab, SpaceCab, SuperCrew Cab)
Subaru Impreza 5door(1.5L & 2.5L)
Legacy,Impreza 4door(2L & 2.5L)
Outback,Forester,Tribeca, XV
AUTO TRENDS 2014 CAR BUYER’S GUIDE - Overview
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-StarOverall Safety Rating.
Safety ratings are highest for the Audi A8, A6 and A4, MercedesCLS 350 and the Jaguar XF and X Type, while the Audi S5 and S6are deemed the most reliable. Pricewise the Mazda 6 gives youmost bang for your buck at $3.9M which seems almost a steal.Coming in with all the bells, whistles and a high price tag are theMercedes CLS 350 at $14.8M, Audi A8 at $15.9M and the JaguarX Type at $18.5M.
‘Minivans/Vans’ are our last and smallest category and when itcomes to safety, the VW Routan gets the highest rating (9.8 outof 10) with the Hyundai H1 and the Suzuki APV Panel Van closebehind. The KIA K2700 is voted most reliable; the Toyota Hiacehas the best CC rating; the VW Routan has the best warrantyand the Mitsubishi L300, the most reasonable sale at $2.85M. TheToyota Hiace tops the category at $5.68M (for the high roofmodel).
Sports Cars
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SPORTS CARS
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49
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44
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cutio
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45
TRUCKS / PICKUPS
Mod
els
Safe
ty(o
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f 10)
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el.
(0-6
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)A
war
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Ran
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the
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otor
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kup
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icle
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8.0
MINIVANS / VANS
Mod
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atin
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tralia
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2013
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ubis
hi L
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7.5
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VW
Rou
tan
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the
Top
Saf
ety
Pic
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uki A
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34.
03
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ces:
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TSA
- N
atio
nal H
ighw
ay T
raffi
c Sa
fety
Adm
inis
trat
ion,
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S -
Insu
ranc
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te fo
r H
ighw
ay S
afet
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Aut
omot
ive
Perf
orm
ance
Exe
cutio
n an
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yout
. Pri
ces
are
estim
ated
and
sub
ject
to
chan
ge.
47
Like the clothes you wear or thehairdo you rock, you car representsyou and thus says a lot about you to
others. Have you ever stopped to wonderexactly what it is whispering?
You spend a lot of time grooming yourselfas you know you never get a secondchance to make a first impression, butwhat first impression does your car giveothers about its owner?
Truthfully, a neglected vehicle may reflectnegatively on you, as that person you havebeen trying to win over may see your rideand think that if you treat your machinethat shabbily, his or her prospects for careand consideration may not be too high.Also if the inside of your car is always amess, usually so too is your abode so noone will want to hang out there or beinvited over.
What YourCar SaysAbout You
While you do not have to ‘pimp out yourride’ and spend all your free time cleaning,good and regular maintenance may getyou further than you realise. Suppose youturn up to a job interview, ready to acethe questions but your car has not had awash in weeks; the colour is as patchy asa quilt and the rusty spots are more thanthe original paint job. If that prospectiveboss is looking through the window,chances are you may have blown theopportunity to truly wow him or herbefore entering the building. It may notseem fair because it is the job you shouldbe judged on and not your ride, but theoverall impression of how you showed upmay have left a bad taste in thatemployer’s mouth.
Yes, your boss, friends and businesscontacts do pay attention to your ride.If your car is a classic or vintage piece ofmachinery that is no longer beingmanufactured but one that you may havebought and restored to pristine conditionwith all the bells and whistles and have itlooking as fine as the day it rolled off thelot, that speaks to the fact that you aremeticulous and someone that appreciatesquality. Whatever the ride, be it aThunderbird, Mustang or Jaguar, the factthat you spent months or maybe yearsgetting it back to its former glory says toonlookers, especially an employer, thatyou are respectful of legacies and they canentrust you to help them build one.
When it comes to men certain cars aresaid to speak volumes. Someone whogrew up less fortunate and who made itbig financially whether through the lottery,an entertainment career or sportsgenerally gravitates towards cars that areshowpieces and head turners like a niceBMW, Porsche, Benz, Hummer orLamborghini. They fancy the shiny rimsand nice interior work on the expensivecars and usually the more expensive, thebetter. These motorists are sometimesperceived as ‘attention seekers’ thoughthey themselves think they are simplypopular and ‘cool’ and that when peopleare staring at them when they go by it isbecause ‘their swag is turned all the wayup’! We all know the type as they will playtheir music way too loud to get attentionfrom people on the streets and fellowmotorists at the stop lights.
On the other hand, a man or a womanwho embraces a hybrid comes across asconscientious and caring. Hybrids aredesigned to reduce tailpipe emissions andto improve mileage therefore a hybridowner is seen as energy efficient,environmentally aware and caring not onlyabout him/herself but others around them.
You may say it is all stereotyping andmaybe it is to a point, but remember thatperception can overtake reality, so try tolearn the language your ride is speaking.
49
They got their learners permit and you have put the capital‘L’ on the front and back but while they are giddy withexcitement you feel bile threatening to rise up as your
nerves have not been this shot since they were taking their G-SATexams!
Teaching teenagers how to drive for most parents is an act thatcan give them heartburn, as they are petrified that their little onesare not ready for the wide open roads (especially the pot holefilled ones) and all the dangers that comes with driving. Howeverwith proper guidance and a whole lot of patience, you can survivethis seemingly insurmountable task.
Now first and foremost, if patience is a virtue you simply do nothave a lot of in reserve maybe you should get some other familymember or a professional to do the lessons. Yelling at the childwill not make things go smoothly at all. Having said that, nothingbeats learning from someone that you are already comfortablewith, so a parent still may be the best option. So buckle up, it isgoing to be an interesting ride!
Ensure that what you are teaching is correct. Do not makethings up as you go along! If you yourself have forgotten theelementary steps like looking through the mirrors and handsignals, get a manual and familiarise yourself with it before youeven get into the vehicle. You have a legal responsibility for thesafety of the learner as well as other motorists so do not take thejob lightly.
Start very slowly. If the child is a bundle of nervous energy, theslower the better and that means possibly starting in a big, emptycar park. The correct ways to start, stop, turn and reverse shouldbe the mysteries that unfold here as the learner needs to buildconfidence about some basic skills before being allowed onto theroad with other drivers. Also try to get them to pay attention totheir surroundings and to use their peripheral vision. Too oftenteens run into accidents because they were not paying enoughattention to everything on the road but just what was directlyahead of them.
SURVIVING THEhow to teach your teen to drive
‘LEARNER’Plan your route ahead of time. Do not just get in and say“drive”. Know where you want them to go from point A to pointB because failure to do so can lead to stress on the part of theperson driving. They may come up onto a busy roadunexpectedly and panic. Plan and discuss the route and in theinitial lessons, avoid busy roads that have traffic congestions, loudnoises, pedestrians who just seem to walk out into the roadhaphazardly (like Half Way Tree square). Also avoid roads whereanimals have been known to just wander into the roadway asanimals, especially cows, can be unpredictable and the teen doesnot need that added stress.
Give clear instructions. Words have meaning and when itcomes to driving lessons be as concise and measured as possibleso avoid words that can be left up to interpretation such as‘careful’ and ‘slow’, especially the latter because slow to youmaybe a snail pace while to them it can be interpreted as justwithin the speed limit. It is more helpful to simply state “drive at40 miles per hour” or “stay on the left” as this can be easilyunderstood.
Educate by asking relevant questions. To ensure that theteen is actually learning you should occasionally ask questionsinstead of making comments as the latter can come off soundingjudgemental and can be a turn off. The last thing you want is forthe teen to tune you out while they are behind the wheels. Soinstead of saying ‘Hey, didn’t you see the stop sign back there!”say “Andrea, what should we do at a stop sign?” Now do not aska question every 2 minutes - you should not give a pop quizaround the steering wheel.
Be smart and utilise good conditions. Until you know thatthey are comfortable behind the steering wheels with more thana couple of basic lessons under their belt, do not try anything toocomplicated and certainly to not try to ‘test’ them. This meansdriving lessons should be done in broad daylight not night, not inpouring rain and only on fairly decent roads that are reasonablystraight and well-marked with white lines, not mountainoushillsides with dangerous bends and blind spots. Come on, do notmake it an obstacle course!
Above all else, exercise common sense and take things slowly, assteady gets results. Who know, it may even turn out to be abonding experience between you and your child that years fromnow you may both have a big laugh about.
52
It is stylish, sleek, simple yet sophisticated and the newestmember of the Suzuki family to make an entrance on theJamaican automotive landscape. It is the Suzuki Kizashi andthe only thing funny about it is its name.
Meticulously crafted to move like a dream, the Kizashi waslaunched in 2009 and was originally aimed at the UnitedStates, European and Asian markets. Due to its incredibledesign and handling, which simply screams sportiness,Stewart's Automotive then determined that it was full timefor it to make its island debut and Jamaica is the first in theCaribbean to experience its vehicular vitality.
A luxury sedan with a difference, the Kizashi's craftsmanshipis impeccable from every angle and this goes for both itsexterior and interior, with the latter affording its occupantsserenity as the cabin boasts awesome technologicalsensibility. Put it this way, one quick turn in the Kizashi andyour passion for driving will be further enhanced.
Once inside a Kizashi you cannot sit still for long as yourfingers itch to caress the steering wheel and make the vehicleone with the road. The freedom to dream and to expandyour horizons are all feelings the Kizashi seems to inspire inits drivers, and once behind the wheel you immediately relaxand let the car do all the hard work.
For Chris Callen, Suzuki's Sales and Marketing Manager,Kizashi is a perfect fit for the Jamaican market for morereasons than one. "We like to use the words 'affordableluxury' when we speak of the Kizashi as it offers premiumperformance without the premium price tag. It has a 2.4 litreengine, comes with seven air bags and an awesome stereosystem with ten speakers and all the bells and whistles youwould expect. A lot more has been included that will leaveeven the most seasoned car enthusiasts impressed with itstop quality features."
Now the manufacturers of this model boast that thisluxurious sports sedan is ideal for the individual who leadsnot only a busy but a dynamic lifestyle, as then they can trulyappreciate this fine specimen. The luxurious touches aresubtle yet superb and the premium-infused technology makesit a bonus for drivers who can identify quality at a glance.
Let us talk about its finer features. Working our way fromthe outside in, the view of its refinement is divine. The frontgrille boasts a three dimensional frame with stainless steelexhaust covers that is a testament to Suzuki's popularsportbike design. When it comes to the headlamps, the ringshold a beautiful silver finish, reminiscent of fine jewellery, aswell as awesome contrasting visual texture. Once cannotforget the wheels, as without doubt the 18-inch aluminiumalloy wheels are of impeccable quality.
It you want a fun machine that is sporty yet totally secure,look to the sports grade of the Kizashi, thanks to its sports
Intr
oduc
ing
the
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suspension with low ride, fog lamp bezels and other sport-styling details like its three-spoke, leather-wrapped sportsteering wheel, boot-lid spoiler and chrome-plated doorgarnishes.
Priced to go, the Kizashi is available for $4.5M for the executivemodel and for the sports package it is just slightly higher at$4.6M. Why is it so reasonable? Well as Callen emphasises,Stewart's Automotive has always sought to balance quality withaffordability and that philosophy continues into 2013. "Kizashiis simply value for your money. You are getting a vehiclecomparable to top premium brands like an Audi, Honda Accordand Toyota Camry, with a price tag way below any of these.Technologically, it is advanced and in certain areas even moreadvanced than some."
So let us look at its technology. Its10-way power adjustabledriver's seat which, by the way, boasts a smooth satin finish,will envelop you. All your focus is therefore shifted to its stylishcontrols situated exactly where the driver expects to find them,and if someone else has driven your ride, it automaticallyrestores it to your favourite position. Along with a keyless pushstart system, the Kizashi has other amazing technologicalfeatures, plus a 2.4-litre engine developed specially to boost itspowerful performance and provide exceptional quietness andfuel economy. It comes with a choice of a six-speed manualtransmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) thatshifts automatically when needed.
Its suspension is world-class, hence its superior handling lendsto its smoothness on the road. World-tested in variouscountries, climatic conditions and on varied road surfaces, ithas withstood rigorous testing in both hot and cold weatherin everything from racing circuits, braking on the autobahn andrugged European country roads.
And did we mention comfort? 'Peaceful' would best describehow quiet the cabin is as its design perfectly filters outside noisein every direction. All the manufacturer really wants you tohear is the incredibly toned decibel of its audio system. If luxuryis what you seek, look no further than its upholstery done upin either leather or finely woven fabric made with high qualityJapanese textile. And do not adjust the air conditioning asregardless of the temperature outside and the brilliance of thesun, it automatically adjusts the air in the interior. In fact bothdriver and passenger can simply choose the temperature theyprefer to enjoy during their ride out together.
There is storage space in abundance as the boot of the vehiclehas impressive space for all your everyday baggage, as well asfor those much-needed road trips for a weekend getaway tothe country. If you need to haul a few things around in a hurry,the split rear seat folds neatly down for expansive cargo room.Working on the road will also not be a hassle because thecentre lower box in the instrument comes with a handy panelcontaining a USB port and a power socket. So, how do you likeall them apples that definitely sweetens the Kizashi deal?
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Three decades ago Stewart'sAuto Sales took a chance ona new model as they saw its
potential to the Jamaican market.Their assessment proved spot on, asthat brand would go on to not onlybecome a household name but also thepreferred choice for hard-workingJamaican motorists. That brand is Suzuki.
Dealers since 1982, their tireless effortshave made the brand not only popular butrespected - as its capabilities speak volumesas to its quality and ability to handle notonly our highways but rugged hillsides. Ithas also proven to be a champion on ourraceways.
Suzuki's Founder Michio Suzuki took his1909 business from a small loom workshopin a coastal village in Japan and transformedit into a multinational corporation,specialising in the manufacturing ofcompact automobiles and 4X4 vehicles,along with motorcycles, marine engines,ATVs and a variety of small internalcombustion engines. Japan's fourth largestautomobile manufacturer, Suzuki is the 9thlargest automobile manufacturer in theworld by production volume, employs over45,000 people and has 35 main productionfacilities in 23 countries and 133distributors in over 192 nations.
The first Suzuki vehicle that made it wayto Jamaica was the Suzuki SJ410. Thistwo-door hard top convertible with afour-speed manual transmission wasoriginally viewed as the working man'sautomobile as it was very strong anddependable. By this time, the founder ofStewart's Auto Sales Lionel Stewart was
not in the best ofhealth butinsisted onseeing this new model so it was driven forhis perusal up to Gordon Town andeveryone was impressed with how well ithandled on the Jamaican roads as its 4wheel capability made easy work of ourmountainous terrain. It was there that anappreciation for Suzuki's offering wasspawned and Stewart's Auto instantly knewthey had a hit on their hands. They madea business proposal to Suzuki and got alicense, and a perfectly symbioticrelationship was born to their mutualsatisfaction.
From the SJ410, they expanded into otherreputable models, establishing theirdominance in the marketplace. Suzukimodels hold such pride of place amongstmotoring enthusiasts that one year theyboasted sales of 3,450 units. Through theirtenacity and pursuit of vehicular excellence,they took the Suzuki Swift's popularity tonew heights. They later did the same thingwith the Grand Vitara, now considered thestandard bearer in SUV sales, plus currentlythe best seller among all vehicles in theisland.
A rally favourite, there is hardly acompetition in Jamaica in which a Suzukivehicle is not at the starting line, all revvedup and raring to go, proving its superiorityover the competition by leaving them in itsdust.
In addition to possessingan enviable fleet ofquality cars, Stewart'shas also earned a fine reputation for its lineof commercial vehicles, as Suzuki is Japan'ssecond largest manufacturer of small carsand trucks. From panel van to small pick-up, Suzuki has a model for every need, witha great three year/100 km warranty ontheir vehicles.
According to Suzuki's Sales and MarketingManager Chris Callen, if you want to getthings moved without the hassle, your bestbet is a Suzuki vehicle because they arestrong and dependable and they back all oftheir vehicles with exceptional service."When you add to that over $300 millionin spare parts inventory, then you knowwe are serious not only sales but alsoservice. There is no need to shopanywhere else when you have a Suzuki, sowhy not just save yourself time and makeus your first stop? We guarantee you, itwill be your only one."
And Stewart's has no intention of lettinggo of their dominance anytime soon, for asDirector Jacqueline Stewart-Lechler putsit "Suzuki is the peoples' car for Jamaica asit is well-priced and keeps on ticking."
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Nissan Juke
Fidelity Motors Ltd.5-18, Hanover Street, Kingston, JamaicaTel: 876-948-5459/5485/5409, | Fax:1876-967-0375Website: www.nissanjamaica.com | Email:[email protected]
SUV, Sport Car, & Motorbike in one!THE ALL-UNIQUE 2013 JUKEThis is the Sports Cross-Over. SUV All-Weather &Terrain abilities with Nissan ALL MODE 4x4i. Sport car handling andexterior styling from the engineers of the 370Z. Motorbike inspired interior for a completely refreshing layout with all thecomfort of a car. You’ve never seen anything like it before, because Nissan innovated it first!
■ Rally-inspired Headlights■ Rear-Wheel Torque Vectoring Technology■ Energetic Body Styling■ Advanced Interface & Controls■ Moto-Styled interior■ SUV clearance capabilities
■ Sport car handling■ Speed sensitive steering■ Vehicle Dynamic Control with ABS, EBD & Brake Assist■ Intelligent Key with Keyless start■ IIHS Top Safety Pick 2013
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Nissan Frontier
Nissan Versa
Fidelity Motors Ltd.5-18, Hanover Street, Kingston, JamaicaTel: 876-948-5459/5485/5409, | Fax:1876-967-0375Website: www.nissanjamaica.com | Email:[email protected]
INNOVATION UPSIZED.Our best efforts are in improving our economy models. We believe it's possible to build dependable, stylish and comfortablevehicles that everyone can enjoy. We proved we were right with the Versa. The Versa is characterized by environmentally-friendly features, a high-quality exterior and roomy, comfortable interior space.
■ 1.5L DOHC 16 valve 4-Cylinder, Turbo-charged Engine■ Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Automatic■ 40 mpg for CVT equipped models
■ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBS) & 4 WheelAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
■ Front airbags
ENCORE PERFORMANCE!Your overwhelming demand for the toughest Pick-Up on the road for the last 25 years has been answered. Now in stock isthe re-released original Nissan Frontier NP300 Hardbody with an upgraded engine. The Workhorse platform recognisedacross the globe for reliability and low maintenance costs.
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A few years ago he emerged on the scene, this take-charge,no-nonsense man with the quick comebacks and killersound-bites that have become legendary. A policeman who
has a flair for the dramatic, yet an unwavering commitment to hisjob, Senior Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis has almost single-handedly transformed the way we view the Jamaica ConstabularyForce (JCF).
An officer since 1976, this ‘top cop’ is arguably one of the mostpopular members of the JCF currently, as his affable personality,humour and commitment to cleaning up our roadways has madehim the positive ‘poster boy’ for the JCF. His input is a muchneeded one, as the institution’s reputation for crassness andcorruption has for too long negatively impacted the way the entiresociety views and interacts with those given license to ‘serve andprotect’. ATJA went to his office at the Traffic Division alongElleston Road in East Kingston to speak to the man in charge abouthis work, his passions, how he is handling his new-found fame andhis upcoming retirement.
ATJA: Why do you think you are so beloved by theJamaican people?
RL: Probably because I am someone who speaks their language, sothey have the trust and confidence in me. I am a person who talkswhat I mean and mean what I say. I am a very compassionateperson, although stern.
ATJA: You have been in the police force for close to fortyyears now. Where are some of the places you have beenstationed?
RL: I have served in Kingston Eastern, Canine, Narcotics, St.Catherine North, Clarendon, Area 4 (downtown), Mobile Reserveand finally the Traffic Division
ATJA: How challenging was your job?
RL: It was very challenging in the sense that I got to work at 4:30every morning and usually I am the last person to leave, becauseafter doing my operational duties in the mornings, I then did myadministrative duties (which includes lots of report writing) in theevenings, which has to be done as they sometimes have bearing onactual policing. It is exciting and I enjoyed it. I’m only stressed whenI’m doing something that is not enjoyable or burdensome, but attraffic my work was appreciated by a large number of persons.
The only regret I have is that I work too hard, but all my hard workis to make sure that the Jamaican public can go about their lawfulbusiness freely, without obstruction or hindrance, on time and thatthey can get home on time. Where there is obstruction andhindrance I always try to fix it.
ATJA: How did your family view your job?
RL: They quarrelled sometimes but they took it in strides. Theyknow I’m a committed and dedicated servant of the people. Theyalso knew that they and the work came first so it is a dead heat(laugh)!
ATJA: What is one thing the Jamaica public does not knowabout SSP Radcliffe Lewis?
RL: That I am a people person who treats everyone with respect.I don’t like to take advantage of people. Anything I do is within thelaw. I have never and will never abuse anyone either physically orverbally.
ATJA: What has been your biggest accomplishment sincebeing at the Traffic Division?
RL: There are many, but the most outstanding one is the cleaningup of the roadways in the corporate area over the past four yearsto make it more accessible to motorists.
ATJA? What do you think can aid in restoring the goodimage to the JCF?
RL: Everything is being done to improve the image of the force andI know for sure that our Commissioner is doing everything in hispower to have persons recognise the force as a good and positiveinstitution. Under his watch, the greatest number of policemen hasbeen arrested for breaches related to crime and indiscipline. Weappear to be the most corrupt organization and that is for onesimple reason: we are arresting our members for corruption.Other institutions you don’t get anything from them, they cannotarrest their own and they are generally unwilling to give the policeenough information to take action. Some organizations of influence,instead of taking action, they keep it ‘hush hush’ so those personsmove on and commit the same offences down the road. Weoperate with transparency. We arrest our own, either by overtand undercover missions, but everything is being done to improvethe image and we will get there.
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If you are a marathon runner, inevitably you are gonna have tothrow out those old worn sneakers for new ones, else you runthe risk of injuring your feet. Also your favourite pair of shoes
that you go dancing in every week will need to be tipped ever sooften. So too will your vehicle need new tyres when it takes abeating from our rough roads and multiple potholes and if youhave lead in your foot, then this maybe sooner than you think.
Like anything in constant use, tyres wear down but a tyre blow-out while driving can be disastrous so the rubber should neverliterally ‘meet the road’ if you understand the expression. Duringservicing or a quick tune up, your mechanic may make suggestionsbut some things are easy to spot even to the untrained eyes andthe need for new tyres is one of them.
So when should you go shopping for new tyres? The following tipswill give you a better understanding of tell-tale signs of when youneed to retire those old tyres from their long and faithful service.
If your car starts shaking inexplicably never dismiss it. Vibration isexpected especially on poorly paved roads, but after owning yourvehicle for a while you will be in tune to how it operates andshould know when something is off. If the tyres are unbalanced ornot properly aligned or your shocks are worn, then vibrations canresult. It can also be as a result of a problem with the tyre itselfand excessive shaking should never be taken lightly.
Nowadays technology is infused into everything and brand nametyres have thread wear indicator bars that are built in. When newyou really do not see them, but over times they begin to surfaceand appear as flat rubber bars running perpendicular to thedirection of the tread itself and is a good indicator that the threadis wearing down.
A bulging tyre is definitely a strong indicator that something isamiss. This can usually be attributed to a weakening in the tyrequality that should not be ignored or you may run the risk of ablow-out when driving. If this happens on our roadways, especiallyon one of our new highways or taking one of those precariousbends on the junction main road, it could spell trouble for you.
If the tyres are constantly leaking and every morning you aregreeted by a flat or soft tyre you have to face facts. How manytimes can you patch up patches? It is one things to be thrifty butdo not be cheap when it comes to your safety.
Always inspect the thread of your tyre to ensure that it nevergoes below 1/16 of an inch in depth. You can either buy a gauge tomeasure it or do what Americans call the ’penny test’. Using acoin, you stick it into the tyre groove, ‘heads’ side upside downand if more than two thirds of the person’s head is visible, it istime to go tyre shopping my friend. Safe driving!
The penny testPreviously patched tyreBulging tyreThread wear indicators
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Regarded as the second biggest investment that most peoplemake in their lifetime after purchasing a home, a motorvehicle is a moving representation of your style, hard work
and accomplishment. It is therefore essential that we take goodcare of it which may include outfitting it with hot accessories, acool paint job or even personalised license plates.
But do we also pay as much attention to our vehicle when it comesto servicing it? Auto Trendz JA sought to get the advice of expertsas to why it is best to utilise the service provided by the dealers,for we all know the real work begins after you drive that new babyout of the showroom.
People at times do the craziest things, like taking a premium drivingmachine to a road side garage or 'a likkle man' as they may be lowon funds and are trying to save a buck or two. But will they reallybe saving? Will the quality of work provided by a random mechanicdo more harm than good in the long run? Do they have thenecessary tools, expertise and diagnostic equipment to get the jobdone right, or will you drive away frustrated that you have not
only wasted your time and money but maybe have made theexisting problem worse.
Before such a scenario ever occurs it is best that you find outexactly why dealership service is touted as being the best thingfor your vehicle. If your vehicle is your investment, shouldn't youdo everything to protect it? Well, the experts have weighed inand basically agreed that the merits to dealership service outweighyour need to be thrifty. In other words, you can buy bargain pricedshoes and costume jewellery but when it comes to your vehicledo not bargain with the quality of care that it needs.
Experts in the local industry agree that dealership service isimportant because every good and conscientious car owner knowsthat their vehicles will only run at peak performance with genuineparts that have already been tested to meet and exceed the needsof the vehicle. Car manufacturers spend millions fine tuning theirvehicles and then spend more providing their customers withservice centres to keep them running like new. They also spendquite a lot on training. Most have a resident trainer who has
WHY the dealer is the bestservicing option foryour vehicle
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responsibility for overseeing vehicles sold and operated in theEnglish speaking Caribbean. Many local technicians are alsoengaged in regular training sessions and even take part in web-based training to improve their knowledge of their brand.Therefore the business of dealership training is an intensive one.
For Nigel Ffrench, Suzuki Service Advisor, a good dealershipservice department begins with clear communication for work toflow easily. "Every good dealership has competent people whounderstand their role and what the job entails. At Suzuki we havea dynamic workforce of technicians who know what they are doingas they are factory trained, especially as it relates to the latermodel vehicles which are highly technical. Knowledge is our biggestasset so that sets us apart from an average garage or servicestation that deals with every make and model vehicle. We aretrained to keep our vehicles running at optimal level and that isexactly what we do."
Another reason why the dealer is your best service option is thatany dealer worth his or her salt will have a parts department thatis fully stocked as it is their responsibility to ensure that service-related items are always available to satisfy your needs and overtime would know what will be in demand and at what time. Theroad side garage cannot guarantee or provide that. They alsocannot guarantee that the parts sourced are genuine ones designedfor your make vehicle.
For Stephen Fitt, BMW's After Sales Manager, the differencebetween a good dealership service and somewhere you randomlystop, is what both can bring to the table. Inevitably, the dealershipwill outshine the competition as they adopt a full circle approachto your vehicle from appointment to invoice. When it comes toparts, BMW has to have it available. "At BMW we strive to be
able to fill your order at least 95% of the time when the technicianscome to the counter, and yes we definitely meet that target."
"I think a good service department has a three-fold approach: thecustomer service and treatment; parts availability plus a competentworkshop to identify the fault and repair it. When it comes to thecustomer service area, it is critical that you have advisors thatlisten to the customer's concerns and document them accuratelyso that the fault can be repaired. You also want someone that canidentify the cost related to the repairs and also can look over thecar and identify things that you the customer may have missed."
Additionally a good service department will keep you informedabout your vehicle and be respectful of your time. Meaning thatif they say your vehicle will be ready at 5pm, then it is ready at5pm. They also should be able to sit you down and explain yourbill to you. Nobody likes a bill that can give you a heart attack.While many believe that dealerships are pricey, at times therandom garages can stick you with exorbitant charges for thingsyou never even asked to be done and even create problems thatpreviously did not exist on your vehicle especially in those withcomplex diagnostic systems that require computer based tweakingand delicate handling.
The days of the grease monkey under the car are gone. Vehiclesare way more advanced and therefore need trained specialists andnot just a man in an overall with a monkey wrench tinkering underthe hood. When you drive away, you should be happy with notonly the quality of work done, but the professionalism displayedand the money you spent to make it happen. For that reason, takeyour vehicle to a dealer and do not gamble with the care of yourcar.
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49-51 South Camp Road, Kingston 4, Jamaica W.I.Telephone: (876)928-5041-7, (876)928-5742 | Fax: (876) 938-0264
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Theabove elements are
definitely not what the generalpublic might consider a thrilling mix under any
circumstances. But to the crowds that converge on thehills of St Ann at specific times each year, they (along with paintand motor oil) are as essential and welcome as beads and music atMardi Gras!
Such is the pull of Dover Raceway, for almost a quarter-centurynow the seat of championship motor racing in Jamaica with all theattendant speed clichés. There are thrills and spills galore plus theanticipation of seeing and hearing the drivers of the hottest and, insome cases, most tricked-out automobiles go for prizes. Addedto that is the simple but profound honour of being champion atvarious levels plus being declared the overall Champion Driver. Asmany as 10,000 aficionados flock to the circuit for the drivers'season, which culminates with the ‘Heroes of Speed’ meet everyOctober. That puts circuit racing squarely in the sights of footballand track-and-field events in terms of spectator support, a fact notlost on the growing legion of corporate sponsors.
The ‘Dover Era’ is but the latest in a long and storied saga ofcompetitive motor sports in Jamaica, a country which had a cardealership (Ford) long before much of the developed world. It wasinevitable that the need for speed would have to be fulfilled, butDover was far from the first to fill it. Various grounds held raceson a haphazard basis until the former military base in south CentralJamaica emerged as the ideal spot. Vernam Field became the siteof many memorable clashes and names like Moodie, Sherwood andDe Souza echo down through the years in terms of both circuitraces and the seemingly immortal drag races (where two carscompete side-by-side flat out down a straight pitch).
One legendary name that would be instrumental in the transitionfrom ‘Vernam’ to Dover is that of businessman Alfred Chen, whosemulti-faceted interests included a trucking business and a sizeableproperty in St Ann. Chen, an avid motor sport competitor, gottogether with another legend Hilary Jardine and made thingshappen. Jardine, a Guyanese by birth but resident in Jamaica since1970, joined forces with Chen and the two spearheaded a groupthat utilized Chen's property and helped to morph it into thehallowed racing ground it is today. Chen's life would be tragicallycurtailed in a helicopter crash, but he did live to see racing at Doverinitiated in 1989 and immediately seize the imagination of aspeed-hungry public. The Alfred Chen Memorial Cup held annuallyduring the Heroes Day meet, celebrates his memory and his vision.
And the vision has grown exponentially. The event has expandedto embrace various classes of automobiles, modified andunmodified, open and specialty, as well as motorcycles (integral,given Jardine's own record on two-wheeled vehicles). Women,though still a distinct minority, are very much a presence on thetrack, and their competitiveness is unquestioned.
The sport, having successfully spanned its first two decades andmore, is now reaching to new generations of competitors, and thus
the names of HeathCausewell, Sebastian Raeand Andre Anderson arenow ringing out regularly
around the circuit. But twonames perhaps resonate above all others
by virtue of the rivalry they established. The battlesbetween Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore and David ‘King’ SummerbellJr have arguably done alot to lift the profile of the sport.
It was of course, not only a battle of personnel, but of machines,particularly after Gore's sponsor, ATL Group splashed out fora new Audi TT DTM to go up against Summerbell's iconicMitsubishi Evolution. The pendulum swung both ways untilGore's car crashed out of contention and had to be shippedback to the manufacturers in Germany for extensive tests andrepairs.
That incident and the controversy around it helped to reopenan old wound in the racing world, one that global authoritieshave to face: safety. Protecting the well-being of both driversand spectators has been a top priority of the Dover officialdom.Outgoing president Jardine placed emphasis on this area andnew president Norman Minott (who succeeded Chris ‘Teach’McFarlane on the latter’s resignation) has continued in that vein,pushing for tighter regulations after a number of minor incidentsand close calls. This is not to say that there will be an absolutelysterile environment at Dover, but the commitment, reiteratedby both men is that every possible system and action is beingput in place to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
Sponsorship
More than oil and gas, money makes the cars go round the trackand sponsorship is critical given the overall tight economicsituation. In 2012, The Antilles Group (TAG), as it was thenknown, signed a multiple year sponsorship agreement with theJamaica Race Drivers’ Club to be a major sponsor at DoverRaceway. Given the vagaries of the corporate world, the servicestation assets formerly under the Shell brand passed to France-based Rubis Corporation, whilst the lubricants, such as thepopular Helix brand, which is a staple at Dover, is now underthe distributorship of Sol Petroleum Group. The Shell brand,which is actually being phased out, has a long history with sportsand with motor sports in particular. Dover fans of old have fondmemories of the Formula Shell Trophy in the early 1990’s.Additionally, the popular Motor sport Personality FacesCampaign prominently displayed at Shell stations throughoutthe island bears testimony to the brand's credentials in the sport.
In addition to corporate support for the meet itself, individualdrivers have to seek sponsorship for their vehicles and overallcampaigns, and a number of auto- related enterprises havechipped in. Still the entry level remains fairly prohibitive, a factnot lost on the establishment, hence significant strides are beingdeveloped including an apprenticeship programme to bring thesport within reach of a larger number of persons who have talentthat can be properly honed.
Indeed, our love of fast cars continues unabated. Even with somefavourites absent, racing at Dover remains a very populardiversion for Jamaicans from all walks of life. Those who cannotmake the journey to the track eagerly follow reports via theirtelevision and radio and now increasingly, via the Internet andsocial media. The heady cocktail of dirt, rubber and exhaust willcontinue to fill the air above St Ann for years to come.
