"It's a true American story.  I love it."

That's among the many wonderful comments we've heard since We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded was published several weeks ago.  The book tells the story of Checkered Flag and a reviewer on Amazon wrote this about it: "It's the kind of book you start on a whim but then can't put down until you've finished, and then find yourself wanting more." 

We All Win is now available at Prince Books in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, as well as online here on CheckeredFlag.com (click the book icon to the left), on Amazon, and at all Checkered Flag locations.  Funds raised through the book's sale benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. Happy reading!

Just a few weeks ago, someone in my family was in a car accident. Thankfully, no one was injured in the collision, but the aftermath has been...well, stressful.

My relative's current predicament motivated me to learn more about the auto repair process, so I headed over to Checkered Flag's Body Shop. Bill Evans, Shop Manager (pictured here with members of the Body Shop team, Rich Sproul and Lisa Pfeiffer), offered great insight into the industry and gave me a personal tour around the shop. He says, "This is the last place people want to be, simply because cars are huge investments. So it's our responsibility to be empathetic to our customers and to make the process as painless as possible by providing great service."

The Body Shop opened in 1985 and has since then prided itself in delivering a high level of quality automotive repair. Bill says his staff is composed of experienced "automotive health experts" who are trained to help customers during each step of the repair process. They offer guidance in working with insurance companies (Checkered Flag deals with all vehicle insurance providers) and assist in arranging for rental cars.

Technicians are factory trained A.S.E. and I-Car certified. They take on all types of repair damage, minor or significant. Laser Unibody & Frame straightening equipment and two high-tech downdraft painting and baking booths are used to ensure that vehicles are returned to pre-accident conditions. They're able to accommodate a high volume of vehicles (the most was 63 cars in one week). 

Typically the number one question on customers' minds is how long the repairs will take. Different variables (insurance companies, repair severity, type of vehicle,  parts availability) affect the time needed to complete repairs. It's difficult to pinpoint, but according to Bill, on average for every $1,000 worth of damage, it takes about a week of repair work. Again, this varies for every case. The Body Shop team will work with you to keep you updated during the repair process.

Bill says, "We hold ourselves to high standards here and want to deliver top quality to our customers. It's important to make sure they're satisfied and everything is repaired properly."

We here at the Checkered Blog would like to send a big thanks to all Body Shop team members. Pictured here are Tony Bosques, Lisa Fisher, and paint manager Kenny Jackson. If you're interested in finding out more about auto repair, visit the Checkered Flag Body Shop page or call (757) 490-111. Have a great weekend everyone and drive safely!

Today's Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency needs no introduction. Everyone is familiar with the Toyota Camry. It's one of the best selling vehicles in the U.S. In the last few months, I've had two friends become proud Camry owners. Both say they based their purchases on the Camry's long lasting reputation of reliability and value. The Camry's stellar fuel efficiency also won them over. We'll go into that a bit later.

The popular four-door mid size sedan is available in four trims: base Camry (starting at $18,920), LE, SE (sport version), and top of the line XLE. Checkered Flag Toyota's Bernard Turner, a sales consultant, shared a few minutes of his time to show me an LE model that's on display in the showroom. 

The base model has a 2.4-liter inline 4 cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 161 pound-feet of torque). All other trim models have a 3.5-liter V6 (268 hp, 248 lb-ft). Transmission choices include five-speed manual or five-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder engine, and six-speed automatic for the V6.

So back to fuel efficiency. The Camry gets 31 highway miles and 21 in the city. Its 18 gallon tank gets 560 highway miles with one fill up. Bernard gave me the scoop behind the Camry's great mpg numbers. He says that Camry engines have Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Basically VVT allows the engine and transmission to communicate with one another, resulting in the great fuel economy. It also helps the vehicle adjust to driving style and terrain, which means less wear and tear on the engine.

The comfortable and spacious 5-passenger interior is also a highlight. I hopped in the back and the Camry has  tons of space to keep three rear passengers happy. Bernard also pointed out the lowered floor hump that offers the middle-seat passenger additional leg room.

Standard features include: Multi-function remote keyless entry system with lock; Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls; Multi-adjustable power driver's seat; and an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, six speakers and in-glass antenna. Visit here for the full list.

Safety wise, the Camry gets a protective system of airbags (Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System; Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain; Driver's knee airbag), front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams; Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System; and more. 

If you're interested in finding out more about the Camry, visit Checkered Flag Toyota at 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.          

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!

The Toyota RAV4 is a pioneer in the compact SUV class. It was introduced more than 10 years ago (debuted in 1996), but still holds a strong reputation as a reliable, safe, and comfortable vehicle. This Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency was picked as one of the "Best Cars"for families by AAA and Parents Magazine. IntelliChoice also gave it the award for "Highest Retained Value" in it's class.

As the smallest member of Toyota's family of SUVs, I've always found the RAV4 particularly appealing. A friend drives one and absolutely loves it. And it's easy to see why. I spoke with Checkered Flag Toyota's business manager Brian Korich (pictured below) and sales consultant JR Grayer about the RAV4.

It comes in three trim levels: Base (starting at $21,500), Sport, and Limited. RAV4 models come with either a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. Automatic transmission comes standard. The 2.4-liter produces166 hp, while the V6 engine produces a 269 hp. Both engines get comparably great gas mileage for a vehicle of its class. The RAV4 is rated at 21/27 city/highway (2.4-L, 2WD). The mpg numbers don't change too much with the larger and more powerful 3.5-liter engine. You're still looking at 27 miles on the highway, and 19 city. With a 16 gallon tank, it can get over 430 highway miles.

JR took me for a drive in the RAV4. It drives smoothly and the seats are very comfortable. The RAV4 is a five passenger vehicle, but JR says an optional 3rd row bench makes room for seven. If you don't need the extra seats, the bench folds flat into the cargo floor. I was also impressed by the dash layout. It's straightforward and everything is placed where it should be. JR says RAVs were specifically designed with that in mind. All the controls and switches on the console would be easy to reach for any size driver. JR also highlighted the convenient dual glove box and 10 cupholders.

Other standard features include: 16-in. steel wheels and wheel covers; full-size spare tire mounted on the rear; AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers; and a handy first aid kit. Also, don't be fooled by the RAV4's grouping as a compact SUV. Even though it stands smaller than other SUVs, the RAV4 still has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds (V6 engine).

Safety wise, the RAV4 has you protected with Toyota's Star Safety System which includes: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control; Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front- and second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags (RSCA) also come standard. The safety feature list is long, so visit here for the full list.

If you're interested in seeing the RAV4 in person, visit Checkered Flag Toyota, 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.

Welcome back from the weekend Checkered Blog readers! I've got some exciting news to share on this Monday. Remember, Scion's new limited edition Hot Lava xD Release Series 1.0 that we told you about a few weeks ago? Well, I heard from Lawrence Doligosa, Scion Champion and Internet Sales Manager, the Hot Lava has finally arrived.

I headed over to Checkered Flag Scion as soon as I could to check out this magma-inspired vehicle. The "hot lava" orange exterior paint job and DAMD body kit would most definitely help you stand out from the crowd. The matching interior is also a great touch. Orange accents are found throughout the interior including on the RAZO Release Series shift knob and dash. MSRP is $14,550 for the manual transmission, and $15,350 for automatic.

Again, there are only 2,000 of the Hot Lava xDs in the entire world. And FYI, Lawrence says Checkered Flag Scion is expected to only receive two or three Hot Lava models, so if you're interested stop by 5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757)-490-1111 for more information.

When the Toyota Matrix came out in 2003, it was the first vehicle of its kind to combine a distinctly unique look with functionality. The Matrix falls somewhere between a compact car, sport wagon, and a crossover utility. If you look around now, the Matrix was definitely quite the trendsetter. Many similar vehicles have followed suit, but the Matrix still leads the pack in offering performance, affordability, versatility, and efficiency. And to add a little more to the Matrix's credit, it's dubbed as one of our Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency.

The current 2009 Matrix comes as a second generation redesign. Cynthia Rawlings, a sales consultant at Checkered Flag Toyota (pictured here), says the Matrix is a very reliable vehicle that's based on the Corolla sedan, but comes as a sportier hatchback. Three trim levels are available for the Matrix: base (starting at $16,190), S, and XRS. The base Matrix is powered by a 1.8-liter engine that has 132 horsepower. The S and top level XRS both come with 2.4-liter engines and 158 horsepower. Transmissions offered are 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic, and 5-speed manual gearbox.

Matrix engines also feature Dual VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that help with performance and fuel efficiency. The base model gets 32 highway miles and 26 city. Both the S and XRS are rated at 28 highway, 21 city. With a 14 gallon tank you'll get around 450 highway miles.

Inside, the Matrix is friendly to both passengers and cargo. It comfortably seats five people and has enough space to carry items up to 8 feet long. Cynthia demonstrated the 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, and it looks like you could easily fit a surfboard. I pulled an image from the Toyota website that shows how much you can really pack into it. Pretty impressive and useful. Every Matrix features colorful LED Optitron gauges that house an easy to read speedometer, fuel and engine temperature indicators. It's also equipped with an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary audio jack for your portable music player.

Safety wise, the Matrix comes standard with: front driver and passenger airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags; 4-wheel ABS; Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System; active headrests, and much more. Visit here for the full list.

In addition to those standard features, an array of optional features are offered. Cynthia highlighted a few of the most popular options including: 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels; power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade (only available on S and XRS models); and the JBL AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer; and DVD navigation with XM NavTraffic capability.

The Matrix is a multipurpose and practical vehicle with a lot of style. It's loaded with space, which makes it a perfect errand runner. Visit Cynthia and the Checkered Flag Toyota sales team for more information or call (757) 490-1111.