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The day after the Super Bowl is for talking about the big game at work, recanting the crucial plays, and maybe best of all discussing everyone’s favorite Super Bowl Commercials.  This year there were some pretty powerful spots; including two from Nissan, one controversial ad from Nationwide Insurance, a PSA by coalition No More, and several others.  Serious was the name of the game, and we were right in line with our three spots on NBC – WRDE. Our spots were based around thanking our valued customers of the Delmarva area and beyond.  Our message even got picked up by those at Edmunds.com, who wrote an article about us and what we were trying to accomplish.  Our commercials spots also got great reception with people liking, sharing, and commenting on them via Facebook during and after the game.  Some of the top comments included things like, “THAT is a GREAT commercial – thank you!” and “What an awesome local commercial from Preston Frogz!”  We were even able to use pictures and video of local people in the ads.  Whether it was military or EMS personnel or members of the community at our various events, we got to connect our message back to them.  You can view all three of our spots below or on our Preston Frogz YouTube page. Thanks for supporting us Delmarva!

It’s that time of year again for the big game – Super Bowl XLIX.  As you know this game will be played between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday February 1, 2015.  We know there will certainly be a ton of viewers glued to their televisions on Sunday night.  Last year 167 Million people watched the big game, making it the most watched television broadcast in U.S. history, overtaking the Super Bowl from two years prior by approximately 200,000 viewers.  Bottom line, this year’s game is projected to set a new record and advertisers have certainly taken notice. Historically, people watch the broadcast for the Super Bowl Commercials as much as the actual game sometimes.  The commercials have been getting funnier and more creative each and every year.  This year Preston Automotive Group will have three Super Bowl Commercials featured on NBC – WRDE.  We were inspired this year by the service men and women in our communities.  From Firefighters to Police Officers, EMS to Military Personnel, we wanted to form our message around you; thanking you for everything you do for us.  We created Preston Cares in order to convey this message to you. Preston Cares is our way of saying thank you to our local community.  It is because of you that we are still in business.  “Our customers give so much to us that we are happy to give back to the community,” says Dave Wilson, Preston Automotive Group President, “We were excited to produce these special Super Bowl Commercials to thank all of you on Delmarva and beyond.”  Not only do we love our customers, we love our local communities and try to be involved as much as possible.  Preston Cares supports the local communities that each of our dealerships live in.  From Little League Baseball teams to Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer, we truly believe that together we can do more. So, when you see our Super Bowl Commercials this year be sure to remember that you, our valued customers, are of key importance to Preston Automotive Group’s success.  Thank you again!

Tuesday, December 16 th, the Senate passed the Tax Extenders Bill that expands the Section 179 deduction limit thru December 31 st 2014.  This has quickly become a huge deal for local businesses big and small. It gives them the ability to write-off 100% of equipment purchases, including vehicles for business use, up to $500,000. In addition to the increased limit of $500,000, Section 179 deduction will also reinstate the 50% Bonus Depreciation. The bill is a one-year, retroactive extension of the tax breaks, even though it only last through the end of this month. Only this 2014 tax year will be covered by the measure and therefore it is a good business decision for many to buy/finance equipment, such as new vehicle purchases from Preston Ford Commercial Trucks, immediately to make the December 31, 2014 cutoff for the write-off provisions. “We are excited to hear that the Section 179 deduction has been expanded,” says Dave Wilson Sr., President of Preston Ford and Preston Automotive Group, “Not only will our Ford Commercial Truck customers and buyers be able to take advantage of the expansion but we as a business will be able to as well.” Preston Ford’s Business Preferred Network Commercial Truck Department has seen a large increase of businesses buying new commercial Ford vehicles since the bill was passed. Preston Ford, Ford Dealership of Maryland and Delaware, is currently in pursuit of becoming a Top 85 Ford Dealer in the Nation and has helped accommodate the bills passing by lowering prices on their Ford commercial vehicles and other Ford vehicles.  Preston Ford has over 1000 Ford Commercial Trucks in one location at the Preston Autoplex in Preston, MD. This tax break extension will also directly affect sales in the Preston Nissan Commercial Department.  As of now, Preston Nissan of Maryland has over 30 new commercial vehicles: The NV Cargo Van, Passenger Van and NV 200.  These vehicles are mostly left all white to make it easy for businesses to customize them with their own insignia and color scheme.  This tax deduction expansion is huge and business owners will understand that now is the perfect time for them to buy! Check out vehicles for any type of business at Preston Ford and Preston Nissan located on the same 38 acre lot in Preston, Maryland.  The Top 100 Sales Drive and the extension of this bill are both huge reasons to buy now.

Veterans served our country with selfless fortitude.  Whether it was in the First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War, or any other war in our history, the Veterans of our Armed Services have been the ones keeping us safe; so today we salute them. Did you know that Veterans Day was first called Armistice Day back in 1919?  Armistice of course means an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting; in other words, a truce.  The first celebration of Armistice Day, November 11, 1919, marked the one year anniversary of the end of WWI, and was put in place to applaud those who risked their lives in that war.  However, it wasn’t made a federal holiday until 1938.  And in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower amended the holiday to include all veterans. Did you know that Veterans Day wasn’t always on the 11 th of November?  It started out as the 11 th, as previously stated, and is currently the 11 th but wasn’t always like that.  For a period of ten years, from 1968-78, Veterans Day was changed to the 4 th Monday in October.  The petty reason for that was to give Federal Officers a three day weekend.  Today, all Federal Offices and most schools are off in observance of Veterans Day. Did you know that Veterans Day in the US is shared with many other country’s celebrations.  There were 19 countries that fought with the Allies in WWI and most – if not all – have celebrations on November 11 th to honor their Veterans.  For instance, this year, the UK is celebrating 100 years since the start of WWI with a big ceremony and moment of silence in London. Finally, did you know that many places give out Military Discounts to Active Duty Members and Veterans on Veterans Day?  This year restaurants such as Denny’s, Olive Garden, and others are giving out free or discounted meals to Veterans with Military ID’s.  Specifically here at the Preston Autoplex we have a $500 Military Discount that we run every day on every car on the lot.  It is just our small way of saying thank you to the men and women that serve, and have served, our great country.  Happy Veterans Day!

It’s November and the cold weather is setting in on Delmarva and around the country.  Cold weather can bring about some things that make life more difficult.  Knowing this, I’ve put together a list of life hacks.  I’m sure most of you have seen the various life hacks that show up on your Facebook news feed every now and then.  These life hacks are all about how the cold weather affects you and your vehicle. Put some hand sanitizer on your car key if the lock is frozen. If you still must use a key instead of a fob to unlock your car, then this is a good one for you.  Any amount of moisture that gets trapped in your car lock will freeze on a cold night.  So, squeezing some hand sanitizer directly into the lock will melt the ice because of the alcohol content of the sanitizer.  You could also apply it to your key and insert it into the lock.  Either way the alcohol will break down the ice and unfreeze it. Park your car facing east to defrost the windshield. Overnight your car is sure to accumulate some frost or ice on the windshield when the weather gets close to or below freezing temperature.  Parking it facing the east will enable the morning sun to clear some of the ice off before you actually come out to do it yourself before you leave for work.  Depending on how bright the sun and how long your car sits in the sun, you may not have to even scrape any ice off at all.  Now, that would make for a good start to the day! Carry a little bit of kitty litter in your car all winter long. If you get stuck in the snow this little life hack will come in handy this winter.  Say you’re tires are spinning in the snow; you’re stuck.  Sprinkle a bit of kitty litter in front of each tire in order help you gain traction.  The next life hack is a little extension of this idea.  Also it may not be a bad idea to keep a small shovel in your car during the winter months to help dig you out of some tight spots when kitty litter just won’t do the job. As a last resort use the car’s floor mats to help you get traction. If you don’t have kitty litter, salt, or a shovel, you can take your car mats off the floor and lay them on the ground in front of the drive tires to gain traction.  This may damage your mats, so this should be used as a final resort. Stick your windshield wipers up off the glass to prevent ice from sticking to them. Anytime you are not using your car, pull the wiper blades up so they stick out perpendicular to the windshield.  This way they will not become frozen to the windshield if it were to snow.  This is great to do overnight or even when you’re parked all day at work.  Ice can damage your blades over time and could even scratch your windshield if you were to try to use the wipers with ice stuck to them. Ice-proof your car by misting a 3:1 mixture of distilled vinegar and water before a storm. This will prohibit ice from forming on any surface that you spray.  You will still have to clean the snow off, but at least there will be no ice underneath!  And if you forget to do this before the storm, you could spray the mixture directly onto your icy windows to melt the ice. Finally, don’t leave electronics in your car. The cold air will drain the battery without even using them.  If you usually keep your iPod in your car for music while driving; don’t.  The battery will almost surely be drained the next time you get in.  Especially don’t leave more expensive electronics in there like your laptop, tablet, or phone.  This may do more than drain the battery; it may actually have more lasting effects. Hopefully these cold weather life hacks will get you through the winter this year!

Vehicle recalls are something that happen more often than you might think, but owners may not always know their recalled vehicle needs to be repaired.  Just to be clear, I’m not referring to any major recalls like the Toyota sticking gas pedal incident or the Firestone tires on Ford SUV’s because of course those are recalls that everyone hears about on national news.  I’m talking about those smaller recalls that just about every car brand has at one time or another for things such as faulty airbags or switches for example.  So, it is just as important to know about the little recalls as it is to know about the larger ones because they are both threats to your safety.  And now there is any easy way to keep up on those threats with safercar.gov. Safercar.gov is a government website run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA).  This site exists solely to inform consumers on everything to do with vehicle safety.  From recalls, to investigations, even to common complaints – safercar.gov is the catch-all site to ensure you and your family are safe in your vehicle. There are a couple ways to see if your car is on a recall list.  You could search as specifically as the VIN number or as general as the vehicle year, make, and model.  Regardless of how dependable your make of car usually is, everyone should take a look at this site anyway.  It’s fast, simple and you have nothing to lose except about thirty seconds of your time.  However, if you do end up finding something about your car involving a recalled item, then I’ll bet you’ll be glad you checked.  And even more than that, taking a couple seconds to check for your car could save your life or many others. If you got your car, truck, or SUV from Preston Automotive Group and it turns out to have a recall, no matter how small or large, you can be sure that one of our three auto body shops – in Preston, Snow Hill, or Cambridge – will be able to help get you in-and-out and safely back on the road.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau announced its Hot Wheels report last week, the bureau’s annual release of the ten most stolen vehicles in the United States. The list features a perfect split between import and domestic automakers, with Honda’s Accord and Civic cars topping the list. Full-size pickups made up a considerable chunk of the list, taking the Nos. 3, 4 and 6 spots. Two other Japanese automakers also made the list with two from Toyota and one from Nissan. The following lists include figures with total thefts based on data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen Cars in the U.S. Honda Accord (53,995) Honda Civic (45,001) Chevrolet Pickup, Full Size (27,809) Ford Pickup, Full Size (26,494) Toyota Camry (14,420) Dodge Pickup, Full Size (11,347) Dodge Caravan (10,911) Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (9,272) Toyota Corolla (9,010) Nissan Altima (8,892) The report also included the top 10 model-year 2013 vehicles stolen in the same year. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen MY 2013s in 2013 in the U.S. Nissan Altima (810) Ford Fusion (793) Ford Pickup, Full Size (775) Toyota Corolla (669) Chevrolet Impala (654) Hyundai Elantra (541) Dodge Charger (536) Chevrolet Malibu (529) Chevrolet Cruze (499) Ford Focus (483)

Preston Ford now has the 2014 Transit Connect in stock.  The Transit Connect is equipped to help the customer get the job done.  It features a standard 169 horsepower 2.5L Duratec engine which helps customers get the job done.  One of the best things about the Transit Connect is that it is built with one goal in mind – to help the customer stay productive.  In order to help the customer stay productive the Transit Connect has best in class towing capacity as well as class leading maximum payload.  To make loading and unloading cargo easier the Transit Connect has dual sliding side doors which are standard on the Connects. Another reason Preston Ford loves the Transit Connect is because it is so versatile.  It is available in a long and short wheelbase models with assorted capabilities to meet whatever needs the customers has.  If the customer needs a lot of cargo space then the long wheelbase van has 130.6 cubic feet of storage room behind the front row seats.  The van and wagon XL and XLT models give the customer the option of rear cargo doors or a lift gate. The 2014 Transit Connect is 100% customizable.  It is ideal for up fitting.  The customer can equip it with everything from ladder racks and storage cabinets to cargo management packages.  There is also a front overhead storage shelf with a retaining net for items the customer needs to keep within reach.  Plus there are map pockets in the front door trim panel pockets. All around the 2014 Transit Connect is Modern and Functional.  Starting with the seats, there are two choices.  The customer can choose between easy to clean vinyl seats or leather seats.  For the optimal comfort the driver’s seat is equipped with a standard heated six-way adjustable driver’s seat. The available technology on the 2014 Transit Connect is remarkable.  Preston Ford feels the technology on the Transit Connect is one of the reasons why it stands out compared to other commercial vehicles.  The first feature is Ford SYNC, this makes hands free calls a breeze.  The driver can also browse their music collection through voice commands.  The rear view camera is another wonderful technology that helps the Transit Connect be a step above the rest.  The rear view camera allows the driver to see what is behind them.  There is also an available reverse sensing system as well as a forward sensing system.  This will alert the driver when they get too close to something both from behind and in front.  To go along with the rear view camera there is the 4.2 inch productivity screen.  This provides access to vehicle information related to fuel economy, towing information and driver assist settings. Preston Ford is excited to have such an excellent commercial vehicle now in stock.  The Transit Connect is a best seller at Preston Ford.  All the local business owners

E-Series Vans are perfect for those who own their own business and are looking for the perfect vehicle to work from.  Everything on these vans can be customized to the customer’s preference.  Whether the customer is looking for a cargo van, passenger van, or cutaway van Preston Ford has the perfect match for anyone’s preferences. The E-Series cutaway vans are perfect for people who want a lot of storage and a lot of customization.  These vehicles can pull up to 10,000 lbs.  The inside of these vehicles are designed to help the customer be productive.  Bucket seats, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM stereo and air conditioning are all available in E-Series Cutaway Vans.  Ford has put a slimline engine cover console in the E-Series which has three cup holders plus a shelf for items such as a clipboard.  The owner can choose the tool boxes they would like on the back of their E-Series and also choose the shelving in the inside of the van.  There are many shelf options available for whatever the need is.  All of the toolboxes on the side of the E-Series can be locked for safety so tools do not get stolen. E-Series engines deliver the power the customer needs in order to get the job done efficiently.  Each engine is mated to the TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission.  The 5.4L Triton V8 engine is standard, for the more demanding the 6.8L Triton V10 is available. E-Series models are equipped with several safety features including the standard 4-wheel antilock brake system that helps the driver maintain steering wheel control when braking.  There are also airbags for the driver and the front passenger. E-Series Vans can also be customized to become a passenger van.  These vans are perfect for road trips or when working with a large group of people and needing to travel together. The versatility in the E-Series van is endless.  Available is the Ambulance Prep Package which includes 4.10 limited slip axle, extra heavy duty 225 amp alternator, dual heavy duty 78 amp batteries, maximum front GAWR of 5,000 lbs, auxiliary fuel port, auxiliary heater/air conditioning connector package, telescoping trailer tow mirrors with manual adjustments, and a spare wheel and spare tire. Another prep package available is the Shuttle Bus Prep Package.  This includes manual pedestals, power windows and door locks, standard front GAWR of 4,600 lbs, engine block heater, frame pucks, and a heavy duty amp alternator.  This is a great package for those who are trying to start a business in the shuttle industry. At Preston Ford we have many available body types for the E-Series Vans.  They are Omaha Standard, Reading, Weather Guard, Fisher, Dejana, Thermo King, Knapheide, and Western.   Preston Ford has over 40 new E-Series Vans ready to be customized.

The Transit Connect is engineered with one goal in mind, to keep the customer productive at all times.  All Transit Connect models will offer a class leading maximum payload of 1,710 lbs and best in class towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.  The customer can choose from van or wagon models in long and short wheelbase configurations with a wide range of upfit options.  Dual sliding side doors are standard on all models in order to make loading and unloading cargo much easier. The Transit Connects are customizable for all of the customer’s needs.  It can be equipped with everything from rooftop ladder racks, literature holders, storage cabinets, dividers, double floors, drawers, cargo management packages and many more.  For the customer’s convenience, there is also a a front overhead storage shelf with a retaining net for items you need to keep within reach.  Also in the Transit Connect there is map pockets in the front door trim panel pockets. Transit Connects are available in two different wheelbases.  The short wheelbase models help the customer maneuver when driving down tight city streets and makes parking in small spots much easier.  The long wheelbase van provides 130.6 cubic feet of storage capacity behind the front row seats.  The long wheelbase also provides seating for seven passengers. Another way the Transit Connect is flexible to meet the customer’s needs is there are rear door options.  The customer gets to choose what best fits their needs.  The XL and XLT models have the option of 180-degree symmetrical rear cargo doors or liftgate.   The titanium wagon models have a standard liftgate and do not have the cargo door option. The Transit Connect can be a mobile business card for the owner.  With its modern look the Transit Connect projects a professional image and one that will speak volumes about the business.  With its large side panels the owner can proudly display their company name with colorful and effective graphics.  The customer can choose from templates and graphics that are professionally designed and installed, the customer can also have their own design created and put onto their Transit Connect. Inside the Transit Connect is modern and functional.  It all starts with the seats, the customer can choose from easy to clean vinyl or cloth seating surfaces. Every 2013 Ford Transit Connect features a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine good for 136 horsepower and 128 pound feet of torque.  The standard safety equipment on every Transit Connect includes four-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, and front side airbags.  In the brake test by Edmunds, the Transit Connect came to a stop from 60 miles per hour in 135 feet, which is excellent for a commercial vehicle.

Large tax breaks for many buyers looking for commercial vehicles will expire at the end of this year.  Now is the time to buy a commercial vehicle especially if you own your own business!  The tax breaks which is a part of federal stimulus legislation spurred by the recession will dramatically front load the depreciation schedules for many large assets including vehicles of more than 6,000 pounds which includes many heavy-duty pickups. The tax breaks available this year can mean first year depreciation of as much as $46,000 on a $60,000 heavy duty pickup if a customer purchases before December 31 st of 2013.  This extra depreciation can reduce business tax bills by lowering taxable income.  This deduction under Section 179 of the federal tax code applies to businesses that buy or lease 2 million or less worth of equipment in 2013.  Most vehicles of more than 6,000 pounds that’s are used for business are eligible for 100 percent of the depreciation.  However any vehicle used for commercial purchases can qualify for some benefits. If you are thinking about purchasing a vehicle for your small business now is the perfect time to buy!  You will have a huge advantage of purchasing your vehicle before year end! At Preston we have our own Commercial Division which offers over 100 commercial vehicles!  We have commercial vehicles available at both Preston Ford and Preston Nissan.  At Preston Nissan we have the NV's and NV Cargos!  Come and take your pick!  If you do not have time to make it to the Preston Autoplex we will bring the vehicle to you!  Just give us a call today and we will get everything lined up for you.