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The Ford Focus RS, which has typically been exclusively sold in Europe, is now coming to the US for 2016! The Focus RS is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Geneva International Motor Show. The RS is the latest unveiling in a new era of Ford performance that will bring more than 12 performance vehicles to global customers by 2020. It won't be in the US until next year, however, there was more exciting news revealed concerning its performance capabilities that came out in Geneva. Besides having a very powerful 2.3-liter Ecoboost Engine and over 315 horsepower, it is now known that it will feature "Drift Mode". Drift Mode is pretty much what it sounds like - it is a mode that enables you to drift easier by a certain set of processes. To understand those processes you have to know that it has All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control.  That is a lot of big words but basically torque vectoring is a new technology employed in automobile differentials. A differential transfers engine torque to the wheels. S0, torque vectoring technology provides the differential with the ability to vary the power to each wheel. The ability of the twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system to channel up to 70 percent of the RS’s torque to the rear wheels, and then up to 100 percent of that output to either side to enable torque vectoring, makes it relatively easy to persuade the Focus RS into power oversteer (aka Drifting). Ford understands that it can't just give regular people like you and me this tremendous capability without installing some safety features. So what they did was put in a system to help you, which is explained by Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi. "It knows how fast the car is yawing (tilting through the drift for lack of a better phrase) and what you’re doing to catch it. The more you stay ahead of the car, the more the system will let you rotate the car. But if the computer sees you falling behind, your steering inputs not keeping up with the yaw rate, then it steps in and rescues you." In case you think you are a world-class drifter, then to answer your most pressing question: yes, you will be able to turn off the stability control system. But Ford does warn that it will always be easier to control in "Drift Mode". Check out Ken Block testing out the drift mode like a true pro: And as if you would need anymore convincing, here's another video demonstrating all that the Ford Focus RS can do. This will certainly be a special car when it finally comes to the US. The Preston Automotive Group sure is excited especially after all these new features keep getting revealed. Keep up with our blog for more information on the Focus RS release date and other automotive news!

Lincoln has been in the midst of overhauling its lineup, as well as introducing some brand new additions like the Compact Crossover MKC, and the next model we're likely to see completely renewed is the MKS.  The source of this information is somewhat unusual - singer Neil Young.  Last December he revealed that he is working in conjunction with Lincoln for his digital music player and download service, Pono, to be put into the new "Continental" for a "2016 release."  This reveal - which was seemingly accidental - gets the gears turning in our heads because we've known for quite some time that Lincoln is looking for a replacement for the MKS. This would make total sense to bring back the iconic Continental name - which went out of production after the 2002 model year - because the MKS is their largest sedan and the Continental was one of the largest/longest cars on the road too.  It's interesting how all of these things add up... We think it's more than just a coincidence, and we're not mad about it. Is this really what the potential 2016 Lincoln "Continental" could look like? Regardless of what the MKS replacement will be called, it will supposedly be revealed late this year and go on sale a year from now - in Spring of 2016. Watch the interview with Neil Young around the 4:00 mark and see if you think there is any meaning behind it or not?  Here at Preston Lincoln we sure hope there is some stock in it!

Preston Automotive Group donates time and money to several charities and organizations throughout the year, and coming up in March, Daria Wilson, Daughter of the Preston Automotive Group President Dave Wilson Sr., will be Dancing for the Dogs.  This annual event raises awareness and money for local animal shelters and animal rescues of Talbot and Caroline County of Maryland. Daria Wilson will be one of the local celebrity's to compete in the fundraising event and Preston Automotive Group is helping her raise money!  This Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, the Preston Autoplex and Denton Ford will donate $100 for each vehicle purchased!  We are expecting the weather to warm up slightly, so come out and look for the car you've always wanted and support a great cause at the same time.  Even if you're not in the market for a car at the moment, you can still donate to help Daria win!  Simply go to http://bit.ly/VoteDaria to vote for Daria!  You can also check out Daria's Dancing for the Dogs Facebook page to see more details. This is a fun event set for March 14, 2015 and will take place at the historic Tidewater Inn of Easton, MD.  She is excited and we are all glad to help promote her endeavor!  The Talbot Humane, Caroline County Humane Society, and Tom Cat Solutions are very worthy organizations that do all sorts of good for our local community.  Be sure to at least check them out and donate if you can!

The Geneva International Auto Show is coming up in less than a week in Geneva, Switzerland.  This is one of the biggest car shows of the year and it is rumored that Nissan is planning something big and small at the same time... The last time Nissan made a big splash at a car show was in Detriot, MI, in January of this year, when they unveiled the 2016 Titan XD.  Well, rumor has it that they are planning another surprise for the 85th Geneva International Auto Show on March 5-15.  This surprise is said to be small in stature compared to the Titan, but yet create all the same buzz that their truck did.  This small surprise is reportedly called the Nissan Sway.  According to Nissan, Sway is “a glimpse at how a future generation of small Nissan models could look if the company’s striking new design language was applied to a European hatchback.”  It would compete with compact cars like the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit and more.  That is... IF it comes to the US. There's no indication whether the Nissan Concept, Sway, will be introduced to the American market or not.  It will definitely start out in Europe, and will be similar to the Nissan Micra - their top seller in Europe.  The Sway would have a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, very similar to that of the Ford Fiesta, and would get around 100 horsepower.  That doesn't seem like a lot but it's plenty of juice for the type and size of this "conceptual" car. Keep up with our blog as we will be bringing you all the news from the 2015 Geneva International Auto Show!  Be sure to check out their webcam by clicking the link too!

Great news out of Maryland and Delaware automotive dealerships: Preston Automotive Group is now the exclusive Dealer of Saleen Racing vehicles! Out of the entire two states of Maryland and Delaware, Preston’s Ford Dealerships are the only ones that will be selling these iconic Saleen package cars. To understand the significance of Preston Automotive becoming part of an exclusive group of Saleen dealers in the US, it is important to get a brief overview of Saleen cars.  With a focus on handling and performance, Saleen cars are shipped directly from automakers to Saleen headquarters and converted to Saleen cars with the company’s trademark Racecraft suspension system. These special cars also receive larger tires, specific body work, and various other performance enhancements before being shipped to authorized Saleen dealers around the country like Preston Automotive Group. Specs on even the most basic Mustang model, White Label, include a 302 cubic inch V8 engine which will produce 450 naturally aspirated horsepower, staggered 20” wheels and Z-rated tires (safe up to 149mph), high volume intake grille, and high downforce rear wing. Preston Automotive Group, which sells Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and pre-owned vehicles to the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware and beyond, recently became part of an elite group of Saleen dealerships throughout the country.  As the ONLY Saleen Dealerships of Maryland and Delaware, auto enthusiasts will now be able find a converted Mustang on any given one of our Ford lots after the official release date of March 20th, 2015. Although supply is limited, Preston Automotive expects to continue receiving shipments from Saleen throughout the year. Visit Preston Automotive online at www.prestonmotor.com for more information about the new Saleen cars available soon on the lot or call us at 877-898-2470!

Getting new tires but don’t know how to figure out the size?  Filling your tires up with the air they’ve lost in the cold weather but don’t know how much to put in?  Or just want to learn something new?  Well, the information on the sidewall of your tires can be hard to decipher, but we’re here to help show you how to read your tires! P We’ll start with the numbers that indicate the size of your tire.  The letter “P” labeled in this picture with a green color is the Service Description.  This lets you know what kind of use the tire is intended for.  Obviously it is meant for the road, but there are different letters and combinations they use.  P stands for passenger car, LT stands for light truck, ST is for special trailer, and T stands for temporary.  So, if you have any type of car or SUV (excluding trucks), then your tires will most likely be marked with a P, and if you look at your spare tire for either your car or SUV it will most likely have a T. 235 The second part is the number “235” labeled with yellow writing in this picture.  This number simply represents the tire width in millimeters up and over the tires tread. 55 This number “55” is what’s called the aspect ratio.  That ratio is made up of its section height divided by its section width.  We already know its section width is 235 millimeters, so this particular tire’s aspect ratio says that its height is 55% of its width.  The lower the aspect ratio the lower the sidewall height, which makes for better handling. R The next letter “R” refers to its internal construction and stands for radial construction.  You will see an R on 99.9% of tires now-a-days because it’s been the industry standard for about 25 years.  The only exception being certain large trucks that still use Bias-ply tires, represented with a B instead of an R. 19 This number, 19 in our case, stands for the rim diameter in inches.  This means that this tire will only fit on a 19-inch rim. 101V The next marking is kind of a two-in-one.  The number that comes first represents the tires load index.  And a tire’s load index is exactly what it sounds like: how much weight can that one tire carry.  So, from here you need to do two things.  First, you need to look at your number on the Load-Carrying Capacity Per Tire chart.  According to the chart, our number 101 can carry 1,819 pounds.  Secondly, you need to multiply that number by the number of tires on your vehicle to get a total amount of load capacity you can carry.  So, the vehicle that this tire belongs to would have a maximum carrying capacity of 7,276 lbs. The second part of this marking is a letter; a V in this case but it may be different on your vehicle.  This letter indicates the speed rating.  And just as you had to refer to a chart with the number, you have to do the same for the letter although this chart is not as extensive and can be seen below. Here is a complete list of the various tire speed ratings, and their associated letters: S = 112 mph T = 118 mph U = 124 mph H = 130 mph V = 149 mph *Z = Over 149 mph W = 168 mph Y = 186 mph (Y) = Over 186 mph *Used to be the highest rating The number that corresponds with V is 149 mph.  That means that this tire can handle speeds up to 149 mph for a sustained period of time.  If you go above that speed your tires won’t necessarily explode but it is certainly not recommended for safe driving. M+S The final marking on this part of the tire simply means it is rated for severe snow conditions. The next set of markings aren’t really necessary to know how to read your tires – but may be interesting at the same time – are important to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and are referred to as the Tire Identification Number (TIN).  The TIN is made up of sets of letters and numbers.  The first two letters/numbers are always representative of the manufacturing plant.  Each plant gets a two digit code – whether it’s one number and one letter, both numbers, or both letters – and it will always be the first two markings you see to the right of DOT.  The next part will be a two digit code indicating the tire size.  The middle four letters, JAIR in our case, identify the tire brand.  And finally the last four numbers tell you what week and year the tire was made.  For our example, it was made during the 37 th week of the year 2006. There are certainly other numbers on the sidewall of your tires including maximum tire pressure (which is not the same as recommended tire pressure), temperature rating, traction rating and others.  These are just making you aware that the tire, if used outside of those specifications, may not perform favorably.

The Ford Fusion, redesigned in 2013, looks great for another model year and gives you the performance you’d expect out of a family sedan.  The Fusion has been a top choice in the midsize sedan category for several years, and aims to continue that in 2015.  However, its eye-catching design is only the beginning of what the 2015 Ford Fusion has to offer. This four-door, five-passenger midsize sedan comes in three trim levels: S, SE, and Titanium.  The most notable feature that has become standard across the board this year is a rearview camera.  The rearview camera makes backing up a breeze without having to cram and twist your neck around.  While the camera comes standard on all models, the S features include a 2.5L engine with 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control and much more!  The middle model, the SE, comes standard with an exterior keypad entry, heated mirrors, rear air ducts and more.  It is also eligible for optional equipment such as the Appearance package and Luxury package. Finally, the Titanium model comes with a larger 18-inch wheels, a sport suspension, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, as well as everything featured in the SE model.  The most exciting part about the Titanium model is perhaps the Turbocharged 2.0L engine, which churns out 240 horsepower.  That will give you tremendous thrust in a family, midsize sedan. The 2015 Ford Fusion, as you can see, is a fantastic vehicle and is one you should at least try before making any car purchase.  We have a total of Five Ford Dealers as a part of the Preston Automotive Group and between all the dealerships we have over 100 of these new 2015 Fusions!  You can check out these great vehicles on our website by clicking these links.  The best thing is we’ll deliver them right to your door!  If you don’t live close to one of our various locations we will have our runners bring the car to you.  That is how we make it easier to buy from us than your local dealer.  Call us at one of our Ford locations on the Eastern Shore or visit us on the web at www.prestonmotor.com.

With the impending doom tonight's storm is slated to bring, we compiled a list of things to try if your car gets stuck in the snow. The first thing to do is Stay Calm. The situation may be out of your control, so there is no point in getting all worked up and stressed out.  This is especially the case when you have kids with you.  If they see you getting worked up, they will usually follow your lead; thus, stressing you out even more. Make sure your car is Visible. Even if you are stuck in the middle of the daytime, turn your hazard lights on so passing cars can see you.  Who knows, a Good Samaritan may be passing and stop to help you.  But this tip is especially important if you are on a busy roadway at nighttime.  One car stuck in the snow could easily lead to other accidents if people can’t see that you’re stuck.  If a wreck does occur, be sure to call one of our three body shops. Is your exhaust pipe clear? Before you even do anything to get your car unstuck, you want to make sure your exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow.  If it’s blocked it could be pushing the carbon monoxide back into the engine or even into the interior of the car.  And if you don’t know, carbon monoxide CAN kill you.  Do yourself a favor and keep your tailpipe clear! Don’t spin your tires. The more you spin your tires the further stuck in the snow you’ll become.  You’ll dig yourself deeper and lodge snow into the tread of your tires.  Instead of spinning your tires when your car is stuck in the snow, it is best to use our next tip. Rock slowly forward and back. Put the car in the lowest possible gear and try to back up slowly.  Stop.  Then move forward, slowly.  Ideally, that rocking will help the car gain traction.  And after several back and forth movements you should be able to generate enough speed to get unstuck. Still Stuck? Hopefully you have a shovel. This tip is technically something you could do first, but that is only if you are prepared enough to carry a shovel in your car.  If you have one, you could use it to shovel out the snow around your drive tires.  This will usually enable you to gain complete traction. Call 888-TOW-FROG. If you call this number, one of our dedicated tow truck drivers will be there to tow you out of any situation you find yourself in.  If you are a Preston For Life Platinum member, then towing is free for 50 miles too! With the expected snowfall across the entire Eastern Shore Peninsula tonight, it is imperative that you are ready for the worst possible circumstances.

Ford Dealers across the country are in the midst of their Presidents’ Day Sales Event. Boulevard Ford Lincoln of Georgetown, Maryland, is geared up for one of the biggest sales of the year for Ford.  Even though Presidents’ Day is today, February 16, 2015, this sale will last until the end of the month.  At Boulevard Ford we have great sales on everything including new 2015 vehicles and left over 2014’s! We are one of Delaware’s premier Ford Dealers and we have tons of inventory.  We have over 250 new Fords either here or at our sister store in Lewes, Delaware.  That inventory includes 2015 Focus’, Escapes, F-150s and more.  We even have brand new 2015 model year cars for under $13,000! The 2015 Ford Fiesta (with all of its available rebates) is here at Boulevard Ford Lincoln of Georgetown for only $12,777!  We also have left-over 2014 Ford F-150s – which no other dealer has anymore – for as low as $18,995! These really are fantastic prices for our Presidents’ Day Sales Event, which will only last until February 28, 2015. With an average of 4.7/5 stars, we have gotten fantastic reviews from our sales and service customers, too! Check out Boulevard Ford Lincoln of Georgetown Reviews on Cars.com to see for yourself.  We are a part of the Preston Automotive Group, and all of the Auto Group’s dealerships and body shops keep up a high standard of customer service excellence.  If you’ve never purchased a vehicle from Boulevard Ford in Georgetown, DE, then give us a chance to earn your business.  Check out our inventory on the web at www.boulevardfordlincoln.com, give us a call at 877-906-3888, or just come in to see one of our helpful sales consultants!

U.S. News & World Report just released their annual list of Best Cars for the Money and Hyundai, Mazda, and Nissan cleaned up.  Hyundai and Mazda each had two vehicles on the list and Nissan had one.  Their list highlights vehicles across 21 different automotive classes with the best combination of positive reviews and long-term ownership costs.  Specifically, they take the average price paid from TrueCar.com and five-year cost-to-own data from Vincentric combined with the U.S. News Best Cars rankings data.  So let’s get right into it! There was only one winner in the car class that we sell as a part of the Preston Automotive Group and it was the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.  The Sonata won for the Midsize Car category.  This is a true standout car with its new outward design and upgrades to the engine and various mechanical parts that many people don’t really see.  We have over 70 Sonata’s in stock right now at our Preston Hyundai Dealer of Maryland. The remaining four vehicles we sell that made the list came from the SUV and Minivan category.  The first one we’ll talk about the 2015 Nissan Murano, which won for the 2-Row SUV class.  The new Murano looks amazing with its curvy exterior, mean-looking lights, mesmerizing front grille, and huge touchscreen system inside.  We have a handful of these at our Maryland Nissan Dealer on the Eastern Shore, Preston Nissan. The winner for the best 3-Row SUV was the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe.  This SUV is top notch and its 80 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity is a great value for the money.  It’s certainly not tops in its class in terms of cargo capacity, but it certainly is tops for the value it brings; thus, the reason why it is on this list! The two Mazda’s to make the list were the CX-9 and Mazda5 in the Large SUV and Minivan classes, respectively.  The 2015 Mazda CX-9 just recently won another award for Most Popular Large Crossover SUV, so you know this vehicle is legitimate.  It is stylish on the outside and functional with a large feel on the inside.  The 2015 Mazda5 admittedly doesn’t win many awards, but it is extremely functional and you get a fantastic amount of bang for your buck with this minivan.  You may not think of this vehicle as a minivan because it is smaller, lower to the ground, and more stylish than the stereotypical “Soccer Mom” minivans that usually come to mind, but it is in fact classified as a minivan.  With three rows of seats and decent cargo space, this minivan is tops in terms of value in its class. Preston Mazda, a two-time consecutive Gold Cup Mazda Dealer (the highest honor a dealership can achieve), has a small inventory of these vehicles now, but are receiving more every week. There were several other vehicles from the Preston Automotive Group which were finalists too.  The finalists – or honorable mentions if you will – in the overall Car category were as follows: Ford Fiesta, Fusion Hybrid, Mustang, C-Max Hybrid, Mazda Mazda3, and Hyundai Genesis.  The three Preston finalists for the SUV and Minivan categories were the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, and Lincoln MKC.  At last, the lone finalist in the Trucks category was of course the Ford F-150. *Now, remember this list is naming Best Cars for the Money – in other words, Best Value.  So, when you see the F-150 and Mustang and other popular cars only making it onto the “honorable mentions,” remember that, while being great cars, they just may not be as great of a value as the cars that were ultimately picked by U.S. News.

While every new Mazda vehicle seems to be winning award after award, it came time to name the Gold Cup Mazda Dealers of 2015, and Preston Mazda of Maryland was able to secure the award for a second consecutive year. Top Mazda vehicles such as the Mazda3 and Mazda6 have earned spots on Edmunds.com 10 Best List for the thirteenth year in a row.  The Mazda3, CX-5, and CX-9 all made the 2015 Most Popular list, which was released by Edmunds.com as well.  Since we sell such highly-rated, award-winning cars and hold ourselves to a higher standard of customer service, it only made sense that we would maintain our status as a Gold Cup Mazda Dealer for 2015. What does it mean to be a Gold Cup Dealer?  Well, first of all, this award is earned by the Top Mazda Dealers out of the Northeast, Midwest and Gulf Regions.  This is the highest honor a dealer can receive from Mazda for their dedication to two areas: 1.) new vehicle sales and 2.) customer satisfaction.  That is a large area with many Mazda Dealers, so to make this list is a tremendous honor.  Furthermore, we are one of only two Mazda Dealers in Maryland to make this year’s list!  This is also our second consecutive year on this prestigious list, so we are very proud of that accomplishment. Preston Mazda, a member of the Preston Automotive Group, is located at the Preston Autoplex, which houses four other brands and showrooms on a massive 38-acre lot surrounded by cornfields on all sides.  We are one mile from Preston, MD, which is a town of about 700 people.  So, while we aren’t located in a big city like Baltimore, MD, or Washington, DC, we still sell a similar amount of cars and most of all have outstanding customer service.  Whether it’s in our showroom or our many service bays, we will take care of all your automotive needs.  We expect nothing less than making the Gold Cup list for a third year in a row in 2016, so we look forward to giving each and every customer the best buying experience possible at our Gold Cup Certified Preston Mazda Dealer!

Nearly a year ago, Ford Motor Company gave the world a sneak peek of the 2015 Ford Edge.  As we swing around to February 2015, it seems that people are anxiously awaiting the 2015 Edge’s release which is set for the spring of this year.  While all the other 2015 Ford models are basically out already, people have had to wait for even the specs of the Ford Edge.  That is, until now. The 2015 Ford Edge Sport will be getting one of the most exciting SUV engines out there.  The Edge will get Ford’s new direct-injected, twin-turbocharged, “Nano” 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.  This mouthful is rated at a massive 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.  This puts it 10hp and 70 lb-ft of torque above last year’s Sport Edition.  These numbers may not seem too impressive at first, but for reference, the 2015 F-150 puts out only slightly more with 325hp and 375 lb-ft of torque.  That is truly saying something about this amazing SUV. The 2.7L EcoBoost engine is small while outputting tremendous power; however, if you think that is more power than you need you can get the 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder.  It still has 245hp and 275 lb-ft of torque which is more than enough for most people.  By deferring to this standard engine you lose two cylinders, thus gaining better fuel economy.  While the jump is only a couple miles per gallon, that can make a difference over time. Preston Automotive Group is ready to receive these sporty SUV’s in the coming months at our various Ford Dealers across the Eastern Shore! As you may or may not know, we have Ford Dealers in Preston, MD, Pittsville, MD, Denton, MD, Georgetown, DE and Lewes, DE.  As soon as we get ‘em you’ll know!