The Car Buying Experience

 

There is a prevailing stereotype that we are all aware of in car dealerships including the Ford dealerships in Richmond, and that is the stereotype of the car salesman, the man who lights up at the sight of a prospective customer and pounces on them like a leopard hunting a gazelle.

Car dealerships tend to foster this sort of hungry salesman attitude, but not Bill Talley Ford. We are one of few Ford dealerships that believe in hiring sales associates with a higher standard of integrity, ability, and honesty. Other dealerships might hire extremely aggressive, pushy sales people who sell cars with poor ethics and no moral fiber. At the end of the day, selling cars is about helping people live their lives. Most dealerships tend to forget that, losing sight of the good that they can do because the thought of a potential sale is too distracting.

The right car for the right person, that’s what Ford dealerships need to focus on. If every sales associate only cared about making sure that every customer who walks in the door receives complete, competent, and intelligent service that truly focuses on meeting that customer’s needs, then there would be no need for sales techniques and swindling. Ford dealerships in Richmond would just be able to rely on the reality of supply and demand without having to resort to gimmicks. Bill Talley Ford stays ahead of the curve of other Ford dealerships in Richmond by refusing to participate in gimmicky sales techniques that would lessen the value of our employees and, even worse, our customers.

You want respect. So do we. That’s why at Bill Talley Ford, everybody respects everybody. Come to the car lot at Bill Talley Ford and see just how different our service is from any other Ford dealerships in Richmond.

8 Years Later

On May 14th, we reached our 1 year anniversary for being Mechanicsville’s local Ford Dealer. We originally purchased the land for our new dealership in January of 2005. Due to the ups and downs of the economy, we had to delay the construction of our new dealership. Construction of our new state of the art dealership began on August 26, 2011. A little under nine months later Mechanicsville welcomed us into our new home with open arms. On June 25, 2012 we held our Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony. This event was a great success despite the nasty thunderstorm we had to tolerate only a few hours before the ceremony. We have had a blast being in Mechanicsville and serving its residents this past year. We would like to thank all of our customers for the support they have given us. We would not be where we are if not for them. We look forward to being Mechanicsville’s local Ford dealer for many years to come. If you have not had a chance to come take a look at our dealership yet, we encourage you to do so.

Ford Mustang: Almost 50 Years Young!

 

Can you believe the Ford Mustang will soon turn 50? That’s right – and it hasn’t missed a year of production! It had quite the debut in 1964, well beyond its game-changing performance and looks. That first year saw it join the ranks of Indy 500 pace car and also take a lead role in the James Bond flick “Goldfinger.” Steve McQueen ensured the pony car’s spot in movie history when he did “Bullitt” in 1968 (that was a 390 GT model; in 2001, the first Bullitt GT model came on the scene).

Below you will see just how much the Mustang has evolved over the years:

To help celebrate the Mustang’s birthday, come see us and take the new 2014 for a test drive here at Bill Talley Ford! Until then, here’s to many, many more celebrations.

 

 

 

Tellem, Tori. “Ford Social: The Ford Mustang Is Nearly 50 Years Young!” Ford Social RSS. Ford Motor Company, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

 

Spring Into Action With Your Ford!

While the first official day of spring doesn’t necessarily feel like it for most of the U.S., we know that spring lies ahead. For many of us, the change of season means we’re preparing to spend more time outside and likely more time in our Ford vehicles, and even more when the summer months come! So, we’ve put together Ford style tips to help get you in the mood to be sprung for spring!

1. Escape the clutter: What is it about spring being synonymous with cleaning? Well, if you can’t beat it, join it! Take this time to clean out and organize your vehicle. Wadded up fast-food wrappers or other trash thrown in the backseat? Toss it for good. Coins deposited in all the cupholders? Organize them and keep them in one place. And do you really need three sweatshirts in the backseat for just-in-case scenarios? Time to clean out the garage too while you’re at it. We’re just sayin’.

2. Maintenance is your super duty: Did you park/store your Ford for the winter? Time to get it raring to go again. Even if you didn’t park it for the winter, maintenance still pertains; make spring the time of year to always do some basic maintenance, such as checking the fluids, replacing window wiper blades, checking the engine coolant and ensuring your tires are properly inflated.

3. Focus on a wash and wax: Winter is the time that all sorts of gross gunk can accumulate since some people don’t visit the car wash that often, from dirt to road salt and brake dust. Head to the car wash, or even better, get outside and do the deed yourself!

4. Go on an Expedition: We spend far too much time indoors in the winter; time to plan a road trip! Maybe it’s a weekend adventure, or simply a day-long getaway. See the world’s biggest this or smallest that, or simple become an explorer in a part of town you’ve always wanted to see. Or just drive your Ford vehicle to the mountains and go for a hike! Embrace The Great Outdoors. And whatever you decide to do, be sure to post a photo of you and your Ford right here at Ford Social!

5. Fiesta now, no more siesta! We’ve been known to get a little lazier in the winter – it’s cold, so we hibernate and want to just curl up on the couch and stay warm. But now that the world around us is defrosting, we’re looking forward to doing more activities. How about you? Itching to get into the outdoors? Attend car shows? Tell us your spring plans!

 

Tellem, Tori. “Ford Social: Spring into Action With Your Ford!” Ford Social RSS. Ford Motor Company, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 05 Apr. 2013.

Getting Familiar with Ford Electrification

Question: Are you familiar with the differences between a Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, or All Electric vehicle? Is your answer no?  Well it’s time to put all curiosity aside and find out  just what Ford Electrification is all about.  Ford has been perfecting electric vehicle technology for more than a decade, with the introduction of their first production of Hybrid vehicle in 2005. Today, Ford is creating the future of electric vehicles with its development of state-of-the-art-plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. 

Ford offers three types of electrified vehicles. Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Electric Vehicle and last but not least, the All-Electric Vehicle. Hybrid vehicles are flexible for a wide range of customer uses while delivering excellent fuel economy. No need to plug-in, just gas up and go. Next, are plug-in hybrid vehicles which have the ability to operate like an all-electric for short distances, or as a hybrid for longer trips. Lastly, the All-Electric vehicles which do not use one drop of fuel. They are ideal for customers with shorter, predictable daily trips.

The hybrid vehicle is powered by a gasoline engine and electric traction motor with a 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery is charged when running due to the gasoline engine charging it. Also, energy is captured from the Regenerative Braking to charge the battery so no need or provision for plug-in charging. The hybrid vehicle operates harmoniously to manage power from the gasoline engine and electric traction motor to maximize fuel efficiency. The gasoline engine shuts off when it is not needed to help reduce both emissions and fuel consumption.  Ford offers two hybrid vehicles, The 2013 Fusion Hybrid and the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid. The combined fuel economy is 47MPG, driving range is 571 miles, EV top speed is 62 mph, and the fuel cost is $1,150 annually.

The plug-in hybrid vehicles are powered by a gasoline engine and an electric traction motor with a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery is charged by plugging it into a 120-volt outlet or 240-volt charging station to fully charge the battery for optimal performance. However, charging also occurs by the gas engine and energy captured from the Regenerative Braking. The plug-in operation is capable of higher speeds and longer periods on battery pack-only power compared to a normal hybrid. It can operate in all-electric EV mode until plug-in power is depleted; it then switches to a normal hybrid operation. The gasoline engine shuts off when it is not needed to help reduce both emissions and fuel consumption. Ford offers 2 plug-in hybrids as well: The 2013 C-MAX Energi and then the 2013 Fusion Energi. The combined fuel economy is 100 MPGe (which means miles per gallon equivalent) EV mode, and 43 MPG hybrid mode. The driving range is 21 miles EV mode and 620 total miles. EV top speed is 85mph, and the fuel cost is $950 annually.

At last the all-electric vehicle is powered by an electric traction motor with a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery is charged by plugging it into a standard 120-volt outlet or 240-volt charging station. It also benefits from the Regenerative Braking as well. The all-electric vehicle only operates in all-electric mode since there is no gas engine and no oil changes needed.  As of now the 2013 Focus Electric is the only model that is an all-electric vehicle. The combined economy is 105 MPGe, driving range is 76 miles, EV top speed is 84 mph, and the fuel cost is $600 annually.

Hopefully all of the questions or information you’ve wanted to know about Ford’s electric vehicles and technology has been answered. Have you been wanting to test drive one of these vehicles? Come by our location and mark that off of your checklist.  If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate on stopping by or calling us at (804) 746-2000.

 

“Ford Motor Company. Plug Into Ford. Detriot, Michigan: October 2012. Print”

How to get the most MPG out of you vehicle

Miles per gallon (MPG) has become a major factor in the car buying process. Today we are going to talk about several different ways that you can increase your fuel economy. Keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states fuel economy is measured more accurately after a brake in period of 3,000 to 5,000 miles on a new car. The DOE reports driving aggressively can decrease you gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city! To help prevent this, practice smooth acceleration and braking habits. Speed also plays a part in fuel economy. Obviously driving at speeds over 50 MPH burns more fuel than driving at 40 MPH, but did you know that increasing your speed from 55 MPH to 65 MPH decreases your fuel economy by 10-15 percent. Also, increasing your speed from 55 MPH to 70 MPH increases your fuel consumption by 25 percent! So again try to practice smoother acceleration and remember to follow all posted speed limits. Taking advantage of cruise control can also help you save fuel. First, it controls the maximum speed your vehicle will reach. Second, it helps maintain a constant speed so you won’t be pumping extra fuel to your engine. Making sure that your tires are properly inflated to the amount recommended on the tire can help improve your fuel economy as well. You should also consider changing the air in your tires from standard air to Nitrogen, which can increase your fuel economy by 10 percent along with other great benefits. Upgrading your tires to a larger or more rugged tire can increase weight and rolling resistance which affects your fuel economy in a negative way. Remember that heavier payloads will also decrease your fuel economy. Items such as tool boxes and camper shells effect the payload as well as trailers. Fuel Mileage can be decreased by as much as 2 percent by not using the manufacturer’s recommended grade motor oil. Keep in mind that replacing fuel filters and air filters when recommended can help optimize fuel economy too. These are just a few tips to help you maximize your fuel economy. Keep these in mind as you strive to improve your MPG!

Buying a Vehicle from Bill Talley Ford

Most people don’t know how easy it is to buy a car from Bill Talley Ford. There are six simple steps to purchasing a vehicle from Bill Talley Ford.

Step One- Come talk to one of our sales consultants.
At Bill Talley Ford we have a staff of ten sales consultants, all of which are Ford Master Certified. Ford Master Certified sales consultants are the top of their class and have a wealth of knowledge they are ready to share with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step Two- We have some questions for you.
Your sales consultant will ask you a handful of questions to help determine which vehicle will best meet your needs. He will ask you things such as the maximum number of passengers you will have in the vehicle at any given time, if you have a color preference , and is fuel economy the most important thing to you.

Step Three- The Walk Around.
Once your sales consultant determines which vehicle best meets your needs, he will take you out to the vehicle and begin the walk around. This is where he will show you all the features and options, highlighting those that will benefit you and your family the most.

Step Four- Test Drive.
Your sales consultant and you will now take the vehicle for a test drive. He will begin the test drive by showing you some of the options more in-depth. Once you feel comfortable with the operation of the vehicle, he will then let you get behind the wheel and drive.

Step Five- The Numbers.
Once you arrive back at the dealership, you and your sales consultant will go over all of the numbers. This includes price, trade in values, payment ranges, and down payments.

Step Six- Signing the Paperwork.
Once you have agreed to the numbers, you will sit down with one of our Finance Managers who will help you complete the paperwork. This is where you can learn more about extended warranty options and maintenance plans. While you are with the Finance Manager, your sales consultant will have your new vehicle cleaned and fill it with a full tank of gas by the time you are finished.

That is how easy it is to buy a vehicle from Bill Talley Ford. We would love for you to give us an opportunity to show you in person!