With a V6 - Six-speed electronic automatic with OD lock-up torque converter, shift lock and SHIFTRONIC® manual shift, Hyundai Azera offers more than just power.. it provides unending options.
Safety With nine standard airbags – includes knee, front, rear, and side curtains, rear view back up camera and child LATCH system. The manufacturer has also implemented their impact-reducing seat system for the Azera. This seat system eliminates the need for active front head restraints and is expected to reduce head and neck injuries by 17 percent over the front seats in the previous generation Azera, which had active front head restraints. This result is achieved through optimization of seat back structure to further absorb impacts.
The Azera also features a state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes (12.6 inch front and 11.2 inch rear) and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected.
Creature Comforts Standard leather interior with heated front and rear seats, heated side mirrors, side window sunshades, elegant yet sporty with wrap-around LED taillights, a flow-through center fascia and instrument panel. These flowing surfaces complement the exterior design and wrap around the driver and passengers creating a feeling of comfort and security.
Ten-way power driver and eight-way front passenger’s seats are standard equipment. The driver’s seat has an optional cushion extension and an integrated memory system for the seat, steering wheel and side mirrors. Azera’s climate and seat temperature controls keep occupants in total comfort. Heated front and rear seats standard, dual automatic climate control standard, second row air vents standard and standard cooled glove box make for chilled refreshments and a cool ride!
The Ride The Azera is equipped with advanced front and rear-suspension using maximized through Sachs Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), allowing tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements, (less bumpy). Azera also features ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS). Vehicle Stability Management, (VSM) works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides eight Newton meters of counter- steering. VSM reacts the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.
At just 3,605 pounds, Azera is lighter than the Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus. This priority on weight allows the Azera to deliver a great combination of agility, performance and fuel efficiency. The weight difference is 200 – 400 lbs. so no worries about feeling as if driving in an aluminum can. Azera's high level of technology within the vehicle confirms the vehicle offers more than the average ride.
Technology There is a standard navigation system with seven-inch touch screen, three month subscription of XM Satellite Radio, Real-time XM NavTraffic, XM NAV Weather®, XM Sports Ticker and XM Stock Ticker, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, auxiliary iPod/USB inputs, backup camera is standard on the vehicle. The connectivity system features 8GB of flash memory and comes matched with a sound system that plays compact discs, accesses digital music files, and streaming audio.
Azera offers two choices in audio systems the Infinity 550-watt premium option features the Logic 7 audio system with 12 speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier. An XM Satellite Radio interface is also integrated into the head unit and features channel logos and XM Data services, such as XM NavWeather®, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker. Azera also offers standard HD Radio™ technology.
Azera averages 20 city mpg. /29 hwy. mpg. with a price starting at $32k.
That Simple Car Wash Could End Up Costing You More Than You Bargained For
Everyone enjoys a great looking car, but many consumers are unaware of some every day habits that can harm your paint finish. Keeping your car in shape helps to avoid costly damage down the line, which is why Meguiar’s®, the world’s leading surface care company, wants car owners to know how to protect their cars. Meguiar’s reveals six common ways consumers neglect their cars, and easy routine changes to help prevent each.
1. “Using Dishwashing Detergent to Clean the Exterior” – Most household detergents are formulated to strip everything off the surface, including the wax protection on your car. While this might be great for your dishes, your car is now defenseless against the elements. Meguiar’s suggests using a pH balanced car wash product, like Meguiar’s Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, that removes loose surface dirt and debris without damaging the car’s surface.
2. “Parking Under Trees” – Although it’s tempting to take advantage of parking in the shade, it’s actually one of the most damaging things you can do to your paint finish. The damage caused by items falling from above like tree sap and bird droppings, is actually greater than leaving your car in the sun, because sap and bird droppings, if not removed quickly enough, can permanently damage your paint finish.
3. “Neglecting Headlights” – Dull, hazy, and oxidized headlights are the first giveaway sign of a neglected car. Not only are they unattractive, they can also be a safety concern as they make it difficult to see the road ahead and avoid potential hazards. To maximize the brightness of your headlights, try using Meguiar’s Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit™.
4. “Leaving Spilled Food and Drinks” – Forgetting to clean up spills is not only unsightly, it can also lead to permanent stains and unpleasant odors in the interior of your car. Meguiar’s recommends leaving a few terrycloth towels and Quik Interior Detailer™ in the trunk in case of emergencies. Cleaning up spilled food right away is key to getting the entire stain out. To tackle any foul odors, Meguiar’s recommends also having a bottle of Odor Eliminator handy.
5. “Using Just One Bucket" – By using just one bucket when washing, you end up transferring dirt back onto the car, which can create swirl marks and defeats the purpose of your wash. Meguiar’s suggests using two buckets: a plain water bucket for rinsing the wash mitt and a wash solution bucket for retrieving fresh suds to continue cleaning. Using a Grit Guard in each bucket also helps to trap loose dirt particles, preventing them from transferring back onto your car.
6. “Using Too Much Product on Your Vehicle” – When applying wax to protect the surface of your vehicle, a common mistake is to use too much product in one application. Not only is this wasteful of the product, but it also creates extra work when removing the product. To get the most out of your wax, Meguiar’s suggests a single uniform thin layer of wax. If you are worried about coverage or protection during tough winter months, a second uniform, thin layer may be applied.
Congratulations and celebrations are in order! Our own Jody DeVere has been honored by WE Magaine, who recently included her on their list of the Top 100 women in e-commerce - worldwide. This is a true honor, and all of us on the Ask Patty team would like to send our sincere congratulations not only to Jody, but to all the Who's Who honorees. Read on for the WE Magazine announcement in its entirety, followed by the names of all the honorees. Congratulations to everyone, and thanks again to WE Magazine for such an honor!
WE Magazine is delighted to announce our newest AWARD – The Top 100 Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce™ for 2012!
Imagine being in a room full of 100 of the top women doing business on the web! And being able to chat with them and find out what makes them tick (or click), why they do what they do, and do it so well, they are considered role models in their industry. Well, maybe you will never get the chance to meet each one of these face to face, but you can connect with them in a way that only a few short years ago we could not. Via the vastness, unending universe known as the internet. In fact you can have access to any of these women with the simple click of a mouse!
You can reach out to Charly Leetham in Australia, Linda Pereira in Portugal, Daisy Wright in Canada, Debbie O’Connor in the UK, Gisele Rufer in Switzerland and several women across the United States.
There are 100 Women in Ecommerce™ who represent their industries and professions as artists, astrologers, authors, internet marketers, photographers, coaches, consultants, manufacturers, clothing designers, inventors, event planners, personal trainers and everything in between.
Some of the women have been in business for more than 20 years and others as few as two years. And what does each of these women have in common? They all promote their products and services on the Internet. Successfully.
According to Susan Ward of About.com, “Ecommerce (or e-commerce) is the art and science of selling products and/or services over the Internet.”
And art and science it is! You have to be a creative person to get people to pay attention to you online and you have to balance that with the science of self-promotion or hire experts to do it for you.
In all, we have gathered 100 women who WE believe truly represent doing business on the WEB.
You can read their stories in the latest edition of WE Magazine for Women (along with some great articles on doing business on the WEB). Here is the link to the Turning page (FLIP) version: http://wemagazineforwomen.com/pdfs/WhosWhoRelease2012.pdf
Please join me in congratulating the 2012 Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce™. Click on their links, visit their sites and offer your own personal congratulations! Special thanks to all our advertisers, those returning and those who have joined us for the first time. Because of their support, WE have been able able to provide you with great content and the amazing women WE continue to showcase on our site and in our magazine (since 2006).
In the swirl of media surrounding the sudden and entirely unexpected death of pop icon Whitney Houston, I remembered that February is also Black History Month in the US and Canada. Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is an annual observance during which we celebrate the achievements of the African-American community, who literally rose from the ashes of slavery and fought for their rightful place in human society.
Whitney is just such an achievement. One of what now seems to be an ever-dwindling number of musicians and performers with roots in the "Motown" sound, Whitney was a Jersey girl who claimed the heart of Detroit. She was a part of a family of singers - including her mother and sister - who brought soul and R&B music to the forefront of Western society, and Whitney herself was an inspiration in her own right. Had there been no Whitney Houston, there may be no Rhianna, Jennifer Hudson, or Beyonce today. Her voice inspired others to raise theirs and make a "joyful noise."
So - today on the Ask Patty blog I'm not calling for a moment of silence. I just want you to go out and sing today. Any song at all. Doesn't matter if it's in the shower, in the car, in your office, on the street, if people are listening, or if it's a private moment. Just sing. Raise your voice, no matter who you are or where you came from. That's the spirit of Motown, it's what Whitney and her family were all about, and ultimately, I think it's one of the messages of Black History Month. Stand up and sing, even if it's all you have left. Make a joyful noise. Let Whitney's inspiration carry on.
Happy Valentine's Day, Ask Patty Nation! Today, we want to know: if a car could be your sweetheart, which car would it be? Which ones do you crush on? Do you burn for a Mini Cooper, or does a Mercedes S Class do it for you? Today we want to hear from you, Ask Patty Nation. Tell us your most secret car-crushes, and tell us why. What's your To get things started, I'll share mine. Be warned, they're a little nerdy.
1. The DeLorean. I hope I'm not alone in this, and I'm sure I'm probably not. These stainless steel beauties had a brief burst of fame thanks largely to their creator's legal woes - but would likely be a footnote in car history if not for the 1985 film Back to the Future. There, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd converted a sleek, gull-winged DeLorean into a time machine which propelled them to the 50's, the old west, and now the (now not-so-distant) future. DeLoreans are now essentially synonymous with the film, and the DeLorean Motor Company which until recently dealt only in parts for the old models, are planning an all new, all electric version of the classic car, which I covered here in the past. I came very close to buying one of these in the past, but the price tag and some quality conditions kept me at bay. Still sometimes I wish I'd just done it - if only to crank up Huey Lewis' "The Power of Love" and cruise around town from time to time. DeLorean, be my valentine?
2. The Mazda Miata. This car may have been my first love. Now known as the MX-5 (as it has always been known in Europe), the classic roadster was known simply as the Miata in the US until 2006. These guys are small, sleek, and stylish, and they're just about everything I love in a car. I test-drove a Miata once just to drive one - I wasn't in a postition to buy one, but I was determined to get behind the wheel of one. The newer models have a slightly different silhouette that doesn't quite appeal to me as much, but the second generation Miatas of the late 90's and early 2000's still make me squee whenever I see one. I'm a sucker for nostalgia. This car is a fixture on my "I will own one of these someday" list, when I can afford to throw practicality to the wind and buy a car to just have fun in. You never forget your first love. Oh, Miata, won't you be my valentine?
3. The Tesla Roadster. So if you can't tell, I'm a sucker for a roadster. I'm also a sucker for electric cars, and had a pretty hard time not including the Nissan Leaf or Wheego Whip LiFe on the list, even though those are certainly car-crushes. But no, I decided to focus on pure fantasy for this list. The Leaf and Wheego cars are adorable, practical, and generally affordable - the Tesla Roadster on the other hand, is the automotive equivalent of a celebrity crush for me. Take your Porches and Ferraris, and give me Tesla. Ignoring for the moment that it's named for Nikola Tesla who is one of my nerd-crushes (yeah, I'm like that), this thing is an all electric, high performance, convertible sports car. With a price tag just north of $100k us, it's definitely a dream car, and don't let the electric lithium-ion power cells fool you. This thing outperforms many electrics on driving distance, going 240 miles on a single charge, and hits 0-60 in 3.7 seconds to boot. This car isn't love, this car is pure infatuation. Still - give me one date with this bad boy. Just one. That's not too much to ask, is it? Psst, Tesla. Call me? I'll be your valentine.
Now it's your turn! Tell us your car crushes, and don't skimp on the details! We want to know your most secret automotive desires. Happy Valentine's Day!
There are many wonderful talented women in the auto industry holding important roles in the dealership arena. Women can make a difference in this industry. They are smart, hardworking, can think outside of the box and genuinely want to make a difference in the outside world! There is story upon story of successful women who fought hard to get where they are today. Two women that stand out to me is Tammy Darvish Vice President of DARCARS Auto Group. I read Tammy's book and it gave me an insight to dealers that I had not known and I have been in the automotive industry for 21 years! Another woman I had the pleasure to meet is Cherie Watters, General Manager of three dealerships in the Los Angeles area. Cherie won the Women's Automotive Spirit of Leadership Award. During the downturn Cherie went to work one day and found the dealership where she worked had shut their doors. A year later Cherie found a buyer for another dealership and opened Puente HIlls Hyundai with all of her team following her! She now is General Manager for three dealerships.
I attended the PCG Digital Marketing Strategy Conference as well as the National Automobile Dealers Assocation convention with Jody DeVere CEO of AskPatty.com recently.
My impression of dealers and experiences with dealerships as a consumer has not been positive. I have many stories of how I was treated as a women and as a customer by several dealers with unsatisfactory customer service. So my perception going to this conference was more on a negative view.
What I saw and learned over the past several days is you cannot judge a book by it cover. What I found is many dealers want to have the best customer service to all of their customers no matter what the demographics are. They make a concerted effort to try and understand what will make a customer happy. The are placing emphasis on the experience of you buying the car. Yes,the car is important, but what is going to make the customer feel different about the experience of purchasing a car from my dealership.
Spent a week in Vegas leading up and over Super Bowl weekend immersed in the world of car dealerships, auto makers and the best and brightest minds at the Digital Marketing Strategies Conference (DMSC) and attending the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention. Wanted to share some highlights to give you an insider view of what goes on behind the scenes with highlights of what happens when 20,000 automotive industry professionals gather in Las Vegas!
Digital Marketing Strategies Conference (DMSC) Tuesday - Friday
Best Speaker by far was Inspiration Speaker - Todd Durkin, CEO of Fitness Quest 10 Strategy. If you ever have the opportunity, run do not walk to hear this man speak! He will energize you and the entire room.
Fitness Quest 10 is a premier health and human performance facility in San Diego CA. We specializing in Sports Performance, Personal Training, Massage Therapy, Pilates, and Yoga. Owner and founder, Todd Durkin, is a leader in the fitness industry training athletes like LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, and Reggie Bush just to name a few. Todd’s passion for health and fitness has lead Fitness Quest 10 to be recently named one of the top 10 training facilities in America by the nationally publicized Men’s Health magazine. To find out more information about Fitness Quest 10 please visit his website at www.FitnessQuest10.com.
Lots of thought leaders and awesome workshops during DSMC on social media strategies and connecting with shoppers at ZMOT, Winning the Zero Moment of Truth, a new Google 75 page FREE eBook. Attended social gathering galore with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Had the opportunity to keynote on "What is Your Strategy To Dominate Your Market with Women Buyers?" to rally dealerships to deliver a WOW experience to women.
Thank you Brian and Glenn Pasch and PCG Digital for including me in this powerful thought leader educational event.
So last week I showed you this Kia teaser featuring Adriana Lima waving a flag and expressed my fears that it was going to be one of "those" car commercials, while holding out hope that Kia would surprise me with a twist. Well, there was a twist, but did it make for a good commercial? Here's the complete ad, which does indeed star Adriana Lima, as well as Motley Crue, and a duo of lumberjacks chopping a very large sandwich. Let's take a look.
So - is it a commercial about a scantily clad lady selling a car? Not exactly - Adriana Lima is only in the ad for a second or so - but it is a commercial that plays to gender stereotypes. The wife dreams of being whisked away in a scene from a romance novel, while the husband, overdosed on sleep-sand, has the most stereotypically masculine dream imaginable. But still, it's all presented with a bit of whimsy, and in the end he does steal his wife away from Harlequin-Romance-Man. I'm not a fan of gender stereotypes, but in the end, thanks to its tone and the pure hyperbole of the situation, the ad did make me laugh, and I approved. I was prepared to say "Well played, Kia," in my post today.
And then I went to Kia's official Youtube channel to find the ad.
And I saw this.
That's right, that's an official Kia Motors post. Five full hours of Adriana Lima waving a checkered flag, as in the original teaser, in HD. This undoes any approval I may have had for the original ad, because this is tantamount to Kia saying "Yeah, we made a clever commercial that had some fun with gender stereotypes, but online we'll go all-the-way sexist." This is especially bothersome to me because not only does it go back to the cro-magnon days of bikini babes in car ads, but it also reinforces the skewed notion that internet users are predominantly male. If you think this notion doesn't exist, see recent media stories about new social bookmarking site Pinterest - apparently it's appalling that most of Pinterest's users are female. But - I digress.
Kia, I own one of your cars. And I really like it. And I really don't want to have to stop liking you. I'm not saying put together an ad with a hunky guy waving a flag - one gender stereotype is as bad as the next - but really, were the hamsters so bad?
Still trying to pare down your household budget? Here’s an option you might not have considered—doing more of the regular maintenance on your car.
The idea can be a little intimidating—even scary—for some. The website, womens-finance.com, reports that one-third of women have some sort of “car-phobia” when it comes to servicing their cars.
You’ve learned DIY for your home, so why not for your vehicle? We’re not talking about a brake relining, but simple things that not only can cut your service expenses but also extend the life of your car, save on gas and keep you and your family safer on the road. Here are seven tips to get you started:
Seems like I've been on a roll for posting great video content lately, so why stop now? Toyota has decided to invite everyone to enjoy their very impressive display from the NAIAS in Detroit. They've put together a comprehensive 360 degree virtual tour, where you can check out the display from virtually any point on the floor, comment on cars you like, and connect with other viewers like you.
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