Luther Automotive (DEV)

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  • New Communications Specialist for the Luther News

    We are very excited to announce a new addition to the Luther Team. Abby Schindel joined us in May as our new Communications Specialist. She will be taking over creating every element of the Luther News.

    Don’t be surprised when she calls, emails or stops by your dealership looking for potential stories. If you have any content that you want to see in the Luther News, please reach out to Abby at:

    Abby.schindel@lutherauto.com

    952-258-8867

    Previously, Abby worked at an advertising agency in downtown Minneapolis and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in May 2023. She has worked for multiple publications focusing on writing, desktop publishing, design and photography. Abby is an incredible addition to the Luther team. 

    In her role, Abby will gather content across all Luther locations and design the Luther News. Outside of work, Abby loves to be on her family’s boat or attend Minnesota Wild games. She also collects vinyl records and loves to take film photography. 

    Welcome Abby to Luther!   Abby Schindel

  • Bedrace for Bridging with RLT

    Rudy Luther Toyota team members Debbie Tufts and Katie Burgess competed in the 26th annual Bedrace for Bridging competition on Saturday, March 9th. The race took place on Buck Hill in Burnsville, where nearly 60 teams competed. Bridging began in 1987 after a woman brought a piece of furniture into the Pax Christi Church, asking it to place it in the children’s nursery. Although it couldn’t go into the nursery, custodian Fran Heitzman knew he could find a new home for it – and he did. After this moment, Bridging was born – to help bridge the gap between those who have and those who have not. 

    This was the second year RLT has competed in the tournament.  Each team competed in a heat to determine the winners, where whoever was the fastest would move onto the next heat. Unfortunately, RLT did not advance. At the end of the race, there was an award ceremony to recognize the fastest teams and best-dressed group. RLT took second place in the costumes last year when they dressed up as Horses and Jockeys. However, this year, their Grinch theme costumes were defeated by Margaritaville. 

    “Everyone there is just having fun, and it’s for a great cause,” Burgess said. This year, Bridging teams, sponsors, and donors helped raise nearly $122,000. These donations will go towards furniture for people who are just getting back on their feet. RLT Team for Bedracing

  • Lee’s Summit Mazda Revamp is Mazda’s 300th Remodel

    Lee’s Summit Mazda completed an extensive six month renovations in May. The showroom, waiting areas, service and service drive, accounting offices, conference rooms, retail parts space and the building exterior were all remodeled. Both service and sales teams worked out of trailers while renovations were completed.   

    The Lee’s Summit Mazda renovation was a part of a larger initiative Mazda launched in 2014, called The Retail Evolution dealership design program. The objective of this initiative was for dealerships to ultimately make Mazda customers feel more at home through an open concept feel. Lee’s Summit Mazda became the 300th dealership to complete renovations in this program.

    “There is a lot of glass throughout the dealership to create a transparent view into dealership operations, giving them the feel that there is nothing in the process that isn’t fully transparent,” said Derek Goshien, Lee’s Summit Mazda General Manager. “In terms of amenaties, we offer waiting guests a beverage counter, comfortable seating, a separate “quiet lounge”, free wi-fi, and mobile charging stations.” 

    The design is meant to be an open concept, with a gallery feel that showcases the vehicles. The additional amenities for guests will elevate their experience consistently across all Mazda dealerships. 

    “In today’s market, you must give your guests what they want, and Retail Evolution provides exactly that — a more transparent, open, and modern environment,” David Luther said in a Mazda press release. 

    “Our entire staff and all of our guests are so excited about the new building.” Goshien concluded.

    “It is the start of something special here!” – Derek Goshien on their new space

  • Luther Welcomes Intern to Call Center

    For over ten years, Luther has partnered with Cristo Ray’s work study program. These high school students work at a variety of companies once a week to gain real world experience and class credit. Luther has had students at multiple dealerships, the Home Office and the Customer Care Center. 

     

    Heather McGinty, Manager Customer Care Center, said “it’s great to take high school students and give them an opportunity to see what the actual workforce is like. It helps them make decisions for their future.” McGinty has worked at Luther since 2003 and has been at the call center for the last seven years. She has had an exceptional intern this year.

    Shyiah is a sophomore at Cristo Ray. The school selects students to participate in their work study program and students fill out a survey with what they are looking for. Shyiah was looking for experience in customer service and Cristo Ray placed her at Luther’s Customer Care Center. “Shyiah has just flourished here. She started with the basic data entry, and she did it well and eagerly,” said McGinty. “This high school intern is now calling customers, following a script, asking them how their last service went. She documents notes in the system and composes emails to send to the stores with the feedback.”

    Jenna Wurms, Floor Manager, added “and she loves doing it. She loves doing the Customer Satisfaction Index follow-ups and data entry. She always asks if I have more work.” The experience has been invaluable to Shyiah’s future, who hopes to go into cosmotology school one day. “I’m learning how to talk to people and how to find solutions,” Shyiah said. “These customer service skills are preparing me for later.”

    The Call Center has had interns in previous years, but Shyiah has changed McGinty’s excitement for the program. “She makes me want to develop a better internship program with  Cristo Ray so that we can grow more students like her.” McGinty said. “I loved watching her get out of her comfort zone and fl

    McGinty, Wurms and Shyiah

    ourish, I am so excited to see what happens in her future. She is going to do good things.”

  • Exciting Oppurtunities

    Volunteers Needed!

    The 2024 Twin Cities Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament is coming on August 17-18th. This is a fantastic opportunity for Luther employees to contribute to a vibrant city-wide community event. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or simply eager to make a difference, we need your help!

    Sign up to Volunteer by visiting this link and be part of a team that helps bring this event to life. Your involvement will not only support the community but also provide a rewarding experience. Join us and make a positive impact!

    Learn More about the event here.

     

    Join the LutherAuto Hockey Club!

    Be part of our 10-year legacy, 18 seasons, 2 Championships.

    Are you ready to lace up your skates and join the LutherAuto Hockey Club (LAHC) family? We’ve been tearing up the ice for 10 incredible years, spanning 18 thrilling seasons, and we’ve proudly hoisted the Championship trophy twice. From seasoned veterans who have been with us since the beginning to newcomers eager to make their mark, our team is a melting pot of passion and skill.

    Exclusive Openings: Limited spots available — act now!
    Location: Blaine Super Rink


    Schedule: Sunday nights, Puck Drop between 5:30-10:00 PM
    Season: September to mid-December

    Interested? Contact Bart Archer at bart.archer@lutherauto.com.

     

  • White Bear Sales Associate Receives Nation’s Top Rank

    Vollman accepting Luther award

    Yvonne Vollman at Subaru White Bear was Subaru’s top sales associate nationally in 2023. Vollman became enthusiastic about Subaru after getting T-boned in her parents old Impreza, but walked away with just a minor injury. She applied to White Bear Subaru shortly after that. Yvonne has been working at White Bear Subaru since 2018 and was awarded Luther’s Top Overall Sales for 2023. She has been a Top 25 Sales Performer the last five years and was awarded Top New Sales in 2022.

    “Yvonne is a non-stop salesperson… she does things the right way and she just knows how to take care of people,” said Landon Medvec, Sales Manager at White Bear Subaru. “She can handle four or five guests at a time and there’s not people sitting getting mad because they’re waiting.” Medvec credited this ability to her time as a server before starting at White Bear Subaru in 2018.

    When asked what advice she would give new sales associates, Vollman said to “listen, not just to managers, but the other salespeople and customers. Listen and watch their interactions… was there a phrase or a way a question was asked by a sales associate that you liked? then tweak it and integrate it into your vocabulary.” She also said to “go above and beyond, even if the customer will not see that firsthand.” Vollman has a reputation for doing the most for her guests too. 

    “She sprints everywhere. She’s known for that. The customers will come in and say, “hey, I want the girl that runs.’ In one of our videos, there’s a pan out aerial view of our dealership and you can see this little blip going across the street and it’s her sprinting to help someone,” Medvec said. Throughout the years, Vollman has continued to impress those around her and at Subaru. When she is not with a guest, you can find her following up with past guests or even sprinting to find new ones. 

  • White Bear Subaru Partners with Teen Challenge

    White Bear Subaru donated the second largest check to Subarua for the annual Share the Love event in 2023. The money raised was given to Adult & Teen Challenge, who help people recover from addictions throughout their lives. Individual Subaru dealerships can pick to donate to one of four national charities partnered with Subaru or can select their own hometown charity. White Bear Subaru has been partnered with Teen Challenge for the last six years. Landon Medvec, General Sales Manager, said “it is a cause a lot of us have close ties to it. It’s close to our hearts.” 

    White Bear Subaru pledged $250 per vehicle sold, which was matched by Subaru and donated portions of service revenue as well. “We want to thank all the people that bought vehicles and got their oil changed during this event,” Brad Knutson, General Manager, said in his speech before presenting the check to Teen Challenge. 

    Will Kaul, Director of Foundations and Grants at Teen Challenge accepted the check on their behalf. “What you guys are saying with this amount and partnership to those we serve is that that ‘we believe in you. That your addiction, your diagnosis can change, that you have potential and possibility.’ And we’re just so grateful for your vote of confidence and belief in those we serve,” Kaul said.

    2023 marked the 16th year of the Share the Love annual event. Subaru raised $31.6 million in 2023, bringing their total donated to over $288 million. $24 million of last year’s total was given to 830 hometown charities, like Adult & Teen Challenge. The four national charities Subaru partners with are ASPCA, Make a Wish, Meals on Wheels and the National Park Foundation. Knutson and Medvec presenting check to Teen Challenge

  • Updated Version of ADP Launched in June

    On June 3, 2024, Luther Automotive launched an updated version of ADP that includes a Learning Management System (LMS). The new LMS replaced Compli and includes company-specific online training and policies that are geared toward your role. The updated version of the ADP also allows self-service, where employees can update their information on their own time, online. 

    Here are some of the benefits of the updated ADP: 

    Profile – Flex your empowerment with the ability to update personal information including your home address, phone number, email, and emergency contacts and more.

    Pay – Tryout the enhanced features of viewing your pay statements or updating your direct deposit information.   

    Tax – Explore the ability to view, print or save the Earth by going paperless with your tax statements.

    Learning – Checkout the seamless new method to complete all your required Human Resources & Compliance eLearning courses (no more Compli…yay!).

    You will receive emails from a new, safe email address:

    Learning@Lutherauto.com. This isn’t spam and shouldn’t be reported to IT, but is the new email address used for these communications.

  • 38th Annual Bug-In Hosted at Westside VW

    Westside Volkswagen hosted the 38th annual Bug-In, a free VW car show and swap meet, in June. Rich Meyer, president of the Twin Cities Volkswagen club, started hanging around the old

    Westside VW when he was 13 or 14 years old, buying junk yard cars and fixing them up. He met some of the guys that work at the dealership and found they all liked the Bug-In events taking place in California and wanted to start something like that in Minnesota. The very first Bug-In took place on Saturday, June 13, 1987. 50 people signed up on a club interest form and that was how the Twin Cities Volkswagen Club started.

    This year, 150 vehicles were registered for the event but over 200 cars participated. Besides looking at all the cars, people could get food from a food truck, and buy Bug-In merchandise from David Kelly, a club member and designer. Awards were also given out to the 1st and 2nd place winners of a variety of categories depending on model and year. Tami Willett, Westside VW General Manager andv Tom Daley, Used Car Manager, also received a sponsor award.

    Meyer’s designed each award and works with a local business to get them made as well as the T-shirts. Kids can also participate in multiple games and activities throughout the day, like a hula- hoop contest or a ring toss game. “We like to get kids involved because kids are the generation to keep the hobby going,” Meyer said. In the past the event cost $2 per person and $5 per car to attend. “Luther stepped up and asked how much it would take to get the show going. They’ve sponsored us for the last 20 years to make it a free event,” Meyer said.

    Westside has also recently been opening their showroom for the event as well. Every year, the showroom has a new theme. This year theme was Volkswagen Type 3, a compact car produced by Volkswagen from 1961 to 1973. They’ve also done a Dune Buggy theme and invited the father of the Dune Buggy, Bruce Meyers.

    Lots of the vehicles at the Bug-In are old school VW buses or bugs and many of them have been fixed up or decked out inside and out. One couple even has an electric minibus for their dog, Twinkie, and a cart made to look like a VW bus for their son. Pat and Shannon Granholm own a 1973 VW Kombi but bought their dog her own VW bus before buying the car because Pat always wanted one. “We got our son his own VW Bus cart because Twinkie has her own little one, right? So, he needed something, his own cool custom VW.”

    People from all over the Midwest and beyond came to this event. Meyers knows of cars from Omaha, Nebraska and Winnipeg, Canada who have made the journey for it.

    Meyer’s favorite part of the event is “seeing that people are having fun. They love it. We love it.”Twinkie in her personal VW Bug

  • Haircut for Good

    You’ve probably seen him in your dealership, and you’ve been watching him slowly grow his hair out for the last two and a half years. Next time you see him, he might look a little different. Jack Stout, in Merchandising and Website Management, is well known for his long curly hair. Even in high school, he had the nickname Krazyjack because of his hair. In May, Stout chopped off and donated his hair for the third time. He has previously cut it in college and right after graduation. When he started working at Burnsville Hyundai as a Lot Tech, he couldn’t keep his hair long with the heat and humidity. After almost ten years, Stout is in front of a computer most days and wanted to grow it out again to donate it. 

    Stout was inspired one night to get his hair cut again. His stylist donated his hair to Locks of Love on his behalf. Locks of Love is a charity that helps children suffering from medical hair loss.

    He had just seen Andy Gadient and Kate Uding the day before. When he had a presentation the following day and that’s when everyone saw the new haircut. “I forgot about it. I just went up there, didn’t mention it at all,” Stout said. “I just started presenting and everyone was kind of looking at me funny. Finally, I figured out why and had to add ‘oh, ya, by the way, I got a haircut if anyone’s wondering.” 

    If you have ever looked at Stout’s Team’s photo, he does not look like that in person. “I would go up in front of meetings with all the sales managers, general managers or whoever and always have to add ‘yeah, I’m the guy that hasn’t gotten a haircut,’ or ‘I don’t look like my picture,” I’m not a doppelganger or skin walk or anything. It’s just me,” Stout concluded. Stout's Before and After