Despite the gloom and doom of the economy, Patrick is excited to showcase some great new products recently launched by several of the premiere car makers we represent!  In this issue we’ve highlighted the new products available at Patrick, which include the sleek, redesigned BMW 7 Series, the 2010 Cadillac SRX, the Jaguar XFR, which is a super-charged version of the 2009 XF and of course the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which had its public commercial debut at Super Bowl XLIII.  

With respective auto industry media naming its top picks for the year, Patrick is proud to announce that almost all of our car lines have been chosen as outstanding vehicles.  The 2009 Jaguar XF, BMW 3 Series, and the Cadillac CTS-V come out on top in Car and Driver’s Top Ten Best Cars of 2009.  The 2009 Hyundai Accent is yet again hailed for its overall affordability by MSN Autos.  JD Power and Associates also recognized the Accent as the most dependable subcompact, while the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is hailed by U.S. News as the Best Compact Car for the Money.  

Also don’t forget this month is Chicago’s 101^st annual Auto Show at McCormick Place.  The show is open to the public February 13 through the 22.  When you’re there, be sure to check out the Hyundai Genesis, which was named the 2009 Auto Show Car of the Year.  For the past three years Hyundai has worked hard to compete with Toyota and Honda in terms of creating products that focus on quality and value.  This award speaks volumes as to the progress Hyundai has made.  And they have recently rolled out one of the most talked about marketing campaigns in the automotive category.  If you haven’t heard about it, the Hyundai Assurance Program allows you to purchase any new Hyundai and if you loose your job, become physically disabled, lose your driver’s license due to medical impairment or receive a job transfer overseas, all within the first year of ownership, you can return your vehicle and walk away from your loan or lease without negative equity. 

Marketing programs like these demonstrate that while the media continues to hammer car makers for no financing and no incentives, there are some great options available that make sense.  And be assured that Patrick still offers great financing on all our car lines…even for credit challenged buyers.  So please never hesitate to call us! 

This also is the year we will wrap up our newly re-designed, state-of-the-art BMW facility.  This project took more than two years to finish and we invite you to experience the luxurious amenities that the new Patrick BMW has to offer.  This facility has an additional 5,000 square feet of showroom space, three luxurious customer lounges complete with a coffee bar and a three-lane climate controlled service drive. 

You may be aware that Patrick has been committed to many charitable causes throughout the years and I am excited to share that for the second year in a row we are hosting a St.Baldrick’s Shave-A-Thon at our Cadillac store on Saturday, March 14.  In the past two years we’ve raised more than $65,000 for Pediatric Cancer research.  St. Baldrick’s Foundation coordinates head shaving events in effort to raise money to support childhood cancer research.  Even my son, Hanley Dawson IV, President of the Patrick Dealer Group, and more than a dozen of our employees shaved their heads to support this worthy cause.  If you are interested in participating in this event or donating, please read the enclosed article or visit www.stbaldricks.org.     

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and we appreciate your business!

Sincerely,


Hanley Dawson III
CEO