Have you attended a Live at the Lakefront performance yet this summer? If not, tonight is another great opportunity to hear some fun music and check out some sleek cars.
The concert goes from 5:30pm-9:00pm at the outdoor theater at Discovery World. Tonight’s band is Los Ciegos del Barrio. They are a Latin band based out of New York, blending meringue, reggaeton, bachata, salsa, cumbia, and rock. Even more amazing is the fact that each of the musicians is legally blind, and their name even plays on that, translating to “The Blind Boys of the Neighborhood.”
Concours will be providing a handful of BMWs tonight as the featured franchise, and Bartolotta’s will provide food, beer, and wine for purchase. As always, though, you are welcome to bring your own (food, beer, wine, BMW, etc.)!
Preview the music you’ll dance to tonight at http://www.losciegosdelbarrio.com/
When you get home, feel free to post your pictures and video on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/concoursmotors!
We’ll see you there!
Showing posts with label Concours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concours. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Race Is On!
From July 15-18, you would’ve found Concours stationed happily at Road America in Elkhart Lake. This time, it was for the Kohler International Challenge, an annual event featuring vintage motor sports car races. It’s noted as Road America’s signature event, “a blend of art-on-wheels and great competition between everything from cult favorites to priceless limited production models,” as the brochure states.
Bill Wuesthoff mentions that there were around 450 entries this year, making for lots of good participation and good racing. Two of the featured events were the sports car Concours d’Elegance on Friday and the race car Concours d’Elegance on Saturday.
Our dealership provided a display of many new and Certified Pre-owned Porsche cars for the public to see. Also, the new 2010 Saab 9-3 convertible was there—Saab is officially back with new corporate ownership in place. “This gave additional exposure for these exciting products to a group of very discerning motor sports fans,” Bill says.
Bill Wuesthoff mentions that there were around 450 entries this year, making for lots of good participation and good racing. Two of the featured events were the sports car Concours d’Elegance on Friday and the race car Concours d’Elegance on Saturday.
Our dealership provided a display of many new and Certified Pre-owned Porsche cars for the public to see. Also, the new 2010 Saab 9-3 convertible was there—Saab is officially back with new corporate ownership in place. “This gave additional exposure for these exciting products to a group of very discerning motor sports fans,” Bill says.
On hand to help man the display and communicate with interested parties was our own Chuck Kadonsky from our sales team. He was on deck most of the weekend, and he was joined by Chris Wuesthoff (Karl Wuesthoff’s son), Jerry Zimmerman and Michael Scaffidi (sales managers), and Jeff Sorenson (Porsche and Saab Service Manager).
Traffic flow was good all weekend long. If you were a part of that traffic, we’d love to hear about your experience and perhaps see your pictures and videos! You can view more of our pictures and video on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/concoursmotors.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Live at the Lakefront
Milwaukee is buzzing with lots of outdoor activities and entertainment this summer. If you’re looking for some fun without spending a lot of money, check out the Live at the Lakefront concert series on Wednesdays throughout the summer!
Concours is a proud sponsor of the event that runs from July 7-September 1. You’ll find it at the Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World. And no need to worry about inclement weather; the show goes on rain or shine. If it’s raining, the Promenade inside Discovery World will be the setting for the evening.
Shows are from 5:30pm-9pm, and Bartolotta’s provides food and beverage service, everything from steak sandwiches to grilled brats and hamburgers, and of course, beer and wine. However, you’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages, too! As for the music, Live at the Lakefront offers multiple genres. You’ll hear reggae, jazz, Afro-Cuban, bluegrass, salsa, rock, etc. Check out http://www.liveatthelakefront.com/ for specific concert dates and to see who’s playing!
Concours is a proud sponsor of the event that runs from July 7-September 1. You’ll find it at the Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World. And no need to worry about inclement weather; the show goes on rain or shine. If it’s raining, the Promenade inside Discovery World will be the setting for the evening.
Shows are from 5:30pm-9pm, and Bartolotta’s provides food and beverage service, everything from steak sandwiches to grilled brats and hamburgers, and of course, beer and wine. However, you’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages, too! As for the music, Live at the Lakefront offers multiple genres. You’ll hear reggae, jazz, Afro-Cuban, bluegrass, salsa, rock, etc. Check out http://www.liveatthelakefront.com/ for specific concert dates and to see who’s playing!
Visit our Facebook page to see photos and even some video from the concerts so far this month! http://www.facebook.com/newsue#!/album.php?aid=200375&id=82042764123
Monday, June 21, 2010
What A (Car) Show-off...
Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s the first day of summer, and it’s also car show season! Perhaps you’ve even been to a few already. Tonight (June 21) is particularly special for us. Over at Brew City Grill in Mequon, it’s Saab/Volvo/Spyker/Koenigsegg night!
Join them from 6pm-10pm to experience the enthusiasm. Concours will be providing some Saab merchandise from our accessories department, and Brew City will provide beer and food specials!
Interested in seeing car shows all summer long? Looking for your favorite franchise? Check out this link: http://www.wiscollectorcar.com/car-shows/car-show-calendar.html
There you’ll find the calendar listing local car shows across the area and even into Illinois. Many provide food specials and even dj’s to add to the atmosphere. Let us know your favorites and share your experiences on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/concoursmotors.
Join them from 6pm-10pm to experience the enthusiasm. Concours will be providing some Saab merchandise from our accessories department, and Brew City will provide beer and food specials!
Interested in seeing car shows all summer long? Looking for your favorite franchise? Check out this link: http://www.wiscollectorcar.com/car-shows/car-show-calendar.html
There you’ll find the calendar listing local car shows across the area and even into Illinois. Many provide food specials and even dj’s to add to the atmosphere. Let us know your favorites and share your experiences on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/concoursmotors.
Monday, June 14, 2010
A Look Into the Future!
It’s time to take a look ahead…into the FUTURE!
We’re prepping here at Concours for all of the new additions and revamps coming from each of the franchises we represent, and if you’ve heard the news, we hope you’re excited for the future as well! Here are the latest updates for our store:
- BMW is bringing out a new 5-series 2-wheel drive this month and an all-wheel-drive in the fall. We should also be getting new Hybrid X-6 and Hybrid 7-series vehicles soon, and we expect anytime to receive the refreshed X-5 and refreshed 3 coupe and convertible! Look for a new X-3 next year.
- Mazda will be bringing out the Mazda2 late this summer. A gas version will be available first, and for all you diesel drivers, expect a version you’ll love to arrive a little later.
- The Mercedes E cab is available now! We also have an E-550 here for showing—we won’t be getting very many of these, so we encourage you to stop in soon! We’ve also been told that the R class will be refreshed and the CLS revamped, so be on the lookout for those. If you’ve heard that the SLS is already out, you’re right; we just unfortunately do not have any available yet.
- Regarding Porsche, the Panamara has been quite a popular vehicle! Expect a version with a V-6 to arrive in a few weeks! Pricing will be in the mid 70s, with mid 80s pricing including a few extra options. We’ll also see a new Cayenne at the end of the month, followed with a hybrid later in the year and a diesel next year. (Check out the blog on our GM Jim Clark’s trip to Germany to see and experience the new Cayenne first-hand earlier this year!) Porsche will also be releasing the GT2 RS, a 620-hp 911, costing around $245,000. They are also releasing a Speedster 911 for around $204,000 late this year. As you might expect, the GT2 RS and Speedster 911 will be in limited production, so speak up early, as it will be difficult to get our hands on them! In Spring 2011, look for a GTS Carrerra coupe starting around $103,000 (convertible will start at $112,900) as well as a Cayman Derivative starting at $65,000.
- What a ride Saab has had recently! Thankfully, the franchise will get to live on, with a new 9-3X wagon already available. We will see a 9-5 around July (with a 9-5 wagon expected next spring), the 9-4 SUV late this year or early next year, and an all-new 9-3 coming in 2012. Within the next 2 years, we should see the Saab line completely revamped!
- Volkswagen will be bringing out the new Jetta this September and the new Touareg later this year. They’ve also opened a new plant in Tennessee that will release the new, compact NCS next year and the new mid-size NMS next spring. And the New Beetle? Look for that in 2012! Want to get a first-hand look at the NCS that NOBODY has been able to see yet? Tune in tomorrow morning to “Live! With Regis and Kelly” to see the official reveal.
Have any questions? Interested in test-driving and/or purchasing any of the vehicles? Give us a call! You can reach our main store at 414-290-1400 and our BMW store at 414-290-4200.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Check out the New E-Class!
Have you heard about the all-new 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350? It was unveiled at a special showing of Sex and the City 2. The event was sponsored by Concours and held at the iPic Theatre in Bayshore Town Center. The Mercedes shown at the premiere was a replica of the one that Carrie drove in the movie. 
Two of the people in attendance were our marketing rep, Katie Heup and one of our Mercedes salespeople, Dierk Schulz. An after-party was held at MOCT (pronounced “most”) in the 5th ward, and the place was decorated in a Moroccan theme in keeping with the movie location! There were also Mercedes-Benz and Chanel-themed door prizes.
Dierk tells me that the 2011 E350 is an all-new 4-seater convertible. There had been a version available in the mid-1980s, and now it has officially been brought back! It’s intended as a successor to the CLK.
Here in our showroom, we do not currently have an E350 available to drive, but we have an E550. We’d love to show it to you!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Go, Speed Racer, Go!
Unusual doors keep opening here at Concours since starting the blog. Interesting stories from both past and present continue to pop up as we look for new and exciting topics. The most recent involves our owner, Karl Wuesthoff, and his latest racing adventure.
As you may already know, the Wuesthoffs have been very involved in the sport of racing for decades. Karl and Lee Wuesthoff both short course off-road for about 5-6 years (Lee continued for another 5 years on his own). They won many races and a number of class championships between the two of them. They also participated in Micky Thompson’s stadium racing series in the 80s, and raced the very last off-road race at Riverside in California, in which Lee finished 2nd in class 1 (unlimited buggies).
And just this past May, Karl participated in the first Vintage Baja 1000 down in Mexico! This event was coordinated by N.O.R.R.A., the same people who put on the original Baja 1000 as well as 4 or 5 subsequent events before SCORE took over. He had received a call from a long-time friend, off-road racer, and bank stock trader Chris Raffo from Chicago. Chris was looking for a driver to help pilot his SCORE class 3 1978 Chevy Blazer full race truck with full-time 4x4 and 550hp.
The race began in rally format in Mexicali near the US border. It involved long off-road stages up to 180 miles each and connecting transit stages that were 20-40 miles each, and it lasted 3 days! The first stop was the Bay of L.A. on the Sea of Cortez, followed by Loreto, and ending in La Paz. The racers slept under the stars in the Bay of L.A.; there were absolutely no hotels, but there was plenty of cold beer…
“The terrain was amazing,” Karl said, “from endless dry lake beds to 6 to 8-foot wide goat trails, up mountains with 1000-foot drops and no guard rail or real road, tricky rock crawling, deep sands, and tens of thousands of acres of dense Saguaro cactus forests!”
Karl was excited because the event was “a virtual who’s who of off-road racing.” Famous names included Parnelli Jones, Walker Evans, Rodd Hall, Bob Gorden (Robbie’s dad), Malcom Smith, and Bruce Meyers of Meyers Manx, the inventor of the dune buggy. (A little Concours trivia: Concours was a Manx dealer for a couple of years!)
Karl was able to swap stories and rub shoulders with many of the other participants, all of whom were total enthusiasts. “The comaraderie was awesome,” he said. Everyone helped everyone else, even teaming up to fix a flat for Parnelli when his jack broke. There was also a volunteer support crew of 6 people and 3 trucks to help keep vehicles fueled and to fix or “MacGyver” broken equipment.
In the end, Karl and Chris came in 25th overall out of over 100 entrants and won their class! So be sure to stop and say congratulations if you see Karl!
If you have any racing stories of your own, we’d love to hear them! Feel free to comment on the blog or visit our Facebook page!
As you may already know, the Wuesthoffs have been very involved in the sport of racing for decades. Karl and Lee Wuesthoff both short course off-road for about 5-6 years (Lee continued for another 5 years on his own). They won many races and a number of class championships between the two of them. They also participated in Micky Thompson’s stadium racing series in the 80s, and raced the very last off-road race at Riverside in California, in which Lee finished 2nd in class 1 (unlimited buggies).
And just this past May, Karl participated in the first Vintage Baja 1000 down in Mexico! This event was coordinated by N.O.R.R.A., the same people who put on the original Baja 1000 as well as 4 or 5 subsequent events before SCORE took over. He had received a call from a long-time friend, off-road racer, and bank stock trader Chris Raffo from Chicago. Chris was looking for a driver to help pilot his SCORE class 3 1978 Chevy Blazer full race truck with full-time 4x4 and 550hp.
The race began in rally format in Mexicali near the US border. It involved long off-road stages up to 180 miles each and connecting transit stages that were 20-40 miles each, and it lasted 3 days! The first stop was the Bay of L.A. on the Sea of Cortez, followed by Loreto, and ending in La Paz. The racers slept under the stars in the Bay of L.A.; there were absolutely no hotels, but there was plenty of cold beer…
“The terrain was amazing,” Karl said, “from endless dry lake beds to 6 to 8-foot wide goat trails, up mountains with 1000-foot drops and no guard rail or real road, tricky rock crawling, deep sands, and tens of thousands of acres of dense Saguaro cactus forests!”
Karl was excited because the event was “a virtual who’s who of off-road racing.” Famous names included Parnelli Jones, Walker Evans, Rodd Hall, Bob Gorden (Robbie’s dad), Malcom Smith, and Bruce Meyers of Meyers Manx, the inventor of the dune buggy. (A little Concours trivia: Concours was a Manx dealer for a couple of years!)
Karl was able to swap stories and rub shoulders with many of the other participants, all of whom were total enthusiasts. “The comaraderie was awesome,” he said. Everyone helped everyone else, even teaming up to fix a flat for Parnelli when his jack broke. There was also a volunteer support crew of 6 people and 3 trucks to help keep vehicles fueled and to fix or “MacGyver” broken equipment.
In the end, Karl and Chris came in 25th overall out of over 100 entrants and won their class! So be sure to stop and say congratulations if you see Karl!
If you have any racing stories of your own, we’d love to hear them! Feel free to comment on the blog or visit our Facebook page!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
R-O-C-K at Concours Motors, USA!
I propose a bet—you had no idea there was a rockstar in our midst here at Concours. (And for those of you that know who’s writing this, I’m not referring to myself!) That rockstar is Dan Kolasinski, our own Mercedes Service Manager and former bass player. Had it not been for the Beatles, most of us probably wouldn’t know Dan personally today.
Okay, so that’s a little over-dramatic, but truth be told, Dan’s band made it pretty darn far…
Back in the late 60s, Dan was in a band called Music Monster with his drummer friend, Brian Pierottie. The band was pretty popular on the south side of Milwaukee; they were basically the go-to band for all of the CYO dances at local schools.
In 1967, they entered a Battle of the Bands contest. They didn’t win, but they managed to come in 5th out of roughly 80 bands! Two days after the contest, they got a call from Eddie Matthies, Sr. He owned a couple of bars and restaurants in town…and he was a producer to boot. He liked what he saw at the battle and wanted Dan and Brian to audition for a band he was creating. He was looking for the best of the best, and the intention was to cut a record and go national.
Dan and Brian made the cut, along with Jim Gorton on rhythm guitar, Dan Delker on lead guitar, and Eddie Matthies, Jr. on the Hammond B3 organ, complete with a Leslie. Most of the guys were in their late teens, while Eddie was only 13! To round off the sound, all of them sang, creating 5-part harmonies on EVERY song. The group was officially called The New Look.
Eddie Matthies, Sr. had established a deal to record in Nashville, so he bought a Greyhound bus with “The New Look” written on the side to take the band and an entire crew down there, as well as brand new, top-of-the-line equipment (speakers, amps, etc.). In the spring of ’68, they recorded an album over their Easter break from school!
They recorded two songs specifically to be sold on 45s. The “A” side was called “East of the Dawn (In the Year of Our Love),” and the “B” side was “What Did You Take Me For?” Both songs were written by professional songwriters, namely Dan Folger and Kathy Childress.
Just before the record was officially released that spring, they opened for The Rascals in Milwaukee. There were 3 opening bands, and The New Look was to be the last one, and their new single was hyped up at the gig. It turns out, too, that The Rascals were running late. They didn’t show up for the rain-soaked practice, and the show was to start around 7pm. As 6pm approached, they were nowhere in sight, and Dan’s band wondered if they might have to play more songs than planned!
But of course, The Rascals showed up, and Felix Cavaliere (keyboards) ran up to Dan, saying he heard he had some really good speakers, and could he use them? Dan said yes on the condition that Felix give him an autograph.
That summer, The New Look played with the Box Tops down in Nashville, and they also played at the very first Summerfest in 1968. At that time, Summerfest was held just north of the War Memorial. The band opened for Andy Kim that year (of “Rock Me Gently” and “Sugar Sugar” fame), and even played as his back-up band!
The New Look’s record made the Top 5 here in Milwaukee and Nashville that June and was starting to climb the charts in the Boston area, where it made the Top 10 that August.
And then the Beatles released “Hey Jude.” Of course, there was no way they would beat them out—if they had, we definitely wouldn’t know Dan at Concours! Shortly afterward, the band slowly broke up. The lead guitarist, Dan Delker, fell in with that underground Led Zeppelin crowd, and no longer wanted to do “bubblegum” Top 40 radio hits. They replaced him with a guitarist named Keith who could play and sing like Jimi Hendrix! But when Brian, the drummer, started to go with the underground crowd, too, Keith went with him.
I’ve personally heard “East of the Dawn (In the Year of Our Love)” and I have to say it’s incredible to hear—not just the song itself, but the quality of the sound and the amazing harmonies. If Dan ever lets you, I recommend taking a listen!
Dan Kolasinski, 1960s rockstar. Who knew?
Okay, so that’s a little over-dramatic, but truth be told, Dan’s band made it pretty darn far…
Back in the late 60s, Dan was in a band called Music Monster with his drummer friend, Brian Pierottie. The band was pretty popular on the south side of Milwaukee; they were basically the go-to band for all of the CYO dances at local schools.
In 1967, they entered a Battle of the Bands contest. They didn’t win, but they managed to come in 5th out of roughly 80 bands! Two days after the contest, they got a call from Eddie Matthies, Sr. He owned a couple of bars and restaurants in town…and he was a producer to boot. He liked what he saw at the battle and wanted Dan and Brian to audition for a band he was creating. He was looking for the best of the best, and the intention was to cut a record and go national.
Dan and Brian made the cut, along with Jim Gorton on rhythm guitar, Dan Delker on lead guitar, and Eddie Matthies, Jr. on the Hammond B3 organ, complete with a Leslie. Most of the guys were in their late teens, while Eddie was only 13! To round off the sound, all of them sang, creating 5-part harmonies on EVERY song. The group was officially called The New Look.
Eddie Matthies, Sr. had established a deal to record in Nashville, so he bought a Greyhound bus with “The New Look” written on the side to take the band and an entire crew down there, as well as brand new, top-of-the-line equipment (speakers, amps, etc.). In the spring of ’68, they recorded an album over their Easter break from school!
They recorded two songs specifically to be sold on 45s. The “A” side was called “East of the Dawn (In the Year of Our Love),” and the “B” side was “What Did You Take Me For?” Both songs were written by professional songwriters, namely Dan Folger and Kathy Childress.
Just before the record was officially released that spring, they opened for The Rascals in Milwaukee. There were 3 opening bands, and The New Look was to be the last one, and their new single was hyped up at the gig. It turns out, too, that The Rascals were running late. They didn’t show up for the rain-soaked practice, and the show was to start around 7pm. As 6pm approached, they were nowhere in sight, and Dan’s band wondered if they might have to play more songs than planned!
But of course, The Rascals showed up, and Felix Cavaliere (keyboards) ran up to Dan, saying he heard he had some really good speakers, and could he use them? Dan said yes on the condition that Felix give him an autograph.
That summer, The New Look played with the Box Tops down in Nashville, and they also played at the very first Summerfest in 1968. At that time, Summerfest was held just north of the War Memorial. The band opened for Andy Kim that year (of “Rock Me Gently” and “Sugar Sugar” fame), and even played as his back-up band!
The New Look’s record made the Top 5 here in Milwaukee and Nashville that June and was starting to climb the charts in the Boston area, where it made the Top 10 that August.
And then the Beatles released “Hey Jude.” Of course, there was no way they would beat them out—if they had, we definitely wouldn’t know Dan at Concours! Shortly afterward, the band slowly broke up. The lead guitarist, Dan Delker, fell in with that underground Led Zeppelin crowd, and no longer wanted to do “bubblegum” Top 40 radio hits. They replaced him with a guitarist named Keith who could play and sing like Jimi Hendrix! But when Brian, the drummer, started to go with the underground crowd, too, Keith went with him.
I’ve personally heard “East of the Dawn (In the Year of Our Love)” and I have to say it’s incredible to hear—not just the song itself, but the quality of the sound and the amazing harmonies. If Dan ever lets you, I recommend taking a listen!
Dan Kolasinski, 1960s rockstar. Who knew?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Coming Soon: The New 2011 Porsche Cayenne!
Over the weekend of May 7-9, our GM Jim Clark attended a Porsche event in Leipzig, Germany. It was a quick but exciting, event-filled trip, during which the 2011 Porsche Cayenne was revealed!
Jim left for Germany at 4:30pm on Thursday, May 6, and arrived at 2pm on Friday via Dusseldorf. He reached his hotel room to find one of the weirdest goodie bags ever created; it was filled with a coat, shirt, stocking hat, scarf, LED light to mount on your head, Wellington rubber boots, and a letter instructing the attendees to wear each of those items that night. (Wonder if Jim got any pictures…!)
Well, it wasn’t long before they figured out what this was all for—they ended up on a scavenger hunt while walking through a cow pasture. Thank you, Porsche, for thinking ahead and providing boots. The hunt directed everyone to the far end of the local racetrack as they migrated across a field following a Porsche to the Point, or as they call it, the “diamond.” Everyone gathered in bleacher seats as the main presentation finally began!
“The new Cayenne looks even sexier than before,” says Jim, “with re-sculpted body lines that make the vehicle look smaller even though it is larger.” For the first time, it is offered in a pretty yellow. After the initial presentation, the attendees were allowed a look inside. The interior console is new and the features more closely resemble the new Panamera.
Day One ended with dinner and speeches from the current CEO Michael Macht as well as the current leader of Marketing and Sales, Bernhard Maier. They all returned to their hotel rooms at 2am, but Porsche had arranged for a 6:30am wake-up call! The attendees would have breakfast and be on a bus by 7:30.
Porsche directed a little test on Day 2 “to make sure we were paying attention,” Jim mentioned—a tech session competition between 15 groups. The reward for completing the session (which of course included everyone!) was a factory tour where they saw the new 2011 Cayennes and Panameras being assembled, the same vehicles that we will be receiving in about 3 months!
After that, it was time to drive and experience the new cars first-hand. Everyone was paired up and given new Cayennes to drive—on the Autobahn! “It is amazing how nice this sport utility rides at 220km/hr,” Jim says. For those of you playing along at home, that’s 136mph without risking a speeding ticket.
Lunch that day was followed by yet another driving excursion back on the racetrack. This time they drove Cayenne Turbos on a track that includes corners from tracks all over the world. Jim claims he was adept at all but one tight s-turn called the Mobil S. (So he says, but I suppose we’ll take his word for it. He is the GM, after all…) Jim’s partner, though, was able to handle the Mobil S. “He put the whole truck into a side slide, all the time knowing this truck could handle it,” he says.
The last adventure was off-track four-wheeling which included a side hill drive at 30-degrees and “hill-climb testing the new hill assist feature on an 80-degree grade climb.”
The night was capped off with a reception, dinner, and entertainment. Jim was able to visit with other Porsche enthusiasts from other dealerships across the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
And he says the food was phenomenal, by the way.
Finally, it was time to start the long journey home. The trip was made even longer by a 2½-hour delay in Dusseldorf due to the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano that is still erupting. A flight eventually took Jim and the other passengers north of Iceland and into Greenland. “The sky was clear and the view of the ice flows and snow in Greenland was spectacular.”
It may have been a fast trip into a different time zone, but the experiences and the vehicle were well worth it! Just 3 months and you’ll be able to get your own hands on it. Keep in touch with us for the ultimate reveal of the 2011 Porsche Cayennes here at Concours!
Jim left for Germany at 4:30pm on Thursday, May 6, and arrived at 2pm on Friday via Dusseldorf. He reached his hotel room to find one of the weirdest goodie bags ever created; it was filled with a coat, shirt, stocking hat, scarf, LED light to mount on your head, Wellington rubber boots, and a letter instructing the attendees to wear each of those items that night. (Wonder if Jim got any pictures…!)
Well, it wasn’t long before they figured out what this was all for—they ended up on a scavenger hunt while walking through a cow pasture. Thank you, Porsche, for thinking ahead and providing boots. The hunt directed everyone to the far end of the local racetrack as they migrated across a field following a Porsche to the Point, or as they call it, the “diamond.” Everyone gathered in bleacher seats as the main presentation finally began!
“The new Cayenne looks even sexier than before,” says Jim, “with re-sculpted body lines that make the vehicle look smaller even though it is larger.” For the first time, it is offered in a pretty yellow. After the initial presentation, the attendees were allowed a look inside. The interior console is new and the features more closely resemble the new Panamera.
Day One ended with dinner and speeches from the current CEO Michael Macht as well as the current leader of Marketing and Sales, Bernhard Maier. They all returned to their hotel rooms at 2am, but Porsche had arranged for a 6:30am wake-up call! The attendees would have breakfast and be on a bus by 7:30.
Porsche directed a little test on Day 2 “to make sure we were paying attention,” Jim mentioned—a tech session competition between 15 groups. The reward for completing the session (which of course included everyone!) was a factory tour where they saw the new 2011 Cayennes and Panameras being assembled, the same vehicles that we will be receiving in about 3 months!
After that, it was time to drive and experience the new cars first-hand. Everyone was paired up and given new Cayennes to drive—on the Autobahn! “It is amazing how nice this sport utility rides at 220km/hr,” Jim says. For those of you playing along at home, that’s 136mph without risking a speeding ticket.
Lunch that day was followed by yet another driving excursion back on the racetrack. This time they drove Cayenne Turbos on a track that includes corners from tracks all over the world. Jim claims he was adept at all but one tight s-turn called the Mobil S. (So he says, but I suppose we’ll take his word for it. He is the GM, after all…) Jim’s partner, though, was able to handle the Mobil S. “He put the whole truck into a side slide, all the time knowing this truck could handle it,” he says.
The last adventure was off-track four-wheeling which included a side hill drive at 30-degrees and “hill-climb testing the new hill assist feature on an 80-degree grade climb.”
The night was capped off with a reception, dinner, and entertainment. Jim was able to visit with other Porsche enthusiasts from other dealerships across the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
And he says the food was phenomenal, by the way.
Finally, it was time to start the long journey home. The trip was made even longer by a 2½-hour delay in Dusseldorf due to the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano that is still erupting. A flight eventually took Jim and the other passengers north of Iceland and into Greenland. “The sky was clear and the view of the ice flows and snow in Greenland was spectacular.”
It may have been a fast trip into a different time zone, but the experiences and the vehicle were well worth it! Just 3 months and you’ll be able to get your own hands on it. Keep in touch with us for the ultimate reveal of the 2011 Porsche Cayennes here at Concours!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Concours Mythbusters!
You know that at Concours, we offer our customers 6 different franchises to choose from—BMW, Mazda, Mercedes, Porsche, Saab, and Volkswagen. With such a variety of imports, it’s natural to expect that our pricing would be higher across the board for all franchises—but it’s not true! So it’s time for a little Concours Mythbusters!
Myth: You’ll pay a premium price for every car on our lot because we’re a high-line dealer.
Truth: We pride ourselves on our competitive pricing. Of course, like any dealer, we set out to make a profit on all sales, but each brand is different and has its own distinct customer base. The individual markets determine their own pricing, and that establishes our pricing, meaning that we remain competitive in all brands. Find a Mercedes at one price somewhere else and you’ll find the same or a very similar price here. Find a Mazda at one price somewhere else, and you’ll also find the same or a very similar price here. So what makes us different then? That’s where our service level can speak volumes. We hold ourselves to high standards that come at very affordable prices, which makes your buying experience with us a unique one.
Myth: If you want high-quality service, you must purchase a recognized luxury vehicle.
Truth: A rose is a rose is a rose. We want to make sure you’re happy and satisfied when you walk out the door and drive off of our lot. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you drive, or how much you spend. We’ll take care of you and we’ll get the job done right—just look at our high CSI scores! You know that our motto is “Where Service Makes the Difference,” and that doesn’t just mean maintenance. From your first step into the dealership, we set out to create a quality car-buying experience for you!
The ultimate truth is that we are an imports dealer. In fact, we’re one of the oldest in the state, having been around for 55 years, and that’s a definite benefit for you. It means that whether you’re buying a $15,000 car from us or a $100,000 car, you can trust in our time-tested experience in the business.
We provide franchises that we believe in and that will appeal to a wide range of different customers with different personalities and different needs! It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in a new car, a pre-owned car, or a certified pre-owned car. Whatever you’re looking for, we offer a great selection, and we’ve got it at the right price. Just remember that we’ll throw in the quality service and personal attention that you’ve always expected from us, and more, all for free.
Myth: You’ll pay a premium price for every car on our lot because we’re a high-line dealer.
Truth: We pride ourselves on our competitive pricing. Of course, like any dealer, we set out to make a profit on all sales, but each brand is different and has its own distinct customer base. The individual markets determine their own pricing, and that establishes our pricing, meaning that we remain competitive in all brands. Find a Mercedes at one price somewhere else and you’ll find the same or a very similar price here. Find a Mazda at one price somewhere else, and you’ll also find the same or a very similar price here. So what makes us different then? That’s where our service level can speak volumes. We hold ourselves to high standards that come at very affordable prices, which makes your buying experience with us a unique one.
Myth: If you want high-quality service, you must purchase a recognized luxury vehicle.
Truth: A rose is a rose is a rose. We want to make sure you’re happy and satisfied when you walk out the door and drive off of our lot. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you drive, or how much you spend. We’ll take care of you and we’ll get the job done right—just look at our high CSI scores! You know that our motto is “Where Service Makes the Difference,” and that doesn’t just mean maintenance. From your first step into the dealership, we set out to create a quality car-buying experience for you!
The ultimate truth is that we are an imports dealer. In fact, we’re one of the oldest in the state, having been around for 55 years, and that’s a definite benefit for you. It means that whether you’re buying a $15,000 car from us or a $100,000 car, you can trust in our time-tested experience in the business.
We provide franchises that we believe in and that will appeal to a wide range of different customers with different personalities and different needs! It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in a new car, a pre-owned car, or a certified pre-owned car. Whatever you’re looking for, we offer a great selection, and we’ve got it at the right price. Just remember that we’ll throw in the quality service and personal attention that you’ve always expected from us, and more, all for free.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dealing With the Dealer
Has anyone seen a light at the end of the recession tunnel? No? Well, if you find it, could you kindly direct the rest of us toward it? It would be very helpful.
In the meantime, it’s no surprise that we’ve all had to rethink some of our priorities in order to budget our money better over the last few years, and it hasn’t always been easy. So when your car starts to slip below status quo or just needs some routine maintenance, you may have considered using an independent repair shop as opposed to your local dealership. Bob Murphy, our Fixed Operations Director, spoke with me about why it’s really better for you to continue to deal with the dealer. And just for fun, we’ll use Concours as the example!
First, we have factory-trained technicians. Not only do our techs enjoy working on cars, “they specialize in your brand,” Bob says. They don’t work on anything else, and they have a high level of knowledge about your brand. This means they know the best way to tackle any problems your car is experiencing and get them fixed correctly and efficiently.
Moreover, our technicians use only factory-approved special tools for the job, and you can be assured that only genuine, factory-approved replacement parts will be used to repair your vehicle.
As a dealer, Bob adds that we have access to all of the latest, up-to-date information from the manufacturer concerning your car. For example, when you bring in your car and we notice any manufacturer recalls or open campaigns, we’ll notify you and fix it at no charge.
To add further, if you want to keep your warranty in place, you need to bring your car to the dealer. In most cases, if a part has been replaced elsewhere, the warranty becomes void. And why wouldn’t you use your warranty anyway? It means that you won’t have to pay for anything that it covers!
Here at Concours, we can also provide you with a rental or loaner vehicle when available! We also work to bring you competitive pricing, so in the end, your repair bill won’t be much different from an independent repair shop. And even if it is, look above again to see what that price includes—in the long run, you’ll save yourself money, time, and stress by taking your car to a specialized, reputable dealership that will fix your car right!
Our friendly service advisors are always eager to meet new faces and greet familiar friends. Please call the numbers below to make your appointment, or schedule conveniently online by clicking here www.concoursmotors.com/ou/milwaukee-splash/console.do?page=s_service_app! (Hint: you can also visit www.concoursmotors.com and click on your vehicle brand to schedule! A service advisor will call you to confirm.)
BMW Service: 414-290-4300
Mazda Service: 414-290-1701
Mercedes Service: 414-290-1702
Porsche Service: 414-290-1703
Saab Service: 414-290-1704
Volkswagen Service: 414-290-1705
In the meantime, it’s no surprise that we’ve all had to rethink some of our priorities in order to budget our money better over the last few years, and it hasn’t always been easy. So when your car starts to slip below status quo or just needs some routine maintenance, you may have considered using an independent repair shop as opposed to your local dealership. Bob Murphy, our Fixed Operations Director, spoke with me about why it’s really better for you to continue to deal with the dealer. And just for fun, we’ll use Concours as the example!
First, we have factory-trained technicians. Not only do our techs enjoy working on cars, “they specialize in your brand,” Bob says. They don’t work on anything else, and they have a high level of knowledge about your brand. This means they know the best way to tackle any problems your car is experiencing and get them fixed correctly and efficiently.
Moreover, our technicians use only factory-approved special tools for the job, and you can be assured that only genuine, factory-approved replacement parts will be used to repair your vehicle.
As a dealer, Bob adds that we have access to all of the latest, up-to-date information from the manufacturer concerning your car. For example, when you bring in your car and we notice any manufacturer recalls or open campaigns, we’ll notify you and fix it at no charge.
To add further, if you want to keep your warranty in place, you need to bring your car to the dealer. In most cases, if a part has been replaced elsewhere, the warranty becomes void. And why wouldn’t you use your warranty anyway? It means that you won’t have to pay for anything that it covers!
Here at Concours, we can also provide you with a rental or loaner vehicle when available! We also work to bring you competitive pricing, so in the end, your repair bill won’t be much different from an independent repair shop. And even if it is, look above again to see what that price includes—in the long run, you’ll save yourself money, time, and stress by taking your car to a specialized, reputable dealership that will fix your car right!
Our friendly service advisors are always eager to meet new faces and greet familiar friends. Please call the numbers below to make your appointment, or schedule conveniently online by clicking here www.concoursmotors.com/ou/milwaukee-splash/console.do?page=s_service_app! (Hint: you can also visit www.concoursmotors.com and click on your vehicle brand to schedule! A service advisor will call you to confirm.)
BMW Service: 414-290-4300
Mazda Service: 414-290-1701
Mercedes Service: 414-290-1702
Porsche Service: 414-290-1703
Saab Service: 414-290-1704
Volkswagen Service: 414-290-1705
Monday, April 19, 2010
How Well Do You Know Concours?
Do you know your Concours trivia? Did you know we’ve been in business since 1955? Or that the original location was on 3710 N. Oakland Ave? What about the fact that we had the Chevrolet franchise from 1976-1978? Did you know one of the original technicians (and later, General Service Manager) was named Ziggy Zapp? Here’s a brief summary of our history—let’s get more acquainted, shall we?
According to Bill Wuesthoff, our current owner along with sons Karl and Lee and family, Concours opened in January 1955 as a joint effort between 5 partners, including his father, Herb Wuesthoff, Sr. At the time, imported cars were becoming more popular, and they each saw a need for a dealership specializing in imports; hence, Concours was created to fill that need!
Volkswagen was the first franchise to be brought in along with Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, and Lancia. How was Volkswagen chosen? For those of you playing at home, Volkswagen means “people’s car.” It was for this reason that VW was an original franchise—to be a “bread-and-butter” car for the dealership, a popular car that the people would consistently have an interest in and a desire for, a fun car that would also meet people’s basic transportation needs.
In 1960, we relocated to 1935 W. Silver Spring, and in 1966, we made one last move to our current location at 1400 W. Silver Spring. Over time, Bill Wuesthoff and Herb Wuesthoff, Jr. bought out each of the original owners, who took some of the franchises with them as they left. And about 25 years ago, Bill bought out Herb! In 1998, we separated the body shop and created BodyWorks by Concours, and in 2006, our BMW franchise moved to its own building at 5990 N. Green Bay.
Through all of the changes and additions, integrity, service, and progress have remained the basic principles in our business. The moment you enter through the doors of any of our locations, you are a part of the Concours family and always a high priority. You tell us what you’re looking for or what you need, and we will do everything we can to get it done. We have always believed that that’s what separates us from the rest—our service to our customers. We’re the place “where service makes the difference.”
Enter shameless plug: If you agree, please vote for Concours and BodyWorks by Concours on WISN’s A-List Contest!
Click here to vote for Concours as Best Dealership: http://wisn.cityvoter.com/concours-motors/biz/540325?utm_source=wisn-cityvoter.com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=share-contest
Click here to vote for BodyWorks by Concours as Best Body Shop: http://wisn.cityvoter.com/body-works-by-concours/biz/547683
According to Bill Wuesthoff, our current owner along with sons Karl and Lee and family, Concours opened in January 1955 as a joint effort between 5 partners, including his father, Herb Wuesthoff, Sr. At the time, imported cars were becoming more popular, and they each saw a need for a dealership specializing in imports; hence, Concours was created to fill that need!
Volkswagen was the first franchise to be brought in along with Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, and Lancia. How was Volkswagen chosen? For those of you playing at home, Volkswagen means “people’s car.” It was for this reason that VW was an original franchise—to be a “bread-and-butter” car for the dealership, a popular car that the people would consistently have an interest in and a desire for, a fun car that would also meet people’s basic transportation needs.
In 1960, we relocated to 1935 W. Silver Spring, and in 1966, we made one last move to our current location at 1400 W. Silver Spring. Over time, Bill Wuesthoff and Herb Wuesthoff, Jr. bought out each of the original owners, who took some of the franchises with them as they left. And about 25 years ago, Bill bought out Herb! In 1998, we separated the body shop and created BodyWorks by Concours, and in 2006, our BMW franchise moved to its own building at 5990 N. Green Bay.
Through all of the changes and additions, integrity, service, and progress have remained the basic principles in our business. The moment you enter through the doors of any of our locations, you are a part of the Concours family and always a high priority. You tell us what you’re looking for or what you need, and we will do everything we can to get it done. We have always believed that that’s what separates us from the rest—our service to our customers. We’re the place “where service makes the difference.”
Enter shameless plug: If you agree, please vote for Concours and BodyWorks by Concours on WISN’s A-List Contest!
Click here to vote for Concours as Best Dealership: http://wisn.cityvoter.com/concours-motors/biz/540325?utm_source=wisn-cityvoter.com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=share-contest
Click here to vote for BodyWorks by Concours as Best Body Shop: http://wisn.cityvoter.com/body-works-by-concours/biz/547683
Monday, April 12, 2010
Make Concours #1 on WISN's A-List!
Do you think we’re A-List quality? That’s what we strive for, and we only reach that quality because of our customers. We’re here for you because that’s our motto—“service makes the difference.” Whether you’re working with a salesperson on buying a car, asking our parts department for advice, or bringing your car in for regular maintenance, we intend to give you only the best service.
Well, WISN is running their A-List contest right now on their website to determine the best businesses in multiple categories! Concours is nominated for Best Dealership, and BodyWorks by Concours is nominated for Best Body Shop. We need your votes to reach the top! Currently, Concours is in 2nd place, and BodyWorks is holding steady at number 1!
You can vote online at http://wisn.cityvoter.com/contests/spring-fever/4767. The contest ends May 5 at 10:59:59pm Eastern time. The businesses with the highest number of votes in each category will be declared the winners and top businesses in the area!
So please vote for us and tell your friends; spread the word that you think Concours is A-list quality, providing top-notch service to all of our customers across the board! And please post on our walls on Facebook and tell us what you like about our dealership!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Drive for Babies
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! Coming on October 15, 2010, you’ll have the opportunity to drive on the Road America track in Elkhart Lake, all for a good cause--Drive for Babies! The entry fees are donations toward the March of Dimes – Wisconsin Chapter.
Maybe you’ve heard of the March of Dimes, but you’re not exactly sure what it is. According to the Wisconsin chapter’s website, their mission is to “improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.” They do so through “research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives.” You can do your part easily and have a blast driving on the Road America track in return!
The Drive for Babies is non-competition based. Rather, you’ll drive the 4-mile track at “moderate speeds,” following instructors with racing experience. You’ll learn driving skills for both the racing track and regular streets and become a better overall driver. And there’s no need to be nervous if you have little to no racing experience; all participants are placed into groups based on current skill levels, and each group will have 4 of their own 20-minute on-track sessions.
Entry fee for participants is $250, and guests can accompany for $50 (but guests will not be allowed to ride in the cars). You’ll enjoy free breakfast and lunch, as well as an awards dinner at the end of the day at Siebkins.
What does Concours have to do with this? We’ve been a sponsor of the Drive for Babies for 5 years—in fact, that Karl Wuesthoff is part of the expert group of drivers each year. This year, breakfast is on us. There are varying levels of sponsorship, all including a free driver ticket. For detailed information on how to become a sponsor, please visit their website: http://www.marchofdimes.com/wisconsin/43231_63100.asp. The contact person is Cymbria Jung, and she can be reached at 414-203-3121, or 800-669-9255. You can also view their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DriveforBabies
Concours will also provide a pre-tech inspection session one week before the event, so be sure to check back for specific details as we get closer. This is a free and optional service. It is unrelated to the required tech inspection that will happen at the track, but it will offer you the opportunity to catch any potential problems and have time to get them fixed before the event.
Hope to see you there!
Maybe you’ve heard of the March of Dimes, but you’re not exactly sure what it is. According to the Wisconsin chapter’s website, their mission is to “improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.” They do so through “research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives.” You can do your part easily and have a blast driving on the Road America track in return!
The Drive for Babies is non-competition based. Rather, you’ll drive the 4-mile track at “moderate speeds,” following instructors with racing experience. You’ll learn driving skills for both the racing track and regular streets and become a better overall driver. And there’s no need to be nervous if you have little to no racing experience; all participants are placed into groups based on current skill levels, and each group will have 4 of their own 20-minute on-track sessions.
Entry fee for participants is $250, and guests can accompany for $50 (but guests will not be allowed to ride in the cars). You’ll enjoy free breakfast and lunch, as well as an awards dinner at the end of the day at Siebkins.
What does Concours have to do with this? We’ve been a sponsor of the Drive for Babies for 5 years—in fact, that Karl Wuesthoff is part of the expert group of drivers each year. This year, breakfast is on us. There are varying levels of sponsorship, all including a free driver ticket. For detailed information on how to become a sponsor, please visit their website: http://www.marchofdimes.com/wisconsin/43231_63100.asp. The contact person is Cymbria Jung, and she can be reached at 414-203-3121, or 800-669-9255. You can also view their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DriveforBabies
Concours will also provide a pre-tech inspection session one week before the event, so be sure to check back for specific details as we get closer. This is a free and optional service. It is unrelated to the required tech inspection that will happen at the track, but it will offer you the opportunity to catch any potential problems and have time to get them fixed before the event.
Hope to see you there!
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