Anniversary Spotlight - Mike DeJong

Anniversary Spotlight

Mike DeJong

Customer Service Manager

Village Automotive Group is celebrating Mike DeJong’s 10th year of service with Lexus of Wayzata.

Mike began his career at Village Chevrolet as a Service Advisor in 2006. Since then he pursued his career goals with Village Automotive Group when he was transferred from Village Chevrolet to Lexus of Wayzata in June of 2011 as a Service Consultant.  In January of 2014, he was promoted to Customer Service Sales Manager, which he remains in today.

When describing the culture of Village Automotive Group, Mike says, “They will reward you for your hard work.”  Mike believes employees and managers are very connected and says he enjoys being able to talk to any of the employees, even those outside of his team, because of the shared philosophy, “We are all here to help our guests.”

There have been a variety of training opportunities during Mike’s career. He has found that the Chicago hands-on training with Lexus has been very helpful. Mike’s favorite event was when the General Manager took his team to Lord Fletcher’s for a, “Nice dinner and great comradery with fellow coworkers where all enjoyed a great conversation.”

Most days, Mike arrives to Lexus of Wayzata at 6:30am. He starts the day by preparing the write-up area. In short, his day is spent assisting guests and the Advisor team with questions providing guidance in supporting the Advisor team so they can provide the Lexus experience. He also assists the Call Center team when questions arise. His favorite part of the day is helping guests. Mike encourages others to apply at villageautomoivegroup.com/careers because he says, “If you want to be able to take care of a guest, this is the place to work.”

Village Automotive Group thanks Mike for his years of service and looks forward to his future with us.

Anniversary Spotlight | Ignacio Garrigos

Village Automotive Group is celebrating Ignacio Garrigos’ 10th year of service with Lexus of Wayzata.

When first starting at Lexus of Wayzata, he describes himself as being motivated and believing in doing his absolute best for the company.

Before arriving at Village Automotive Group, Ignacio worked at other local dealerships within the Twin Cities. He remembers coming to the Lexus of Wayzata to service his vehicle and thinking, “One day, I want to work here.” What he quickly learned as a customer at Lexus of Wayzata was the staff and management’s desire to always take care of the guest. If a guest brought issues or concerns to the table, “They faced the issues with determination and the utmost desire to do our best for them.”

Each day is different, but Ignacio begins the day making calls and following up with guests. Follow-up includes sending birthday cards, thank you notes, and emailing guests updates on vehicle information. When guests arrive, it is key to, “Know your car inventory. I have to be prepared to answer questions.”  Ignacio most enjoys meeting with guests and describes it as the best part of his day. He enjoys sitting in the office with them and listening to their needs and wants. He enjoys the process of finding the right car for them and showing them around to give them a better idea of the dealership. For Ignacio, this job is not only about sales, it is about dedicating himself to others and being committed to them and their needs.

Being a part of Lexus provides “constant training.” Whether it is with the management team, with the Lexus Central Office, with the dealership itself, or if it is online or video training, there is always something new to learn.

Ignacio describes the ideal potential employee as being someone who is prepared to work hard and is determined to succeed. He believes that, “We will help you achieve your personal goals. We have the tools and personnel to help you.”

Village Automotive Group thanks Ignacio for his years of service and looks forward to his future with us.

David Skeens - July Anniversary Spotlight

Anniversary Spotlight

David Skeens

Lexus of Wayzata

Village Automotive Group is celebrating David Skeen’s 10^th year of service with Lexus of Wayzata.

David’s story begins in 2006 when he was given the opportunity to join the sales team at a relatively young age. With his previous experience and the opportunity he was given, he was able to build a successful career in sales. After multiple years as one of the top performers, he became part of the New Car Sales Management team in a position that has an emphasis on training the sales associates in both the new and pre-owned departments. David’s favorite part of the day is usually at the end of his shift because that is when he can look back at all he has accomplished. “Getting to see the guest’s faces when they pick up their new car, there’s nothing like it.”  His best memory thus far was breaking the store record in sales last year which was extremely satisfying after all of the work it took to get there.  

While Village Automotive Group is a big operation, ownership is small and the feel of the organization is small. David explains, “The owners make you feel like you are part of the family first and business second. There is a great level of respect among all of the members of our team. We are a team and there is a theme of positivity, encouragement, and opportunity to grow, which allows us to keep excelling.” David has found the Lexus Covenant not only applies to how each customer is treated, but also to each team member. He explains, “It is a great group to work for and take pride in. They offer great benefits and take good care of us. With time and proven success, there are opportunities for advancement.”

The most impactful training experience for David was shadowing one of the top salesmen. Dave was able to become acclimated to the duties and roles involved in the sales process. “Watching others perform this job is a great way to learn and has helped exponentially. I continue to learn new things that are important factors in my success so far.” 

Village Automotive Group thanks David for his years of service and looks forward to his future with us.

Greg Ziton - March Anniversary Spotlight

Village Automotive Group is celebrating Greg Ziton’s 21st year of service with Lexus of Wayzata. 

Greg built his sales career around building relationships with customers. 

“I believe creating relationships is built on 

integrity and value that keeps the business growing.” 

Lexus of Wayzata initially attracted Greg because of its reputation for great customer service. He explains, “All departments put customer care first.” That factor stood out to Greg when he first came to Lexus of Wayzata, and that fact keeps him at Lexus of Wayzata. He enjoys all of the great relationships that have been made through the years, both with customers and coworkers.

“All departments put customer care first.” 

The culture at Lexus of Wayzata can be seen in the beautiful facility, fleets of loaner cars, and great customer events. Greg enjoys being part of the strong sales team who has the ability and stresses the importance of doing things right.

In Greg’s mind, training began on his first day and has continued every day since. Class room and computer training, as well as group discussions provide an advantage to the sales team over the competition. In his time here, Greg has made some great memories, some of those memories include sales team dinners, sporting events, and “really awesome parties.”

Village Automotive Group thanks Greg for his years of service and looks forward to his future with us.

December Employee Spotlight: Gerald Franti

Lexus of Wayzata is excited to highlight Gerald Franti for our December Employee Spotlight.

Gerald will celebrate his third year with Lexus as a New Car Sales Associate this February. His favorite part about his role at Lexus is that each day is different. He appreciates getting physical activity each day by climbing stairs and walking around the dealership. Gerald is often recognized as “the bow tie guy;” however, many people may not know he is the one making the bow ties!

Before working for Lexus, Gerald taught music for over 20 years. He then managed custom international tours which focused on specialty tours for fine arts clientele including music performer groups, museums, artists, culinary and garden groups. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern Michigan University and a Master’s of Music on the Bassoon from Ohio University in Athens. Gerald’s father worked for the US Air force while he was growing up which allowed the family to live in several places including Texas, London and Michigan. If he could recommend a place to visit, he would suggest the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His family settled there in 1918 from Finland and Gerald recognizes the area as reminiscent of his Finnish heritage.

Gerald currently resides in Burnsville with his wife of 35 years and has two children. One recently graduated from college and the other is currently attending the University of Minnesota- Duluth. Gerald has two dogs, a Springer Spaniel and a Bichon. In his spare time, Gerald enjoys the outdoors. He is an avid gardener and has managed to keep a Geranium plant alive for over 8 years. Music is kept alive in Gerald’s home as he is the proud owner of his Grandmother’s baby grand piano from 1849!  Gerald also spends spare time volunteering in his community and at schools.

As the holiday season is upon us, Gerald recognizes December to Remember as a time of opportunity. He feels Lexus does a great job bringing on special programs that appeal to a wide range of interests and needs. It’s a win-win for all involved. Lexus thanks Gerald for his commitment to the dealership for the last three years and we look forward to the years ahead.


To view past employee spotlights click here 

 

Pre-Order the All-New Lexus NX or Lexus RC

Pre-Order the All-New Lexus NX or Lexus RC and Receive a FREE 2 Year/20,000 Mile Maintenance Plan!

Lexus NX

Contact Mike Dalton, the General Sales Manager at (952) 404-5103 or via email at mdalton@lexusofwayzata.com to take advantage of this LIMITED TIME ONLY SPECIAL!

Are you interested in learning more about the all-new 2015 Lexus NX? You will be able to see, touch and drive this breakthrough luxury-utility crossover at our dealership starting in mid-November. 

With its turbo-charged engine (a Lexus first), all-new sequential six-speed automatic transmission, optimized driving dynamics and stirring design, the NX delivers power, excitement, style and convenience in a smartly compact SUV.
The versatile NX debuts in these three versions:

• The turbo-charged NX 200t.
• The NX 300h, our hybrid model which shares the sporty persona of the NX200t while delivering greater fuel efficiency.
• The NX F SPORT, with its bold, aggressive design.

The pleasure of owning a Lexus goes beyond the confines of your vehicle. Lexus owners' benefits include exclusive experiences at some of the most sought-after hotels and restaurants, as well as preferential access to premiere event tickets, unique benefits at sports events and special discounts from luxury retail partners.

Lexus RC

Pre-order now, or get on the mailing list to be on the Fast Track for the first look at the all-new, 2015 Lexus RC and 2015 Lexus RC F Sport. What began with a blank sheet of paper and uninhibited desire transformed into this: the first-ever RC and RC F SPORT. These alluring two-door coupes showcase deeply contoured lines and modern interiors punctuated by precise handling and invigorating performance.

• New Lexus Dedicated Coupe with the Most Aggressive use yet of the Iconic Spindle Grille
• New Remote Touch Interface Implements Intuitive Touch-Sensitive Design 
• New Generation Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing Techniques Utilized in Vehicle Development

The pleasure of owning a Lexus goes beyond the confines of your vehicle. Lexus owners’ benefits include exclusive experiences at some of the most sought-after hotels and restaurants, as well as preferential access to premiere event tickets, unique benefits at sports events and special discounts from luxury retail partners.

Keep updated on the all-new RC as its arrival in our showroom approaches. See more by clicking HERE.

Lexus of Wayzata is excited to highlight Celeste Harris as our February Employee Spotlight!

Celeste Harris

February 2014

Lexus of Wayzata is excited to highlight Celeste Harris as our February Employee Spotlight.

Celeste has worked for Lexus of Wayzata for 1 ½ years. She started her Lexus career as a Guest Services Associate in the Service Department and is now working as a Sales & Administrative Assistant. Her favorite part about her position is helping someone’s day run smoother and more productively, and she enjoys that every day is different.

Before working for Lexus, Celeste worked for Wells Fargo as a Loan Representative and also at Hopkins Honda as a Service Advisor. She began her eight year career at Honda as a Cashier and was quickly promoted to Service Advisor. Celeste appreciates learning and knowing all aspects of the dealership.

In her spare time, Celeste enjoys biking, reading and watching her favorite TV show - Chopped. She spends much of her free time cheering on her two sons, Aaron Jr. and Cedric, at various basketball and baseball games. As a family, they enjoy going to the beach and biking in the summer; during winter months they spend time at the movies or enjoying each other’s company.

Lexus of Wayzata thanks Celeste for being an outstanding member of the Lexus team. We appreciate Celeste’s continued hard work, dedication and eagerness to learn.

How does KBB determine 5-year cost to own, and why does Lexus always win top honors?

Just what is a "5-year cost to own"?  It's a set of expenses that most buyers don't consider when they're purchasing a car.  Fuel costs, insurance premiums, state taxes and fees, financing charges, maintenance costs, and depreciation all factor into the cost of owning a vehicle.  Some vehicles have a lower entry price, but very poor reliability and/or fuel economy.  These vehicles might actually end up having a higher cost of ownership over a 5-year period than a very reliable car that costs a little more up front.

Kelley Blue Book tries to help consumers make smart purchases by gauging the 5-year cost of owning a vehicle by approximating the average cost of all of the aforementioned expenses and comparing it to other vehicles in the same class.

What does it all mean for Lexus?  Well, we're happy to say that we've come out on top for the second year in a row!  The incredible reliability, fuel economy, and safety of Lexus vehicles pays off in more ways than one-- this time by keeping hard-earned dollars in your wallet.  It's just another reason to buy Lexus and never look back!

Solve the puzzle and tell us which old-school Lexus is in the picture for today's #ThrowbackThursday!

Hey everyone!  For today's Throwback Thursday, we figured we'd get a little more interactive!  Below you will find an old-school Lexus that needs to be put back together!  Fit the pieces together and tell us which model it is (leave the comment on our Facebook!)

The Lexus RC F is a predator in, well, a predator's clothing!

The Lexus RC F Coupe boasts a visually striking design that we think some are going to like, and others are going to love. Of course, beauty is only skin deep, but there are a lot of reasons to love this car beyond aesthetics. For instance, there's a 5.0-liter V8 engine sitting under that domed hood with more than 450 horsepower, along with a newly calibrated eight-speed automatic gearbox that can take you to the stars and back without a hitch.

Interestingly enough, Lexus has tuned the RC F's engine to run on an Atkinson cycle under most circumstances, while it switches to the more typical Otto cycle when more power is required. How? Well, presumably by using some sort of very advanced variable valve timing technology. But power is useless unless it can be translated into the wheels properly, which is why the RC F features a torque vectoring differential-- a first from Lexus.

Also involved in keeping the RC F planted is an aero package that includes wings and ducts galore. The headline bit is an active rear wing that deploys at 50 miles per hour and retracts back into the deck when the car drops back to 25 mph. To top it all off, so to speak, a clear-coated carbon fiber roof can optionally join that carbon rear wing.

Inside the cockpit, the design is is decidedly less aggressive, opting to go instead with a more luxurious interior commonly associated with Lexus. Features are plenty, instrument clusters are concise, and everything is, as always, crafted from top-quality materials. Long story short? We've never been more excited to be a Lexus dealership.

The new 2015 Lexus RC F takes Destroit by storm!

Compared to the first day, the second day at any auto show is usually much more...  Well, boring.  But not this year-- this year Lexus saw fit to un-cage perhaps the most refined beast on display in Detroit:  The striking RC F Coupe.

To start, the RC F is based on the much less aggressive RC 350 coupe (which is itself based on the midsize IS luxury sedan), and is designed to give the likes of the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 series a run for their money.  But that's really like comparing apples to oranges; the RC F is in a whole other league all together.

The story of the RC F is defined by combinations of letters and numbers, and most loudly by its 5.0-liter V-8 engine, which produces more than 450 horsepower-- a leader in the segment.

The move to use a traditional V-8 in an era when many manufacturers are downsizing engine sizes for the sake of fuel economy is a bold one, but one that had to be made.  That's not to say, however, that the powerplant will make liberal use of fuel; we fully expect a full range of industry leading fuel saving tech to make an appearance in the RC F.  Also worth noting is the silky smooth eight-speed automatic that routes power through the rear wheels.

Most noticeably, though, are the car's looks.  It blends graceful curves with an aggressive stance to create a body style that caught almost everyone's eye at the Detroit Auto Show.  Style, power, and luxury-- these are the things that define a Lexus, and the RC F is a paragon of these ideals.  We can't wait to have you test drive one!

Help Lexus of Wayzata support Toys-For-Tots this holiday season!

For the past ten years Village Automotive Group has supported the Minneapolis Toys for Tots Foundation by registering each dealership as a donation drop site. We invite employees, customers, family and friends to participate this holiday season.

Opportunities to donate began November 18 and continue until December 14. As a friendly reminder, Toys for Tots only accepts new, unwrapped toys. 

Remember this advice if you ever get stuck in the mud or snow!

If you get stuck in the mud or in the snow, don't make things worse by trying to force your way out.  Feel free to try gently rocking your way out, but if it looks like you're really stuck, don't keep at it.  Constantly shifting from forward to reverse, coupled with spinning the tires at high speeds, can cause big problems for transmissions, clutches, and differentials.  It may very well be cheaper in the long run to just call a tow-truck.  Also, it never hurts to carry a traction aid in your trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter-- especially in the harsh winter months!

Learn what Lexus Enform can do for you!

Available Lexus Enform connects you and your vehicle like never before. It's the convenience of live, 24-hour navigation assistance. It's the peace of mind of knowing emergency services can be requested at the press of a button or even automatically. And, for owners of 2013 and newer Lexus models, it's the efficiency and ease of using your favorite mobile applications, on the fly. Imagine wanting to make dinner reservations and get movie tickets all from your new Lexus; or listening to your favorite hometown radio station, or wanting to get reviews on the hot spot in town, and never leaving your car.

	Bing™ Search a continuously updated database of more than 16 million points of interest, get directions and call with the touch of a button.
	iHeartRadio Get live access to more than 800 AM and FM radio stations across the country and create a playlist from a catalog of more than 11 million songs.
	Movie Tickets.com Find movies, check local start times, purchase tickets and get directions without ever  leaving your Lexus.
	OpenTable® Search restaurants by cuisine, real-time availability and price range; read diner  ratings and reviews; and make reservations.
	Pandora® Using the names of artists or songs you love, create and listen to personalized music stations or playlists.
	Yelp® Looking for a local place to eat, shop, drink, relax or play? Read reviews from locals who know best, and get directions sent to your Navigation System.
	Facebook Places Check-in and notify your Facebook friends of your location the moment you arrive.

Check out this month's Elite Customer Shout-Out!

We have amazing customers at Lexus of Wayzata who like to share their vehicle stories with us. Now, you can read about them too or tell us your story by submitting it to MyStory@lexusofwayzata.com.  

Check out Carl's story: http://www.lexusofwayzata.com/Elite-Customer-Shout-Out

Lexus Recognized for Luxury Mid-size Car and Hybrid Crossover – ES 350 and RX 450h

TORRANCE, Calif., August 15, 2013 - - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) demonstrated its ability to listen to its customers yet again. Three TMS vehicles were named in the annual AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). The Toyota Avalon Hybrid flagship sedan was named the 2013 top Hybrid/EV while the Lexus ES was named ideal luxury mid-size car and the Lexus RX 450h was honored with ideal hybrid crossover.  

The AutoPacific IVA “recognizes the cars that best meet their owner’s expectations and desires about their automotive purchases.”         

The first Avalon to offer Toyota’s legendary Hybrid Synergy Drive, the Avalon Hybrid generates 200 horsepower while delivering a city/highway combined 40 miles-per-gallon.  Avalon hybrid combines elegant and athletic styling with interior comfort and refinement. 

Launched in early 2013, the fourth-generation Avalon is the most American Avalon yet as it was designed and developed in the U.S. and assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky.

The 2013 model year marks the sixth generation of the Lexus ES and the introduction of the first-ever ES 300h with Lexus Hybrid Drive. The 2013 ES luxury sedan has a progressive new design and enhanced handling. The 2013 RX 450h features the signature Lexus spindle grille, an upgraded interior and EPA fuel economy estimates of 30 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models.

The IVA are based on a model-year survey of more than 52,000 vehicle owners across all manufacturers to reveal the vehicles that best meet the owners’ demands.  The award survey covers 15 key vehicle attributes including: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver’s seat comfort, driver’s seat visibility, info/entertainment technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tires and wheels.

Is it worth filling your tires with Nitrogen?

We are often asked the question:  "Is it worth filling my tires with Nitrogen instead of air?"  We're here to shed some light on the topic.

First of all, we have to look at the terms in question.  "Air", meaning our natural atmosphere here on Earth, is actually mostly Nitrogen anyway-- about 70-80% Nitrogen, in fact.  The rest is Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, and other trace elements and compound.  Does that fraction of Oxygen really make a difference in your tire pressure's reliability?

The answer is yes.  Sort of.  Even though Oxygen atoms are heavier than Nitrogen atoms, they are actually slightly smaller.  Why?  Electromagnetism.  Oxygen atoms possess one more positively-charged proton than a Nitrogen atom-- thus pulling the negatively-charged electron cloud just a hair closer to the nucleus of the atom, resulting in a smaller overall atomic radius.

The smaller Oxygen atoms leak out more easily through the walls of your tire than Nitrogen atoms.  What's more, pure Nitrogen will contain almost no water vapor-- which changes states quite readily, condensing into water in the cold and back into a gaseous form in the heat.  The result of filling your tires with pure Nitrogen is a far more reliable tire pressure that lasts for far longer than simply using air.

Learn more about what Lexus Enform can do for you!

Available Lexus Enform connects you and your vehicle like never before. It's the convenience of live, 24-hour navigation assistance. It's the peace of mind of knowing emergency services can be requested at the press of a button or even automatically. And, for owners of 2013 and newer Lexus models, it's the efficiency and ease of using your favorite mobile applications, on the fly.

Imagine wanting to make dinner reservations and get movie tickets all from your new Lexus; or listening to your favorite hometown radio station, or wanting to get reviews on the hot spot in town, and never leaving your car.

Want to know more?  Click below!

http://www.lexusofwayzata.com/Apps