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Governor Hogan Declares the State of Emergengy in Anticipation of Winter Storm Jonas With the impending arrival of significant snowfall, Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, has officially declared a state of emergency effective January 22 through Saturday, January 23. The state of emergency came in advance of this major snowstorm (Winter Storm Jonas) that has been forecasted to hit the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend. Heavy snowfall is predicted to arrive over the weekend to Philadelphia and maybe further north. Governors in North Carolina and Virginia and they mayor of the District of Columbia have also declared emergencies. The National Weather Service said Wednesday that 12 to 16 inches of snow could come down between Friday night and Sunday morning. More than 50 million people could be affected by the “potentially paralyzing storm”, National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini said on a call with reporters on Thursday evening. Know the Difference: Winter Storm Outlook - Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days. Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening. Winter Storm Watch - Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions. Winter Storm Warning - Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately. What does a “State of Emergency” mean? States of emergencies have been declared to allow officials to coordinate and request emergency resources and support. A state of emergency also allows the Governor to access certain resources, like the National Guard, to increase the State’s response. When a state of emergency is declared it's a good indicator that residents should remain alert and follow official orders, news stations, and weather forecasts to be informed of the situation If you are stuck and need to get your vehicle out of a snowy situation please contact our 24-Hour towing service by calling 1-888-TOWFROG.

Preston Automotive is proud to have two manufacturers make the list of finalist this year. The Mazda MX-5 Miata took the nomination for the North American Car of the Year, and the Nissan Titan XD has been named a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year. Today at the Detroit auto show the Automotive Press Association announced that five out of six finalists are import vehicles. This group of finalist ties the 2012 group of the finalist for the second-highest number of imports at five. The group of finalist are chosen from a very short list of ten cars and 12 pickups, crossovers and SUVs created by a jury of 53 automotive journalists. The Mazda Miata beat out an impressive list of competitors for this distinguished honor, including the BMW 7 Series, Cadillac C76, Chevy Camaro, Chevy Volt, Kia Optima and Toyota Prius. This legendary two-seater has a 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed manual; a six-speed automatic is optional. Its use of aluminum keeps weight down, so the Miata remains eminently fun in the twists and turns that you’ll seek out whenever you hit the road. The all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD hasn’t even hit the ground at Preston Nissan, but it should be available within the next month. The Titan took the votes from the Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento, Lexus RX, Telsa Model X and Toyota Tacoma. The 2016 Titan XD will use a fortified version of the beefy, fully boxed frame that carries the current Titan. The Titan will be able to handle a payload rating in the excess or 2000 and max towing of 12,000 pounds. The Titan was also a finalist in 2004. Vehicles must be new or significantly altered to be eligible to become a North America Car or Truck of the year. Judges are looking for a flawless design and a superior driver satisfaction rating among many other things. The Volkswagen Golf and Ford F-150 were named 2015 Car and Truck of the Year. Ford least all automakers with ten wins since the awards inception in 1994. Chrysler, Nissan, and Hyundai have won multiple awards. The Preston Automotive Group is proud to represent all of the brands mentioned above.

Paint the Plex Pink will be held on October 17 th and it is all about raising Awareness for Breast Cancer. As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so Preston Automotive is gearing up for a fun month and exciting day. Our sales consultants are wearing pink all month, so we encourage those of you coming to the event to do the same! The Paint the Plex Pink event will feature good food, kid’s activities, games, music, a special appearance by the Preston Frog, and of course the Preston “Drive to Inspire” Pink F-250 Truck. You will be able sign the truck to show your support for Breast Cancer Research. This event will only be going on between 1 and 4pm on Saturday the 17th, so if you’re going to be home with the kids, make sure you come out for this FREE event! Two years ago we had a fantastic turn out and we hope to replicate that this year. Some of the guys shaved their heads to show they were United for a Cure with those who had lost their hair due to the chemotherapy treatments associated with breast cancer. You certainly don’t have to do something that extreme, but just coming out for an hour or two will show just how much you care about this horrible disease - breast cancer. We look forward to seeing you at Paint the Plex Pink 2015!

You’re almost out of time to figure out what your kids are being for Halloween! The Preston Automotive Group, along with local businesses, present Trunk or Treat 2015. Two of our locations will be hosting Trunk or Treat Events this October. First is Preston Hyundai’s Trunk or Treat on October 24th from 1-3pm. This is where the tradition first started and it has gotten better each and every year since then. If you can’t make it on that date (or if your kids just want double the candy), then be sure to be at Cambridge Auto Body on Halloween Day, October 31st from 11-1pm. At Preston Hyundai we will have the showroom decorated for Halloween, complete with skeletons, sales consultants in costumes and candy — tons of candy! We have invited local businesses to decorate our cars and SUVs and hand out candy out of the trunks of our cars in the spirit of Halloween. So, each business will have representatives handing out candy and freebies! We will also have prizes for the best costume as well as a special appearance by the Preston Frog! And if you can only make it to the Cambridge Auto Body Trunk or Treat then it will still be a good warm up for the kids being the day of Halloween. This way the kids can get more use out of that expensive costume you bought them! We are ready to have a fun couple days of Trunk or Treating at Preston Hyundai and Cambridge Auto Body and we hope you will join us! It’s totally free and the kids will have a blast. So we’ll see you in Preston or Cambridge on the 24th and/or the 31st, respectively. Happy Halloween!

The King of the Plex has been going on all month long and the SUVs think they have a chance to be Kings — or Queens if you will. We compared the three top import SUVs on the Preston Autoplex in our latest episode of the King of the Plex. From Hyundai we had the 2016 Santa Fe, from Mazda we had the 2016 CX-5 and from Nissan we looked at the 2015 Murano. Which one would win your comparison test? Come see them all and make your decision! 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe The Sport comes standard with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 190 horsepower. Need even more than that? Then you’re going to have to move up to the larger Santa Fe SE or Limited. They are both powered by a 3.3L V6 that produces 290 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds! The Sport edition seats 5 and the larger SE and Limited seat 6 to 7 people. The interiors of both are exquisite. The available panoramic sunroof is huge and dwarfs all other sunroofs in its class. Offered as an option by most competitors, Hillstart Assist Control comes standard on the Santa Fe. This will minimize the amount of backward roll when stopped on steep hills. Equipped with Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care, you are instantly connected with help after an accident, or with the push of a button you can connect with an agent who can send assistance and stay on the line until help arrives. Did we mention America’s Best Warranty? How could we forget about our 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty — easily the best offering over Mazda and Nissan. 2016 Mazda CX-5 The CX-5: Officially the first 2016 model year vehicle sold in the United States. It started making its way onto lots back in early 2015 and hasn’t looked back. This 2016 SUV, or Sport Utility Vehicle, has received an A rating from Edmunds among many other awards from various automotive magazines and safety administrations. The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport comes with a choice of two powertrains: A 2.0L 4-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual tranny, or a 2.5L 4-cylinder with a six-speed automatic tranny. New options this year include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, LED headlights and more! There have been other improvements made to ensure the 2016 CX-5 dominates the SUV class. The CX-5 interior is attractive, modern and functional. The 7-inch touchscreen and multifunction control knob make it one of the best systems out there. Some other features on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are available on the Grand Touring with the i-Active Sense package. Those include adaptive cruise control — which will match your speed to that of the car in front of you — Smart Brake Support, lane departure warning and automatic high beam control. 2015 Nissan Murano The Nissan Murano has been completely redesigned for the 2015 model year. That means a new front fascia, new interior stylings and more! The 2015 Nissan Murano is offered in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. Powering the 2015 Nissan Murano is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower. With either configuration, all-wheel or front-wheel drive, you will get 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, which is better than what you’d get from most other competing SUVs! On the inside there have been some serious adjustments made. The seats might not be the first thing you notice when you hop in the Murano, but they will leave a lasting impression. Nissan calls them " Zero Gravity " seats because they are designed to contour to the position the body assumes in zero gravity. The Panoramic Moonroof is also an exceptional part of this new style Murano. If you liked any of these SUVs please call us at the Preston Autoplex at 410-673-7171. You can of course view our entire import inventory online at prestonmotor.com too!

The King of the Plex competition pits Preston Hyundai, Preston Mazda and Preston Nissan against each other in a little friendly competition during the month of September! While Preston Ford begins their quest to be a Top 100 Ford Dealer again, Preston Hyundai, Nissan and Mazda will be challenging each other to see which dealership can have the most new car sales. Preston Hyundai and the 2015 Sonata The redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata is available at Preston Hyundai, which is part of the Preston Automotive Group in Preston, Maryland. The new Hyundai Sonata has already won several accolades including the United States News 2015 Best Midsize Car for Families and the Best Midsize Car for the Money. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is available in five trim levels: SE, Sport, Limited, Eco and Sport 2.0T. Average MPG ranges from 31-37 for the whole Hyundai Sonata line. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is also the first vehicle to feature Android Auto. This system brings Google Voice, Google Search, text and call via voice commands right to your dashboard! The Sonata also comes with a class exclusive hands-free smart trunk meaning that it will automatically open if it senses the key fob behind it for more than three seconds. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is one vehicle that everyone should have the pleasure of test driving for themselves. The pleasant, hushed ride as well as the luxurious design are just added features in purchasing a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Stop by and help us become King of the Plex! Preston Nissan and the 2015 Altima There’s no better way to say it: The 2015 Nissan Altima is a “just right” sedan for anybody in the market.  It has raked in several awards including a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick, Best Sedan Under $25,000 by KBB and a 2015 Most Popular Midsize Car by Edmunds. The 2015 Altima at Preston Nissan in Hurlock, MD, comes in two main configurations: 2.5 or 3.5. Those numbers obviously correlate with the engine size, but even on the 3.5L V6 you get best in class fuel economy. You can even get this amazing sedan in three different trim levels: S, SV and SL. The Technology package is perhaps the most exciting with the addition of the 7” touchscreen, automatic temperature-sensing climate/defrosting functions, as well as upgraded safety features. The 2015 Nissan Altima received a perfect 5/5 stars for crash protection – both frontal and total side impact safety.  All models come with anti-lock brakes – which stopped the 3.5s from 60 mph over 10 feet shorter than the class average – stability and traction control, and front and side curtain airbags. We think this sedan, which has been around for over 20 years, can speak for itself. So, stop down to take a test drive and help us become King of the Plex! Preston Mazda and the 2016 Mazda6 In the midsize sedan segment, the 2016 Mazda6 can go tire-to-tire against any of the others. In terms of drivability, cabin refinement and fuel economy, the 2016 Mazda6 is top notch. The Mazda6 is a perennial Car and Driver 10 Best (along with the Mazda3) and IIHS Top Safety Pick. The 2016 model has one engine choice and that is the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It produces 184 horsepower and can be paired with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. In Edmunds testing, an automatic Mazda6 went from 0-60 in a mere 7.6 seconds, which is faster than anyone in the midsize class. The cockpit of this car features all sorts of technology. Not only is there a 7-inch touchscreen available, but it will actually protrude up out of the dash. Another feature they’ve created is the heads up display for your MPH. In essence, a mirror will pop up above the steering wheel and reflect your MPH into your field of view. This is the only 2016 Midsize Sedan that any of our three import automakers carry, so come down to Preston Mazda and test drive this sporty family sedan and help us become the King of the Plex!

Apple is working on designs for a car that will drive itself. Local officials say engineers for the mega-giant Apple recently investigated GoMentum Station Automotive testing facility that's used as a testing ground for self-driving cars and the other high-tech vehicles. The station located in the San Fransisco City of Concord once was a naval base until around 1994. Of course, we all know that Apple is best known for the every so popular iPhones and Mac computers. But, could we get to know this tech company as an automotive company? Only time will tell. GoMentum Station has been used as a vehicle test facility for many automakers. It is a very secure facility that doesn't offer access to the public. GoMentum is about 40 miles North of Silicon Valley. Concord Naval Weapon Station, California. Self-driving cars may still sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Russ Rader, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety senior VP of communications, told Investopedia in 2014 the technology has been creeping into car manufacturing models for several years now. “Its got all the infrastructure of a city,” Jack Hall, the program manager at GoMentum Station. “There are buildings, streets and intersections, but no people.” The 5,000-acre site has 20 miles of paved roads, including overpasses, tunnels and railroad crossings, according to the agency’s website, which calls it “the largest secure test facility in the world.” Apple is believed to have paired with Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) as a potential partner, likely thatFCA would provide the car body and some or all of the powertrain. Project Titan is what Apple executive's had been calling it, and the project is all but confirmed. It has also been reported that Googles’s self-driving car software and systems will most likely be ready to market by 2017. So even if the project is further along than previously thought, it seems highly unlikely that Apple will beat Google in the race for the 1st self-driving car.

It’s that time of year again: back to school. Some are back already and some have a couple more weeks of summer vacation left. But there’s one main consideration that you have to think about: Should I bring my car to college? Of course everyone would like to have a car on campus, but is it allowed or is it practical? We’ll help you see the pro’s and con’s of whether or not you should bring your car with you. First of all, are you even allowed to have one on campus? That will depend on where you’re attending. Some will flat out not allow freshman or upperclassmen to bring a car with them. Others will allow it, but students will be required to purchase a parking pass. Typically information like this can be found on the college or university’s website, so you will want to make sure you know their policy before you get there for move-in. Cost is another important thing to think about. Many college students are on an Easy Mac and Ramen-Noodle type of budget, so gas, repairs, parking permits, and other costs are out of the question. If this is the case then maybe you should leave the car at home. If you are going to bring it make sure you have some money saved up for these unexpected costs which include parking tickets don't forget. Find out about alternative transportation options too. Many campuses will have a school-operated shuttle system. They even get creative with the names too. For instance, the University of Miami has the Hurry ‘Canes shuttles, and students at UCLA can take the BruinBus. These options can be particularly helpful in urban settings such as D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York City. So you have to weigh your options to see if it would in fact be worth it to bring your car to college. If you need it to get you to-and-from a job or your parents house, then by all means take it. But we suggest that you enjoy your college days without one of the major responsibilities of adulthood: Car ownership.

Hyundai loves sports. Think back recently to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their brand name was all over the place! From the running boards along the perimeter of the field, to the glass behind the interviewees, it was everywhere. And now Hyundai has made their move to the NFL where they are now the official automotive sponsor! With one of the largest fanbases, the NFL is every brand’s dream. As part of the exclusive partnership, Hyundai will have use of the NFL trademarks across various marketing channels. Get used to seeing Hyundai commercials replace those from General Motors Co. Beyond commercials, Hyundai will have exclusive access to big events such as the Super Bowl, Playoffs and the Draft. Instead of the Super Bowl MVP getting a Chevy Truck he will now be getting a free Hyundai. Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO, even states that “the NFL and Hyundai also share a commitment to helping the communities where we do business, another important aspect of our sponsorship.” Now this exclusivity hasn’t come without a hefty price tag. The cost has actually not been revealed, but it is likely they are paying around $25 Million per year, which is what GM was paying last year. Hyundai will take the reigns and launch it’s activation with a major presence during NFL Kickoff activities on September 10th.

The Fourth of July Sales Event is going on now at the Preston Autoplex! We have new lower prices on all of our top Fords, Lincolns, Hyundais, Mazdas, Nissan and Pre-Owned vehicles! Top models including the 2015 Ford F-150, Mustang, Fusion, Focus, Fiesta, Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, Mazda 3, 6, Miata, Nissan Altima, Sentra, Rogue and more!  With up to $12,000 in rebates and discounts as well as 0% financing for 72 months, we have the deals you want! Lets start off with some Fords.  The F-150 has been the best selling truck in America for 38 years, so you know you're making the right choice when buying an F-150.  We have both 2014 and 2015 model year F-150s too.  On to the Mustang, which has been an American tradition for over 50 years.  We have convertibles, fastbacks, and hardtops all at one location in Maryland.  We also have 2014, ’15 and ’16 model year Fusions on our lot in Preston!  Come in to see which one you like the best!  The final two are the Focus and Fiesta — both of which are fantastic choices because of their fuel-economy and sporty handling. If your more of an Elantra or Sonata person, then good news because we have even more of those! We have over 50 of the brand new 2016 Hyundai Elantra’s and still have over 30 of the 2015 model.  Our Elantra’s start under 16k!  We also have the 2015 and 2016 Elantra GT for those who want a sportier hatchback.  The Sonata is also a popular choice among car buyers, and Preston’s 4th of July Celebration starting price of $17,371 is the best around! As for Mazda, we are confident that we have the perfect Mazda3 to fit your needs somewhere on our lot.  Whether you prefer manual or automatic, sedan or hatchback, we have the perfect combination for you.  The 2015 Mazda3 also gets fantastic gas mileage at 30 MPG in the city and 40 on the highway!  It’s not too often where a car this fun to drive has this outstanding fuel economy too!  The next 2015 model that we want to highlight is the CX-9 SUV.  This is Mazda’s largest SUV, which seats 7 adults comfortably.  If you need room for the kids and all their gear, then the 2015 CX-9 is a solid choice in the SUV category. Something exciting which Mazda has and many other manufacturers do not: 2016 models!  Mazda has already released the 2016 Mazda6 and 2016 Mazda CX-5.  First off, the 6.  This family sedan is packed with technology.  From the heads-up display on the dashboard, to the optional i-ELOOP engine under the hood, this car can do it all.  With great fuel economy AND sporty handling, you’re going to want to drive this for yourself.  Our other 2016 model is the CX-5.  We have over 30 of these crossover SUVs in stock right now.  Be sure to check them out during our 4th of July Celebration now! The 2015 Altima and Sentra are both considered economy sedans.  The slightly smaller Sentra will achieve an outstanding 30 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway!  And the Altima’s numbers aren’t far off at 27 and 38!  The Sentra is priced significantly lower than its competitors and Preston Nissan has them starting at $15,592 as well as 2015 Altima’s starting at $18,992!  With over 50 Altima’s and 25 Sentra’s, Preston Nissan will surely have the right car for you You’ll be ready for summer with any of these amazing vehicles during our Fourth of July Sales Event!  You can find us in Preston, MD 21655.  You could call us at 877-834-3396, or you could of course keep browsing around our website to find the perfect vehicle!

Summer driving is fun. Whether you are flying down back-country roads, taking road trips to the beach or blasting music with the windows down — it’s fun. However, you must have the right car for Summer. We have compiled a list of the best used cars for Summer drivin’. First up is the iconic Mustang. We have several pre-owned Mustangs available at our various locations throughout the Eastern Shore. With some regular coupes and some convertibles, we have the perfect one for you! Just picture yourself cruising down Route 50 on your way to Ocean City in your (new to you) drop-top Mustang! Check out all we have to offer on our website by clicking the link to find your pre-owned Mustang! Our next choice would be a Chevy Corvette.  We get Corvettes traded in every now-and-then, and you can’t deny they are flashy. The Corvette has been one of America’s top sports cars since they were first built in 1953. That’s over 60 years of American Tradition, and you could own a piece of that history with a pre-owned Corvette from the Preston Automotive Group. Don’t think you could afford payments on one? Don’t be so sure. Check out our website for used Corvettes by following the link, and see exactly how much they are. Want the ultimate beach-cruiser? One that will hold all your friends plus all their gear? How ‘bout a pre-owned Jeep Wrangler? We have some in stock now but are receiving more by the truckload every single week in preparation for the start of Summer, which is officially less than a month away! You would look great behind the wheel of a Jeep rolling up and down Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City, MD. Check out Jeep’s unique design by viewing our selection on our website. For our final selection we have something special: Motorcycles. Bet you didn’t know we sell pre-owned Motorcycles. Well we do! And right now we have one special, flashy bike. The Big Dog Ridgeback, with its bright yellow paint job and extra long front end, is a sight to behold. It’s even better when your on the back of one — trust us! Well, actually, you don’t have to trust us — you could come down to the Preston Autoplex and try it out for yourself! All of these are great options for Summer riding. Whether you’re more into a convertible, sports car, off-road capable gear-hauler, or flashy motorcycle, we have what you want at prices you can afford! If you’re even slightly entertaining the idea of getting a car in time for the Summer, then hop on to www.prestonmotor.com and browse our inventory of over 1600 new cars and 300 used cars! Bring on the heat of Summer!

It's Memorial Day Weekend! The Preston Automotive Group is gearing up for their Memorial Day Sales Event this weekend. We are charged up and can’t wait to do what we do best, serve our great customers a quality buying experience and help them get the vehicle they want and deserve. We possess over 2500 vehicles in our inventory. Memorial Day, of course, is a day to remember those who have so bravely sacrificed so much for our country. The Preston Automotive Group is also offering up to an additional $1000 off towards the purchase of a new car  for those members of the military and their immediate family. It’s just our way of saying thank you for all you’ve done. Preston Ford, Denton Ford, Pittsville Ford and Boulevard Ford have the best models available that Ford Motor Company has to offer. With up to $2,000 cash back, 0% Financing for 72 months, and no payments for 90 days, it will be difficult to resist the deals that will be put together by the management team on Memorial Day Weekend. The people of Delmarva are raving about the new 2015 Ford F-150. They are getting great gas mileage, and the toughness isn't compromised. The 2015 Models of the Fusion, Focus, Fiesta, Edge, Escape, Explorer and Mustang also all have outstanding deals that need to be taken advantage of this weekend. Preston Hyundai will be as aggressive has ever before, with up to $8,500 cash back and 0% Financing available for an incredible 75 months. The 10 year/100,000 mile Powertrain warranty is still America’s best. 2015 IIHS Top safety picks, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata lets you be more aware of the world around you. The smart cruise control with the stop/start capability is a Sonata class exclusive. It can detect  a vehicle in your lane ahead, automatically slows the Sonata down maintaining a safe distance with the vehicle ahead and will even come to a full stop, then start again without driver input. The Premier and only Mazda dealership on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is Preston Mazda. Preston Mazda has one of the Top 3 in the world cars, according to the 2014 World Car Awards in the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 delivers an unparalleled MPG of up to 40. Mazda owners love the Precise handling, very good fuel economy, quicker acceleration, top crash safety scores and the elegant interior with intuitive controls offered on every vehicle in the Mazda lineup. Preston Nissan will be offering VPP pricing to all military, including immediate family members. What is VPP? The Nissan Vehicle Purchase Program gives the customers the opportunity to buy a new Nissan at pre-negotiated under invoice pricing. The 2015 Nissan Altima has been a long time best seller in the Nissan lineup. The Altima does all the little things right, and goes the extra mile with its driving dynamics and high-end cabin.Preston Nissan has over 200 cars on the lot and they are expecting to make deals on all of them. Memorial Day will be one to remember, says General Manager John Thompson, “With the VPP program, you will be exposed to deals that are unheard of”. The Preston Automotive Group will be open on Memorial Day from 8:30 AM until 6:00pm. With the purchase of any new or used vehicle from now until Monday, aside from the excellent deal you will receive a FREE gas grill or cooler also. The Preston Automotive Group would like to again, thank each and every member of the Military for their Hard work and commitment. Stop by to visit us at any one of our Maryland Dealerships located in Preston, Denton and Pittsville Maryland. Visit www.prestonmotor.com to check out our massive inventory and to see your Memorial Day Sale price.