Every year, one outstanding sales representative from each dealership competes in the Checkered Flag Walk Around Contest. Each representative was given just 15 minutes to show a vehicle of their choice  to "Bob and Betty," a fictitious couple looking to trade in their current vehicle. The challenge is to cover a ton of information (including items such as window sticker, warranties, and Checkered Flag Winner's Edge) during the allotted time.

We here at the Checkered Blog would like to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Walk Around Contest participants, especially to this year's grand prize winner, Phyllis Hunter of Checkered Flag Jaguar! Phyllis showed "Bob and Betty" Jaguar's newest sporting luxury sedan, the XF (it's an Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency, too.) Contest judges awarded her with an all inclusive trip for two to a 5-star hotel in Cancun, Mexico. She says competing was a lot of fun, and she's very excited to go on the trip with her husband. Bon voyage, Phyllis!   

On this rainy Thursday, I have another great addition to our Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency list, the BMW X3. This "sport activity vehicle" (SAV) puts an emphasis on BMW's trademark driving experience. It also delivers a combination of luxury, utility, and efficiency.

Checkered Flag BMW's Michael Kulp, a client advisor, showed me a Jet Black X3. The 3.0si, the lone model for the X3 (starting at $38,600), is powered by 3.0-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC), 6-cylinder engine that produces 260hp. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic with Steptronic gearing control transmissions are offered. BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system comes standard.

The 3.0-liter engine also has BMW's Valvetronic system, which allows for increased power output and efficiency. The X3 is rated at 24 miles on the highway and 17 miles in the city. It's 18 gallon tank can get upwards of 430 highway miles with one fill up.

I spent a few minutes circling around the X3, and it's the perfect size. Not too bulky and not too compact, just a great middle ground choice.  The X3 interior is also impressive with its finely tailored Sensatec Leatherette upholstery. It has firm yet comfortable seats for five passengers.

A Dual-glass-panel Panoramic Moonroof is also a highlight interior feature on the X3. Other standard features include: Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/CD/MP3 audio system with 8 speakers and auxiliary audio input adapter compatible with portable music players; Tilt/telescopic steering wheel column; Automatic climate control with micro-filter and air recirculation; and Vehicle & Key Memory.

The X3 is also one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks for 2008. It received top ratings in front, side, and rear crash tests. The xDrive system I mentioned earlier is an intelligent safety feature that adapts to changing road conditions by shifting torque if wheels start to slip. Also, driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment, and front-passenger seat sensors, front-door-mounted side-impact airbags; Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), and active front seat head restraints all come standard. For the full list of safety features visit here.

Several optional packages are also available for the X3. The cold weather package in particular adds heated front and rear seats. Check out the link above for details.

See this Unsung Hero in person by visiting Checkered Flag BMW, 5225 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

"It's a true American story.  I love it."

That's among the many wonderful comments we've heard since We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded was published several weeks ago.  The book tells the story of Checkered Flag and a reviewer on Amazon wrote this about it: "It's the kind of book you start on a whim but then can't put down until you've finished, and then find yourself wanting more." 

We All Win is now available at Prince Books in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, as well as online here on CheckeredFlag.com (click the book icon to the left), on Amazon, and at all Checkered Flag locations.  Funds raised through the book's sale benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. Happy reading!

Just a few weeks ago, someone in my family was in a car accident. Thankfully, no one was injured in the collision, but the aftermath has been...well, stressful.

My relative's current predicament motivated me to learn more about the auto repair process, so I headed over to Checkered Flag's Body Shop. Bill Evans, Shop Manager (pictured here with members of the Body Shop team, Rich Sproul and Lisa Pfeiffer), offered great insight into the industry and gave me a personal tour around the shop. He says, "This is the last place people want to be, simply because cars are huge investments. So it's our responsibility to be empathetic to our customers and to make the process as painless as possible by providing great service."

The Body Shop opened in 1985 and has since then prided itself in delivering a high level of quality automotive repair. Bill says his staff is composed of experienced "automotive health experts" who are trained to help customers during each step of the repair process. They offer guidance in working with insurance companies (Checkered Flag deals with all vehicle insurance providers) and assist in arranging for rental cars.

Technicians are factory trained A.S.E. and I-Car certified. They take on all types of repair damage, minor or significant. Laser Unibody & Frame straightening equipment and two high-tech downdraft painting and baking booths are used to ensure that vehicles are returned to pre-accident conditions. They're able to accommodate a high volume of vehicles (the most was 63 cars in one week). 

Typically the number one question on customers' minds is how long the repairs will take. Different variables (insurance companies, repair severity, type of vehicle,  parts availability) affect the time needed to complete repairs. It's difficult to pinpoint, but according to Bill, on average for every $1,000 worth of damage, it takes about a week of repair work. Again, this varies for every case. The Body Shop team will work with you to keep you updated during the repair process.

Bill says, "We hold ourselves to high standards here and want to deliver top quality to our customers. It's important to make sure they're satisfied and everything is repaired properly."

We here at the Checkered Blog would like to send a big thanks to all Body Shop team members. Pictured here are Tony Bosques, Lisa Fisher, and paint manager Kenny Jackson. If you're interested in finding out more about auto repair, visit the Checkered Flag Body Shop page or call (757) 490-111. Have a great weekend everyone and drive safely!

We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, the newly-published book about Checkered Flag, has drawn advance praise from national industry leaders, including from James D. Power, III, the founder of J.D. Power and Associates.  He says We All Win "tells a story that stands out among all dealerships across the country."  Funds raised through the sale of We All Win will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. You can purchase the book here on CheckeredFlag.com by clicking on the book icon on the left side of this home page or by visiting any of Checkered Flag's parts departments.

We All Win was written by award-winning former journalist Audrey Knoth, who is now a Norfolk business executive. Recently, the Checkered Blog caught up with Audrey for an interview.  We will be featuring portions of our conversation with her in coming weeks, starting today.

Checkered Blog: Whose idea was it to write a book about Checkered Flag?

Audrey: The idea was mine.  In early 2007, I helped Checkered Flag with several business projects, and as I learned more about the company, I became very intrigued by its history.  Checkered Flag was founded in 1964 by Ed Snyder, who continues to run the company today along with his son Steve Snyder.  That kind of longevity of local ownership and operations is in itself remarkable.  But as I dug into it, I found the story was even more interesting and important than just that.

Checkered Blog: In what way?

Audrey: I learned that prior to founding Checkered Flag, Ed Snyder had managed a department store called Snyder's that his grandfather had started in downtown Norfolk at the turn of the last century.  So when Ed Snyder got into the car business in the mid-1960s, he brought customer-service and marketing practices from the department store into auto retailing, and the things he did were very unusual at the time.  When you hear Ed Snyder and Steve Snyder talk about customer service being Checkered Flag's top priority, they are really talking about a philosophy that has been paramount to the Snyders for more than 100 years.

Checkered Blog: Why are funds raised from the sale of We All Win being used to benefit United Way?

Audrey:  United Way is very important to Checkered Flag and it was for Snyder's department store, too.  What has made it so important is that not only does United Way support such a variety of local organizations, it involves individual employees in the giving process.  Through the generations, the Snyders have believed that giving feels good, that the process is as beneficial to the person who is giving as it is to the recipient, and United Way encourages this.

Checkered Blog: Something that's very noticeable about We All Win is how visually appealing and colorful it is.

Audrey: Yes, the book is more than just a narrative.  We have included lots of great vintage photographs and a cartoonist even created five original cartoon strips and the book's cover.  So we hope that people really enjoy both reading the book and just leafing through it.

Checkered Blog: And all of us at the Checkered Blog hope that everyone will consider purchasing We All Win to help raise funds for United Way of South Hampton Roads.  Please click on the book icon on the left of this home page ro order in online or stop into any Checkered Flag parts department to pick it up in person.

I've been a fan of today's Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency for some time now. Ever since an uncle of mine took me for a ride in his then brand new Alpine White Z4, I've held it in high regard. The Z4 is a striking luxury sports car that truly does deliver BMW's signature driving experience. I stopped by Checkered Flag BMW to reunite with the Z4. Stephen Reid, a client advisor there, was gracious enough to spend a few minutes showing me one.

The BMW Z4 is offered either as a two-seat roadster (starting at $36,700) or coupe. Two trims are available for the roadster, 3.0i and 3.0si. The Z4 coupe is only offered in the 3.0si trim. A lightweight 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine gives the Z4 the pairing of impressive power and desired fuel efficiency. The 3.0i produces 215 hp, while the more powerful 3.0si boasts 255 hp. Six-speed manual transmission comes standard, but automatic with manual shift control is offered. Both Z4 models and trims have mpg ratings of 18 miles in the city and 28 highway. With its 15 gallon tank, the Z4 can get around 420 highway miles.

Outside, the Z4 is a head turner with its long hood and insulated convertible softtop with heated glass rear window. A hardtop is available for the coupe. Exceptional styling continues inside with leatherette seating and trim that come standard. The great thing about the Z4 interior that I really appreciate is its classic simplicity. The dash is bare with easy to read gauges. Of course, you can add a bit more flair to the interior with an optional navigation system and onboard computer (included with the premium package). The onboard computer conveniently displays average fuel economy, average speed, remaining fuel, and the current time.

Other standard comfort and convenience features include: 6-way manually adjustable sport seats; tilt-telescoping steering wheel; leather-covered multi-function sport steering wheel; and a remote entry with multi-function remote control. Also, Z4 models are outfitted with anti-theft AM/FM/CD audio system with Radio Data System, MP3 capabilities and 10 speakers. For the full list of features, visit here.

Every BMW Z4 comes standard with a number of safety features including: dual-airbag supplementary restraint system; side-impact airbags; enhanced braking system; dynamic stability control; all-season traction; and active knee protection. It's also equipped with a rollover safety system that consists of two steel rollbars located behind the headrests.

There's no question that the Z4 is a memorable car. Stephen says it's a popular and fun car. We both recommend experiencing it in person by visiting the Checkered Flag BMW sales team at 5225 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

When a 12-year old boy walked out of a Polish village in 1882 in search of a better life, it was literally the first step toward the founding of Checkered Flag.

The story of how Checkered Flag came to be, the obstacles it faced, and the customer-service philosophies that propelled it to success are told in the new book We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, written by Audrey Knoth.  We All Win has received advance praise from leading auto industry executives, who call it "a remarkable book about a remarkable business enterprise."  We All Win is now available for sale here on CheckeredFlag.com (click here) and, starting on Friday, August 8th, in all Checkered Flag parts departments.  Funds raised through its sale will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads.

The book recounts how the near-penniless Louis Snyder arrived in America in the late 19th century and how, from a small dry goods company, he built a major Norfolk, Virginia department store operated by successive generations of the Snyder family.  His grandson Ed Snyder took over management of Snyder's department store in the early 1960s.  In 1964, Ed invested in a small British sports car dealership and, at his wife Jean's suggestion, named it Checkered Flag.

We All Win explains how Checkered Flag prevailed over challenges, failures, and risks to grow from one humble showroom to the auto retailer it is today, with 11 new-car franchises and a used-vehicle superstore in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and selling more than 12,000 vehicles annually.  Ed Snyder continues as president 44 years after its founding; son Steve Snyder is senior vice president.

The author, Audrey Knoth, is a former broadcast and newspaper journalist who's now a Norfolk business executive.  She says she had the idea to write the book after helping Checkered Flag with several projects in early 2007.

"I became intrigued by Checkered Flag's history, which had never been researched and told," she says.  "The more I learned about Checkered Flag, the more I realized its story is a compelling one that has meaning for people both inside and outside of the car business."

Audrey spent over a year researching and writing We All Win, conducting extensive interviews, consulting with auto industry and academic experts, and poring through historical and newspaper archives.  Vintage photos, illustrations, and original cartoons accompany the book's absorbing narrative.

"I found that the principles that originated more than a hundred years ago remain at the foundation of Checkered Flag today," Audrey says.  "Among them: if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers; nothing is more important than customer service; failure should teach you rather than frighten you; and taking risks is absolutely essential to succeeding."

All of us with the Checkered Blog are excited about the book and we hope you will consider purchasing it.  It's a great read and with the funds raised benefiting United Way, you could say We All Win!

We've featured cars from BMW's 1-series and 3-series as Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency. Today, we're adding another BMW to the list. This time it's the 528i, the first model in the 5-series lineup. Like its siblings before, the 528i puts an emphasis on the driving experience. It sets a high standard in the mid-size luxury sedan segment by bringing a mixture of unrivaled performance, luxury, and comfort.

Checkered Flag BMW client advisors Michael Kulp and Dave Lindsey, Jr. (pictured here) both kindly braved the heat outside to show me the 528i (starting at $44,600).  This rear-wheel drive shares the same 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine as the 3-series models. All-wheel drive is available on the 528ix version. Six-speed manual or automatic transmission with steptronic gear is offered.

With a powerful engine that produces 230-hp and 200lb-feet of torque, the 528i achieves great fuel efficiency. The STEPTRONIC automatic transmission mentioned earlier helps improve gear shifting and reduces fuel consumption by adapting to each driver differently. It's rated at 28 miles on the highway, and 18 city. On it's 18 gallon tank, the 528i can get around 500 highway miles. 

I walked around the 528i a few times to get a feel for the vehicle, and it really is a beauty. The "flared nostril" front end and the double grille integrated into the hood are attention grabbers. Dave and I moved to the interior, and it was a great place to seek shelter from the heat. The combination of wood and leather upholstery was inviting. The 528i seats up to five passengers. Dave also showed me the convenient cupholders that swing out from the inside of the dash. They're positioned up high where you can see it, so no more fumbling around to reach a cupholder while you're driving.   

The 528i also has a healthy list of standard features that include: automatic climate control; 2-way power glass moonroof with remote; power-adjustable headrests, automatic tilt-down passenger's side-view mirror (useful when you're parallel parking); Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/CD audio system with 10 speakers and MP3 capabilities; and more. Check out the full list of features here.

Of course, there are a ton of technical gadgets for you to choose from. Here are a few options that standout: lane departure warming (the steering wheel vibrates if you cross lanes without signaling); active cruise control with stop and go; and night vision. The night vision feature is especially cool. An infrared camera built into the front of the 528i allows you to see pedestrians or animals up to 328 yards ahead in the dark!

The 528i comes equipped with a full range of passive and active safety features including: extended crumple zones; 6 airbags (front, front-passenger, and curtain); antilock brakes; and front safety belts with automatic pretensioners.

If you're interested in finding out more about the 528i, visit Checkered Flag BMW at 5225 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-111.