Friday, December 28, 2012

Check out this outstanding review!

Dealerrater

"I called the courteous and professional staff at Commonwealth Kia (even though they are pretty far away from me) and talked with Eric and asked him if I could bring it up, he said that they would get it in if they could.  Around an hour or so goes by and it was fixed! I am so grateful for Eric and Fred in the service department over at Kia." -Happy Customer

To read more reviews like this or leave your own click here.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Kia Signs Multi-Year Extension to Serve As Title Partner of Kia Classic

Lpga

Kia Motors America (KMA) and the LPGA today announced the fourth-annual Kia Classic will move in 2013 to Aviara Golf Club located at the Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, Calif.  The move comes with the announcement that KMA has signed a multi-year contract extension as title sponsor of the tournament.  The 2013 Kia Classic, which will feature a 144-player field, will be played March 18-24.

“Kia is one of the fastest growing auto brands in the U.S., and sports marketing initiatives such as our involvement with the LPGA have significantly raised awareness and consideration for the brand and our vehicles,” said Michael Sprague executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “With the success of the past three tournaments, we are pleased to continue as title sponsor for the Kia Classic and bring the tournament to the luxurious Aviara Golf Club in 2013.”

The venue for the 2013 Kia Classic, Aviara Golf Club, which was named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America and the No.1 golf resort in San Diego according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve and is the only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.  Aviara features a memorable par-72 coastal layout that stretches 7,007 yards and is uniquely sculpted through rolling hillsides, native wildflowers and plenty of bunker and water challenges.  The golf club is part of the AAA Five Diamond-rated Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which features 329 guest rooms, four on-site restaurants, full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness facility and more.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Kia for the Kia Classic,” said LPGA Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany.  “Kia has been a terrific partner, and the Kia Classic is one of the core pillars of the opening of our domestic season on the West Coast.  Kia has also done an outstanding job of integrating with the LPGA and activating behind the Kia Classic to make this tournament better every year.  We look forward to many more years.”

The 2013 Kia Classic sponsor exemption will be given to the winner of the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia, February 25-26 at the Santa Ana Country Club.  This partnership will make the UC Irvine Women’s Golf Anteater Invitational presented by Kia the only collegiate tournament in the country that will allow the winner to qualify for an LPGA event.  Additionally, the Kia Classic will continue to host a hole-in-one giveaway contest for both the Pro-Am and the tournament with a 2013 Kia vehicle as the prize.

“The Kia Classic has established itself as one of the premier professional golf events, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to host a field of the world’s best female golfers,” said Mark Stiebeling, General Manager for Park Hyatt Aviara Resort.  “Our commitment to excellence will ensure that the players and fans alike are treated to a first-class experience on the golf course and throughout the resort.”

In 2012, Taiwan native Yani Tseng, the No. 1 player on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, won the third-annual Kia Classic at the La Costa Resort and Spa.  In 2011, the Kia Classic was the stage for another breakout win as Germany’s Sandra Gal became a Rolex-First Time Winner with her thrilling one-shot victory over eight-time LPGA Tour winner Jiyai Shin at Industry Hills Golf Club.

Kia’s Southern California-based LPGA tournament complements its sports marketing activities in the U.S., including its partnership with two-time LPGA winner Michelle Wie, who is the brand’s official golf ambassador.  Kia is also the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA (National Basketball Association), and recently completed its inaugural campaign in the Pirelli World Challenge auto racing series.

Courtesy of LPGA.com

Another 5-Star Review, Another Happy Customer!

Yahoo

Stop by and get your service work done here just like Stephanie did!

"Always go here for my oil change and other work on my car. I didn't buy my car from here but prefer this dealer than the one I bought my car from. Everyone is always polite and helpful." -Stephanie G.

To leave a review or read more click here.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Another Excellent Review, Way to Go Team!

City_search

Another great review, what a great way to end the year! We love our customers and are so proud of our entire team!

"Love the car and the dealership was great to work with..." -Caitlin S.

Read the rest of this great review and more by clicking here

Friday, December 21, 2012

Thank you, Sara, for this great review. We appreciate you!

Yelp

"Had a great experience after about a month of back and forth on the internet.  Paula was great on the phone.  I got a great deal on an Accord for what I could afford. Thanks to the Commonwealth Team and Paula." -Sara S.

To read more reviews click here.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Kia Hikes Its Support For Sport As Sponsor Of College Football Hall Of Fame

Kia-football-hall-of-fame1

With bowl season upon us, and Notre Dame and Alabama set to battle it out for the NCAA Division I championship, we're still a few weeks away from sorting out most of the winners and losers in this year's college football season-but there is at least one team that has clinched a share of gridiron greatness for the year: Kia, which recently announced it had become a founding sponsor of the new College Football Hall of Fame.

The 94,000-square-foot Hall is expected to open in Atlanta near the beginning of the 2014 college football season, and will be located next door to the Georgia World Congress Center-one of the largest convention centers in the country-and the city's famed Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Of course, this is far from Kia's first foray into the sport of college football. The brand also is currently a sponsor of the 2013 Outback Bowl, slated for a New Year's Day broadcast on ESPN, and Official Automotive Partner of the NCAA's Southeastern Conference (SEC)-home base for the previous six BCS champions as well as one of this year's challengers, the University of Alabama.

However, there may be another reason that Kia has gotten involved with the College Football Hall of Fame, as explained by Michael Spraque, executive vice president of Marketing and Communications for the brand: "Kia is proud to call the state of Georgia home to our U.S. manufacturing plant. We are excited about the addition of a new attraction to the Atlanta-area and the opportunity to showcase the fantastic Sorento and Optima vehicles built nearby in West Point, Ga."

Providing a two-pronged approach to winning in the marketplace, the Kia Optima and Kia Sorento are the brand's top sellers on the car and crossover sides of the business, respectively, with the company's striking mid-size sedan delivering 140,391 units through the end of November (+90 percent) and its versatile mid-size crossover attracting 108,630 customers during that time. And while that's actually down slightly as compared to the first 11 months of 2011, the all-new 2014 Kia Sorento is poised to launch early next year and resumed its winning ways.

Sitting on an all-new platform, the 2014 Sorento also will offer the next generation of Kia's voice-activated UVO telematics system, a new 290-hp V6 engine with direct injection, an enhanced Torque On Demand all-wheel-drive setup with Torque Vectoring Corner Control, driver-selectable multi-mode steering, LED exterior lighting, a reconfigured and more ergonomic center-stack, and a range-topping SX Limited that's chock-filled with premium features.

The Optima, on the other hand, introduced its SX Limited trim for the 2013 model year, and the upgrade has truly helped up-end the standings in the mid-size sedan segment. In November, for example, the Optima outsold rivals like the Chevy Malibu, VW Passsat, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and moved within 2,400 units of the Ford Fusion. But customers looking for high value also should note that the starting price of the 2013 Kia Optima is an affordable $21,100 that is lower than not only the Malibu and Fusion, but also the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.

Courtesy of Kia Media

Monday, December 17, 2012

Maintenance Monday! Don't Make Compost in Your Car

Compost

As you tackle fall's bounty on your lawn, leave some energy for removing the leaves that find their way into your vehicle.

Leaves, twigs and other organic matter can cause havoc with gutters on your house -- and the equivalent on your car. When debris builds up in areas of your car where water is supposed to flow out, you can get leaks or corrosion.

The air plenum near the windshield is a classic spot where this can happen.

If you have a sunroof, open it up and poke around in there, too. Sunroofs have drains that flow water that sneaks past the seals down to the ground. Leaf gunk in there can make for wet headliners or worse.

Less common, but more problematic: Animals may make nests under the hood. You may need a mechanic and an animal trapper to fully solve this problem.

Courtesy of KipLinger

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Schedule a Service Appointment Today!

Specials
Got a big family road trip planned for the holidays? Bring your car in now and we'll make sure you're good to go so now you'll just have to worry about keeping the kids quiet! Check out our winter service specials by clicking here.

Another Excellent Review; Way to Go, Frank and Thank You, Matt!

Car_dealer_check

"When I got there he had it pulled up to drive and the price was exactly as he said. I couldn’t have asked for a smoother process. Definitely sending friends Frank's way." -Matt S.

To read more like thic click here.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Kia's Moving On Up!

Kia-quoris

Kia has made quite an effort to improve its vehicles and brand image, but its still very much a mainstream brand competing with the likes of Toyota and Volkswagen. Now, the automaker has set its sights on more premium competitors with a goal of moving upscale and offering higher levels of quality and luxury.

According to New Zealand-based Scoop Independent News, Kia Motors vice-chairman Lee Hyoung-keun announced the companys new goal while speaking to a group of the automakers global dealers and distributors. Hyoung-keun said Kia should be among the list of "first-class brands" by 2017, on par with premium automakers like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Kias styling has improved dramatically in recent years, due largely in part to the hiring of design chief Peter Schreyer, who jumped ship from Volkswagen and Audi to join the Korean brand. The Kia Optima, for example, is widely considered a design success with an interior that includes Audi-like styling touches.

In addition to styling, Kia has set a goal to improve quality and technology. Kia recently unveiled its Quoris rear-drive flagship sedan, which showcases a number of high-tech and premium features such as all-LED headlights, a head-up display, and a rear-seat package that includes a reclining backrest and heated and ventilated seats. The Quoris launched in a number of markets including Korea, but the automaker still hasnt confirmed that the sedan will come to the U.S.

Courtesy of Kia Media

Monday, December 10, 2012

Kudos to Our Entire Team for Delivering Great Customer Service!

City_search

"I think the Versa offers the best value and size at that price point, but I bought at Commonwealth because the sales man and support team were straight forward, professional and respectful. Friendly people, GREAT price, how can you go wrong!" -Norman M.

To read more like this click here.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

2013 Kia Sorento: Did We Read Your Mind?

Two More 5-Star Reviews on Yelp!

Yelp

"The folks here are great, knowledgeable and work to earn your business. I am a happy customer and will continue to purchase from Commonwealth. Thanks again guys! Excellent Job!!" -Abran

"I would recommend Chris and Commonwealth Motors highly!" -Michelle

To read more great reviews click here.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Kia Announces UVO eServices Infotainment System, Check It Out!

Kia_uvo

Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the UVO eServices Infotainment System with Voice Command Navigation, the next iteration of the company's innovative voice-activated infotainment system, would be introduced first in the stunning new 2014 Sorento CUV. UVO eServices represents an evolution from the original UVO system's capabilities, adding a new telematics suite ("eServices") that is powered by an exclusive free smartphone app that will provide drivers with an innovative in-vehicle connectivity experience including navigation, diagnostics apabilities and added convenience features.  UVO is short for "Your Voice," and provides consumers easy-to-use voice and touch-activated experiences to manage music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.

"UVO was a breakthrough for Kia, and signaled the brand's ambitious plans to become an in-vehicle technology leader by enabling drivers and passengers to use all of their personal technologies more safely and easily, while creating additional entertainment experiences," said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist, KMA.  "With smartphone penetration nearing 50-percent in the U.S., UVO eServices extends our award-winning system's abilities far beyond the original offerings by utilizing one of the industry's first app-based approaches for telematics.  The development focus for UVO eServices was to deliver the connectivity, services and notifications valued by vehicle owners while also adding emergency assistance features, diagnostic information and innovations such as our parked vehicle locator to create user-friendly experiences that exceed people's expectations."

UVO continues to offer drivers hands-free mobile phone management capabilities and hands-free control of music from a variety of media sources, including CD, radio, USB, media player, and the Digital Jukebox.  With UVO eServices, users will now be able to control the 2014 Sorento’s on-board navigation system through voice commands when the vehicle is outfitted with the UVO eServices/navigation package. Also new with UVO eServices is an enhanced telematics suite that offers a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, including 911 Connect, enhanced Roadside Assist, Automatic Diagnostics, Manual Diagnostics, Scheduled Diagnostics, vehicle maintenance, and eServices Guide, many of which are run through the owner’s Smartphone equipped with the UVO eServices app available at no charge.

Advanced Voice Recognition makes it simple to operate many of UVO eServices functions, including the Sorento’s voice activated navigation system.  USB connectivity allows users to download music files from a memory stick into the Digital Jukebox.  The large eight-inch touch screen is easy to operate and incorporates Sorento’s rear camera display, Infinitt Premium Sound System and MY POIs (personal Points of Interest via online maps), a feature that makes it easy to customize the owner’s most visited locations.  UVO eServices is compatible with iPhone at launch and Android phones are expected to be compatible in the second quarter of 2013. 

Key Features of UVO eServices:

  • eServices Guide: Accessed via the touch-screen or voice command,eServices Guide places a phone call via Bluetooth hands free connectivity to a voice response system that explains UVO eServices to the driver in an interactive manner.
  • Car Care Web: Through the UVO eServices owner's portal, known as "Car Care Web," owners can check vehicle diagnostics, vehicle status, maintenance schedules, driving behavior, and schedule appointments with their preferred or nearby dealer via their home computer or mobile device.  Owners also can earn awards for safe and eco-friendly driving viewable on Car Care Web should they rank high enough among their fellow UVO eServices owners.
  • My POI:  Also available to UVO eServices owners is My POI, a feature that allows owners to send a destination from Google Maps through their Smartphone to their UVO eServices vehicle. In the convenience of their home or office, the customer selects a destination from the Web via Google maps, once the customer’s Smartphone receives the destination it will send the destination to the vehicle’s navigation system the next time the Smartphone is paired via Bluetooth® wireless technology. In addition, all destinations sent from Google Maps will be copied to the owner’s Car Care Web. (My POI is only available with UVO eServices vehicles equipped with navigation).
  • Vehicle Diagnostics:  If UVO's eServices identifies a problem by way of the Automatic Diagnostics function, it will communicate the vehicle's list of issues and its location to Kia's 24/7 call center or will schedule an appointment online with the nearest Kia dealership upon user request.  With Manual Diagnostics, at the owner's preference, UVO eServices can connect the user with Kia's 24/7 call center or schedule an appointment online with the nearest Kia dealership, should an issue be found. Additionally, the user can take advantage of Scheduled Diagnostics from their smartphone, setting a monthly diagnostic check of the vehicle.  Upon completion, any issues found are automatically forwarded to Car Care Web.
  • 911 Connect: In case of an airbag deployment, the Crash Notification Assist function will alert emergency services. During a 10-second window, the driver has the option to cancel the call, otherwise UVO eServices will dial 9-1-1, read the vehicle's location out loud to the emergency services operator and allow the operator to speak with the vehicle occupants.
  • Parking Minder: If the driver happens to forget where they parked the car, the Parking Minder function helps find it by sending the location of the vehicle to the driver's phone.  If preferred, the owner also can take pictures of the surrounding area for reference, write a reminder note, email his or her location and set an alarm if the car is parked at a meter. To guide the owner back, the UVO eServices smartphone app will display the owner and the vehicle's locations on a map.  Optionally, the owner can look through the phone's integrated camera where an icon on the phone's screen will point to the vehicle's location.

Following the introduction of UVO eServices in the Sorento, the system will be offered in other models in the Kia lineup, including the all-new 2014 Forte sedan.

Courtesy of Kia Media

Two Thumbs Up For John For Outstanding Customer Service!

Yelp

"John took the time to explain our financing options and all the features in the car. He was knowledgeable and friendly which made the experience of buying the car most enjoyable.  I would recommend Commonwealth to anyone as they have a large selection of cars from many different manufacturers." -Jeffrey R.

To read more reviews click here.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Drive With Care Every Day

Drive_with_care

Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.

  • Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
  • Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive. The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
  • Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea. The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder wa lls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
  • Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
  • Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
  • Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn rubber.
  • When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
  • Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear — as well as the pollution your car generates — takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

Great Job, Patrick and Ron, For Outstanding Customer Service!

City_search
"I got a good deal in a no-pressure sales environment from Commonwealth Volkswagen through Andrew Mercer-Medeiros. The finance director, Ron, was very thorough and clear. They took care of me." -Bill C.

To read more reviews click here.