A lifelong car enthusiast

Not everyone in New England owns a Hyundai yet.  Some people aren’t covered by the Best Warranty in America and have to bring their cars in to be serviced.  For these unfortunate people there is a beacon of hope in John Elder Robison.  Robison is no ordinary auto-shop owner.  His is an extraordinary story.

Born in the late 1950s, Robison always felt different.  He could stand for hours watching the wind blow in a field; he was often sad and had trouble making friends in school.  It wasn’t until 40 years later that Robison could finally put a name and a reason to his differences: Asperger’s syndrome.

Like many others with Asperger’s, Robison felt much more at ease in the company of machines rather than other people.  Machines don’t expect a person to be “normal.”  In his book, Look Me in the Eye, he explains this phenomenon: “No matter how big the machine, I am in charge. Machines don’t talk back. They are predictable. They don’t trick me, and they’re never mean. I have a lot of trouble reading other people. I am not very good at looking at people and knowing whether they like me, or they’re mad, or they’re just waiting for me to say something. I don’t have problems like that with machines.”

Despite his difficulties interacting with people, Robison was able to turn his comfort with machines into a fascinating career in both the music and toy businesses.  In the 1970s he used his pyrotechnic skills to trick out the instruments of KISS, the popular rock band.  From that, he was able to migrate over to working as an engineer for Milton Bradley, the famous toy and game company.  For ten years he worked his way up the corporate ladder, eventually making manager.

However, his Asperger’s tendencies and mannerisms, still then undiagnosed, were making it increasingly uncomfortable for him to perform in this world.  He quit his job, and in 1986, started working full time with his beloved machines by opening his own high-end car-repair shop, JE Robison Service, now one of the most successful auto-repair shops in the New England.

This move proved to be the best decision of his adult life.  Not only did he feel much more relaxed and in control, but one of his customers happened to be a therapist who recognized Robison’s symptoms.  He gave Robison a book, Tony Atwood’s Asperger’s Syndrome, that changed everything.  For the first time in his life, Robison did not feel alone in his differences.  Suddenly, there were many other people out there who had the same problems with sensory overload, anxiety, obsessive compulsions, and an inability to read others’ body language and emotions.

Robison has written two books about his journey and Asperger’s syndrome: Look Me in the Eye and Be Different.  He is also a speaker and advocate for those with Asperger’s and other autism spectrum disorders.  For more information on Robison, his public appearances, his books, or how to contact him, check out http://johnrobison.com.

Holyoke, MA — In honor of Earth Day (or Earth Week for the particularly devoted), Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com has issued their top 10 fuel-efficient cars for 2012.  Topping the list is Hyundai’s 2012 Elantra.  Aside from the amazingly fuel-efficient  40 miles per gallon (mpg), the Elantra was also judged on value, features and comfort criteria.

The KBB editors praised the Elantra saying, “The elusive 40 mpg mark is hit and miss for non-hybrid cars, but for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra it’s an easy target.  The Elantra obtains 40 highway mpg in all trim levels thanks to its fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, all while looking good in its wavy sheet metal and offering value with its low entry price.”

The ever-increasing gas prices have compelled consumers to turn more and more to “green” cars to help save money; the government is adding its own pressure to car companies to produce eco-friendly vehicles to help save the environment.  Hyundai Motors has embraced this challenge.  The Elantra is not the only Hyundai vehicle that gets such good mileage; the Accent, Sonata Hybrid, and Veloster also hit the 40 mpg threshold.

With their Blue Drive Technology, Hyundai is committed to developing  lighter vehicles, more efficient powertrains, inventing proprietary hybrid technologies, and reaching a fleet-wide average of 35 miles mpg by 2015 (5 years before the new government mandates for that go into effect).  Their goal is to reach an astonishing fleet-wide average of 50 mpg by 2025.

Hyundai is trying to improve environmentally friendly cars, as well as the environment itself.  Through their Green Move initiative, Hyundai has implemented recycling and education programs to reduce air pollution and global warming.  They have also worked to help build forests and restore habitats of endangered animals.

Local Hyundai dealership, Gary Rome Hyundai, is committed to these same values.  Right now through the end of May, all leases of the 4 models that get 40 mpg are just $140/month.  And to sweeten the deal, Gary Rome Hyundai is including a free $140 gas card.  All of these cars are also covered by America’s Best Warranty, 10 years/100,000 miles.

“It’s imported to us to not only give our customers a good deal, but to promote fuel-efficient, eco-friendly alternatives, too,” says Gary Rome, owner and CEO.

For more details about the promotion, check out GaryRomeHyundai.com or call (888) 637-4279 today.

Follow Gary Rome Hyundai on Facebook and Twitter.

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Handprint Ceremony at the New York International Auto Show Marks Launch of Hyundai’s 14^th Year in the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer and Introduces New National Youth Ambassador CJ George

NEW YORK – April 5, 2012 – Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced today, at the New York International Auto Show, a commitment to break through a major milestone of $57 million in total donations to pediatric cancer research through their nonprofit foundation, Hyundai Hope On Wheels®.  This level of funding places Hyundai among the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the nation. As part of its 14^th year in the fight against pediatric cancer, Hyundai’s President and CEO John Krafcik announced the 2012 effort and named C.J. George, a 13-year-old South Florida native and cancer survivor, the 2012-2013 Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassador.

Hope On Wheels primarily provides research funds to non-profit children’s hospitals across the U.S. for pediatric cancer and seeks to build public awareness about the importance of this cause. The program is funded by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers. With every new vehicle sold in the U.S., Hyundai customers join Hyundai and its dealers in funding important life-saving research. Planned activities for 2012 will include a national grant donation tour, nationwide 5K race series, online social media campaign and a partnership with the Childhood Cancer Congressional Caucus. For the third consecutive year, during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, Hope On Wheels will conduct a comprehensive campaign to raise greater awareness about pediatric cancer and the need to fund critical research to find a cure.

“We see Hope On Wheels as a critical part of our mission at Hyundai,” said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Pediatric cancer takes far too many young lives and impacts far too many families. We are proud to work with our Hyundai dealers to fund research to end this disease.  We congratulate each institution receiving our grants and commend them for the important work they are doing.”

In 2012, Hope On Wheels will donate $12 million to children’s hospitals nationwide for pediatric cancer research through its signature Hyundai Scholar Grant and Hyundai Hope Grant awards.  Hyundai Scholar Grants, in the amount of $75,000 each, will be awarded to 41 principal investigators who are pursuing innovative research early in their careers. As part of its Hyundai Hope Grant program, Hope On Wheels will award 36 grants to children’s hospitals across the country. This year’s Hyundai Hope Grants will be increased from $100,000 to $250,000 and winners will be announced in September.

Each of the Hope On Wheels grants will be presented to winning institutions at a Handprint Ceremony, where children diagnosed with cancer will place their handprints in colorful paint on a new Hyundai Tucson, the official vehicle of the program, to commemorate their battles with cancer.  Every Handprint Ceremony celebrates the courageous lives of the children faced with cancer and brings our community of supporters together.

The first grant award for 2012 was presented to the New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. The previous grant winner received its award as part of the kick-off activities and Handprint Ceremony that took place at the New York International Auto Show. The grant recipient Dr. Julia Bender has been named a Hyundai Scholar.

“Through research, we have made great strides in understanding pediatric cancer and treatments,” said Dr. Julia Bender, New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. “However, there is so much we don’t know about the late effects of treatment and we are researching ways to deliver care without any toxicity. I am proud to be a Hyundai Scholar and truly appreciate the resources Hyundai provides doctors like me to pursue my work to improve the lives of children.”

As part of this year’s program, Hope On Wheels’ newly-named National Youth Ambassador, C.J. George, will travel the country to share his message of hope with children, families and communities at Hope On Wheels events. C.J. was diagnosed with Stage III Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma when he was just 9 years old, and after his courageous battle and treatment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, C.J. is now 13 years old and cancer-free.

“Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. Through research 80 percent of those cancers can be cured. But that’s just not good enough,” said Gary Micallef, Hyundai dealer-owner of Hyundai of Everett in Everett, WA and newly-elected Chairman of the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors. “The Hyundai dealers across America proudly join in this fight.  This is one we must win for our children, our communities, and our future.  We are proud to be a part of such an important cause.”

Also this year, research work will continue from Hyundai’s major investment in the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange County. The hospital received its largest corporate gift in its history from Hyundai for the purpose of understanding DNA in young cancer patients through genomic medicine research.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. For 2012, Hyundai Hope On Wheels plans to surpass $57 million in total donations to childhood cancer research since the program began in 1998. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

General Motors reported a 12 percent increase, Nissan’s sales rose 12.5 percent, Hyundai’s American sales were up 13 percent, and Volkswagon said its March sales rose a whopping 35 percent. Ford Motor Company reported a 5 percent increase in sales, while Chrysler Group reported an astonishing 34 percent increase from March 2011 in sales this year in cars and trucks. For both Ford and Chrysler, this is the highest level in at least four years. AutoNation, the country’s largest dealership chain, says sales went up 26 percent for domestic brands, 10 percent for import brands, and 10 percent for luxury vehicles. Interestingly, this March has seen an auto sales increase in other countries around the world, such as India.

One would assume that due to the extreme price of gas these days would deter people from purchasing a car. The national average for regular gas is $3.92 per gallon, according to the AAA. One might think that the higher “green” awareness, the knowledge that smoke and exhaust from cars harms the environment, pervasive in the marketplace today would also deter people from buying them.

However, this is just not the case. On the one hand, people are buying more hybrid, “eco-friendly” cars, to deal with the aforementioned issues, but they’re still buying. And they’re not spending less, either. On the contrary, people are now paying more for cars than ever before.

“Consumers aren’t overreacting to gas price rises,” said Don Johnson, G.M.’s vice president for United States sales operations. “They’re not panicking and going from a full-sized pickup to a small car that doesn’t give them the same utility.”

Why are more cars being bought? A few possible explanations may be the decrease in unemployment in recent months, warm weather helping bring customers out of their houses and into dealerships, and a wider availability of auto financing. People who delayed buying a car during the economic downturn are now venturing out and buying. Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Ford Motor Co-Economist, so aptly put it: “People are going back to work and the vehicle stock…is ripe for replacement.” People are also getting rid of their old cars and replacing them with newer cars as the economy recover and gas prices rise.

In addition, the average credit score for new car buyers is at an all time low; it hasn’t been this low since the first half of 2008. This makes the car market an easier place to navigate for new consumers, which is always a good thing; buying a car for the first time can be confusing, and the easier it is, the better the person feels about their purchase.

Analysts say they expect 1.4 million cars to be sold. This is 15 percent more than a year ago and the most since 2007. John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates, says, “Barring any future shock related to geopolitical issues in the gulf region and further upward pressure on the price of oil, we believe sales will continue on a solid pace for the balance of the year.”

While hearing about this prized dish makes you want to go all the way to Attleboro, Massachusetts just to try Willow Tree’s chicken salad, learning Starbucks’ key ingredient in their Strawberry Frappuccino may make you rethink your coffee store of choice. One would assume the red coloring of the Strawberry Frappuccino would be from the strawberries. Unfortunately, that’s apparently not the case. Starbucks uses cochineal, a red extract made from dried out cochineal bugs. Starbucks says they want to move away from artificial ingredients. While this is a nice sentiment, the thought of drinking something that has crushed up bugs in it is a huge turn-off for me.

Cochineal Beetle

While the FDA has announced cochineal as safe for consumption, one wonders what the Phantom Gourmet would have to say on the subject. For those of you who aren’t from New England and have never heard of the Phantom Gourmet (or for those of you who are from New England yet haven’t heard of him), the Phantom Gourmet is a mysterious food critic who visits restaurants all around New England and provides the public with reviews.

The company was founded by the Andelman brothers, Dave, Dan, and Mike. These three, together with twelve others, make up the Phantom Gourmet team. The only mystery man is the Phantom himself; his identity has been kept a secret since 1993.

Thanks to the Phantom Gourmet team, Massachusetts passed its Restaurant Rejuvenation Act, which states that restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol Sunday at 10 AM. They then went on to form the Restaurant and Business Alliance, a state-wide trade association meant to give restaurants and businesses a strong voice in government and media.

Check out the Phantom Gourmet’s website, where you can find all you need to know about him, the various restaurants he’s visited, and any upcoming events.

You can watch the Phantom Gourmet on television. In the greater Boston area on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 and 11:00 AM, in Maine, on Sundays at 11:00 AM, and in Rhode Island at 10:00 AM on Sundays. The show is also live on the radio, on station 96.9 FM on Saturdays from 4 to 7 PM.

2012 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai has recently received four new accolades for the Accent, Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Tucson models. Each one of the four was awarded “Best Value in America” for 2012 from Vincentric, a Michigan-based automotive data compilation and analysis firm. Vincentric measures cost-of-ownership based on eight categories: depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity cost, financing, maintenance, taxes and state fees, and repairs. The cars are assessed in each state as well as the District of Columbia.

Vincentric “measures which vehicles have a lower than expected ownership costs in relationship to their market segment and price.” They give insight to the automotive industry by first recognizing and then applying numerous features of automotive value.  The Accent, Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Tucson won “Best Value” for the Subcompact, Compact Sedan, Mid-Size Coupe, and Crossover Compact Entry-Level categories, respectively.

“The Accent, Elantra, Genesis Coupe and Tucson are all prime examples of models that not only meet but exceed customer expectations when it comes to value,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. Margason adds that the combination of Hyundai’s great quality cars and their Assurance program decreases the overall cost of ownership.

Evolving from the Hyundai “Fluidic Sculpture” styling language, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe promotes the new look: “Storm Edge”.  Says Hyundai, the Storm Edge design concept “captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm.”  The CUV sports the now-standard hexagonal grill and a lower bumper, creating a more rugged facade.  This look supposedly will form the basis for other future Hyundai SUVs.

The powers-that-be are keeping the details of the 2013 Santa Fe under wraps until closer to the Auto Show.  They have said the new model is built around “Refinement, Smartness and Practicality” with improved fuel economy, better use of internal space and updated in-car technologies.  Few other details are known at this time.

“Car shoppers should take the time to compare vehicles on their consideration lists to fully understand the financial implications involved with cost of ownership,” says Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.  “While a vehicle might be less expensive up front, the cost of fuel for that model, insurance and other expenditures could make it the less appealing choice for their wallet in the long run.”

Forbes recommends doing thorough research before making a purchase.  They consulted Kelley Blue Book, which recently announced its inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Awards.  The kbb.com website focuses on these variables of cost, among others:

1. Depreciation Value: How will the car hold up over time?  kbb.com bases its predictions on historical data (how the model has performed in the past) and economic factors.
2. Fuel Economy: Gas is expected to rise going into the summer months.  Significant amounts of money can be saved by buying a more fuel efficient vehicle; estimates put savings due to fuel costs at close to $900/year.  That’s close to $4500 of savings over the standard 5-yr span.
3. Auto Insurance: Insurance is mostly based on the driver’s past experience, age, credit rating, address, etc., but it is also based on the model of the car.  Luxury brands and sports cars tend to have higher insurance costs to start, while family minivans and SUVs will have a lower starting insurance cost.

According to kbb.com, the Best Brand for 2012 in their Total Cost of Ownership Awards is none other than Kia.  Kia is sweeping the Unites States car scene off its feet with its stellar fuel economy and resale value.  The Kia Soul heads KBB’s Compact Car category because “its lowest-in-category fair purchase price matched with outstanding fuel and insurance cost figures combined to give it nearly a $1,300 advantage over the Hyundai Elantra.”

In the Mid-Sized car category Kia and its sister company Hyundai switched places; the Hyundai Sonata beat out Kia’s Optima to win the top spot.  Similarly, the Hyundai Santa Fe outpaced the Kia Sorento in the Crossover category “based on its combination of lowest fair purchase price and lowest long-term depreciation coupled with lower maintenance and insurance costs.”

OFFICIAL RULES:

Go to http://www.gotogary.com/video/ to submit your entry.

1. Contest Dates:

The “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest begins February 1, 2012, and ends March 31, 2012.

VIDEO SUBMISSION PERIOD: February 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012

SELECTION OF BEST VIDEOS: April 1, 2012 – April 13, 2012

NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: April 16, 2012 – April 20, 2012

2. Eligibility:

Submitting a video in this contest is open to persons who on the date of entry are legal residents of one (1) of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, at least eighteen (18) years of age (or age of majority if greater than 18), and who are registered users of http://www.youtube.com or http://vimeo.com. Employees, officers, directors and their immediate family members of the contest entities and each of their respective parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies, advertising and promotion agencies, legal and financial advisers, and any and all other companies associated with this contest are not eligible to enter. For purposes of this contest, “immediate family members” means parents, spouses, children, siblings, in-laws, grandmothers, or grandfathers.

3. Video Submission Requirements:

• Running Time: Five (5) minute maximum, including any credits. If entry is longer than five (5) minutes, the entry may be disqualified in the Administrator’s sole discretion.
• Language: English
• Video: The video should feature your pet or your child’s reaction to watching a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial.
• Age: Any child recorded in the video must be ten (10) years of age or younger.

4. Judging to Determine the Potential Winners:

All eligible video submissions received during the video submission period will be watched and judged.  The judges will score each eligible entrant’s video based on the following judging criteria, each given equal weight:

• Does the video feature either a pet and/or a child (under the age of ten (10))?
• How original/creative/entertaining, to all age groups, is the video submission?
• How favorable is the Video Submission to Gary Rome Auto Group?
• For helpful examples, check out the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmqeosjjTaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u23WgtoOJUY

Based on the above judging criteria, the winning videos will be chosen.

5. Additional Terms:

All entrants of  the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest must agree to the following terms and conditions. DO NOT enter this contest if you do not agree with these terms and conditions. Your video submissions may be used for a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial but may not be copied, sold or distributed to other persons.

We reserve the rights to change the rules and prizes without any written notice.

6. Disclaimer of Warranties and Liabilities:

The undersigned (the participant or the legal guardian, if the former is less than 18 years of age) for and in consideration of the granting of permission to Gary Rome Auto Group, agrees to refrain from suing and discharges Gary Rome Auto Group and its officers, agents and employees from all liability arising out of the participation of the contestant in the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Gary Rome Auto Group for any loss or damage that the contestant may incur due to the acts or the omissions of the contestant while participating in the aforementioned event. The undersigned having read and understood agrees to comply with the rules and the safety provisions established for the contest.

7. Consent of Release:

By submitting your video you give Gary Rome Auto Group the rights to use your video in any/or all promotional spots. As a guardian, you will be required to fill out a consent form for any contestant under the age of eighteen (18). Proof of guardianship will be required.

8. Who Won:

The winning entrants will be notified on or by April 20, 2012.

Grand prize: The lucky winner will be featured in an upcoming Gary Rome Auto Group commercial & receive a choice of a $250 American Express gift card or a $250 Dave’s Soda & Pet City gift card. Transportation to the filming studio, in West Springfield, MA, is the responsibility of the winner. Every valid submission will receive a stuffed Jack doll.

The VDS measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model year) vehicles includes 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle.  Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.  The Genesis “received 81 points, the lowest ever among any Hyundai automobile,’’ a Hyundai official said.  Hyundai has shown consistent improvement in VDS, reducing problems per 100 vehicles by 75 points over the past five years.  Hyundai finished ninth overall, ahead of Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW and Audi.

The Genesis sedan has been gathering awards left and right from prominent and influential media and automotive organizations ever since its 2009 debut.  Along with many other honors and distinctions, the model received the much-coveted North American Car of the Year Award, is a 3-time winner of Ward’s Ten Best Engines, and earned a Top Safety Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Improving every year, the Genesis combines the best of two worlds: the high-tech features and power specs customary of a luxury vehicle paired with a competitively low price and superb safety ratings.

“Our goal is to design and build cars that meet and exceed consumers’ expectations not only off the showroom floor, but through the duration of their ownership experience.  Earning Hyundai’s first-ever top 10 finish in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study demonstrates that our efforts are paying dividends,” said Erwin Raphael, director of engineering and quality, Hyundai Motor America.  ”It’s equally gratifying to see Genesis sedan, a content-rich model with all the features you expect of a premium car, outperform powerful competitors in its category.  Long-term dependability translates to a positive ownership experience and brings customers back to the Hyundai brand in the future.”