In the race for electrification, nearly every auto manufacturer has plans for offering fully electric vehicles (EV’s) soon.

Because of this competition, EV prices are dropping and finally, are starting to be a realistic option for most people as they consider their next car — even against traditional internal combustion engines.

However, when looking forward to the models available in this segment, there is one forthcoming model that is poised to rise above the electric and internal combustion competition: the Volkswagen ID.4 from Volkswagen Lee’s Summit.

The new EV from VW, the ID.4 is everything you could want in a vehicle, made even better by its electrification—a true EV for the masses.

Here are five reasons why you should be excited.

Aggressively priced

In the compact SUV segment, $30,000 – $40,000 can get you a lot for your money. Heavy hitters like the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5, all fall within this range — but none of them offer fully electric versions of those models or the amount of advanced standard features and space that the VW ID.4 does.

If EV’s are what you’re cross-shopping, the closest competitors are the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Ford Mustang Mach-E (it’s not a traditional Mustang, but an EV SUV wearing a Mustang badge. Yes you read that right. Heresy!) However, their expensive starting prices, starting at over $49,990 and $42,895 respectively, are out of reach for many Americans.

This is where the appeal of the VW ID.4 is strong. The ID.4 is everything those vehicles are and more, albeit at a lower starting price.

The ID.4 will start at $39,995 for the Pro trim level, and $43,995 for the 1st Edition, which is already sold out. Both of the stated prices are before the federal tax credit of $7,500.

Compared with the higher starting prices of Tesla and Ford, the VW makes a compelling case for “the whole package” and a competitive price—not unlike the original VW Beetle of yesteryear.

Enhanced standard features

The attractive pricing of the ID.4 is made all the more enticing considering the vast amount of standard features included that are usually only seen on vehicles costing much more than the ID.4.

Futuristic interior aside, the ID.4 is replete with features like 82kWh of battery power, heated mirrors, park distance control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, customizable ambient lighting, wireless smartphone charging, a 10″ color touchscreen with navigation, Forward Collision Warning, and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Pedestrian Monitoring (included in Front Assist), Blind Spot Monitor (Side Assist), Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Travel Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and much more.

There simply are more standard technical, safety, and interior features on the ID.4 than any other vehicle even close to this price.

If the latest tech and features are important to you, especially when wrapped in a fully electric package, look no further than the VW ID.4.

Maximum interior space

In the ID.4, the vehicle’s battery is flat, almost like a skateboard that you then put the vehicle’s body on. This platform, VW’s new MEB platform, is all about keeping a low center of gravity while maximizing interior space.

James Tate of The Drive describes the spacious interior as “…functional, and fun, the interior feels airy, particularly considering the CUV’s small size. It’s easy to get in and sit down, regardless of which door you’ve opened.”

While the ID.4 is considered a compact SUV, it feels anything but compact inside. With enough room for four friends, legroom in the rear is a generous 37.6 inches, with cargo space coming in at 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, the ID.4 is capable of much more than its size would suggest.

Driving experience

So, sure, the ID.4 is affordable, spacious, and rich in standard features, but how does it drive?

If reviews from reputable car review institutions like Car and Driver, and The Drive are any indication, the ID.4 is delightful.

“In the solid win column, the ID.4 was clearly the best-handling machine in our trio,” states Jonathon Ramsey of Car and Driver. “Steering is sharp…damping and body control are excellent…it hasn’t sacrificed roominess or utility for looks. Dynamically, the little crossover already delivers, a chunky pup game to get friskier than almost any of its buyers will ever demand.”

With a range of 250 miles, fun driving dynamics, excellent standard features, and space to spare—not to mention never having to fill up with gas again—the ID.4 is a compelling choice for those looking for an EV that can do it all, at affordable price.

Ease of ordering

Curious about building one out for yourself? Meet the ID.4 here. You can go to VW Lee’s Summit and start building your ID.4 so you get it just the way you want it. VW.com and see what it would look like to get an ID.4 just the way you want it.

As mentioned, the 1st Editions are already sold out, but the Pro trim is still available for preorder. If you like what you see, it’s best to reserve one ahead of time. It costs $100 and is refundable should you decide to wait. But, with all that the ID.4 offers, why would you?

Have questions about the ID.4 or how to order? Contact Volkswagen Lee’s Summit today.

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Many customers ask when the best time to buy a car is. And overall, the answer is that if you’re buying a car from a volume-dealer like Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, you can get incredible deals all year long because these dealers would rather sell thousands of cars for less profit than hundreds for more. Aggressive prices all year long mean more customers are happy with their purchase and will come back over and over again. 

However, the end of the year is well-known for being the best time of the year to buy a car for a reason! Here are 5 reasons why end of year can be an ideal time to make that purchase!

Model-End and Year-End Clearance 

If you want to save the most on a new car, the best time to buy new is whenever the new model year is released, which makes the previous model year drop in price. For example, the 2021 Jetta models are just rolling into VW Lee’s Summit, which makes the 2020 Jetta – which is still new – drop dramatically in price. Right now the 2020 Jetta models at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit are $5000 off MSRP, which is the lowest they have been all year. Same with the 2020 Cross Sport – which is $6000 off remaining 2020’s since the 2021 models just landed at the dealership. 

During model-end and year end clearance, the manufacturer removes any restrictions on pricing that the dealer can use, allowing a dealership like Volkswagen Lee’s Summit to offer thousands of dollars off MSRP on those late model vehicles to make room for the new year models. 

“Every 2020 is on clearance at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit,” says Davis. “We are selling out fast so if customers want up to seven thousand dollars in savings, they need to buy before we sell them all.”

Trade-in Values

End of year is the best time to trade in a car because that car will depreciate in value as soon as 2021 hits, since it will be one year older. “Most people don’t realize that their current vehicle will have a higher trade value today than a month from now when it’s 2021,” says Jeff Davis, General Manager of Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “So end-of-year is the best time to upgrade to a newer car.”

Aggressive trade offers happen all year long at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, but because the chronological age of the vehicle will change starting January 1st, and demand is so high for these vehicles, end of year is a really good time to get the most for your trade.

“We have become known for our trade offers,” said Davis. “We have guests who refer their friends and family to us based on this one factor alone. Competitive prices, a great selection, and our well-known vehicle exchange trade program means customers get what they are looking for. We don’t want to just be a one-time dealer, we want to be their dealership forever.”

Holiday Promotions

Another reason end of year can be such a good time to get a new car is the holiday promotions that dealerships offer. Eager to reach their year-end goals, dealerships run their most aggressive promotions at the end of the year. 

Right now at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, for example, they are running Sign Then Drive, which offers customers $0 down, $0 security deposit, and $0 first month’s payment PLUS $1000 cash back to help with holiday shopping. And of course, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is their lowest leases of the year or clearance pricing on purchases.

“We have something for everyone at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit,” says Davis. “We have used cars, new cars, great prices, huge promotions whether you want to lease or purchase or even pay cash. We’re pulling out all the stops through the end of the month.” Holiday promotions are a great thing to watch out for if you are looking for some of the best deals of the year.

Visit the Volkswagen Lee’s Summit website for more information on their year-end programs.

Unexpected Add-Ons

Manufacturers and dealerships are well known for providing extra incentives and extra savings at the end of the year. In addition to all the reasons above, end-of-year is the most likely time for unexpected add-ons. 

For customers wanting to purchase, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering as low as 0% APR for up to 6 years for well-qualified buyers! Paying zero interest on a new car for 6 years means thousands of dollars in savings, making buying a car at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit for a no brainer.

Whether you want to lease or buy, get new or used, trade in or keep your vehicle, the end of the year can be a great time to get the best offer of the year. A volume-dealer like Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has the whole gamut of solutions, plus credit and payment solutions for everybody. Shop their year-end clearance deals now at vwleessummit.com 

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Finding the perfect adventure vehicle requires finding something that has everything. Copious amounts of space for all passengers, comfortable seats, technologically up-to-date features, smooth ride quality, modern safety features, reliability, and excellent gas mileage are all factors to consider in choosing your adventure vehicle.

That’s a lot to ask for in a car, and in a sea of dozens of SUVs to choose from, one SUV stands out in its ability to hit all the marks of the perfect adventure vehicle—the brand new 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The 2020 Atlas Cross Sport, derived from the award-winning Atlas, is everything the Atlas is, wrapped in a more stylish package with nearly five inches lopped off the rear. The Atlas Cross Sport is so stylish, it competes with luxury cars three times its price. The Atlas Cross Sport is perfect for small families and empty-nesters.

Here are five reasons why your summer adventures will be better in the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport.

Spaciousness

One of the biggest differences between the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport is the absence of the third row. Volkswagen needed a vehicle for small families and empty- nesters who wanted the power and comfort of the award-winning Atlas, without the size. With two rows and seating for five, the Atlas Cross Sport has more backseat space for passengers than its competitors: Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Nissan Murano. Spaciousness is vital for summer road trips, and with ample legroom behind the front captain’s chairs, the backseat of the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport is as comfortable for three as the passenger and driver are up front. So if you’re heading out on a road trip across the state—or even state lines—your kids, pets, and friends should be comfy and cozy in the back.

Despite the Atlas Cross Sport’s stylishly raked roofline, there is still more than enough cargo space behind the rear seats for all your adventure gear. In fact, Cars.com points out that the Atlas Cross Sport has more cubic feet of space behind its backseat than the Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, or Nissan Murano, making it the top choice with plenty of cargo room for all their stuff (or a trip to Costco).

Options for power/towing

If you’re looking for more hauling power, the 6-cylinder 2020 Atlas Cross Sport has a 5,000 pound towing capacity! This 276-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder version only gets 1 mile per gallon less than the four-cylinder when outfitted with all-wheel drive. The 2020 Atlas Cross Sport is perfect for trips.

A smooth drive

When going on a fall road trip, comfort is king—and if your car isn’t, your passengers will let you know it. Especially if those passengers are kids.

The Atlas Sport boasts a smooth, uninterrupted drive. Car and Driver describes the Atlas Cross Sport’s ride as a “smooth-riding, easy-going mid-size SUV that average drivers will find perfectly agreeable.”

Cars.com goes on to describe the driving experience as “the Atlas is one of the most athletic-driving SUVs in its class, with quick steering reflexes and an eagerness to turn that defies its size.”

Across the board, the Atlas Cross Sport is hailed as spacious and comfortable to ride and drive in, making it the obvious choice for your travels.

Features to keep you safe and comfortable

Volkswagen’s 4Motion system works by giving you the efficiency of two wheels engaged, and then pro-actively engaging the other two wheels before wheelspin occurs. This process takes only a fraction of a second and will ensure you experience no loss of traction, even in icy conditions.

Volkswagen has always been feature-rich in their models, and the Atlas Cross Sport is no different. Opt for some of the higher trim levels and you’ll be treated to touchscreen infotainment displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, digital and highly configurable gauge displays, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and VW’s slick Car-Net connectivity app, allowing remote starting and vehicle analytics.

Safety features are also robust, such as Dynamic Road Sign Display, Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, and even a semi-autonomous driving mode is available on some of the upper-level trims.

0% APR for 6 years, plus zero payments and zero driving expenses until next year!

One of the best reasons to get the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport for your fall travels is that you can drive it all season long, even through the winter and not make any payments until 2021 at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. Plus enjoy 0% interest for qualified buyers for 6 years. Another incredible program Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering customers is zero driving expenses like gas, maintenance, and car insurance! (Gas and Insurance expenses based upon National Avg. from Independent Sources. Maintenance claim refers to Standard maintenance offered through VW Care. See Dealer for details). Volkswagen Lee’s Summit knows 2020 has been a difficult year for many. “Buy Now, Pay Later” at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit.

Shop now at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit to see which Atlas Sport Cross will be right for your summer adventures.

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Whether you’re a parent, student, or teacher, going back to school is bound to be different this year. Social distancing, masks, online learning options, sanitation stations—the education landscape has changed dramatically in the last six months.

Thankfully, some things, like the need for reliable transportation, never change.

If you’re a parent with carpooling responsibilities, a new college student about to commute for the first time, or a teacher needing to get yourself to work reliably, a new car might be just what you need, and right now is the best time to take the wheel. Here are five things to consider when you shop for a new car this school year.

Carpooling kids

Whether it’s a few neighborhood kids or just your own, you need to be able to get to school safely and reliably, with space to spare.

There are a lot of options that can master the carpooling gig, but the Volkswagen Atlas at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit checks all the boxes. With more passenger and cargo space, standard features, a longer warranty, and lower price than its competitors, the award-winning Atlas should be at the top of your list for safely, reliably, and comfortably hauling kids and their gear around.

Current deals

If you are feeling the need for a new car, there has never been a better time than right now. With many manufacturers offering aggressive incentives and financing options, buying new might make more sense than buying used.

VW, for example, is offering as low as 0% financing through the end of September on most remaining 2020 VWs, or no payments due until Spring 2021.

Free money always sounds too good to be true, but right now, it’s a reality—and a bargain— considering you get a brand new, loaded VW without paying a dime in interest.

Commuting to college

For many new college students, especially those attending commuter colleges, a commute is going to be a new, but necessary part of their daily life. The average commute for a college student is over 26 miles, one way, according to a study published in the Journal of International Education Research.

College isn’t cheap, and missing class because your car broke down isn’t going to do your wallet —or your grades—any favors.

New, fuel-efficient, inexpensive vehicles like the VW Jetta are perfect for college students. These sedans are spacious, reliable, economical, and loaded with standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering excellent pricing incentives on new Jetta models, in addition to their 0% financing offers.

All-wheel drive for Midwest winters

If you’ve lived through at least one Kansas City winter, you know that weather can be anything but predictable. From ice storms, to freezing temperatures, to snowfall, Kansas City winters require the right kind of tires and vehicle for safe driving. An all-wheel drive vehicle, like the VW Tiguan, Atlas, and Atlas Cross Sport from Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, is precisely what you need to get to and from school safely.

Versatility needs

Suppose you’re not just a college student, or a teacher, or a parent, or a grandparent, but fill many roles, and have multiple responsibilities for your kids and education. Which car do you buy? One of the great things about modern cars is their ability to do many things well, and VW’s lineup does it better than any competitor.

The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are perfect for larger families, carpool duties, and hauling loads of soccer gear. The Tiguan and Passat are excellent for smaller families and grandparents running grandkids around. The Jetta is an excellent commuter and perfect for people starting in their academic or professional careers.

With special financing options and pricing offers, there has never been a better time to buy a new car, especially a Volkswagen that can do it all. Check out Volkswagen Lee’s Summit for all the best deals on the perfect car for you and the new school year.

Shop all the deals on new and used Volkswagen models at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit here.

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With Covid-19 still present and spreading in the greater Kansas City area, businesses are needing to adapt to an ever-changing environment. The people of Kansas City have pulled together to support, protect, and help each other through this challenging time. Over the past six months, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has adapted its business practices to support social distancing, stay-at-home directives, heightened cleaning recommendations, and national and local government guidelines so customers can feel comfortable buying or leasing a car they need. 

With interest rates at an all-time low, and many helpful programs for customers, more customers are purchasing their vehicles from Volkswagen Lee’s Summit than ever before!* Here are 5 ways Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has successfully adapted to meet customer needs in an ever-changing year like 2020. 

Offering Payment Relief to Customers in Need 

One of the most helpful ways Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has helped customers throughout the Coronavirus pandemic has been offering trade-in opportunities and zero payments. “Many of our customers have felt really uncertain about their job security, financial situation, and the economy over the last five months,” says Jeff Davis, General Manager at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “So we have been able to help a lot of people trade out of their current vehicle — with our MSRP Vehicle Exchange program — and helping them upgrade to a newer car with no payments right away.”

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is currently offering as low as 0% APR for up to 6 years for qualified buyers on remaining 2020 Volkswagen models, or customers can choose to have ZERO payments for 4 months. 

Keeping the Message Positive and Encouraging 

Despite the fear an anxiety of the coronavirus pandemic, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit did not cut off all advertising. “We have a lot of people who rely on us,” said Davis. “Not just our employees and partners, but our digital and broadcast media partners as well. If we had turned off our advertising, it would have hurt our employees, partners, the economy, and our customers.” 

“We love this business,” says Matt Ottosen, General Sales Manager at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “No matter what the rest of 2020 brings, we have the confidence and flexibility to adapt and change to meet our customers needs. We don’t want to just be a one-time dealer, we want to be their dealership for life. 

Making Virtual Car Buying a Reality 

Another reason for Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s success in 2020 – despite the Coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home recommendations, social distancing, and other huge industry changes – is their willingness to adapt and change with the times.

“We offer online trade offers, virtual walk-arounds, penny-perfect online payment quotes, and online secure financing approval on our website,” says Matt Ottosen. “Our goal is to help limit the amount of time a customer has to spend at our dealership.”

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit makes it easy for customers to get the vehicle they need safely and efficiently.

Prioritizing Humility, Kindness, and Community 

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit implemented rigorous sanitization practices in early March and started mandating the use of face masks by its employees in May and of its customers in June.

“We’re grateful to have the support of our local government in requiring indoor mask wearing because it keeps our customers and our staff safe,” says Jeff Davis. “I required our team to wear it back in May for three reasons: “First, Humility. We wear masks because we don’t know if we have COVID-19 as its clear that asymptomatic people can be contagious. Second, Kindness. I don’t know the underlying health problems of the person next to me or of their children or parents. So I wear a mask out of kindness to them. Third, Community: we wear masks because we want our community to thrive, want business to stay open, and want our community to stay healthy.” 

Relentless Dedication and Team Focus 

“We have a formula for success that started as a motivating advertising slogan but quickly turned into our path to success,” says Jeff Davis. “‘Ready, Set, Go!’ to me means that we build a culture of positivity, hard-work, and focus. We expect our service and parts departments, as well as our sales, finance, and accounting departments to be optimistic, driven, and dialed-in every single day.” 

“The passion of our team is definitely one of the top reasons for our success,” says Davis. “We have been so fortunate to have such hard-working, dedicated, loyal employees who all contribute to our culture of success and optimism.” 

Customers can shop at VWLee’s Summit.com. The dealership has new 2020 and 2021 Volkswagen models as well as used cars in all makes and models and for all budgets and credit situations. You can narrow your search based on the make, model and price point you want to see. If you find a vehicle you want, you can chat, text or call to learn more about the car and schedule a test drive. Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s Zero Zone program is about making it as easy and safe as possible to get into a vehicle during these uncertain times. Learn more about these and other specials on their website. 

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Routines are important. In Harvard Business Journal article shows that throughout history, the most successful people in their fields almost all had daily routines. And yet, throughout this COVID-19 epidemic, many people have put off their routines due to fear and uncertainty.

With stress at the helm, routine care is more important than ever. And yet more people than ever are putting off regular dental and medical checkups despite the importance of taking care of your health.

Routine vehicle maintenance, despite auto dealerships being considered “essential,” is likewise getting neglected. Here are 5 reasons not to put off your car maintenance – big or small – despite uncertainty. 

Service is more convenient than ever 

Smart businesses are using this time of change to become better, more customer-focused, and more convenient. Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, for example, not only has its employees use masks when interacting with any customers, but has social distancing down pat for sales and service guests. Plus Volkswagen Lee’s Summit now also provides Lyft for its service guests who live within 10 miles of the dealership and don’t want to wait around for their car. Further the dealership offers shuttle service for service guests who live or work farther out than 10 miles.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide a ride to all our service guests using on-demand rideshare with Lyft,” says Scott Craig, service manager at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “We can have a Lyft driver or shuttle driver take our customers back to home or work so they won’t miss a beat in their day.”

Routine car maintenance is vital for the health and well-being of your vehicle, and with Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s Lyft and shuttle service, getting back on track with your car maintenance is easier than ever. 

It will cost you more in the long-run 

Putting off routine car maintenance is terribly costly. According to this article by Corsia, referring to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 35 percent of Americans “skipped or delayed service or repairs that were recommended by a mechanic or specified by the factory maintenance schedule,” consequently raising the number of roadside breakdowns that would have been easily prevented if everyone adhered to a vehicle maintenance guide and listened to their mechanic’s advice.

According to that same article, skipping $120 of oil changes in a year could cost $4000 of replacing an engine. $1000 regular maintenance in a year and prevent $8,000+ total cost of not maintaining the car. Tire rotations in a year cost $50, but the cost of replacing an entire tire due to misalignment is upwards of $700+.

“We see this all the time,” says Craig. “People put off a $300 repair and it becomes $1000 in just a couple months. We care about our customers for the long-run so in every visit we take a video multipoint inspection that we send right to our customer’s phone that shows them everything about their car and any recommendations. If you stay on top of routine care, it doesn’t turn into an expensive emergency service. 

Financing available 

If paying for even a small service or check-up is not doable right now, financing is available for service repairs. Service financing through Volkswagen Lee’s Summit allows customers to get the routine maintenance they need and be able to pay over time rather than have to pay all at once. 

Auto treatment programs can help protect your health 

Staying healthy is more important than ever. And vehicles are knowns for harboring bacteria and viruses. According to this article, a car owned by a dad-of-four found levels of bacteria that were 23 times higher than that found on a handrail on a public bus! In fat 40% of cars tested contained the same levels of bacterial infection as a toilet flush handle.

This COVID-19 crisis has made people are more aware than ever of the importance of hand-washing, sanitization, and cleanliness, but your car may be a repository for viruses and bacteria. 

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit offers an antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial purification protection system called DrivePur that can protect the health of everyone who rides in your vehicle. This long-lasting (six months) program guards against bacteria, viruses, mold, germs and allergens, helping you stay well. Plus it is priced at under $100 at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. 

Safe service inspection 

In addition to social distancing measures and heightened cleaning, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit offers no-contact service appointments. “From the moment you arrive, to the moment we are inspecting your car, we are following the CDC recommendations to wear masks where social distancing is not possible, otherwise we will stay 6 feet away from you as we check your car in for service,” says Shannon Reynolds, Fixed Operations Director at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit.

“Further, our service advisors and technicians all wear gloves as they drive and work on your vehicle. Once your car is finished, we wipe down all areas touched, such as steering wheels, shifter knobs, door handles, and buttons. And of course we offer no-contact credit card processing and can even take payment over the phone,” says Reynolds. 

Shop Service Specials at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit 

To get your car ready for summer, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering a $99 Summer Service package that includes the DrivePur system and a video multi-point inspection where they will check tires, belts, cooling system and air filters to make sure your car is ready for summer! 

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One thing is certain: for the past 6 weeks Kansas Citians have made a huge effort to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the stay home directives lift and people carefully adjust to social distancing outside of their homes, many remain concerned about their economic well-being.

According to the Kansas City Business Journal, over 392,000 workers filed initial unemployment claims from March 15th – April 19th. Fortunately, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has a financial relief special for those who need a new or used car right now, as well as a program for customers who are currently driving a Volkswagen.

Auto dealerships are considered essential in Missouri because people, especially first responders, grocers, pharmacists, doctors, and other public service workers, still need to travel to do their jobs safely and reliably.

For the past 7 weeks Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has been offering virtual walk-arounds of vehicles, online and over-the-phone payment quotes, no contact service and repair appointments, home delivery programs, and, of course, heightened sanitization of and social distancing within their dealerships to keep customers and employees safe.

As part of their current payment relief program, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering zero dollars down, zero percent interest for 72 months, and no payments required FOR months, and then Volkswagen Lee’s Summit will make two payments for customers, allowing for six months no car payments on approved credit.

Their assistance program extends to used cars as well, including 0% interest for 60 months and no payments required for four months, on approved credit. So even during a pandemic, now is an ideal time to upgrade your car and get relief from making a car payment.

“We know our community has been impacted,” said Jeff Davis, Director of
Operations for Volkswagen Lee’s Summit, “We want to help them in a meaningful way during this time of need.”

If you purchase a Volkswagen in May, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has great news for its customers! Volkswagen will provide up to six payments for VCI customers who are involuntarily unemployed due to economic reasons, including, but not limited to, lockouts, individual and mass layoffs, business failure or bankruptcy, or COVID-19.

“No other manufacturer is doing anything close to this,” says Davis. “The Volkswagen Pledge is something I am extremely proud of and so happy that we can help our customers in these uncertain times.”

For details on the Volkswagen Pledge visit VWLeesSummit.com or reach out to one of Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s client advisors.

While right now might not seem like the time to buy a new or used car, it might actually be the best time to make such a purchase. Not only can you take advantage of great financing deals, but almost the entire transaction can be done from your own home. You can browse their inventory online so you and your family can decide on a vehicle that’s right for you — on your own time.

They not only have Volkswagen models, but many others as well in their used car inventory. You can narrow your search based on the make, model and price point you want to see. If you find a vehicle you want, you can chat, text or call to learn more about the car and how you can safely test drive it.

Fox 4 reports that with COVID-19 cases declining in KC, leaders are working to slowly open other non-essential businesses to help the economy improve as Kansas and Missouri businesses slowly reopen. As more Kansas Citians start regaining the financial and social footing, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has your back. They have made it their mission to offer payment relief and make it as easy and safe as possible to get into a vehicle during these uncertain times. Learn more about these and other specials on their website.

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During these unprecedented times, taking care of yourself and others is critical, and one of the best things you can do for our community is to practice social distancing. The President has issued a “30 Days to Slow the Spread” guideline which includes listening to and following the directions of our state and local authorities.

As reported by Fox 4, a joint decision on March 21 by government leaders of state and regional counties known as the Core4 announced a “stay-at-home” order, telling people to refrain from any gatherings and ordering non-essential businesses to close down.

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit and other dealerships are considered essential businesses as they provide repairs and transportation for those who are working in critical infrastructure industries. However, despite being considered an essential business, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is completely changing the way it is conducting business in the face of the stay-at-home directive.

Here are six ways Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has adjusted their operations to keep both employees and customers safe, while providing essential services to those who need them: 

By Appointment Only 

As the #1 Volkswagen dealer in the Midwest, and the #1 new car dealer in Lee’s Summit, MO, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit usually has a bustling showroom. But since mid-March, the dealership has drastically changed its showroom and service repair operations.

“We not only clean and sanitize all work stations, door handles, tables, and all surfaces every hour, but we also have our dealership taped off in 6’ increments to help everyone remember the social distancing guidelines, and we limit the number of staff and employees who can be in the dealership at one time,” said Jeff Davis, Director of Operations for Volkswagen Lee’s Summit.

“We also work by appointment only, to ensure we have the ability to keep total time in the dealership at a minimum, protecting our employees and our customers,” says Davis. 

Working from Home 

One of the benefits of working at a car dealership in 2020 is the technology available. Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has many employees who can answer questions, work car deals, schedule appointments, and follow up with customers while staying home.

Due to the new climate of stress and worry, many people are interested in getting a reliable vehicle but delaying payments. Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is offering ZERO payments for 6 months when you upgrade to a new Volkswagen plus 0% APR for 6 years available.

“We have many employees who are working from home now in order to follow our local area’s guidelines, and to help limit the number of people in our dealership,” said Davis. “The technology we have at our disposal and the new payment relief program we have right now is a huge benefit to our customers and our staff.”

Virtual Tours 

Dealerships can leverage existing technology to now send a digital walk-around of the vehicle you’re interested in via email, text, or social media, reducing the need to shop in-person at a dealership.

“On Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s web page, you can click “Request Virtual Tour” to receive the information you’d normally need to come in for,” said Davis. “You’ll be able to see everything about the car, including interior and exterior tours, as well as peek into the engine bay and view a demonstration of the stand-out features. 

Online Financing and Payment Calculators 

If you’re interested in knowing exactly what your new car or used car payments will look like, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit’s website has a new payment calculator for estimating your payment, whether it be for purchases or leases.

These are new tools that provide accurate cost and payment estimations previously unseen in most other dealerships in the state and country. This new leveraging of technology not only makes shopping online easier but reduces the time required at the dealership when purchasing your vehicle.

Home Visits 

Test driving typically involves going to the dealership, meeting with a client advisor and going for a spin around the dealership. If you are staying home or working on social distancing, this test drive process seems nearly impossible.

However, the vehicle you’ve had your eye on can be brought to you at your home — wiped down and sanitized — ready for you to explore and experience at your convenience. After your test drive and exploration of the vehicle, the client advisor will follow strict sanitation guidelines in wiping down and cleaning the car for the next customer.

“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers, employees and their families and that has always been the case. COVID-19 has simply made it more apparent,” says Jeff Davis, director of operations. “Without a doubt, these are challenging times; however, that doesn’t mean life and business don’t continue. It only means they continue in a different way.”

Safer Signing Experience 

You can now purchase or lease a car without leaving your home! Client advisors at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit can bring all the necessary paperwork and the vehicle to your home, conferencing in the finance manager to answer any questions and make sure you are completely satisfied with your vehicle purchase.

If you choose to go to the dealership, rest assured the area has been sanitized from the door handles down to the ballpoint pens. They will only allow one person at a time to meet with you so you can maintain all social distancing protocols.

COVID-19 measures might change your routine, but they don’t need to limit your car buying options. If you are interested in a new car, know that Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is committed to making your car buying experience the best it can be even during these unprecedented times. Until April 30, get payment relief at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit while they are able to offer zero payments for six months and 0% APR for six years is available on approved credit. 

Tags: buy from home at volkswagen lee's summit, COVID-19, how dealerships are responding to social distancing, Kansas City, Lee's Summit, new car dealership, social distancing
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First, we hope that this email finds you doing well. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and your family — and that has always been the case. COVID-19 has simply made it more apparent.

Without a doubt, these are challenging times. However, that doesn’t mean that life and business don’t continue — it only means they continue in a different way. With that in mind, Volkswagen Lee’s Summit would like to share the following with our clients and friends:

We have heightened our cleaning and sanitization in all areas of our dealership; in addition to this, we are NOW offering:

• Virtual Walk-Arounds for the car you are interested in. Our client advisors are now providing digital walk-arounds they can send to you via email or social media. Just ask for this and we’ll send you a video of the car you’re interested in.


• Home visits. If requested, we have instructed our client advisors that they can bring a vehicle to you, which we will wipe down before and after, for a demonstration and test drive at your residence.


• NEW Payment calculator. You can now calculate lease payments on the new car you want as well as cash price and purchase payments.

• Apply for financing online – while we have provided this for a while, we encourage our customers to fill this out online, limiting the time you spend in the dealership. The more accurate information we have, the easier it is to speed up your in-store visit.


• Online Trade Offer. You can now receive a real trade-in value for your vehicle via email or text. And we are able to buy your car even if you don’t buy one from us.


• Our client advisors can now work the majority of your car deal over the phone. Again, the more accurate information we have, the easier it will be to to help you limit time at the dealership, so taking advantage of our finance and trade forms online will help this process out immensely. 


• Final paperwork -You can NOW purchase or lease a car without leaving your
  home! Our client advisors can bring all necessary paperwork, and the vehicle, to
  your home, conferencing in our Finance Manager to ensure all your questions are
  answered and you are complety satisfied with your vehicle purchase.

• Our service department is taking extra measures to wipe down each car after inspection, in addition to cleaning the vehicle’s exterior. Our service advisors have been instructed maintain social distance with other employees and customers.


• Our parts department is sanitizing and cleaning desks and shelves throughout the day. Further our parts department staff has been asked to maintain social distance with other employees, as much as possible, and customers.


We are asking our employees and our customers to please stay home if they are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms.

We will keep you updated on any changes in the information regarding COVID-19. We are continually monitoring the latest reports from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local news organizations to keep our customers and employees safe. The healthy and safety offer customers and employees is our priority.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis
Director of Operations

Tags: coronavirus, Coronavirus measures, COVID-19, Kansas City, Kansas City Coronavirus measures, keeping our customers safe and healthy, Volkswagen Lee's Summit coronavirus measures, What are dealerships doing about coronavirus, What our dealership is doing regarding the coronavirus
Posted in Community News, Letter from our Director | 3 Comments »

Read our original article on Fox 4 here

When it comes to young families buying a vehicle that will fit their growing family comfortably, many are looking at the compact crossover segment for the right fit. The compact SUV segment is the largest in the US as nearly 1 in every 4 cars sold is a compact crossover, totaling 4.1 million in annual sales in 2019.

Crossovers are popular for a number of reasons. They are comfortable, safe, spacious, and versatile — in other words, the perfect vehicle for a young family. One crossover checks all of the boxes for young and growing families: the new Volkswagen Tiguan.

Cars.com named the Volkswagen Tiguan as its “Best Compact SUV of 2019”, beating out six other contenderson its way to clinching the coveted award. “The Tiguan returns as champion of the challenge based on the strength of how it drives while giving up nothing in roominess, media, safety tech and cabin comfort for it,” said Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Newman.

The 2020 Tiguan has an optional 3rd row, which is extremely rare for a compact SUV,  it also starts at a lower price than the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CR-V, has more torque, and has a better warranty (4 years/ 50,000 miles), not to mention a seating capacity of 7.

“The Tiguan has become one of our most popular vehicles at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit,” says Jeff Davis, General Manager at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “It’s a good size for a growing family, has plenty of horsepower and incredible tech — all at the right price.”

Here are a few reasons Kansas City families will love the new 2020 Tiguan:

The 2020 Tiguan has Wi-Fi and upgraded safety features

What’s new for 2020?

According to Volkswagen, all the 2020 Tiguan models will be equipped with Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. These features have become in very high-demand at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit.

“Have you ever been caught off guard while following behind another car and they stop suddenly?” Says Matt Ottosen, General Sales Manager at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit. “The new 2020 Tiguan will automatically brake and give you a forward-collision alert now. We have this in our Atlas models and I have customers and friends tell me all the time how life-saving it is.

Plus the 2020 Tiguan has blind-spot warning system like the new Atlas and Passat models. We’re really excited about these enhancements and know our customers are going to appreciate them.”

In fact, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was just recognized as a Top Safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Further, the new 2020 Tiguan models will be equipped with the next-generation Car-Net telematics system, as well as in-car Wi-Fi capability. Wireless charging is available, starting on the SE trim.

In addition to great safety technology, the Tiguan is also available with Volkswagen’s robust 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, making driving in Kansas City’s icy and snow roads in the winter not only easier but much safer.

Volkswagen Lee’s Summit Tiguan Interior

These safety features coupled with four different drive modes (including one specifically for driving in snow), the Tiguan is one of the safest places a young family could be.

Tiguan offers excellent versatility

Young families will love the new Tiguan because it has been designed specifically for them.“We redesigned the Tiguan from the ground up last year to meet the needs of American drivers and their families,” said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Being designed for young families makes the Tiguan stand out in the crowded field of the crossover segment, especially considering its available third row. Not many crossovers in the compact segment have a third-row option, making their versatility limited for prospective buyers.

However, with the optional fold-flat third row and flexible interior (three different folding options for the second row), the Tiguan offers interior space that the competition can’t.

Additionally, Cars.com ranks the Tiguan as one of the 13 best cars for child seats, noting ample space and ease of installation make the Tiguan an easy choice for families with small children.

2020 Tiguan re-launches complimentary maintenance and great warranty

New this year, Volkswagen is offering two years of complimentary maintenance on all 2020 models. “I have personally been part of many discussions with Volkswagen encouraging them to bring back the Carefree Maintenance program,” says Davis, “so I am very pleased they are bringing it back to our customers starting in 2020!”

New 2020 models, including the Tiguan, will come with the two year, 24,000-mile maintenance program which covers regularly scheduled service at no cost and a four year, 50,000-mile warranty.

2020 Tiguan

Tiguan offers comfort and convenience features galore

The Tiguan is perfect for Kansas City drivers and families because it comes in so many different trim packages, perfectly customizable to different situations and needs. The base “S” trim Tiguan starts at a very reasonable $24,945. Above that comes the SE, SE R-Line Black, SEL and SEL Premium R-Line.

According to Car and Driver, “Choosing a Tiguan trim is only about features and convenience equipment; they’re all powered by the same 184-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. We suggest stepping up to at least the SE model, which adds a larger 8.0-inch infotainment system, keyless access, and leatherette seats that are heated and powered.”

The jump from SE to SEL is a significant one, adding about $5,000, but all the extra features it adds, including adaptive cruise, a panoramic sunroof, remote start, power liftgate, and larger 18-inch wheels, may be worth it to you.

Adding all-wheel drive, which is available on any trim, adds roughly $1,500, but makes the third row optional. If you’re in the business of hauling kids, we’d spend the extra $600 to make the Tiguan a seven-seater. The Tiguan SEL model adds upscale features like a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers. The SEL Premium R-Line adds a new heated wiper park, standard R-Line content, and 20-inch wheels.

With the features, space, versatility, and warranty, the Tiguan is an exceptional value.

If you’re a young family looking for the perfect vehicle to get you started, then the Volkswagen Tiguan is the obvious choice, and Volkswagen Lee’s Summit is the place to make it happen. Check out the vast inventory of Tiguan models at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit for the perfect fit for your family.

Tags: automobile, automotive, compact suv, Kansas City, New Cars in Kansas city, safety features, the best suv for my family, Tiguan, Volkswagen, what's the best compact suv, wifi in car
Posted in Dealership Promo, Kansas City, Tiguan, Volkswagen | No Comments »