SILVERADO, SILVERADO, SILVERADOS GALORE!
A headline like that would imply that someone has a lot of Silverados. Yes, it’s true, someone does have a lot of Silverados and that someone is us. Don Hewlett Chevrolet has nearly 300 Silverados including half ton and heavy-duty models! There are many different powertrains and trim levels available from basic to loaded, 2WD to 4WD and all versions of cab sizes. Even our friend and spokesperson Chet Garner, “The Daytripper”, came in here saying “Wow, we need to change the name of this place to Don Hewlett Silverado…” We’ll see what he does with that.
Yes, the vehicle shortage was (and still is) real. But we’ve done our part in turning inventory fast enough to be rewarded additional allocations from General Motors and now they’re here. This is the best Silverado selection we’ve had in years, and we invite you to come see them.
Do you want to separate your Silverado from the crowd? Our Accessories Department can do just about anything you can imagine from spray-in bedliners, bumpers, window tint, steps, toolboxes, the list never stops…. If you can dream it up, they can install it. Come see us at Don Hewlett Chevrolet, our inventory selection is so exciting even our own sales staff is having a hard time keeping up with it as it seems that another transport truck is always pulling in with another load.We look forward to seeing you,
John Chauvin, General Manager
Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc.
TIPS TO PREVENT HEAT RELATED BREAKDOWNS
Texas summers continue long past Labor Day, often lingering into October. Long summers mean hot temperatures and after a while, hot temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s performance.
1. Check all vehicle fluids. Hot temperatures can cause added strain on your car’s systems so be sure to check the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid in your car regularly to be sure they are at the proper levels.
2. Check your car’s temperature gauge. If the light comes on, or the thermometer enters the red zone, you should safely pull over. Driving even a short distance with an overheated engine can cause damage, and possibly lead to expensive repairs. If you find yourself in this situation, wait for the engine to cool completely before driving. Do not try and cool the engine with water. A quick change in temperature can cause damage.
3. Do not remove the radiator cap (when the engine is hot). Doing so can cause hot steam and coolant to spray out, possibly causing injury. Wait for the engine to cool completely before adding coolant and water.
4. Check tire pressures. As the temperature fluctuates, so will the air in your tires. This can lead to possible problems if your tires become over or under-inflated.
5. Don’t forget about our complimentary Pit Stop service. We will happily check and top off your car’s under hood fluids and check your tire pressure on the service drive, anytime our service department is open. Just pull up and let one of our attendants know you are here for a FREE Pit Stop.
Remember, NEVER leave children or pets alone in a car. A parked vehicle can reach dangerous temperatures in just a few minutes. Pro Tip: Try leaving your wallet or purse in the second row with your child or pet to help you remember to check that back seat!
These helpful tips together with regular vehicle maintenance from our Xpress Oil Change Plus vehicle maintenance center should help you avoid untimely heat-related breakdowns. Enjoy the rest of the summer, drive safely, and stay cool! Give us a call at 512-371-6014 when we can next be of service to you, your family or place of business.
WE HAVE INVENTORY!
What a whirlwind these past couple of years have been. Microchip shortages, global supply chain disturbances, trucking industry hiccups, you name it, we’ve all faced it. The auto industry did not escape either. The car shortage was real, supply and demand drove prices to unheard of values, used vehicles cost more than new ones and the list goes on. Yes, there were multiple obstacles that presented themselves over the past few years and some days it seemed as though we were facing them all at once. I am happy to say that it seems we’ve turned the corner and new car inventory is rolling in DAILY.
Yes, Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick has inventory. Not just a few here and there, LOTS of inventory! Our Buick inventory is robust with over 100 in stock and the selection is so good, that in January, Don Hewlett was the largest volume Buick dealer in the entire state of Texas. Chevrolet is the same but different, much different… Don Hewlett now has over 400 new Chevrolet’s either in stock here at the dealership or built and inbound destined for Georgetown, Texas!
What you may not know is that our (finally substantial) inventory level is a direct result of you! By purchasing vehicles from us over these past two years, you’ve helped us turn what little inventory GM provided at such a fast rate that GM has awarded us additional allocation. Our plan… keep it rolling! What does this mean to you? The deals are HOT! We at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick are so motivated to keep the sales rate high, that we’re selling vehicles below MSRP and that hasn’t happened in what seems like years. Don’t take my word for it, come see for yourself. The time has never been better. The deals are hot, trade-ins are needed and financing is available for just about every situation. We hope to see you soon!
These days, it’s safe to say buying a new or pre-owned vehicle has become considerably easier with the invention of the Internet. Just like we all do with almost every other product we buy, the Internet seems to be the go-to place to do your research for just about everything, cars included. The great thing about Internet shopping is it never closes. You can shop at night, early morning, Sunday, or any other time you feel the desire.
Online car shopping can be fun too, especially since most auto dealers and manufacturers post multiple photos from every angle imaginable. You literally can see yourself sitting in the driver’s seat of that new or pre-owned vehicle right from your computer screen and the images are so good, you can almost get that new car smell, ok, maybe that’s a stretch.
Of course, if this is how you’ve selected your next vehicle, the financing part may not be so simple online. We all see billboards up and down the freeways with banks and credit unions advertising a very attractive interest rate. The fine print or disclaimer also says “as low as” in small print which is hard to read going 70 mph. Obviously, that rate is available to some, or they couldn’t advertise it. Let’s face it, just as we’re in the business to buy and sell cars and grocery stores are in the business to buy and sell groceries, banks are no different – they’re in the business to buy and sell money.
Financing a vehicle is simple in concept. The difficult part is the question we get asked daily, “what is your interest rate?” It’s difficult for a car dealer to respond to that question initially as we simply do not have enough information in the early stages to give a correct answer. Banks grade customers on several levels. The obvious one is your credit score, but it goes deeper than that. Banks consider how much you’re borrowing in relation to what you’re buying. Some people carry negative equity from their previous vehicle and ask to borrow say, 120% of what they’re buying. Others may borrow 80% or less with a down payment or trade equity. All of which are finance(able), some just require other considerations to be in place. Things like debt-to-income ratio, time on the job, time at residence, etc. can all play a part in answering the question “what is your interest rate?”.
The finance team at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick are trained professionals. Their job is to find the best financing package for you and your family. Sometimes that requires getting multiple lenders to compete for your business. Once you’ve agreed to purchase a vehicle, the finance team goes to work. Our lenders (and we have many) may very well be the bank or credit union you use personally. We are what’s called an “indirect lender” for that bank or credit union. Basically, this means we’ll sign you up on their contract and the loan will be yours from them, through us (if that makes sense). One stop shop concept.
Yes, we know your time is valuable and we respect that. Our finance team is there for you to help speed the process up. Your only question might be “should I use my personal bank or finance through the dealership?” With us being an indirect lender, chances are pretty good that you’ll save time and money financing through us.
We invite you to come see our HUGE selection of vehicles and when you’re ready, our financing packages are very attractive.
We recently sat down with Chevrolet Make Ready Manager – Roy Campa – who is embarking on his retirement after reaching his 32nd year of employment at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick. Roy began working for Mr. Don Hewlett in 1990 when the dealership was located on Austin Avenue in downtown Georgetown. During his 45-year career in the industry, Roy has witnessed significant changes in the automobile business and has been a crucial part in the exponential growth of the Hewlett organization. Roy figures he’s washed and delivered more than 10,000 vehicles in his career. Roy’s exceptional vehicle detailing skills are only surpassed by his genuine level of caring and both have earned him the respect of his peers and our customers. We are sad to lose Roy but thrilled for him as he embarks on his next chapter.
Q: Where were you born / raised?
Roy: Devine, TX
Q: Tell us about your childhood, what was the best part?
Roy: There was always music growing up. (Spanish at my grandmother’s – English in ours.) We didn’t have a TV during those years, so music was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed it.
Q: Why did you choose vehicle reconditioning as your profession?
Roy: I guess it kind of chose me. I started working after school and on weekends at a local gas station when I was 12. (Q: Were you washing and gassing up the customer cars?) Oh – we did a little bit of everything: gas, wash, brake jobs & tire repair – the tractor tires the farmers would bring in were the worst (they were humongous & not much fun!) I worked at that station for 10 years and then got a job at the local Chevrolet dealership in Devine. Been working for Chevrolet stores for 45 years.
Q: What has been the biggest change in the car business in the last 32 years?
Roy: I guess I’d have to say it’s the kind of people you work for and with. Years ago – I worked at stores where you never hardly saw the big bosses (only when they needed something). You were just expected to show up and do your job. That all changed when I went to work for Don Hewlett. Mr. Hewlett has always had time to really talk to you and you could always tell that he really cared. I’d say that’s the biggest difference – the people.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Roy: I like to build model airplanes and I hope to continue doing so into my retirement. I’ve always been fascinated with planes. (How many models do you think you’ve built over the years?) I don’t know about the total amount, but I do know at one time I had over 80 completed models in my house. (Q: How long does it generally take you complete a model build?) If people will leave me alone, I can get the normal size models built in a week – that’s painted and everything.
Q: We know you’re a huge music fan. So, if you had a time machine – what singer or band would you like to see play live?
Roy: Oh wow – just one? I’d probably have to choose a band called – The Rascals – in about 1967. They were originally called the – The Young Rascals – but they changed it. My favorite Rascals song is “Good Lovin’” probably – that’s their first big hit and the one everyone knows.
Q: What is your favorite Don Hewlett dealership memory?
Roy: There are so many memories and so many people I’ve worked with that it’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to choose it would probably be one of the times I scared the accounting office ladies and made them scream! I’m usually one of the first ones at the shop in the morning, so one day I brought in a big stuffed monkey and put it under the desk of one of the ladies. I’d fixed the trash can where she’d have to move it and when she bent down, she saw something big, and fuzzy with googly eyes and she started squealing like she’d been got! Yep – that was a good day!
By Brad Massey, Service Drive ManagerThis summer is proving to be one of, if not the hottest on record and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. Just like it’s important to take care of yourself by staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and staying in the shade when possible, most people underestimate the toll these extreme temperatures can have on their car.Here are five things you can do to keep your car running smoothly:1. Check your tires. Checking your tires in the summer when blacktop pavement temperatures can exceed 140F is a must! Under or overinflated tires can negatively impact your gas mileage, cause premature tire wear and are more prone to blow outs during hot weather. Find your recommended tire pressures in your car’s owner’s manual or on the factory sticker in the driver’s doorjamb. It’ll list the proper PSI levels. Not a DIY kind of person? No worries – just swing by any of our dealerships and we’ll be glad to check and fill your tires to the proper pressures, free of charge.2. Inspect your belts and hoses. As a car ages and temperatures rise, belts and hoses can become dry and brittle, causing them to crack and break. If a main drive belt snaps on the road, your car will stop running and you’ll not only lose time, but it will cost you money. The good news is, we perform a complimentary visual inspection of all belts and hoses as part of our multipoint inspection when you bring your vehicle to our dealerships for regular maintenance.3. Check & top off engine coolant.Your car’s engine cooling system is critical when the weather heats up and now that you’re running the air conditioner at full throttle, it’s under even more strain. For most cars, the normal operating engine temperature is in the range of 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, though a lot of vehicles will only provide a Cold – Hot gauge. Driving a vehicle in an overheated state – even for a relatively short time – can significantly damage critical engine components and cost you big bucks. If your vehicle seems to be running a little warmer than midrange or certainly if the ‘Check Engine Coolant’ light has come on recently, you need to stop where it’s safe and check the coolant level. STAY SAFE – Only check your engine coolant when the engine has cooled down, and make sure to top it off with the proper coolant for your vehicle.4. Refill washer fluid & inspect wipers.When there isn’t a lot of rain, your windshield will become covered in dust and bugs. You can quickly and easily remove these by making sure that your washer fluid reservoir is full. Washer fluid is cheap and is easy to refill; just look under the hood for the translucent fluid jug with the picture of a windshield on the cap. Keeping your washer fluid filled and your windshield clean will also help you quickly determine when you have a possible wiper concern. To maximize your safety, pay attention as the wipers operate to make sure both sides are clearing away the moisture in a nice, clean arch. Don’t wait for the next Texas downpour before you figure out it’s time for new wipers; at the first sign of troubles please let us help you put on a fresh set.5. Chill out!All vehicle air conditioning systems are made up of the same basic components: compressor, condenser, accumulator/drier, expansion valve and evaporator. The refrigerant in this pressurized system is always on the move and is constantly trying to find the weakest spot in the chain to escape. A lot of times when your AC blows warm this is due to a system leak. Low refrigerant not only makes you more uncomfortable it also presents problems for the related mechanical parts which use this gas/oil mixture for lubrication. Come see us if your AC isn’t working properly, and we’ll quickly diagnose and repair the problem.By paying attention to a few vehicle items now, you’re almost guaranteed to have a better, cooler drive, which by the looks of things could go on into October! As always, thank you for your business and please call on us the next time we can be of service to you or your family!
Accessories For Your Ride
Personalization. Think about that for a minute. In today’s highly competitive automotive market, sometimes it may seem like most cars look a lot alike, same for trucks, same for SUV’s. What does one normally do to combat that to make it their own? Accessorize. Yep, just like jewelry, a snazzy belt, a pocket square for your jacket or a Louis Vuitton purse, accessories are a part of our lives. Some people even put them on their pets. Your vehicle is no different.At Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, our accessory department can make your vehicle seem more like… well, yours! Not only do we sell Genuine GM Accessories for all types of cars, trucks and SUV’s, we offer a wide array of other cool stuff that will make your vehicle become whatever you want. If a simple window tint is all you need, our Llumar® window tint comes with a limited lifetime warranty that will block 99% of damaging UV rays and keep you cool while looking good at the same time and we do it in house. You want to beef up your truck? Replacement bumpers and grill guards, winches, side steps (both solid mount and power slide in/out), spray on bedliners, gooseneck hitches, larger tires, leveling kits, lift kits, YOU NAME IT, we can do it. If I were to write about everything we had to offer in our accessories department, no matter what type of vehicle you have, this newsletter would be so long you’d fall asleep reading it. Not sure what you want? Call (512-681-3194) or come by today. Our accessories professionals are accustomed to offering ideas and suggestions. They know what goes with your vehicle. They know what looks good and they have the knowledge and experience to make your accessory purchase easy, smooth and fun. Need a great birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or “our first date anniversary” gift idea? Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick’s accessories department can solve those pesky “hard to buy a gift for” people in your life. We look forward to seeing you!John Chauvin – General ManagerDon Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc.
STATE OF THE UNION
At Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick
By John Chauvin, General Manager
As we enter the 2nd month of 2022 and say goodbye to 2021, we reflect on the changes that occurred in the auto industry as well as for us here at Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick.
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 Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick have embraced those challenges and made the best of it.
While we still had inventory shortages, General Motors 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. Like many of the auto manufacturers, GM 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 at this store and our VW store that every car must go. We are making deals on every vehicle 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, trucks, 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 of new vehicles, we haven’t forgotten about the pre-owned department. We have an experienced manager who spends every working moment searching for the best vehicles.
In fact, we’ve increased our inventory on the pre-owned side. It is so robust, that we jokingly call ourselves “the pre-owned factory” because almost everyone looking for something used, drives away with their dream car. Our goal is to have nearly 300 pre-owned vehicles on our lot, all makes, models and price points.
It’s safe to say that the automobile market in 2022 and maybe even 2023 will be similar. So if you’re one of those people that has delayed the purchase or lease of a new vehicle until things get better, I want to tell you that it won’t. From all the calls, meetings, and conferences we attend, I can say with confidence that there will be little to no change in the amount of inventory that dealers have on their lots. So don’t wait, if it’s time to replace your vehicle, visit our website and contact a member of our sales team and let us help get you in that perfect car, truck or SUV.
We look forward to assisting you.
Happy Motoring,
John Chauvin – GM
Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc.
Hewlett Volkswagen, L.P.
WHY BUY TIRES FROM XPRESS OIL CHANGE PLUS?
It’s simple, Xpress Oil Change Plus can provide you with the best tires at the lowest price point!
We are your one stop tire shop! No need to go anywhere else. Not only will we help you select the safest and best-matched tires for your vehicle, but our trained Technicians will perform a complimentary vehicle health inspection for you while assuring all your fluids are topped off- at no extra cost. Plus, we’ll wash your vehicle before returning it to you.
Visit the Tire Finder on the Don Hewlett website to shop tires online. You can also schedule an appointment. It’s simple and easy. Our online Tire Finder will provide you with all rebates and offers that are available. You can also find all tire specifications and warranty information.
Unsure of your tire size? No worries! Our online Tire Store allows you to select tires based on your vehicle model and year. The tires you choose will be shipped directly to us and held specifically for your visit.
You can also stop by anytime Monday through Friday from 7am – 6pm and on Saturdays from 7am – 3pm. We carry a large selection of brand name tires at the lowest prices. Guaranteed!
We look forward to serving you
TOP 10 RESONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY TIRES FROM DON HEWLETT CHEVROLET BUICK AND XPRESS OIL CHANGE PLUS
1. Same day installation on in-stock tires – no appointment necessary.
2. Road Hazard Protection readily available.
3. Tire Manufacturer rebates and offers.
4. Take advantage of GM factory rebate offers on top of Tire Manufacturer offers with use of your GM credit card (when applicable).
5. Price Match Guarantee. We offer on the spot price matching, from eligible competitors. Plus, find a lower price within 30 days from purchase and we will refund the difference.
6. Confidence. The tires you purchase for your vehicle will specifically fit your vehicle design.
7. Selection. Many tire options, pricing, and designs to choose from.
8. Trained Service Consultants and Technicians to assist you with your tire needs.
9. Complimentary alignment checks to assure proper tire wear.
10. Complimentary multi-point inspections.
11. Complimentary car washes with every service performed
Get ready to save time and money with us. Shop online or call our Xpress Hotline Today 512-681-3090. Our tire experts are ready to assist you with your vehicle needs.
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