Birchwood opens Infiniti 'art gallery'

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Vickar Nissan’s new, larger service area opened for business at the beginning of December.

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The first of the new 2013 B250 Mercedes arrived at Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg’s showroom on Dec. 6, and several more models will be here by early in the new year.

Birchwood Infiniti Nissan's two brands have always shared the same showroom -- but not anymore. While the two marques are still 'joined at the hip' at the Pointe West Auto Park, they are no longer intertwined.

For the first time, the Infiniti brand has its own home, connected to the Nissan area only by a common wall and a doorway between them. Work on the new Infiniti extension began in October, 2011, and was finished December 1.

"The concept was to have the Infiniti side resemble an art gallery," says general manager Christian Goleski. "To that end, we commissioned eight paintings from a local artist to be displayed throughout the showroom."

The new showroom can accommodate six models (including one in the delivery area). Among notable features are a cloud light (a large overhead fluorescent that diffuses and softens the light) and three separate mini-lounges, one of which offers a choice of teas, coffees or hot chocolate and features a TV unit flush with the tastefully paneled wall.

Infiniti also has a dedicated service area and drive-through on the west side of the building.

"We have had nothing but positive responses from our customers," Goleski said. "We will probably have our grand opening some time in the spring."

New service centre opens at Vickar Nissan

Vickar Nissan's new, larger service area opened for business at the beginning of December.

The 9,000-square-foot extension to the west side of the dealership's building on Regent Avenue (opposite the casino) features a range of new equipment, including tire and state-of-the-art alignment machines and hoists for Nissan's NV commercial van and the new GT-R with AWD.

The enlarged service area is the first project to be completed of several upgrades and expansions underway at the dealership. The old service area is in the process of being converted into the dealership's new detail centre and a Quick Lube service. The customer lounge is being expanded and will have an espresso machine.

Under construction is an addition on the east side of the building which will have new delivery bays, the business office, a new meeting room and more space for storing parts. The remaining expansion and upgrading phases are expected to be completed early in the new year, said co-sales manager Adriano Dibiase.

Portage dealer goes for GM Image upgrade

Craig Dunn Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd. in Portage La Prairie has also started an upgrade to its building.

President Craig Dunn said the work will include some repainting and new signage well as removing the existing tower and erecting a new Chevrolet archway. The work is expected to take three to four months, he added.

New B250 arrives at Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg

The first of the new 2013 B250 Mercedes arrived at Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg's showroom on Dec. 6, and several more models will be here by early in the new year.

Sales rep William Luchak said the 2013 edition of the B250 sports a new exterior and interior, with SLS-style vents and a lower suspension for better handling.

"The big thing is that the 2012 B250 has $7,000 more in standard equipment than its predecessor for the same starting price," he added.

The new model is powered by a 2L, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft of torque.

"We're expecting that the B250 is going to especially appeal to young professionals (in the 29-40 age bracket)," Luchak said. "It has a lot of standard technology, it's versatile and it's a good family vehicle. There's a lot or room inside."

Starting price for the new B250 is just under $30,000.

ADESA and Variety launch donation program

ADESA Auctions Winnipeg and Variety, the Children's Charity of Manitoba, are partnering in a new vehicle donation program.

Variety's Bids for Kids Charity Auctions was launched this week at the ADESA location on Highway 7 just north of the Perimeter Highway.

The fundraising initiative will encourage Manitobans to support Variety by donating their motorized vehicles. All money raised through the sale of their sale will be used to meet the needs of children throughout the province.

The program is unique in that all types of motorized vehicles will be accepted, any kind of motorized vehicle, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and recreational vehicles.

All funds raised in Manitoba stay in the province, and charitable tax receipts will be issued to donors.

"Our 25-year history with ADESA Auctions Winnipeg has led us to the development of Variety's Bids for Kids Charity Auctions, and we're excited to see where the program takes us," said Mr. Wayne Rogers, Variety's executive director.

"ADESA Auctions and Variety developed this vehicle-donation program to be a long-term, sustainable program that will stand the test of time. Our intent and desire is that this program will expand to include other Variety organizations world-wide."

To get more information on the Bids For Kids program or to donate your vehicle, visit www.varietysbidsforkids.com.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 14, 2012 F5