April 13, 2012

We are Turning 63!

Check out the blog next week to see how we are going to celebrate with you!

GETTING TO KNOW OUR SERVICE TEAM

Al Cusano – Assistant Service Manager

Al was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Hampton Roads while serving in the Air Force. Al retired from the Air Force in 1995 and has been a pivotal member of our Bowditch Team ever since. Al has 37 years of automotive experience and holds a degree in Vehicle Maintenance Management. Al’s near 20 years of experience with Ford vehicles makes him one of the top Service Advisors in the region for product knowledge and mechanical knowledge. Al’s favorite part of his job is making sure that his customers are always completely satisfied and continue to want to be members of the Ford family.  When Al is not working he enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.  Give Al a call at 757-591-3644.

Perry Phillips – Service Advisor

Perry is a native of Abilene, TX who moved to Hampton Roads in 1979. Perry had been with Bowditch Ford for almost four years. Perry has over 21 years of automotive experience doing everything from changing oil to writing service. Perry is knowledgeable and understanding of his customers vehicle concerns and is the Service Advisor to talk to of you are experiencing any drivability, engine, or electrical concerns. In his spare time Perry is an avid remote control plane enthusiast who has won numerous awards for his planes and flying. Call Perry at 757-591-3666 to schedule a Service appointment today.

Tori Urbas – Service Assistant

Tori is a Hampton native who comes to us from the well known local eatery Mike’s Place. Tori grew up on the national motocross circuit and has 12 years of automotive experience. Tori is here to greet you and assist you in your service needs whenever you come in to Service or call 757-595-2211. 

Edmond's calls this Mustang 

"The Top Dog in Muscle Cars"

2012 Shelby GT500 

New 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Puts Customers in Control with Race-Inspired Recaro Seats and Selectable Steering

• The Ford Shelby GT500 offers an interior upgrade for 2012 with optional SVT-designed Recaro® front seats that combine road racing inspiration with purposeful, high-performance Mustang design
• Selectable steering makes its debut for Mustang on Shelby GT500, with three settings specifically tuned for the car, including a sport mode designed so the driver can be more in tune with how the car reacts to the road
• The new 2012 Shelby GT500 also provides customers the latest SYNC® technology with the availability of AppLink, the free software program that gives SYNC users voice control of apps stored on their smartphone

Following on the heels of the reengineered 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) is going further for the 2012 model, delivering the ultimate race-caliber seating experience along with selectable steering for even more driver control.

The optional leather-trimmed sport bucket front seats were designed by SVT in cooperation with Recaro® to enhance the high-performance driving experience. Lateral bolsters in the cushion and seat back are used to ensure drivers have the support needed on the track during hard cornering and to deliver a comfortable ride.

“These seats are designed to deliver optimum driver control and comfort,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “I have been sitting in them for months now and have never wanted more support or more comfort when driving, even on long road trips or at the racetrack.”

The seats sport an embroidered “cobra” logo and stripes that are color-matched to the exterior stripes. They also come complete with integrated head restraints with ample room for drivers and passengers wearing helmets on the track. Openings on the seat back also are included for customers looking to create performance setups for their car on track days.

The Recaro seats are the result of a global team effort led by SVT along with the Mustang engineering group in North America, Team RS in Europe and Recaro. These seats are also available in the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

Putting the choice in the driver’s hands
The 2012 Shelby GT500 now gives customers a selectable steering option that tailors the driving experience to fit their needs. With a choice of three settings, the feature allows the customer to select the steering effort depending on his or her style of driving.

The selectable steering option is available across the entire Mustang lineup for 2012, though on the Shelby GT500 the settings were specifically tuned on both the base car and Performance Package configurations. The assist levels are less than other Mustang models, since the Shelby GT500 customer typically demands more road feel.

“It’s one more feature we’ve developed to tailor the vehicle to fit customers’ likings,” explained Kerry Baldori, SVT global performance vehicle chief functional engineer. “Our engineers have tuned and developed three separate modes so customers can select the one appropriate for almost any situation.”

SVT engineers were able to develop the multiple steering assist levels within selectable steering because of electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), first introduced on the 2011 Shelby GT500. It uses electronic instead of hydraulic components. Engineers also took advantage of EPAS by providing lower efforts for parking and low-speed agility without sacrificing on-road feel.

Sport mode provides the most road force felt through the steering wheel and requires the highest level of steering effort, allowing the driver to be more in tune with how the vehicle reacts to the road. Comfort mode provides the least amount of road force felt through the steering wheel and requires the least amount of steering effort, which is ideal for long, relaxing drives.

Standard mode also is available and is a balance between the comfort and sport settings.

Additionally, when the customer selects sport or off mode within AdvanceTrac®, Ford’s stability control system, the vehicle automatically switches the steering to the sport mode for improved road feel and higher, more progressive efforts. Also in that mode, active nibble control and drift pull compensation are shut off to give the customer maximum road feel in aggressive driving maneuvers.

The steering settings are accessed and programmed through the message center.

Also new for 2012 are illuminated dual visor vanity mirrors, a universal garage door opener and multipurpose sun visor storage.

Top-of-the-line technology
The 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 also takes connectivity to the next level with SYNC® AppLink. AppLink is the free software program that gives SYNC users voice control of apps stored on their smartphone.

The Shelby GT500 will be the first vehicle in the Mustang lineup to offer AppLink with the standard SYNC interface, as well as being integrated into the optional voice-activated Navigation System and providing the additional convenience of an 8-inch touch screen for control.

Co-developed with Ford, the Clarion Navigation System available on Shelby GT500 is loaded with a number of features and functions designed to provide customers a superior level of connectivity and information, including an extensive set of navigation tools as well as up-to-the-minute news about weather, traffic, fuel prices, movie listings and more through SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link™.

Infotainment features are also abundant with the Ford Navigation System, including HD Radio™ technology, a digital jukebox hard drive that can store up to 2,400 songs and easy access and useful screen displays for SiriusXM Radio. And since the Navigation System is factory-installed, it also works seamlessly with SYNC.

The navigation screen menu for SYNC apps first lists available factory-installed system apps such as 911 Assist™, Vehicle Health Report and SYNC Services through Traffic, Directions and Information.

Quality
Additional lightweight soundproofing measures help filter unpleasant, high-frequency noises, while a tuned intake and dual exhaust add the sounds Mustang buyers relish. Occupants also benefit from new door seals and a rear wheel arch liner that reduce road noise for a quieter, more enjoyable drive.

A one-piece instrument panel is designed to help further reduce interior noise.

The convertible model also features enhanced structural rigidity, with lateral stiffness improved by 12 percent versus the 2010 model.

Production location
The 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 is built at the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich

SOURCE: Ford Media

Bowditch's Employee of the Week

Brittany Porter is our Head Cashier. Brittany works hard to make sure your calls are routed to the right extension, you are back on the road and understand your paperwork as fast as possible after a Service visit, and that you always have fresh coffee while waiting in our lounge. Brittany does all this and more while assisting the sales department and making sure that all of the paperwork that gets created from parts, service, and sales gets filed in the right place, and somehow she does it all with a smile on her face. Brittany is a native of Hampton Roads and in her spare time loves spending time with her Yorkshire Terrier, Princess.