There have been few businesses not impacted by the current tough economic conditions. Recently, the auto industry has been hit particularly hard given GM and Chrysler’s bankruptcy filings.  However, we are proud to say that all of the Patrick Dealer Group’s franchises will remain in business and we see a positive upturn in the near future!  Despite what the media reports, people are buying cars, and though not as easy to secure as a few years ago, financing is available.  
 
We are also pleased to announce that not only have we retained the rights to our Cadillac franchise, last month we were awarded the GM Master Dealer Award!  This is the 25^th year Patrick has received this coveted award, an honor only 17 dealers across the country have achieved. For more information on the GM Master Dealer Award, please read the enclosed article.       
 
You may be aware that Patrick has been committed to many charitable causes throughout the years and I am excited to announce that for the third year in a row we hosted a St.Baldrick’s Shave-A-Thon and raised $36,730 for Pediatric Cancer research.  St. Baldrick’s Foundation coordinates head shaving events in effort to raise money to support childhood cancer research.  My son, Hanley Dawson IV, President of the Patrick Dealer Group, shaved his head again this year in support of this wonderful cause.  The event was hosted at our newly renovated BMW store and had more than 100 supporters, including many loyal customers!  Thank you to everyone who donated and participated in this successful event.
 
Regarding product news, Consumer Reports ranked the Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE as the Best Small Sedan of 2009 in a comparison test against the Honda Civic.  Also, the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible has gone to great lengths to make the cockpit friendlier to drivers who spend a lot of time in their car by adding three seat levers, a tilt/scoping steering wheel and designing the front seats to embrace drivers taller than six feet.  The convertible’s soft roof opens in 15 seconds at speeds up to 18 mph.  Cadillac brings hard hitting style to the traditional family car with the all new 2010 CTS Sports Wagon.   The wagon will provide 25 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, made user-friendly by the Sport Wagon’s power liftgate.  Some of you may be heading on family road trips this summer so we’ve also included an article on how to choose the best family vehicle for YOUR family.      
 
Enjoy your summer and we hope to see you soon!
 
 
 
Hanley Dawson III
CEO