Joe Girard, world’s best car salesman dies

Joe Girard, right, with his first customer, who is shown here buying another car in 1977, shortly before Girard's "retirement." — Joe Girard, right, with his first customer, who is shown here buying another car in 1977, shortly before Girard’s “retirement.”

Joe Girard, an author and speaker famous for his long-standing Guinness Book of World Records title as the world’s best car salesman, died Feb. 28 at age 90 from injuries incurred from a fall in his home.

Girard sustained head trauma after falling backward on the stairs in his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich., the Detroit Free Press first reported. He died in the hospital two days later.

Girard won the annual title as the world’s No. 1 car salesman from 1966 through 1977, and he sold 13,001 vehicles in 15 years at Merollis Chevrolet in suburban Detroit. In 1973, Girard set the record for most cars sold by a salesman in one year: 1,425. In 2001, he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Joe Girard

Sales tactics

Throughout his career, Girard was an eccentric, speaking often of himself in the third person. He refused to talk to co-workers outside of a “Good morning,” and always ate lunch at his desk so he could dedicate every minute to selling. He paid for customer referrals, wined and dined supervisors at big local companies who knew many people and could send them his way.

Girard made sure his customers were his dealership’s priority, too. He often picked up the tab himself if a customer’s vehicle needed a minor repair, and he hosted an annual barbecue at his home for service department members and their families to ensure his customers were treated well. Girard handed out buttons with his personal logo — an apple with a bite taken out, emblazoned with the words “I like you.”

Girard retired from car sales at age 49 are began writing books, including How to Close Every Sale and How to Sell Yourself.

Record keeper?

Girard was fiercely protective of the Guinness title. Last year, a salesman in Dearborn, Mich., claimed to have shattered Girard’s record. Ali Reda, of Les Stanford Chevrolet and Les Stanford Cadillac, said he sold 1,582 vehicles in 2017, a claim supported by General Motors. Reda said he obtained the skills to break the record through reading Girard’s book, How to Sell Anything to Anybody.

Girard sued Reda, “claiming loss of reputation in the community and economic loss, including, but not limited to, loss of book sales, loss of income, loss of opportunities and loss of earning capacity,” according to the lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Guinness said it would not update the category because of GM’s stake in the game. Without an objective third-party to ascertain the record was broken, Guinness declared Girard the winner by default.

Mid Engined Corvette

If all goes as planned, we’ll be lucky to see the new Corvette by summer.

Last week Corvette dealers in the U.S. opened up pre-order forms for the mid-engined Corvette. That means there’s a reason to believe the new C8 could show up sooner than expected – even after delays. But now a new report suggests that there’s a reason the long-awaited ‘Vettes delay in the first place: the platform.

Call Ron Westphal Chevrolet General Sales Manager Joe Fosco at 630-898-9630 to order your Corvette today.

The mid-engined Corvette is Chevy’s first vehicle with a fully “electrical architecture,” notes Hagerty‘s Don Sherman in a new report after speaking with multiple sources. But it won’t be the last. Each vehicle on this electrical architecture moving forward is loaded with more than 100 computer modules, allowing them to communicate on a Computer Area Network, or CAN. Engineers are reportedly still working out the bugs on this advanced new architecture.

a car parked on the side of a road: Mid-Engined Corvette © Motor1.com/Hersteller Mid-Engined Corvette

The second major issue, according to Sherman, is distortion of the aluminum spaceframe. During testing of C8 prototypes with the 900- (671-kilowatt) to 1,000-horsepower (745-kilowatt) V8 equipped, engineers cracked the glass on the rear hatch. The third issue is one with styling; engineers reportedly have to reign in designers in certain regards.

With the C8 Corvette’s debut inching closer, we now have a better idea of price. According to Sherman, the base C8 Corvette, with a 500-hp (372-kW) 6.2-liter V8, should start at around $60,000 to $70,000. The more-powerful models – particularly the rumored 1,000-hp variant – will easily exceed six figures.

The Mid-Engined Corvette Is Coming:
C8 Chevrolet Corvette Fleet Spied With GM President In Passenger Seat
‘GM Supplier’ Alleges C8 Corvette Production Begins In December

No word on exactly when Chevrolet will pull the cover off the new C8 Corvette, but don’t expect it at the New York Auto Show next month – or any auto show, for that matter. Hagerty suggests the new ‘Vette will show up at a standalone event this summer, possibly the National Corvette Museum’s 25th birthday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Customers deliveries will kick off in 2020.

Lease a new Equinox for only $195 per month.*

Leasing a Vehicle – is it the best option for you?

For those who have never leased a car, the process can seem confusing and geared more toward business owners, who might deduct the expense, or individuals who simply can’t afford car payments. But in reality, there are benefits to leasing a car regardless of your career or income status.

The Benefits

Perhaps the greatest benefit of leasing a car is the lower out-of-pocket costs when acquiring and maintaining the car. Leases require little or no down payment, and there are lower sales tax charges. Additionally, monthly payments are usually lower, and you get the pleasure of owning a new car every few years.

With a lease, you are essentially renting the car for a fixed amount of time (typically 36 to 48 months). Therefore, you pay only for the use (depreciation) of the car for that period instead of absorbing the full depreciation cost of the vehicle. Leasing a car will never put you in an upside-down position.

Finally, for business owners, leasing a car may offer tax advantages if the vehicle is used for business purposes.

The Drawbacks

By leasing a car, you always have a car payment because you will never actually own the vehicle. So if you don’t like that prospect, leasing is probably not right for you. However, depending on your type of lease, when your lease term is up you may have the option of financing the remaining value of the vehicle, which mean you will own it when you finish making the loan payments.

The mileage restrictions of leasing pose another drawback. If you drive a great deal during the year, purchasing a car may be the better choice. If you go over your allotted miles, you’ll pay 25 cents for every extra mile, depending on your lease agreement and the type of vehicle involved. This penalty can leave you with a fairly large bill to pay at the end of the lease if you rack up a lot of extra miles.

If you do go over your allotted lease mileage by a substantial amount, you can purchase your leased vehicle and not be on the hook for the overage amount. Your friendly Ron Westphal Chevrolet product consultant can council you on your best lease-end options.

$0 Down? No problem! Let us customize a lease just for you! Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630.
$1,000 Cash or Trade due at signing (after all offers). Tax, title, license, dealer fees extra. Includes Conquest/Loyalty rebates. Mileage charge of $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles. Take delivery by 03.31.2019.Payments are for a 2019 CHEVROLET Equinox LS with an MSRP of $26,995. Monthly payments total $7,020. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. Lessor must approve lease. Current Lessees of select GM vehicles must show proof of ownership. Lessee pays for maintenance, repair, excess wear and disposition fee of $395 or less at end of lease. Plus first payment. Stock # N29340.

The Biggest Savings on a new Chevrolet Equinox

Save over $10,519* on this beautiful 2019 Chevrolet Equinox.

Stock # N29514

Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 for complete program details.

Pricing Details:

Destination Charge $1,195.00

Installed Options

Iridescent Pearl Tricoat $995.00
Infotainment II Package $1,125.00
Confidence & Convenience II Package $2,145.00
LPO, Wheel locks $75.00
Sunroof, power $1,495.00
Total Options $5,835.00

MSRP* $42,730.00

Equinox Standard Equipment

Front bucket seats
Heated driver and front passenger seats
- Separate buttons on the climate control panel allow you to choose from 3 levels of warmth
- At the touch of a button you can warm the cushions and seatbacks with multilevel temperature control
- Individually controlled
- May require additional optional equipment
8-way power driver seat
- Seat position forward and back
- Seat position up and down
- Tilt seat cushion up and down
- Recline seatback forward and back
- Also includes 2-way power lumbar
Power driver seat lumbar control
- Front and back adjustment supports your back and creates a more comfortable driving experience
- May require additional optional equipment
4-way manual front passenger seat
- Can be positioned forward or back and up or down
Fold-flat rear seat with 60/40 split
- Convenient levers in the rear seat allow for the seat to be folded flat
- Rear seats can be folded individually for even greater cargo carrying options
- Includes a center armrest and recline feature
Memory Package
- 2 driver presets for power driver seat and outside mirrors
- Press the memory buttons to return position preferences
2-way adjustable front head restraints
- Easily adjust up or down, giving you the comfort you expect
Rear seat release levers
- Second row manual release levers located in the cargo area
120-volt power outlet
- Located on the rear of the center console
- Makes it convenient for powering laptops, phone chargers and other electronic devices
- May require additional optional equipment
Front carpeted floor mats
- Helps protect your interior from road debris and the elements
- Engineered to fit your vehicle
Rear carpeted floor mats
- Helps protect your interior from road debris and the elements
- Engineered to fit your vehicle
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- May require additional optional equipment
Manual tilt and telescoping steering column
- Allows the driver to adjust the steering wheel up or down, and the steering column forward or back
- Provides extra comfort when entering or exiting the vehicle
Steering-wheel mounted controls
- Allow the driver to easily operate the audio system, phone interface, cruise control and Driver Information Center controls
Speedometer, miles/kilometers
4.2″ diagonal multi-color driver information screen
Power windows with driver express-up/down
- Quickly raises the window or lowers it with the touch of a button
- If an obstruction is detected, the anti-pinch feature will auto-reverse
Power windows with front passenger express-down
- Quickly lowers the window with the touch of a button
- If an obstruction is detected, the anti-pinch feature will auto-reverse
Power windows with rear express-down
- Quickly lowers the window with the touch of a button
- If an obstruction is detected, the anti-pinch feature will auto-reverse
Power door locks
- Programmable
- Allows you to lock and unlock doors easily whether it’s from the driver or passenger seat or from outside using the key fob
- Lockout protection helps you avoid locking keys in the vehicle
Keyless Open
- Locks and unlocks your vehicle’s doors without having to use the key fob, increasing security and convenience
- Lockout protection helps you avoid locking keys in the vehicle
- Keep your keys in your purse or pocket to open your vehicle
Remote Start
- Start your vehicle remotely and step into a comfortably warmed or cooled vehicle, depending on the weather and your preset preferences
- If equipped, the heated seats may be activated
- May require additional optional equipment
Keyless Start
- Uses an integrated key fob sensor instead of a traditional key
- Keep your keys in your purse or pocket to start your vehicle
- With the vehicle in Park or Neutral, press the brake pedal and then press the engine start/stop button to start the engine; the green indicator on the button will illuminate
- Shift to Park and press the engine start/stop button to turn off the engine
Cruise control
- Maintains a selected speed while driving
- Automatically disengages when the vehicle’s traction control system needs to limit wheelspin on slippery surfaces or when the StabiliTrak^® stability control system detects an oncoming skid
- Set and resume speed functions
- Steering-wheel mounted controls to easily maintain and manage cruising speed
Universal Home Remote
- 3-channel programmable
- Conveniently activate compatible devices such as garage door openers, security systems, and home automation devices from inside your vehicle
- May require additional optional equipment
Theft-deterrent unauthorized entry system
- Sounds the horn and flashes the turn signals when someone attempts to open the vehicle without the proper key or remote transmitter
- Helps deter unauthorized entry, helping to protect your vehicle
Remote panic alarm
- Use to assist in an emergency situation or help in locating your vehicle
Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Automatically maintains the selected temperatures for both the driver and front passenger
- Sensors strategically located around the vehicle constantly monitor the temperature, including solar heating from the windows
- May require additional optional equipment
Rear window defogger
- Helps to keep your rear view clear of fog or frost
- Utilizes a warming grid to help remove fog or frost from the rear window
12-volt auxiliary front power outlet
- Located in front storage bin
USB data ports
- Includes 2 USB ports located in the center console
- May require additional optional equipment
USB data ports and auxiliary input jack with SD Card Reader
- Includes 2 USB ports (one type-A and one type-C), one SD Card slot and an auxiliary input jack located in the front storage bin
- May require additional optional equipment
Charging-only USB ports
- 2 USB ports located in the rear of the center console
Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
- Automatically dims the inside rearview mirror when it senses bright light from behind
- Helps improve the driver’s ability to see other vehicles and obstacles in low-light conditions and at night
- When headlamp glare is no longer detected, the mirror returns to its normal state
Overhead sunglass storage
Driver and front passenger visors with illuminated mirrors
- Include covered mirrors
Assist handle, driver
Assist handle, front passenger
Assist handles, rear outboard
Driver seatback map pocket
Front passenger seatback map pocket
Ambient interior lighting
Leather-wrapped shift lever
- May require additional optional equipment
12-volt auxiliary cargo area power outlet
- Located in the rear cargo area

2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine
- Offers 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque
- 4-cylinder dual overhead cam design with Direct-Injection and Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
- Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
9-speed automatic transmission with 2.0L Turbo engine
- Electronically controlled transmission with overdrive and gear range select
- Smooth, effortless automatic shifting
4,850 lbs. GVWR
- When properly equipped; includes weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo and equipment
3.17 axle ratio
E15 fuel capable
Automatic Stop/Start
- At complete stops, when drivers keep their foot on the brake pedal, and under certain conditions, the engine shuts off
- When drivers remove their foot from the brake, the engine automatically restarts
- Under certain circumstances, the engine will not shut off at a complete stop
Driver shift controls
- Allows you to switch from an automatic to a clutchless sequential manual
- Simple tap-up/tap-down operation lets you shift through the gears
All-wheel drive
Trailering equipment
- 3,500 lbs. towing capacity with this available trailering equipment
- Heavy-duty cooling system, to help head off overheating on a long trip under load
- 2″ trailering receiver
- 7-wire electrical harness and 7-pin sealed connector for connecting your trailer’s lights and brakes to your vehicle
Trailer hitch
- This frame-mounted trailer hitch is installed at the factory
MacPherson front suspension
- Delivers a perfectly connected, smooth ride
4-link rear suspension
- Helps minimize road irregularities, creating a smoother ride
4-wheel antilock disc brakes, 17″ front and 16″ rear
- Help reduce wheel lockup and help maintain steering control during hard braking on most slippery surfaces
Electronic parking brake
- Takes the place of the manual foot actuated parking brake
- Activated by the simple touch of a switch and can be operated even when the ignition is turned off
- Brake is automatically set if the system senses the vehicle is parked on a steep incline
Performance brake linings
- Limit noise transmission to the cabin as well as to provide good dust performance
- The FNC rotors are treated with a process that helps harden and strengthen the rotors and helps prevent corrosion to extend rotor life
Dual-outlet exhaust
- Bright tips
Mechanical jack with tools

Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System with 8″ diagonal HD color touchscreen
- 8″ diagonal HD color touchscreen
- Bluetooth^® audio streaming for two active devices for compatible phones
- Voice recognition
- In-vehicle apps capable
- Cloud connected personalization for select infotainment and vehicle settings
- Voice command pass-through to phone for compatible phones
- Apple CarPlay^™ capability for compatible phones
- Android Auto^™ capability for compatible phone
- Use, control and manage select smartphone apps through the Infotainment system
6-speaker audio system
- Speakers are positioned throughout the cabin for outstanding sound quality and an enjoyable listening experience
Active Noise Cancellation
- This technology blocks and absorbs sound, as well as dampens and eliminates vibrations, helping to leave outside noise where it belongs
- In-cabin microphones distinguish unwanted powertrain noise and cancels it to create a quiet interior cabin
SiriusXM^® Radio trial
- Welcome to the world of SiriusXM
- Enjoy your 3-month trial subscription to the All Access package with over 150 channels including commercial-free music, plus sports, exclusive talk, entertainment and news
- Plus, listen on the app and online — it’s included with All Access, so you’ll hear the best SiriusXM has to offer, anywhere life takes you
Antenna, roof-mounted (Body-color.)
Bluetooth^®
- Pair your compatible mobile phone to your vehicle’s infotainment system
- Place and receive hands-free phone calls
- Store your phone’s contact list in the system to place an outgoing call quickly using the touch-screen display or voice command system
- With streaming audio capability, you can listen to files stored on your phone or Bluetooth digital media device
Wireless Charging
- Uses induction technology for portable electronic devices
- Convenient charging is located just below the audio system and air conditioning controls
4G LTE Wi-Fi^® hotspot capable
- Terms and limitations apply. See onstar.com or dealer for details.
- *Must finance through GM Financial. Includes Conquest rebate (must own/lease a 99 or newer non-GM vehicle). Plus tax, license and fees. Includes all rebates. Special low financing does not apply. Leasing incentives vary. Ends 3.31.19.

Chevy Traverse versus GMC Acadia

The new Cadillac XT6 is a much-needed addition to the luxury brand’s vehicle lineup. Featuring three rows of seating for either six of seven passengers, depending on the configuration, the “midsize plus” crossover slots above the midsize Cadillac XT5 and below the full-size Escalade. We recently got our hands on XT6 specs, which enables us to take a look at how these mechanically-related crossovers compare in terms of size and dimensions in todays’s installment of the GM Authority Dimensional Comparison.

Platform

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s set a baseline to better understand what we’re dealing with here. All of the models that are part of this Dimensional Comparison are based on the GM C1 platform (pronounced “Chi”). However, there are three different versions of the C1 architecture.

The first is the original, short-wheelbase version. This one has a wheelbase of 112.5 inches and underpins the Cadillac XT5 and the second-generation GMC Acadia. The second is the long-wheelbase version with a wheelbase of 120.9 inches. This one underpins the second iterations of the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. And that brings us to the third C1 platform variant.

The third version is based on the original, short-wheelbase version of C1, but with a few minor improvements, the most notable of which (on paper) is the addition of 0.2 inches to the wheelbase. It’s this platform that the Cadillac XT6 is based on.

Exterior

The Cadillac XT6 features a longer, more traditional roof line and a longer rear overhang when compared to the XT5. Both of those elements enable the XT6 its two biggest differentiators – a third row and significantly more cargo room.Looking for a new Traverse? Visit our website 24/7.
Compared to the XT5, the XT6 is 9.3 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider and 2.9 inches taller, while having a wheelbase that’s 0.2 inches (5 mm) longer. It also has wider front and rear tracks. That story repeats itself when it comes to the GMC Acadia: the XT6 is 5.2 inches longer, 1.9 inches wider, 2.9 inches taller, with a wheelbase that’s 0.2 inches longer. The XT6 has wider tracks – 1.9 inches in the front and 1.7 in the rear. Before you ask, the XT6 does – in fact – have a wider track at the front than at the rear.

Meanwhile, the XT6 is notably smaller than the gargantuan Chevy Traverse in all dimensions. Compared to the Traverse, the XT6 has a wheelbase that’s 8.2 inches shorter, overall length is down 5.5 inches, width is down 1.3 inches, height is down 1.8 inches, and the tracks are down 0.9 and 0.8 inches, respectively.

CHEVROLET CAUGHT TESTING A SMALL FLEET OF MID-ENGINE CORVETTES

SPIED! MID-ENGINE CORVETTES

Earlier this month, we caught yet another mid-engine Corvette prototype out testing on public roads. Interestingly, it wasn’t running around in Michigan where most prototypes have been seen. Instead, it was in California, driving along the same roads we use to evaluate cars during our Of the Year testing. We could only conclude that Chevrolet‘s development engineers were hoping to get a leg up on our inevitable Car of the Year competition.

While we wait for Chevrolet to officially announce the car we know is coming, prototypes continue to make the rounds. For example, take these spy shots that our friends over at Hot Rod just published. Instead of one mid-engine Corvette, they caught a small fleet of four, as well as a Porsche 911 and a group of Chevrolet escort vehicles, about 60 miles north of San Diego.

From the squared-off quad exhaust to the five-spoke wheels, there isn’t really anything new to see on the individual cars. As best as we can tell, they’re the same ones we’ve seen before. It’s also not news that the Porsche 911 is being used as a benchmark vehicle. If you’re building a high-performance sports car, that’s the one to beat. Or at least the one you should try to match.

We also recently got a look at the cabin of one of the prototypes, which looks way more luxurious than the current one. And shots of what appears to be the C8’s key fob also hint at a number of features such as a rear trunk and a power-retractable targa top. The source of those images also includes some paperwork that may confirm that the mid-engine will go on sale for the 2020 model year.

That said, the test cars seen here are still covered in the kind of camouflage typically reserved for vehicles that are a long way from their official reveal. We’d like to think Chevrolet is just being extra cautious about C8 details, but you never know. It could be a sign that the official reveal of the mid-engine Corvette is much further away than we’d like to think.

New GM Crossover named

Chevrolet Gives New Three-Row Crossover A Name

Last November, Chevrolet unveiled its FNR-CarryAll Concept at the Guangzhou Motor Show. At first glance, this three-row crossover features much of the same styling as the reborn Blazer. The biggest difference, aside from the former being merely a concept? The Blazer is two-row only. That’ll soon change, according to a report from GM Authority.

Looking for a Blazer? Visit our website 24/7.

Its sources are claiming Chevrolet will debut a new mid-size three-row crossover dubbed the Blazer XL. It’ll supposedly go on sale first in China in 2020 and will come to additional markets in due time. The Blazer XL will essentially be the production version of the FNR concept and its general styling will be very similar to the concept and standard Blazer.

However, its length will be extended by 5.5 inches while maintaining nearly the same 112.9-inch wheelbase. In other words, both crossovers will ride on the same platform. But wait, doesn’t Chevy already have a three-row crossover on sale in the US? Yes, that would be the Traverse. And yes, it too rides on the same platform as the Blazer and upcoming Blazer XL. So why does Chevy need yet another three-row CUV? Believe it or not, the Traverse is not sold in China, the world’s largest automotive market, because it’s too big.