Yark Automotive Group awarded the Better Business Bureau's Highest Honor

TOLEDO, OH Yark Automotive Group was awarded the 2011 Winner Better Business Bureau Torch Award on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at the Annual BBB Torch Award Luncheon. 

The BBB Torch Award recognizes businesses and organizations in Northwest Ohio and SE Michigan that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion. Other factors that are assessed are the businesses‟ current BBB rating, fiscal responsibility, excellence in customer care and consumer leadership. 

Yark has been a finalist for this prestigious award 2 previous years taking home the top honor this year. Yark‟s commitment to treating customer‟s fairly and ethically in their everyday business practices, having a strong commitment to educating their employees on ethics and ensuring all employees „do the right thing, even when no one is watching, even if it costs us money‟ were foundations for receiving this award. 

“It was a privilege to accept this award on behalf of the collective organization, our employees, our management teams and our partners that work with us tirelessly to provide a world-class experience for our customers,” said John Yark, company President. “We simply could not be viewed by the people who purchase or service their vehicles with us as an ethical business unless each and every one of our employees believe that doing the right thing, every day is how we should do business.” 

The BBB will automatically forward the winners of Torch Award to the International BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics competition where Yark Automotive will compete with all local Torch Award winners from across the US and Canada. 

“The Torch Award says a lot for everyone in our company,” said Yark. “We truly believe our employees are the backbone to our customer experience and without them, without having the best employees,, we would not be able to give our customers a world-class experience.” 

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Founded by Jim Yark in 1981, Yark Automotive Group has grown from 50 employees and less than $20 million in sales to more than 300 employees and annual sales of over $200 million. For the last 16 years, Yark Automotive Group has been the Largest Volume New & Used Vehicle Dealership in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan showcasing 9 vehicle franchises: BMW, Nissan, Subaru, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, & FIAT. 

The Yark family is originally from Toledo and both Yark brothers, Jim and John, graduated from local high schools and The Ohio State University. After acquiring the organization in 1981, Jim Yark, Owner & President implemented a detailed business plan and grew the dealership to include its 9 franchises, 6 Pre-Owned vehicle lots, a body shop, a car rental 

company and the area’s largest retail and wholesale parts department. Today, the business continues to grow and the family tradition continues with 4 of the Yark children now working in various positions within the company. 

Jim attributes his success to the people in the organization; “Anybody can get a piece of ground and maybe a car franchise, but clearly, we have found fabulous people! Our employees have strong customer awareness, a good sense for the car business, high ethics, stability and positive attitudes.” 

Eight Chrysler Group LLC Vehicles Take Home a Consumers Digest 'Best Buy' for the 2012 Model Year

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The Chrysler Group vehicles that received Consumers Digest automotive “Best Buys” for the 2012 

model year are:  Chrysler: 300, Town & Country, Jeep®: Grand Cherokee, Dodge: Durango, 

Grand Caravan, Challenger Ram: 1500 FIAT 500

“It’s a tremendous honor to have so many vehicles named as ‘Best Buys’ by Consumers Digest,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. “We have gone to great lengths to enhance the craftsmanship and quality of all of our vehicles. These awards are evidence that we’re producing cars, trucks, crossovers, minivans and SUVs that customers – and critics – appreciate.”

As testament to the improvements made to Chrysler Group’s vehicles in terms of quality and desirability, the Company earlier today announced that vehicle sales are up for the 19th consecutive month. 

The Consumers Digest automotive “Best Buys” issue is an annual publication in which editors judge vehicles on many build quality and performance attributes such as ergonomics, fit and finish, utility, acceleration, fuel economy and many more. They also look at cost of ownership variables such as resale value, warranty, maintenance costs and annual operating expenses. The top vehicles in 12 separate categories are then chosen as “Best Buys” by the publication. 

FIAT 500

The 2012 Fiat 500 caters to a new generation of Americans who want their vehicle to be as engaging, individualized, ecologically responsible and technologically savvy as they are. This modern-generation Fiat 500 offers safety, fuel economy, quality and advanced technology perfectly balanced with iconic Italian style.

With its city-friendly proportions, engaging driving dynamics, all-new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter FIAT MultiAir® engine delivering up to 38 highway mpg and a best-in-class 30 mpg city (with manual transmission), standard state-of-the-art BLUE&ME™ Handsfree Communication technology, seven standard air bags and new quality and refinement adaptations for the U.S. market, including an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, the 2012 Fiat 500 offers a unique ownership experience.

Chrysler 300

Once limited to premium import vehicles costing twice as much, the new segment-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission expands the world-class power and fuel-efficiency of the 2012 Chrysler 300, 300S (V-6) and 300 Limited models and offers class-leading fuel efficiency

Packed with a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine including innovative Fuel Saver Technology, a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Auto Stick, performance-tuned suspension and larger performance disc brakes, the V-8 models deliver world-class power and refinement.

Chrysler Town & Country

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan builds upon the dramatic, and well received, changes made in the previous model year. Already imbued with innovative technology, unparalleled functionality, classic design, and a long list of standard convenience and safety features, enhancements in refinement make the 2012 Town & Country a true stand-out in the minivan segment.

Improvements for 2012 include standard leather seating and rear-seat DVD for all models, new Sapphire Blue interior lighting scheme and a combination leather and wood steering wheel for Limited models.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee delivers with even more refinement and features that can be appreciated on the road and off. Since its introduction, the 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee has captured more than 30 awards from an array of opinion-leading organizations making it the most awarded SUV ever.

The most capable Grand Cherokee ever with available Jeep Selec-Terrain™ system, Quadra-Lift™ air suspension, and front and rear independent suspension also has V-6 and V-8 engine choices that offer class-leading driving range (550 miles with V-6) or class-leading towing capability (7,400 lbs. V-8). Jeep grand Cherokee truly is a no-compromises, go anywhere and do anything SUV. 

Dodge Challenger

The 2012 Dodge Challenger delivers exactly what muscle car enthusiasts want — a powerful and efficient engine lineup, a performance suspension designed for maximum grip, and athletic head-turning styling — all executed with quality and precision.

The Dodge Challenger SXT model and Challenger SXT Plus package feature the lightweight, aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 305 horsepower, responsive 268 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 27 mpg highway. With legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engines under their hoods, the 2012 Challenger R/T model delivers up to 375 horsepower, 410 lb.-ft. of torque and 25 mpg highway.

Dodge Durango

Durango has driving dynamics unlike what you typically find in a Sport Utility. No other SUV on the road compares with the all-new Dodge Durango’s distinctive bold Dodge design that craftily houses a spacious three-row, seven-passenger functional, flexible and premium interior, covered in soft-touch materials.

Durango offers standard seven-passenger seating, best-in-class power, best-in-class towing, best-in-class driving range of more than 550 miles, more than 30 storage areas, 28 seating configurations and a rear cargo area of nearly 85 cubic feet that fits a six-foot couch with room for coffee table or a 10-foot ladder with the front passenger seat folded flat.

Dodge Grand Caravan

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to lead the segment it created. New for 2012, Dodge is offering a new American Value Package (AVP), which makes the best-selling minivan ever the most affordable minivan with a starting U.S. Manufacturers’ Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $20,995 (all prices exclude destination).

Chrysler Group invented the modern minivan in 1983 with the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Seventy-five minivan-first innovations and 13 million minivan sales later, the company still leads the way with the best, most innovative vehicle to move people and things.

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 offers a variety of models for customers who rely on their trucks for work and play. In addition to the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 which produces 390 horsepower, 407 lb.-ft. of torque and 20 mpg, the 2012 Ram 1500 offers a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter V-8 providing 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque; five and six-speed automatic transmissions; part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.

The 2012 Ram 1500 is offered in Regular Cab, Quad Cab® and Crew Cab models, with three box lengths: 8-foot (Regular Cab), 6-foot-4-inches (Regular Cab and Quad Cab), and 5-foot-7-inches (Ram 1500 Crew Cab). Thirteen trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: Tradesman, tradesman Heavy Duty, Express, Outdoorsman, ST, SLT, Sport, Sport R/T, Lone Star, Big Horn, Mossy Oak, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn.