Here at Checkered Flag, we like to be the first to tell you about new vehicles.  So, as a BMW driver (I love my 128i convertible), I am EXTREMELY pleased to unveil for you the leaked pics of the upcoming Sport Activity Vehicle, the BMW X1.  According to Car and Driver, this car has technically already been unveiled since it was shown last year at the Paris auto show under the name Concept X1.  Oh well, this is the first I have heard of it, how about you?  The official launch of the new X1 is expected later this Summer.  You know we will keep you posted on all the details including availability.  If you would like us to contact you when the X1 models arrive here at Checkered Flag BMW, send us an email and we will send you a personal invitation to come in for a test drive!

I'd like to introduce you to the "Colossus of Capability," also known as the new Honda Fit!  This small car has all the functionality of a moving van, disguised in a modern, fun to drive, Honda-rific little hot rod.  And if tech gadgets make you smile, then your gonna love the impressive list of standard and optional features Honda has added for your driving pleasure.  Watch my video and then hurry down to Checkered Flag Honda for a test drive.  We have several new Fits in stock right now!!

The Cash for Clunkers legislation is very close to potentially passing.  If you are completely unfamiliar with the program, or have some questions about it, we are here to help!

Checkered Flag is a participating dealership in the Cash for Clunkers program, and we are making it very easy for you to buy your new car from us.  Details are not set in stone at the time of this posting, but what we have deciphered from the many sources can be found on our Cash for Clunkers in Virginia page.

Checkered Flag has plenty of fuel efficient vehicles for you to choose from if you want to take advantage of this program - we also have plenty to choose from even if you just want to get a better MPG rating.

Eugene is pictured with one of his happy Honda clients, Mrs. Cynthia Chamer, who purchased a 2009 Honda Civic EX-L with Navigation.

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
I help clients realize their dream of owning a car. I want my customers to feel like they are buying a car from a friend not just a salesman.

Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in?
Virginia Beach.  I love it here.  August 1st me and my fiance are moving into our first home together- still in Virginia Beach.

Do you have any children? Any pets?
No, but I have a twenty one year old brother, and I have nine nieces and nephews.

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
Law and Order SVU-  I like the suspense, and watching Mariska Hargitay

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Cadillac Records- great movie.  Favorite of all time, I actually have two, The Outsiders, and Full Metal Jacket.

What are your hobbies?
Spending time with family, traveling, and going to Golds Gym.

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
08 Honda Accord- I am a full sized man, I need a full size sedan, and its reliable.

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
I don?t have one, but if I had to choose, 2010 760Li, because, as I said before, I need a full size car.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Las Vegas!! Because its where dreams come true, and what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Have you recently celebrated any milestones (birthday, anniversary, etc)?
I buried my youth.  I am in my thirties now! I was recently awarded Honda Salesman of the Year.  I also celebrated with my fiance, Melissa Roland, she was awarded 2009 Teacher of the Year, and Reading Teacher of the Year.  We were recently engaged.

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
Dont let the Green Grass Fool You

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
People dont realize that I am a disabled veteran. Veteran of foreign wars- Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait.  Army Strong.

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
I dont want to sound cliche.  But its the people I work for and with.  The upper management makes you feel like you work with them, not for them.

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
Well I am in the wonderful world of sales!!! Six days on, maybe one day off.  Sometimes I forget where I live because I spend so much time at work. I cant wait to be a big wig, so I can tell people what to do!!
 
Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in? 
Virginia Beach is the place I call home. But my heart will always be in Youngstown, Ohio.
 
Do you have any children? Any pets?
I have two wonderful children ArMari Donte is my daughter and  ArMahn Donye is my son. As far as pets, I have two pit bulls (Gasp) named Hannibal, and Nefertiti, and a Yorkie Terrier named Max. Dont know how the Yorkie got there but he thinks he is a cat walking on the back of the couch and stuff. Geez
 
What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
Is this a trick question? I don't have just one..... Lets see I like all of the CSIs because of the drama and suspense and also to laugh at all of the cases the happen to be solved in 48 mins including commercial breaks.  Oh yeah, Sports Center, I have to get my daily fix of all my sports and sports news!! And The First 48,  crime doesnt pay, because no matter, what the law is always one step ahead of you or someone snitches on you!!
 
What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Angels and Demons, it was a good whodunit, and Wolverine... Go mutants!  My favorite movie so, so, so many to choose from. It would have to be -An American Tale.  Its a cartoon movie from the 80s.  It was the first movie I can remember watching with my Grandmother, wow memories!
 
What are your hobbies?
Hmm good question.... Well since I am always at work, that would have to be the great past time of selling myself to make a deal happen.  Aside from surfing the net on my phone.. gotta love the unlimited data plan with Sprint.  If they ever looked at my usage, they might charge me, lets keep that on the hush. 
 
What kind of car do you drive? Why?
I drive a beautiful 2005 Chrysler Sebring with less than 45k miles on it, and the reason I have it is because I have not gotten my BMW or my Mercedes-Benz yet. So I nick-named it my Baby BMW. 
 
What is your Dream Car?  Why?
I have two actually.  The first is a Mercedes Benz CLS-550 and the second would be a BMW 745Li,  just because they are beautiful and in some instances they stand as a status symbol to let people know you made it.
 
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
I would probably go to Africa just to see where my ancestors came from, and look at the heritage that I want to learn about and teach my children.
 
If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
It would probably be the title of my deepest piece of written work - Tears of a Clown 
 
What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
There are three actually.  May 25th (ArMahns birthday) June 16th (My birthday) and December 27th (ArMaris Birthday)
 
What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
There are two.  The first thing is that I AM NOT GINO!!!!!!  And the second is that my name is spelled a different way it is Eric but also Aryq (it is a weird Ohio thing my mothers side of the family does, I don't understand it.)
 
What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
The people I work with, you will never find a more functional dysfunctional bunch of people on the face of the planet!!! I love it!

See over 500 quality used cars on Virginia Beach Blvd this weekend at our first ever Garage Sale!  You can view our used cars on Checkered Flag.com, then take advantage of the Garage Sale pricing in the stores as you cruise down the Blvd.

All cars are backed by one of three warranties:

    * Original Warranty from when the car was new
    * Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
    * Best Test Warranty

Did we mention pricing is as low as $499?  And because it is Checkered Flag, you know we really have cars that low.

>> We brought in special vehicles for this event, and some will not be on our website.  Feel free to call, chat, or email us ahead of time.

Watch the Garage Sale TV Commercial.  The whole thing ends on May 24th, 2009.

We told you all about the Honda FCX Clarity last month, and we intend to keep you posted with all the details.. so here you go!

Honda has paced the industry in the development and deployment of zero-emissions hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology as well as the refueling infrastructure that will be required to take it to the mass market. Honda's next-generation fuel cell car, the FCX Clarity, is the only fuel cell vehicle (FCV) built from the ground up as a FCV, and it is the first to be mass produced on a dedicated production line.

Source: Honda Media Newsroom

Keep checking back for all the details on this groundbreaking new Honda right here on your Checkered Blog!

The Honda Insight has just earned a spot in the history books as the first Hybrid to ever become the number 1 selling car.....in Japan.

LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT FOR INSIGHT IN JAPAN
Insight is first hybrid to become Japan's best-selling vehicle

Honda's new Insight ranked as the entire industry's best-selling new car in Japan for April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units. It is the first time that a hybrid model has topped the new car sales tables in Japan.

The Honda Fit (or Jazz as it is known in Europe) was Japan's best-selling new car for calendar year 2008 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Fit was also the industry's best-selling car for March 2009, its fourth consecutive month at the top, until it was displaced by Insight to become the industry's second best-selling car in April 2009. It is the first time Honda has occupied the industry's top two best-selling car positions.

Since its introduction on February 6, 2009, the all-new Insight has been very well received by a wide range of customers due to its excellent environmental performance and affordable pricing.

Insight sales in Japan
Sales of Insight began February 6, 2009

Cumulative Sales
(since sales start)

Monthly ranking among new vehicle registrations in Japan

February 2009 Sales Result
4,906 units 10th

March 2009 Sales Result
4,088 units 21st

April 2009 Sales Result
10,481 units 1st

* excluding mini-vehicles - under 660cc

Source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association

We would like to help the Insight earn the same record in the United States at Checkered Flag Honda!