We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, the newly-published book about Checkered Flag, has drawn advance praise from national industry leaders, including from James D. Power, III, the founder of J.D. Power and Associates.  He says We All Win "tells a story that stands out among all dealerships across the country."  Funds raised through the sale of We All Win will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. You can purchase the book here on CheckeredFlag.com by clicking on the book icon on the left side of this home page or by visiting any of Checkered Flag's parts departments.

We All Win was written by award-winning former journalist Audrey Knoth, who is now a Norfolk business executive. Recently, the Checkered Blog caught up with Audrey for an interview.  We will be featuring portions of our conversation with her in coming weeks, starting today.

Checkered Blog: Whose idea was it to write a book about Checkered Flag?

Audrey: The idea was mine.  In early 2007, I helped Checkered Flag with several business projects, and as I learned more about the company, I became very intrigued by its history.  Checkered Flag was founded in 1964 by Ed Snyder, who continues to run the company today along with his son Steve Snyder.  That kind of longevity of local ownership and operations is in itself remarkable.  But as I dug into it, I found the story was even more interesting and important than just that.

Checkered Blog: In what way?

Audrey: I learned that prior to founding Checkered Flag, Ed Snyder had managed a department store called Snyder's that his grandfather had started in downtown Norfolk at the turn of the last century.  So when Ed Snyder got into the car business in the mid-1960s, he brought customer-service and marketing practices from the department store into auto retailing, and the things he did were very unusual at the time.  When you hear Ed Snyder and Steve Snyder talk about customer service being Checkered Flag's top priority, they are really talking about a philosophy that has been paramount to the Snyders for more than 100 years.

Checkered Blog: Why are funds raised from the sale of We All Win being used to benefit United Way?

Audrey:  United Way is very important to Checkered Flag and it was for Snyder's department store, too.  What has made it so important is that not only does United Way support such a variety of local organizations, it involves individual employees in the giving process.  Through the generations, the Snyders have believed that giving feels good, that the process is as beneficial to the person who is giving as it is to the recipient, and United Way encourages this.

Checkered Blog: Something that's very noticeable about We All Win is how visually appealing and colorful it is.

Audrey: Yes, the book is more than just a narrative.  We have included lots of great vintage photographs and a cartoonist even created five original cartoon strips and the book's cover.  So we hope that people really enjoy both reading the book and just leafing through it.

Checkered Blog: And all of us at the Checkered Blog hope that everyone will consider purchasing We All Win to help raise funds for United Way of South Hampton Roads.  Please click on the book icon on the left of this home page ro order in online or stop into any Checkered Flag parts department to pick it up in person.

When a 12-year old boy walked out of a Polish village in 1882 in search of a better life, it was literally the first step toward the founding of Checkered Flag.

The story of how Checkered Flag came to be, the obstacles it faced, and the customer-service philosophies that propelled it to success are told in the new book We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded, written by Audrey Knoth.  We All Win has received advance praise from leading auto industry executives, who call it "a remarkable book about a remarkable business enterprise."  We All Win is now available for sale here on CheckeredFlag.com (click here) and, starting on Friday, August 8th, in all Checkered Flag parts departments.  Funds raised through its sale will benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads.

The book recounts how the near-penniless Louis Snyder arrived in America in the late 19th century and how, from a small dry goods company, he built a major Norfolk, Virginia department store operated by successive generations of the Snyder family.  His grandson Ed Snyder took over management of Snyder's department store in the early 1960s.  In 1964, Ed invested in a small British sports car dealership and, at his wife Jean's suggestion, named it Checkered Flag.

We All Win explains how Checkered Flag prevailed over challenges, failures, and risks to grow from one humble showroom to the auto retailer it is today, with 11 new-car franchises and a used-vehicle superstore in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and selling more than 12,000 vehicles annually.  Ed Snyder continues as president 44 years after its founding; son Steve Snyder is senior vice president.

The author, Audrey Knoth, is a former broadcast and newspaper journalist who's now a Norfolk business executive.  She says she had the idea to write the book after helping Checkered Flag with several projects in early 2007.

"I became intrigued by Checkered Flag's history, which had never been researched and told," she says.  "The more I learned about Checkered Flag, the more I realized its story is a compelling one that has meaning for people both inside and outside of the car business."

Audrey spent over a year researching and writing We All Win, conducting extensive interviews, consulting with auto industry and academic experts, and poring through historical and newspaper archives.  Vintage photos, illustrations, and original cartoons accompany the book's absorbing narrative.

"I found that the principles that originated more than a hundred years ago remain at the foundation of Checkered Flag today," Audrey says.  "Among them: if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers; nothing is more important than customer service; failure should teach you rather than frighten you; and taking risks is absolutely essential to succeeding."

All of us with the Checkered Blog are excited about the book and we hope you will consider purchasing it.  It's a great read and with the funds raised benefiting United Way, you could say We All Win!

The Beijing Olympics start this Friday, and as the exclusive Automobile partner for the 2008 games, Volkswagen has provided 5,000 vehicles to the Olympic Committee. Known as the "Volkswagen Green Fleet," this team of vehicles are low fuel consumers and low CO2 emitters, making them incredibly eco-friendly. They're also equipped with Volkswagen Group state-of-the-art powertrain technology, and feature advanced engines and gearboxes.

The Green Fleet roster includes the Magotan 2.0 TDI, Sagitar 1.4 TSI, Touran EcoFuel, Tiguan 2.0 TDI and Magotan BlueMotion models. We know the Magotan as the Passat and the Sagitar as the Jetta. They'll be used to shuttle organizers, athletes, media, and guests participating in the various Olympic events.

Each fleet vehicle sports a specially created design that incorporates the Olympic Games logo and brand concepts such as "mobility", "wind", and "road". Check out the photos below from Autoblog Green.

FYI: The Olympics Opening Ceremony is scheduled to air Friday, 7:30 PM on NBC. Special thanks to all the athletes that are representing our country at the Olympics. Best of luck!

Imagine it's the year 2028. What will the world of driving be like? That's the question Volkswagen engineers have been pondering. They've released their vision of how cars will look in 20 years. By the looks of these cars, the future is going to be a lot of fun!

VW's futuristic lineup includes: a sporty two-seater called the Ego; a roomy four seater appropriately named Room; and a single-seater named One. Oh, and all three cars are capable of driving themselves. So convenient, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. And best of all these cars are incredibly fuel efficient because they won't be running on gasoline! Visit the new interactive site, "Volkswagen2028" for more details. Happy Weekend, Checkered Blog readers.

The Checkered Blog spotted this dedicated VW fan. Sean drives a  R32, has owned a 2007 GTI, and he currently has his eye on a Jetta Sports Wagon. He lives in Virginia Beach and serves as a naval aviation electrician on the USS Enterprise. Sean, thanks for spending a few minutes of your Friday afternoon chatting with us.

CB: What are your hobbies?
Sean: Xbox Live. I play Call of Duty 4 and Battlefield Bad Company.

CB: What is your favorite restaurant?
Sean: Do I have to pick just one? Ruth's Chris and then Tijuana Flats. And Moe's. I like Mexican food...nachos especially.

CB: What do you have in your MP3 player or CD player right now?
Sean: Das EFX, the Carter III. I mostly listen to satellite radio. Oh, I also listen to Flo Bots.

CB: What is the last movie you have seen?
Sean: Well, it will be Hellboy 2 after I see it today. But I guess the last movie I saw was No Country for Old Men and that was fantastic.

CB: What about pets, do you have any?
Sean: Yep, I have one. A Jack Russell terrier named CJ.

CB: What is the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
Sean: I am a complete gaming geek! I probably play like 5 hours a day (laughs).

CB: Aside from your Xbox (haha), what is the one invention you could not live without?
Sean: Well...ELECTRICITY!!!

CB: What is the best thing about being a Checkered Flag customer?
Sean: The way I am treated here. From the very first time I came in, they were very professional and they call you by name. I have gotten two cars from here. Well, three including the car my wife drives.

CB: What are you plans this weekend?
Sean: My sister-in-law is coming into town. Her and my wife are gonna be doing some wedding stuff. You know, pick out tapestries, plates, and stuff like that, so what am I doing...play video games (laughs).

Here is how some of the fine folks at Checkered Flag are spending the holiday.

Ramel Felton, parts associate, Checkered Flag Honda: I also work at Waterside in downtown Norfolk, so I will be working there on the 4th from 7pm to 3am. There is a lot going on there. And then on Saturday, I come in for work here. It is not too much of a holiday for me (laughs).

Freddie Edmond, rental agent, Checkered Flag Toyota/Scion Rent-A-Car: I am going to have a cookout/barbeque with everyone (smiles)! And then for the rest of the weekend I will be working here.

Kourtney Pulliam, receptionist, Checkered Flag MINI: We go over to see my grandma and we have a cookout there with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. And after that I think we will go to Mt. Trashmore for the fireworks.

RT Ives Jr., assistant service manager, Checkered Flag Hyundai: I have the whole day planned out and I can tell you my entire schedule! Starting at 10:50, I am gonna take my daughter to see the Hulk. Then we are going shopping at Lynnhaven Mall for some shoes. After that we are picking up her boyfriend...a party here, and a party there. And then finally, I am going on a date with my wife to watch Sex and The City.

FYI: Operation hours are little different for today. Sales departments are open from 9am-6pm. Service departments are closed for the day, but it goes back to normal tomorrow. Have a great holiday. Be safe and see you on Monday!

I listen to a local radio station during my drive to work, and for the past few weeks now, they have had a contest where listeners can call in to play for FREE gas cards that are worth as much as $500. Needless to say, tons of callers from all over Hampton Roads phone in throughout the day yearning for these gas cards. Just the other day, a woman won a gas card worth $463! Who would not want to be her right now? I am sure all of us would love to get our hands on these gas cards. But for those of us who are not as lucky, we are still undoubtedly thinking about how to save at the gas pumps. So with that in thought, let us continue our fuel efficiency series with the Unsung Hero for today, the Volkswagen Eos.

With the gorgeous smoke-free weather we have today, I thought it was only appropriate to go outside to see the Eos. Jim Hanrahan, a sales consultant at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, was very kind to spend a few minutes showing me the Eos. If you are wondering about the peculiar name, Jim explains that Eos (pronounced E-Oh-ss and not the letters E-O-S) was the Greek goddess of the dawn who rode a horse-drawn chariot every morning to mark a new day. The name fits because the Eos is a four-seater hardtop convertible, and Jim says it is the only hardtop convertible with a sunroof. VW calls it the CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible). Jim demonstrated the different Eos roof configurations. With the push of a button, the roof retracts in about 25 seconds. The whole roof-retracting process is definitely something to see. I was also particularly impressed by the size of the sunroof. It spans almost the entire width of the roof. The versatility of the Eos is a big plus. Most people associate convertibles with summer and warm weather, but the Eos hardtop makes it a vehicle for all seasons. 

While the hardtop is the obvious highlight of the Eos, it does have more to offer including great fuel efficiency. On its 15 gallon tank, the Eos gets can get 30 highway miles, and 21 city. That gives you about 450 highway miles per tank. There are two engine choices on the Eos: a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (the same engine on the Passat and Audi A3), or a 250-hp 3.2L V6.

The Eos is available in four trims: Turbo (starting at $28,990), Komfort, Lux, and VR6. Each trim offers a ton of great features, I listed a few that caught my attention. For the full list visit here. The base Turbo includes eight-speaker AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player and Aux input; V-Tex leatherette comfort seats with Microtech; and 8-way adjustable front seats with lumbar support. Step up with the Komfort and it adds: Dual-zone Climatronic Climate Control; 12-way power driver seat with easy entry function, front heatable seats; multi-function trip computer; and center console with footwell ambient lighting. The Lux trim includes: leather comfort seats; automatic headlights; rain sensing windshield wipers; and a multifunction leather wrapped steering wheel. The VR6 has all the goodies found on the Lux plus: HomeLink; leather sport seats; Triptronic control paddles on steering wheel; and a Chrome front grille.

Overall, the Eos is an attractive vehicle that gets attention. Jim mentioned that he drove an Eos out to dinner with his wife, and people were so curious about the car, because it was something they had not ever seen before. Enjoy the weather outside (while the smoke is on vacation) by seeing the Eos at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, 3025 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Not only is the Tiguan an Unsung Hero of Gas Mileage, an affordable Sport "Ute", but it is now famous because Christine Robertson (eMarketing Coordinator) has made it so - check it out: