Upstate Auto

Detroit still represents the center of the automotive universe, at least domestically anyway, even if only symbolically. And while globalization, US factories of foreign competitors, and declining market share are all doing their share to dilute this reign, the Midwest has cemented its place in Automotive history. There are, however, other hotspots around where car culture is particularly prevalent, even in the absence of any formal manufacturing, corporate headquarters, or racing venue.

Certainly southern California as a whole has been car crazed for decades with its design studios, vehicle-friendly tepid climate, Hollywood crowd, wide-open spaces, and progressive population. In the south, Daytona, Florida has it all with the draw of Nascar, the beach (where you can still drive), and mix of tourist/snow birds that pave the way for a nice “vehi-cation.”

One area, which may not traditionally be equated with the likes of Le Mans, but has certainly made some automotive waves as of late, is New York. And while the “city” has the money, people, and glamour to support it, I am talking actually about upstate New York, and I don’t mean Poughkeepsie.

If you follow the Thru-way far enough, it will turn from North - South to East - West and take you from point A (Albany) to point B (Buffalo) with a very eclectic group of folk and features in between. It is along this corridor where you can find some recent and very interesting automotive news covering sales, service and even racing topics.

While every metropolitan area will have their share of car buffs and stories, it is especially intriguing to uncover little gems in these smaller communities. Starting in Albany, you will find the headquarters for Lia Auto Group, which services not only the Capital District but parts of CT and MA as well. Lia is one of the countries top 100 dealer groups by sales volume. In addition to Lia (http://www.liacars.com/), the Albany area is home to Dealership Management Software company, Auto/Mate (http://www.automate.com/index.html), which offers a progressive and more cost effective DMS system alternative to ADP, Reynolds & Reynolds, UCS, etc.

Moving West, you will come to Syracuse and its environs. Syracuse is the home Fuccillo Automotive Group and Fuccillo Hyundai, one of the largest Hyundai retailers in the country. This dealership is a perennial sales volume leader having once set the record for most vehicles sold in a month for Hyundai. The current record stands at nearly 2,000 Hyundais in a 30 day period.

Syracuse is also the home of Driver’s Village, a colossal Roger Burdick auto store featuring no less than 16 brands on one location, a concept that is duplicated in only a couple other parts of the country. The site also includes additional vendors like a salon, insurance company, Nascar experience, restaurant, athletic club, and, of course, driving school.

Another interesting automotive concept to come out of Syracuse, New York comes compliments of Courtesy Ford, which was featured in an October Automotive News article. The company ran into trouble in their service lane as volume and space constraints led to customer wait times of several days just to have their cars serviced. Seeing an opportunity the company introduced their 24 hour service program, which keeps several techs, a service advisor and cashier in house throughout the night to service vehicles.

The program has not only cut down the wait times, but it has provided an interesting service for customers who can now simply drop off their vehicles in the evening and pick them up on the way to work in the morning.

Down the road in Rochester, they also know a thing or two about service. John Holtz is the area’s largest dealer group and recently introduced a service concept that takes a page right out of your local dentist’s playbook. In fact, the company interviewed area dentists to find out just how they scheduled patients and adopted the practice to their service lanes. The idea is pre-scheduling customers ahead of time they way you might a dentist or doctor’s appointment, which means the dealership is contacting customers only as a reminder, not to actually “sell” a service. The concept has down wonders for the entire Holtz group.

They company has also forgone the use of email to contact customers regarding upcoming service appointments using instead a postcard mailer. In their experience, customers equate the email to spam and simply delete it.

Possibly last on this list, though certainly not least, is Watkins Glen Race Track. Watkins Glen is a picturesque hamlet sitting at the base of Seneca Lake, the second largest of the finger lakes, which probably would make it the “ring finger” on your left hand. Watkins Glen became the home of the original Watkins Glen road racing circuit back in 1948 at the effort of Cornell Law Student and auto enthusiast Cameron Argetsinger.

The circuit first went through the actual downtown making it a true road course, though in 1958 the first of four devoted tracks was constructed. Watkins Glen has a rich history of auto racing and lay claim to being the first post WWII road racing course in America. It has hosted all types of racing including Formula 1, SCCA events (Can-Am, Trans-Am), Formula 5000, CART Indy Car Series, and Nascar.

So the next time you hear stories about New York’s salty roads, lake effect snows, and buried cars, remember that spring is right around the corner and that the “I Love NY” campaign many of us are familiar with applies also to car guys.

Comments

[axotof]

Now what eachwould have to gush quite a little dress until child passes,