Doenges Ford-Bartlesville Oklahoma-a Genuine Legacy

By Russ Mullin Guest Contributor

To Live-To Love-To Learn-To Leave a Legacy. The term legacy implies leaving something of value for others to enjoy and or benefit from. Before you can pass along or bequeath value you have to earn the value. True value is earned by design, desire, vision, sacrifice, giving, learning , passion and hard work.

Giving Back to the Community. We hear this term a lot and at times  “giving back to the community” echos  a shallow rhetoric theme.  Some businesses have no idea what giving to their community really is. I have seen ads in different forms of media proclaim “We give back to the community”.  Action speaks louder than words.  The business that really gives back value does so incognito. You don’t need to brag about it.

A local, hometown business is dependent on the local population for survival and success. The business must offer their products at a fair price and excellence in service after the sell.  Excellent service is another over used and abused word. When we discuss the  equation of a Legacy  the terms service and excellence must be defined.

What is Excellence in Service? To achieve excellence does this mean satisfy 100% of your customers 100% of the time?  I think we would both agree this is a fantasy. No one person or company is 100% .  But 97% or 98% is a fantastic number to shoot for.

The 3% Brain Damage  Rule. I have found in my business career that there are three people out of every one-hundred I cannot satisfy regardless of what I do.  Sometimes I think these three customers are people who’s  sole goal in life is to complain and spread misery, they are radioactive in any environment they occupy. If you work in any customer service environment you will meet three jerks out of every 100 customers you encounter. To prevent brain damage when you encounter a jerk just say to yourself “one down two to go”.

Excellent Service is Not A Destination. Now I don’t want to leave the impression that the other 97 customers are always in the “hunky-dory” mode. We have our service problems but I can tell you we solve 99%  of all service issues.  You may ask well how about the other 1% ?  Well there is at least one loon out there  for every 100 customers who will never be satisfied. I call it one of  life’s mystery that will never be solved.

So What Does All of This Have to do With The Doenges Legacy? Before you can even be considered a Legacy excellent service needs to be an integral function and part of you business DNA. Excellent Service covers a wide net. You need to think in terms of Service in the following four areas.

• Excellence in Service to Your Customers
• Excellence in service to Your Employees
• Excellence in Service to Your Vendors
• Excellence in Service to Your Community

To build a legacy you need to hit the ball out of the park on all four of these service levels. Then you have to do it for five or more consecutive years.

The Doenges Family has been an Excellent Service Provider in All Four Arenas For the Last 69 Years! The Doenges team has mastered these  four areas of Exemplary Service for 69 years. How many other enterprises, nationwide,  have achieved this plateau of distinction? Well we both know that answer, few and far between. 

Awards Should  be  Designed to Recognize Superlative Achievement. One proud community in Northeast Oklahoma hosts a prestigious Award Program called the Legacy Hall of Fame . According to Julia Crouch the Bartlesville Community Foundation that produces the event; The  2010 Legacy Hall of Fame honoree, the Bill Doenges family, represent generations of giving back to the community of Bartlesville.

Bill Meets Bert 69 Years Ago-The Start of Another Bartlesville Legacy. Crouch  continues, the Doenges family story came to life in Bartlesville in 1941, when William C. “Bill” Doenges, purchased the Ford dealership from Bert Gaddis. Bill had already been working in the car business for over twenty years, operating numerous dealerships, including Tonkawa and Coffeyville. Bill continued to expand his business and bought the Ford agency in Tulsa in 1948.

How Bill and Elizabeth Spreed the Wealth. Crouch added , the car business wasn’t the only love that Bill Doenges passed on to his family. He and his wife Elizabeth really cared about this community. Through their leadership and financial support for dozens of organizations, sports teams, and causes, the couple set a great example for others to follow. That spirit of generosity is seen in present-day Bartlesville, as the Doenges family continues to invest quietly in valuable programs and community projects, including being the longest-running sponsor of an American Legion baseball team in the United States.

Today, two generations later, Doenges Toyota Ford Lincoln Mercury continues its success as a premier auto dealership in Bartlesville.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500 Meets Will Rogers in Bartlesville Oklahoma

Will Rogers at 155mph- I understand that at 155-mph that the divided white line down the center of the Will Rogers Turnpike appears to change to a solid white line. Is that Fact or Fiction? Before I can answer that let me introduce a special team.

Ford’s High Performance SWAT team– the Service Vehicle Team–”SVT”.  So now back to the Fact or Fiction 155mph question. That answer starts right here. Ford has assembled a talented team of high  performance  engineers with a unique DNA.  Their DNA is a braid of performance, style, speed, and pure class that they inject into everything they touch. This handpicked Ford Performance Vehicle Design SWAT team has their own moniker the Special Vehicle Team or “SVT” for short.

A Current Example of their Talent: The 2011Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500. For instance they have injected this DNA braid into the  2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500. There is no other car that can measure up to the Shelby Mustang in its price range. I think the vehicle is actually underpriced. You get a lot more than you pay for. You could say this is due to their lean, tough and smart design philosophy.

The Speed Daemon-This Car is Fast!   From a dead standstill to 155mph not only does the illusion of the solid white occur as you close in on the 155mph mark, it does so amazingly quick. If I reavealed how quick -I might be breaking the law!

Onward!…..Why the 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500 is intoxicating. One reason of many the performance and speed is intoxicating lies with the SVT’s  talent in developing an all aluminum-block engine. This aluminum engine dropped 120 pounds as compared to its 2010  predecessor. Combine  this with the boost in horsepower to 550 the results for brute  power and speed are reaching obscene levels.  With this in your driveway you will have the  hottest car in the neighborhood, if not the entire city.

Say Goodbye to the Gas Guzzler Tax. Nifty trick here. Add more speed and power and at the same time increase the gas mileage. They figured a way to squeeze a few more miles per gallon thus abolishing the gas guzzler tax. The weight loss combined with the introduction of electric steering has for one improved the feel of the road. The beast is easier to handle on tight curvy roads.

But wait there is more!!! What in the world is electric steering? Electric Steerings is invisble to the operator but a marvel because of all the benefits it brings to your driving enjoyment.                                                                                  

Let me explain.                                  

Electric Power Steering Eliminates:

1. The old fashioned steering pump that sucks up to 10 horsepower.
2. Hoses, leaks and grinding. No longer do you have to buy power steering fluid or check for leaks.
3. All that extra weight due to the pump, hoses, brackets and the harness is jettisoned. This adds not only to your fuel economy it just makes the car faster.
4. The extra noise decibel level brought on by the hydraulics of a mechanical power steering system. You benefit from a surprisingly quite ride. Now just sit back and enjoy the quite roar and hum of the 5.4L 550hp power plant.

Here are two short videos that give you a bird’s view of the 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?0VqtX70&feature=youtube_gdata

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jebA0L0RDjg&feature=youtube_gdata

Have you ever been in a dealership and read something about torque but really have never understood what 400 or 500 pounds of torque really mean?  If so go check out these two sources. The short and sweet version is here .  http://largiader.com/articles/torque.html

Horsepower=Speed.Torque=acceleration and towing ability. A car could have 500HP and 100 torque. It would accelerate from 0-60mph in 10 seconds, but reach 180mph. A car could have 100HP and 500 lbs torque. would accelerate from 0-60mph in under 4 seconds, but only reach 110mph.    

 When you go to  http://largiader.com/articles/torque.html  Bruce Augenstein explains in detail how torque works.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Ford Mulally Performance: The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

$20,000 Emblem
Is it a Audi 6,  Infinti M45X, Lexus LS 460 or the Mercedes E Class?  Most people’s first impression of the new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is  “this is an European  performance vehicle”.  If I covered the Ford emblem you could guess any one of these high dollar competitors. Take any one of the above mentioned emblems and put it on the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and now you can add twenty grand to the MSRP. This is how far the Taurus SHO has advanced.

There are a lot of reasons I say this:
1.) Styling : Let’s face it, no matter what the product is, if you don’t like the styling you ain’t buying it. Graceful lines with curve appeal, low, sultry and sexy puts the SHO in class all by itself. This alone is a great reason to own the new 2010 Taurus SHO, curb appeal deluxe.
2.) Creature Comforts: Number one on my list for the ultimate ride are the seats that give you a relaxing massage. These seats make you look forward to that long road trip. Not only do you arrive in style, you will arrive relaxed. Smart and strategically located ambient lighting in the front and rear foot-wells, door handles and cup holders  prevents fumbling or distraction at night and any time you are driving. The overall panel and scope of gauges, knobs, and dials are all available in five easy on the eyes color combination’s of Ice Blue, Orange, Green, Soft Blue, Red and Purple.

3.) Raw Power: Simply put the raw power screams WOW! The Eco-Boost provides an exhilarating thrust as soon as you push the accelerator to the floor.  The power comes as a natural complement to the electric power assist steering, the heavy duty springs, the tuned shocks, plus the stiffer stabilizer bars and new rear suspension provide a more connected feel between the driver and the  road.

4.) Engineering: Quite. This dynamo is real quite. The SHO is a real feat in fast forward and future engineering. Even if you never experience the thrill of purchasing a new a new Ford Taurus SHO at least make it a mission to drive one.

True BLIS: The Blind Spot Information System with the appropriate acronym “BLIS” , takes the fear out of changing lanes, plus adds a layer of safety in transportation that will save lives.

4A) Superman Paint Have you ever been a bit apprehensive about taking your performance machine on one of the gravel back roads?; Or had your heart sink as you get stuck behind a truck hauling some type of debris flying out of the cargo bed? If so another kudo to the engineering team was the treatment of the paint. They have produced a paint worthy of the “Superman Kryptonite” title. Throw away your touch up paint, the Taurus paint finish is chip resistant. How much value will this add to your SHO at trade in time? Check out this two minute video I’ll call “War Paint” http://www.fordvehicles.com/2010taurus/?id=/demos/video01                    

5.)Technology: BLIS, as mentioned above is Fords unique blind spot detection guidance system. Today we have smart cars and part of that system is the Navigation System SIRIUS Travel Link™ . Ford’s Navigation intelligence provides useful travel information such as approaching weather, recommended travel stops  for fuel, food and beverages. The  new crystal clear HD Radio™ reception is loud and clear even in the middle of the Mojave desert.

Like The Expensive German Model

Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control senses the time and distance needed to decelerate and slow down your vehicle to a safe driving speed to avoid any potential driving hazards  The Collision Warning with Brake Support puts into motion exatly what the name implies, an alarm to help you stay clear of a potential collision.

Where and the heck are my Keys? Ford’s Intelligent Access and Push Button Start prevent that mad dash looking for your keys when you are already running five minutes late. How about that for peace of mind and or surprising your boss because now you are always on time! For all the details our in-house expert is  Bill Hight .

Popularity: 4% [?]

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO-The New Ford a Metamorphosis with Class

If you have not seen the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO when you do, it will take your breath away. Before I can talk about the New 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and what a remarkable machine this is I need to discuss the Old Ford. A short story about  the Old Ford gives readers a new appreciation for what the New Ford has accomplished.

There has been a huge paradigm shift within the New Ford Motor Company, concerning the customer, the dealers and the general state of the automotive business.  There has also been a huge paradigm shift in how people think about the Big Three Automakers.

Street Talk

I get stopped all of the time and people tell me they will never buy a vehicle from GM again. In a way they are lucky. Just about the time GM was graveling for a handout Ford was well on its way to new leadership in product and customer service.

What is the first thing that pops into your imagination when you hear the words Ford and Taurus in the same sentence? OK..now be honest. The old Taurus was a remarkable car only in the fact that it sold almost eight million units, for what  was basically an unremarkable vehicle. If you agree with me shake your head yes. What I mean is that I don’t think you will see a 1986-2005 era Ford Taurus on the Barrett-Jackson circuit in years to come

The first generation of the Taurus started in 1986 and ended in 1991. That year, 1986,  the Taurus was named Motor Trends car of the year with such advanced features as aerodynamic styling and an ergonomic designed interior. Both features well received and ahead of it’s time for the motoring public.

Top Seller

1992 marked the start of the second generation Taurus. Although the redesign was not all that much, due to the right price point the Taurus continued to be a top seller. Then the third generation Taurus hit the show rooms in 1996 and continued for four model years until 1999. This 3rd generation brought in a whole new design and it you traveled much and if you wanted to rent a car over 50% of all rental fleets were stocked with the Taurus.

The Mulally Lifeline

The new millennium ushered in the 4th generation Taurus. The 4th generation Taurus was destined to the eternal automotive graveyard due to poor leadership and v vision at Ford in the early  2000′s. Taurus was on its last leg. That all changed on September 5, 2006. That was the day that Ford announced it had hired Alan Mulally as the the new CEO of Ford. Mulally  not only saved the Taurus, he injected a new DNA into Ford; Mulally began a crusade  for  quality, first class products.

The fifth generation or the 2008 and 2009 Taurus basically was a search and rescue mission in preparation for the  launch of the sixth generation Taurus in 2010. Before Mulally the idea was to drop the Taurus and introduce the Ford Five Hundred as it’s replacement. The 500  was a  step in the right direction but Ford customers had a hard time trying to figure out just what was the 500?

Actually 24 years in the making we now arrive at the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. That being said I will present a in-dept review of the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO in my next post. If you are in my geo area I have a black over black ready for a new home.

Popularity: 2% [?]