Elite Auto Rental Blog

Let’s assume that you’re a little quirky.  As a result, your entertainment tastes may venture all over the map.  For example, maybe you would like to sample fried Twinkies, check out some livestock, peruse the automotive world’s latest offerings, and check out some acrobats.

The folks at the State Fair of Texas would say you’re in luck.  That’s because the Fair just opened in Dallas’ Fair Park area and offers all of these things and more. 

Because of these counter-cultureish offerings from the State Fair of Texas, the fair has been a popular destination for tourists, both local and remote, for decades.  Of particular notoriety are the this state fair’s fried food contest and the Texas State Fair car show.

The fried food contest offers fair goers the opportunity to see everything from fried pickles to fried Coke.  The car show is an extensive automotive display where both foreign and domestic auto makers display their most popular models as well as their futuristic prototypes that have yet to be released.

Additionally, the State Fair of Texas has been adding more and more live entertainment in recent years.  This year is no exception with everything from dozens of music acts ranging from country to R&B to light shows and aerobatic daredevils.  For those who like blondes, the Texas State Fair main stage will feature both Kellie Pickler on October 5th and Jessica Simpson on October 17th.

“The State Fair of Texas has been a big part of the Dallas and Texas entertainment scene for a long time,” notes Dallas exotic car sharing club owner Ron Sturgeon.  “The Texas Auto Show really opens the auto show season and is an excellent place for Texans to get a look at cars like the new Chevy Camaro and the newest Corvette,” said the Fort Worth small business consultant, public speaker, and luxury car rental agency owner.

More than five million Texans will pass through the gates of the Texas State Fair before it ends for this year. Many of them will be making a beeline for the auto show and classic car show that are highlights of every year’s Texas State Fair.

If you are going to be in DFW during the State Fair, be sure to visit for the fried food, great entertainment, and excellent preview of the latest cars and trucks.

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me do freelance web writing for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

In what has become a deliberately tortuous process, Ford has begun leaking teaser pictures of the 2010 Mustang.  To date, they’ve revealed some technical pictures, but most interesting are the shots of the dashboard and the Mustang logo. 

The new logo is said to by styled after a more realistic depiction of an actual galloping Mustang.  Designer Douglas Gaffka noted that "We lifted the head to make the pony more proud, tipped the neck into the wind to give it a feeling of greater speed and better balance.”

This altered image is unquestionably a statement as to the improved specifications of the 2010 Mustang but Ford isn’t doing too much tinkering with a proven winner.  They will still offer the same V6 as can now be found in the current blue oval sports car.

One bit of shocking speculation is that Ford is considering replacing the V8 with the twin turbo EcoBoost engine in the Mustang.  Ford engineers are looking for a way to deliver the horsepower and torque of a regular V8, but in an engine that is far more fuel efficient.

Ford, like other automakers in the American market, must begin to redesign cars to meet the tougher fuel standards set to begin in 2020. 

Of course, none of this means anything if the 2010 Mustang doesn’t sell. 
Ford, along with every other domestic auto maker, is—to borrow a phrase from Bush 41—in deep dodo.  Ford needs the 2010 Mustang to be a winner in the showroom more than the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff needs to sniff playoffs. 

“The Mustang has always been an iconic American sports car,” said the GM of DFW Elite Auto Rental Tom Warren. “Times are tough for Ford, but I see them making large strides in quality and in consumer perception of their brand with their new Fords.” and I’d bet that the 2010 version will be just as successful,” stated the DFW sports car rental company executive. 

Currently, DFW Elite Auto Rental.com doesn’t offer any Fords in the inventory of his exotic car rental company. Those interested in finding a classic Ford or exotic Ford GT for rent should consider consulting an online directory of exotic car rental companies such as http://www.rentexoticcars.net

The Dallas sports car rental company recently sold a 2006 GT.  “The Ford GT is a true dream car and shows that Ford can build an American sports car worthy of their proud racing heritage—the Shelby Cobras and the GT 40s that spanked Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans,” said DFW Elite Auto Rental General Manager Tom Warren.

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

Chrysler has recently unveiled plans to market an electric car to the North American car market by the year 2010.  The automaker is still deciding which vehicle it will release, but the new electric vehicle is likely to spring from designs based upon one of three electric car prototypes: a Jeep wrangler, a Chrysler minivan, or a Dodge sports car.

“Electric vehicles may be a great solution for people looking to save gas on their commutes,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company.  “That gas savings can really add up,” said the Texan.

Chrysler has not yet revealed the cost of the new electric vehicle, but it is expected to be comparable to GM’s Volt, which will retail for between $30,000 to $40,000.  Chrysler officials believe that as more electric cars are produced, the economies of scale make the electric vehicles less expensive for the consumer.

“When the costs come down, I think we will see many more electric vehicles on the road,” says Sturgeon.  These new electric cars will help those feeling the pinch at the pump Sturgeon said. As the owner of a Dallas exotic car rental agency, he is hoping that the Chrysler picks the sports car for production.

Chrysler recently also unveiled the Peapod.  It’s a small electric car that can go about 30 miles between charges, making it useful for short commutes or trips within a single small town or neighborhood.

Other automakers are also hoping to bring an electric vehicle to market in the near future.  Toyota has said that it plans to produce a plug-in electric car by 2010, and Ford has said that it is only about five years away from selling electric vehicles in large numbers.

Sturgeon sees this increase in electric vehicles in a positive light. “As the electric car technology develops, automakers should be producing some cars that are fun to drive and good for the environment,” says the DFW luxury car rental agency owner.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities.  Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

The first Chrysler electric car is now said to be on target to be marketed and sold in 2010.  This proclamation from Chrysler is vastly different from the perception, as recently as earlier this year, that the company was dragging woefully behind its domestic competitors in the electric-powered category. 

Apparently, as it turns out, Chrysler has been secretly working on electric car technology all along.  "The teams have been working on it for some time. We’ve had these products in the pipeline," said Chrysler President Tom LaSorda. 

It seems that this news was even shocking to Chrysler dealership owners who have, not so quietly, complained about the company’s apparent lack of productivity in the electric car department. 

The announced target is an obvious attempt to go head-to-head with rival GM’s release of their electric car, the Chevy Volt, in 2010.  “Chrysler’s new owners are taking a bold step and dramatically shortening the time to market that is typical in the auto industry,” claims Dallas-based business consultant and luxury car rental agency owner Ron Sturgeon. 

“Environmental concerns and fuel efficiency concerns make electric cars and hybrids something that can lure car buyers into the showroom,” says the Texan.

For those auto aficionados who want driving fun without ownership hassles, Sturgeon operates DFW Elite Auto Rental (www.dfweliteautorental.com).  If you have always wondered what it’s like to drive a Ferrari F430 or Bentley GTC, DFW Elite Auto Rental can help you live the fantasy for a day, a weekend, or a week. The business delivers exotic rental cars throughout the United States. 

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at <ggpsu@yahoo.com.

Running through October 19th, the Texas State Fair in a great reason to visit Dallas and enjoy some of the best things the Lone Star state has to offer. The Texas State Fair will be held at Fair Park in Dallas and will feature a 212-foot Ferris wheel, parades, and tons of great fried fair food, but perhaps the best part of the event is the Texas State Fair Auto show.

“The State Fair is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially for those of us who love cars,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company. “The auto show is 300,000 square feet of car lovers’ paradise,” says the Dallas small business consultant. The new 2009 Camaro and the Corvette ZR1 will be displayed at this year’s Texas Fair Auto Show.

The State Fair of Texas Auto Show runs from Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 19. It includes two buildings devoted to cars and trucks, as well as an outdoor truck area. The Auto Show started in 1904 and has been getting bigger and better ever since.

“I enjoy seeing the new sports cars,” says Sturgeon, who also owns a car sharing club devoted to these elite vehicles in DFW.

The State Fair of Texas Auto Show attracts a nearly equal number of men and women. According to statistics about the auto show published on the State Fair’s website, 49% of auto show attendees are male and 51% are female.

“The closeness in attendance numbers doesn’t surprise me. Couples make car buying decisions together in many cases, so it makes sense for both to attend,” says the Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneur.

“Driving and enjoying sports cars also appeals to both genders,” says Sturgeon. “Many of our best customers for Aston Martin or Bentley rentals in Dallas are women who want to do something special for an anniversary or share an experience of driving a luxury car with their husbands or boyfriends,” insists Mr. Sturgeon.

Some of the companies exhibiting at this year’s auto show include General Motors, Dodge, Jeep, and Ford in the Automobile Building and Chrysler, Saab, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and many others in the Centennial Auto Building. The Truck Zone will feature vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Nissan, Ford, and Toyota.

New vehicles are not the only thing to see at the Auto Show. The lawn behind the Museum of Nature and Science will feature 1,000 classic and antique vehicles.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

A surprising entry on Yahoo’s list of high-paying jobs was a career as a dental hygienist, which is likely to net $90,000 to $100,000 per year in the right markets.  In terms of educational requirements, dental hygienists have it pretty good.  An associate’s degree is all the school that is required for this quickly growing career.

“The trick is finding the right job that earns a decent living and is something that you enjoy doing and that gives you a sense of satisfaction,” says Ron Sturgeon, the entrepreneur author of How to Salvage Millions from Your Small Business. “Not everyone can find that,” says the speaker and small business consultant.

Watching trends for jobs with critical shortages can help students find careers that will pay well. Dental hygienists are in the category right now.

As one of the most in-demand jobs in the United States, dental hygienists can expect to see new positions in the profession rise by about 30 percent by 2016.  And, there simply are not enough qualified applicants to fill all those openings.

According to the labor department, the median salary for a dental hygienist is about $60,000.  Some hygienists make a bit less, but many make more.  Salary depends on the experience level of the applicant, the cost of living in the area where the opening is, and the skill of the applicant at negotiating compensation.

“One of the best investments a job seeker can make is in themselves by having a professional prepare their resume,” says the DFW luxury car rental company owner.

“Don’t try to save yourself a few hundred dollars by doing a resume yourself if you are not trained and experienced in writing resumes. A good presentation can mean having the bargaining power to get a higher starting salary. The difference can be thousands of dollars extra every year in an in-demand profession,” insists the entrepreneur.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities.  Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

With ever-rising gas prices (yes, they are still rising despite the recent lowering of prices at the pump), people are eagerly awaiting any news from car makers about more fuel efficient options. This, of course, makes sense because people are tired of needing to get a mortgage to pay their monthly gasoline bill.

The good news — many new technologies that are coming online today can help alleviate the pain at the pump by delivering fabulous gas mileage. The downside is that the cost to produce the cars powered by hydrogen have not yet benefited from the economies of scale and a hydrogen car like the Honda Clarity will still costs quite a bit, even to lease.

The Honda Clarity is a hydrogen fuel cell car that is now for lease in Southern California. The good news is that the Honda Clarity is about 3-times as efficient as a standard gasoline-powered compact car and roughly twice as efficient as a standard hybrid. The downside is that it isn’t exactly easy to find compressed hydrogen to fuel the car. And then there’s the cost. For the privilege of being one of the first to lease the Honda Clarity, you get to pay $600 per month. Although this amount isn’t much to the average Californian, remember that you’re basically getting a Civic that tops out at 100 mph.

Expect to need to be on the A-list to get a shot at leasing the Clarity—the program is starting with only 200 cars available. “People are willing to shell out some extra money to show that they are doing their part to combat global warming,” states Texas luxury car rental agency owner and serial entrepreneur Ron Sturgeon.

“However, it is difficult for the Clarity to get serious traction without motorists being able to readily find a place to refuel them,” says the Fort Worth public speaker, author, and business consultant. “It looks like Honda engineers are hard at work on a Home Energy Station that might solve the problem that has kept Hydrogen cars off the road for so long,” says Mr. Sturgeon.

We shall see.

Written by G.D. Gregory. If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com. Pictures in this story courtesy of Honda.

Dallas is known as a culturally diverse, sophisticated, and artistic city. To see for yourself, book a weekend reservation at one of these great Dallas luxury hotels, rent an exotic car to get around town, and check out some of Dallas’ many great restaurants. A vacation in Dallas can be a much-needed break.

Yahoo.com recently shared its picks for the top 10 hotels in Dallas. Here they are, along with some of the distinctive features that make each of them so memorable to visitors.

Renaissance Dallas Hotel: Dallas is known for its sophistication, and so is the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. This centrally-located luxury hotel features large guest suites and spectacular views of the city. This four-star accommodation is priced around $110 per night.

The Adolphus: Founded in 1912, this historical beauty offers convenience and luxury. Located about 20 miles from DFW International Airport and right in the middle of the downtown arts district, this hotel features several amazing restaurants and a helpful staff. The four-star establishment offers rooms for about $170.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek: This five-star hotel is situated in a sophisticated and fashionable Dallas neighborhood and was once the home of a Dallas cotton magnate. Because it was once a private residence, this hotel offers an intimacy and romance unavailable in other accommodation choices. Rooms are typically around $235.

Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion: This downtown hotel has all the sophistication you could want and features several great restaurants on site. Located right next to Dallas’ Reunion Tower, the setting is perfect for exploring the city or enjoying the nightlife. This four-star hotel offers rooms starting around $85 per night.

Hotel Zaza Dallas: Located in the center of uptown Dallas, this hotel is the perfect luxury accommodation for a day of sightseeing or shopping. A long list of amenities add to the Texas-style sophistication of this establishment. The Hotel Zaza Dallas has a four-star rating and room rates in the neighborhood of $255.

Marriot Suites Dallas Market Center: Perfect for business or vacation travel, this hotel, which opened in 1998, offers high-rise, luxury accommodations. Every room in this hotel is a suite, offering separate bedrooms and sleeper-sofas. Rooms in this three-star hotel are in the range of $130 per night.

Westin Galleria Dallas: This high-rise hotel offers four-star accommodations and access to over 200 fun shops, dozens of restaurants, and even a movie theater – all just outside your hotel room. The guest rooms are luxurious, and the beds are very comfortable. This hotel has four stars and offers rooms for about $160 per night.

Embassy Suites Dallas: This all-suite accommodation serves up Texas-style luxury at an affordable price. The eight-story building offers spectacular views of the city, lots of helpful amenities, and a great location for enjoying the city. This hotel has a rating of three stars, and rooms are around $100 per night.

The Fairmont Dallas: The four-star, European-style Fairmont has a great location in the middle of the Dallas arts district. The luxurious hotel is also close to restaurants, night life, fun family activities, and shopping. Room rates are in the range of $110.

The Hilton Anatole: Just a few minutes from some of the best entertainment in Dallas, the Hilton Anatole is a four-star hotel that offers luxury, sophistication, and fun. Amenities are plentiful and include two swimming pools, meeting facilities, and spacious guest rooms. Prices are in the range of $90 per night.

Whichever hotel you choose, driving your dream car is a must for a fun vacation. Auto enthusiasts can enjoy their Dallas vacation to the fullest with exotic car rental and a room with a view at one of Dallas’ top luxury hotels. Make the most of your vacation by renting a luxury car in Dallas.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

Toyota India is hoping 2009 will be a good year. The Japanese automaker’s India division plans to sell 60,000 automobiles to drivers in India, and Toyota’s success hinges upon the introduction of the Toyota Corolla Altis. Toyota executives believes this new model will give the brand renowned for its quality the boost necessary to achieve 60,000 cars in India.

“The economy of India is growing at a rate far faster than the mature economies of the West,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental business. “Toyota is smart to bring a redesigned Corolla to India right now,” says the Texas business consultant and author.

Toyota Redesigns Corolla for India

Launching today, the Corolla Altis is a redesigned version of the popular Toyota Corolla Sedan. Toyota, which currently sells about 50,000 automobiles each year in India, is anticipating that the new Altis will help them get a larger share of the market.

By 2013, Toyota hopes to expand its Indian market share to ten percent of all cars sold. With a current market share of three percent, this is an aggressive goal, but if projected sales of the new Toyota Corolla Altis are any indication, this goal is achievable. The automaker anticipates that it will sell an average of 2,000 of the new Corolla’s each month.

“Toyota has a great reputation as a reliable and high quality carmaker,” says Sturgeon, who also owns an exotic car club in Dallas and a business that provides automotive dream tours in Texas. “Although slightly tarnished lately in the United States by less than top marks from Consumer Reports, Toyota’s reputation for quality will certainly help draw buyers in India and will certainly help Toyota India hit their sales figures in India.”

Toyota India Builds Second Plant In India

Toyota, which is currently building its second Indian automobile plant, plans to begin production of a new small car for the Indian market in 2010 or 2011. Images courtesy of Toyota India website.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services