Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.

August 2011  

Automotive News and Views
by Jeff Barron, President of Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.
In This Issue
Cadillac ELR with Volt Technology
Google Earth and your Audi
Two helpful gizmos
Three Seconds
Used Car Corner
Useful Resources

Jeff Barron

Five minute coffee break 

 
Sorry for the lapse since the last newsletter, but after 47 years in the same offices, we have moved.  Not far, just about 100 feet.  But moving is moving, construction is noisy and messy, and it was all a big pain.  The good news is, we like our new space. 

Along with our parent company, Ellis Brooks Auto Center, we moved to an adjacent building on Bush Street also owned by the Brooks family.  Our former home, a 200,000 sq. ft. giant, has been leased by Penske Automotive Group, which is spending a great deal of money renovating the grand old lady into a showcase Nissan and Infiniti dealership.  I've seen the drawings, and the finished product will be something special.

For those of you who don't know, our former home was completed in 1918 as a Buick dealership.  Ellis Brooks, Sr. bought it in 1963 and moved his Chevrolet franchise from California Street to the jingle-worthy "Corner of Bush and Van Ness."   Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc. was founded there in April of 1964.  I had been calling it home since 1991 and somewhere along the way gained 20 years and two sons, but lost most of my hair. 

Our new home was essentially our parts warehouse in April but after a lot of expedited construction, flying sawdust and general chaos, it now features nice modern offices, a fresh look, and a showroom for Ellis Brooks Auto Center.   

Our main phone number is still (415) 474-1100, but our fax number has changed to 415-625-8541.  And our new address is 1565 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94109.    
  
Stop by and say hi if you're in the neighborhood.

 

Jeff Barron

email me 

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View our profile on LinkedIn 



Cadillac ELR - Chevy Volt technology with Cadillac style.
 
The fuel-saving technology in the new Chevrolet Volt is really remarkable, and it was only a matter of time until GM started spreading it around. Cadillac recently unveiled the ELR as a concept car but the actual production version will apparently look very similar, which is good because this car is head-turning.  With the EPA's recently announced tougher fuel economy standards, we will no doubt see more cars using hybrid and other technologies to help achieve these standards.

Don't expect to see these in the showrooms next year, but the project has been given the go-ahead.  Hopefully, GM will find more production capacity because they can't build enough Volts to satisfy current demand.  Stay tuned. 
 
 
Cadillac ELR

    

  

You're not lost, your Audi's transmission knows where you are.
 
The upcoming all-new 2012 Audi A6's navigation system is unique in that it uses Google Earth for its data, mapping and terrain information (including elevation changes.)  Because of this, the sophisticated processor computes where you are, how fast you're driving, and where you're headed, to make real-time anticipatory adjustments to the automatic transmission, active headlights, active cruise-control, and other integrated safety systems.  Impressive.    
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another innovation is a built-in WiFi hotspot so you and your passengers can surf the net on devices like laptops and iPads.
  

Helpful gizmos

 

OnStar for (almost) any car.  GM's OnStar is now available as an aftermarket add-on to millions of non-GM cars already on the road.  At consumer electronics stores this summer, OnStar FMV ("for my vehicle") comes as a self-contained replacement rear-view mirror unit.  Most, but not quite all, of the popular features of OnStar will be available with your subscription, including automatic crash reponse, emergency services notification, stolen vehicle tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and more.  The unit will sell for about $300 and installation is expected to cost less than $100.  Check here for details.
  

 OnStar FMV

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Did I leave my phone at home again?  How many times have you left for work or home and realized ten minutes into your drive that you left your cell phone behind?  If you do this with some frequency then consider spending Bringrrless than $40 for an automatic reminder called the Bringrr.  The Bringrr pairs with your Bluetooth phone and looks for it everytime you start your car.  If it doesn't sense it, the LED turns red and a modest alarm will sound reminding you your phone isn't on, or in the car.  You can choose a model that includes a charger so your phone is always ready for action.  Click here for more information.

 


Three Seconds

 

I realize that most of you reading this aren't car-nuts like me, so certain performance milestones don't mean much to you.  But I was reading a recent issue of Road & Track magazine and it struck me how many new sports cars can go from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds.  Think about that for a moment; in the time that it takes to count to 'Three-Mississippi', you can be accelerating past 60 on your way to a very expensive speeding ticket.  Many would like to see these engineering efforts being directed to fuel efficiencies rather than sheer performance, and the truth is, they are.  The next generation of performance cars will be constructed of lighter materials and powered by smaller-displacement engines using advanced technologies like direct-injection and turbocharging.  And these technologies are already being seen in the latest "regular" cars in your local showrooms.

But in the meantime, it is fun to picture yourself behind the wheel of some of these amazing cars.  Here are a few, But there are more.

Ferrari 458
Ferrari 458 Italia 
 
 
McLaren
McLaren MP4 12C

Porsche Turbo S
Porsche 911 Turbo S


Corvette ZR1
Corvette ZR-1
  

Time to Order 

 

Many of you operate small and medium commercial fleets and you should know that we now have almost all specs and costs for 2012 model-year vehicles.  Remember, the best way to get exactly the vehicles you want at the best fleet pricing is to factory-order.

Also remember that we can help you spec and build customized work trucks like this Isuzu turbo-diesel stake-body with hydraulic liftgate.      

 
Isuzu truck

 

 

Used Car Corner

 

We are fresh out of decent lease-returns, but visit

Ellis Brooks Auto Center for a full inventory of pre-owned vehicles.  We can help you buy anything from their inventory, and even set up a lease on most vehicles. 

  

 

 
About Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.

Since 1964, we have been providing fleet management and leasing services to businesses in California and the west.   Whether you have a fleet of 1 or 100, we can help you select the right vehicles and lease plans to fit your needs.
  • High-mileage leases are our specialty (even 100k/year)
  • Fuel and Maintenance Card programs
  • Fleet pricing
  • Local and out-of-state deliveries
  • All makes of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs
  • Upfitted work trucks and vans
  • Pre-owned vehicles
  • Professional, personal, no-pressure environment
Call us at (415) 474-1100 and see how easy it is to get started.

Or visit us at www.ellisbrooksleasing.com  



Thank you reading this short newsletter.  We don't do much advertising so please pass this along if you know of a company that uses vehicles in their daily operation.

If you're an existing client, we really appreciate personal referrals.
  
Jeff Barron
President
Ellis Brooks Leasing, Inc.


direct tel: 415-447-1202