Brenengen Blog

Baby squirrels here - Isn't that Nuts!

2010-08-19T10:11:00.008-05:00

One of our employees from the West Salem Chevy store chopped down a tree in their yard and ended with 2 baby squirrels without a mama. The babies were fed for two days and then taken to the Coulee Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for Animals. During their short stay, they made a stop here and were a popular attraction as everyone had to have a look.

Joe Genardo retires after 38 years in the business

2010-07-29T13:15:00.014-05:00

After 38 years in the car business, Joe Genardo will be retiring. Joe is a disabled World War II American veteran having served in the South Pacific. Joe had his own dealership in Hammond, IN and also ran a wholesale and auction business in La Crosse for many years.

Joe has been with us here at Brenengen Chevrolet since 1993 and has been an important part of our business and growth over the years.

Joe now plans to travel the country visiting relatives and friends. He will then be stopping by here regularly to visit us and chat about the 'old days'.

Have a great time on your travels Joe and we will see you back here soon!

Slideshow of Joe and the gang

Update: Car Show pics and video!

2010-07-19T13:35:00.008-05:00

The Custom Car Show was a success. Hot weather and Hot Cars! We had lots of Corvettes from members of the River City Corvettes club along with plenty of custom, stock and race cars on display. Check out the links below for photos and a great video walk-through.

Photo Slideshow
Video Walk-through

Car Show to be held at West Salem Chevy store

2010-07-08T10:48:00.011-05:00

We will be hosting a custom car show on July 17. Feel free to stop on by or bring your custom or stock vehicle with you for show!

Details:

- July 17 at Brenengen Chevrolet in West Salem, WI
- 10am - 3pm
- Setup at 8am, registration at 9am or as cars arrive
- Food will be served by West view Inn from 11am - 2pm. Pop and Water will be sold by club members.
- Trophies awarded at 2:45pm

Stop in for a great time!

Map and directions to Brenengen Chevrolet

Sponsored by:
Brenengen Chevrolet
River City Corvettes
Eagle KQEG
Boys & Girls Club

Sparta Ford store wins President's Award...Again!

2010-04-14T09:59:00.009-05:00

Our Sparta Ford store has won the President's Award from Ford Motor Company 2 of the last 4 years! Congrats!

Press release text:
Ford Motor Company is pleased to announce and congratulate Brenengen Ford-Mercury, Sparta, Wisconsin on winning the 2009 President’s Award.

In order to achieve the President’s Award, dealers must exceed customer expectations every day in every department. The pursuit of excellence is not for the faint of heart – it requires passion, tenacity and, of course, hard work. This prestigious award salutes those top-performing Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealerships that embrace these philosophies, achieving among the highest levels of customer satisfaction – in both sales and service – in automotive retailing.

Congratulations again and thank you to Brenengen Ford-Mercury, Sparta.

Kenneth M. Czubay
Vice President President
U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service Ford Customer Service Division

Frederiek Toney
President
Ford Customer Service Division

Brenengen Ford Sparta home page

Rich O'Wylie continues his St.Patrick's Day tradition

2010-03-17T09:05:00.013-05:00

Rich Wylie, Office Manager at our West Salem Chevrolet store has a long history of St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Rich's father and uncle celebrated every year while Rich was growing up. When Rich's uncle passed away, his aunt asked Rich what he would like to have. Rich wanted only the jacket you see him proudly wearing in the photo.

Rich obviously continues the tradition to this day. Thankfully we normally get some good cookies along with a few good stories and laughs!

Another photo showing Rich's awesome socks!
Website listing events across the country and more
Read all about St. Patricks's Day at Wikipedia

Guess which one is the real Salesperson!

2010-02-16T15:45:00.010-06:00

HINT: He doesn't have a goatee.

Ryan Grooms from our KIA store poses here with the stars of the KIA Sorento Super Bowl commercial. Ryan actually talks to them, seriously.

The characters are Sock Monkey, Mr.X, Teddy Bear, Robot, Muno and the biggest character of them all is Ryan.

Check out the commercial here
Kia Sorento home page

Our West Salem Chevrolet store now providing Saturn Service!

2010-02-10T15:15:00.014-06:00

We are proud to announce that General Motors has chosen our West Salem Chevrolet store as the Tri-State's Saturn Authorized Service and Parts Provider.

This means we can provide all Warranty Repair and Parts supply on any Saturn vehicle.

Our Service Department at this location is open 6am until Midnight Mon - Fri and Sat 7:30 - 3:30.

Bring us your Saturn vehicle or if you know someone with a Saturn please pass the word and we will be happy to help!

Saturn Warranty Information
West Salem Chevrolet Service Dept info

147 Child Seats checked in 2009 with 88% needing adjustment

2010-01-31T14:33:00.000-06:00

Last year we checked a total of 147 Child Seats and 88% of them were fitted incorrectly. This shows the need for these checks and we are committed to continuing this program for our community.

NOTE: For 2010 the monthly Child Seat Checks will be held from April to September (and March & October weather permitting).

The Checks are held on the First Thursday of each month as listed above from 3-7pm at the West Salem Chevrolet dealership.

If you would like your Child Seat checked during the Winter months, you can call the La Crosse County Health Dept. at (608)785-9872.

2010 schedule and more information

Our employees raise over $7,000 in 2009 for local organizations

2010-01-18T14:54:00.004-06:00

$7,455 to be exact. Employees from our stores took it upon themselves to hold events to raise money for needy families, troops overseas, food pantries and others. Last year we had Bake Sales, a Taco Bar, and various other events.

The Brenengen Auto Group owners then match whatever the employees earn up to $1,500 per location.

The Brenengen Auto Group also donated over 2,500 pounds of beef to local food pantries.

Our staff and owners are proud to contribute to needy organizations in our communities and are excited to continue in the years to come.

Do you have a Smoke Detector in your Garage?

2009-11-10T10:19:00.010-06:00

Since your vehicle and possibly gas cans, oil, etc are in the garage, a Smoke Detector is an inexpensive peace of mind. I found a First Alert model that comes with a 10 year Lithium battery for about $16. The 10 year Lithium batteries normally cost $10 for just the battery. The model number is SA305CN.

Make sure to avoid one with a Carbon Monoxide detector built in since your car emits Carbon Monoxide.

I found mine at Ace Hardware, but click below for the same model at Amazon.

First Alert Smoke Detector model SA305CN at Amazon
This post is not a product endorsement

'Packers vs Vikings' Mania takes over Sparta Ford store!

2009-10-05T13:38:00.007-05:00

Tonight's Packers vs Vikings game has brought on a flurry of fan-mania at our Sparta Ford store. Employees from both sides have taken over the dealership offices with tons of Packer and Viking garb. There has also been quite a bit of trash-talking going on.

Check out the slideshow below for more pics!

Slideshow

Custom 1957 Bel Air at West Salem Chevy store

2009-08-24T11:30:00.011-05:00

A beautiful 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is at our West Salem Chevrolet store. We are selling it for one of our customers on eBay.

This car has all new body panels and floor, 502 Crate motor with 502hp, leather interior and trunk and much more.

Stop by and have a look or click the links below to have a look at this incredible Restoration-Mod vehicle.

Slideshow
eBay Auction

Check out the video below for a full walk-around!

Frank's daughter, Kristina Smaby is Miss Wisconsin!

2009-07-02T12:33:00.013-05:00

Frank Smaby, Brenengen Blog favorite and salesperson at the West Salem Chevrolet store has big news. His Daughter, Kristina has won the Miss Wisconsin pageant!

As part of her winning, Kristina picked up a new 2009 Chevy Cobalt. Frank was of course the one who made all the arrangements for the new car and is a very proud father.

Kristina will now tour the US as Miss Wisconsin and then compete in the Miss America Pageant on Jan 30, 2010, which will be televised live.

Great job Kristina, we are sure you will make a great role model as Miss Wisconsin!

Miss Wisconsin Website
Holmen Courier Article pdf
Miss Wisconsin Press Release pdf
Slideshow of Kristina getting her new car.

Rare 'Chip Foose' Mustang lands at Sparta Ford store

2009-05-23T09:15:00.003-05:00

A rare 2007 Chip Foose Mustang has arrived at Brenengen Ford. Battle of the Pony cars once again with our previous 2010 Camaro post below. This car has only 4,500 miles on it and an amazing candy apple green paint job.

Photo Slideshow
Chip Foose Official Website
Direct link to vehicle at our website

Bicycle Safety Fair May 19th

2009-05-12T08:52:00.005-05:00

The 2009 Bicycle Safety Fair will be May 19th 5:30-7:30 at the West Salem Lions Community Shelter.

This free event is for children grade Kindergarten through 6th. Parent attendance for children grades K-3 is required. The event will teach bicycle rules of the road and safety awareness. Pre-registrations will help determine the number of prizes needed. Registration will also be accepted on site the day of the event.

Participants must be present until the end of the event to win prizes. Parents are also welcome to participate on the road course with their children (bring your bike and helmet).

• Drawings will be held to give away three "Grand Prize" bicycles donated by Brenengen Auto Group..
• All participants will receive a free bicycle inspection, free bicycle licensing, a prize, and snacks.
• All participants should bring a bicycle and a helmet (if the child has one).

May is Bicycle Safety Month!

Sponsors
Brenengen Auto Group (Bicycles, Prizes, Manpower)
West Salem Police Dept (Licensing & Manpower)
West Salem Parks & Recreation Dept (Registration & Manpower)
Hansen's IGA (Snacks)
Smith's Bicycle Shop (Bicycle Inspection)
West Salem First Responders (Emergency Response Vehicle Display)
Coulee Region Christian School (Manpower)
Safe Routes To School (Manpower)
Boys & Girls Club (Manpower)

Questions? Please call Park & Rec. at 786-0222

Printable registration form pdf

Bob gets our first 2010 Camaro SS!

2009-04-29T12:55:00.009-05:00

Proud new owner, long time customer and employee Bob Gnewikow takes delivery of our first 2010 Camaro SS. Bob is no stranger to classic Camaro's but he is pretty impressed with this one. After a long wait and several delays, the car is finally here.

Congrats Bob!

Photo Slideshow

Check out this video for a full walk around.

Congratulations Wisconsin Dealer of the Year!

2009-02-11T10:58:00.001-06:00

Our owner, Don Brenengen, shown above at the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) convention with wife Cheryl, is Wisconsin's TIME Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year. At the convention, Don was then chosen as one of only 4 Regional Finalists in the Nation.

From TIME Magazine Press Release:
"The TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award is the automobile industries most prestigious and highly coveted award for car dealers. Recipients are among the nation's most successful auto dealers. However they must also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to effective community service. Brenengen was chosen to represent the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association in the national competition-one of only 48 dealers from more than 19,500 nationwide nominated for the 40th annnual award."

Ford Motor 'Salute to Dealers'
Don and Cheryl were also honored by Ford Motor Company's 'Salute to Dealers'. Salute to Dealers is a company-wide initiative that recognizes Dealer Principles who generously work to improve the lives of those in need, while providing outstanding products and services. Only 6 dealers in the country are chosen for this award.

From Ford Press Letter:
"Dealers from all five brands, representing more than 6,000 dealership franchises nationally, are eligible for this prestigious award. This year, regional managers submitted 60 nominations from 26 states and two countries. A panel of independent judges from a variety of backgrounds selects the six honorees based on the dealer's activities, length of participation and personal motivation. With each year's group participating in hundreds of causes, selecting just six dealer to individually honor is a difficult, but rewarding task."

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers
In addition, Don and Cheryl were also recently named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers by the Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

From Coulee News Article:
Robin Tanke, Chapter President said, "The Brenengens were nominated for their work in West Salem and in La Crosse. This is a couple that really demonstrates the true meaning of giving and philanthropy." she said.

Congratulations Don and Cheryl, we are all proud to be here with you!

WATDA Dealer of the Year Article pdf
read LaCrosse Tribune TIME Magazine Award article in pdf
Coulee News Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers article
read Coulee News Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers article in pdf

Our Child Seat Checks make front page of Tribune!

2009-02-09T13:24:00.005-06:00

The La Crosse Tribune ran an article about our Child Seat Checks on the front page on Wednesday Feb 4th. We are glad they did as the article explains that out of the 133 Child Seats we checked last year, only 16% were installed correctly. This identifies a serious need for our Free Child Seat Checks and we are happy to provide this service to our community.

The Child Seat Checks are held on the First Thursday each month from 3-7pm at Brenengen Chevrolet on Hwy 16 in West Salem. Certified Child Safety Technicians from the County of La Crosse will be there to fit your Child or Booster seat and also show you how to do it correctly.

Quote from the article:
“Business has been steady at the safety checks, but we’d love to see more people,” Silha said. “I think some people are embarrassed to come for help, but they need to know it’s not easy to fit these car seats correctly.”
“We want to help them do it right, and we actually teach them the right way to do it,” she said.

Read the article at Lacrosse Tribune
Read the article in jpg
Our 2009 Child Seat Check schedule
Flyer for our Child Seat Checks pdf
Current Booster Seat Law and guide pdf
Wisconsin Child Passengers Safety Association

Brenengen Auto comes to Tomah

2008-12-16T14:50:00.009-06:00

Brenengen Auto Group is proud to welcome the loyal customers of Norris-Vernier to our family.

Don Brenengen, President of the Auto Group, believes this is a natural fit. "We are looking for an opportunity to bring the Customer for Life philosophy to our new customers in the Tomah area. We think it's a great community and look forward to being a contributing member in the years ahead."

'Brenengen Motors Tomah' home page
What is Tru Discount Pricing?

We are going GREEN, join us!

2008-08-09T13:25:00.037-05:00

At the Brenengen Auto group we have been taking steps and making changes to GO GREEN for many years. In fact, 1998 is the year we installed Geo Thermal heating at our Sparta Chevy store.

Our Founders, Don and Cheryl Brenengen, and the owner group continue working hard to find ways to reduce our waste, use less energy, and lessen our environmental footprint.

Here is a list of what we have done so far:

West Salem Chevrolet, West Salem KIA and Sparta Ford Mercury
1) Waste oil heating for the shop (except KIA store)
2) Converted shop lighting to high efficiency, fluorescent lighting
3) Converted show room and office lighting to high efficiency fluorescent
4) Set back timers for all zones of heating and air conditioning
5) Replace all CRT computer monitors with LCD flat panel type
6) Replaced paper towel dispensers with High efficiency Dyson Hand Dryers (West Salem Chevy only)

Sparta Chevrolet Buick Pontiac
1) Geo thermal Heating and Air Conditioning system.
2) Converted shop lighting from metal halide to high efficiency bulbs
3) Waste oil heating for the service department
4) High efficiency fluorescent show room lighting
5) Set back timers for all heating and a/c zones
6) Replace all CRT computer monitors with LCD flat panel type

Bodies by Brenengen Body Shop
1) Water born paint
2) High efficiency fluorescent lighting
3) Replace all CRT computer monitors with LCD flat panel type

All Brenengen locations also recycle the following:
• Cardboard
• Scrap Metal
• Freon
• Motor Oil
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Computer Monitors
• Starters, Alternators, Steering Gears
• Catalytic Converters
• Emissions Sensors

At Brenengen Auto Group, we are serious about Going Green and continue to take steps to protect our environment.

If you would like more information on what YOU can do, there is lots of information at the links below.

GreenLaCrosse.com website where we are a major sponsor.
GO GREEN tips for your vehicle (pdf)
NADA Green Driving USA site
Ecodriving USA site by Arnold Schwarzenegger
EPA Go Green site and Newsletter
YouTube video review of our Dyson Hand Dryers
GO GREEN Initiative for Schools
Regeneration Global Green movement

A special couple gets a California Special

2008-06-03T16:16:00.002-05:00

Fred Dodd and Deb Killian are the proud owners of a very 'special' car. The Mustang GT California Special is available on GT Premium models and includes 18-inch wheels, side scoops, unique tape stripes, rolled bright exhaust tips, black leather trimmed seats with unique “Cal Special” contrasting Dove or Parchment leather inserts, a larger air intake, a chin spoiler (1.5 inches lower than GT), and unique front and rear fascias.

Check out the slideshow below for more photos.

Congratulations Fred and Deb from Brenengen Ford-Mercury and your salesman Troy Ziegler. Enjoy your new car!

Slideshow

Kris Kinder wins at June Dairy Days

2008-05-31T09:59:00.005-05:00

Kris Kinder has just won the 5k Table Rock Trott at June Dairy Days in West Salem. Kris works as Cashier at the West Salem Chevrolet store and has been with us for 4 years.

Great job Kris!

June Dairy Days website

Sparta Chevy store reaches 100% for World Class Technicians

2008-03-24T18:17:00.023-05:00

Our Chevrolet Buick Pontiac store in Sparta has one more World Class Technician, Wilbur Filter(left), bringing their total to 3, all 3 that is.

Nationwide, only 4% of Service Techs are World Class Technicians. This store is at 100%.

GM Goodwrench technicians have the chance to become World Class Technicians in the GM STC training program, which provides technicians the opportunity to validate their knowledge and demonstrate their skills to employers and customers.

Congrats to Wilbur Filter(left), Tim DeCrane(middle) and Chris Pearse(right). We are proud to have you!

GM World Class Technicians website

We knew there was more to Jen's hairstyle

2008-03-22T13:45:00.044-05:00

After Frank graced us with his Travolta photo, all kinds of things are being unearthed.

Jennifer Schauf, Business Manager at the West Salem Chevy store brought in this article from the Monroe County Democrat.

Jennifer was just a customer at Curt's Family Hairstyling in Sparta when she was asked to appear in Inspire, a national hairstyle magazine. Jen says she was always asking for new colors and styles and Curt thought she was perfect for the part.

With great style comes great responsibilty.