My #MoparLove Story: Falling for Irene

It’s an exciting time to be a part of the automotive industry. Technology is developing quickly, and we’re often surprised at the many ways our vehicles can ease our customers’ lives. If you haven’t purchased a vehicle recently, you may not recognize the dashboard and its sleek touchscreen tucked in between secret storage spaces and wireless charging stations. We’re always proud that our companies put the customer first when designing their vehicles. We’re also proud that these brands seem to be using their influence to help the environment. From developing eco technology to changing the way their factories operate, Toyota, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram have proven their commitment to going green, and are already seeing dramatic results. As Earth Day approaches, we want to highlight each of our companies and their approaches to sustainability. Toyota: In addition to all Prius models, our Toyota store currently has hybrid models of the following on the lot: Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4. Toyota’s sustainability plan is divided into five priorities: Carbon, Water, Materials, Biodiversity and Outreach. From cultivating beehives on their Kentucky assembly plant to recycling the water used to rinse new vehicles as they're being painted in the Ontario assembly plant, Toyota’s strategy extends far beyond their finished products. However, their vehicles are truly impressive. As of 2014, their hybrids had saved approximately 500 million gallons of gas each year. For almost two decades, the word “Prius” has been synonymous with the eco-car movement. Now, all eyes are on the Toyota Mirai. The fuel cell car is fueled by hydrogen and emits only water vapor. Toyota’s plan is so comprehensive (and so result-producing) that in 2015, Toyota Motor North America won the Partner of the Year Award, Large Business Category, in the E.P.A.'s WasteWise Awards. Chevrolet: At the push of a button, this 2015 Chevy bi-fuel Impala runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), saving you money and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. While the Malibu hybrid has an estimated 47 MPG in the city and the company’s work with E85 ethanol and CNG vehicles is inspiring, Chevy’s line of electric vehicles is exceeding expectations. The all-electric Bolt will debut later this year, and has an estimated range of 200 miles. Meanwhile, the Spark EV is paired with a lithium-ion battery, and the Volt EV seamlessly switches between an electric charge and a tank of gas. With the number of EV charging stations growing in the CSRA (including public places like Whole Foods, the Georgia Power Customer Service Center and yours truly), electric vehicles are only becoming more efficient for daily use. Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors, focuses on “Customer-Driven Sustainability” instead of separating their sustainability initiatives from other areas of their mission. This strategy has evolved in recent years, and now prioritizes the following: Identifying areas of impact and value creation Establishing and aligning corporate policies and positions Designing and implementing processes for consistent global execution Developing sustainability reporting practices and publishing reports By utilizing advanced technologies to create quality products in the form of sustainable vehicles in factories that minimize their environmental impact, GM aims to build a culture that promotes these values. GM's changes are tangible. For example, in this article posted to their website, the company argues why producing zero waste is a desirable business strategy. Our 240-volt EV (electric vehicle) charging system fully charges a Chevy Volt in about 4.5 hours. The Volt comes with a 120-volt portable cord that recharges the vehicle in approximately 13 hours. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep,  Ram: Last year, the CEOs of both General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, among others) signed the CEO Climate Leadership for Automotive Declaration to decarbonize automotive transport. In alliance with this goal, FCA added more than 4,300 environmental projects to their plants worldwide. In addition to saving millions of dollars during production, these implementations resulted in 38 percent less water being used per vehicle produced (vs. 2010) and 1.2 million pounds of materials kept out of landfills. This 2015 Dodge Durango on the lot has a Flex Fuel engine, meaning that gasoline or gasoline-ethanol blends of up to 85 percent ethanol can both be stored in its tank. Between 2014 and 2015, fuel economy in FCA cars in the U.S. rose 6.4 percent (2.7 percent in trucks), due in part to a variety of efficient design changes like improved aerodynamics and weight reduction. Specific fuel saver technology in V-8 5.7 and 6.4 liter HEMI eight-cylinder engines improved automatic versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Durango, the Dodge Charger, the Dodge Challenger and the Ram 1500. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica and its hybrid version are almost here, and we have several Flex Fuel vehicles on the lot already. Additionally, the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG is the only natural gas pickup truck in the country. CNG vehicles generate significantly less CO2 emissions, and can be renewable, unlike traditional gasoline. An EcoDiesel engine is currently available for the Ram 1500 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, resulting in less stops at the pump and lower CO2 emissions. The Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine can tow up to 7,400 pounds (best-in-class), and the Ram 1500 HFE (with 3.0 L EcoDiesel V6 engine) has the best fuel economy of any full-size pickup.

Remember our Lose Baby Weight Loss initiative? Well, 90 days have passed, and we have a winner, or should we say loser? Our Details Department Manager, John Ruffin, lost an incredible 60 pounds during our challenge, a total of 16.2 percent of his body weight! In addition to all of the benefits that come with a healthier lifestyle, including more energy and a smaller risk for certain health issues, John was awarded $1,000 from Milton Ruben Superstore. Manager of the Detail Department John Ruffin poses with Toyota General Manager Chuck Easters. Ruffin won Milton Ruben Superstore's Lose Baby Initiative by losing a total of 60 pounds in 90 days. How did John do it? 1) He dropped two of his biggest caloric offenders: sugary drinks and beer 2) He walked during his lunch break 3) He worked out several nights a week after work 4) He adjusted his portion sizes Congratulations John, you’re an inspiration! More than 60 Milton Ruben employees participated in Lose Baby. While the main reason people joined was undoubtedly to lose weight, the voluntary program’s goal was to educate, to motivate and to encourage one another to stay focused. We did this by keeping a confidential record of percentage weight lost per individual, and helping members stay on track with weekly healthy goodies, and informative and educational materials on proper diet and fitness. We even started a private Facebook group to share recipes and tips. Going forward, we’ll use these tools to maintain our progress. Above all, we believe that happy employees lead to happy customers. And we’re so proud of all of our participating employees. Be sure to visit our stores to congratulate all of our participants!

You bought your new car from Milton Ruben - and it is everything you wanted it to be, the salesperson was informative, patient, and considerate, the finance managers worked to get you where you needed to be, the t's are crossed, the i's are dotted, and all that is left is the delivery. Believe it or not, this is the best part of our entire car-buying process here at Milton Ruben.  Not only does the sales consultant get to show you all the new bells and whistles of your vehicle, but this is also the point where you get to choose whether you'd like to participate in our Sparq program, the program that could help you win all sorts of prizes - all the way up to the chance to win a car payment*! Here's how it works: 1. You and your salesperson take a photo with your new car on their phone. 2. They input some of your info, and send a one-time only text to "claim" the photo on your smartphone. This is done on the Salesperson's phone - make sure you use your cell phone number so you can get the one-time only text message! This is your (the customer's) phone. This is a one time only text message containing the link you need to claim your photo and start competing for prizes! This is the screen you will see, with your photo on it, after you click the link in the text message. You may need to log in to Facebook before completing the process of claiming your photo.                               3. You click on the link in the text message and follow instructions through two windows. The first confirms the photo and prompts to share on Facebook or Google+. You click Facebook.  Then, after logging in, you rate your experience and write a testimonial. Don't forget to include instructions to guide your friends to "Sparq" your photo! You can also click the "Autofill" button to fill in all of that information for you. Confirm that you will allow Sparq access to your Facebook profile, and make this one time only post on your behalf. Just a couple more steps! Type in some details about your experience at Milton Ruben and/or working with your salesperson! Or, you can tap that "Auto Fill" button, and we'll fill in that info for you! You might want to tag some friends so you can get them to help you! That's it!                                   4. After completing the testimonial portion, click to share the photo link on your Facebook newsfeed, and encourage your friends and family to follow the link to our Facebook page, where they can click the orange button to "Sparq" your photo. This is how the link will look on your Facebook profile/ in your News Feed. All your friends have to do is click on the link... And click on the orange button! You will see the trophies light up as you hit each tier of the prize structure! Good luck!                                             5. Let it ride (possibly reminding your friends by sharing your original post every once in a while) for 30 days and see what you've won!     The Rules/ The Extras: - The contest only lasts 30 days.  Email socialmedia@miltonruben.com or contact your salesperson to claim your prize at the end of that 30 days. - If you got 200 Sparqs, your name will be entered into a drawing to be held at the end of the next month.  The name drawn will be the recipient of one month's car payment, up to $500. - No duplicates. If you and your spouse bought a car together, only one of you may compete. - Recipient's participation allows Milton Ruben to use this photo in any marketing materials, including but not limited to upload to their public Facebook page. - Facebook "likes" do not count as "Sparqs." Participants must follow the photo link to the app on our Facebook page and click the orange "Sparq" button to be counted as a vote. - Participants are limited to one "Sparq" per Facebook page per 30 days.  The application will not allow you to vote more than once in 30 days.   *The winning customer's monthly car payment will be covered up to $500.