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Press release
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Montreal, March 11th 2008 |
| H. Grégoire's experts share 10 professional pointers
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Choosing the right used car
H. Grégoire's experts share 10 professional pointers
H. Grégoire's rapid growth and success it sells more vehicles than any other company in Canada are
mainly due to its expertise in buying and evaluating the vehicles that go into its inventory. Here
are 10 tips that H. Grégoire's specialists consider essential. They will help consumers make a sound
choice when looking for the car of their dreams.
Establish your budget. Figure out what kind of budget you can allocate to your new vehicle. The amount must
cover the costs of maintaining and operating the vehicle, and include things like
license plates and insurance. Remember that the best price is one that fits your budget.
You'll enjoy your new vehicle more if you don't have to worry about your finances.
Define your needs. You also need to decide what your needs are. Take the time to think about how you'll be using your vehicle in a
typical year. Knowing this will help you decide which type of vehicle is best for you. Depending on what you plan
to use it for, you could opt for a sub-compact, compact, midsize, crossover, minivan, sport utility vehicle or a pick-up.
State your criteria. If you are talking to a used car dealer, clearly expressing your selection criteria
(points 1 and 2) to your sales representative is essential. For example, if you are looking for a minivan,
do you need a three-row seating? Is fuel economy a priority? Or is it more important to have a powerful engine
for towing a trailer or boat? Also, for other types of vehicles, are luxury options important for you? Don't hesitate
to let the seller know what your budget limits are.
Take a step back. Once you have identified a vehicle that fits your budget and criteria, look at the big
picture and ask yourself whether it suits you. Can you live with this car? Do you like the colour? The
general look? Your initial intuition will help you notice concrete things that could bother you as time goes on.
Detailed inspection of the exterior. Once you have found a vehicle that works for you, carefully examine the main
parts of the body. Look closely at the rocker panels, wheel housings, trunk and hood openings, the door sills and
lower door panels to spot any traces of corrosion which could change the appearance of your vehicle in the near
future. Also, try to check if the vehicle is hiding any sloppy bodywork. Is the paint even in terms of colour and
texture? On a low-mileage vehicle, for example, paint should not be tarnished by the weather.
Detailed inspection of the interior. The passenger compartment's condition is often a reflection of the vehicle's
overall condition. Take the time to check both the front and back seats and lift the carpet to look at the floors.
Do the fabric, leather or plastic look normal for their age? Look at the pedals, too. If the rubber on the pedals
is overly worn, this sometimes means it has been driven hard … An unkempt passenger compartment is often a sign of
hit-and-miss maintenance. The state of the trunk can also tell you whether the vehicle has been used for commercial
purposes, or for heavy work.
Accessory check and test drive. Start the vehicle and try out all of the accessories to make sure they work. The
air conditioning, for instance, can be expensive to fix once you've bought the car. Let the motor run for a few
minutes and run the A/C on high. If the air is still hot, there's a problem. Then take it for a test drive. The
test drive has to be long enough to detect any problems, and should include a few highway kilometres. Turn off
the radio and listen for any noise from the body or other unusual sounds. After a few minutes on the road, stop
the car and check the exhaust. Light blue smoke from the tailpipe could indicate engine problems.
Check the brakes. Accelerate, then slow down and brake vigorously to check the condition of the brakes. Check
the emergency brake as well. If it has not been used regularly, the brake cable could be seized and may need
to be replaced.
Check the transmission. For an automatic transmission, force it to shift by accelerating quickly. Speeds should
change quietly without any slipping. Also check the manual shifting available on some models, as well as the
downshift modes (1st and 2nd, etc.) available on most automatics. For a manual transmission, try all of the
gears and check the height of the clutch pedal. It may be excessively worn or need adjusting. If in doubt,
request an evaluation for clutch wear.
Get a report on the vehicle's history. The most reliable indication of the quality of a used car is without a doubt
its use history as, no matter how many precautions you take, a vehicle's defects can be hard to detect. CarProof reports,
for example, have a reputation for containing reliable information on previous registrations, claims (accidents, damage,
thefts, etc.), odometer records, liens, etc. H. Grégoire is the only business in its sector in Québec to provide these
reports to customers free of charge.
And, last but not least, the most important tip of all: ask questions! If you have any doubts or queries, don't hesitate
to demand straight answers from the seller. Remember that honest dealers have nothing to hide.
Contact :
Michelle Therrien
H. Grégoire
Tél. : 450-472-7272 poste : 182
Web : www.hgreg.com
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Montreal, February 2nd 2008 |
| H. Gregoire pursues its growth and opens its first Yamaha branch in Quebec
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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
H. Gregoire pursues its growth and opens its first Yamaha branch in Quebec
The new H. Gregoire Yamaha branch will specialize in the sale and rental of recreational vehicles
Montreal, February 2nd 2008 - H. Gregoire, Canada's car superstore and a market leader in the automotive
sector, is pursuing its growth with the opening of the first Yamaha branch located in the H. Gregoire
store at 1840 Chemin Chambly in Carignan. This new Yamaha branch will specialize in the sale and rental
of recreational vehicles, both new and used.
We are responding to the ever growing demand of our South Shore customers, who want to be able to buy or
lease recreational vehicles at H. Gregoire, explains Michelle Therrien, the company's spokesperson and
marketing director. With the new H. Gregoire Yamaha branch in Carignan, we are responding to the needs of
our clients by making available the entire range of Yamaha products, which are recognized for their quality
and performance. We are proud of this new 10,000 square foot Yamaha branch, she adds.
H. Grégoire Yamaha:
his is the first H. Gregoire Yamaha branch to open its doors in the province of Quebec. The new branch
will offer a full range of recreational vehicles (ATTs, boats, watercrafts, motorcycles, outboard motors,
etc.) and a wide array of complementary products, such as pontoons, generators, modification parts, and
specialized clothing and equipment. In addition, H. Gregoire Yamaha will offer customers both new and used products.
Customers can buy or lease:
Whether customers are looking to buy or lease a recreational product, H. Gregoire Yamaha is standing by,
ready to meet their needs. The ever popular 4-4-4 seasonal leasing program will also be available. It
features three consecutive four-month rentals of three different types of vehicles (crafts, all-terrain
vehicles and motorcycles to name a few).
Storing and winterizing:
To serve its customers seeking to winterize their nautical products, H. Gregoire Yamaha offers this specialized
service, as well. And for those wanting to store any recreational product during any season, there are more
than 300 storage spaces available for all types of vehicles, including crafts, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles
to name a few.
Exclusive product:
Those who love to keep up with the trends will be glad to learn that H. Gregoire Yamaha will be the sole Quebec
distributor of the Skeeter bass boat. The Skeeter is a fibreglass outboard fishing boat specially designed for
bass, pickerel and bay fishing. Renowned for their cutting-edge design, agility and stability, Skeeter boats
are ideal crafts featuring the state-of-the-art technology of the Yamaha outboards.
H. Gregoire - Canada's car superstore
Founded in 2003, used car specialist H. Gregoire - Canada's car superstore became the hands down industry leader
in record time, in Quebec. With annual sales of approximately 15,000 vehicles, H. Gregoire is overtaking the
competition and pursuing its growth at a stellar pace. Since its inception, H. Gregoire has invested over $50
million in outfitting its vast network of branches spread out in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Carignan and Saint-Eustache,
and its prestige division. H. Gregoire has also added two new superstores since July 2007: one in Montreal (on Jean-Talon),
and in Longueuil (Taschereau Boulevard). In November 2007, H. Gregoire launched the first H. Gregoire Express store in Quebec.
The company has over 600 employees and generates more than 400 spin-off jobs.
Contact :
Michelle Therrien
H. Grégoire
Tél. : 450-472-7272 poste : 182
Web : www.hgreg.com
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Montreal, September 4th 2008
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| Free CarProof for every client: a Québec first
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Press release
For immediate release
Free CarProof for every client: a Québec first
H. Grégoire is now offering the country's most comprehensive online vehicle history reports for all of its used cars.
Montreal, September 4th 2007 - Today, Canada's leader in vehicle resales, H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore
announced that it would henceforth be offering CarProof online vehicle history reports for every vehicle in stock,
free of charge. Clients who want to know more about the history of the vehicle they're interested in can check the
reports on line or request a print copy from any H. Grégoire Superstore.
CarProof, a Canadian company based in London, Ontario, provides the most detailed and complete vehicle history
reports in the industry, for every type of vehicle. This is possible because the CarProof service is directly
connected live to major industry databases, including databases for the insurance industry, claims adjusters
and Canadian government registrars. CarProof also offers highly detailed histories on used vehicles from the
United States. Every report is generated live guaranteeing the most up-to-date information available is included
in a CarProof report.
Our success is based on the quality of our inventory and our complete transparency where information about our
vehicles is concerned, says Greg Hairabedian, president and founder of H. Grégoire. We are very proud to help
our clients make perfectly informed decisions and, as we've shown, this is a win-win proposition. From this vantage
point, CarProof is a perfect partner for us, as it imbues the process with unbeatable credibility. We give our customers
access to the tools they need to make an informed decision, at no extra cost to them.
The CarProof network is the only one with live access to all Canadian insurance industry reports, including data on
accident damage, as well as information on vehicles from the United States (20 million records). CarProof
reports are easy for the general public to consult, and include:
- Previous registrations
- Claims (accidents, damage, thefts, etc.)
- Verifiable Odometer records
- Liens (liens financiers)
- Complete U.S. history
These benefits add to the numerous advantages already offered by H. Grégoire, in particular an unparalleled
selection of vehicles of every category offered at the best price on the market, with top of the line guarantees
and after-sales service.
Founded in 2003, used car sales expert H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore has risen to become the hands-down
leader in its field in record time, in Québec. With annual sales of around 15,000 vehicles, H. Grégoire outstrips
the competition and continues to expand at a breakneck pace. Since its inception, H. Grégoire has invested more
than $50 million in setting up huge branches in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Carignan and Saint-Eustache, as well as
its Prestige location. Since July 2006, H. Grégoire has added one new Superstore, in Montréal (on Jean Talon Street).
The business employs more than 600 people and its operations generate more than 400 indirect jobs.
Contact :
Michelle Therrien
H. Grégoire
Tél. : 450-472-7272 poste : 182
Web : www.hgreg.com
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Biography
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| Michelle Therrien - Marketing Director and Spokesperson |
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Michelle Therrien - Marketing Director and Spokesperson
H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore
Continuing a brilliant career in communications that began nearly 20 years ago, since 2003, Michelle Therrien
has been channelling her talents into serving the largest automobile resale business in Canada. As a speaker,
she is known for her enthusiasm, direct approach and lucid explanations. Her meticulously articulated and clearly
expressed marketing strategies build loyalty in a growing clientele.
Initially a radio host for CJMS and CKMF, her great versatility as a communicator and her remarkable stage
presence quickly garnered a number of mandates hosting live events.
Seven years in radio and hosting resulted in an undeniable media presence for Michelle Therrien, with visibility
that would soon serve her well in the television industry. During the mid-90s, she made her debut on the small
screen hosting Météomedia. She remained there for 13 years and, for the last 7 years of this period, also worked
as a host on RDS.
It was during this time that, in 2003, a chance encounter with Greg Hairabedian, president and founder of H. Grégoire -
Canada's Car Superstore, changed the course of her career. Appointed Director of Marketing and spokesperson
for H. Grégoire, she held these positions for 2 years while continuing to act as a host for Météomédia.
Two years of running non-stop: a full-time job at H. Grégoire while getting up at 3:30 a.m. to work at Météomédia.
She eventually chose to dedicate herself completely to H. Grégoire, the company she loves. Michelle Therrien has
since come to be recognized by the public and the media as the face of H. Grégoire in Québec. Besides her duties
as spokesperson, Michelle directs the activities of the marketing department.
A dynamic and committed woman, she still finds time to dedicate to her favourite pastime, golf. And what kind of car
does she drive? Picture her joyfully zipping along at the wheel of her Audi S4 Cabrio with Tiptronic transmission
(an automatic that lets you change gears manually!).
It had only 25,000 km on it when I bought it: it was love at first sight and an incredible deal, says the bold
spokesperson. This powerful, sporty convertible truly expresses the way I see the future I envision for this business:
the sky is the limit!
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Fact sheet
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| H. Gregory - Canada's Car Superstore |
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Fact sheet
Pour diffusion immédiate
H. Grégoire -Canada's Car Superstore
Founded in 2003, used car sales expert H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore has risen to become the hands-down
leader in its field in record time, in Québec. With annual sales of around 15,000 vehicles, H. Grégoire outstrips
the competition and continues to expand at a breakneck pace. Since its inception, H. Grégoire has invested more
than $50 million in setting up huge branches in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Carignan and Saint-Eustache, as well as its
Prestige location. Since July 2006, H. Grégoire has added one new Superstore, in Montréal (on Jean Talon Street).
The business employs more than 600 people and its operations generate more than 400 indirect jobs.
The Company :
Corporate name : H. Grégoire - Canada's Car Superstore
Status : Private company
Founded : 2003
Sales : $236 million
Senior management : M. Greg Hairabedian, president and founder
Employees : 600
Head Office :
H. GRÉGOIRE
625, rue Dubois
St-Eustache (Québec)
J7P 3W1
Tel : (450) 472-7272
Fax : (514) 472-0559
Superstores :
St-Eustache (625, rue Dubois)
Laval (2470, boul.Curé-Labelle)
Carignan (1840, chemin Chambly)
Trois-Rivières (7300, Notre-Dame Ouest)
Montréal (4901, rue Jean-Talon)
wEB Site: www.hgreg.com
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History
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| H. Grégoire
- Le mégacentre auto du Canada |
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History
For immediate release
H. Gregory - Canada's Car Superstore
With sales reaching 15,000 used vehicles a year (2006), expert H. Grégoire, founded in 2003, has risen to become
the hands-down leader in its field, not only for Québec, but for all of Canada. No other business that specializes
in automobile resales comes close to rivalling its dazzling growth.
Since its inception, H. Grégoire has invested more than $50 million in setting up huge superstores in Trois-Rivières,
Laval, Carignan and Saint-Eustache, as well as its Prestige location. Since July 2006, H. Grégoire has added one new
superstore, in Montréal (on Jean Talon Street). The business employs more than 600 people and its operations generate
more than 400 indirect jobs
To grasp H. Grégoire's surprising emergence as market leader, it is important to look at the path taken by founder
Greg Hairabedian, who has been working in the automobile industry for several years.
Mr. Hairabedian's career as an entrepreneur began when he founded Vente d'auto HG, a company located on Autoroute
640 in St-Eustace, and specialized in used minivan sales. HG rapidly became THE touchstone in its specialized market
for the entire Greater Montréal area.
The businessman then identified a unique business opportunity: selling used vehicles (bought in Québec at great prices)
in the United States, where the used car resale market is booming. He acquired used vehicles, often almost new,
directly from dealers, then resold them through his own American auctions, as well as through other U.S. used car
resellers and auctions. Mr. Hairabedian mined this vein until the Canadian dollar appreciated in 2003.
The undauntable entrepreneur then once again identified a new niche and implemented a marketing concept that
was different from what was going on locally, drawing on the American automobile auctions he became familiar with
in his previous business initiative.
In 2003, Encan Direct H. Grégoire opened for business, using one simple principle: offering Québec consumers the best prices
possible by holding public auctions every Sunday. The company name was inspired by the company's vocation as well as by how
it was acquiring its used cars. However, demand was so strong and pressing for a multitude of vehicles in every category
that the company quickly abandoned auctions to focus on selling used vehicles from multiple sources.
This success is in large part founded on what has become a maxim and business principle for the company: To sell well,
you have to know how to buy. From this point of view, H. Grégoire's success is based on its purchasing power and its
capacity for choosing its inventory with infinite care, selecting each vehicle according to high standards of quality
and market trends, seasonal demand and the evolution of consumers' habits. Their sales and the consumer confidence
they have generated leave no doubt that they have created a winning formula.
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