Epic Lap

There's a big football game this Sunday - or that's the word on the street.

Check out the Super Bowl commercial Hyundai has cooked up for their new Genesis Coupe.


More details on the making of the commercial.

New Digs

Just a few weeks ago we re-opened our Hyundai / Used Vehicle showroom here at McEleney Autoplex in Iowa City. While we were all 'one big happy family' in our GM showroom for the better part of two years we are now back home.

We added about 1350 square feet and changed the layout of the showroom. The showroom floor expansion amounts to about 54 feet by 25 feet. While we used to be able to fit only two vehicles in our showroom, I'm looking out at 4 today including the Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Sonata, and all new Genesis.

Please check out some of the construction photos below and of course the finished product. Drop by anytime to see the new place for yourself!







Initial frame work erected





Roof beams installed









Front facia of the building installed









View from east side of building looking west









Framing complete










Concrete showfloor being poured









Duct work








Interior under construction








Exterior insulation installation







The finished product on a sunny day








Terry Adam's new office - complete with door!








Showroom view looking NE








Showroom view looking SE

License and Registration, Please

I just read an interesting post over at a blog called Lifehacker. They report that a company that helps insurance companies quantify risk - ISO Quality Planning - has put together a list of the most and least ticketed vehicles in America.



The top spot on this list belongs to the Hummer H2 and H3. Rounding out the top 10 are Mercedes, Toyota, Subaru and Audi. I also got a kick out of the fact that pretty much every Scion - xA, xB, and tC - is on the 10 most ticketed list too.

In closing, I'd like to point out that McEleney dealerships sell 8 out of the top 10 least ticketed vehicles.

What does that mean in the end? Well, not much I guess. But it's interesting.

Not to be negative but another list that always seems to catch my eye is the Most Stolen Cars in America.

The NICB list is based on information reported to the National Crime Information Center.

Here are the 5 most stolen vehicles as reported by the NICB — the number in parentheses is the model year most stolen:

1. Honda Civic (1995 model)
2. Honda Accord (1991 model)
3. Toyota Camry (1989 model)
4. Ford F-150 (1997 model)
5. Chevrolet C/K 1500 (1994 model)

So if you've got a 1995 Honda Civic you better buy The Club, get a lock on your garage, or better still stop by and see us in Iowa City or Clinton and trade it in!

2009 NADA Convention Video

More photos and my take on the convention to come soon. Please see below to get a look at some video from the closing session of this year's convention.


John McEleney speaking for the first time as NADA Chairman


Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton

For more video and information about NADA or the NADA convention visit http://www.nada.org/MediaCenter/NADATV/nadatv2009convention.htm

2009 NADA Convention - Part 1

This year's National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention is in New Orleans. So far the convention has gone well. The opening session included a talk by outgoing chairman Annette Sykora, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, and former NFL MVP Archie Manning.

Each outlined the bright spots of 2008 and each discussed the challenges ahead and those we've already faced. There are certainly fewer attendees at this year's convention but the information is as current and relevant as ever this year.

Later this afternoon incoming NADA Chairman John McEleney will speak before former President George Bush Sr. and former President Bill Clinton speak to the convention at the closing general session.

More to come including photos and likely a video of some speeches from the convention.

How do you say Venza in English?

Well, you just say Venza, as in the new 2009 Toyota Venza. The new model seems to be named after a shortened version of the Italian work for Venice which is "Venezia." I supposed Toyota figured folks like me would butchered the word Venezia so they went with the snappy Venza instead.

In any case, Toyota outdid themselves with this new vehicle. Our dealership in Clinton, IA - McEleney Toyota - just sold its first Venza recently to one very happy customer. In terms of the product line the Venza falls somewhere between the Matrix and the Highlander. It's a crossover that's available in front wheel drive or the midwest favorite all wheel drive.



After checking out the photos online and watching some of the Venza commercials I can't figure out why I like it so much. I guess the overall package just works. I'll let you be the judge of that though.

For fun check out out this video of Ian Cartabiano, chief designer of the Venza, sketching the vehicle with the help of time-lapse video.

Chevrolet and Cadillac Converj

Many have seen the commercials and spy photos and auto show video of the new Chevy Volt. The Volt is GM's new plug-in hybrid and is slated to be built by the end of calendar year 2010. This new car is able to drive up to 40 miles on battery power alone without the assistance of a gas motor. Even when you need the small gas powered generator to boost your range (up to about 300 miles) that generator will charge the battery and not directly power the wheels.

Pre-Production Chevrolet Volt

There are several benefits of a plug in hybrid such as the Volt not the least of which are:

• Cost of around 2 cents per mile compared with internal combustion motors that cost between 7 and 13 cents per mile.

• 100+ MPG fuel economy

• 75% of Americans have a daily commute of less than 40 miles. This means most drivers can run exclusively on electric power most of the time.

• GM is years ahead of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, and the rest with this technology. Though GM was late to the party with gas / electric hybrids they will be at the fore with plug ins.

• Finally, GM intends to build the volt and the battery systems in Michigan. LG will be the battery cell provider for the initial production Volt.

• You can plug your Volt in at home in your garage - no need for a special fueling station.

GM just announced that Cadillac will be releasing a model with the 'guts' of a Volt but with a more beautiful body. Behold the Cadillac Converj:

I think there are a lot of people out there that would agree with me in that I wish these vehicles were coming sooner. The great news is they will allow for more jobs here in the US and expand the "Green Collar" jobs that President Obama has been promoting during his campaign.

The near future might not be flying cars but if we can work to save our planet - I'll take it!

Everything old is new again

What can I say about the new 2010 Camaro that hasn't already been said? I want one. The design is reminiscent of the 1960s version but with some state of the art technology mixed in. Production of the new Camaro is slated for the first quarter of this year. We hope to have our first Camaro for sale this April.

There will be two motors available. One is a V6 that will boast 27 MPG on the highway. Then there's the 6.2 L V8 that will scare the neighbors.



There's also a cool video of a Camaro ignition sequence below...


We currently have a waiting list for this car. If you'd like to put a deposit down on your new Camaro today contact Drew or Kevin at 319-354-1011 or just drop on by www.mceleneyautoplex.com.

Hyundai has your back

Earlier this month Hyundai announced a new program that is the biggest thing since they introduced their industry leading 5 year / 60,000 mile and 10 year / 100,000 mile warranties.

The new program is called Hyundai Assurance and is targeted at anyone financing a new Hyundai. Here's how it works - finance or lease any new Hyundai, and if in the next year you lose your income*, we'll let you return it.


With all the various rebates and events going on, I applaud Hyundai for making a bold statement with the Assurance program. It's certainly a creative take on insuring your good credit.

*Hyundai will pay off the remaining balance of your loan and up to $7,500 of negative equity. Your credit score will not be affected as the bank see things as an early payoff of your loan. See dealer for complete details.

McEleney's TV giveaway - We have a winner!

McEleney Autoplex in Iowa City, IA congratulates Jerry and Verlyn Stolte on winning a 42" LG flat screen television in our giveaway. The Stolte's winning entry was chosen from several hundred prize forms. Please check back for our next giveaway soon.

Pictured from left to right: Terry Adams, Jerry Stolte, Patrick Eads, E.J. Lehman, Verlyn Stolte, and John McEleney.