Easter Seals Caterpillar Track Boat Winner!

Congratulations to Clint Cronkhite of Metamora!!! Clint is the grand prize winner of the Easter Seals one-of-a-kind, custom Bass Pro / Caterpillar Tracker boat. Proceeds from this raffle benefited Easter Seals, an absolutely fantastic organization. The formal grand prize presentation was held at 9:00am on December 21, 2011 at the Bass Pro Shop in East Peoria. The boat made a month-long tour through every Uftring Auto Group dealership, where customers could see the boat up close and buy tickets to win.

Dodge Challenger Mod Project - Uftring Pekin

Steve Porter, General Manager at Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in North Pekin, Illinois, recently told his service and parts team to put a coat of "awesome" on this Dodge Challenger. We all know the Challenger is a real head-turner without these sweet additions . . . but now it's turned into something much more sinister and breathtaking. You could say it looks mean, but that's not quite accurate either. Intimidating, perhaps? At any rate, we added custom wheels and tires, lowered it, added tint to the windows and created a serious street legal street rod. Check it out and call us for a test drive at Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Route 29 in North Pekin.

Or visit our website to view our entire inventory

Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | 0% APR For Up to 60 Months

Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Pekin, Illinois - serving as a Peoria Illinois Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealer, is excited to announce the BIG FINISH of 2011. Hurry in and get 0% Financing for up to 60 Months on select models of the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, 2012 Chrysler 200, plus 0% for up to 72 Months on 2011 Chrysler 200 and Chrysler 200 Convertible. Financing is with approved credit on select models.

Uftring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is also excited to offer 0% APR on all 2011 and 2012 Dodge Models. Dodge customers in the Peoria and Pekin area will want to hurry to our dealership to take advantage of these year-end offers.

Off roading customers will appreciate 0% APR for up to 60 months on new 2012 Jeep Liberty, and 0% financing for up to 36 months on 2012 Wrangler and Compass.

Hurry in while our selection of 2011 Jeeps still lasts or get a great deal on a 2012 Model. We also have custom upfitting available.

Visit Our Peoria, IL Chrysler Dodge Jeep Website
View New Peoria IL Chrysler Inventory
View New Peoria IL Jeep Inventory
View New Peoria IL Dodge Inventory
View our Used Çars in Peoria Inventory

Season's Best Savings | Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac

Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac | Season's Best Event | 0%APR for 72 Months

Uftring Weston Chevrolet Cadillac in Peoria, Illinois is excited to announce the Cadillac Season's Best Event - where we are offering 0% Financing for up to 72 Months on new 2011 Cadillac CTS, SRX and Escalade models. We are the Cadillac dealer in Peoria Illinois you should see if you want to save thousands of dollars on the financing alone. Just in time for holiday shopping, Uftring Weston still has a great selection of new 2011 Cadillacs for sale. Visit us at our location at 3622 N. University in Peoria for a test drive today. Treat yourself to a new Cadillac for the holidays, during the Season's Best event at Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac in Peoria.

All financing to qualified buyers. See us for complete details. Expires 1/3/12.

2012 Nissan Versa | Uftring Nissan in Peoria IL

The 2012 Nissan Versa is here at Uftring Nissan in Peoria and offers economical, roomy transportation for anyone who wants an affordable new car that can get nearly 40 miles to the gallon. The inside of the 2012 Versa Sedan has plenty of space for adults, and offers a comfy ride, attractive option features a good sized trunk for a smaller sedan and sensational gas mileage. The 2012 Nissan Versa is an absolute MUST SEE if you are shopping for a 2012 Honda Civic or 2012 Toyota Corolla. Even if you are shopping for a Used Honda Civic in Peoria or a Used Toyota Corolla, many times the new 2012 Nissan Versa can be purchased for the same money or less! The 2012 Versa can be purchased as a Nissan Versa S, Nissan Versa SV and Nissan Versa SL. The 2012 Nissan Versa S is a fairly straightforward vehicle, while the SV offers Cruse Control, power options, keyless, better seat material and an overall better package. If you step up to the Nissan SV with Convenience Package, you'll be treated to Bluetooth and an iPod interface. The 2012 Nissan Versa SL Sedan upgrades you even further, with 15" Alloy Wheels, 60/40 split folding rear seat, and foglights. There is also a SL Tech option package that really goes crazy with navigation, touchscreen and satellite radio. The 2012 Honda Fit has NOTHING on the new Nissan Versa, at least from our perspective. We encourage you to take a test drive at Uftring Nissan in Peoria.

Here's a short ad of Gary Uftring talking about the Nissan Versa at our Peoria, Illinois Nissan Dealership. We're proud to be a Nissan dealer and hope you see us first for new 2012 Nissans in Peoria or Bloomington. Thanks, and we hope to see you soon.

Used Nissan Altimas in Peoria IL

Forget the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Volkswagon Passat . . . nevermind the Hyundai Sonata and everything in between. The ACTION on a great used or certified sedan is at Uftring Nissan in Peoria, IL. Jim Swigart, longtime used car manager has 50 late model used Nissan Altimas in stock and on the way. We expanded our Peoria dealership to include more display space and Jim has responded by acquiring an amazing selection of Used Altimas, Used Muranos, Used Nissan Rogues and many more. Many of these Altimas have low miles and are priced from $17,990 to $21,990, with 1.9% Certified financing available on ALL Certified Nissans. Blooomington IL Nissan customers should shop here too, because we have the selection you're looking for. Plus, as a bonus, we recondition our used cars so you don't have to. A Used 2011 Nissan Altiima 2.5S with power seats and convenience group options can be yours for a very affordable car payment! Nissan sedans are well-reviewed, popular vehicles that offer everything the Peoria, IL Car Buyer wants in an affordable used car. Visit Uftring Nissan on Allen Road in Peoria and drive away in a used 2010 or 2011 Nissan Altima today.

Click here to go DIRECTLY to our used Nissan inventory.

UFTRING NISSAN WELCOMES THE HEISMAN TROPHY

Iconic Trophy Makes Popular Appearance at Uftring Nissan in Peoria, IL

Uftring Nissan welcomed the most prestigious award in college football to their dealership on Allen Road in Peoria this past weekend. The Heisman Trophy was on display Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th. Customers, friends and fans of college football visited the dealership and posed for a photograph with The Heisman Trophy. This was the actual Heisman Trophy, made from the official mold.

General Manager Joe Phillips and the Heisman

Joe Phillips, General Manager at Uftring Nissan, was excited to welcome sports fans from across Central Illinois to the dealership for this unique opportunity. “Nissan is one of The Heisman Trophy’s major sponsors and made the trophy available to select Nissan dealers,” he said. “When we found out there was a chance to bring the trophy to Peoria, I immediately submitted Uftring Nissan’s name for consideration. Fortunately, we were one of very few dealers selected in the state of Illinois.” Mr. Phillips continued, “We encouraged sports fans to bring their families and friends to Uftring Nissan when The Heisman Trophy was displayed. Our team is always excited to welcome new people to the dealership.”

Mark Kiesewetter Poses with the Heisman Trophy

ABOUT THE HEISMAN TROPHY
Since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the United States. It is a symbol of college football excellence and is the most coveted award in college sports. The Heisman Trophy is made out of cast bronze, is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 25 lbs. The Heisman Trophy Winner will be announced on December 10th, 2011 in New York City.

ABOUT UFTRING NISSAN
Uftring Nissan is a full-service Nissan dealership located at 7400 N. Allen Road in Peoria, IL. Uftring Nissan is a member of the Uftring Auto Group, and has been serving customers from its current location since 2005. Uftring Nissan is a three-time recipient of the Nissan Owner First Award of Excellence – awarded to the top 10% of Nissan dealers nationwide.

Chevrolet 100th Anniversary Celebrations!

Uftring Chevrolet Saab in Washington and Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac in Peoria Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet with Open House Events!

On Thursday, November 3rd, Uftring Chevy Saab in Washington and Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac in Peoria invited current and past customers and friends to their respective dealerships for a huge Chevrolet 100th Anniversary Open House that celebrated the past, present and future of this iconic American automobile manufacturer. Chevrolet has been in our lives at both dealerships for many years and our team members are tried and true Chevy enthusiasts. We love Chevys and so do our customers in the Peoria, Pekin and Washington, Illinois communities. Customers that we hadn't talked to in a while stopped by to enjoy a display of classic Chevrolets and a detailed look at the all-new Chevy Volt - in stock now at both dealerships. Food and dessert was served, commemorative keychains were handed out and a good time was had by all! Gary Uftring stopped by both events to thank customers for their many years of patronage at both locations. The history of Chevrolet is very rich, but we all feel like we're just getting started. With new models like the Volt, Sonic, new Malibu, Silverado, Equinox, Camaro Convertible, new Colorado and much more - there's a lot to be excited about and we can't wait to share the details with our customers. Thanks and we hope to see you soon!

Click Here to Visit UftringChevySaab.com

Click Here to Visit UftringWeston.com

Ian Lott and Lee "Big City" Kerr

A wonderful atmosphere at Uftring Weston

Watch This: Nissan Leaf Walk Around Video

Have you seen the Nissan Leaf in person yet? Until you sit inside the cabin and take a test drive you don't know what you're missing out on. This car is absolutely silent when started, has some serious pep, a mandate to accelerate quickly, and a joyful start up tune reminiscent of a video game console. We highly encourage you to come in and test drive this innovative electric car. It's unlike anything else on the road today.

Watch Tim show off the Nissan Leaf, which arrived a few weeks ago at our dealership, Uftring Nissan in Peoria, Illinois. He explains the unique features and amenities of the Nissan Leaf and shows you some of the bells and whistles. It's a great look at the outside and inside of the 2011 World Car of the Year.

Stay tuned for more photos, info, and videos of this innovative electric car. Like Uftring Nissan on Facebook, and don't forget to schedule some hands on time with this red beauty.

Uftring Donates to Children's Hospital of Illinois

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Serving others and helping those less fortunate is rewarding. This is especially true and heartbreaking when those in need are children, some of whom are literally fighting for their very lives. Uftring Auto Group was proud to raise and donate over $5,700 dollars to the Children's Hospital of Illinois through its Uftring Ambassador initiative. The donation was made at the Uftring Automall on Wednesday, October 12.

Liesl Peters (l) presents the check to Wendy Mitchell (r) Annual Fund Director of Children's Hospital of Illinois

This strong fund raising event was spearheaded in honor of one of the team members at Uftring Auto Group, Liesl, who has been a patient at the Children's Hospital. Each of the six Uftring Auto Group dealerships accepted donations from employees and customers to benefit the Children's Hospital. Gary Uftring matched all of the donations in an effort to make the impact each individual contribution twice as valuable.

Wendy Mitchell speaks about the Children's Hospital

In June the Uftring Ambassadors took part in the Walk for Crohn's and Colitis to raise money and awareness to fight these diseases. A casual Friday was held where employees could make a donation in order to dress down for a day. Pot lucks were held at some of the stores, a tasty way to bring in additional funds.

Liesl relates her gratification for all of the support she received from Uftring team members

Liesl picked out a hospital grade heated blanket warmer as the gift to the Children's Hospital. In her address to the audience, Liesl talked about how most of the patients are very young children, much younger than herself, and she thought they could use a "nice toasty blanket." There's no arguing with that logic or warm heart. Liesl related how thankful she was for the service and care she received from the doctors and nurses, and how extremely pleased she was with her experience there. She's contemplating pursuing a career in medicine.

Kirk Johnson (CFO Uftring Auto Group) talks about supporting those around you and the courage and tenacity of Liesl's fight

Each month the Uftring Auto Group is proud to support a worthy and charitable cause in the community through its Uftring Ambassador initiative. We hope you'll be able to join us, but please get involved in any way you can to make a positive impact on your community.

Rolling On The River - 12th Annual River City Mustang Car Show

It was rainy in the river city, but the cars rolled in anyway.

Despite the overcast and at times wet weather, we had a lot of fun at the 12th Annual River City Mustang and All Ford Car Show. It appeared that most of the attendees did as well!

An abundance of Ford heritage and variety was on display

The car show once again took place at the Uftring Automall and we were proud to host so many Ford enthusiasts and lovers. Though the elements had to be battled at times, we still had a strong turnout of vehicles and viewers. Plenty of Mustangs were present, both old and new, and they all looked great against the backdrop of the grey sky. Many other cars from Ford's storied lineup also made appearances, including a handful of SVT Lightning trucks, Galaxy, Econoline, Mercury Comet, Thunderbird, F-100 and F-600 series trucks, and more.

Plenty of classics from yesterday

Thank you to all of the participants and all of the attendees. You can see all of the 80+ pictures on our Facebook page. Feel free to comment. We hope you enjoy them!

Lease This: Cadillac SRX & CTS

Peoria, would you like to drive one of the hottest cars on the road? If you answered yes to that question, we have an affordable way to make that a reality.

And we actually have two cars for you to choose from.

2011 Cadillac CTS

We want to give you a heads up on a deal you'll be glad to know about if you're interested in a Cadillac. Right now Uftring Weston has a great lease offer on the 2011 Cadillac SRX and the 2011 Cadillac CTS, where you can lease either a CTS or an SRX for just $369 a month.

Yes, that is incredibly low.

But, this deal is only running through next Monday, September 26, so if you want to take advantage you'll need to do so quickly. We still have an excellent selection of both vehicles to choose from.

Check out our official SRX and CTS lease page for details and cars. Then stop by or give us a call. Happy shopping!

2011 Cadillac SRX

Be A Neighbor This September

Mr. Rogers opened up his classic television program singing about the beauty and joy of being a neighbor. He even named his show "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood." In fact, he went one step further and asked you to be his neighbor.  It's safe to say that Mr. Rogers knew and believed in the power of community. Peoria has its fair share of citizens and organizations who, like Mr. Rogers, want to be great neighbors.

Fred Rogers, Expert Neighbor

Neighborhood House has served as a Safe Haven on the south side of Peoria for nearly 115 years. They provide for the social, material, and emotional needs of families, serving infants to elderly. All through the month of September the Uftring Auto Group is actively supporting Neighborhood House. We're excited to be partnering with them for our Uftring Ambassador initiative for the month.

Neighborhood House

We need your help though, as we can't do it alone. Would you consider being a neighbor this September? If donating to Neighborhood House sounds like something you would like to do, then please join us! Donating non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items will help them further their mission and help those in need.

So what do they need? There is an immediate need for diapers and baby formula. They are also in need of the following non-perishable food items: soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, fruit juices, boxed meals, etc. Personal hygiene items needed include toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap, with travel sizes preferred.

You can find collection bins in each of our six dealerships near the reception desk and also by the parts, service, and body shop areas. Thank you in advance for your support.

You can find out more by visiting the Neighborhood House website. 

Neighborhood House Poster

Save $500 Bonus Cash On Silverado Trucks Through Labor Day

Labor Day only comes but once a year. It's a special day in that many Americans are fortunate enough to catch a break from work and enjoy a three day weekend. Hopefully you will be able to relax, lay some steaks out on the grill, maybe watch a parade, and simply enjoy time with friends and family.

This Labor Day will be extra special for any of you who are interested in a brand new 2011 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Or an Avalanche. Or a Tahoe and Suburban as well. It's tough to fit all of those big tough trucks and SUVs into one little sentence. It could collapse into fragments, which is exactly what happened.

2012 Chevy Silverado

Not only will you be able to take a break from work (hopefully), you'll also be able to take a break on your wallet (definitely). Chevy has just announced that you will automatically receive an extra $500 off of your truck purchase through Labor Day, and that offer is in addition to the rest of the offers already available. See us for details.

Lucky for you, the Uftring Auto Group has not one but two Chevy dealerships in the Peoria area. This means an absolutely huge selection of new 2011 Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche trucks. We've got nearly 140 new Silverados to choose from! What could you use a new Chevy truck or SUV for? Whether it's hauling massive loads of firewood, your yacht (ok it's a small fishing boat), or your family, our selection is up to the most challenging tasks.

Please visit our Chevy Labor Day Savings pages at Uftring Chevy in Washington and Uftring Weston Chevrolet in Peoria to find out more and to browse our latest selection of trucks. If our huge selection still doesn't do it for you, please call us and tell us what you're looking for. We'd be more than happy to locate it for you. Happy Labor Day!

Range Rover Evoque Lands In Peoria

It's probably the hottest vehicle coming out this year, and this Thursday and Friday you'll be able to see it, touch it, and even drive it.

The Range Rover Evoque, launching this fall, will be making a two day appearance at Land Rover of Peoria this week from Thursday, August 25 through Friday, August 26. We're extremely excited and elated at the opportunity to experience this vehicle firsthand and to share that experience with you.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque

So why should you visit us this Thursday and Friday to see the Range Rover Evoque in person? Well, just one look at the Evoque and it should be a no-brainer for you. Just in case that doesn't work, we've provided some reasons.

1) Breathtaking good looks. It's the winner of the Car Design of the Year Award. This award is voted on by auto designers themselves, so the Evoque got the nod from its peers who know design in and out. If you don't trust their opinion, just look at it. It's gorgeous.

2) This is the most affordable Range Rover ever built. It's bringing the performance, luxury, amenities, and experience of the Range Rover brand to a new segment of buyers. For those who are already used to the high standards set by the Evoque's Range Rover siblings, you absolutely won't be disappointed in the build quality of the materials (including soft leather and striking metal accents), impeccable craftsmanship, or intuitively laid out design. It is a Range Rover, after all, and only the best earn the right to wear the badge.

Sitting quietly at the Range Rover Evoque Launch Event

3) The Evoque still possesses Range Rover's legendary off-road capability. Though this is a Range Rover built for the beaten path first, it's absolutely no slouch traversing through mud, rock, snow, or a rushing stream. There is plenty of off road fun to be had with the Evoque.

4) Unique for each owner. The first choice you'll have to make is whether to pick the coupe or the 4-door, but that's just the beginning. There are over 50 ways to configure your Range Rover Evoque, from the leather, to the trim, to the sound system, to how many cameras you'd like and beyond.

5) It's fun to drive. Of course its looks are killer, has an amazing interior cabin, and an avalanche of accessories and options to choose from, but at the end of the day, the Evoque is a car where you just want to sit behind the wheel and drive.

The two-door coupe version

Feel free to come by any time on Thursday and Friday to see the Evoque in person, we'll have three on site for your enjoyment. Find out just how well the Range Rover Evoque drives by setting up an appointment with us on Friday for a test drive. Give Janet a call at (309) 690-6100. Space is limited and test drives will not be offered without a prior appointment in place.

We hope to see you this Thursday or Friday!

Have You Taken The Challenge?

It isn't every day you get paid for driving a car. Well, unless you're a truck driver and it's your profession (there's an exception to every rule). But if you aren't a truck driver, you could get paid for driving one of our cars.

Potentially.

All you have to do is visit Uftring Chevy Saab in Washington and test drive one of our cars. It can be any car. You could drive the least expensive pre-owned car on our lot (currently a 1998 Dodge Dakota), or the most expensive (a 2011 Chevy Corvette ZR1). It matters not. Test drive any car and we'll automatically enter you to win $500 Challenge Cash that Saturday. You don't even have to show up to win! See how easy we're making this?

There is absolutely no purchase necessary to enter the contest. You will only be entered once a week regardless of how many test drives you take, but you are welcome to enter every week if you'd like! We've already given away $1000 in Challenge Cash this month. We're so confident in our selection and prices that we're not afraid to give money away. The challenge is out. The ball is in your court now. Don't miss out on your opportunity to claim the prize for the remaining two Saturdays in August.

Visit the official Challenge Cash page for more info, and contact our dealership for details and official rules. You can even sign up for a test drive online, or do things the old fashioned way with a phone call or simply by walking into our dealership. Just hold your hands out and ask for some keys.

We'll see you behind the wheel.

Looking for a Used Car? Here Are 8 Used Car Buying Tips

The Uftring Auto Group Multi-Dealer Used Car Sales Event (whew!) is nearly upon us. With over 600 used cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers to choose from at the East Peoria Event Center, you're sure to find a high quality vehicle to fill the need in your automotive life.

We know that shopping for a used car can be a daunting task. A car is a big investment and you want to wisely spend your money. We are constantly buying used cars, and with years of experience we've picked up a few useful tidbits along the way. Take a look at Gary Uftring's used car buying tips from his interview on Good Company. This short video will provide you with a number of things you should do to ensure you're getting a quality car.

Some highlights of Gary's used car buying tips:

1. Talk to the previous owner if possible
2. Take the car to an independent technician for inspection
3. Check the car thoroughly
4. Ask to see the reconditioning report from the dealer
5. Take the car for a test drive
6. Ask to put the vehicle on a lift so you see underneath
7. Run an auto check like Carfax
8. Have the dealer explain and show you what they've done (repairs, replaced equipment, etc.)

Use these tips and you should have no trouble telling a stud from a dud. At the Uftring Auto Group, we only sell you used cars that we would be comfortable with a member of our family driving. If we wouldn't sell it to them, we won't sell it to you. Take a peek at the 600+ used cars we'll have at the sale, and then come see them (many located inside with crisp, refreshing air conditioning) starting Friday at the East Peoria Event Center.

The Uftring Multi-Dealer Used Car Sales Event will be held from Friday, July 15 - Saturday, July 23, at the East Peoria Event Center. Hours are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. on the weekdays and 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. We'll also buy your car - and you don't even have to buy from us! We hope to see you there!

Uftring Chevy Receives the GM Mark of Excellence

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We’ve been marked. Typically, being marked indicates you have done something wrong. In our case, we’ve been marked with excellence.

Everyone enjoys being rewarded and recognized for a job well done. While we don’t work simply for the recognition, the discipline and drive that has produced successful, tangible results is something of which we are proud. Performing at a high level and helping our customers and friends each day is satisfying in and of itself. Being recognized for our efforts and accomplishments by General Motors is the cherry on top. 

Dealer Principal Gary Uftring (far right) and General Manager Joe Knapp (Inside Left) Accept the Award

On Friday, July 8^th, General Motors presented Uftring Chevy with the GM Mark of Excellence Award for 2010. This award is given each year to only the top General Motors dealerships in the country. These dealerships must have achieved a superior sales volume and exceptional dedication to customer service and satisfaction. The award was presented to Dealer Principal Gary Uftring, General Manager Joe Knapp, and members of the Uftring sales team.

The 2010 GM Mark of Excellence Award

This award serves to validate and acknowledge the hard work and dedication that has been put forth at this dealership by all of the employees. Recognition must also be directed to a great management team with superior leadership abilities and experience. But ultimately, a Mark of Excellence dealer signifies exceptional customer satisfaction. At Uftring Chevrolet in Washington, that is our number one goal.

Members of the sales team and management at Uftring Chevy

We encourage you to experience award-winning sales and service at Uftring Chevy in Washington. Whether it’s the next time you are looking for a new car or you simply need an oil change, choose a GM Mark of Excellence Dealer – Uftring Chevy, where our people have the mark of excellence!

Uftring Auto Group Walks for Crohns & Colitis

Team members of the Uftring Auto Group's six Peoria-area dealerships joined together with other members of the community for the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis walk on June 25th at Bradley Park. One of our team members has been directly touched by Crohn's & Colitis and we enthusiastically showed our support at the early evening walk through Bradley Park. Even though there was some rain, a large group of Uftring employees and members of the Uftring Ambassador Initiative showed their support. The previous Friday, each Uftring Auto Group store held a Casual Day for a Cause to raise money for Crohn's & Colitis. Gary Uftring matched the employees donations, many of whom contributed more than the $5 minimum.

Looking for Peoria Heroes

Uftring Auto Group is proud to partner with the Peoria Chiefs to present the "Hero of the Day." Beginning in June and running through September, a local hero will be honored at all Chiefs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday home games. We need your help to make this event possible.

Do you know a local hero? We are currently looking for submissions! Nominees can come from all branches of military service and may be active duty or a veteran. Those who are chosen to be hero of the game will be awarded with 10 tickets to the Peoria Chiefs game they are being recognized at, $100 in food and beverage vouchers, a Chiefs hat, and a plaque commemorating their service which will be presented on the field during the game.

You can submit your hero to PeoriaHero@gmail.com, simply click the button below to start your email. Please include their name, rank, branch of service and a short description of why they should be selected. Thank you in advance for your submission! We are excited to sponsor this great program and we look forward to recognizing some of our great local heroes.

10 Ways To Save Gas & Improve MPG

Rising gas prices have many people looking for more fuel efficient vehicles or figuring out ways to coax the most gas out of the car they already own. For some, purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle may not be an option right now, but there are plenty of steps to take to start enjoying improved fuel economy in your current ride. Here are ten tips to help you get the most distance for your dough, as well as a video on how to save fuel from Jon Peters, Director of Fixed Operations for the Uftring Auto Group.

1. Drive Conservatively - Quick starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. Tests show that jack-rabbit starting and hard braking reduces travel time by only 4%, while toxic emissions were more than five times higher. Accelerate slowly and smoothly. 

2. Drive Steadily at Posted Speed Limits - Increasing highway cruising speed from 55mph to 75mph can raise fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Improve gas mileage by 10-15% by driving slower and more consistently. 

3. Avoid Idling Your Vehicle - In both the summer and winter, idling your vehicle wastes fuel and produces unnecessary greenhouse gases. If you are going to be stopped more than 30 seconds anywhere except in traffic, turn off your car to conserve gas. In the winter, older vehicles may need more idling time to warm up and sufficiently defog the windshield. 

4. Tire Inflation - Under-inflated tires can cause fuel consumption to increase as much as 6%. Check tire pressure at least once a month in your driveway after the vehicle has been idle for a few hours. If under-inflated, take to a gas station to add air. According to the Energy Information Administration, tire efficiency could save approximately 800,000 barrels of oil a day. 

5. Air Conditioner - Using the air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10% in city driving. At low speeds, roll down the window if possible. At high speeds, having the air on may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows. 

6. Use Cruise Control - For long highway driving trips, use your cruise control and save fuel by maintaining a steady speed. 

7. Choose the Right Fuel - Premium, high-octane fuels aren't necessarily the best choice for your car. Higher prices don't guarantee better performance. Consult your owner's manual to see what your car requires. 

8. Monitor Power Accessories - Shut off all power-consuming accessories and devices in your vehicles before turning off the car. These devices cause the alternator to work harder when you start up the vehicle. This adds a load to the engine and increases fuel use. 

9. Tighten Your Gas Cap - Many people think that just because the gas cap is on, it's doing its job. The truth is, gas evaporates. If you don't tighten your gas cap to the second click, you will lose gas due to evaporation. According to the Car Care Council, loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate every year. 

10. Plan Ahead - It does not matter if your are going across town to the store or across the country for a family trip, you should pick the most efficient route. This includes avoiding heavy traffic, hills, construction and other obstacles. If you are organized, you can reduce the total number of small trips and save fuel.

Altering your driving habits can have a tremendous and noticeable effect on your fuel economy and on your wallet. Implement these driving tips today to start saving on gas! 

These tips originally from Uftring Weston Chevrolet Cadillac.

It's How Fast? The 2011 Callaway Camaro SC572

It's dark. It's mysterious. It's menacing. It looks and feels like midnight, when anything can happen. The 2011 Callaway Camaro SC572 has landed right here at Uftring Chevy Saab's home in Washington, and has it ever made an impact.

2011 Callaway Camaro at Uftring Chevy

If you're looking for fast, you've found it. If you're looking for mean, you've found it. If you're looking for unique, special, something that will draw stares and leave mouths hanging wide open - well, you've found it. The Camaro is great on its own. The Callaway Camaro takes that greatness and then lifts it to an entirely new level. That level is where the supercars lie, and it plays by an entirely different set of rules.

Sits low with a constant snarl on its face

What you're looking at is a 2011 Chevy Camaro 2SS that's been heavily modified by Callaway. In addition to the standard Callaway Camaro SC572 Package (complete with 572 horsepower, a 6 speed manual transmission, Eaton Supercharger, increased flow fuel injectors, liquid to air intercooler, high flow intake system...you get the idea) we custom ordered a number of tasty options on it that will get your car glands salivating. It's been lowered an inch, and in combination with the added Callaway nine spoke wheels this supercar possesses a mean and aggressive profile.

Custom Callaway 9-Spoke Wheels

The ChromeCoat supercharger finish and PowerHood window allow a peek at the inner workings of the engine, and it's a beautiful site. There are Callaway touches all over the car including badging on the interior and exterior as well as embroidered headrests and floormats. This Camaro is so special and so dark, it's the next best thing to the Batmobile.

The guts are as beautiful as the skin

Taking this car out for a spin is unreal. Firing up the engine and hearing it roar to life through those massive exhaust tips is simply stunning. You can tell when it's running in the low gears that it's barely even been woken up. It's yawning, waiting for the real action to begin. You can hear it grumbling, and it sounds spectacular. The Callaway is simply waiting to explode to performance heaven and take you with it.

Optional supercharger with the ChromeCoat Supercharger Finish

 This car hits 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. Cruising around town brought plenty of looks end quite a bit of car envy, especially from the other sports and muscle cars we passed on the road.

The Chevy Bow Tie has been replaced with Callaway's font

This Callaway Camaro retains the 3 year/36,000 Mile limited bumper to bumper warranty. Are you a fan of fast? Contact our Callaway Specialist Chris Kamp at 309-444-3151 or email him at chriskamp@uftring.com. He's one of the nicest guys you'll meet and he would love to show you around our performance car offerings, including this dark and mysterious Callaway Camaro. Visit our website to see all of our Camaros and Corvettes complete with pictures and info.

East Peoria Man Wins A Nissan Juke

He just got lucky. But he was smart about it and played his luck in the right way.

The prize (2011 Nissan Juke) lies in wait

Randal was a big winner last Friday. How big of a winner? He won a brand new 2011 Nissan Juke from Uftring Nissan in Peoria. Yeah, big winner of a sexy, sporty, small and agile crossover. His planning and execution played a part in his victory, and good old lady luck took care of the rest.

A striking sports crossover with signature Nissan tail lights

You see, Randal put some thought into his victory. He saved up all of his entries through the month of March and then unleashed them all last Friday. His wasn't the first name drawn. No matter, as that individual wasn't present. Time to draw again. Whose name was called? Yep, it was Randal.

Randal and his wife, proud owners of a 2011 Nissan Juke

"Do you want the car, or the cash?" asked the lady running the drawing. "I want the car," Randal replied. "Are you sure?" she responded. "Yes," he said. Randal had a choice of eight envelopes to pick from. He chose the number 3 envelope. Again he was asked if he wanted the car or cash. There was only one thing on his mind - the Juke. She opened the envelope and asked him one more time: car or cash? Our man Randal is a bastion of consistency. It was the Juke for him, he would not break down and take the cash.

The Juke is fun even when it isn't moving

"What color do you want it in?" she asked. Randal responded that he didn't want to choose until he had won the car. "Well," she said, "you won!" Guess he'd have to choose the color after all. Not a bad start to the weekend.

Lettie Schmitt shows Randal around the Juke

Fast forward to today (Thursday) at Uftring Nissan. After nearly a week of patience, Randal is finally able to pick up his prize. Lettie Shmitt, one of our all star sales consultants, assisted Randal with the finer details of his new Nissan Juke. She helped him through all of the paperwork, then showed him around the exterior and interior of the gorgeous gun metallic gray sport cross he had come to claim.

Lettie explain the features of the Juke

 XM Radio, navigation, sport mode, eco mode, iPod integration, push button start - Lettie moved through all of this and more smoothly and with great attention to detail. Randal was pleased with his prize. His wife and daughter were quite happy as well. The Juke even has harnesses with which to secure child seats - perfect for his grandchildren.

Winning!

We'd like to thank Randal for choosing the new 2011 Nissan Juke instead of a pile of cash! It's much more fun to drive. If you're interested in or looking for a Juke, we'd love to provide one for you. Please view our 2011 Nissan Juke inventory on our website. We have a list of people waiting to get their hands on a Juke, so act swiftly if you'd like to see yourself in this gorgeous sport cross anytime soon!

Jim McComb & Neil Norton No More, Long Live Uftring Weston

On Wednesday, March 23, Uftring Auto Group officially acquired Neil Norton Cadillac. The dealership has been merged with Jim McComb Chevrolet and the two are now known as Uftring Weston Chevrolet Cadillac. We are all very excited about the addition of the Cadillac brand to the Uftring Auto Group lineup and the value it will bring to you, our customer.

Cadillac has some truly amazing and extraordinary cars on its roster that only serve to enhance and flesh out the offerings of the Auto Group as a whole. In addition, it's a great compliment to the Chevrolet brand and you should be served well with the ability to shop the two iconic American brands on one lot. It's our first American luxury brand, joining our import luxury offerings from Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, and Saab.

Our founder and president, Gary Uftring, is proud to offer the Cadillac brand to Uftring customers. This fulfills a personal dream of his to have the ability for Uftring Auto Group customers to purchase a new Cadillac from an Uftring dealership. This is a joint venture between Gary Uftring and the CEO of the Uftring Auto Group, Mark Weston.

2011 Cadillac SRX - best selling luxury crossover

This week through Thursday, March 31st, we're holding a huge sale at the former Neil Norton Cadillac and Jim McComb Chevrolet locations. We have to reduce our inventory in order to fit it all at the former Jim McComb lots. At the close of this week and the beginning of April, all of the Cadillac inventory will be moved to the two former Jim McComb Chevrolet locations at the corner of War Memorial and University in Peoria. You can continue to visit this location for all of your sales, service, parts and body shop needs.

In the meantime, the former Neil Norton location will undergo an extensive renovation to the building and lot. Upon completion this fall, it will be the brand new location of Uftring Weston. Expect an exceptional and beautiful world class facility fit for the 21st century. You can expect the same great service, value, and integrity you've come to expect from Jim McComb, only now with a gorgeous new building that will streamline and enhance your experience.

Look for more news on this blog and our Facebook and Twitter accounts soon!

Electric Cars In Peoria...Wait, That's A Van!

Waiting for an electric car to arrive in Peoria? While the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt won't be here for quite some time, there is another answer, especially if you need a vehicle for your business. If you're absolutely craving electricity now, you can satisfy your longing with the Ford Transit Connect Electric van.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric runs on an electric drivetrain

That's right, an electric van has beat the electric cars to the punch in central Illinois. Uftring Auto Group has entered into a partnership with Azure Dynamics to offer the Ford Transit Connect Electric van to customers in the Peoria area. The electric vehicles will be available for sale through the Uftring Automall in East Peoria. We'll be the exclusive dealer of the Ford Transit Connect Electric in downstate Illinois!

The modified Ford Transit Connect Electric runs completely on electricity, eliminating the need for gas. It utilizes Azure Dynamics Force Drive battery electric drivetrain. The high voltage lithium-ion battery can be charged from a 120V or 240V AC input, the same type of outlet that large household appliances such as refrigerators use.

The Ford Transit Connect was the 2010 Truck of the Year

This is the same great van that was awarded the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award, but with a bit more inspiration from Ben Franklin. The Transit Connect has been praised in the media and from automobile enthusiasts for its versatility and huge cargo capacity. It's great for storing and delivering anything from wedding cakes to plumbing materials.

Want to become more eco-friendly with your business? Here's an easy way to do so. If you're interested in acquiring or learning more about a Ford Transit Connect Electric van, please contact Jeff Peters, Fleet and Commercial Sales Manager for the Uftring Auto Group. Call Jeff at the Uftring Automall at 888-526-0326 or email him at jeffpetersATuftringDOTcom.

See the Uftring Auto Group Ford Transit Connect Inventory