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How many of you are dragon slayers?  No, I don’t mean fire-breathing, over-sized-lizard-with-large-talons-and-wings slayers. I’m talking about the legendary, eleven mile, exhilarating, heart-pounding, magnificent stretch of asphalt you may know as the Tail of the Dragon.

Automotive innovation often charges ahead into advanced technology. The car sales game seems stuck in first gear in comparison.

Oh yes, they know what they're doing! Strategic. Smooth operator. Toyota, you've done it again. 

The original. The 60’s coined the phrase “Do your own thing”, and the 1964 debut of the Ford Mustang made personalization an American legend. If Mustang hype lives on 52 years later (and Mustang hype does live on), imagine the ripple effect that personalization has had on the competition. We know Mustang and Camaro have been competing for years, but aren’t all OE’s in competition to produce the top selling vehicle?

Rena hates her new car.

In some respects, it’s a shame that the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) annual Show is a “trade only” event each year. There are literally thousands of car geeks and gearheads that would die to attend the largest car/accessory/performance parts/hotrod/truck/off-road /auto racing/motorcycle/ education /media /party event/how the heck did you ever build that/happening in the world. It is truly an Automobilia-Techno-Maxima event that every auto lover should be able to experience.

A recent article in Auto Remarketing listed the top 15 vehicles that owners keep for 10 years. It touted the statistical analysis of over 395,000 used vehicles that were sold by their original owner during the first six months of this year. Collectively these vehicles were 2005 model year and were now being sold in favor of newer models.

According to the article buyers can find strong value in older pre-owned vehicles that are sold by the original owner. These cars tend to be “well-kept and in good condition” and have had regular maintenance and repairs. They are in good overall condition and show no sign of wear or neglect.

Easier said than done……..or is it?

Vehicle condition at any mileage is no secret. It‘s all about maintenance. It begins with following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service and maintenance intervals published in the owner’s manual and ends in accessorizing the vehicle with products that will make it easier to maintain based on the usage pattern. Here are some of the most basic accessories readily available that help maintain a vehicle’s good condition.

Paint Protectant: There are literally hundreds of paint protectant finishes on the market that range from one time applications with 6 month reapplication intervals to full on clear and decorative vinyl appliques that keep the nose and hood from rock chips and insects.

Windshield Protectant: Much like the protectants that prevent paint chips and keep finishes like new, these state-of-the-art technology products have been developed to provide clear vision through the windshield and windows of the vehicle in all driving conditions. Protective coatings actually fill-in the microscopic peaks and valleys in the glass making it much smoother and resisting mud, snow, ice, and water from sticking. These nanotechnology products are easily applied and even come with warranties.

"If you give a mouse a cookie" [1]. You may or may not be familiar with this popular children’s book series by author Laura Numeroff, each book opens with the main character receiving something, like a cookie. Then, in a playful circular and interrelated pattern they ask for more items until we arrive back to the beginning…when they ask for another cookie. There’s an interesting connection to this book and a dealerships Customer Lifetime Value.

It’s shaping up as another big year for the auto industry. If projections hold true, it’d make six consecutive years of growth for car makers. Experts forecast 17 million sales for 2015. This bright outlook extends across the board for auto makers. Yet, one stands above with an incredible boost in first-quarter operating profit.