Archives for October 2013

Buying a car is step one in the car world. After the initial purchase comes annual inspections, tune-ups, and most importantly timely maintenance. While a brand new 2013 F-150 will not need the constant maintenance that an older model will, it is still equally important to get consistent and high quality routine maintenance done.

Vehicles with routine maintenance are proven to last longer and run more efficiently. Every car is different, and so it is important to do maintenance in accordance with the owner’s manual. There are a few services that are vital to a car’s upkeep and they include regular oil and transmission fluids changes, as well as replacing all four tires at the same time.

Drivers often hear about the importance of having problems checked out as soon as they arise, which is important, but it’s even more important to use a reliable and accomplished mechanic that knows your name in particular.

The Lamarque Ford Service department is highly regarded in the New Orleans area. Although they have a thorough inventory of Ford parts on hand, they are also qualified to work on any type of car. The accomplished group of professionals in the service department knows that a well-tuned engine that is properly maintained is important to maximize road life.

The New Orleans roads aren’t easy on vehicles, so if your vehicle needs a tune-up or any kind of maintenance, head over to the Lamarque Ford Service Department. Customers can even make their appointments online here.

Well, we think it’s safe to say that ecological awareness and the increasing concern for our global footprint isn’t going anywhere. And it shouldn’t; regardless of your opinion on global climate change, the fact is that gas prices are high and when given the opportunity to save (more than) a few bucks, you are more than likely going to take it.

At first, none of us were sure how people would react to the hybrids. Would it be a trend? Would only the hemp-wearing, green tea drinking, dreadlock wearing people of the world drive them, or would the average soccer mom now pack up the goldfish in a hybrid instead of a mini van?

Well, it seems to be the latter. As of August 2013, there have been a reported 6.8 million hybrid vehicles sold worldwide according to Wikipedia. Hybrid cars are here to stay, and the Ford Fusion combines the practicality of an electric car with the luxury that customers have come to know and love in Ford cars.

Consumers do not have to choose between social responsibility and a car they can be proud of. And unlike most of the early Hybrids, the price point of which was much too high for most consumers, the Ford Fusion is well within most consumers’ budgets. Plus, with Ford’s sleek and stylish design, your friends and family won’t even believe that it’s a hybrid.

Lamarque Ford has a selection of hybrid vehicles in our inventory just waiting for you to take a look at. Stop by the dealership or browse our website to check them out.

Even though Thanksgiving seems like forever away and Christmas and New Years’ seem even further, they are right around the corner. The holidays are stressful, and when everyone seems to be at their wit’s end, do not let the car hold everyone up. After all, you haven’t even arrived at Grandma’s house yet. And while you do have a little bit longer to bake your pies and buy your presents, there are some things you should be doing to get your car ready now.

Many of the things it takes to get your vehicle trip ready are small, but the small things add up and it is important to have the resources and the time to get everything fixed. Here are some of the small, but important things to get checked out before a big road trip:

• Tire alignment–uneven tires can lead to bigger (and badder) problems down the road so it is better to get them figured out NOW!

• Fluids–this means, windshield wiper, rain protectant spray, coolant, and transmission fluid. Better to top them all off now than have to pull over later!

• Oil change–if you have heard this a thousand times, it is still not enough. While we hate to beat a dead horse, we can not stress the importance of a good oil change enough!

• Air filter–it can cause faulty power, and no one wants that!

• Lights–this means all of them! Head lights, brake lights, running lights, etc. While you need it for your basic safety, you also do not want to get pulled over (and have to explain to the family what held the pecan pie up).

These are just a few of the important ones, but make sure your mechanic does a comprehensive check on your car before you hit the road. And remember, the Lamarque Ford technicians are always here to help!

In what continues to be, for most Americans, a tough economy, the auto industry has seen some changes in the recent years when it comes to car sales. People are still buying cars, and for that matter, people are still and will always buy new cars. But recently there has been a surge in the purchasing of pre-owned cars.

According to John Felice, the Ford Motor Co. general manager, Ford and Lincoln pre-owned car sales have skyrocketed nationally. In July of this year, pre-owned car sales were up 35 percent according to autonews.com.

These statistics are high, and they not only are significant for pre-owned car buyers, but also for those looking to sell their vehicle. In order to stay competitive in the pre-owned vehicle market, here are a few helpful hints on how to maintain the value and condition of your car.

1.     Fix problems as they occur—as soon as you see a dent or scrape on your car, fix it to prevent further problems with rust or paint chipping.

2.     Keep a repair fund—make sure you have a rainy day fund for when problems pop up so you can afford to remedy them right away.

3.     Keep a detailed list of the services and repairs you have done—this way future owners will know the maintenance history and will be able to further better maintain the vehicle.

4.     Change the oil regularly—without oil, your car is worthless and so routine oil changes will help prolong the length and improve the quality of your vehicle’s life.

5.     Drive carefully—being an aware and smart driver will help prevent problems before they happen!

If you are looking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle, check out the inventory at Lamarque Ford.

Picture the image of a rugged, strong automobile company that Americans seek out for trucks that are bigger than some houses. If this is what you think of when you think of Ford, you’d be right. But you’d also be right if you thought of Ford and thought of a minivan packed with kids on the way to a soccer game or a Spanish-speaking family on the way to church on a Sunday.

Ford is a company for everybody, and as women and Hispanics gain more market power, people will start to see Ford’s wide appeal and popularity among a diverse group of Americans. According to a report on Ford News Center, millennials, women, and Hispanics are changing the consumer market.

Women have gained an increased amount of buying power as they gain more careers in business as well as many other professions. As more and more women live in cities and catch up with and pass men in education and jobs they will gain more buying power and subsequently more power in the automobile industry.

Similarly, Hispanics’ buying power is also growing exponentially. There has been a 126 percent increase in the number of Hispanic households making more than $100,000 and that number is only increasing. Jim Farley, executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln recently said: “As Hispanics buy luxury vehicles at a faster rate than the overall market, our brands must become more compelling, interesting and relevant than ever.”

As the economy around us is changing, so is Ford and many other companies as well. While the Ford Tough vehicles, that drivers have grown to know and love, will always be delivered, customers are now more diverse than ever and Lamarque Ford is among many dealerships that are committed to serving every single one of them.

 

 

 

From the beginning, Ford has been a brand everyone could rely on. Customers trust Fords to be aesthetically pleasing, fairly priced, and, most importantly, well built. How many stories have you heard about your neighbor’s Ford truck that ran flawlessly with nothing more than a regular oil change for 30 years? Or the family Ford car that drove everyone on family vacations for 18 years and then the daughter drove it away to college? The fact is that Fords are built to last and reliable.

On June 6th, 1913, Henry Ford himself described Ford automobiles as “constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise…so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one-and enjoy.” This quote captures the essence of Ford nationwide. It is a simple company with a straightforward goal, and that’s why customers trust us.

Efficiency, simplicity, and protection are among a list of traits that consumers look for in companies according to Logic + Emotion. These three qualities are at the core of Ford’s founding principles and ideals. Consumers want to buy from a company that they understand and can relate to.

Ford’s continuous dedication to the founding principles of Henry Ford, while still remaining competitive and current has allowed us to stay in the forefront of the automobile industry and the forefront of America’s heart.

October is a month associated with a lot of different things–the smell of pumpkin pie, sugar-high kids trading Reese’s for Snickers, and more seriously, breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of people across the country, both the women and men diagnosed and their loved ones.

While treatment is getting more progressive and more effective, there have still been over 230,000 new cases found in 2013 alone according to cancer.org. And while this disease is terrifying, with the help of many companies nationwide, including Ford, hopefully soon women will have less than a one in eight chance of being diagnosed.

Ford’s Warriors in Pink program, made up of nine women and two men, to fight back against cancer and show just how strong they are. The Ford blog said, “It takes a warrior’s strength to fight, day in and day out, 365 days a year. It takes a warrior to face the adversity that is cancer.” The purpose of the Warriors in Pink program is to serve as ambassadors to the rest of the country, especially those suffering from cancer now.

The Warriors are here to provide a positive outlook through “Courage Talks,” several short and inspirational videos about the small but significant struggles those diagnosed go through and how to make it through.

Tracy Magee, Ford Primary Brand Experiential Manager said, “The personal stories and experiences of the Models of Courage will help raise awareness, as well as inspire those battling breast cancers to continue the fight. Their stories inspire me every day.”

So far, Ford’s Warriors in Pink have raised $120 million, but say they are nowhere near done. If you would like to find out more information about how you can help Ford with this cause, give us a call, we can direct you in the right way.

Buying new parts for your car usually comes around for one of two reasons: 1) something broke (ugh) or 2) you’re looking to spruce your car up. No one likes when parts break or have to be replaced, but the sad truth is that for one reason or another Americans spend an average of 15 percent of their annual income on car ownership and auto expenses according to Bikes At Work.

It’s easy to be confused about which parts need to be replaced in your car and when. And online auto shops open up even more opportunities for buying, but also for confusion. Sites like autopartswarehouse.com and car-part.com are becoming increasingly popular, but nothing can replace the benefits and dynamic of a hands-on mechanic who can evaluate and assist with different needs.

The Lamarque Ford auto parts department is a happy medium between the traditional hands on and involved mechanic approach and the new age, tech savvy online shopping approach. Lamarque Ford technicians are highly trained and can assist in evaluating what is wrong with the vehicle and then refer customers to which parts they should purchase in the auto parts store. In addition to the physical auto parts store, Lamarque Ford also offers parts specials on their website to give customers the tech-savvy edge they are used to.