Wright Automotive franchises offer quality products and services

Fifteen miles north of Pittsburgh, in Wexford, you’ll find Wright Nissan and Wright Hyundai in a two-level, showcase location at 10520 Perry Highway. Just down the highway is Wright Suzuki. All three dealerships are part of the Wright Automotive Group, which has grown to 10 franchises. In addition to Nissan, Hyundai and Suzuki, these include Dodge, Pontiac, GMC, Hummer, Buick, Chevrolet and Saab.

The Wright name is a familiar one in Pittsburgh, where the family’s dealerships have served the market since 1927. After so many years, repeat business is commonplace. Bob and Ken Wright, representing the third generation of the family, now have responsibility for the automotive group. And just as in years past, customer satisfaction remains the top priority. “We treat every customer the way we would want to be treated,” said Tom Hull, general manager of sales at the Nissan, Hyundai and Suzuki dealerships. “We listen carefully, determine what the customer needs and wants, and pro vide the best product, deal and terms possible.”

To accommodate the busy schedules of two-income and other families, the service department, which is located on the lower floor of the combined dealerships, is now open 7 days a week. The expanded hours are another way for Wright to make the consumer experience ever more convenient. The service department is a fully computerized, state-of-the-art facility, where certif ied technicians—including several master technicians who have attained the highest level of skill—provide the best service available. In addition, a “green” body shop with the latest in environmentally sensitive technology serves Wright’s customers. It is the most advanced body shop of its kind in Western Pennsylvania, and shares a location with a pre-owned vehicle center, as well as an extensive Nissan, Hyundai, and Suzuki parts department. All used cars are subject to a rigorous inspection by Wright Automotive. Factory certified pre-owned vehicles undergo inspection to ensure the quality of the pre-owned cars, which are certified by the manufacturer. Wright Automotive also has an NAPA auto parts franchise. For more than 80 years NAPA has met Original Equipment standards for quality and reliability.

General Manager Hull takes great pride in the products offered by the three brands under his sales supervision. The Nissan dealership, he said, has been in operation for about 30 years, which makes it one of the longest established in the region. Nissan’s track record over the ye ars has been an impressive one, and Hull believes there are more than a few good reasons why that is so. “Customers realize when they buy Nissan,” he said, “that they are buying not only safety and reliability, but also a vehicle that will hold its value.”

The first Nissan product, a Datsun sedan, arrived in the United States in 1958. Ten year s later Nissan launched the Datsun 510 sedan, its first car styled for the U.S. market. A year later, in 1969, the 1970 “Z” was introduced, and the 240Z became the best-selling sports car in the world. In succeeding decades, Nissan picked up speed in the North American market.

Wright Nissan carries a full franchise line, said Hull. That takes in a wide spectrum of vehicles, ranging from the inexpensive Versa hatchback up to the well-appointed 2010 8-passenger Armada SUV. If expense is no object, the sleek 2010 Nissan GT-R, billed as a supercar, has been described by car enthusiasts as “mind-blowing.”

When it comes to pure popularity, said Hull, the 2009 Nissan Altima has proved itself a favorite choice. A new and attention-getting Nissan model, due to appear at Wright Nissan this month, is the 2009 Nissan Cube. Described as a “transportation device” built for the young at heart, the Cube is new to the U.S. market, though it has been sold in Japan for a decade.

Hyundai, meanwhile, has managed to hold its own, and then some. A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists, for exam ple, named the 2009 Hyundai Genesis North American Car of the Year. It was but one of a host of honors, which included the Genesis being named a “top safety pick” by the IIHS. Joining the Genesis in the award-winning category were the Accent and Tucson SUV, with all three Hyundai models named “Best Car Buys” for 2009 by NADAguides.com in four respective categories. The Accent also got the nod from J.D. Power and Associates as the “Most Dependable Sub-compact Car.”

As for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, it was recognized as an environmentally friendly vehicle, which put it on the “Greener Choices 2009” list of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Another plus for the 2009 Sonata is its fuel efficiency, which is rated to get up to 32 mpg. Today’s cost-conscious consumers value such savings. Mindful of the economic challenges faced by many families, Hyundai introduced the Hyundai Assurance program, which allows consumer to return any new Hyundai leased or financed in 2009 if the owner unexpectedly loses his or her income within one year of the purchase date.

Suzuki hasn’t lost sight of costs, either, said Hull. Its all-wheel drive 2009 SX4 is one of the least expensive crossovers sold in the U.S. market. And it delivers an EPA estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Right now, Hull said, interest rates are low, money is plentiful, and people with good credit should take advantage of the situation8 0while they can.

“The automobile manufacturers are really aggressively marketing big rebates in order to deplete their inventory,” explained Hull. “Once inventories are in line, incentives won’t be as generous, automobile prices will increase, and so will interest rates. This=2 0really is the best time to buy a new car.”