Vickar Ford debuts new Escape, Explorer models

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This article was published 15/11/2019 (2538 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On Nov. 7, Vickar Ford — located across the street from Kildonan Park — officially unveiled Ford’s new 2020 Escape and Explorer models during a special evening for customers.

As many as 150 guests showed up for the event, which also featured wine and light refreshments.

Vickar Ford sales rep Uday Toor introduced the 2020 Escape, pointing out it’s new inside and out. The SUV has shed some weight and is more fuel-efficient.

He said the inside incorporates a number of new features, plenty of cargo space and best-in-class second-row legroom.

The larger 2020 Explorer, he said, when fully equipped, can tow up to 5,600 pounds and offers a towing and trailer sway-control feature. For the Canadian market, four-wheel drive is standard. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Both SUV models feature seven drive modes covering all road conditions, available power lift gate, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and rear-view camera, as well as other safety features.

Toor noted that Escape and Explorer hybrid models will also soon be available.

Veteran Nick Guffei returns to Vickar Nissan

The Vickar Auto Group is happy to have Nick Guffei back as general manager at Vickar Nissan. Guffei had been part of the Vickar Nissan team for nine years before moving to another dealership group in 2017. He returned in mid-October.

“I’m excited to be back home,” he says. “I really like working for the Vickar family. It feels just like old times being back here.”

Vickar Auto Group sponsoring St. Boniface Hospital radiothon

Today is the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation’s annual Radiothon of Hope and Healing and, once again, the Vickar Auto Group is the lead sponsor.

“We have been the major sponsor for many years,” said Steve Lipischak, Vickar Auto Group’s director of marketing. “Everyone stands to benefit from the patient care, specialized equipment and world-class research that the foundation supports. This is a great way for us to give back to the community.”

The radiothon is being broadcast live from St. Boniface Hospital’s Everett Atrium on 680 CJOB, Peggy @ 99.1 and Power 97 until 6 p.m. The goal this year is $145,000. There is still lots of time to phone in or go online to make your donation.

The Vickar Auto Group is also sponsoring a second fundraising event this weekend. That would be Filipino/Chinese singer Paul Ong’s Concert for a Cause on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Tec Voc High School. All proceeds from the concert, Lipischak says, are going toward Sistema Winnipeg — a partnership between the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Seven Oaks School Division and Winnipeg School Division. In 2017-18, the program engaged 160 children in grades 1-8 at Elwick School and King Edward School. Almost half of Sistema Winnipeg students are newcomers to Canada, while roughly one-third come from an Indigenous background.

Murray Chev, hockey group team up for Bear Clan Patrol

Murray Chevrolet is partnering up with the Peewee Twins AA and the South Winnipeg and Fort Garry hockey associations in support of the Bear Clan Patrol. Until the end of the month, Murray Chevrolet will be the drop-off point for tuques, mittens, warm socks, hand and toe warmers, fleece blankets, wipes, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small flashlights, bottled water, coffee and canned meat, all of which Bear Clan Patrol members will be giving to needy individuals.

The hockey team called for donations to be brought to their Nov. 2 game. Murray Chevrolet is anticipating delivering several truckloads of donations on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., at the University of Manitoba’s Max Bell Centre for a ceremonial handoff with the Peewee Twins, the Bear Clan and Murray Chevrolet representatives, with Chevy trucks driving onto the ice surface at the end of the team practice.

Keith Place steps into new roleas used car manager at Capital Ford

After nearly 17 years as a star sales rep, Keith Place felt he was ready to move up into a management position. Last June, the former top sales producer joined the Capital Ford Lincoln Team as business development manager, and a short time later, he became used car sales manager at the Ford store, located across Empress Street from Polo Park.

“I welcomed the opportunity to move into management,” Place says. “Capital Ford Lincoln is a newer dealership in Winnipeg with strong western Canadian roots. The management team here is great. Sales are doing well.”

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