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Kia collects prestigious 2024 World Car of the Year and 2024 World Electric Vehicle titles EV9 earns Kia its fourth and fifth wins at the World Car Awards since 2020 The 2024 EV9 delivers modern refinement and all-electric capability more 2024 sure is turning out to be a real banner year for Kia, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it all!  Here at Classic Kia, we’re so excited to announce that the 2024 Kia EV9 has received a remarkable double win at the prestigious 2024 World Car Awards!  The big news was revealed during a live announcement at the World Car Awards Ceremony at the New York Auto Show 2024!  The EV9 took home the impressive titles for both World Car of the Year as well as World Electric Vehicle. The World Car Awards are selected by a jury of 100 distinguished automotive journalists from a diverse group of 29 countries.  The Kia EV9 was recognized for its innovative designs, spacious even-seat interior and competitive price point. The EV9 is the first Kia to feature fourth-generation battery technology for improved performance, a feature based on the E-GMP platform. The World Car Awards were established in 2003, and have become a globally renowned name for setting the standards for automotive excellence and leadership, and celebrating remarkable achievements within this rapidly evolving automotive industry.  Prior to the 2024 event, Kia had already snagged three impressive wins with the World Car Awards - the Telluride was awarded World Car of the Year, the Soul EV was the World Urban Car in 2020, and the Kia EV6 GT which was the World Performance Car of the Year in 2023. “We are hugely honored that the 2024 EV9 has been named the World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle. This triumph is a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and design excellence. The Kia EV9’s continued success will drive us to keep delivering exceptional vehicles that redefine the driving experience for customers around the world,” Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia said. Since its introduction,Kia’s first dedicated three-row EV USV, the EV9, has been amassing an impressive amount of accolades this year in addition to the 2 World Car Award wins.  It has previously collected the win for “Family Cars” at the Golden Steering Wheel Awards, a win for the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, as well as “Best Premium SUV” at the 2023 Newsweek Autos Awards. “EV9 is a clear representation of Kia’s vision, and further evidence of our dedication to quality. This award cements Kia’s standing as the frontrunner in sustainable mobility solutions that go beyond conventional automobiles. We share this honor with our global teams who contributed their utmost efforts to drive EV9’s success,” said Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America.

Although the weather is still a little chillier in most places than any of us would like, it’s officially Spring!  Have you scheduled your seasonal car care maintenance appointment yet? Our service center would love to see you and go over your vehicle to ensure it’s in tip-top shape.  Here are some things to consider checking regularly each Spring Season. more Detail your vehicle’s interior and give it a thorough spring cleaning. We’ve already covered the importance of regular car washing in the spring to clean away road salt and grime, but the interior fabrics need a little TLC as well!  We recommend bringing your vehicle to a professional detailer 3 to 4 times a year, but you can also go the DIY route. Make sure you get a good shampoo and vacuum on all of your car’s fabric.  If your car has a leather or leather-blend interior, it’s important to condition the fabric so it doesn’t crack or peel during hot weather months.  If you have a fabric interior, applying a little baking soda to your vehicle’s carpets or upholstery after shampooing can help add freshness and absorb odors left behind.  A good enzymatic based fabric refresher with a light fragrance is another great way to keep it fresh between cleanings. When cleaning the exterior, use the “two bucket method” - one bucket for rinsing off the grime and grit, and a second bucket of soapy clean water. Check and Test your A/C. Don’t wait until the sweltering heat is already in full-force before you test your Air Conditioner.  Make sure the fans and cooling unit are working properly before the summer gets here, and get it tuned-up and repaired if not.  Check for any strange odors or sour smells and alert your mechanic if you smell any so they can check it out. Swap in a new cabin air filter for the Spring Season. Vacuum your vehicle thoroughly or send in for a detail, and follow it up with replacing the cabin air filter each spring can help reduce mold, pollen, and other irritants to provide additional relief! Check your vehicle’s oil and bring it in for an oil change. Changing the oil with each season change can extend your car’s life significantly, by thousands of miles even!  It’s especially the case if your vehicle’s engine is older. Regularly swapping in new clean oil, even if you’re below the recommended mileage checkpoint, can help lubricate the gears and mechanisms in the vehicle and keep it running smoother for longer.  Your trusted mechanic will also make sure the gaskets, oil pan, and other related parts are in working order and replace them as needed. Check your vehicle’s belts and hoses. Pop open the hood and take a look inside and ensure that all of the belts, hoses, and connections are in tip-top shape. Cold and freezing temperatures can cause the rubber and plastics to crack or split, thus weakening their ability to move properly.  Save yourself a lot of money and aggravation by ensuring all belts and hoses are replaced before they cause your vehicle to stall or your engine seizes. Consider applying or renewing an anti-rust treatment to your vehicle’s undercarriage, and giving it a good once over. Check underneath your vehicle each season to ensure that nothing appears damaged by the weather changes; some metal parts may rust or have buildup from salt, and rubber or plastic parts may shrink/expand and crack due to weather changes. The best time to apply an anti-rust/anti-corrosion treatment on your car is in the Autumn, but the second best time is the Spring! Make sure your brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid levels are topped off. Your mechanic will help you top off these fluids and let you know if they need to be flushed and replaced, and will swap to seasonally appropriate coolant as needed.  You should be bringing your vehicle in for a fluids check with each seasonal weather change to ensure your vehicle is well-maintained. Check those tires and get a professional wheel alignment and rotation. Be sure that your tires have been inspected for cracks, tears, leaks, worn treads, and proper inflation; replace any tires that show severe damage, fraying or signs of extreme wear and have leaks patched by a professional.  Refer to your vehicle manufacturer’s manual for proper inflation rate, as well as the listing on the physical tire itself to ensure they're at the right pressure.  Rotating your tires and having an alignment will prevent uneven wear and prolong the life of your tires.

It’s National Cleaning Week, and we couldn’t think of a better time of year for that than the beginning days of Spring!  We’re shaking out the dust bunnies and clearing out the clutter from our hibernation in our homes, garages, and yes, of course even our cars.  Today’s blog is all about sharing some seriously smart cleaning tips and hacks!  Our smart car cleaning tricks will keep those dollars in your wallet so you can put more gas in your tank and add more miles to your travel logs.  Get ready for road trip season with these professional level clean results on a pauper’s shoestring budget. more Clothing lint rollers can help pick up grit and pet hair from upholstery in seconds. Those dollar store lint rollers will save you time and money between detailing. Use it the same way you would on your clothing, and for the nooks and crannies just give it a few press-and-taps to remove things from the seams. Condition your vehicle’s leather using olive oil and a microfiber cloth. Of course, it’s nice to use the high-end vehicle conditioners when you have the budget, but if you’re looking to protect and condition for $5 or less, this will do the trick!  Add a small amount of olive oil to your microfiber cloth, and gently rub in soft circles to apply the oil into the leather. Protect your cup holders from sticky mess and melted drinks with cupcake liners. Your local grocery store or dollar store probably sells multipacks of these convenient cupcake and muffin tin liners for a low price!  Place a silicone cupcake liner into the bottom of each of your cup holders, and when they get sticky or dirty you can swap them out and pop them out for clean ones, and put the dirty ones in with the dishes. Easy peasy! It’s also great for easily accessing change for tolls or vending machines or air-pumps in a jiffy. Keep your car fresh and clean the natural way with baking soda and essential oils. Reducing the use of VOCs and other additives in the air can help allergy sufferers greatly during the spring season. Find a small jar that fits inside of your cup holder, and poke a few small holes in the lid; add baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil and mix together. Put the jar in your vehicle and it will absorb odors while releasing a mildly pleasant aroma! Remove rust with a bottle of Coca Cola and a bit of foil! If you’ve got rust spots on your bumper or other metallic accents on the body, consider a bottle of Coke and a piece of foil. Pour the soda on the rust spot, and gently scrub it with some aluminum foil folded over 3 to 4 times into layers.  You’ll notice the rust will begin to flake off!  Once it does, you can switch off to a gentle dish sponge.  When the rust is removed, grab some gentle soap and clean water and rinse off the sticky pop and remaining debris. Use a cereal keeper container as a lidded trash can for travel! Forget about those hanging fabric garbage cans, or putting a bin/box on the floor that rolls around as you drive.  Grab a budget friendly cereal container with a lid at your local dollar store, and line it with a plastic grocery bag. Place it in the backseat of the car and use it to store your trash while you’re on the go.  Makes cleaning easier with nothing sticky left on your floor mats or carpets or tipping over on turns. Remove dead bugs and insect splats with dryer sheets! No need to gather complicated cleansers or soaps to get those stuck-on nasties off your windshield or bumper.  Any brand of dryer sheet will do the trick nicely!  Rinse your car with clean water, then grab the damp dryer sheet and simply wipe them away.  Rinse with water again and you’re good to go! Use a cereal keeper container as a lidded trash can for travel! Forget about those hanging fabric garbage cans, or putting a bin/box on the floor that rolls around as you drive.  Grab a budget friendly cereal container with a lid at your local dollar store, and line it with a plastic grocery bag. Place it in the backseat of the car and use it to store your trash while you’re on the go.  Makes cleaning easier with nothing sticky left on your floor mats or carpets or tipping over on turns.

Today is the International Day of Forests! We’ll be covering some of the beautiful forests of Lake County Illinois as part of our participation. So, hop in your new car from Classic of Waukegan because we’re going on a little adventure to get back in touch with nature! more Why should we care about forest preservation? In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly instituted the International Day of Forests as a way to honor and raise awareness globally for the importance of all varieties and types of forests. The International Day of Forest s is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating effects of industrial agriculture, logging, and mining efforts, and inform the general public about the importance of restoring forests, protecting the environment, and increasing our conservation efforts.  Since agriculture is an important part of our economy here in Illinois, we thought it especially pertinent to share this knowledge with our readers so we can all do our part to protect and replenish our environment. Forests and trees are important to the sustainability of our agricultural practices in Illinois. Our forests are an integral component in pollination, improving water quality, climate regulation, helping soil composition and preventing soil erosion, homes to native birds and other wildlife, contributing to biodiversity and more!  Did you know that forestland only covers about 12% or so of our state, but houses more than 60% of native flora?  Additionally, forests are also a source of timber, which means they’re also a vital part of our state’s financial stability and commerce. As you can see, it’s imperative that we make sure to connect with our environment, support sustainable agricultural and environmental practices, and work towards a greener, cleaner future!  Visiting local forests is a wonderful way to get in touch with nature and reminds us to care better for our planet.  Let’s take a look at some of these incredible places to visit right here in our own backyards! Beautiful Lake County Area Forest Preserves to visit this year: Lake County Forest Preserves manage more than 31,000 acres of natural lands for conservation efforts, recreational purposes, and nature/agricultural education. Here are a few of those areas you can visit that also make great destinations for outdoor picnics and family get togethers: Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway makes its way through 12 different Lake County Forest Preserves. The Independence Grove Forest Preserve is 1,000+ acres of preserve with a 115 acres lake and 7 miles or so of trails. Ryerson Woods covers 552 acres of preserve forest land with just over 6 miles of trailers. Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve offers beautiful access to the Lake Michigan Shoreline through numerous hiking trails that wind from forest to shoreline. Almond Marsh Preserve is over 100 acres of nature preserve residing insider the larger Liberty Prairie Reserve area and is prime time viewing for bird watching. Captain Daniel Wright Woods offers multiple trail options including a short loop trail, and a 3 mile trail, as well as a wheelchair accessible fishing pier with access to the 3-acre pond. Greenbelt Forest Preserve is right in our own backyard, nestled cozily between Waukegan and North Chicago.

We’re celebrating the slightly chilly Spring Equinox with some helpful maintenance reminders for all vehicle owners with this handy Checklist of To-Do’s for Spring cleaning! more Check your vehicle’s light bulbs. Cold winter weather can take its toll on your lightbulbs and tail lights.  Do a quick once over on your car, and make sure that all of your car’s headlights and exterior lamps as well as interior lights are working properly at full brightness.  Properly working light bulbs and LEDs can increase your visibility during foggy, hazy weather and rain. Change your cabin filter. Springtime is notoriously bad for allergy sufferers, and the cabin air filter is a great way to clean the air and reduce pollen, mold, and other allergens in your car’s interior.  Consider adding a portable HEPA filter to your vehicle in the back seat or center console/cup holder to aid in filtering out allergens! Stop ignoring your dashboard lights. Bring your car in for a general tune-up and check-up and get a reading on all those blinking lights you keep trying to ignore.  Don’t wait until your car breaks down or strands you on your summer road trip!  Get things taken care of now, so you can enjoy all of your post-lockdown road trips with confidence. Give your car a thorough exterior car wash to remove salt and grime, and be sure to detail your vehicle’s interior. Make sure you have your car professionally cleaned to remove the winter muck and salt residue!  Next, be sure to get a good upholstery shampoo and vacuum on all of your car’s fabric, or bring it in to a local vehicle detailer.  If your car has a leather or leather-blend interior, it’s important to condition the fabric so it doesn’t crack or peel during hot weather months; consider applying a leather conditioner and protector to the surfaces.  Get into all the nooks and crannies to clear out the grit, grime, and gravel! Check your vehicle’s belts and hoses. Cold and freezing temperatures can cause the rubber and plastics to crack or split, thus weakening their ability to move properly.  Save yourself a lot of money and aggravation by ensuring all belts and hoses are replaced before they cause your vehicle to stall or your engine seizes. Pop open the hood and take a look inside and ensure that all of the belts, hoses, and connections are in tip-top shape. If you notice cracks or wear-and-tear, call for a service appointment to have them replaced. Top off your oil and do an oil change. Warm weather means lots of joy rides, so you may need an oil change sooner than you’d expect!  Make sure to book your regular oil change appointment, but also check with your service center to see if your vehicle needs a different higher temperature oil for the incoming warmer weather. Replace wiper blades and apply hydrophobic coating to your windshield. April Showers bring May Flowers, but it’s important to have clear visibility as you drive if you’d like to see the sights of springtime blooming around you! Bring your car in for a general tune-up and check-up. Don’t ignore your dashboard lights. Don’t wait until your car breaks down or strands you on your summer road trip!  Get things taken care of now, so you can enjoy all of your upcoming road trips with confidence. Clean and wash your pet’s seat protectors, crate, and other transport items. Bringing your pets on the road with you is always a fun time, but it’s important to remember they track in a lot of dirt, gravel, grime, and build-up too!  Giving their car seats, seat covers, and other car accessories a thorough vacuuming, washing, and sanitizing can help remove allergens from your vehicle, as well as preparing you for more fun hiking and treks with your pup!

EV9 one of two winners in important “Best Electric 3-row SUV” category EV9’s win marks Kia’s third in last three years You know we’ve been really excited about the EV9 since its reveal. You’ve heard us sing its praises and shout about its incredible safety features and tech specs, but it should come as no surprise to hear we’re certainly not alone in our enthusiasm for the Kia EV9.  PARENTS has recently recognized the Kia EV9 in its “Best Family Cars” (best electric 3-row SUV) awards for 2024! Isn’t that amazing? more The annual awards event includes 22 automotive categories, and covers cars, SUVs and driving systems that embody the ideal combination of safety and functionality for families in each respective category. With more than 140 cars total tested by PARENTS experts, across multiple categories from a field of new model vehicles, the panel of judges evaluated each model on a 10 point scale. These vehicles were evaluated based on: overall safety, including driver assist and safety technology; child passenger car seats including ease of install, space to accommodate seats in rear and third rows and third row access; power and technical specs of each model; the family friendliness of each model’ “wow” factors that will appeal to families; and the price for each model in its category. The 2024 all-electric EV9 recently debuted as Kia’s first three-row EV SUV, with spacious room to seat up to seven passengers, making it ideal for families on the go!  Available features also include a 12-inch full-color head-up display that’s designed to project driving information directly onto the windshield within the driver’s line of vision. Available advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include advanced adaptive cruise control and rear occupant alert (door logic). “PARENTS Best Family Cars awards exemplify Kia’s position as a brand that meets the needs of their busy family,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “We’re honored to see the EV9 awarded for its technology, capability and comfort for the entire family.” In the spirit of St. Patrick’s day, we’re counting ourselves lucky to be a part of the Kia family here at Classic Kia of Waukegan! We take great pride in representing a brand with such high standards for safety and family-friendly, environmentally responsible vehicles like the EV9. We can’t wait to see what other pots of gold we’ll find at the end of this rainbow in 2024!

Kia releases teaser images providing first glimpse of the K4 next-generation compact sedan Image alludes to exceptional fusion of advanced technology and alluring aesthetics Kia K4 scheduled for global design reveal, March 21 2024, ahead of world premiere at New York Auto Show, March 27 2024 Big news is on the Horizon for Kia!  New images for the exciting Kia K4 have dropped ahead of its New York International Auto Show premiere. On March 14th, in Seoul, Korea, Kia unveiled a series of tantalizing teaser images of the next-generation compact sedan, the Kia K4.  These exciting images evoke extraordinary fusion of advanced technology with attractive aesthetics seamlessly encapsulated within the K4’s sleek lines and streamlined shape. Kia’s full reveal of the K4 design will premiere on March 21st 2024, followed by the vehicle’s global premier at the New York International Auto Show on March 27th 2024. Everyone is welcome to join the worldwide live broadcast of the global New York Premiere at worldwide.kia.com !  The K4 introduces new standards for design, innovation and driving appeal to the compact sedan sector. Stay tuned for more updates from Kia as we get closer to the event! And trust us, you really do not want to miss out on this momentous occasion. more

Pair of Kia SUVs Excel in Meeting Tougher 2024 IIHS Requirements Telluride secures highest honor from IIHS for second consecutive year, maintaining TSP+ designation earned in 2023 At Classic Kia, we take great pride in being a part of the incredible Kia family, especially with this being such a banner year for the brand. We’re so excited to announce that the 2024 Kia Telluride has received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Pick’s “Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+)” rating. Likewise, the 2024 Kia Sportage earned accolades as the “Top Safety Pick” rating!  IIHS says that the two Kia SUVs were “offering the highest level of protection for both vehicle and occupants and vulnerable road users.”  Incredible! more After fortifying requirements in 2023, IIHS toughened the criteria once again in 2024, aiming to offer better protections for back-seat passengers and improvements to pedestrian crash avoidance systems.  With these new parameters, vehicles must earn a “good” rating under the side protection test, and an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the revised version of pedestrian front crash evaluation; the pedestrian crash evaluation includes test runs in the daytime and at night, making sure that nighttime performance is a must for either award.  In addition, the IIHS revised its moderate front overlap test to include a second dummy behind the driver’s seat and vehicles must earn either an “acceptable” or “good” rating for the TSP+ rating. The original moderate overlap test still requires a “good” rating for the TSP designation. The 2024 Kia Telluride has a stunning sleek and bold appearance on the exterior. Its interior not only offers a spacious three-row cabin which comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers, but is jampacked with available technology options!  The Telluride offers dual 12.3 inch panoramic display screens, Digital Key 2 Touch, and of course the latest and greatest in Kia’s advanced driver assistance systems, including the Highway Driving Assist 2.0 feature. The 2024 Kia Sportage is available in a multitude of trim levels and diverse options, including the X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trim levels, both of which allow drivers to enjoy more off-road features including all-terrain tires. Additionally, the 2024 Sportage is offered as a Sportage HEV and Sportage PHEV model option. When asked about the IIHS initiatives for improving road safety, Steve Center, COO and EVP of Kia America, had this to say: ““We fully support the IIHS’s initiatives to enhance road safety and we are aligned in our commitment to meet the agency’s more rigorous standards.Safety remains one of our top priorities and we’re dedicated to driving continuous advancements in this critical area every day as we proved with 2024 Telluride!”

It’s Super Mario Day, a special occasion every year on March 10th celebrating the iconic Nintendo game character. Today, we’re going to highlight one of our favorites in the franchise, which should come as no surprise is the infamous Mario Kart! The first game, Super Mario Kart, was released in Japan and North America in 1992, with a subsequent release in 1993, and has been winning our hearts over ever since.  We’ve all got our favorite Mario Kart Racer, of course, as we’re sure you do, too, but we bet you didn’t know that it was the first game to feature other playable characters from the Mario franchise besides Luigi and Mario! more Here are some super fun facts about Mario Kart to impress your friends with at game night or on your next road trip! The idea for Mario Kart was inspired by a glitch during development for the Super Mario Brothers game. Project team members noticed an error where the Koopa Troopa shell bounced back and forth across the screen, inspiring the initial concept for a kart racing game! In its initial release, Mario Kart sold more than 8 million copies, but today they’ve outsold that number more than tenfold with over 100 million copies! Your advantages as a player will vary depending on which character you choose, as each of them have their own unique abilities and qualities that impact racing performance and playability! Waluigi made his character debut as Wario’s evil brother in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. The iconic yellow turtle who counts the track laps with that infamous sign is named Lakitu, but that’s not his only gig! He’s also the owner of all the tracks in the game. That dastardly Blue Shell has more of a purpose than wreaking havoc on your peers (although, we certainly do enjoy that quality about it, too!)  Originally the blue shell was added to prevent gameplay performance issues by game devs who were concerned the game may lag if too many players were next to one another on the track at the same time.  It was intended to spread racers apart, but of course gamers took matters into their own hands, creating the infamous spiny nemesis! Adding up the console and mobile versions of Mario Kart, there are 170 original race track courses through the franchise, more than half of which can be seen in Mario Kart 8 (for a total of 96 tracks in the game!)

We love everything automotive themed, and sometimes that also includes toys and collectible versions.  It’s National Barbie Day, and we thought it would be the perfect time to explore the many different collectible cars our bold heroine has driven over the decades.   Our blonde-haired, pink clad, fashionista doll has hda some of the most iconic toy cars in history, and best of all they’re stylish, powerful, and entirely hers!  These are some of our favorites from her incredibly impressive garage collection. more Barbie’s First Car: Austin-Healey 3000 MkII, 1962 Barbie’s first car was certainly an iconic one, modeled after the British automaker. It arrived on the scene an exact replica of its real life counterpart: in a stunning peachy-pink color with a bright aqua interior, featured chrome rimmed white wall tires, chrome grill, and a sporty 2 seater model. It also came in less common colors such as blue and red, followed by a ballet shoe pink option late in the run, all of which are now pretty rare collectibles.  It was discontinued a few years later in favor of a more “All-American” vibe for the doll’s lifestyle and branding. Barbie’s Mercedes-Benz 190SL, 1962 The second car in Barbie’s fabulous garage was another 2-seater roadster, this time in an electric turquoise and orange.  Variations also exist in a powder blue and orange, turquoise and white, and powder blue and white combo. The Country Camper, 1970 The first of many home-on-the-road Barbie vehicles, this incredible camper had room for Barbie and several pals, a picnic setup, a pop-out tent with sleeping bags, and a camper kitchen!  It came in a sunshine yellow and vivid orange color scheme with the Barbie logo, bubbles, and a rainbow. The Star ‘Vette, 1976 The Corvette design has become synonymous with the Barbie aesthetic, with the first of many iterations appearing as a bright magenta and purple exterior and white interior 2-seater convertible (a red and white option was released in Europe).  It was outfitted with racing tires and shooting star emblems on the hood and doors. Western Horse Trailer and Off-Road Vehicle, 1981 Barbie was living her best Western ranch life with an off-road vehicle capable of towing her show horses to and from the rodeo!  Emblazoned with a western motif of the Barbie logo, it featured towing rope, thick tires, and came with a stable mucking kit. The Ferrari 328 GTS, 1987 This stylish car hit the streets of Barbieland in a candy-apple red hue, black trim, and later a white with black trim option. The commercials played up the car’s sporty appeal and head-turning scarlet paint job announcing it was a “red-hot” ride. Animal Care Safari Jeep, 1987 This open-air safari vehicle was outfitted with bright pink trim, bright pink frame, and bright pink tires, and featured a zebra motif on the hood and body.  It was also one of the few Barbie vehicles to use the actual “Jeep” name in the branding.  It featured a friction operated motor, no batteries required! ‘57 Chevy Bel Air Convertible, 1988 This throwback retro styled convertible was available in pink or turquoise options with chrome rims, chrome detailing and hood ornaments, and chrome grille. It also had a trunk that opened and closed, and fit 3 other passenger dolls in addition to Barbie in the driver’s seat. Porsche 911 Cabriolet, 1991 Barbie’s newest sportscar featured real working headlights and was available in an eye-catching neon magenta hue with a white interior and custom Barbie license plate. Barbie Volkswagon Beetles, 2000s Barbie’s gearhead garage expanded in the 2000s with several color options of VW Beetle including red, yellow, blue, and of course: pink!  They featured the trademark bubble retro design, and also included Barbie sized seatbelts. Cali Girl Chevrolet SSR, 2004 This Chevy pickup was available in a lemon yellow or a deep blue, and came outfitted with a real CD player in the trunk space. It featured a convertible 2 seater interior design and a see-through trunk.

Today we’re sharing our tips and tricks about the 69th Annual 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Chicago, and best places to watch it along with other fun ways to celebrate the occasion!  The Chicago St Paddy’s Day Parade is the largest one in the whole US, and we’re very proud of that fact.  We’ll be covering where to catch the parade, more information about VIP access, and recommendations for local Irish eateries afterwards. It’s all right here on today’s blog. more This year’s theme is “Mental Health is Essential'', and the guest of honor is none other than Mr. Patrick Kennedy, who served as a congressman from 1995 through 2011, and has been one of the leading voices in supporting mental health and addiction treatment access and awareness. The parade theme highlights the work of The Kennedy Forum and also commemorates the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA or Parity Act), requiring health insurance carriers to ensure coverage parity between Mental Health and Substance Use disorders and medical/surgical benefits; it was the signature achievement of Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s 16 years of work in Congress. The focus of 2024’s theme is to highlight that everyone’s mental health is critical and vital part of their overall health and wellbeing!  The theme will guide the achievement of The Kennedy Forum’s national 90/90/90 goal: By 2033, 90% of all individuals will be screened for mental health and substance use disorders, 90% of those screened will be able to receive evidence based treatment, and 90% of those receiving treatment will be able to manage symptoms in recovery.  If you’d like to help support the cause and learn more, visit www.thekennedyforum.org The grand marshall of this year’s parade is Peter O’Brien, Sr., President and CEO of MADO Management.He was born and raised right here in Chicago to a family of Irish roots, and he has become a community and civic leader as well as national advocate for mental health and substance use treatment equity.  His company, MADO, is named in honor of his parents Mary and Dan O’Brien. This year’s Parade Queen, Grace, was chosen by a panel of judges and she will be making her 2024 Parade debut! You can catch the parade on Saturday, March 16th starting at 12:15PM, with a live broadcast on ABC 7 Chicago. It will also be live streamed on ABC7CHICAGO.com and the ABC 7 News App. If you’d like to catch the river dyeing, you’ll want to get a spot along the Michigan Avenue Bridge, between Columbus Drive and State Street before 10AM. And the best views are from Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus and Fairbanks.  Please note, businesses along the Riverwalk will be closed on Parade Day, and the stairwells leading to the lower riverwalk will be closed. Public transportation to and from the parade is recommended due to the high volume of visitors and parade viewers, and multiple street closures; CTA train stations in the Loop are walking distance from the parade procession route. he parade will kick off at Grant Park before marching its way North on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive, so make sure you arrive early to get a prime spot!  Entry to the parade route begins at 10AM and will only be allowed at Jackson Avenue and Ida B. Wells. The main Viewing Stand is located at the Buckingham Fountain, and this is where dancers and bands will pause to wave to attendees, so you’ll want to arrive early to secure the best spot.  Grandstand VIP Seating is $65/seat to be purchased in advance, and the grandstand will open at 10:30AM.  March 15th at 8AM is the last day to purchase tickets no refunds will be given, and ticket + ID is required for entry. Security will be checking bags and personal items such as purses; note that coolers, alcohol of any kind, open beverages, and personal water bottles won’t be allowed. The Northwest Side Irish Parade will be taking place on March 17th 2024 at 12PM starting between Northwest HWY and Raven.  Parade participants will arrive at 10AM, and the parade will kick-off at 12PM for bystanders and onlookers.  Check out their Facebook Page for more information. The Southsiide Irish Parade will be on March 17th starting at 12PM and will kick off at 103rd and Western Avenue, and march south to 115th and Western.  The parade is approximately two hours long, and full event details, including events before and after, can be viewed on their website. May every petal of the shamrock bring you joy and good luck We hope you all have a happy, fun, and safe trip to the parade this year. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Classic Auto Group!

Today is National Safety Day, and we thought it would be a great idea to share some descriptions of different car safety features on the market today.  We understand that buying and shopping or cars is not part of our customer’s daily lives, and not everyone is as familiar with the terminology and lingo of the field!  We hope our guide will help you learn more about these important tech and safety features so you can get the most out of your vehicle. more What’s the difference between passive and active safety features? Passive Safety Features are features such as seat belts, airbags, side-impact beams, head restraints to prevent neck injuries, shatterproof glass,  Anti-lock Braking systems, crumple zones, and park assist. Active Safety Features include systems such as, electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, headlight aiming systems, driver monitoring/driver drowsiness detection, blind spot detection, Lane Keep assist/Lane Departure warnings, tire pressure monitoring systems, etc. Here are four of the latest top safety features to consider when shopping for a new vehicle: Forward Collision Warning - This safety feature helps monitor the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you by utilizing sensors, cameras, and radar systems.  Your vehicle will use this data to help warn of impending events with visual and auditory cues to alert you, giving you extra time to react and avoid an accident. Rear Parking Sensors/Camera - Avoid unnecessary dings and dents from bumping curbs and signs, and keep an extra eye out for pedestrians and other vehicles with the use of rear cameras.  The sensor system will help you back into and out of confined spaces with ease, alerting you to any potential danger or collision with audible alerts and visuals on the infotainment center. Most rear sensors also have an optional parking guide with lines and arrows designed to help you line up the spot properly. Driver Attention/Driver Alert Warning systems - Being always on the go from work to school to activities, it’s no surprise that we’re all a little worn out by the end of the day.  Avoid collisions due to exhaustion and falling asleep behind the wheel thanks to this specialized system.  Having this Driver Attention System in place can help monitor your concentration level and steering wheel use, and lets you know when you need to refocus or pull over and take a short rest.  If you need a break please take one; this system alert can provide with that much needed reminder that distracted driving is a real safety concern! Pedestrian Detection Systems - The advanced driver assistance system uses built-in sensors, cameras, and AI technology ato identify the presence of pedestrians around and behind your vehicle. It detects human movements, and some versions of the system may even apply the brakes if the driver does not respond quickly to the alert. It acts as an additional set of eyes and alerts the driver or may automatically apply the brakes when a pedestrian is in the path of the vehicle at speeds of 25mph+.