Important Announcement

 

 

We regretfully announce that our Bell MTS store will be closing effective Friday, March 31, 2023.

 

We started providing MTS cell phones through our parts department 30 plus years ago so this has been a very difficult decision. Unfortunately, for the last 10 years or more, we have operated the store as a community service rather than as a profit centre. More and more, people chose to make purchases online or from other suppliers out of town, which meant that the store was operating at breakeven or worse.   

 

When West Park Motors was sold last fall, the new owners were willing to purchase the Bell MTS store and continue the service but Bell is not adding new dealers so that was not possible. We offered the location to other Bell MTS dealers but they were not interested in operating it due to the small available profit margins. So, as a result, the store will be closing at the end of March. We realize this is not a good thing for the area as that essential service will no longer be available locally. Please feel free to call or stop in if you have questions.

 

For the month of March, our hours will be – Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon – 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

 

Thanks for allowing us to serve you in this way for the past 30 plus years !!!   

Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup challenges junior hockey players

 

INDUSTRY NEWS

 

January 25, 2023

 

Canadian auto dealer

Following last year’s winners, the Lloydminster Female U13 Blazers from Alberta, this week marks the launch of the seventh annual Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, where minor hockey players can compete to see which team can do the most for their local communities.  Last year the Blazers made history as the first all-female youth hockey team to be named Good Deed Cup Champions, and they donated the $100,000 grand prize provided by Chevrolet Canada to help make a new local rink accessible and welcome more community members to enjoy the ice.

“Since its inception, the Good Deeds Cup has seen thousands of good deeds conducted in towns and cities all over Canada,” said James Hodge, brand director, Chevrolet Canada. “Chevrolet Canada’s goal with this program is to continue to support youth in hockey by empowering them to utilize the important and positive values they learn through the sport to give back to their communities.”

This year Chevrolet is challenging youth hockey teams to do more good deeds than ever before to help their communities. The team to “fill their cup” with the most eligible good deeds from January 20 to March 4, 2023, will earn this year’s title of Good Deeds Champion.

Eligible U11 to U15 minor hockey teams can participate, and any Canadian resident over the age of 13 can submit a good deed in support of their team by tagging them and posting a video on select social media platforms. Whether it’s cleaning up the local park, salting sidewalks, donating clothes, there’s more flexibility for participants to perform acts of kindness.

Over the past six seasons, the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup has donated $750,000 across the country. This year’s winning team will be awarded $100,000 to be donated to a registered charity in Canada of the team’s choice, and have their name engraved on the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup.

Don Enns

 

The world lost a special person on Monday. And we lost a great friend and colleague. Don Enns was a key part of the West Park team for almost 32 years. Prior to joining us in 1990, Don had been a fuel truck driver, then ran his own gas station / towing business before accepting a position with us as a service advisor. We always knew this, but from your comments in the last day we have been reminded again how many of you loved dealing with Don and trusted his advice when it came to servicing your vehicles.

 

Don had been dealing with a variety of health issues over the last 25 years. But unless you specifically asked him, Don would never let on that he was feeling miserable. And there were many days in the last years when he did. As his son Lee said a few weeks ago when we asked how his Dad was doing – well you know he’s feeling bad if he’s not here. And that was so true. Don was at work until a few short weeks ago and no one interacting with him would have guessed what he was dealing with.  

 

Don was a private person who was not big on social media. He would not have appreciated this post so sorry Don. But you were such an important part of West Park that we had to say how special you were to us and how much we are going to miss you.

 

There are many special memories we have of Don. Just one that demonstrates his caring for others and his dedication to the West Park family – one of our customers was planning to leave for the south very early one cold and wintery Sunday morning. When he walked into his garage at 5 in the morning, his truck had a flat tire. He tried putting on the spare, but it had never been off so the hoist was seized. Not knowing what else to do, he called Don. Who got out of bed, repaired the leaking tire, then cut the spare tire down and put it in the box in case of another flat. That was Don. Caring about people and going the second mile for our customers.

 

On behalf of everyone at West Park, we express our sincere condolences to Tina, Lee & Erin, Nick & May, grandchildren Emily and Connor, Don’s Mom Trudy Enns as well as his extended family and friends. We know there will be a huge hole in your lives. We are going to miss him incredibly as well.        

 Why Change Your Tires?

 Changing your tires seasonally not only keeps you safer on the roads but will also save you money in the long run!

Winter tires are made specifically for colder temperatures below 7 degrees. These tires have a softer compound and a block tread pattern, allowing the tire to have a better grip on ice and snow.

All season tires are made for temperatures above 7 degrees. These tires have a harder tire compound with a finer tread that is ideal for mild temperatures.

 

Driving with the proper tires for the temperature helps keep you and your family safe on the roads, allowing your vehicle to navigate better in the different seasonal conditions. For example, stopping in snow with snow tires on allows you to stop sooner than if you had all season tires on.

Want to learn more about tires and what is right for your car, truck or SUV? Contact one of our knowledgeable Tire Experts! 

2022 Silverado

 2022 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet recently introduced the new 2022 Silverado, a significantly updated version of the brand's

best-selling truck and one that offers customers with more choices, more technology and more premium touches.

 New for 2022 is the first-ever Silverado ZR2, Chevy's new flagship off-road truck and the latest addition 

to a successful lineup of off-road and factory-installed lifted trims. The ZR2 is pictured above.

 

The 2022 enhanced Silverado also features an elevated exterior design, and, a new, expressive interior with

enhanced technology. Changes include a 13.4-inch-diagonal touchscreen standard on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss,

ZR2, LTZ and High Country, available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology with trailering on

High Country. Also new for 2022 is an enhanced, stronger version of the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine that

offers more torque than any base engine in its class. 

 These trucks will start arriving on our lot during the first few months of 2022.

We're Hiring!

 

Social Media Coordinator & More

We are hiring a customer focused individual with a knack for social media / technology who is looking for a new challenge.

West Park Motors is a family owned GM dealership / Bell MTS store in Altona.

Our Social Media Coordinator & More position will be responsible for a wide variety of activities including:

• The coordination of our paid and organic social media content and campaigns – crafting and communicating posts, content and responses to customer interactions
• Our website content including product photos and video
• Coordination of our radio, newspaper and magazine advertising   
• Secondary receptionist / cashier during noon hour and vacation times
• Alternate Bell / MTS customer sales and service during peak times, lunch hours

You will offer excellent interpersonal and communication skills; be organized and detail oriented; with a keen interest in social media and technology.

If you are interested in joining our company, please apply in writing, including a cover letter and resume, to:

Ray Loewen, President

ray@westparkgm.com

or Box 1210, Altona, Man., R0G 0B0    

 

Are you Ready For the Cold? 

Winter Auto Maintenance Tips

 

As the weather turns colder, it's time to do some basic winter auto maintenance to make sure your car is ready for the for the rest of this season. Automobiles run differently in colder weather; the elements can cause greater wear-and-tear on your vehicle, and bad tires can put you at risk in icy or snowy conditions. Some of the items on the checklist below can be done yourself; for others, you will want to take your car to the Certified Service specialists at West Park Motors in Altona.

Check/change your oil

Oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat, allowing the internal parts to work together effectively without overheating. Over time, engine oil breaks down and wears out. We recommend changing every 6000 kms or twice a year if you drive less than that.

Check your battery

The last thing you want on a cold winter day is to be stranded because your vehicle won't start. Make sure the contacts on your car battery are clean and corrosion free; and stop in at West Park to have your battery tested. I We are offering a FREE battery test during the month of January – just pull into our service drive thru. If your battery is good, we’ll let you know that. If you need a new battery, we’ll give you an instant $20 Rebate on a new AC Delco Battery. If your battery is more than four years old, consider replacing it to avoid problems.

Check hoses and belts

The rubber on your hoses and belts can deteriorate in cold weather, so look for soft spots, cracks, bulges, stretching or loose connections, and replace hoses and belts as needed. You should also keep checking these through the season as part of your regular winter auto maintenance.

Check your transmission and drive train

Cold weather can create additional wear on the transmission, so have a transmission specialist at West Park make sure everything is in working order. If you have a 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle, you'll also want to check the drive train.

Check heating/cooling system

Make sure you have the right mixture of antifreeze in your radiator. Also check your heater and defroster to make sure both are working properly.

Check/replace wiper blades and fluid

Rain, snow and ice can impair your visibility if your wiper blades are old and worn. If these haven't been replaced in a while, go ahead and replace them. Make sure your wiper fluid is topped off, and carry a spare bottle with you in the car.

Check tire tread

Old, worn tires lose traction in snow or ice. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, and have West Park check your tread to make sure you have enough traction. If your tires are old, replace them with quality winter or all-weather tires. West Park carries all major brands at competitive prices.

Be prepared

Even proper upkeep can't prevent all vehicle mishaps. An emergency kit with blankets, spare clothes, flashlight, bottled water and snacks will help sustain you if you get stranded on the road.

For help with winter auto maintenance, repairs or service in southern Manitoba, West Park Motors has been providing reliable auto service to Manitobans for over 52 years. Our Certified Service Department can be reached at 204-324-6494 for reliable diagnosis and repair. Or book online at https://www.westparkgm.com/ServiceApptForm