FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2011
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: LAWRENCE S. SEARCY, JR.
WALKER AUTOMOTIVE
318-445-6421
WALKER AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITIES TO HELP THE NEEDY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Walker Automotive is pleased to announce its partnership with several organizations this holiday season to provide food, clothing and toys to the needy.
FOOD BANK AND TOYS FOR TOTS
Walker is happy to support both the Food Bank of Central Louisiana and Toys for Tots this upcoming holiday season. To encourage Central Louisiana residents to make a donation of an unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item, all five Walker Automotive service locations will offer a 10% discount on parts and service for each donation made at a participating Walker location.
“We understand that there are many people in Central Louisiana in need and are faced daily with providing for their families. Christmas is particularly difficult for the children, and we hope to put a few smiles on some kid’s faces with the items we collect. We hope that by offering the discount, customers will be encouraged to come in for service and make the donation,” Said Lawrence Searcy, Operations Manager at Walker. “This is the third year we have participated and we are thrilled each year to be able to give back to our community.
The “official drop sites” are in the service departments at Walker Buick / GMC, Walker Mercedes, Walker BMW, Walker Honda and Walker Kia. Customers are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program or five (5) non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. The drop boxes will be clearly marked in the service aisles in all stores.
COATS FOR KIDS AND CARS AND COATS
Walker has partnered with KLAX TV to sponsor Coats for Kids. Customers are asked to bring a new or gently used coat or other outer clothing item to any Walker Automotive location to be donated to local charities. Randall’s Cleaners will launder each item before it is donated.
Additionally, Walker Honda is sponsoring its own coats program with Cars for Coats. A new winter coat will be delivered to children and their mothers currently residing at the Hope House with a donation of $10.00 for every car sold at Walker Honda from November 14 through November 30. The coats will be delivered to the Hope House on December 1, 2011.
ABOUT WALKER AUTOMOTIVE
Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for 2010 which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices. This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. Additionally Walker was recently named to the Wards Dealer Business Dealer 500 in June 2011 which ranks dealers nationally based on total revenue. Walker Automotive is currently ranked number 52 by this trade publication. .Walker has consistently made the list for the last decade.
Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, seven manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles. Walker employs more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business.
For more information on Toys for Tots, contact Linda Harris at 318-481-1686.
For more information on the Central Louisiana Food Bank contact Jayne Wright-Velez
Executive Director at 318-445-2773.
For more information about the Hope House, call Ariana 318-487-2061.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Toyota Recalls 420,200 Vehicles, Including Camry, Highlander and Lexus RX 400h
TORRANCE, California — Toyota is recalling 420,200 vehicles, including the 2004-'05 Camry, Highlander Sienna and Solara and the 2006 Lexus RX 400h, because of a defective crankshaft pulley on the V6 engine, the company said on Wednesday.
Other vehicles involved in the recall are the 2004 Toyota Avalon and 2006 Highlander Hybrid and the 2004-'05 Lexus ES 330 and RX 330.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet posted any information about this latest Toyota recall on its Web site.
"There is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light," said Toyota in a statement. "If this condition is not corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley and the driver may notice a sudden increase in steering effort."
Toyota said there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect. The recall does not include Toyota vehicles with four-cylinder engines.
The recall is expected to begin in January.
"In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition," Toyota said.
Owners can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Toyota or Lexus vehicles, be aware that a recall is in the works.
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/camry/toyota-recalls-420200-vehicles-including-camry-highlander-and-lexus-rx-400h.html
Other vehicles involved in the recall are the 2004 Toyota Avalon and 2006 Highlander Hybrid and the 2004-'05 Lexus ES 330 and RX 330.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet posted any information about this latest Toyota recall on its Web site.
"There is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light," said Toyota in a statement. "If this condition is not corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley and the driver may notice a sudden increase in steering effort."
Toyota said there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect. The recall does not include Toyota vehicles with four-cylinder engines.
The recall is expected to begin in January.
"In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition," Toyota said.
Owners can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Toyota or Lexus vehicles, be aware that a recall is in the works.
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/camry/toyota-recalls-420200-vehicles-including-camry-highlander-and-lexus-rx-400h.html
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
New Kia Rio Gets Rave Reviews
Kia Rio Fun-to-Drive Premium Subcompact
By Christie Schweinsberg
WardsAuto.com, Sep 21, 2011 11:56 AM
SEOUL � Chalk up another win for Kia with the '12 Rio subcompact, one of the last models to be restyled under a product renaissance that has seen the brand transformed from cheap to chic in just 2.5 years.
Starting with the quirky Soul in 2009 through the Sorento and Sportage cross/utility vehicles in 2010 and this year's launch of the Optima midsize sedan, Kia has been on fire.
The auto maker claims the Rio leads the segment in many categories, albeit some shared with its Hyundai sister-brand's Accent, including class-leading horsepower and torque, fuel economy and interior quality.
The differences between the two subcompacts are more pronounced today than in the past, each with its own sheetmetal, interior styling and on-road demeanor.
The Rio has an uncluttered European look, reflecting the influence of chief designer Peter Schreyer, most recently with Audi/Volkswagen.
Where the Accent has vertical taillights, the Rio�s are horizontal, emphasizing the width of the vehicle. Stepping up to the Rio's SX sport grade nets buyers dual chrome exhaust tips. A spoiler is standard across all grades, including the base LX.
The new Rio sports Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, now found on all models except the aging Sedona minivan. The nose is small and thin, with the large lower grille the visual focus in front. Notched headlamps are trapezoidal quickly becoming the shape du jour for that component and contributes nicely to the styling.
The Korean auto makers appear to be taking a page from Volkswagen's old playbook by swathing all interior surfaces with soft-touch material.
The Rio is a convincing premium subcompact, with a cushioned dash cover; sturdy, airplane-cockpit-inspired switches; and thoughtfully patterned speaker grilles on the interior doors, which match well with the dot-dash-patterned seat fabric.
However, the hard-plastic pillars don't match up to the Accent's fabric-look pillars. The Accent also wins with its instrument-panel design, compared with the Rio's relatively plain IP.
The Rio proves fun to drive on the expressway en route to Seoul from the summer playground of South Korea's eastern coast. The '12 EX hatchback, riding on 15-in. low-rolling resistance tires, is impressively stable, with German sport-sedan-like composure not seen in an earlier Accent test spin.
However, the engine strains above 2,000 rpm as the small 4-cyl. struggles up the steep hills of the mountainous terrain here. A wimpy tip-in that requires flooring the hatchback's gas pedal for even mild acceleration doesn't help.
Making ample use of the 6-speed automatic's manumatic function and downshifting to fifth gear makes up for this frustrating calibration. Perhaps Kia was stung by criticism of the super-touchy gas pedal in the Forte Koup.
The auto maker says it will introduce stop/start technology on all Rio models early next year. Rios offered in Europe already have the technology, but it proves of little use here, even during Seoul's rush hour.
The few occasions where it was necessary to come to a full stop, the engine turned off as expected, but the restart came with a noticeable shudder. That's in contrast to Japanese hybrids with stop/start that transition smoothly thought the modes.
Still, for a sub-$20,000 car, it's nice to see Kia offering this technology, which should raise the Rio's fuel economy 1 mpg (0.4 km/L). Pricing still is being debated, but executives here say the system, which Kia calls Integrated Stop-Start, should add about $350-$400 to the �'2 Rio's price.
The Rio has a rigid ride thanks to the cost-conscious torsion-beam rear suspension. The front uses a MacPherson strut, with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Smooth roads here are not so jarring. But imperfect pavement likely will make for a rough ride, especially for buyers who opt for the more athletic SX model, fitted with 17-in. wheels.
The Rio's standard electric power steering has a heavy feel at highway speeds, loosening up slightly in city driving, in keeping with the sporty character of the car.
The Rio returned 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) over a 116-mile (187-km) mostly highway route, with an average speed of 43 mph (69 km/h), according to the trip computer. Heavy city traffic near the end of the trip knocked back our observed high of 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km).
The 5-door Rio is a few inches shorter than the Accent hatchback, almost 1 in. (2.4 cm) wider and a bit taller. Front passengers get a couple inches more legroom in the Rio at the expense of those seated in the second row, the opposite of the Accent.
Both cars share a 101.2-in. (257-cm) wheelbase that is longer than that of the Ford Fiesta but slightly shorter than the best-selling Nissan Versa.
The Rio 5-door goes on sale in the U.S. this month, with the sedan coming later this year, a testament to the growing popularity of hatches in the States. Kia expects the 4-door to appeal more to young women, while the hatch should attract active men.
The LX grade is relatively spartan in terms of amenities but does offer steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a 60/40 split rear seat. The EX nets buyers power windows and door locks and keyless entry, while the sporty SX grade has power-folding, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators.
Options for the EX include stop/start and Kia�s new UVO infotainment system. The SX offers a special package with navigation, a 7-in. (18-cm) touch screen, push-button start, heated front seats, moonroof and leather seat trim.
Thanks to its European good looks, high-quality interior, good performance and fuel economy, the '12 Rio should quickly find itself on buyers' shopping lists, much like the Optima sedan and Sorento CUV have done.
cschweinsberg@wardsauto.com
By Christie Schweinsberg
WardsAuto.com, Sep 21, 2011 11:56 AM
SEOUL � Chalk up another win for Kia with the '12 Rio subcompact, one of the last models to be restyled under a product renaissance that has seen the brand transformed from cheap to chic in just 2.5 years.
Starting with the quirky Soul in 2009 through the Sorento and Sportage cross/utility vehicles in 2010 and this year's launch of the Optima midsize sedan, Kia has been on fire.
The auto maker claims the Rio leads the segment in many categories, albeit some shared with its Hyundai sister-brand's Accent, including class-leading horsepower and torque, fuel economy and interior quality.
The differences between the two subcompacts are more pronounced today than in the past, each with its own sheetmetal, interior styling and on-road demeanor.
The Rio has an uncluttered European look, reflecting the influence of chief designer Peter Schreyer, most recently with Audi/Volkswagen.
Where the Accent has vertical taillights, the Rio�s are horizontal, emphasizing the width of the vehicle. Stepping up to the Rio's SX sport grade nets buyers dual chrome exhaust tips. A spoiler is standard across all grades, including the base LX.
The new Rio sports Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, now found on all models except the aging Sedona minivan. The nose is small and thin, with the large lower grille the visual focus in front. Notched headlamps are trapezoidal quickly becoming the shape du jour for that component and contributes nicely to the styling.
The Korean auto makers appear to be taking a page from Volkswagen's old playbook by swathing all interior surfaces with soft-touch material.
The Rio is a convincing premium subcompact, with a cushioned dash cover; sturdy, airplane-cockpit-inspired switches; and thoughtfully patterned speaker grilles on the interior doors, which match well with the dot-dash-patterned seat fabric.
However, the hard-plastic pillars don't match up to the Accent's fabric-look pillars. The Accent also wins with its instrument-panel design, compared with the Rio's relatively plain IP.
The Rio proves fun to drive on the expressway en route to Seoul from the summer playground of South Korea's eastern coast. The '12 EX hatchback, riding on 15-in. low-rolling resistance tires, is impressively stable, with German sport-sedan-like composure not seen in an earlier Accent test spin.
However, the engine strains above 2,000 rpm as the small 4-cyl. struggles up the steep hills of the mountainous terrain here. A wimpy tip-in that requires flooring the hatchback's gas pedal for even mild acceleration doesn't help.
Making ample use of the 6-speed automatic's manumatic function and downshifting to fifth gear makes up for this frustrating calibration. Perhaps Kia was stung by criticism of the super-touchy gas pedal in the Forte Koup.
The auto maker says it will introduce stop/start technology on all Rio models early next year. Rios offered in Europe already have the technology, but it proves of little use here, even during Seoul's rush hour.
The few occasions where it was necessary to come to a full stop, the engine turned off as expected, but the restart came with a noticeable shudder. That's in contrast to Japanese hybrids with stop/start that transition smoothly thought the modes.
Still, for a sub-$20,000 car, it's nice to see Kia offering this technology, which should raise the Rio's fuel economy 1 mpg (0.4 km/L). Pricing still is being debated, but executives here say the system, which Kia calls Integrated Stop-Start, should add about $350-$400 to the �'2 Rio's price.
The Rio has a rigid ride thanks to the cost-conscious torsion-beam rear suspension. The front uses a MacPherson strut, with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Smooth roads here are not so jarring. But imperfect pavement likely will make for a rough ride, especially for buyers who opt for the more athletic SX model, fitted with 17-in. wheels.
The Rio's standard electric power steering has a heavy feel at highway speeds, loosening up slightly in city driving, in keeping with the sporty character of the car.
The Rio returned 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) over a 116-mile (187-km) mostly highway route, with an average speed of 43 mph (69 km/h), according to the trip computer. Heavy city traffic near the end of the trip knocked back our observed high of 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km).
The 5-door Rio is a few inches shorter than the Accent hatchback, almost 1 in. (2.4 cm) wider and a bit taller. Front passengers get a couple inches more legroom in the Rio at the expense of those seated in the second row, the opposite of the Accent.
Both cars share a 101.2-in. (257-cm) wheelbase that is longer than that of the Ford Fiesta but slightly shorter than the best-selling Nissan Versa.
The Rio 5-door goes on sale in the U.S. this month, with the sedan coming later this year, a testament to the growing popularity of hatches in the States. Kia expects the 4-door to appeal more to young women, while the hatch should attract active men.
The LX grade is relatively spartan in terms of amenities but does offer steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a 60/40 split rear seat. The EX nets buyers power windows and door locks and keyless entry, while the sporty SX grade has power-folding, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators.
Options for the EX include stop/start and Kia�s new UVO infotainment system. The SX offers a special package with navigation, a 7-in. (18-cm) touch screen, push-button start, heated front seats, moonroof and leather seat trim.
Thanks to its European good looks, high-quality interior, good performance and fuel economy, the '12 Rio should quickly find itself on buyers' shopping lists, much like the Optima sedan and Sorento CUV have done.
cschweinsberg@wardsauto.com
Walker Collision Center Receives two Compliments
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