Cramer Toyota Five Sales Managers Awards

Cramer Toyota of Venice always wanting to improve on past performance, this year won five Sales Managers Excellence Awards. According to Richard Bond the General Manager of Cramer Toyota of Venice, “Last year we earned four and this year the team made it five. We thought four an impossible task, but the team pulled together and decided that every manager was going to win this year.” Cramer Toyota of Venice already earned the prestigious Presidents Award for the 20th year in a row earlier in the year. They are the only 20 year winner in the state of Florida and one of only twelve in the country. Richard Bond the General Manager comments, “We couldn’t be prouder of the staff. We always try to win every award, but Toyota makes it hard. This team said let’s do it and rallied around the goal. The training they received on their journey to getting certified to win the awards will translate to better customer service.” Not many dealerships can claim having five fully trained Sales Managers. It really makes a difference in how the customer is treated. Earning the award requires passing a rigorous number of tests on customer service and product knowledge as well as tenure with a Toyota dealership. In addition, each manager must attend in person classroom hands on training, some of it requiring overnight travel. Managers winning this award at Cramer Toyota this year are: Jodey Bruner, Paul Nastri, Mike Johnson and Jason Smith and Sandeep Singh.

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates $300 to the Weiner Dog Derby

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates $300 to the Weiner Dog Derby Donation Match. Every year Clear Channel and the Jones and Cramer Radio station hold a Weiner Dog Derby. According to Richard Bond the General Manager at Cramer Toyota of Venice, “It really is as silly as it sound. Silly in a fun way. I love dogs and watching these Weiner Dogs race just puts a smile on your face. Dogs love their owners and after attending the races you will know why.” This year’s race was held to raise money for the Humane Society and was a great success. Cramer Toyota of Venice agreed to match with its sister store Cramer Honda of Venice a total to $350 each for money already raised. Richard Bond states further, “While the dogs you see racing all come from loving homes that is not always the case with all pets. Our donation will help those animals that still need good homes. A lot of pet lovers don’t really understand what a valuable service the Humane Society does finding wayward pets loving families. We are proud to be part of that success story.” For those that missed the races they will be held again next year. For those wanting to make their own donation to the Humane Society please contact Richard Bond the General Manager of Cramer Toyota of Venice at 941-484-9000.

Cramer Toyota of Venice announces record sub-prime auto loans funded in March 2011

Cramer Toyota of Venice announces record sub-prime auto loans funded in March 2011. A record number of Cramer Toyota customers were financed through non-prime or sub-prime sources last month. According to General Manager Richard Bond. “We believe that tax return money in the consumers pocket combined with the general state of the economy has allowed a surge in the sub-prime business.” Cramer Toyota of Venice has a great relationship with a lender named Gulf Coast Auto Credit. This lender will lend to customers with foreclosures and even bankruptcies.
Cramer Toyota of Venice recognized long ago that traditional banks and finance companies with the current government regulations and restrictions could no longer service customers that had lower credit scores. “I believe that in the future this type of lending will continue to be a bigger part of our business” Said Bond. Cramer Toyota of Venice has been working with Gulf Coast Auto Credit for almost two years and continues to see this business grow. Bond reports, “Gulf Coast Auto Credit is our largest sub-prime lender. Their ability to lend to customers that no other bank can is providing customers with bad credit reliable transportation in the Venice market”. Cramer Toyota of Venice is currently looking for ways to increase its used car inventory so that it can continue to offer this valuable service to the citizens of Venice.

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates $100 dollars to the South County Family YMCA

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates $100 dollars to the South County Family YMCA. The Venice YMCA serves the community providing both an area for health fitness but more importantly programs for the community. Many of the programs offered by the South County family YMCA in Venice are unique in that no other organization offers these programs. The donation went towards the purchase of an advertisement in the 24th Annual “Moroccan the Casbah” Black Tie Dinner and Auction Fundraiser. According to Cramer Toyota’s General Manager Richard Bond, “The Venice area has so much to offer as a place to work, to live and to play. In order to support our community and make our community a place that is known for more than great beaches and beautiful sunsets, it is important to develop community programs to enrich the lives of its citizens.” All proceeds from this event will benefit the YMCA Children & Family Scholarship Fund. This fund is dedicated to providing scholarships and expanding programming and services for children and families in our community. Bond states further, “Cramer Toyota of Venice as a leading business in this area wants to do all that it can to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living and foster social responsibility. What better organization than the YMCA to support to enable these goals to become a reality in our community.”

Cramer Toyota of Venice have once again earned Toyota’s highest honor

Cramer Toyota of Venice have once again earned Toyota’s highest honor. For the 20th year in a row Cramer Toyota of Venice has earned Toyota’s President’s Award. Cramer Toyota’s team rose to the challenges put forth last year and demonstrated operational excellence in all departments to meet the high standards set forth by Toyota. According to General Manager Richard Bond, “Only those dealerships that achieve excellence in all facets of their operations garner this coveted accolade."
Cramer Toyota of Venice is the only Toyota dealership in Florida to have won this award 20 years in a row and one of only 12 Toyota dealerships in the United States to have won the award 20 years in a row. Bond states, “We look for guidance from Toyota to set the standards of what they want their model dealership to look like. Cramer Toyota of Venice has achieved this model of excellence for 20 years in a row. Every employee at Cramer Toyota of Venice knows how important it is to win this and it shows in the great service we offer our customers.” In order to win this award, every department in the dealership must exceed goals in customer satisfaction and training. In addition, Cramer Toyota of Venice has to show sales market dominance in their area of responsibility.

Cramer Toyota of Venice Donates Vehicle service to the The Loveland Center in Venice.

Cramer Toyota of Venice had recently donated a Buick Park Avenue to The Loveland Center in Venice. The Loveland Center had purchased 2 Scion Xb’s from Cramer Toyota of Venice to use for transport of their clients. As reported earlier, during the negotiation for the Xb’s, it was mentioned that recently the general work vehicle used by the staff at the Loveland Center for local errands and on site work had quit running. Cramer Toyota had just the car they could use and agreed to donate it free of charge. It was a Buick Park Avenue that they had recently taken in on trade. Recently the staff at the Loveland Center approached Cramer Toyota about helping them repair the Buick to keep it in service a bit longer until the Loveland Center could replace the vehicle. Cramer Toyota did not hesitate to donate the repair of the vehicle. According to Service Manager Josh Jorge, “It is the small things that we can do that make a difference in life. This car is vital for the success of their operation and we have the expertise to fix it and keep it in good running condition. Our staff feels it is a small gesture that pays huge dividends for the community.” Loveland Center is a private non-profit center in Venice that provides day training, supported employment, supported living, and group home services for adults with developmental disabilities. The vehicle donated by Cramer Toyota of Venice will help The Loveland Center’s students live and work independently in the community.

Cramer Toyota of Venice announces that it recently donated $500 to the Red Cross for aid to the earthquake victims in Japan.

Cramer Toyota of Venice announces that it recently donated $500 to the Red Cross for aid to the earthquake victims in Japan. Through an effort organized by Southeast Toyota, Cramer Toyota donated $500 to a specific fund that would go directly to the people suffering from the earthquake and tsunami. According the General Manager Richard Bond, “There has been tremendous suffering in Japan as a result of this terrible natural disaster. When asked to donate, it was a decision that we took willingly as soon as we were asked. Toyota is a Japanese based company and I am sure many of the family members of Toyota people were affected. We want to help get them back on their feet.” Cramer Toyota’s donation went right to the Red Cross. The Red Cross has in place an infrastructure to deal with natural disasters worldwide and get the relief to the people suffering in the fastest most efficient manner. Bond goes on to state, “This is a terrible disaster will have a devastating effect on the people of Japan for many years to come. Hopefully our help will aid those most affected and get them quickly on the road to recovery.”

Cramer Toyota of Venice has earned First Place in the Sarasota Herald’s Readers Choice Awards in three categories.

Cramer Toyota of Venice has earned First Place in the Sarasota Herald’s Readers Choice Awards in three categories. The categories that Cramer Toyota of Venice won first place awards are Best Import Car Dealer, Best Import Truck Dealer and Best Auto Dealer Service. These annual awards are presented to local businesses by the Sarasota Herald Tribune. The Sarasota Herald Tribune polls their readers and the readers select the winners. This poll distinguishes local area businesses for outstanding products and service and is coveted by all local businesses. According to General Manager Richard Bond, “Winning these awards are very important to the dealership. Since these awards are selected by the readers, they are basically selected by the community members. Winning these awards carry the prestige of being selected as the best.” The Sarasota Herald Tribune publishes the winners and presents each business with a special award commemorating the achievement. Bond states, “Usually winning one of these is all a business can hope for. To win 3 in the same years is a testament to our staff and the hard work they put forth each day to satisfy the customer.” Cramer Toyota if Venice has once again lived up to its motto “We treat people right”

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates a full vehicle detail valued at $100 to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots fundraiser

Cramer Toyota of Venice donates a full vehicle detail valued at $100 to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots fundraiser. The Marine Corps League Gulf Coast Detachment #643 conducts its Toys for Tots campaign annually with the aim of helping the children of the gulf coast have a Happy Holiday in 2010. According to Cramer Toyota of Venice General Manager Richard Bond, “As a local business in Venice, we love supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive because it benefits local children. This is one of those programs where you just don’t say no when they ask for your help.” The stated goal of the program is to provide a special Santa Claus for all the children of the Gulf Coast for a Happy Holiday in 2010. Richard Bond goes on to say, “In difficult economic times like we are experiencing today, it is vitally important that when you give charitably that you look to the future. I can’t think of a better way to look to the future then to support charity that supports our youth. They are the future of our country.”

Cramer Toyota of Venice has renewed its financial agreement with Gulf Coast Auto Credit

Cramer Toyota of Venice has renewed its financial agreement with Gulf Coast Auto Credit. Gulf Coast Auto Credit is a local finance company that provides much needed financing to the local market. Gulf Coast Auto Credit entered the market just over one year ago to fill a void left because of the liquidity crisis suffered by most major financial institutions. “We are thrilled we were able to renew our lending commitment with Gulf Coast”, says Cramer Toyota General Manager Richard Bond. According to Bond, Gulf Coast has secured financing for hundreds of Cramer Toyota customers who otherwise would not have been able to purchase a car. “We will continue to look for strategic partnership to assist our valued customers”, says Bond. Gulf Coast Auto Credit lends exclusively to the Cramer Automotive Group giving the Cramer organization an edge over other automobile dealerships. Cramer Toyota of Venice has a higher quality used car then an independent because of the trade in vehicles it obtains from its new car operation. Many of these vehicles are low mileage older vehicles that are excluded from financing by major banks because of age, but provide needed transportation to the local community because of Gulf Coast Auto Credit.