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Hello and Welcome to the June edition
of Northern Motor Group's e-news
It’s a jam-packed edition this month, with a sneak preview of the all-new Nissan X-Trail and a great story about the recovery of our community partner Watsonia Football Club from the brink of extinction.
We review the new Chrysler Sebring, a classy convertible guaranteed to get you hankering for some drop-top action, and we introduce you to more of our staff, including resident tyre expert Tony Baillie. We’ve also thrown in a special on tyres for good measure.
Plus you can take a squiz at some of the great used cars we have on offer. With the new car market flourishing, used cars have never represented greater value. Take a look at our featured vehicles and see if you don’t agree.
The weather has really started to turn and winter is almost upon us. That makes it a great time to book your car in for a service to ensure it is running in tip-top condition on those cold winter mornings.
Happy motoring!
Nick Strauss
Dealer Principal
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| SNEAK PEAK: THE NEW DIESEL X-TRAIL |
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Nissan is this month releasing the first turbo diesel versions of the popular X-TRAIL. We’ll have a full review next month, but here’s just a quick sneak peak.
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Two turbo diesel engines are offered, with six speeds in both manual and automatic transmission, delivering up to 127KW of power. The basis for both diesels is a common rail direct injection turbocharged 2.0-litre, 16 valve four cylinder unit
Apart from offering impressive performance, the sophisticated new engines are remarkably fuel efficient with combined fuel consumption figures of 7.4L/100km for the manual and 8.1L/100km for the automatic.
With a full complement of safety features plus a range of what used to be optional extras (alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, etc), the new diesel X-TRAIL is available in two new specification grades: the new entry-level designated 'TS' - based on the ST-L petrol X-TRAIL - and the premium version designated 'TL' - based on the Ti petrol X-TRAIL.
We’ll do a full feature in next month’s edition but in the meantime why not contact us to arrange a test-drive of one of these superb new vehicles. |
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FITTER, HAPPIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE |
Nick Strauss, our Dealer Principal, values the importance of health, fitness and well being and believes that the combination of healthy body and healthy mind results in a healthy, happy workforce.
Being in shape contributes to a greater sense of job satisfaction, quicker thinking, alertness, better camaraderie and general happiness within the business.
Northern Motor Group took this philosophy to the next level after one of our senior managers suffered a serious accident related illness. About two years ago, service and parts operations manager Craig Fyall had an unfortunate accident and fractured his neck in three places.
Spending considerable time in rehabilitation and having to wear a Hallo and Philadelphia collar for seven months, Craig knew he had to be careful and train himself back to health and fitness. Being a smoker for 25 years, Craig had no self-motivation with his own wellbeing (all the usual excuses i.e. no time, too busy etc.) and needed people around him to get his motivation to the required level.Nick decided to help out. He offered the premises and some fitness equipment, while Craig brought in fitness trainer James Filino, who he describes as the most affordable and approachable person he knows.
James conducts training sessions at the dealership two nights a week (Tuesday and Thursday) from 6.00pm-7.00pm, so there are no more excuses for any of our staff to be in anything but peak condition. In fact we all really enjoy and look forward to these sessions. Two years on and Craig and the crew have never felt better!
Northern Motor Group extends an invitation to its clients to join our physical fitness training program. You’ll never feel better!
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Brands and tyre sizes may suit other applications.
Please call Tony:
(03) 9466 5899
for further information and fitment application if required.
Subject to stock availability. |
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| Vehicle |
Tyre Brand |
Tyre Size |
Price |
Normally |
| Nissan Pulsar |
Kumho |
185/65 R14 |
$118.00 |
$127.00 |
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Kumho |
185/65 R15 |
$137.00 |
$151.00 |
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Triangle |
175/70 R14 |
$90.00 |
$110.00 |
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Triangle |
185/65 R14 |
$95.00 |
$111.00 |
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Triangle |
175/65 R14 |
$95.00 |
$111.00 |
| Nissan X-Trail |
Kumho |
215/65 R15 |
$162.00 |
$174.00 |
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Kumho |
215/65 R16 |
$190.00 |
$207.00 |
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Dunlop |
215/70 R15 |
$229.00 |
$240.00 |
| Nissan Maxima |
Dunlop |
215/55 R17 |
$265.00 |
$285.00 |
| Nissan R50 Pathfinder |
Goodyear Wrangler All Weather |
245/70 R16 |
$250.00 |
$271.00 |
| Nissan R51 Pathfinder |
Goodyear Wrangler All Weather |
255/65 R17 |
$365.00 |
$391.00 |
| Nissan Patrol |
Goodyear Wrangler All Weather |
275/65 R17 |
$355.00 |
$384.00 |
| Chrysler 300c |
Pirelli |
225/60 R18 |
$390.00 |
$411.00 |
| Chrysler 300c srt8 |
Goodyear Eagle Supercar (front) |
245/45 R20 |
$565.00 |
$602.00 |
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Goodyear Eagle Supercar(rear) |
255/45 R20 |
$595.00 |
$627.00 |
| Jeep Cherokee KJ |
Goodyear HP All Weather |
235/70 R16 |
$269.00 |
$301.00 |
| Jeep Cherokee WG/WJ |
Goodyear HP All Weather |
245/70 R16 |
$259.00 |
$287.00 |
| Jeep Cherokee WH |
Goodyear HP All Weather |
235/65 R17 |
$335.00 |
$376.00 |
| WH |
Goodyear HP All Weather |
245/65 R17 |
$349.00 |
$392.00 |
| Kia Rio |
Bluestreak |
175/70 R13 |
$70.00 |
$82.00 |
| Kia Pregio Van |
Dunlop LT5 |
195/ R14 |
$136.00 |
$150.00 |
| Kia K2700 truck |
Kumho 857 ( front) |
195 R14 |
$133.00 |
$149.00 |
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Kumho 874 ( rear ) |
5.00 R12 |
$130.00 |
$145.00 |
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TONY NEVER TIRES OF TYRES |
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Name: Tony Baillie
Age: 39
Family: Four kids (14, 12, 10, and 8)
Interests:Motor sport, bike riding, gardening, voluntary work at the kids’ school.
Due to client demand from our often time-poor clients, our one stop shop service department needed to implement its own tyre operation. The difficulty in doing this was not money, equipment on premises but experienced staff. This is where Tony came in.
Tony had spent 12 years with Tyre Power prior to the opening of Northern Motor Group’s tyre department 12 months ago. Tony has enjoyed the change from working in a tyre operation to now managing his own operation in a busy dealership. His wealth of experience and industry specific knowledge has taken our tyre department from its infancy to capacity in six short months.
There is absolutely nothing Tony does not know about those black round things that keep our cars safe and on the road. In fact he drives us crazy with information overload!
The good thing about Northern Motor Group’s tyre department is Tony assesses your vehicle, discusses your actual driving needs, procures stock to suit your needs (this can change from what the manufacture suggests), fits, balances, aligns and road tests all vehicles so he is in total control from go to whoa. This would give any client peace of mind and confidence that the required work is 100 per cent.
Tony (all 6'1” and 110kgs of him) is here to assist with any and all of our clients’ tyre requirements. So please don't hesitate to call him on 9466 5899 no matter how small your concern seems, or simply pop in and ask for Tony. |
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| NEW SEBRING “SHOULD TAKE MARKET BY STORM” |
The new Chrysler Sebring Cabriolet should take the four-seater drop-top market by storm, according to the respected auto website Go Auto.
“A sort of modern-day boulevard cruiser springs to mind in a car that certainly has a sense of occasion about it,” says the website’s review.
The Sebring’s V6 petrol power gives great value compared with most rivals’ “barely adequate” four-cylinder engines.
The Sebring is the roomiest four-seater convertible in its class, which Go Auto says “means that you could even look at the Chrysler as a sort of cut-price Saab 9-3 Convertible competitor”.
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The Sebring comes with a choice of black fabric roof on the Touring (“which we think looks rather better as it sits lower and tauter on the car”, says Go Auto), or a three-piece retractable hard-top.
“At $7500 more than the Touring, the $51,490 Limited is certainly attractive if utmost security is your thing, and also adds leather, larger alloys, ritzier trim, better audio and heated seats, among other bits and pieces,” the website says.
“Having the choice of what roof you can have makes the Sebring Cabriolet a very unique proposition in an ever-expanding segment.
“The Touring’s soft top stayed up snugly and without any problems even at speeds well beyond the national speed limit, conversation from the impressively spacious back seat at 100km/h is easy due to the lack of buffeting going on, and the dreaded scuttle shake that inflicts so many convertibles is kept commendably low.”
“There is no denying that the Sebring’s brash styling is not to everybody’s taste, but at least it stands out. And if you are turned on by it, then the Cabrio has the potential to really give the competition a great big headache simply because it actually offers so much car for the money.”
For your chance to test-drive the new Chrysler Sebring Cabriolet, click here to contact our showroom or call us on 9466 5888.
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| OUR IN-HOUSE JEEP ENTHUSIAST |
Name? Ian Fletcher.
Time with Northern Motor Group? Two years.
Time in the industry? A long time. My family’s been in it forever. I’ve been selling Chrysler Jeep since 1994.
Car driven? Jeep Cherokee.
Dream car? Jeep Wrangler with everything in it; fully optioned for four-wheel driving.
Four-wheel passion I was the founding president of the Melbourne Jeep Owners’ Club 11 years ago. It’s the largest Jeep owners’ club in Australia, with more than 300 members. Every weekend we go four-wheel driving through the high country, the outback, everywhere. I do something in driver training about once a month but the club does something nearly every weekend. Our motto is “We get ‘em dirty”.
Being an experienced four-wheel driver, people come to me with technical questions, and a lot of club members come into the dealership to buy their new Jeeps. I’m a Jeep enthusiast. I don’t just sell them, I drive one myself. That’s handy to have when you’re talking to people who know four-wheel drives, because they can tell if the salesperson doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
Jeep has the highest percentage of off-road usage of any four-wheel drive. Especially with the Jeep Wranglers and Cherokees, they’re hard-core four-wheel drives.
Family? Grown-up family.
Other interests? Art, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities; wineries.
Pets? Two-year-old Labrador.
Favourite food? Seafood.
Favourite holiday destination? Victorian High Country.
Best thing about working at Northern Motor Group? The work environment and the people. The facilities are five-star and the customers always come first.
Something people would be surprised to know about you? I do painting and drawing as a hobby. Mainly watercolours.
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IT’S HERE! THE NEW RONDO - TEST DRIVE NOW! |
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| The new Rondo gives you the flexibility to do whatever you want. The styling has a fresh and contemporary perspective.
Body-coloured bumpers, door handles and mirrors, multi-reflector light clusters and chunky roof rails all create a reassuring feeling of solidity and security.
Open the door and you get another perspective – a remarkably roomy interior. Available with seven seats, the Rondo is a highly flexible compact SUV that easily adapts to your changing life… the school run… a family trip out… bringing home that flat pack furniture for your next project. And as you’d expect from Kia, the Rondo is packed full of safety features.
AVAILABLE NOW! COME IN FOR A TEST DRIVE! |
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MEET OUR MAN IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN KIA |
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Name? Daniel Minuzzo.
Time with Northern Motor Group? Three years.
Time in the industry? Three years. Before this I ran restaurants.
Car driven? Kia Sportage.
Dream car? Mercedes E55.
What do you do on the weekends? I go to the footy, play pool, go to bars, listen to music.
Hobbies? I used to play cricket. I collect remote control cars and train sets. I’ve got a bit of a set-up at home. I’ve downscaled the remote control cars – I’ve only got three now, but I’ve got about 10 different train sets. I also muck around with slot cars - I’ve got about 40 of them.
Family? Married. No kids on the way yet.
Pets? No pets. My wife’s been at me to get a dog and a cat but it’s not happening. I don’t like cats and I’d have to walk the dog. So, no.
Favourite food? Nothing beats a good steak.
Favourite drink? Scotch. I love a nice Johnny Walker on ice.
Favourite holiday destination? Fiji.
Best thing about working at Northern Motor Group? All the people that work here.
Something people would be surprised to know about you? I’m not too sure. I’m pretty up-front. I don’t really have any secrets.
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HURRY IN BEFORE THESE RUN OUT!! |
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’04 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER Limited RG 4thG MY05
Automatic
6-Cyl,
Tow Pack,
Tinted Windows
Sunroof,
Leather Interior
Electric Seats w/ Memory
TDX821
Only $42,999
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’02 HOLDEN COMMODORE Executive VX II
Automatic
6-Cyl,
3.8 litres
CRUISE CONTROL,
WINDOW TINT,
SERVICE HISTORY AND MORE
RST265
Only $11,999 |
’03 Ford Escape XLT
3L V6, Automatic, 16” Alloy Wheels, 6 Stack CD Player
Cruise Control,
Tow Bar
V6
SIZ894
Only $18,999 |
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’05 KIA RIO MY2004
Manual
4-Cyl,
NEAR NEW CONDITION
TINTED WINDOWS,
SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT,
DOUBLE GLOVE BOX
HATCH
TSI219
Only $11,999 |
’04 MERCEDES CLK240 Elegance A209 MY05
Cabriolet
Automatic
6-Cyl,
DUAL ZONE AIR CONDITIONING
WOODGRAIN DASH
CONVERTIBLE
BLUETOOTH COMPATIBILITY
THZ664
Only $85,000 |
’99 NISSAN MAXIMA 30G A32 S4Automatic
6-Cyl,
3L
IMMACULATE CONDITION WITH FEATURES LIKE FULL ELECTRICS
TV,
WINDOW TINT
ALLOYS,
FULL SERVICE HISTORY AND IS READY TO GO COMES WITH RWC AND 3 YEAR/175000KM WARRANTY*QWD846
Only $9,999 |
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#Used vehicles plus 4% stamp duty and $30.30 transfer fee. |
’06 NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-S X-Treme T30 II MY06
Automatic
4-Cyl
MOON ROOF
CRUISE CONTROL
ALLOY WHEELS
PEARL PAINT
AWD SYSTEM
ULW493
Only $25,999
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’03 NISSAN PATHFINDER ST WX II MY2003
Automatic 6-Cyl, 3.3 litres, ROOF RACKS,
ALLOY WHEELS
NEW TYRES,
4WD SYSTEM,
CRUISE CONTROL
THR600
Only $20,999
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| NORTHERN MOTOR GROUP AND WATSONIA FOOTBALL CLUB – KICKING GOALS |
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Allan Hunter(Left) with Northern Chrysler Jeep Dodge Manager Brett Hodgson
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Four years ago the Watsonia Football Club was in serious trouble. It was heavily in debt and survival was a day to day proposition. Now, thanks to president Allan Hunter and his team the club has turned around its fortunes, paid off its debts and is trading profitably.
On-field things are looking good too, with the club sitting comfortably in the top three of the Northern Football League Division Two with six wins from the first seven rounds.
Northern Motor Group is proud to be associated with Watsonia FC as part of our commitment to our local community. And according to Allan, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.
“We need a lot of financial help. The club needs turnover of $200,000 to survive and Northern Motor Group has given us great support. Hopefully they’ll get some value out of their money!”
We certainly do. The club is holding its annual beach party (perfect weather for it, no?) on June 14. If you would like to attend or get involved in the club in any way, call Allan on
9432 7977.
Go Saints!
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To help us better serve you, we are asking for your feedback on extending our trading hours, to help time-poor tradespeople.
We are considering extending our service times to include after-hours and Saturday morning for tradespeople, but to ensure that our extended hours best suit your needs, we are asking for your input.
By filling out our simple form we can improve our Service Centre to better serve you.
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