‘Green Checkup’ Campaign Focuses Attention on Vehicle Maintenance

    New Web site shows drivers how to save gas and cut greenhouse gas

emissions



    MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 21 /EMWNews/ -- High gas prices have

just about everyone searching for ways to save on gas and improve fuel

economy.



    To help motorists save money at the gas pump and -- at the same time --

cut greenhouse gas emissions through proper vehicle maintenance, the

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has created a check list of

Green Maintenance Tips, which can be found at a new Web site for consumers,

http://www.GreenDrivingUSA.com.



    NADA is urging its members to offer free Green Checkups, which focus on

the things that have the most effect on fuel economy, such as oil and air

filters, engine performance, tire pressure and emission controls.



    Dealers in 40 states already have signed up to become Green Checkup

dealers, bringing the total number to 220 since the Green Checkup campaign

was officially announced at a news conference in Denver on Monday, August

18.



    "It's encouraging to see so many NADA members sign up to become Green

Checkup dealers at such a fast pace," said Annette Sykora, NADA chairman.

"Dealers are responding with enthusiasm," she added.



    In her remarks at the news conference, Sykora emphasized that the goal

of the Green Checkup campaign is to highlight simple steps that car owners

can take to maintain their vehicles in top running condition.



    "With high fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions on the minds of

many Americans, the incentive has never been greater for motorists to

invest in the kind of maintenance that improves fuel economy," Sykora said.



    September is being promoted as Green Checkup Month, but dealers can

offer Green Checkups as part of their routine service year-round.



    "Dealerships are located in every major community in the country which

means we are ideally positioned to be at the forefront of a national

consumer awareness campaign," said Sykora, owner of two dealerships in

Texas.



    This is one example of how dealers are becoming more energy conscious.

A trend toward green dealerships is another.



    "Dealers around the country have invested close to a billion dollars on

facility upgrades and new construction over the past few years to reduce

energy consumption at their dealerships," Sykora said.



    NADA Partners with EPA to Create "Green Dealerships"



    NADA joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star

Challenge in December 2006, and soon after launched an Energy Stewardship

Initiative. Many dealerships are investing in cutting-edge heating and

cooling methods and more efficient lighting, as well as wind and solar

power. Today, several dealerships are LEED certified by the U.S. Green

Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.



    Through NADA's Energy Stewardship Initiative in partnership with the

EPA, more than 750 dealers (to date) have taken the first step by

committing to reduce their energy use by 10 percent or more annually. In

2007, NADA was recognized by EPA as the first trade group representing a

national network of retailers to enter into a comprehensive partnership

with the ENERGY STAR program.



    If all U.S. dealerships reduced their energy consumption by just 10

percent, they would save about $200 million in energy costs and prevent

more than one million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.



    To support the Energy Stewardship Initiative, NADA created a brochure,

A Dealer Guide to Energy Star: Putting Energy into Profits, which provides

dealers with the tools to create cost-effective, retrofit and new

construction projects for energy-efficient lighting, climate control and

building design. For more information, visit http://www.nada.org/energystar.



    "With the growing number of green dealerships and the Green Checkup

campaign, we are sending a clear signal that when it comes to climate

change, America's new car dealers are part of the solution," Sykora said.



    Contact your local dealership to find out if a Green Checkup is being

offered in your community and schedule an appointment. For more information

about NADA's Green Maintenance Tips, visit http://www.GreenDrivingUSA.com.



    USA TODAY and NADA Recognize Dealers for Energy Conservation



    Jim Hand, owner of Hand Motors in Manchester Center, Vt., was presented

with the USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award in March 2008. Energy

conservation was the theme of this year's award.



    He was selected from four finalists as the winner of the national

award. Hand Motors expects to save about $30,000 a year in energy costs

through its "reduce, recycle and carbon-offset" program. The dealership

heats its 11,200 sq. ft. service shop with 100 percent waste motor oil and

vegetable oil--at no cost to the dealership. In fact, the dealership saves

more than $15,000 a year by not having to buy standard heating oil.



    Consumers can save money and energy--and wear and tear on their

vehicles--with proper care and maintenance. For NADA's 10-Point Green

Checkup list, visit http://www.GreenDrivingUSA.com.



    NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 20,000

new-car and -truck dealers with 43,000 franchises, both domestic and

import.