SCV Community Pride 2016 - Automotive

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . G1

SCV

Community

Pride Automotive

Valencia Auto Center Magic Mile of Cars

ValenciaAutoCenter.com SCV Community Pride • Automotive

Santa Clarita’s Automotive Professionals

G2 . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . THE SIGNAL

Automotive

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

Shopping local keeps our city thriving

T

wenty-five years ago we didn’t have many options on where to shop or dine out. Times have changed and we now have the opportunity to keep our spending local.

We hear the term “shop local”, but why is that important? It’s simple. If we want our community to continue to grow, we must support our local businesses. By shopping local, we are helping to create more jobs and we are keeping

Patrick Kennedy

the revenue and taxes local.

There are several reasons why we should all consider shopping local first.

It’s convenient. Most anything you want or need can be found in the Santa Clarita Valley. Staying close to home saves gas and takes less time out of your day.

Let’s admit once we return home from the daily commute, we don’t want to leave again. Why fight traffic if we don’t have to? We have

just about everything we need close to home. Many services offer hours that fit your schedule.

Local businesses are less susceptible to national and regional downturns and are more likely to work harder to get your businesses and stay open. By choosing local, you are helping to support your neighbors.

Local businesses give our community its flavor.

By spending your money

locally, you are helping to ensure we keep the uniqueness of the community we call home.

It’s also easier to follow through on warranty and extended service contracts.

Your local business owners and auto dealers are eager to build a relationship with you. Take advantage of their desires to fit your needs and win your business.

Keep your dollars in your local economy. You may

commute to Santa Monica for work, but buying your new or used car close to home puts money right back into the city’s economy. This leads to funding for emergency teams, street repairs, upkeep of city parks, improvement of school grounds and classrooms and helps produce more local jobs.

When thinking “shop local” we easily think of local retail stores and family owned restaurants. But

Where the magic happens

INFINITI of Valencia 24055 Magic Mountain Parkway Valencia, CA 91355 www.infinitiofvalencia.com

661.505.7800

we don’t always think of big ticket items such as autos.

Valencia Auto Center is the largest auto center in Southern California. It is the number one sales tax revenue source for the city. Valencia Auto Center offers 25 brands and thousands of new and pre-owned vehicles.

Why drive 30 miles when you can get the same great deals close to home? Shop local and keep those dollars in our community.

Automotive

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . G3

Premier America takes the hassle out of buying a car bin, the “car buying guy,” helps its members get the hen you open a car they want at a price Premier Ameri- they can afford, and withca Credit Union out all the hassle of a dealshare account with a $5 de- ership. posit, you get a whole lot “We’re interested in more than a shoehorn or a building relationships with balloon. our members,” said ChrisPremier America, with tina Madaras, marketing nearly 100,000 members manager for the Chatsand 18 branches in South- worth-based credit union. ern California, is a full-ser- “After buying a car somevice credit union with the one may get married or buy a house, and we want to be their go-to financial partner for life.”

– Christina Madaras, As for Marketing Manager for the purchasing Chatsworth-based credit union a new or used vehimotto, “Bank Where You cle, having Kobin on your Own the Place.” Cred- side is a game changer. Preit unions such as Premier mier America’s car buying America have a rich history services eliminate most of evolving from the idea that the dealership red tape, inpeople working together cluding sitting in the showcan create better financial room for hours and being solutions, especially when pitched expensive add-ons as owners, members have a by “the finance guy.”

“We can offer sweet vested interest in their coldeals to all the members lective success.

Many people first get of the credit union, who to know Premier America sometimes pay thousands when they are in the mar- less than people who just ket for a new vehicle. Pre- walk onto the car lot,” Komier America’s Chris Ko- bin said. “We will find the

By David Heitz

W

We’re interested in building relationships with our members.”

AUTOMATED PATH: 2016\MAR

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03-26-16

PUB DATE:

SCV PRIDE •

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

car they want, at a great price, and deliver it to the member at the Premier America branch location of their choosing.”

Also, Kobin notes, the professionals in Premier America’s lending department ensure the financing process is simple, easy and convenient.

Rates vary on car loans, but Premier America will finance everything from brand new vehicles to 20-year-old classics. Refinancing is also available.

Some people choose to get cash back when refinancing with a lower rate to help make those first few payments. In addition to great rates, members receive added discounts when taking advantage of convenient features such as direct deposit and autopay.

“We hope you will buy a car and stay for life, because member experience is everything,” Madaras said. “It’s our number one focus.”

Premier America is located at 27550 Newhall Ranch Rd., #203 in Newhall.

Mike Tercero, branch manager can be reached at 800-772-4000, or email Mike.tercero@ premieramerica.com.

Dan Watson/The Signal

Premier America Credit Union Branch Manager, Mike Tercero, left, and Shelia Jones, Regional Director, North Valley at the Valencia office.

Dan Watson/The Signal

From left, Premier America Credit Union Regional Director, North Valley, Shelia Jones, Branch Manager, Mike Tercero, and Operations Supervisor, Laura Avalos, use a selfie-stick to take a photo in front of the One Small Step Investment and Retirement Service promotional display at the Valencia office.

Galpin Santa Clarita is Conveniently Located at

23645 CREEKSIDE ROAD, VALENCIA, CA 91355 FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT GALPIN SANTA CLARITA GENERAL MANAGER DAN STERKEL AT 661-288-6901 OR DSTERKEL@GALPIN.COM.

MEMBERS OF THE GALPIN MOTORS FAMILY

661.255.7703 • GALPIN.COM @galpinmotors

@galpinsantaclarita

@galpinmotors

G4 . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . THE SIGNAL

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

Y L P P A !

Y A TOD

Your first payment is on us!

We will make your first payment, 1 $ up to 1,000, when you purchase or refinance

your vehicle loan through Premier America!

PremierAmerica.com | 800-772-4000 APR=Annual Percentage Rate. 1Offer ends June 30, 2016. Not valid with existing Premier America vehicle loans and may not be combined with any other Premier America promotional offer. First payment is paid upon the first payment due date of the new loan and is to be repaid in full to Premier America if the new loan does not remain open and in good standing for a term of at least 6 months. Member responsible for any net balance of first payment and for any accrued interest in excess of funds contributed by PACU toward first payment. 2Rate above is for new auto refinance loans up to a 66-month term and reflects 0.25% discount for automatic payment via direct deposit and a 0.25% discount for auto or homeowners insurance through Premier America. Example: For a $25,000.00 new auto refinance loan for a term of 66 months with a 1.24% APR, the monthly payment will be $392.07. The rate may increase based on creditworthiness and is subject to change or end without notice. Qualification is based on an assessment of individual creditworthiness and our underwriting standards. Certain restrictions apply. Equal Opportunity Lender.

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . G5

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

Get a vehicle loan rate as low as

1.24

%

+

2

We’ll make your first payment, up to

$

1,000

G6 . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . THE SIGNAL

Automotive

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

G&M Auto Repair putting honesty at the center of business

By T. A. DeFeo

J

ohn Wright has always been around cars and gear heads.

So, it was no surprise he jumped at the opportunity 18 months ago to purchase G&M Auto Repair, a staple in the community for more than three decades.

The Chicago native hasn’t looked back since.

“Working for myself has allowed me to do things my way,” Wright said.

That means treating customers fairly from the moment they walk through the door, being honest about the work that is needed and providing customers with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty on all ASE-certified repairs. In an industry often defined by flyby-night companies with little regard for customers, Wright prides himself on being a beacon of honesty.

After all, Wright feels “personally responsible” for making sure every repair is done right the first time.

That simple approach of putting honesty and ethics at the forefront of his business has produced phenomenal results for Wright. In a short period of time, he has tripled the volume of business at G&M Auto Repair.

“They know I’m not like some of the other shops,” Wright said of his customers. “I’m here for the long haul. I’m not going any-

where. I’d love to be doing this for the next 30 years.

I’d love to pass this down to my kids.”

G&M Auto Repair first opened in 1981, but closed shortly before Wright purchased the shop. Wright started working at G&M Auto Repair by himself, but now has a staff of seven to help service customers.

Wright’s passion for his work and his customers is evident among his customers. And, that has translated to positive reviews on sites like Yelp.

“John & his team truly set the standard for what an auto mechanic/repair shop should be,” one customer wrote on Yelp. “Have been here a handful of times for the past 2 years & will remain a loyal customer considering the great service I’ve always received.”

Said another on the review site: “He’s the only mechanic I trust to work on my car. He’s always explained what’s going on in a way I understand and his pricing is always affordable.”

Wright amassed his knowledge of cars during a 20-year career working for car manufacturers and dealers. Because of that knowledge Wright and his team can readily work on any car — whether domestic, foreign, hybrid or electric.

He prides himself on his team’s ability to diagnose problems that many of his

competitors are unable to find. His tools match or exceed the tools the dealers have to diagnose problems.

“I’m straight forward,” Wright said of his approach.

“It’s not trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes.

It’s just saying, ‘this is how it is.’ I want to make sure that I fix it right.”

To ensure he’s able to fix whatever rolls into the shop correctly, Wright is constantly adding tools to his collection.

“If I come across something I don’t have, I make sure I have it next time,” Wright said. “Or, if I need it to complete a job, I go out and buy it.”

To ensure customers’ cars are fixed correctly, all of the mechanics at G&M Auto Repair are ASE Certified Technicians. In addition, G&M Auto Repair is a member of a number of industry associations, including the Automotive Service Association, the most prominent auto repair association nationwide with more than 13,000 members, and the Automotive Service Council of California, the largest independent repair shop owner’s association in the Golden State.

G&M Auto Repair is located at 27260 Camp Plenty Rd. in Canyon Country.

For more information, visit gmautorepair.net or call (661) 251-6736.

Dan Watson/The Signal

G&M Auto Repair, Owner John Wright, right, with the team in Canyon Country.

Dan Watson/The Signal

G&M Auto Repair mechanics work on vehicles in the shop.

5000 MILE INTERVAL SERVICE

19

$

EFI SERVICE

(ELECTRIC FUEL INJECTION)

$

99

.95 + tax

.95

Includes tire rotation brake inspection oil change & 30 point inspection.

+ tax

and hazardous waste fee

BRAKE SPECIAL 2 Axel “factory” brake pads and resurface

199

$

.95 + tax

(Hondas and Toyotas only)

TIMING BELT SPECIAL

$

99

(Labor only. Hondas and Toyotas only)

Serving all of Santa Clarita le

dC

yn.

R d.

Whites Cyn. Rd.

Camp Plenty Rd.

So

da

Stillmore St.

Soledad Cyn. Rd.

661-251-6736 27260 Camp Plenty Rd. Canyon Country 91351

GMAutoRepair.net

+ tax

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . G7

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

All roads lead to

Pho Sure Pho Sure

World Famous Vietnamese Noodles & More www.phosurevalencia.com

23876 Copper Hill Dr., Valencia, CA 91354 • (661) 257-3888 1st authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the Santa Clarita Valley.

APRIL 9, 2016 Go to scvTICKETS.COM to sign up before all the slots are filled!

Tournament Location: Boys and Girls Club - Newhall

Do you have what it takes to be crowned the “King of Santa Clarita”?

G8 . SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 . THE SIGNAL

SCV Community Pride • AUTOMOTIVE

THE LARGEST AUTO CENTER in California Magic Mile of Cars

1000’s of New and Pre-Owned Vehicles to Choose From Shop Local

25 BRANDS ONE LOCATION CREEKSIDE ROAD, VALENCIA

ValenciaAutoCenter.com