Happy Friday Checkered Blog readers! To start off the weekend on a great note, I'd like to introduce you another one of our Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency, the Hyundai Santa Fe. It's a mid size crossover that provides the functionality of an SUV, but still manages the ride and fuel economy of a car.

I spoke with Checkered Flag Hyundai's Paul Taylor, a sales consultant there, and he says the Santa Fe is a quality vehicle all around. Three trim levels are offered: base GLS (starting at $21,270), SE, and top of the line Limited. FYI: There's currently a $2,500 cash back offer available.

The GLS is powered by a 2.7-liter V6 engine with variable valve timing and dual exhaust outlets, garnering 185 hp. Five-speed manual transmission is standard, while four-speed automatic is an option. Move up to the SE or the Limited models, and it comes equipped with 3.3-liter V6 with standard five-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower gets a boost to 242. Mileage wise, the Santa Fe gets a 24 miles on the highway, and 18 in the city. With it's 20 gallon tank, you can get around 480 highway miles on one fill up.

Paul was very nice in giving me a tour of several Santa Fe models. I was especially fond of the Carolina Blue one pictured here. Inside, the seats look and feel comfortable. The Santa Fe has an ample amount of space for five passengers, but optional third row seating is available on the Limited, which increases capacity to seven.

Each of the Santa Fe models come with a lengthy list of standard features including: deluxe cloth seating surfaces (leather seating is standard on the Limited); tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel; cruise control; keyless entry system with alarm; rear privacy glass; and more. See the full list here. It also comes with an AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3- compatible audio system with 6 speakers. Paul also told me about technology options and packages that I'm sure any family would enjoy. The rear seat entertainment package in particular, includes an 8-inch LCD DVD screen with inputs for extra devices such as an Xbox or Playstation!

The Santa Fe also has you covered with safety features. It's a recipient of the IIHS' Top Safety Pick award. Standard safety features include: Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Traction Control System (TCS); tire pressure monitoring system; and tilt and active front head restraints. It also comes equipped with a system of airbags (Dual advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags).

Paul says the Santa Fe is a great value vehicle. A ton of different options are available to fit every customer's preferences. If you're interested in learning more take a trip to Checkered Flag Hyundai, 3033 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information. Have a great weekend!

We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, the newly-published book about Checkered Flag, has drawn advance praise from national industry leaders, including from James D. Power, III, the founder of J.D. Power and Associates.  He says We All Win "tells a story that stands out among all dealerships across the country."  Funds raised through the sale of We All Win will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. You can purchase the book here on CheckeredFlag.com by clicking on the book icon on the left side of this home page or by visiting any of Checkered Flag's parts departments.

We All Win was written by award-winning former journalist Audrey Knoth, who is now a Norfolk business executive. Recently, the Checkered Blog caught up with Audrey for an interview.  We will be featuring portions of our conversation with her in coming weeks, starting today.

Checkered Blog: Whose idea was it to write a book about Checkered Flag?

Audrey: The idea was mine.  In early 2007, I helped Checkered Flag with several business projects, and as I learned more about the company, I became very intrigued by its history.  Checkered Flag was founded in 1964 by Ed Snyder, who continues to run the company today along with his son Steve Snyder.  That kind of longevity of local ownership and operations is in itself remarkable.  But as I dug into it, I found the story was even more interesting and important than just that.

Checkered Blog: In what way?

Audrey: I learned that prior to founding Checkered Flag, Ed Snyder had managed a department store called Snyder's that his grandfather had started in downtown Norfolk at the turn of the last century.  So when Ed Snyder got into the car business in the mid-1960s, he brought customer-service and marketing practices from the department store into auto retailing, and the things he did were very unusual at the time.  When you hear Ed Snyder and Steve Snyder talk about customer service being Checkered Flag's top priority, they are really talking about a philosophy that has been paramount to the Snyders for more than 100 years.

Checkered Blog: Why are funds raised from the sale of We All Win being used to benefit United Way?

Audrey:  United Way is very important to Checkered Flag and it was for Snyder's department store, too.  What has made it so important is that not only does United Way support such a variety of local organizations, it involves individual employees in the giving process.  Through the generations, the Snyders have believed that giving feels good, that the process is as beneficial to the person who is giving as it is to the recipient, and United Way encourages this.

Checkered Blog: Something that's very noticeable about We All Win is how visually appealing and colorful it is.

Audrey: Yes, the book is more than just a narrative.  We have included lots of great vintage photographs and a cartoonist even created five original cartoon strips and the book's cover.  So we hope that people really enjoy both reading the book and just leafing through it.

Checkered Blog: And all of us at the Checkered Blog hope that everyone will consider purchasing We All Win to help raise funds for United Way of South Hampton Roads.  Please click on the book icon on the left of this home page ro order in online or stop into any Checkered Flag parts department to pick it up in person.

When a 12-year old boy walked out of a Polish village in 1882 in search of a better life, it was literally the first step toward the founding of Checkered Flag.

The story of how Checkered Flag came to be, the obstacles it faced, and the customer-service philosophies that propelled it to success are told in the new book We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, written by Audrey Knoth.  We All Win has received advance praise from leading auto industry executives, who call it "a remarkable book about a remarkable business enterprise."  We All Win is now available for sale here on CheckeredFlag.com (click here) and, starting on Friday, August 8th, in all Checkered Flag parts departments.  Funds raised through its sale will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads.

The book recounts how the near-penniless Louis Snyder arrived in America in the late 19th century and how, from a small dry goods company, he built a major Norfolk, Virginia department store operated by successive generations of the Snyder family.  His grandson Ed Snyder took over management of Snyder's department store in the early 1960s.  In 1964, Ed invested in a small British sports car dealership and, at his wife Jean's suggestion, named it Checkered Flag.

We All Win explains how Checkered Flag prevailed over challenges, failures, and risks to grow from one humble showroom to the auto retailer it is today, with 11 new-car franchises and a used-vehicle superstore in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and selling more than 12,000 vehicles annually.  Ed Snyder continues as president 44 years after its founding; son Steve Snyder is senior vice president.

The author, Audrey Knoth, is a former broadcast and newspaper journalist who's now a Norfolk business executive.  She says she had the idea to write the book after helping Checkered Flag with several projects in early 2007.

"I became intrigued by Checkered Flag's history, which had never been researched and told," she says.  "The more I learned about Checkered Flag, the more I realized its story is a compelling one that has meaning for people both inside and outside of the car business."

Audrey spent over a year researching and writing We All Win, conducting extensive interviews, consulting with auto industry and academic experts, and poring through historical and newspaper archives.  Vintage photos, illustrations, and original cartoons accompany the book's absorbing narrative.

"I found that the principles that originated more than a hundred years ago remain at the foundation of Checkered Flag today," Audrey says.  "Among them: if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers; nothing is more important than customer service; failure should teach you rather than frighten you; and taking risks is absolutely essential to succeeding."

All of us with the Checkered Blog are excited about the book and we hope you will consider purchasing it.  It's a great read and with the funds raised benefiting United Way, you could say We All Win!

When most people think about buying a new vehicle, one of the main considerations made is value. Everyone wants a car that gives the most for their money.  The Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency for today has earned a well-deserved reputation of delivering plenty of value. The Hyundai Azera brings an impressive amount of interior space, a long list of features, and a balance of power and efficiency, all at a price that's considerably lower than it's competitors. It was named the "Most Appealing Large Car" by J.D. Power & Associates and "A Consumer's Digest Best Buy."

The Azera is available in two trims: base-level GLS (starting at $24,770) and top of the line Limited. John Peterson, a sales consultant at Checkered Flag Hyundai tells me that the Azera delivers a quiet and smooth ride. The GLS has a 3.3-liter V6 engine and on the Limited is a 3.8-liter. 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, shift interlock and SHIFTRONIC come standard.

Both engines have Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), which helps deliver improved power and fuel efficiency. MPG wise, for a vehicle of its class, the Azera does well with a rating of 18 miles in the city and 26 on the highway. With it's 20 gallon tank, it can get around 520 highway miles.

As mentioned earlier, the Azera boasts a ton of interior space. It comfortably seats up to five passengers. I hopped in the backseat and there's plenty of head and leg room to keep passengers happy. A large-sized trunk and 60/40-split rear folding seats offer ample cargo space. John also noted the exceptional workmanship of the interior.

Standard features on the GLS include: premium cloth upholstery; power front seats; dual-zone automatic climate control; a manual tilt/telescoping steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel; and remote keyless entry. Step up to the Limited model and the power rear sunshade, electroluminescent gauges, leather seating surfaces and heated front seats come standard. The Limited also comes with a 315-watt Infinity audio system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer and iPod/USB capability. Visit here for the full list of features.

Safety features are abundant as well. The Azera has a total of 8 airbags including: dual front airbags; front and rear-side impact airbags; and side curtain airbags. Other safety highlights are: Active front head restraints; Electronic Stability Control; Brake Assist; Tire pressure monitoring system; and Anti-lock braking system.

If you're looking for a real value, the Hyundai Azera would be a worth-while consideration. John says the Azera has the style and charm of a luxury sedan, but at a non luxury price. See the Azera in person at Checkered Flag Hyundai, 3033 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

For a few months now we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Genesis, the new luxury sports sedan from Hyundai. Well, our wait has come to an end and boy was it worth it! The Genesis has made its home at Checkered Flag Hyundai. Seeing this vehicle up close was an absolute treat. Brian Crist, a sales representative there, says that everyone has been asking about the Genesis, and one has already been bought in the few days it has been there. This is the first luxury vehicle from Hyundai, and customers seem to have taken notice. Brian says that people have described the Genesis as having the front end of a Mercedes Benz, the side profile of a Lexus, and the back end of a BMW. I was immediately struck by the Genesis' good looks and as expected, the good looks continued inside.

Brian says the quality of the interior is really what has everyone raving. Once I stepped foot into the Genesis, I understood why. With its soft leather seats and wood inlays, the Genesis delivers luxury throughout. The Genesis is also impressive with its considerable array of features including heated and cooled driver seat, iPod connectivity, and the Hyundai iDrive system. There is much more and you can see the full list here. The most notable though, is the 500+ watt Lexicon premium sound system. Brian tells me that this top-of-the line sound system is found in only one other vehicle, the uber fancy Rolls Royce Phantom.

Two engines are available on the Genesis: 3.8-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8. It starts at around $33,000 for the base V6 model and maxes out at $43,000 for a fully loaded V8. If you like those numbers, you will be happy with the Genesis mpg ratings too. It gets 27 miles on the highway, and 18 in the city.

Brian says they will initially receive only a limited number of the Genesis, so if you are interested head over to Checkered Flag Hyundai at 3033 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or schedule a test drive at (757) 490-1111.

Here is how some of the fine folks at Checkered Flag are spending the holiday.

Ramel Felton, parts associate, Checkered Flag Honda: I also work at Waterside in downtown Norfolk, so I will be working there on the 4th from 7pm to 3am. There is a lot going on there. And then on Saturday, I come in for work here. It is not too much of a holiday for me (laughs).

Freddie Edmond, rental agent, Checkered Flag Toyota/Scion Rent-A-Car: I am going to have a cookout/barbeque with everyone (smiles)! And then for the rest of the weekend I will be working here.

Kourtney Pulliam, receptionist, Checkered Flag MINI: We go over to see my grandma and we have a cookout there with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. And after that I think we will go to Mt. Trashmore for the fireworks.

RT Ives Jr., assistant service manager, Checkered Flag Hyundai: I have the whole day planned out and I can tell you my entire schedule! Starting at 10:50, I am gonna take my daughter to see the Hulk. Then we are going shopping at Lynnhaven Mall for some shoes. After that we are picking up her boyfriend...a party here, and a party there. And then finally, I am going on a date with my wife to watch Sex and The City.

FYI: Operation hours are little different for today. Sales departments are open from 9am-6pm. Service departments are closed for the day, but it goes back to normal tomorrow. Have a great holiday. Be safe and see you on Monday!