The Beginning of a New Beginning
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, we here at Hewlett Volkswagen are about to embark on a building remodel that will incorporate all of the new EV (electric vehicle) elements and a new design. This state-of-the-art design is currently one of only a small handful built throughout the United States. With Central Texas being an excellent location for electric vehicles, we’re extremely excited to have one of the very first marquis facilities for the Volkswagen brand.
Along with the new look, our showroom will be expanded to accommodate additional sales staff. The service drive will have an additional lane added, the service department itself will have additional service bays added and the customer waiting lounge will get a major overhaul.
While we anticipate this construction project will take over a year (maybe 18 months) we will be operating as normal for a short time more. The first phase of the project is the widening of the service department. By doing this first, that allows the sales staff to stay put for a few more months and the service techs will simply move to the other side of the shop. When the time comes and the showroom construction begins, we will be moving two doors down (south) to our Hummer building.
The timeline as to how and when everything will play out is somewhat fluid. We will update our website on a regular basis as well as have plenty of signage throughout the property to direct you where to go.
This small and relatively short inconvenience will be over before we know it, then it’s on to new beginnings and a bright future. The Volkswagen brand has exciting products (ID.Buzz or VW Bus) in the very near future. We here at Hewlett Volkswagen are extremely excited not only for those new products but to have a state-of-the-art marquis facility for the brand.
We look forward to seeing you very soon!
John Chauvin – GM
Hewlett Volkswagen
Know Your VW
Get Personally Acquainted with Your Volkswagen!
Visit KnowYourVW.com
By Samantha Gomez, Service Drive Manager
Check out KnowYourVW.com. An amazing Volkswagen website that has everything you’ll ever need to know to get personal with your VW!
Have you have ever been confused on how to use a new feature on your vehicle? Do you want to learn exactly what your vehicle has to offer? Have questions regarding warranty coverage and maintenance plans? Or are you ready to add on a personalized accessory to your Volkswagen? Well, if you answered yes to at least one of these questions, you need to visit KnowYourVW.com.
Understanding your VW is now easier than ever. On the site, you’ll discover “Quick Start Guides” and “Short Videos” based on the technology features specific to your vehicle’s model and year.
In these tutorials you’ll learn about topics such as:
• Front assist, lane assist and parking assist,
• Blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control,
• Keyless access and remote start,
• Bluetooth, App-Connect,
• Navigation,
• Digital cockpit,
• How to set the clock,
• Car-Net®, and much, more.
I find this site very helpful and use it myself. I have owned a few Volkswagen models in my day including a Passat, Atlas and now an Atlas Cross Sport and each one is slightly different and equipped with more features and technology, which I enjoy. These videos provide you with a better understanding on how everything operates, and they help eliminate user errors saving you valuable time.
You can also find other information on this website including:
• Warranty information / owner’s manual literature,
• VW maintenance plans / contracts and maintenance interval checklists,
• Vehicle recall and service campaign updates,
• Available parts, accessories, and VW DriverGear,
• Local service and parts coupons, and
• Information on the VW service credit card including online applications.
So, when you have extra time, I encourage you to pull up this website on your computer or phone and learn about your vehicle’s features. It is a great tool for any of your Volkswagen needs.
Be safe out there,
Samantha Gomez
Service Drive Manager
Replacement Keys
Tom Fornshell (aka Dr. Service) Answers the Question:
Can I Get a Cheap Key for My VW Online (or anywhere else)?
The simple answer: Likely, no.
The longer answer: Everyone wants to save money or find a good deal. Without getting into the debate about buying local and supporting your community, it seems everyone is looking for a deal. Even I, a guy born before cell phones, the internet, computers, and even color TV; use the world wide web to find a good product at a fair price… or great price.
Warning: do not try this with a replacement key for your Volkswagen. Keys for your VW need to be programmed to your car both to enable the security for starting and for programming the buttons to lock and open locks. We have never, not one time, been able to program a key someone bought online for their Volkswagen. It is a waste of your money. This is one area where the good deal is simply not a deal.
The problem is each key must have an electronic ”handshake” with your car before your car will allow the vehicle to run with that specific key. The only way for us to do that programming is to bounce the key off VW’s server in Germany. If the key is not listed in the server, we cannot program the car to accept the key’s handshake. VW will not change that. The entire reason is security. You don’t want someone to be able to make a key for your car and drive away with it. Germans take this responsibility very seriously (at least I know the VW and BMW people do). They make it mostly entirely impossible to bypass their security.
Within the last 45 days we have had two VW’s towed to us because someone hired a locksmith to make a key for them and program it for their car. The immobilizers in the instrument clusters were fried due to the programming trickery a “key guy” did to their car. The rather expensive instrument clusters had to be replaced. There is no doubt a locksmith type person out there is taking great exception to this article, and maybe someone can reprogram an older Volkswagen for a key to work… maybe. But experience tells me otherwise.
Save your money, time, and irritation. Get your key from a VW dealer even if it isn’t us. It will save you in the long run.
Stay safe and happy motoring.
Tom Fornshell
Service & Parts Manager
State of the Union
State of the Union
At Least for VW and Hewlett Volkswagen
By John Chauvin, General Manager
As we ring in 2022 and say goodbye to 2021, we reflect on the changes that occurred in the auto industry as well as for us here at Hewlett Volkswagen.
It’s safe to say, 2021 brought more challenges and opportunities than we’ve ever witnessed as an industry. With the micro-chip shortage and supply chain issues causing havoc on the auto industry, we here at Hewlett Volkswagen embraced those challenges and made the best of it.
While we still had inventory shortages, Volkswagen continued to build vehicles. It was up to us to figure out how to get our “unfair” share of those shipments to keep our volume high and take care of our customer base. VW basically went to a turn rate and days-supply algorithm to fairly allocate inventory. Translation, if you had the least amount of inventory and the highest sell rate, you would receive more inventory at a faster pace.
How does that help you? We have the mindset that every car must go. We are making deals on every vehicle we get because, frankly, while it does improve our turn rate and shorten our days-supply, it also takes care of our customers because we can get them into the cars and SUV’s they want at a faster pace.
Of course, while all this has our management team working around the clock to keep tabs on our incoming pipeline, our inventory on the ground and our sell rate for the new car side, we haven’t forgotten about the pre-owned department.
In fact, we’ve increased our inventory on the pre-owned side, more than we’ve ever had actually. Our pre-owned inventory is so robust, we jokingly call ourselves “the pre-owned factory” because almost everyone looking for something pre-owned, drives away with their dream car.
We look for 2022 and maybe even 2023 to be similar with the challenges we’ve seen in 2021 but one thing will be drastically different for us here at Hewlett Volkswagen. Yes, you heard it here first…. We’re putting the final touches on the design of our all-new showroom and service areas. Yes, Hewlett Volkswagen will soon undergo a complete remodel that will knock your socks off. This design is so advanced with technology and EV design elements, one look when you walk in will make you sit back and just say “wow”. It will be beautiful, and we cannot wait. More details to come in my next newsletter so stay tuned.
In the meantime, new inventory is coming in and the pre-owned inventory has its best selection ever so come by and see us, the time to trade is GREAT!
Happy Motoring
John Chauvin – GM
Hewlett Volkswagen
Christmas in November!
Holy Smokes, Volkswagen has opened a Thanksgiving Buffet of deals for the month of November. Three HUGE sale events are happening now.
“Sign then Drive” Event* is back! No “first payment due at signing”. Practically all we need is your signature. Volkswagen started this event many years ago. Its success rate has been so great that many other brands have attempted to copy. This is the easiest, fastest way to get into a new vehicle. Have leasing questions? Let us know. With our total transparent leasing process, we want no questions left unanswered. We’re glad to help but hurry, the event will expire and the best inventory will go first.
Tax Credits: Volkswagen Credit, Inc. (VCI) has announced tax credits on all lease contracts for all model lines. This could save you THOUSANDS! Just ask our employees, this is when they get their new cars! Without sales tax, a payment is considerably less.
No payments until next year! With 45 days to first payment, your first payment will not be due until 2022. Trade in your ride, skip that payment, have extra Christmas cash!
Hewlett Volkswagen just received a huge allocation of new vehicles making our selection better than we’ve seen in many months. Obviously with these three deals out there, the best will go first. We’re out to break records for the month of November and with these deals, the timing to get that new Volkswagen you’ve always wanted could not be better.
Come test drive your next vehicle today, we look forward to seeing you!
How To Buy a Car When There’s No Inventory!
As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, the microchip shortage is real and has caused shipments of new vehicles to dealers to come to a pedestrian crawl. We’re still getting deliveries but not nearly as many and obviously not fast enough.
While just about every auto maker is faced with this, the microchip shortage is just that, a shortage. The supply hasn’t completely dried up, chips are still getting made and installed into new vehicles but at a much slower rate than we’re all used to.
We’ve learned a few microchip production lessons along the way, but people ask all the time, “when is this going to end?” That question seems to have a different answer every time someone attempts to answer it. I too have my own opinion. Yes, Covid played a role in this. The original Covid outbreak (March of last year) more than likely started it. Chip factories did shut down and had somewhat of a stockpile of chips at the time, so they figured catching up would be no issue. That unfortunately hasn’t been the case. They’ve gone through their stockpile and a few manufacturers have had to shut down again due to other Covid outbreaks. The catching up part hasn’t caught up, so to speak.
VW did a really good job in the beginning at predicting this and pushed their microchips over to higher volume model lines so they could continue sales at a somewhat decent pace. That too has slowed down. At first, we’d sell 100 new Volkswagen’s in a month and VW would ship us about 100. Then the summer months arrived and we’d sell 110-120 or more but VW’s shipments went down from 100 to 60 to sometimes only 40 per month. Obviously, this created a lot of visible empty black top on our lots.
So, back to the title of this article: How to buy a car when there’s no inventory? Every auto manufacturer has some sort of “turn and earn” allocation system if you will. The faster you sell them, the faster they’ll send them. The cars (trucks/SUVs included) are still getting produced, albeit at a much lower rate, but they’re still coming. Being that the selection on the lot keeps shrinking, we have been forced to sell from the “incoming pipeline”.
If we do not have exactly what you’re looking for, chances are, one is incoming (or very similar) and will be here very soon. We take a $500 deposit and that gives you first right of refusal. Obviously, we won’t contract you until you take delivery but it’s a way to get a vehicle. If you change your mind or simply do not want it when it arrives, we give you your deposit back and sell it to someone else (usually the same day).
Like many other things in our lives these days, the auto industry is changing rapidly. While none of us can predict the future, what we can do is continue to offer the best sales and service experience possible.
Because some things out of our control may change, our commitment to exceeding your sales and service experience remains our top priority.
Stay safe,
John Chauvin, General Manager
Fall Car Care
By Samantha Gomez, Service Drive ManagerDid you know that October is the official Fall Car Care Month designated by the Car Care Council? Car Care months are designed to bring awareness and attention to the importance of regular car care and preventative maintenance.
In the fall, we can expect falling leaves and falling temperatures. Getting your vehicle ready for these conditions is important. Before you know it, cooler weather will be here. You know, sweater weather!
Here are some items that you should have checked and inspected as the hot Texas summer months can take a toll on our vehicles.
1) Check your fluids– Much like your body, your vehicle needs fluids to keep it running. Assuring your oil is topped off is important for internal engine lubrication and other components. Coolant mixture content and level is important to help keep your vehicle cool to avoid overheating concerns. Washer fluid is a must to keep your driving visibility clear.
2) Check your tires and pressures – As we work our way into the cooler temperatures, cold air can cause your tires to lose air. Colder air is denser, which makes your vehicle less aerodynamic; and lower tire pressures can increase your rolling resistance. This is one reason why it is important to have good tread on your tires.
3) Check your battery – Did you know that a battery in lower temperatures produces less current than in higher temperatures? That is why it’s important to assure your battery is in good health. The last position anyone would want to be in is stuck in the cold. At Hewlett VW, we will check your battery for you anytime at no cost.
4) Wipers – Wipers are most important and most forgotten. In a lot of cases wipers are replaced when they fall apart. But why wait till then? Damaged wipers can lead to visibility concerns and often result in a scratched windshield that must be replaced. At Hewlett Volkswagen, we will happily install new windshield wipers for you. At minimum, it Is best to replace your wiper blades once a year.
5) Brake system– Slippery weather is around the corner. Keep your brakes functioning by inspecting them for wear. Brake fluids should also be checked regularly for moisture content percentage. If moisture content is high this can contaminate the system. A contaminated brake system will impair a vehicles ability to stop and may cause corrosion to system components.
6) Lights – It’s important to check all exterior lights, brake lights, headlights, license plate lights, hazard lights, etc., at least once each year. As the days become shorter, you may find yourself depending more on your vehicle’s lighting system. It is important for you to be able to see and the people around you to be able to see you.
7) Pack a winter car care kit – Be better prepared for obstacles and/or emergencies. A winter car care kit should contain: a flashlight and extra batteries, roadside kit, umbrella, blanket, hat and gloves, water, multi-tool, first aid kit and ice scraper.
8) Schedule time for fall car care– It is always easy to talk about taking care of our vehicles but the most important thing is getting it done!
Feel free to take advantage of our Complimentary Pit Stop Service or Multi-point Inspection. We would be happy to check any of these items for you, anytime! No appointment necessary, no purchase required. We look forward to seeing you!
Safe travels.
What’s All the Buzz Surrounding the New ID.4?
“The ID.4 is super easy to charge at home or at the Round Rock Outlet Mall!” Hewlett VW customer.
“The Hewlett Sales team was really easy and fun to work with. I leased a new iD.4 and Paul, Amanda and Mike made it a breeze. Thank you everyone for making this the smoothest new vehicle decision ever. The financial advantages of leasing an electric Volkswagen are compelling. The staff here is very friendly and supportive. By leasing from VW Credit, I was able to get the $7,500 Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit applied immediately to my lease which reduced my payments, the Hewlett VW team arranged to eliminate vehicle sales taxes with a special lease, I won’t have to buy gas, and my electricity to power the iD.4 is free for 36 months at a nationwide network of chargers provided by Volkswagen. The iD.4 is easy to drive and operate, and so quiet, it is our perfect commuter vehicle. The IQ.DRIVE features have also made my commute easier and safer. No regrets here.”
Russell
Austin, Texas
“The Volkswagen ID 4 is better than a good car, it’s a great one and surely a sign of even better EVs to come from VW.”
Tim Stevens
Road / Show
“The VW ID.4 ticks all the boxes you want for a traditional compact crossover that just so happens to be electric.”
Jeff Perez
Motor1.com
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 as the 2021 World Car of the Year as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. This year’s winner was chosen from an initial entry list of 24 vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of three finalists as announced on March 30, 2021. The Top Three finalists for 2021 are the Honda e, the Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen ID.4.
Vehicles eligible for the World Car of the Year award must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units/year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets, on at least two separate continents, between May 1, 2020, and May 1, 2021.
Tell Me More, Tell Me More, About The New ID4
Volkswagen’s first – from the ground up – designed electric car for our market is a huge hit. It’s an SUV called ID.4 that seems bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. Its spaciousness welcomes small and large framed drivers alike. Volkswagen did it right. Rather than making the ID.4 look like a spaceship with tiny little tires or something out of a Sci-Fi movie, this vehicle looks like a regular car with inherently Volkswagen styling. I was pleasantly surprised by this car the first time I drove it. Oh, and it is super quiet, too. In fact, it is so quite Volkswagen gave it a voice! The ID.4 actually projects an electric car sound below 20 mph, when there is no noticeable road noise, so pedestrians can hear it coming.
For charging, imagine, if you will, filling your gasoline powered car up from your home and rarely or never having to visit a gas station unless you were taking a long trip. With the ID.4 your garage is your “gas station”. Installing a level II charger in your home is already commonplace and it can charge your car overnight, so you always leave home with a full “tank” (charge) if you want to. With a range of 250 miles or more, most people will find this is all the charge they ever need; so, day to day commuting and errands don’t require a visit to a charging station. If you do end up on a longer trip, Volkswagen partnered with Electrify America in building charging stations all over the country. In fact, Rainer Zietlow and Derek Collins recently embarked on an ID.4 cross country trip to visit over 600 VW dealers crisscrossing 48 states. To make things easy, the ID.4 takes a standard type1 (J1772) charging plug available at most all charging stations (Tesla charger plugs are different).
With fewer moving parts, less maintenance is required. Imagine no more oil changes! You will still need some maintenance items like tires and brakes from time to time like all cars do, but overall, you’ll spend less time taking care of your car and more time enjoying it.
Electric cars have some nice features like no carbon emissions and Volkswagen has added more to the ID.4 like the following driver focused features:
Keyless operation with no start stop button. All you do is get in the car with a key in your pocket or purse and put your foot on the brake to put ID.4 in gear and you’re off. Leaving the vehicle is as easy as putting it in park and getting out. The ID.4 is smart enough to turn itself off.
Free charging for three years at Electrify America stations all over the country.
Over the air software updates eliminating the need for a trip to the dealer for updates and enhancements or new features.
These are just some of the advantages of the ID.4 so there is no wonder the ID in ID.4 stands for Intelligent Design.
The ID.4 has only been available for a few months and there are already over a hundred running around the Austin area; so, come check them out. Maybe you will be as impressed as I am with our new electric car.
As always, happy motoring.
Tom Fornshell, Service & Parts Manager
LLumar® Window Tint
Let’s face it, Texas is hot. Window tint is not something we always think of during the fall or winter months but come summer – we’re all looking for ways to cool off. Sometimes when it’s 100 degrees outside, the inside of your vehicle can climb to 130 degrees.
Did you know that 74% of all non-invasive melanoma skin cancer cases are found on the left side of the driver’s body? (according to skincare.org).
Did you know that window tint can block 99% of UVA rays?
Did you know that we install LLumar® window tint at Hewlett Volkswagen?
LLumar offers the highest quality product along with:
o Style & privacy,
o More than 99% UV Protection
o No electronic signal interference
o Limited Lifetime Warranty (guaranteed not to turn purple or bubble)
o Heat rejection
Summer is here. If you did not get your windows tinted when you bought your vehicle, have no fear! It’s not too late.
Come by today and speak with a member of our VW Sales Team or call our Accessories Department for more information 512-681-3194.
With an appointment, we can get you in and out quickly. Let us install your window tint and help make you and your car, summer cool!
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