Press Release : July 2014

Crown Eurocars to Host Mercedes-Benz Local Dealer Championship Tennis Tournament

Crown Eurocars is hosting the Mercedes-Benz Local Dealer Championships tennis tournament at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Tournament starts the evening of September 12 with the Crown Tennis Ball Draw Party, while play begins Saturday, September 13 and concludes Sunday, September 14.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA –- Crown Eurocars, a part of Crown Automotive Group, is proud to announce that it will be hosting the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Local Dealer Championships in St. Petersburg. The event, which takes place in September, will benefit the Pinellas Education Foundation.

The Mercedes-Benz Local Dealer Championships tennis program invites women ages 21 and up to compete in a women’s 3.5 and 4.0 doubles tournament for one of two spots available on a dealer team. Each dealer team will take part in the Mercedes-Benz Eastern Sectional tournament, held October 29-November 2, 2014 at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The team that wins that tournament will then be awarded a VIP trip to the 2015 U.S. Open in New York.

The Local Dealers Championships event in St. Petersburg will also feature a Tennis Ball Draw Party, held at the Palm Court Terrace at the Vinoy on Friday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Attendees of the cocktail party will be able to take part in a silent auction to benefit the Pinellas Education Foundation.

Additionally, participants in the tennis tournament will have the opportunity to test drive a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle after the tournament to receive a complimentary FitBit Flex wristband as a gift.

“The entire team at Crown Automotive Group relishes the chance to promote an active lifestyle in a way that benefits the local St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park communities,” said Joe Lamphier, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Crown Automotive Group. “The Mercedes-Benz Local Dealer Championships program is one that we are thrilled to take part in each year.”

St. Petersburg area tennis enthusiasts are invited to sign up for the tournament by September 8, 2014 by sending an email to tennis@crowncars.com.

Crown Automotive Group President Jim Myers Interviewed by Kelly Nash on Sun Sports

Jim Myers, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Crown Automotive Group and Chairman of the Pinellas Education Foundation, recently spoke to Kelly Nash on Rays Live on the Fox Sports Sun Sports network about his commitment to improving Pinellas County schools.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA –- Jim Myers, the Crown Automotive Group’s President and Chief Operating Officer, was recently interviewed by Kelly Nash on the Fox Sports Sun Sports network’s Rays Live television program. He spoke to Nash and her co-hosts about his commitment to Pinellas County Schools.

Myers is also the Chairman of the Pinellas Education Foundation, an organization that strives to improve and enhance the educational opportunities of children throughout Pinellas County Schools.

“The school board works hard, and they help us identify needs,” said Myers on the broadcast. “For example, this year, they helped us identify students that were on free or reduced lunch programs that were deserving of the chance to go to college, and we were able to provide over 300 scholarships for these students through [non-profit scholarship and mentorship program] Take Stock In Children. These are the kind of things we work together on and it’s just such a great thing to be part of.”

Dr. Michael A. Grego, Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools, was also interviewed on the program about the school district’s partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation, as well as with businesses throughout Pinellas County.

“It’s our partnerships with our business community and the foundation that’s enabled us to have STEM clubs in elementary and middle school--STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-- so we’re doing a lot of very innovative things to make Pinellas County a nationally recognized school district,” said Grego. “It’s only through these partnerships that we can excel.“

The team members at the dealerships within Crown Automotive Group, along with Myers, are dedicated to getting involved in their communities, and continually donate their time, resources and energy to worthwhile causes like this one. Those interested in learning more about the group’s community involvement can visit one of the many dealerships that make up Crown Automotive.

Eleven Crown Automotive Models Earned Best Retained Value Awards from Edmunds.com

Eleven Crown Automotive Group vehicle models were recently honored by the Edmunds.com 2014 Best Retained Value Awards, including the 2014 Crown Automotive Honda Civic, the 2014 Crown Automotive Acura ILX and more.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA –- Popular automotive website Edmunds.com recently held its 2014 Best Retained Value Awards, and 11 Crown Automotive Group models earned top honors for their segments!

Each year, the Best Retained Value Awards are granted to models from many different automakers that have the highest projected residual value over five years. The long-term value of these models is an effective tool for helping shoppers choose the vehicles that best suit their needs.

The following models from a number of different automotive manufacturers received Best Retained Value Awards:

2014 Crown Automotive Acura ILX - Luxury Compact Sedan Category
2014 Crown Automotive Acura TSX - Luxury Midsize Sedan Category
2014 Crown Automotive Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Luxury Wagon Category
2014 Crown Automotive Audi A5 - Luxury Midsize Convertible Category
2014 Crown Automotive Audi Q7 - Luxury Large SUV Category
2014 Crown Automotive BMW X6 - Luxury Compact/Midsize SUV Category
2014 Crown Automotive Dodge Challenger - Midsize/Large Coupe Category
2014 Crown Automotive Honda Civic - Compact Sedan Category
2014 Crown Automotive Honda Odyssey - Minivan Category
2014 Crown Automotive Nissan Altima - Midsize Sedan Category
2014 Crown Automotive Ram Promaster Cargo Van - Commercial Van Category

“We know how important long-term value is for people who are in the market for a new vehicle,” said ___[name]___, ___[position]___ at the Crown Automotive Group. “We’re proud that Edmunds.com recognized so many Crown Automotive models with these awards, and we know that shoppers in our communities will benefit from this knowledge.”

The Crown Automotive Group is a leading auto dealership group with locations in Florida, Tennessee and Ohio. Find the eleven Crown Automotive models that were honored by Edmunds.com at one of the many dealerships that comprise the Crown Automotive Group.

Crown Automotive Group Nominated for “Good ‘Burger” Award

Crown Automotive Group was recently nominated for a 2014 “Good ‘Burger” Award in the category of Cool Companies - Large. St. Petersburg residents can vote online now, and the awards will be given out on Thursday, August 28.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA –- Crown Automotive Group is proud to announce that it was recently nominated for the annual “Good ‘Burger” Awards hosted by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

The annual “Good ‘Burger” Awards honor local St. Petersburg companies or individuals who make a positive impact on the community. Crown Automotive Group was nominated in the “Cool Companies - Large” category.

“We’re honored to have been nominated for an award that highlights our involvement in the St. Petersburg community,” said ___[name]___, ___[position]___ at Crown Automotive Group. “We strive to exceed expectations for members of St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas, and we’re glad to have been nominated for this award.”

St. Petersburg community residents can see the other 2014 “Good ‘Burger” nominees and vote for their selections online at www.stpete.com/goodburger. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg.