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At the close of 2024, GMC proudly commemorates a quarter-century of Denali, a name that has redefined what luxury means in the truck and SUV segment since it debuted with the 1999 Yukon. Fusing robust capability with premium aesthetics, Denali has surpassed two million models sold worldwide. To celebrate this landmark achievement, GMC is shining a spotlight on the iconic 2025 Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate, built for the modern truck lover who values both style and performance. From Yukon to Sierra EV – Denali’s Exceptional Legacy Denali, named after the tallest peak in North America, has been a pinnacle of GMC’s lineup for decades. Introduced first on the Yukon, Denali quickly became a favorite for those who wanted the rugged capability of a GMC with an extra layer of indulgence and sophistication. What started as an addition to a single model has now expanded across GMC’s entire range—from the compact Terrain to the all-electric Sierra EV. By 2024, Denali models accounted for over 30% of GMC’s retail sales—a testament to the trim’s unparalleled appeal and success. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, GMC is honoring its legacy with a limited-edition Denali 25th Anniversary Package for the Yukon. This exclusive offering, limited to fewer than 3,000 models globally, features bold black design elements, including 24-inch black wheels, a black grille, and illuminated black GMC emblems. Highlighting the 2025 GMC Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate To truly appreciate what Denali stands for, look no further than the 2025 GMC Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate trims. These premium trucks embody everything Denali represents—refined luxury, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional performance. Unparalleled Comfort The 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali takes driver and passenger comfort to a whole new level. Both trims feature expertly crafted seats, but the Denali Ultimate raises the bar with 16-way adjustable, massaging, heated, and ventilated front seats. Whether you’re navigating city streets or embarking on a cross-country trip, these seats ensure maximum comfort for every mile. Why does adjustability matter? It’s not just about luxury; it’s about ergonomics. With 16-way adjustability, the Denali Ultimate can accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes, ensuring optimal positioning for both comfort and safety. Add heating and ventilation for extreme temperatures, and every drive becomes an enjoyable experience. Premium Sound For those who believe that great sound transforms an ordinary drive into an extraordinary one, the Denali Ultimate delivers a 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with Centerpoint Surround Sound technology. This system turns every podcast, playlist, or audiobook into an immersive audio experience. Whether it’s blocking out a noisy commute or enhancing your favorite tunes, this sound system elevates your time on the road. Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving Long drives? Make them a breeze with GMC’s Super Cruise technology, now available on the Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate. Using a combination of cameras, LiDAR map data, and real-time sensors, Super Cruise offers hands-free driving and even automatic lane changes on hundreds of thousands of miles of roads across North America. This isn’t just futuristic—it’s a feature that genuinely reduces the stress of long-distance driving. Relinquish some of the repetitive tasks of driving and enjoy a safer, more relaxed experience. Super Cruise enhances not only your comfort but also your confidence behind the wheel. 25 Years of Innovation and Growth Denali has been a driving force for GMC’s success, and its achievements go beyond just the U.S. market. Denali models have made waves globally, with expansion into regions like Korea, Mexico, and the Middle East. Plus, 2025 marks the debut of the Yukon Denali in Australia, New Zealand, and China—a step that further cements Denali’s universal appeal. Denali vehicles continue to evolve. The introduction of the Denali Ultimate trim in 2022 and the recent Sierra EV Denali showcase GMC’s ability to merge cutting-edge innovation with the unmatched quality consumers expect. Whether it’s electric powertrains, groundbreaking technology, or luxurious interiors, Denali consistently sets new benchmarks. The Pinnacle of Luxury and Capability For 25 years, the Denali badge has represented the best of both worlds—rugged GMC capability paired with the luxuries of a high-end vehicle. The 2025 Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate continue this tradition, proving that a pickup truck can be so much more than a utility vehicle. With features like massaging seats, a Bose sound system, and Super Cruise, these models elevate the driving experience to unmatched heights. Denali’s legacy isn’t just about luxury; it’s about redefining what’s possible in a truck. From its origins with the Yukon to its presence in the Sierra EV, Denali remains a trailblazer in the automotive world. Here’s to 25 years of excellence and to the countless innovations still to come. Celebrate 25 Years of Denali Excellence Discover the ultimate luxury and performance by test-driving the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali or any exceptional GMC vehicle featuring Denali trims at Monken Chevrolet GMC. After 25 years of Denali, these vehicles set the standard for premium craftsmanship, innovative technology, and unparalleled capability. There’s no better way to celebrate this milestone than by getting behind the wheel and experiencing the difference. Visit our dealership today and join us in honoring GMC’s 25 years of Denali excellence!

GMC is poised to make 2025 an unforgettable year for SUV fans, as the next-generation 2025 Yukon AT4 and Terrain are unveiled. With these models, GMC is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both off-road toughness and refined luxury, aiming to claim a stronger foothold in the competitive SUV market. Let’s take a look at the exciting changes these vehicles bring. New Additions for 2025 GMC is on a mission to offer vehicles that strike the perfect balance between cutting-edge design, technological advancements, and practical functionality. Continuing its wave of updates after the 2024 Acadia and the introduction of the Hummer EV SUV, GMC is now shifting focus to revamp the face of its SUV lineup. The 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 and Terrain showcase sophisticated design, improved performance, and cutting-edge technology. Each model is tailored to meet the needs of different drivers, all while promising exceptional comfort, rugged off-road abilities, and a host of innovative features. 2025 GMC Yukon AT4: A Bold New Look for the Full-Size SUV The 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 has been unveiled, showcasing a dramatically refreshed exterior and a state-of-the-art interior loaded with innovative features. These enhancements make it an even more attractive option for adventurers, families, and anyone looking for a powerful yet sophisticated three-row SUV. Design and Features The Yukon AT4 has undergone significant updates, starting with its revamped exterior. The redesigned front fascia now features new headlights and an updated grille, giving it a bold, truck-like stance. Squared-off headlights enhance its strong road presence, while animated taillights and an optional panoramic sunroof add a premium touch. Inside, GMC has introduced impressive interior innovations, including a massive 16.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an 8.0-inch second-row climate control display. Luxurious details such as full-grain leather seating, open-pore wood accents, and Ash Burl wood elevate the cabin’s ambiance. The 2025 Yukon boasts impressive performance enhancements, now equipped with a Duramax diesel 3.0-liter inline-six engine that generates 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine works in conjunction with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing improved power and towing capabilities. With advancements in suspension and steering technology, drivers can expect a smoother and more controlled driving experience. The 2025 Yukon also presents new exciting trims, including the rugged AT4 Ultimate and the opulent Denali Ultimate. The Denali trim is particularly noteworthy, featuring exclusive amenities such as second-row executive seating, massaging front seats, and a premium 22-speaker Bose sound system. These enhancements elevate the standard for luxury and comfort in this segment. Advanced Safety and Technology GMC has significantly enhanced its safety suite with advanced features like front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, rear cross-traffic braking, intersection emergency braking, and Night Vision with thermal object detection. With these upgrades, the new Yukon AT4 reinforces GMC's dominance in the full-size SUV market, making it an ideal choice for families and adventurers. 2025 GMC Terrain: Sleek, Versatile, and Built for Adventure The 2025 GMC Terrain has made its debut, showcasing a more rugged and boxy appearance that draws inspiration from larger models like the Acadia and Yukon. GMC intends to differentiate the Terrain in the compact crossover market with its innovative design language, advanced technology features, and improved practicality. Design and Features The 2025 Terrain boasts a stunning exterior redesign, featuring angular headlights and an all-new black grille for the AT4 trim. Glossy black trim seamlessly ties the headlights and grille together, creating a modern and sophisticated aesthetic. Inside, the Terrain undergoes a significant overhaul, borrowing cues from the redesigned Acadia. It now includes an enormous 15-inch vertical touchscreen with a floating volume knob and physical climate controls, alongside a configurable 11.0-inch digital dashboard that adds a tech-forward touch. The interior is finished with soft-touch materials and bright chrome accents, delivering a more luxurious feel than previous models. The latest trim lineup features the Elevation trim, which takes the place of the former SLE and SLT trims. At the premium level, the Denali trim boasts luxurious elements such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and elegant chrome accents. Meanwhile, the AT4 trim is designed for those who love adventure, offering all-terrain tires, protective skid plates, and hill descent control to ensure a smooth experience during off-road excursions. Technology and Features Galore The Terrain comes packed with a wide range of convenience features, including Google built-in apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also boasts an array of advanced safety systems such as enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-zone steering assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. While the engine remains largely unchanged with a 175-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, this compact crossover still offers impressive capability and style. Get Behind the Wheel of Tomorrow The 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 and Terrain reflect an exciting era of innovation and refinement. These SUVs aren't just vehicles—they're companions built to complement your adventurous spirit and diverse needs. Stay tuned for their official launches and experience the future of driving firsthand. Which one are you most excited for? Visit Monken Chevrolet GMC and let us help you keep up with all of the GMC Yukon and GMC Terrain news! Establish a relationship early with our team to prepare for their release in the new year with financing, service, parts, and specials. Remember, the new year is just around the corner!

Truck towing can be a different experience depending on class, model, and make. However, with a few easy tips you can tow just about anything. How and what can you tow with the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD’s 36,000 lb. towing limit? Read below for basic towing tips and to learn about all the things you can tow in your new truck! Towing Safety Towing safety begins with understanding your vehicle's towing capacity, the maximum weight it can pull safely. This varies by configuration, load, and trailer weight distribution. Manufacturer-provided capacities often assume only the driver is in the vehicle, so adjust for extra passengers and cargo. To calculate towing capacity, know your vehicle's gross combined weight rating (GCWR) and curb weight. Subtract curb weight from GCWR, maintaining a 10% safety margin for shifting loads and sudden stops. Understand the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which includes the vehicle's weight with passengers, fuel, cargo, and tongue weight. Exceeding the GVWR risks mechanical failure and legal issues. Familiarize yourself with terms like braked vs. unbraked towing capacity, gross axle weight rating (GAWR), and payload capacity. Use your vehicle's correct trailer hitch class and load for control and safety. Following these guidelines ensures a safe and efficient towing experience. What Can You Tow? With a top towing limit of 36,000 lbs., the 2024 Silverado HD can tow just about anything! Camping and Travel For those passionate about the outdoors and the open road, the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD can help you bring the best in comfort along for the ride. With its powerful tow limit, you’ll pull even the largest, heaviest RVs – practically a second home. Travel comfortably, easily towing 42’ RVs that can reach upwards of 12,000 base weight and plenty of room for all your belongings. Hobbies and Sports Fill your weekends with all your fun outdoor hobbies with the Chevy Silverado HD. Whether you’re into motocross, equestrian sports, boating and sailing, or an exciting drive through the countryside on an ATV, you’ll tow it all. A four-horse gooseneck trailer weighs between 4,200 to 8,400 lbs empty. Add in a fully loaded stock with hay, horses, and gear, you’re looking at roughly 14,000lbs, with plenty of room to spare. On the other end of the heaviest towable vehicles, a cabin cruiser motorized boat in the medium can reach 35 feet and as high as 16,000 lbs. Those numbers are no match for your towing capacity and the Silverado HD's up to 14 backup camera views combined with Transparent Trailer View helps make the trip from home to your favorite shore smooth sailing. The Sky is the Limit! Now that we’ve seen more realistic examples of day-to-day towing, what could you possibly tow next? Well, if you ever need it, you could tow a personal aircraft. The average weight for a small plane ranges around 13,000 lbs, and while you would likely need a wide load permit, weight is not your enemy. Other ridiculous things you could tow include elephants, several other pickup trucks, and even construction equipment like small bulldozers and medium backhoes. Choose a Truck that Goes the Extra Mile. Choose Chevrolet Tow with confidence, letting nothing get in your way from this day forward with Chevy’s 2024 Chevy Silverado HD. At Monken Chevrolet GMC we have a large variety of trucks in trims to fit your needs – whether you need a full-size high-power workhorse for heavy towing and payloads or something that’s more city-friendly but still gets the job done. Visit our dealership and test drive the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD today! Our team is eager to get you into the truck of your dreams with frighteningly good specials, unbeatable financing, and top-quality service!

The SUV war rages on and today we compare the 2025 Subaru Forester to the 2025 Chevy Equinox. Each has features that appeal to different drivers and are ultimately great choices. Let’s compare them in terms of fuel efficiency, safety, interior space, power, and price to help you decide. Fuel Efficiency The Subaru Forester is renowned for its good fuel economy, typically offering strong MPG ratings, especially in the city, with the 2024 model achieving around 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway from its 2.5-liter flat-four engine. While exact figures for 2025 aren't available yet, these numbers provide a solid benchmark. On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox features a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that balances performance and efficiency, with the 2024 model delivering approximately 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. Its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) serves the front-wheel drive models, while the all-wheel drive versions benefit from an eight-speed automatic, both contributing to enhanced mileage. Safety Features The Subaru Forester and Chevy Equinox both prioritize safety in their designs. The Forester boasts features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Subaru’s EyeSight system, aiding accident prevention. Similarly, the Equinox emphasizes safety with automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, optional features such as a 360-degree camera system further enhance the Equinox's safety capabilities. Interior Space The Subaru Forester offers up to 74 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down, featuring a boxy shape that provides excellent headroom and a panoramic sunroof, along with large windows for good visibility. In contrast, the Chevy Equinox boasts a modern interior that comfortably accommodates passengers and cargo. It showcases stylish materials and a blend of digital and physical controls, with two-tone colors available in higher trims. Powertrain The Forester runs on a reliable 2.5-liter flat-four engine, offering steady The Subaru Forester is powered by a dependable 2.5-liter flat-four engine, providing consistent performance for daily driving and light off-road adventures. In contrast, the Chevy Equinox features a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 175 horsepower. Although it may not be the most powerful option, it offers a satisfying driving experience both in the city and on highways. Price The Subaru Forester is priced between $31,090 and $41,390, with the Sport trim available at $35,890, making it a solid choice for a well-rounded SUV. Meanwhile, the Chevy Equinox starts at $31,080 and reaches up to $35,480, offering a range of good features across its three trims: LT, RS, and Activ. See the 2025 Chevy Equinox‘s Qualities Up Close! Both the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2025 Chevy Equinox have unique advantages. The Forester is great for those who want space and safety, while the Equinox stands out with its modern design and tech features. Your choice will depend on your needs and preferences. Whether you prefer the Forester’s rugged style or the Equinox’s sleek look, both are excellent options for eco-conscious drivers, new car buyers, and enthusiasts. Ready to experience the differences for yourself? Schedule to test drive the 2025 Chevy Equinox at Monken Chevrolet Buick GMC today! Our friendly staff is on hand to answer any questions you have and guide you through the features of all our new vehicles. Don’t forget to contact our financing department to explore your options and save big when you check out our special deals available this month. Drive away with the perfect SUV tailored to your lifestyle with the help of Monken Chevrolet Buick GMC!

Summer is coming to a close, kids are back in school and families are starting to focus on getting things done other than blowing up pool floats. Fall is a busy time for all of us, but it’s also the perfect time to slowly start getting your vehicle ready for the winter, (yuck, the ‘w’ word), months ahead. Getting a head start in the fall means that you don’t have to scramble in once winter does hit and it may be too late. The following are our Fall Car Care Tips to help get your vehicle ready for both fall AND winter. No need to have all these done at once. Spread the cost out over the fall so that by winter you’re safe and ready to drive! Here are our September Service Specials for Toyota, Chrysler/Nissan, and Chevy Buick GMC. Check your Tire Tread – you can visually check this yourself. The easiest way is to grab a penny and insert the penny into a tire groove on each one of the tires. Make sure that Abe Lincoln’s head is upside down and facing you. If you can see ALL of Abe’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. This isn’t a fool proof test though, depending on your tires, so if you have doubts, definitely bring your tires in to be checked by a service professional. Check ALL your Lights – it will start getting darker sooner and you don’t want to be caught out driving at dusk with lights that don’t work. Grab a family member or friend and have them help you check to see that your brake lights, turn signals and high beams all work. Check fluid levels – most vehicles will now alert you when you need to replace fluids or if there is a fluid leak, but if you have an older model vehicle, you will need to check for these manually yourself or have a service professional do an inspection. Washer fluid – this is an easy issue to rectify yourself and washer fluid is inexpensive. But oftentimes people forget to refill this and then find themselves in a scary situation when “winter” weather creeps into fall months without warning. Heating and Cooling – checking the HVAC system is something that is a little bit more difficult to do at home. Obviously, you can tell if your AC/Heat has completely stopped working, but if the system is on it’s way out, you may not notice right away until the temps drop drastically. But at a service center this is a quick test and they can tell you exactly how adequately yours is working. Tire Pressure – air pressure in a tire decreases 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. This is something that you will want to check a few times each season. And the nice thing is that putting air in your tires is free! Not just to help ensure your safety this fall and winter, keeping your car properly tuned can improve your gas mileage by an average of 4%* - everybody likes saving on gas money! *source: The Car Care Council

A car emergency kit is always something we recommend people have in their vehicle at all times. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize their need for one until it’s too late.  There are a number of kits that you can purchase, like this one from AAA, or this one if you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse, but they are simple to put together yourself at home.  You’ll be glad you made one should you ever find yourself in the position to need it. Even if you have AAA, they may not come immediately, inclement weather may keep them from getting to you at all, and passengers inside the car could be injured. We put together our list of the 10 most important items to keep in your car emergency kit at all times. 1. A First-Aid Kit. Yes, a kit within your kit. These can be purchased very inexpensively at any drug store, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. and should include the typical items like Band-Aids, gauze, antibacterial cream, and anything else specific to your family’s needs. 2. Water. Depending on who your typical passengers are, you may want to keep more or less water handy, but a gallon jug is a good amount. We find this to be handy not even during a vehicle emergency, but also after a hike when you realize your dog doesn’t have quite enough water! 3. An extra cell-phone charger. Buy a spare charger that you NEVER take out of this kit. Most people have one handy inside the vehicle, but if your family is anything like ours, they mysteriously go missing from time to time. Keep one in the emergency kit that your battery-hogging teenagers don’t know about. 4. Non-perishable snacks. We recommend protein or granola bars and trail mix. We’ve also heard of people keeping those energy gel packets used by avid hikers and marathoners. 5. Rain poncho with a hood. This one sounds kind of silly, until you have to try and change your tire in the rain and you can’t see through the rain dripping down your face. It’s also helpful if you run out of gas and have to walk in the rain to the nearest gas station. 6. Multi-purpose utility tool. You can do a ton of cool things with a Swiss Army Knife, and the best part is, they are compact and lightweight. Handy for any number of emergencies, including, but not limited to, packing a romantic afternoon picnic and realizing you left your corkscrew or bottle opener at home. 7. Duct tape: One of the world’s most underrated inventions. A favorite of Michael Scott when he had to survive alone in the woods. 8. Flashlight and extra batteries. Bonus points if your flashlight is waterproof. 9. Jumper Cables. The longer the better, in case they have to be used after someone’s vehicle has gone off the road. 10. Foam tire sealant. Definitely not a permanent solution for a flat tire, but if you’re dealing with a small puncture, this foam sealant is a good quick fix to help you get from the side of the road to a nearby service center. Also, here is a list of our Roadside Assistance Numbers you may want to keep in your vehicle.

Warranties are for new cars.  Service contracts are when the factory warranty expires, and a customer purchases an additional warranty for their vehicle. Here are some warranty details we found on CarsDirect. Extended Factory Warranty Tips All new cars and trucks come with a factory warranty.  Moreover, all new vehicles will generally come with a bumper-to-bumper warranty that lasts a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles. However, most manufacturers now offer bumper-to-bumper warranties that last for a minimum of three years or 36,000 miles—whichever comes first. Federal laws do make certain requirements that must be met for new car warranties regarding emissions systems and the warranties that cover them. According to federal law, vehicles must provide warranty coverage for the emission system for a period of five years or 50,000 miles. Warranty information for your vehicle will generally be listed in a manual type book similar in appearance to your owner's manual. While all warranty manuals may appear similar in appearance, the warranty information contained inside may vary considerably depending upon the manufacturer. Basic New Car Warranty Information With all new car warranties, most major systems and subsystems of a vehicle are covered for a specific period of time and provide warranty protection against malfunction or defect for most parts on a new car. However, consumable parts, or parts that generally need to be replaced periodically, such as windshield wipers, fluids, belts, and accessories are generally not covered under any manufacturer's new car warranty. So, you should check your owner's manual for specific warranty information for your vehicle. In some cases, tires on your vehicle and car battery may be covered but, you should be aware that some manufacturers may not. Also, different car manufacturers provide various levels of warranty coverage for accessories, like air-conditioning, sunroofs, premium sound systems and other options. Some manufacturers include them for coverage under the terms of the new warranty while some require you pay for replacement parts while the manufacturer pays for labor. Almost all new car warranties cover the drive train, or engine, driveline and transmission. New Car Warranty and Emissions When reviewing your new car warranty, you should pay particular attention to the emissions control section. This is the part that guarantees emissions performance for your vehicle. An important note, because many states have minimum requirements for pollution control and carbon emissions released from your vehicle. If your vehicle fails to meet the standards of your state, you may be prevented from driving on state roads and highways. Also, repairing a damaged or defective emission control system can turn out to be very costly. So, you should always check to see if there is coverage. If you feel the warranty protection is inadequate, you might want to consider purchasing an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown policy to supplement your new car warranty. Maintaining Your New Car Warranty While all new cars and trucks come with a manufacturer's warranty, you are required to perform certain steps in order to make sure your coverage remains in effect. For example, you will need to make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions for having oil changes and routine maintenance performed. If you fail to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for changing your oil or performing routine maintenance, the car manufacturer will many times simply choose to void your warranty. Under the terms of your current warranty contract agreement, the manufacturer has the right to cancel your warranty if you do not reasonably take good care of your vehicle.

Are you a female or a first time buyer that feels uncomfortable going into a car dealership to look at a vehicle?  If so, here are 5 tips to help guide you into feeling more comfortable the next time you need to purchase a vehicle. 1. Research the models and prices online and know what is a competitive offer. 2. Check Car Fax or Autocheck to research a vehicle's history. 3. Ask the dealer for the customer contact information that traded in the vehicle if you are looking for pre-owned. 4. Ask for service history and service work that was performed on the vehicle at the dealership. 5. Check guidebooks such as Kelley Blue Book or NADA for a fair purchase price on your trade in. If you are considering  Monken Automotive as a potential car dealer, we would like to inform you on a few ways we believe you will be more comfortable, including 14 female employees that are available to help you. Walking into a showroom can be intimidating, therefore, we have 4 female employees in our Chrysler Nissan sales area. They are our Receptionist Desk, Office Manager, Internet Sales and General Manager.  In our Chevrolet Buick GMC store, we have 5 female employees. They are our Reception Desk, Title Clerk, Office Manager, Accounting and our Owner.  They are all available and willing to lead you in the right direction. Driving into a service department can be just as intimidating.  We have 5 female employees that work in our service departments and will help you with any questions about servicing your vehicle.  At our Chrysler Nissan store Amy Monken-Brandt started as a service advisor 19 years ago and is now our Service Manager.   Dorothy Cates has been in our service department for 5 years and Mel Jackson for 4 years. At our Chevrolet store, Amy Zalos is our Service Manager and has been with us for a year and we just hired Heather Hoffman. Being able to talk to a female service advisor should encourage you to ask any questions without feeling lost or embarrassed. "We are not tech savvy, but we want to make sure your needs are met.   We can ask the technicians their concern and put it into terminology that you will understand," adds Service Manager, Amy Monken-Brandt. Our waiting areas were created to make you feel as comfortable as possible. We have television, an Apple computer with internet access, vending machines, free popcorn and updated seating... all to make you feel at home. Here is a review from one of our female customers. Sara Presley Burnett reviewed Monken Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Nissan — 5 star October 14 · "As a woman, I was expecting them to think I didn't know what was going on and to try to take advantage of me. What I got was the complete opposite. I couldn't have been more pleased with the way I was treated and respected. I have already recommended them to everyone I've talked to about my new car. Very happy and I will definitely be back for my next one."

In the 1960’s In the 60’s, W. Harold Monken was a partner with David Woolbright at the Standard Gas Station in Centralia. Harold was always the hot rodder spending much time improving his vehicles and racing them at night and weekends. His brother, Wayne Monken, and father, Walter Monken, helped build a small garage/dealership that opened as Car City on November 4th, 1967 on Shattuc Road west of Centralia. In the 1970’s In 1971, a Japanese gentleman from Datsun was canvassing the area to find a dealer partner to represent what is today known as Nissan. Harold was interested and the business later became Car City Nissan. The 70’s were a great time to own a dealership that offered inexpensive vehicles with great gas mileage. They sold the shiny Datsun vehicles as fast as they could get them. In the 1980’s In the 80’s, Harold recognized a dealership trend to become bigger in order to survive. He explored adding Chrysler when Booth Motors closed. In 1987, he flew to Chicago with his attorney, Bill Crain, to close the deal with Chrysler, but had a last minute change of heart. He ultimately sold Car City Nissan to his General Manager Mike Gansauer and Mike’s father in law, Bob Cleary. In 1988, Mike & Bob purchased Meier Chevrolet and moved from Shattuc road. The business was now Car City Chevrolet Nissan. Several prominent business partners, including the Geary Family and the Cooksey Family were investors. In the 1990’s In the early 90’s, Harold opened Car Country for a few years, and then worked for Jansen Chevrolet in Germantown. In 1996, Bruce Geary told Harold that they were ready to exit the auto business. Harold returned to Car City and asked Mike Jansen to be a business partner with him in order to purchase the dealership. However, GM already had three dealerships in Centralia. They were Dobbs/Mahan Buick GMC, Car City Chevrolet and Seeburger Oldsmobile Cadillac. GM was strategically cutting dealers with a plan called Project 2000. GM only wanted two dealers in the Centralia market and wouldn’t approve the sale of Chevrolet. It took months to negotiate. Ultimately Chevrolet was sold to Seeburger, and Car City became Monken/Jansen Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Nissan on May 1,1997. Harold’s son, Wes Monken, joined a month later in June 1997 relocating from the Chicago area. Harold and Wes purchased out Mike Jansen in 1998 and dropped the name Jansen to become Monken Dodge Chrysler Plymouth Nissan. Later that year, Monken’s purchased the Jeep franchise from Dobbs/Mahan in Centralia. 2005 - Now In 2005, discussions began about the Monken’s acquiring Dobbs/Mahan Buick GMC. The plan was to have Harold’s daughter, Kim Monken McMillan, run the dealership. In February of 2005, Harold was rushed to the emergency room. Our long term attorney, Marvin Miller, met us at the hospital to sign a Power of Attorney over to the family. This is how Kim learned that she was coming to work for the family! The purchase of Dobbs/Mahan Buick GMC was finalized in June of 2005. Harold had a significant leak on his mitral valve caused by an infection. He battled through three valve transplants, a stroke and ultimately passed away on July 22, 2006. With great patience and hard work, Wes and Kim found a way to make both stores thrive. In late 2013, Lance Marcum son-in-law to Kim, joins the team. Monken Buick GMC purchases Schmidt Chevrolet in May of 2014 and relocates Buick GMC to the their building across from Walmart to become Monken Chevrolet Buick GMC. In June of 2018, Monken's purchased Tyler Toyota Buick GMC in Mt. Vernon. It is now Monken Toyota Buick GMC.  The dealership has been adding employees and expecting a high level of customer service.  The sales associates are non-commissioned and further solidify our move to transparent market based pricing.  Our inventory is growing daily in the Toyota and GM showrooms. Monken Automotive now has 9 brands in 3 locations with Buick GMC in both the Centralia and Mt. Vernon stores.

1. Kelley Blue Book - KBB is the standard when asking "What is my vehicle worth?"  I find their values to be pretty close when the vehicles are graded fairly with the description KBB provides. For example an " Excellent Condition" vehicle can't even have a paint touch up,  less than 3% of vehicles qualify. 2. Manufacturer websites such as General Motors, Chrysler, Nissan, Chevrolet (you can stop at those as they make the greatest vehicles in the world, wink wink) 3. Edmunds.com - Edmunds.com is the place to go when you're shopping for a car and you want to buy smarter. You can discover and research fair market pricing for vehicles.   4.  Dealership website. I typically upgrade our Monkenauto/Monken1.com frequently and make a significant investment every two years. My goal is to have as much information as possible to keep you on our website.  I am always looking to improve the Monken website, so please share your wish list with me. We spend a lot of time on descriptions and photos to help you with the details of our Monken vehicles.  Our goal is transparency. The market has been headed in this direction for years.   5. Fueleconomy.gov One of the most common questions we get is, "What can I expect for fuel economy?" You can compare any year, make and model at fueleconomy.gov.

Monken Blogger - Lance Marcum What is a credit score? According to Credit Karma, "A good credit score is crucial for financial success. A credit score is a three digit number calculated from your data-rich credit report and is one factor used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness for a mortgage, loan or credit card. Your score can affect whether or not you are approved as well as what interest rate you are charged. A good credit score is generally considered to be 720 or higher. Lenders, however, can each have different standards for what they consider to be a good credit score, so it‘s important to keep building your score to receive the most favorable interest rates and highest rates of credit approval." 1. What does my credit score need to be to purchase a vehicle? Generally speaking, if someone has a credit score under a certain level, they will need to have someone who is willing to co-sign with them. It's difficult to assign a number as there are many variables that go into a credit score. A co-signer is someone that goes on the loan with the buyer. The person with the higher credit score helps the person with the lower score to get approved at a lower interest rate. Sometimes banks will require more money down from a buyer with a lower score in order to minimize the risk of both the buyer and the loan institution. As you can see from the chart above, 600 and above scores will generally get loans without the assistance of a cosigner. Banks also look at what is called "debt to income". Ideally, they like to see that debt to income is below a certain percentage before approving the loan, regardless of credit score. 2. How do I find out my credit score? If you have a credit card, they generally offer a free credit report when logging in to your account. Sites such as creditkarma.com also offer free credit reports that do not affect your score by showing up as an inquiry. 3. How can I improve my credit score? A number of things will help to improve your credit score. Among them are making payments on time and getting rid of any collections that may be on file. In addition, opening a credit card and paying the bill in full each month helps to establish credit (for example, put all of your gas purchases on the card and paying it off at the end of the month). Discipline is the key to all of this. Spend less than you make and pay bills consistently and your credit score will generally improve.  It is important to remember that a great credit score isn't necessarily an indicator of being in good financial standing, it could just mean that a person has lots of borrowed money that they pay consistently on.