Dahl Automotive

2010-03-29T09:43:00.001-05:00

Leases - 36 mo. 12,000 mile per year. $0 Down payment. Plus tax, title, license and doc fee.

$169/mo. $0 Down '10 Corolla
$199/mo. $0 Down '10 Camry
$219/mo. $0 Down '10 Prius Hybrid (50 mpg!)
$229/mo. $0 Down '10 Rav-4 4x4

0% for 60 mo.
'10 Tundra, '10 Camry, '10 Corolla, '10 Matrix, '10 Highlander, '10 Yaris, '10 Rav-4.

2010-03-23T16:28:00.005-05:00

Dahl Automotive La Crosse, Onalaska, and Winona: March has kicked off with a bang! We have incentives on almost every model from zero percent interest for 6 years on a new 2010 Sonata to a $169 (plus tax) monthly payment to lease a new Toyota Corolla! Mazda 3’s lease from only $199 per month to approved credit…Motor trend car of the year, the 2010 Ford Fusion has zero percent for 5 years or up to $4000 off MSRP!

Smokin' hot deal on 2010 Corolla LE at Dahl Toyota of Winona!

2010-03-02T13:23:00.000-06:00

Dahl Toyota sells it's first Toyota!

2010-02-22T11:32:00.005-06:00

Congratulations to Bonnie and David Vandervest from Sparta Wisconsin, for purchasing the very first vehicle sold at Dahl Toyota of Winona! Pictured with Bonnie and David is Andrew Dahl, General Manager of Dahl Toyota and Susan Anderson - sales consultant. Bonnie and David are delighted with their Corolla and looking forward to the "savings in gas mileage." A big THANK YOU to everyone who worked as a team to ensure the Vandervest's were satisfied guests and welcomed properly into the Dahl Family.

Dahl Acquires Underdahl Toyota in Winona

2010-02-05T08:13:00.005-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Andrew Dahl
General Sales Manager
Dahl Automotive
712 4th Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 779-6444

Dahl Automotive acquires Toyota dealership in Winona
Dahl to hold job fair for up to 20 new positions

La Crosse, Wisconsin – (February 5, 2010) – Dahl Automotive of La Crosse has purchased Underdahl Toyota of Winona located at 1111 W. Highway 61 in Winona.

Dahl acquired the dealership from Underdahl Imports LLC. The dealership was owned by Eric and Tim Underdahl and operated in the Winona area since May 2004. The change of ownership will be effective
Friday February 12th. Dahl Toyota will officially open its doors Monday February 15th.

Andrew Dahl, currently general sales manager and co-owner at the La Crosse facility, will be the co-owner and general manager at the Winona facility. “We are excited for the opportunity to extend the Dahl brand and services to Winona and to be an active partner with the community. Our business is founded on five core values, one of which is to promote giving back within the community. We consider it a privilege to continue this legacy in Winona, which we have built for the past 99 years in the greater La Crosse area,” Dahl says.

According to Dahl, the company will be making available its full array of services at its new Winona dealership. “We are looking forward to helping our new guests get the most value that they can for their automotive investment with our services that include Tire Advantage, Used Car Advantage and No Problem Oil Change,” Dahl says.

In purchasing the dealership, Dahl has added Toyota to its lineup of brands that include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Suzuki, and it will now employ 200 associates.

Dahl Automotive will be holding a job fair on Feb. 11th to hire up to 20 associates to operate its new location. The company will be hiring to fill positions in sales, service, administrative support and other areas. The job fair will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Riverport Inn & Suites, 900 Bruski Drive, Winona.

Regarding the current Toyota recall campaign to repair accelerator pedals, Dahl says their Winona facility has completed the dealer training has an initial supply of parts in stock and upon opening their doors Monday February 15th will immediately begin completing the recall program as quickly and as conveniently as possible for its guests.

About Dahl Automotive
Nearly 100 years old, Dahl Automotive is the ninth-oldest family-owned Ford dealership in the nation and currently operates dealerships in La Crosse and Onalaska, Wis. Dahl now offers nine automotive franchises including Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. Dahl Automotive also operates Dahl Superior Auto Body in La Crosse and Dahl Superior Detail Centers at both the Onalaska and La Crosse dealership locations. Dahl most recently renovated its 4th Street new car showroom for its import brands and added a Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center to its downtown location. In addition, Dahl operates a Quick Lane at its Onalaska facility on Theater Road. More information is available at www.dahlauto.com

TOYOTA is TOPS!

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-06:00

Toyota is Tops, According to New Consumer Reports Survey
According to Consumer Reports, Toyota again earned the highest score in its annual brand perception survey. Despite experiencing one of the most turbulent years ever in the automotive market, Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru have benefited from a dramatic increase in overall brand perception among car owners. According to the survey, all three saw at least a 30-point increase in their overall perception scores over last year's scores. The scores reflect how consumers perceive each brand in seven categories: Safety, quality, value, performance, design/style, technology/innovation, and environmentally friendly/green. Toyota maintained its number one spot. Subaru's 39-point increase, which was the largest of any brand and almost double its 2009 score, boosted the brand to ninth place, from last year's 18th position. At the other end of the spectrum, the two lowest-scoring brands were Hummer and Saab. Luxury brands saw the greatest decreases in overall scores, with Porsche (-13 points), Lexus (-15), Cadillac (-15), Infiniti (-21), and Lincoln (-25) moving in the wrong direction.

2010-01-11T12:21:00.001-06:00

HUGE accolades for Ford Motor Company!!!

It's been a busy day already with the opening of the Detroit North American International Auto Show this morning. Below are links to some of the videos & news stories already starting to pour out from the opening morning festivities! Just like Friday, all articles/videos are linked from the title lines.

Ford Wins CNET "Best of CES" Award For Hottest Car, GPS Technology at 2010 International CES - @FordOnline

CNET editors today awarded Ford Motor Company a “Best of CES” award for MyFord Touch™ , the company’s new driver connect technology, in the car and GPS technology category.
“At Ford, technology innovation is driven by what consumers want, enhancing the driving experience and adding real value,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re proud to have MyFord Touch recognized by CNET, as it positions Ford amongst the leaders in consumer electronics innovation.”
“Each year, CNET editors spend hundreds of hours on the show floor to find the hottest technologies that will drive industry trends for the coming year and beyond,” said Scott Ard, Editor in Chief of CNET. “Ford was chosen from thousands of products at the show and demonstrates the innovation to be honored with one of our ‘Best of CES’ award.”
The nine categories include Digital photo and video; Car tech and GPS; Cell phones and smartphones; Computers and hardware; Gaming; Green; Home Theater; MP3 and portable video players; and Televisions. In addition, there were awards given for the Best in Show product and People’s Voice, given by the thousands of online viewers who cast their votes.

MyFord Driver Connect Technology Wins Popular Mechanics' Editor's Choice Award at 2010 CES - @FordOnline
Ford’s innovative new MyFord Touch driver connect technology has received a Popular Mechanics’ Editor’s Choice award for best new product at the 2010 International CES.
The 2010 show marks the third time the magazine’s technology editors have selected a Ford breakthrough for the award, granted annually to products the magazine feels “will make a difference this year.”
“Ford innovations are a direct response to consumer trends,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, during his CES keynote presentation. “Technologies such as SYNC and MyFord Touch feed the demand for information in an integrated, elegant user interface.”

Ford Sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards - @FordOnline
• 2010 North American Car And Truck Of The Year: Chevy Yells "F**K!" - Jalopnik
Ford Motor Company scored a historic doubleheader today, capturing both the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It is only the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both titles.
The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards recognize vehicles based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. A jury of 49 automotive journalists in the United States and Canada vote for the vehicles, which must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model to qualify for the award.
The Fusion Hybrid edged out finalists including the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf/GTI to win the North American Car of the Year award. It is the fourth hybrid vehicle in 17 years to win recognition as North American Car (or Truck) of the Year. It also is the second hybrid win for Ford – the most hybrid wins for any automaker. The Ford Escape Hybrid was named North American Truck of the Year in 2005.
The Transit Connect bested finalists including the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback to win the North American Truck of the Year award. It is the sixth Ford truck to win the award – the most wins of any automaker in the 17-year history of the awards program. It also is the second year in a row that Ford has captured the title. Last year, top honors went to the 2009 Ford F-150.
Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:
• MOTOR TREND Car of the Year Award
• One of CAR and DRIVER Magazine’s “10Best” Cars for 2010
• One of AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s 2010 All-Stars
• 2009 “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• 2009 Ward’s Interior of the Year Special Achievement Award for Best Graphic Display for SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster
• Great Car for the Long-haul Salesman by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
• One of America’s Top 40 New Cars by MOTOR TREND magazine
• Rated the No. 1 Hybrid Family Sedan by CAR and DRIVER in a recent comparison test by the magazine
• 2009 and 2010 Editors Choice for Fuel Sipper by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
• Best Hybrid for the Money in the Midsize Car segment by cars.com
• One of 2009 Top 10 Green Cars by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
• The Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Value”
• 2010 Consumers Digest Best Buy
• Detroit Free Press 2010 Car of the Year
• 2010 Most Environmentally Progressive Car of the Year by Earth, Wind & Power
• 10 Best Engine by Ward’s Auto World
Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect include:
• 2010 Editors Choice for Vans by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
• Detroit Free Press 2010 Truck of the Year
• The Detroit News 2010 Truck of the Year
• 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for Best Workhorse Vehicle
• A Great Car for the Small Business Delivery/Utility Worker by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com

Ford Showing 'One Ford' Determination With 2012 Ford Focus - The Car Connection
• 2012 Ford Focus Unveiled at NAIAS – CarDomain Blog
• Video: 2010 NAIAS Ford Press Conference, 2010 Focus Reveal
With a presentation that included news of renewed profitability and a renewed investment in Michigan, Ford touted its "One Ford" focus with, appropriately, the introduction of the 2012 Ford Focus, at Detroit's Cobo Arena.
In the U.S., we've heard for years that small cars can't be profitable, but Ford plans to take advantage of the economics of scale with most of its products. It will be a key factor for the success of the new Focus, which will be the first of a new generation of global compact cars. The 2012 Focus' underpinnings are slated to be shared with up to ten upcoming models along with up to 2 million vehicles produced annually.

Ford & Mazda still Long Term Partners!

2009-12-15T09:52:00.004-06:00

Ford, Mazda to Remain 'Long-Term' Partners
One year after Ford Motor Co. sold most of its controlling stake in Mazda Motor Corp., top executives from both companies have reaffirmed their commitment to a "long-term partnership" – quashing speculation that the longest alliance in automotive history was breaking apart. According to the Detroit News, in meetings over the past couple of weeks, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi, and other senior managers have discussed how they can continue to collaborate within the framework of their new ownership structure. While their partnership will be less about shared vehicle platforms and more about joint development of automotive systems and technologies, executives from Ford and Mazda said it remains vital to their success. Mazda provides Ford with a window into the Japanese auto business that Ford is keen to keep open. And the relationship also allows Ford to achieve even greater economies of scale. For example, by selling motors to Mazda, it is able to lower its own unit cost for those engines. And the two companies continue to operate four major joint ventures – in China, Thailand, South Africa, and Flat Rock – that are beneficial to Ford’s global outlook. Click here for more on Ford and Mazda’s continuing partnership.

Article in Jan. edition of Sports Car Magazine!

2009-12-14T17:19:00.001-06:00

Genesis from Dahl Auto published in Jan. edition of Sports Car Magazine!

2009-12-14T17:14:00.001-06:00

A picture from our Genesis Coupe customer Trevor Jones. He races the Genesis he bought from Dahl professionally… Pretty cool, huh!

Share the Love 2010 Going on right now....

2009-12-09T13:16:00.004-06:00

$250 to the listed charity of your choice when you purchase a new Subaru!

Mitsubishi RVR

2009-12-09T13:11:00.002-06:00

Listen to this:

It will be called the 'RVR' in Japan when it goes on sale Spring 2010....to be sold in other global markets (including the U.S.) later in 2010.

RVR was born in 1991. RV of RVR means Recreational Vehicle. In Japan, with Montero (Pajero in Japan),
RVR created SUV segment. (In Japan called RV segment) In US, this vehicle was sold under
Chrysler Eagle brand called Eagle Summit.

After 2 generations of RVR, its production terminated in 2002. Size-wise, RVR was replaced by Outlander.
Spring 2010 RVR will debut in Japan. Fall/Winter 2010 same car will debut in US as Outlander Sport.

2009-12-01T16:35:00.002-06:00

HYUNDAI TAKES THE LEAD AS THE MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT AUTOMAKER IN AMERICA

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 1, 2009 – One year after promising to become the leading manufacturer in fuel economy, Hyundai delivered by topping the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy report. Hyundai passed all major manufacturers in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) including traditional leaders like Honda and Toyota. The report demonstrates the effectiveness of Hyundai’s value-driven fuel-efficiency strategy, which focuses on the intelligent application of cost-effective technologies. The report also substantiates Hyundai’s leadership in the race to achieve the government-mandated 2016 CAFE standard of 35.5 miles per gallon.
The EPA 2009 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report indicates that Hyundai has the highest MY 2009 laboratory 55/45 fuel economy with 30.1 miles per gallon (mpg). Hyundai is also the only automaker to top 30 mpg in the report.

Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Reports
Group Fuel Economy (mpg)
MY 2009 EPA Lab 55/45* (projected)
Manufacturer** Overall (Cars/Trucks)
Hyundai 30.1
Honda 29.7
Volkswagen 29.6
Toyota 29.4
Kia 28.0
Nissan 27.2
BMW 26.9
Ford 25.7
General Motors 24.5
Chrysler 23.2
* from EPA Table 28 (http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/mpg/fetrends/fullreport-tables-nov2009.xls) – MY 2009 EPA Laboratory 55/45 Fuel Economy by Manufacturer (55%city 45% highway weighted metric)
**Include ten highest-volume manufacturers

“Our thoughtful application cost-effective, fuel-efficient technologies has helped us achieve our goal of leading the industry in fuel economy ahead of schedule,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Now we hope to extend that leadership with the launch of our new direct injection, turbocharging and lithium-polymer hybrid technologies, all of which will be a part of the 2011 Sonata lineup launching early next year.”
Hyundai is aligning global R&D resources at its engineering centers in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany to develop the Blue Drive technologies needed to achieve fuel efficiency goals. Under the Hyundai Blue Drive strategy, technologies such as direct injection, turbo-charging, hybrid drive systems and a number of others will all play larger roles in powering future models to offer consumers lower emissions, enhanced performance and more miles per gallon.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.
# # #

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com

Newest Mazda T.V. Ad

2009-11-25T08:07:00.001-06:00

You saw it first on the Dahl Blog!

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjdAsTfWYW4

2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year!

2009-11-20T17:38:00.003-06:00

Check out what is going on with FORD!

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year, BLIS, Ford, Ford Fusion, Ford Motor Company, Ford SYNC, fuel efficiency, midsize sedan

http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/cars/#photo

And of course: www.dahlauto.com

2009-11-18T11:06:00.000-06:00

More Hyundai news…Gotta love it!

Hyundai's Charge Ahead Pressures Japanese Auto MakersHyundai-Kia's global sales gains have overwhelmed rivals this year, and the climbing yen and South Korea's export-friendly trade pacts are giving Japanese automakers even more worries. According to Automotive News, that's putting pressure on Japanese auto executives, who view the South Korean automakers as competitors for share in markets where the Japanese have built strong followings. The success of Hyundai and Kia comes as the governments of both countries appear to be diverging on their support for the export industry. South Korea last month signed a tentative trade pact with the European Union to add to a list of more than 40 free-trade agreements – called FTAs – with countries ranging from the United States to India. Japan has less than a third as many FTAs, nearly all of them in Asia. The Korean agreement provides an easier outlet for Hyundai to sell to markets that are becoming increasingly interested in its products. Despite the FTAs, Hyundai has not built a car plant at home since 1996. Instead, it has set up shop in the United States, China, India, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.

2010 Ford Taurus vs. 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer

2009-11-02T15:59:00.003-06:00

These all-wheel-drive sports sedans can really fly, but which one defines your inner enthusiast??

By Jonathan Elfalan and Tom Wilson • Photos by Guy Spangenberg - December 2009

Comparison Test: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO vs. 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Slideshow: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO vs. 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring >>
At first blush, this pair made about as much sense as comparing an Antonov An-225 to an F-22 Raptor. The spry yet Spartan Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution on one hand, hailing from a production history created by WRC homologation, while the original mash-'n'-go Ford Taurus SHO is rumored to have been birthed from a surplus of juicy Yamaha-sourced V-6 engines that needed homes.

Slideshow >>
But look closer and these two reveal some striking parallels in what they were to enthusiasts back then and more importantly what they have evolved into today. Both were passenger cars for basic transportation that became icons of their time once their mundane unit-bodies were injected with a healthy dose of hormones. They were inarguably true enthusiast cars then; so what of them today?
We headed northwest, piloting the latest iterations of these hopped-up all-wheel-drive turbocharged sedans, logged hundreds of miles on highways and winding roads through California's central coast and discovered just what they're made of, whom they speak to and what remains of their original DNA.
The An-225 may be a far reach from the F-22, but they were both engineered to fly!

Slideshow >>
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR TouringThe last time I was here on Highway 229, it was at the wheel of a Ferrari F430, having one of those moments when happiness nearly drives you to guilt. This state of mind involves a car that makes you feel as if you're one of the great undiscovered drivers of your time. The Evo has the innate ability to deliver this experience, with appreciably less risk, on wicked undulating roads such as this. The suspension feels perfectly dialed-in, with enough compliance to keep each wheel attached to the road while it keeps the overhangs off of it. The standard Brembo brakes withstand abuse that would engulf most others in flames and the sophisticated drivetrain rips apart any misconceptions about all-wheel drive's sole intent being for snow or dirt. The ability to leave nearly anything in your dust on a back road — especially a Taurus SHO — alone would be reason enough for an enthusiast to look no further.
Introduced in 1992 for the Japanese market, the Mitsubishi Evolution is now currently in its 10th generation (known as the Evo X), the most technologically advanced model to date. The legendary turbocharged iron-block 4G63 inline-4, which served nine tours, was replaced by a lighter and more potent all-aluminum turbo inline-4, the 4B11. The 2.0-liter displacement remains but it gains Mitsubishi's MIVEC variable valve timing on the exhaust side in addition to the intake side and features a square bore (where bore = stroke). Mitsubishi worked hard to minimize an inline-4's inherent imbalance to the point that no balance shaft is deemed necessary.

Slideshow >>
With 291 bhp at 6500 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm extracted from this diminutive 4-banger, the Evo's power-per-liter figure eclipses the SHO's twin-turbo V-6 by more than 40 bhp and 50 lb.-ft. And though there's still the inherent torque deficit issue of a tiny engine at low rpm, which tempts many manufacturers to correct with more displacement, Mitsubishi tackles the problem head on with its Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (or TC-SST for short-ish). While it had a few rough edges in our long-term 2008 Evolution MR test car, TC-SST has since been smoothed out via software reprogramming for 2010. Compared with the 5-speed manual gearbox in the Evo GSR, the MR's 6-speed box benefits from a shorter overall ratio in every gear for better pickup, seamless shifting and that extra gear for more comfortable highway cruising. We might fault Mitsubishi's failed attempt to come up with a digestible name for it, but we applaud the company for building a gearbox that maximizes the torque at hand and in the process creating what we believe to be the best twin-clutch transmission on the market.
Continue Reading

Consumer Reports - "Ford Secures Place Among World's Most Reliable Carmakers"

2009-10-27T17:32:00.000-05:00

@FordOnline DEARBORN -- Already producing world-class initial quality, Ford now is the only U.S. domestic automaker with world-class reliability, according to Consumer Reports, which released details Tuesday of its 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey.
The magazine's news release heralded the company’s quality improvement, stating in the headline that "Ford Secures Place Among World's Most Reliable Carmakers."
According to the Consumer Reports release, "Ford's sustained production of vehicles that are as dependable – or better than – some of the industry's best dispels the notion that only Japanese manufacturers make reliable cars. Other than the Toyota Prius, the reliability of the 4-cylinder Fusion and Milan ranks higher than that of any other family sedan. Both of those Ford Motor Company products continue to beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, while the upscale Lincoln MKZ tops its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES."
David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Automotive Test Center, had additional praise for Ford's trio of mid-size sedans.
"It's rare for Consumer Reports to see family sedans from domestic carmakers continue to beat the reliability scores of such highly regarded Japanese models as the Camry and Accord," said Champion in the news release.
Overall, about 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products were rated average or better reliability in the Consumer Reports survey.
"The Ford team has a commitment to be world class in quality, and we’ve made consistent strides over the last five years," said Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Ford Global Quality. "Today is a great day for us and for our customers, to have such a highly regarded third party – Consumer Reports -- recognize us for what we already know."
The Ford Mustang V-6 was among the most reliable vehicles in the "Sporty Cars/Coupes and Convertibles" category. The new Ford Flex also performed well in the study.
Consumer Reports says its 2009 reliability survey is based on responses on more than 1.4 million vehicles owned or leased by subscribers to the magazine or its Web site. The survey was conducted in the spring of 2009 and covers model years 2000 to 2009.
__________________________________________________________________
TheCarConnection.Com Honda, Toyota, Acura and Lexus all have deservedly solid reputations for reliability and quality. But according to Consumer Reports' latest Reliability Survey, the brands at the head of the class are Ford and Lincoln--at least when it comes to the core volume models.
The survey, which took responses from 1.4 million vehicle owners or lessors, found the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan to beat out all family sedans for reliability, including the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Lincoln MKZ likewise trumped the Acura TL and Lexus ES.
It's not just the Fusion/Milan and MKZ that are at the top of the list, though--roughly 90% of Ford's vehicles come out average or better for reliability according to the study. Some vehicles, like the all-wheel drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX and MKZ, scored below average, however.
The title for least reliable vehicle goes to Volkswagen this year, for the Touareg, which is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the Honda Insight, which topped the charts for reliability. Toyota and Honda still come out well on the overall results--Asian carmakers in general do, in fact, taking 36 of the 48 top spots, with Toyota leading at 18, Honda with eight, Nissan at four, and Hyundai/Kia and Subaru with three top spots each.
There are a number of trends in the results too, with small cars in particular scoring well--fully 20 of the 37 small cars surveyed were above-average in predicted reliability. Some of the front-runners include the Scion xD and Volkswagen Golf.
Nationally, Ford was the heavy-hitter for the U.S., though GM came through with its newer models. Twenty of the 48 cars in the survey meet average or better reliability marks. Chrysler, on the other hand, has over a third of its products at "much worse than average." Japan is strong as usual with Honda and Toyota leading the way, while Korean brands Hyundai and Kia proved their consistent improvement is still paying dividends, with only two models--the Kia Sedona and Sorento--scoring below average.
Despite Volkswagen's horrific Touareg results, European carmakers on the whole are doing well, with Mercedes-Benz the strongest. BMW's results are "mixed" and VW and Audi are best characterized as on the comeback trail, though VW's Golf and CC rank highly. Porsche's only low spot is the Boxster, which is now below average, while the Cayenne--which shares much of its platform with the disastrous Touareg--rises to average.
Consumer Reports' metric for the reliability judgment is based on a statistical analysis of the number of problems likely to occur with any given model currently on sale. That model is formed from the reports of the 1.4 million subscribers' responses.
thecarconnection.com __________________________________________________________________
Reuters DETROIT, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) has made the most progress in improving vehicle quality among major automakers, while Chrysler ranks at the bottom of the industry for reliability, according to an annual Consumer Reports survey released on Tuesday.
Asian automakers dominated the magazine's influential list of recommended vehicles, with Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T) Scion ranked the top brand followed by Honda Motor Co's (7267.T) flagship brand. Toyota's flagship brand placed third.
Ford ranks as the only U.S. automaker that is competing with Asian brands with "world-class reliability," Consumer Reports said.
About 90 percent of Ford's vehicles achieved average or better reliability, the study showed. Ford's Mercury brand ranked tenth for reliability -- the only U.S. brand to make the top 10 list. The Ford brand ranked 16th and Ford's luxury Lincoln brand ranked 20th.
"Ford definitely has closed the gap," said Rik Paul of Consumer Reports. "We started seeing that a couple of years ago. We didn't know at that time if it was a fluke or if it was something they were going to be able to maintain. Last year, they were still there and this year, they are still there."
In contrast, Chrysler's three brands all slipped further in the ratings. The Jeep SUV brand ranked 30th, with Dodge just behind and the Chrysler brand dead last in the ranking.
Consumer Reports said more than a third of Chrysler models through the 2009 model year were "much worse than average." Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy on June 10 by completing the sale of most of its assets to a new company led by Italy's Fiat SpA (FIA.MI). Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, who also heads Fiat, will announce a five-year business plan for turning around the No. 3 U.S. automaker on Nov. 4.
Steve Rattner, the former investment banker who headed the Obama administration's restructuring of GM and Chrysler, said last week that officials were divided about whether Chrysler could be saved, in part because Consumer Reports did not recommend any of its vehicles.
For the new report, the magazine endorsed one Chrysler vehicle, the four-wheel-drive version of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck.
"It did well in (our) road tests and rates average in reliability," the magazine said. Many analysts say Chrysler desperately needs new vehicles to steer its faltering operations toward recovery. Chrysler's U.S. sales plunged 42 percent in September from a year ago.
Marchionne said recently he was surprised at the lack of product development done by Chrysler's previous owners, Cerberus Capital Management [CBS.UL] and Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE), in the two years before his arrival in June.
"Chrysler, well, they're not bringing out a lot of product. You have to bring out product to improve," Paul said. Chrysler was not immediately available for comment. NEW GM MODELS ENCOURAGING General Motors Co's [GM.UL] flagship Chevrolet brand, which accounts for more than 60 percent of its U.S. sales, ranked 25th on the list.
The No. 1 U.S. automaker emerged from bankruptcy in July backed by some $50 billion in U.S. taxpayer funding. GM is counting on sales gains at Chevy at a time when it is selling Saab, Hummer and winding down Pontiac and Saturn.
The magazine said that 20 of GM's 48 models have average reliability scores. The automaker has a number of "strong contenders" just released or in the pipeline, but it was too early to have reliability data on them.
"We have seen some of their newer models doing better so we do think perhaps they are on the right track," Paul said. Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS), the only major automaker to increase sales in a slumping U.S. market this year, ranked eighth, unchanged from last year.
Besides its influence with car shoppers, the annual report is used by major automakers as a proxy for their performance in improving and maintaining vehicle quality.
Consumer Reports is published by the nonprofit Consumers Union and does not accept advertising. The publication's "predicted reliability" study for new model vehicles is based on an average of consumer ratings of the same model in the recent years.
This year's report on auto reliability was based on consumer feedback on more than 1.4 million vehicles, Consumer Reports said. The reliability results will be published in the magazine's December issue, which goes on sale next week.
(Reporting by Soyoung Kim and Bernie Woodall, additional reporting by David Bailey; editing by Matthew Lewis and Andre Grenon)

Mazda and Ford are on Fire!

2009-10-26T08:16:00.006-05:00

October is Truck month AND Mazda sure has some hot leases going on right now! We have had a few of our employee's lease a Mazda this month. The Ford Fusion has had alot of play lately, with their new Hybrid. More articles to follow on the Fusion!

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/app/drop_in/pdf/dahlford.pdf

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/app/drop_in/pdf/dahlweather.pdf

http://www.dahlauto.com/imagelibrary/20192072dahl[1].pdf

What's been going on at Dahl since you last checked in?

2009-10-23T17:34:00.002-05:00

www.youtube.com/Dahlauto

Dancing with the La Crosse Stars, 2009!

2009-10-23T16:57:00.002-05:00

Here is a video clip of Dancing with the La Crosse Stars, 2008. Our own Andrew and Jamie Dahl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDavnikcJMo

Guess what? Here’s a shameless plug for this year’s “Dancing with the La Crosse Stars” benefitting the American Red Cross. The event is at Central High School this year and the date changed to Thanksgiving weekend, Sat. Nov. 28. This event is rather popular and tickets will sell out (they have already sold 200 tickets). The fundraising event pairs local “celebrities” with dance teachers to help raise money for the American Red Cross. For tickets, contact the American Red Cross at 788-1000. Since Jamie and Andrew Dahl are defending champions, they will perform an exhibition in the second set of the performance (not the same dance as last year). Such a great cause and a whole lot of fun! Do you know a couple that might be dancing this year? Anyone have pictures or feedback from last years event?

Hyundai: The newest U.S. auto power

2009-10-23T15:10:00.001-05:00

South Korea's Hyundai Motor is now a force to be reckoned with in the battered U.S. auto market as more consumers flock to its Hyundai and Kia brands. By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer

NEW YORK: (CNNMoney.com) -- In a year of unprecedented turmoil for the U.S. auto industry, one major car maker has emerged as a winner. And that company isn't based in Detroit, Japan or Europe.
South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has gained significant ground against its more established rivals this year. In fact, the company, which has separate operations for its Hyundai and Kia brands in the U.S., is the only one to report sales growth this year.
U.S. sales for General Motors, Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) and Chrysler Group, as well as Japan's Toyota Motor (TM), Honda Motor (HMC) and Nissan (NSANY), are all down between 25% to 50% from a year ago. But combined U.S. sales for the Hyundai and Kia brands are up 2.6%.
As a result, the two brands have picked up 2.2 percentage points of market share during the first nine months of 2009. Hyundai and Kia now combine for 7.4% of the U.S. auto market.
That puts Hyundai Motor Group just ahead of Nissan as the sixth-largest automaker in terms of U.S. auto sales. And the Korean automaker is rapidly closing in on Chrysler, which now has just a 9.2% share of the U.S. market.
"They're definitely considered one of the major automakers today, which was definitely not the case this time last year," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for car pricing tracker TrueCar.com.
So how has Hyundai become such a significant threat to Detroit's Big Three and the Japanese auto giants?
The right cars at the right time
Industry experts said that Hyundai has primarily been a beneficiary of the economic downturn.
High gas prices steered buyers away from the pickups and SUVs that had been a mainstay for Detroit's Big Three to more fuel efficient cars that are Hyundai's specialty. That trend accelerated thanks to this summer's popular Cash for Clunkers program, which gave buyers money to buy a new car if they traded in their old gas guzzler.
Hyundai's and Kia's combined U.S. sales leapt 30% over the course of July and August compared to a year earlier. The rest of the industry suffered a 7% decline in sales over those two months -- despite a boost from Cash for Clunkers.
The company also has been able to steal share because its vehicles typically cost less than similar models from rivals. Lower-priced vehicles obviously appealed to buyers squeezed on credit or worried about their jobs.
That has helped Hyundai steal share not just from its troubled Detroit rivals, but also from Toyota and Honda -- despite these Japanese automakers' similar focus on smaller cars.
"Fundamentally the market has come to them," said Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive officer of auto industry tracker Edmunds.com.
But now that Cash for Clunkers is history and many economists are talking about an end to the recession, will Hyundai continue to gain ground? Company officials said that it will be a challenge but expressed confidence.
"We've done a great job of lifting our brand this year. We're on lists we weren't on before," said Dave Zuchowski, vice president of U.S. sales for Hyundai. "But we're going to keep our foot on the gas. We have a lot of work to do."
Zuchowski admits that Hyundai uniquely benefited from the economic downturn and the hit that the rest of the auto industry took. He compared it to the effect that the oil shocks of the 1970s and early 1980s had on helping the Japanese automakers to establish themselves with U.S. buyers.
But Hyundai also made some savvy moves to take advantage of the trends moving the market in its direction.
Increased production and more advertising = higher sales
In January, the company rolled out its Hyundai Assurance program, which allowed buyers who lost their jobs to return their cars without penalty. A month later, Hyundai added a new wrinkle to the program. The company agreed to cover three months of payments for buyers that were looking for work.
The program helped drive up awareness of the Hyundai brand. GM and Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) eventually came out with their own version in response to Hyundai's success.
Hyundai also did a better job than most of its rivals of preparing for demand from Cash for Clunkers. In the spring, as many U.S. auto plants were idled due to weak sales, Hyundai raised production at its U.S. plants from four days to five to give it adequate supplies in anticipation of the program.
0:00 /4:20GM without Saturn
The company also guaranteed its dealers they would get the up to $4,500 payments per car sold under Cash for Clunkers directly from Hyundai, rather than having them wait for reimbursement from the government.
That turned out to be a smart move. Dealers for many of Hyundai's competitors ran into a cash crunch due to slow government payments, which limited the ability of some rivals to fully reap the benefits of the program.
Hyundai has also been taking advantage of the troubles facing General Motors and Chrysler. The company has grabbed dozens of U.S. dealerships or facilities cut loose by GM and Chrysler as part of their bankruptcies.
Experts say that Hyundai may also get a lift as GM drops its Pontiac and Saturn brands in the coming months. According to research from Edmunds.com, people who've bought Pontiac or Saturn models in the past have also looked at Hyundai models before making their purchase.
Hyundai has stepped up its marketing efforts as well -- and at a time when many competitors were pulling back on how much they spend on promotions.
The company advertised during the Super Bowl for the first time ever in 2008 and did so again this year. The company also had a commercial during this year's Academy Awards. Zuchowski said Hyundai is looking for more high-profile sponsorship opportunities going forward.
What's next?
Experts almost universally praise Hyundai for the success of its fuel-efficient Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
But even as many American consumers continue to shift to smaller cars, experts say that Hyundai has the opportunity to grab even more market share if it sold more trucks.
Light trucks still account for nearly half of U.S. auto sales. Hyundai has limited crossover and minivan offerings and has less than a 5% share of the light truck market.
There have been rumors that Hyundai is planning to introduce a pickup offering in the future. Zuchowski would only say there are no immediate plans for such a truck.
The company also has only one luxury vehicle, the Hyundai Genesis. By way of comparison, most other automakers have a full lineup of cars marketed under separate luxury brands.
Some experts say that Hyundai may need to come out with its own separate luxury brand if it is going to compete effectively in that higher-profit part of the market.
"Luxury buyers buy image, and the image of Hyundai is not on the short list for most luxury buyers," said Toprak. "You're going to have a tough time selling a $50,000 Hyundai, even if the car is worth that kind of money."
Still, experts say that Hyundai and Kia have a solid group of new cars ready to hit the market in the next few years, such as the redesigned versions of Hyundai's Santa Fe crossover and Sonata sedan and Kia's new Soul and Forte small cars.
"The early signals from their product pipeline is they should be very competitive," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting for J.D. Power & Associates.
Schuster added that as long as the company continues to do what it has been doing, Hyundai should be able to keep gaining market share. And that could mean that the once little South Korean car company may become an even bigger thorn in the side of both Detroit and Japan.

Check out: www.hyundaimomentum.com and www.dahlauto.com for more information!

Dahl Automotive Awards Auto Technician Scholarship

2009-06-20T12:16:00.006-05:00

(Jansen, Harry, Tom Matheys, Tyler, Andrew)

Dahl Automotive is proud to announce this year's WTC Automotive Technician Scholarship has been awarded to Tom Matheys.

Tom is enrolled in the Auto Technician program at Western Technical College in La Crosse. To qualify for the Dahl Automotive Scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in the Auto Technician program full time and have a financial need. Dahl has been a supporter of WTC's scholarship program for 5 years and continues to reward young students looking for a career in automotive service.

To learn more about WTC's Industrial Technology scholarships, click the following link:

http://www.westerntc.edu/scholarships/industrialscol.asp

To learn more about WTC's Automotive Technician program, click the following link:

http://www.westerntc.edu/program_resource_pages/324042.asp

To apply to Dahl Automotive, please check our website:

http://www.dahlauto.com/employ.html

Dahl Automotive Aquires Mazda Franchise

2009-06-06T08:52:00.003-05:00

La Crosse, Wisconsin – Dahl Automotive is proud to announce their recent acquisition of a local Mazda franchise, formerly owned by Morrie’s Mazda.

Dahl Automotive’s reputation as a progressive company with a strong guest satisfaction philosophy is the central reason for the opportunity. The franchise was offered to Dahl by Morrie’s Mazda because of this reputation. Mazda quickly approved of the franchise acquisition with the Dahl organization exceeding the stringent approval criteria.

Dan Swift, General Manager of Dahl Automotive, said of the new partnership with Mazda, “The Mazda brand is a great fit for our company. Our Generation Ahead philosophy blends in seamlessly with Mazda’s futuristic and youthful styling. We look forward to aggressively growing the Mazda brand.”

Dahl Automotive will integrate the Mazda inventory at their downtown La Crosse location. The move will further enhance the downtown area as an import destination for car buyers.

For more information on the recent acquisition of the Mazda franchise please contact Dan Swift or Andrew Dahl.

At nearly 100 years old, Dahl Automotive is the ninth-oldest family-owned Ford dealership in the nation. The expanding company will now employ more than 150 team members. It has dealerships in La Crosse and Onalaska and in addition to the new Mazda brand, it offers Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, and Hyundai.

Media coverage:

WKBT

http://www.wkbt.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3835357&at1=News&h1=10:00

La Crosse Tribune

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2009/06/04/news/z05autodealer0604.txt

Car and Truck of the Year

2009-02-16T11:10:00.007-06:00

Dahl Automotive has the North American Car AND Truck of the Year!

2009 North American Car of the Year - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/abouthyundai/news/2009_01_11/2009_01_11.aspx

Lease a new Hyundai Genesis for as little as $399/mo at Dahl Onalaska - 561 Theater Road

2009 Truck of the Year - 2009 Ford F-150
http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/news/detail/index.asp?id=1707

A good selection of the all new 2009 F-150 at Dahl Ford in Downtown La Crosse and on Theater Road in Onalaska. Starting at just $17,498 after conquest rebate.

Dahl Onalaska Wins Northland Cup Award

2009-02-06T14:44:00.004-06:00

The Dahl Automotive Onalaska parts and service department has been awarded Ford's Twin Cities Region Northland Cup Award for outstanding customer service. Once a quarter each dealership in the region (96 total) are judged based on several key categories, including service customer survey's. For the 4th quarter of 2008 after all the results were tallied up the Onalaska parts and service staff finished 1st out of the 96 dealers. CONGRATULATIONS!!

Fusion Hybrid "Most fuel efficient mid-size car"

2008-12-23T16:14:00.002-06:00

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2008 – The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiency in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:
- Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.

- New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

- Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.

- Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.

- Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving
The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry.

The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio

New Showroom Now Open!

2008-12-17T15:06:00.002-06:00

In line with our pledge to remain "A Generation Ahead", Dahl Automotive of La Crosse has opened the doors to the newly remodeled showroom located at 712 South 4th street in downtown La Crosse. Guests may now enjoy the convenience of shopping for a Used-Car Advantage vehicle or a brand new Ford, Subaru, Mitsubishi, or Suzuki out of one state-of-the-art showroom. Guests may now find Kyle Dulek, Jeff Krause, Tony Bottcher, and Allan Fukuda operating from the 712 South 4th Street location along with Ken Hauser, Rick Campbell, and Tong Xiong. All of our professional sales consultants are trained to assist our guests with the purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle.

Our new showroom features open, relaxed offices to discuss all of your automotive needs. In addition, we now offer a comfortable lounge to relax in as we prepare the paperwork for your new purchase while you sip on organic, fair-trade coffee and hot chocolate. We installed the most efficient windows available and utilize pulse-start metal halide and florescent light fixtures to lessen our energy usage. With the installation of new lot lights on 3rd street, we have cut our energy usage by 30 percent!

Stop by today to check out the gorgeous new showroom and test drive the 2009 Motor Trend SUV of the Year, the all-new Subaru Forester . Also in stock is the re-engineered, 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, the 2009 Ford F-150. See you soon!

Dahl Introduces 2009 Hyundai Genesis

2008-11-06T11:40:00.005-06:00

http://www.hyundaigenesis.com/

375 Peak Horsepower
4.6L V8 Dual CVVT
0-60 in 5.7 seconds
Five-link front and rear suspension
Four-piston front brakes
Backup Warning Camera
Heated and Cooled Drivers Seats
528-watt Lexicon Discrete 7.1 surround sound sytem
XM NavTraffic
Electronic active front head restraints

Autotropolis.com Road Test: 2009 Hyundai Genesis , BY SHERYLL ALEXANDER
“Is this a Mercedes?” asked the president of the prestigious Sonoma-Cutrer winery. I laughed and replied, “Nope. This is Hyundai’s new 2009 Genesis.” His reply? “Whoa…I would have never thought this car was a Hyundai.”

Now, let’s talk about the drive. I took the 2009 Hyundai Genesis out on the ultimate test: a real road trip. Driving through the back roads of Sonoma County through the curvy roads of wine country and the scenic Sonoma Coast along Highway 1, I found the 2009 Hyundai Genesis to perform as well as any high-priced Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Lexus sedan. The acceleration was quick, quiet and super fun. The handling was more than smooth, making this car one of the best driving experiences ever. The suspension was also impressive, which I found out when driving through some of the 1,000 acres of Sonoma-Cutrer’s chardonnay and pinot noir vines and through the Russian River Valley’s two-lane highways covered with grape vines and pine forests. Braking was also perfectly smooth and responsive.

Now, I’ve tested out many in-dash navigation systems over the years. I’ve been disappointed with most of them, especially those found inside Honda and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. So, I’m happy to report that Hyundai’s navigation system in its 2009 Genesis is perhaps the best car navigation system on the market today.

MOTOR TREND 2009 Hyundai Genesis
Lexus should be worried. Truly

What do the Rolls Royce Phantom and the Hyundai Genesis have in common?
I will give you a clue, it’s not the price!
The Lexicon Sound System.

By RICHARD WILLIAMSON, SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE Seattle Post Intelligencer Oct 23, 2008
Now they’re taking on Lexus.
The world's fifth-largest automaker, Hyundai -- yes, Hyundai -- sees its first rear-drive luxury car, the Genesis, as a worthy rival to the Lexus ES 350. And no one's laughing.

There's no laughter at BMW or Mercedes-Benz, either, when Hyundai compares the Genesis with the 5-Series and E-Class, respectively. And at much lower cost.

4.6-liter V-8 with 368 horses that propel the rear-drive sedan from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. With a base price of $38,000, the V-8 is expected to secure a place for Hyundai on the wish lists of people shopping the Lexus ES 350, Chrysler 300C, Pontiac G8 and the Cadillac CTS, among others.

In another extreme measure to challenge the luxury market, Genesis has even matched the Rolls-Royce Phantom as the only other car to offer a Lexicon-branded audio system featuring Logic 7 technology. The surround-sound audio system includes an 11-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing more than 500 watts of sound in 7.1 discrete audio. Hyundai also claims to be the first popular brand to offer digital HD Radio from the factory.

By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch AUTO REVIEW
On many fronts, the Genesis should have the establishment worried. "Boy, this car is quiet," said our fellow auto writer about a dozen times during our test drive. In fact, it was more peaceful inside than the Jag XF that we were also testing at the time.

Automobile Magazine By Jason Cammisa
2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6: Luxury Car Comparison - Bull's-Eye, Baby
Once upon a time, a japanese giant pulled a bit of a sneaky move on the established German luxury-car market. The Germans laughed (and laughed, and laughed), but it was the Japanese who laughed last. The LS400 was, in fact, a worthy rival to the S-class, and to remain competitive over the next decade and a half, Mercedes would slash the price of its S-class by almost twenty percent. Now that Lexus's prices have crept up into Mercedes territory, Hyundai's pulling the same move. This time, no one's laughing.

Newsday, NY Tom Incantalupo ROAD TEST
Consumer Reports recommends several of its models for which it has reader feedback about reliability. Hyundai has scored above average in J.D. Power and Associates' two most recent buyer surveys, measuring dependability and customer satisfaction. Quality, though, shouldn't be a concern.

On the road, the Genesis rides firmly but comfortably, handles confidently and is delightfully quiet over just about any surface. Rear seat legroom is generous. The Genesis has the government's topmost, five-star, safety rating for its front, side and rollover protection.

Contact Dennis Julius at Dahl Hyundai for your questions on the Genesis or for a test drive! 608.779.2886 or djulius@dahlauto.com.

Dahl Auto takes 1st place in Chili Cookoff

2008-10-15T10:16:00.003-05:00

Dahl's "Best Dressed Chili" took 1st place in the business class of the 17th Annual State Bank Chili Cook Off, they were also voted best overall artistic display.

Master Chef Lee Vieregge and his team (pictured from left to right, Greg Kohner, Lee, Dan Swift, Jansen & Khloe Dahl and Randy Lunde) were extremely pleased with the results after finishing in 2nd place the previous two years.

More then 1,000 people attended the event, which is a fundraiser for local D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T programs. Since 1992 the event has helped raise over $184,000 for the programs. This year proceeds were also donated to Habitat For Humanity.

Best Wishes Mike

2008-09-16T14:16:00.004-05:00

Mike Hagen is retiring from the Dahl Automotive family after 41 years of dedicated service. It is the dedication of our employees like Mike, that keep us a generation ahead. We at Dahl are proud to have had this relationship for so many years and wish Mike all the best in his retirement.

Lube-a-thon

2008-06-23T09:28:00.008-05:00

Lube-a-thon raises over $7,200 for local breast cancer research

This past Saturday Dahl Automotive invited customers in for a free oil change with a minimum donation to Steppin Out in Pink of $9.97. The response was excellent as over 400 oil changes were done in one day!

Dahl Automotive would like to thank all the great volunteers and sponsors that helped make this event possible: Rainbo Oil, La Crosse Radio Group, Factory Motor Parts, Pepsi, Premier Catering, Artic Glaciers Ice, Culvers, Smokey's Bar and Grill, and Clearview Design. With help from their donations we were able to raise $7,279.51 for Steppin Out in Pink.

Steppin Out in Pink was started two years ago by Gunderson Lutheran as a fundraiser for the Norma J Vinger Center for breast care. The walk is non-competitive and open to all ages and abilities. Walk with family and friends, co-workers, or on your own to honor survivors and remember loved ones.

There is still time to register for this year's walk which will be held on Saturday September 6th. For more information visit http://www.gundluth.org/steppinout

How to save fuel and increase MPG

2008-05-23T14:06:00.012-05:00

6 Ways You're Wasting Gas

With all the worry over fuel prices, you'd think drivers would do whatever they can not to waste gas. But look around and you'll see lots of them tooling around as if they owned their own tanker fleet. One of them might be you. Click here for CNN's list of six ways drivers typically waste gas every on every trip - starting with racing away from green lights. Many of the tips are not only good for your wallet; they'll also keep you safe. For example, did you know that tailgating wastes gas? Every time the driver ahead taps his brakes, you have to slow down even more than he did. (That's because you can't react immediately so you have to slow even more because you're slowing down later.) Then you accelerate again to get back up to speed and resume your bumper-buzzing routine. Hang back and you'll be safer - plus you'll be able to drive more smoothly and use less fuel. A good rule of thumb is to allow two seconds of space between your car and the one ahead. For more gas-saving tips, click here.

Automakers Encourage Consumers to "Drive Smarter"

Automakers are joining a new campaign aimed at helping consumers cope with high gasoline prices by providing information on how to use less fuel. The campaign, launched today, features an interactive Web site at www.drivesmarterchallenge.org. The site will enable consumers to determine how much fuel their vehicles would save if they follow any of six conservation steps. The site also will show potential savings in money spent on fuel and in greenhouse gas emissions, organizers said. According to Automotive News, participants in the campaign include the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents the Detroit 3, Toyota and six other automakers. Leading the campaign are the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Alliance to Save Energy, a coalition of businesses, government officials and advocacy groups.

5 ways Dahl "Goes Green"

2008-05-10T13:35:00.001-05:00

Dahl Automotive has always had a passion for being environmentally friendly. Some of the greatest threats to our eco system come from items we throw away everyday. That is why we are taking every step possible to help conserve resources and protect the environment.

5 Ways Dahl Automotive "Goes Green"

Tire Advantage means all of our customer’s old tires are recycled. Our partnership with Green Man Tire Recyclers ensures used tires get recycled to use in clean burning power plants in the Midwest (decrease coal consumption). Also many rubber chunks are used in kid’s outdoor playgrounds. "Dahl Automotive recycled over 4,000 tires in 2007" says Mike Tooley, parts Manager
"Dahl QuickLanes recycled and burned over 12,000 gallons of waste oil last winter to heat the service shops" says Randy Hubert, Fixed Operations Director
Dahl's new partnership with Dairyland Printing means our business cards and letterhead are printed on 100% recycled post consumer paper.
Dahl Automotive is using compact fluorescent bulbs (CLF's) instead of traditional incandescent bulbs in lighting offices, meeting rooms and other work spaces. CFL's are about 75% more energy efficient then standard bulbs and last about 10 times longer
Dahl's relationship with Hilltopper Waste ensures that all our cardboard and paper is recycled instead of filling landfills.

Big Foot visits Dahl Auto

2008-02-22T11:46:00.005-06:00

Monster Truck visits Dahl Automotive La Crosse

The original Monster Truck, Big Foot, made an appearance at Dahl Automotive La Crosse yesterday. Team Bigfoot has taken their trucks all over the world to display them. The $250,000 truck puts out an impressive 1500 horsepower and burns between 2-3 gallons of fuel on every 250 ft run.

QuickLane NOW OPEN

2008-01-23T12:04:00.000-06:00

Dahl Automotive La Crosse QuickLane Open for Business

In staying with our Generation Ahead philosophy we have opened a brand new state of the art QuickLane Tire and Service Center at our downtown location. Customers can have oil changes completed in 30 minutes or less, tire rotations done in a snap, as well as other light maintenance on ALL MAKES AND MODELS.

Just like before, you drive your vehicle into our service drive, speak with one of our knowledgeable service advisors and they will arrange everything for you, including a ride elsewhere if you need while your vehicle is being serviced.