CAG Newsletter | Edition 2 – August 2023

 




Our Second Newsletter

Welcome back everyone to the second edition of the Competition Automotive Group Newsletter!

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to share the various happenings around our dealerships that have occurred in the time in between the last newsletter, as well as some fun news of what is to come! We hope that you enjoy Volume 2!





Honoring the Life and Legacy of Joseph C. Buzzetta, Founder of The Competition Automotive Group

Joseph C. Buzzetta, 86, of Saint James NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023.  He was born December 30, 1936, in Ozone Park, New York to his parents John and Anna Buzzetta.  His family moved out to Huntington New York around 1950, where he attended and graduated from Huntington High School.  He later went on to meet the love of his life, Valerie, and they married in 1957.

Soon after, Joe enlisted in the US Army, where he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Joe and Valerie’s adventure began when they bought an Austin-Healey and started participating in club racing events and tour Europe.  After seeing the successful results of his competitors driving the Porsche 356, Joe and Valerie made the switch.

After returning to the US at the end of his service, the racing continued for years to come.  In Smithtown NY, Joe opened a repair shop alongside Oscar Rubio in 1962 called Competition Imports, where they would work during the week and go racing on weekends.  Joe’s racing career took off after getting contracted to race for the factory Porsche racing team in 1964. His success continued throughout his career with the brand, where he earned a reputation for being fast, earning consistent results, and always bringing the car home in one piece.  Joe’s most notable success was winning the 1967 Nürburgring 1000KM race and multiple class victories at Daytona, Sebring and other races.  He raced for Porsche through 1969.  After much success, he shifted his focus to growing the business and raising his family with Valerie.

Joe enjoyed going into the office on a consistent basis up until his final couple of years. He enjoyed flying, boating, and travel.  After many years of working in the car business, Competition Automotive Group still remains successful at the helm of his children with various franchises including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Infiniti and Subaru.  He is survived by his sons Joe and Jim, his daughter Nancy, his multiple grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.









One Tree Planted with a Purchase
or Lease of a New Car

In the first issue of our Competition Automotive Group Newsletter, we discussed the mission statement and partnership that Competition Subaru has with One Tree Planted, a non-profit environmental charity that focuses on global reforestation. Thank you so much to everyone for their continued support! If you haven’t heard, when you purchase or lease a vehicle through Competition Subaru, we plant a tree as a way to thank our Earth as well as help in preserving her!

The entirety of Competition Auto Group is pleased to join Competition Subaru of Smithtown in their partnership with One Tree Planted! What started out as philanthropic passion through #SubaruLovesTheEarth blossomed into a fruitful relationship with all of our sister stores! One Tree Planted is a worldwide nonprofit organization that protects Mother Earth by renewing her natural resources! One Tree Planted fights deforestation, climate change, increasing carbon emissions, a lack of biodiversity and more with the incredible power of trees! One Tree Planted has been digging since 2014! In 2023 they celebrated planting 100 million trees!

A partnership with One Tree Planted benefits not only Long Island, but our fragile Earth! Trees are utilized due to their ability to: improve physical and mental health, improve air and water quality as well as watershed health, absorb carbon, help regulate the climate and create sustenance and jobs! Trees are also utilized as shelters and help protect biodiversity.

Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown was the first of our automotive group to follow suit and grow with One Tree Planted. Competition BMW, Mercedes-Benz of Huntington and Competition INFINITI are proud to foster roots and grow an unbreakable partnership with One Tree Planted as well! Every time a New or Pre-Owned vehicle gets sold from any of our Competition Auto Group dealerships, One Tree Planted will coddle, grow and plant a tree for every single car that leaves our lots! Join Competition Auto Group in maximizing eco-friendliness by purchasing a New or Pre-Owned vehicle from any of our 5 dealerships. Planting a tree in your honor would be our absolute honor!

As of 2023, Competition Automotive Group and One Tree Planted have planted over 5,252 trees to date in the most needed areas of America!



Mercedes-Benz of Huntington has double-downed in showcasing our passion for innovative Mercedes-EQ vehicles, philanthropic events and getting you into the Mercedes-Benz of your dreams even quicker!

Spoiler Alert!: Save the date for October 8th, 2023!



Mercedes-Benz of Huntington Holds Electric Dream Days Event in ELECTRIC LOUNGE

Mercedes-Benz of Huntington had an amazing night of luxury and innovation in their awesome electric lounge! Customers enjoyed music, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, raffles, and giveaways, in this unique immersive experience! Many chose to take a Mercedes-EQ vehicle of their choice for a spin, while others who had questions about the Mercedes-EQ lineup got to look at various information stations, or sit in on a presentation by Service Manager, Steve Young. Everyone also had a blast taking pictures in front of the Mercedes-Benz of Huntington electric themed Photobooth! Be sure to check out all of the photos at https://bit.ly/3O0Qdrp!



Mercedes-Benz of Huntington Now Offering Same Day Delivery!

It’s been said that the anticipation is half of the fun, but why wait if you don’t have to?! Mercedes-Benz of Huntington is proud to now offer same day delivery for any vehicle purchased or leased from our showroom! Find your perfect silver-starred vehicle in the morning and be cruising around Long Island by sunset! Once you found your favorite on our showroom floor or spacious lot, you’ll be able to get into your dream vehicle even faster with the help of Mercedes-Benz of Huntington. Stop by Huntington to find your dream vehicle and take it home today!



Save The Date for Cars and Coffee 2023!

Mercedes-Benz of Huntington is proud to announce that Cars and Coffee 2023 will take place on October 8th, 2023! This year, we are honored to be benefiting Alternatives for Children, an organization that is very near and dear to our heart! Be sure to mark your calendars, so that you don’t miss out on this morning of cars, refreshments, coffee, food trucks, music, giveaways, raffles, and so much more!



Competition Subaru of Smithtown has continued the year of 2023 with philanthropy that warms our hearts, involves some cute critters and encourages everyone to get along!



Competition Subaru Proud Sponsor of Sweetbriar Nature Center

During Spring of 2023, Competition Subaru of Smithtown was presented with an inspiring opportunity to visit the Sweetbriar Nature Center, located in Smithtown, New York! The Sweetbriar Nature Center is a local non-profit Nature Preserve focused on environmental preservation and education, protective and medical services for wildlife as well as a home for some special critters! The Sweetbriar Nature Center focuses on aiding wildlife and encouraging public awareness. We were so fortunate to be welcomed with open arms, talons and paws!

 Competition Subaru was given a tour of the Sweetbriar Nature Preserve and explored the wonderful amenities offered to their permanent and non-permanent wildlife residents. From exploring the Butterfly Vivarium before it was open to the public for the summer or taking a tour of some of the 54 acres available for all creatures, it was a genuine treat! Seeing the variety of wildlife and habitats as well as experiencing informative rooms like the Reptile Room and the Rainforest Room, was inspiring, adorable and educational for everyone involved, across all ages! Every element of our tour was punctuated with personal anecdotes, fun facts and instructions on suggested rescue methods (if any!). Some animals simply need to be left alone regardless of their situation and making sure the public knows the correct way to #LoveTheEarth is extremely important to the Sweetbriar Nature Center’s day-to-day operations.

The Sweetbriar Nature Center left a mark on Competition Subaru of Smithtown and we desired to do more! We were so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to sponsor their 2023 Butterfly and Bird Festival! There is no greater feeling than supporting and enriching our local community! To learn more about the Sweetbriar Nature Center and their positive impact on Long Island, check out our blog post highlighting this selfless center and their well-intended events!



Competition Subaru Holds First Cars and Coffee Event

Competition Subaru of Smithtown kicked off their summer by holding their first ever Cars and Coffee Event on May 7th, 2023! The Subaru community as well as car enthusiasts from all over Long Island came and enjoyed the awesome weather, delicious bagels and coffee from Beans Bagels in St. James, and beautiful vehicles of all makes and models! Everyone had a wonderful time spending time with friends and family!







Subaru Motorsports Car Rally

Competition Subaru of Smithtown is always eager to involve ourselves in our community! Previously, Competition Subaru hosted our WRX STI Rallycross Car Show in August of 2022! Travis Pastrana’s very own Rallycross Subaru WRX STI was in attendance, as was a plethora of Subaru enthusiasts! Subaru fans came from near and far to participate in our car show event, enter in our raffles, and enjoy our exciting Subaru giveaways located in the Subaru Motorsports USA Display Trailer! Our passionate guests also enjoyed eating delicious food from local vendors, voting in our car show contest, and seeing the deserving winners accept their spectacular prizes!

On August 17th, 2023, our dealership hosted our very-own, very exciting Subaru Motorsports Car Show from 4-8pm! With August’s event came a Meet and Greet with professional skateboarder and rallycross driver, Bucky Lasek, as well as delicious Halal food from a local food truck, Terry and Yaki! Hosting Bucky was a bundle of fun. We had a blast hanging out with him as he met and chatted with everyone, checked our their sweet rides, and signed autographs, posters, helmets, intake covers, license plates, and anything our community could carry! Everyone brought their immense appetite, cool cars and unique objects to get signed! We are extremely excited to continue hosting our passionate Subaru community in Saint James, New York!



Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown has had a great consolidation of both philanthropic events as well as amazing new arrivals! Striking a perfect balance was the perfect way to initiate the year of 2023 and all of the excitement that follows suit!



Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown Holds Electrify Your Future Expo Event

Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown kicked off the summer with their fun and innovative Electrify Your Future Event! From 4 PM- 7 PM, visitors were able to test-drive the Mercedes-EQ lineup, ask EV questions, and get hands-on experience with charging, all while enjoying live music, refreshments, desserts, and giveaways! We had such a great time introducing St. James to the world of electric cars! Be sure to check out more photos at: https://bit.ly/3O1c6XQ!







Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown Introduces Summer Series

Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown is happy to roll out their Summer Series for the first time ever! We all know that the summer time is the best time to go to your favorite happy hour, so why not extend the savings with your favorite dealership!

Enjoy special offers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5 PM – 7 PM!
Choose from having your first payment waived up to $750 on all new leases, complimentary All Weather Mats, or a Chargepoint Home Flex Charger! YOU CHOOSE!
With so much in our current inventory, you are sure to find the vehicle of your dreams, so come on down and sweeten up your summer with your new favorite happy hour!



Competition BMW of Smithtown had a wonderful time with clients, friends and co-workers during the transitional period between the conclusion of 2022 and the introduction of 2023!



BMW Electrified Showcase

Competition BMW of Smithtown is proud to announce that during the first half of 2023, both our doors and our arms have been open to many! In March, we hosted our BMW Electrified Showcase at Competition Smithtown with awesome giveaways and delicious cupcakes from Baked By Melissa! The BMW XM was the star of the night. Guests from all ends of Long Island came to our dealership to see the first ever, all-electric BMW M Model, the BMW XM! With a Competition BMW of Smithtown tote bag in hand and a cupcake the other, everyone in attendance had an awe-inspiring time gazing upon the fastest BMW M Model to date!





#CompetitionCares: Meet Tim

During the month of April, Competition BMW of Smithtown discovered that fate works in quite magical ways! We are so excited to announce that our dealership has donated a handicap-accessible 2020 Honda Odyssey Van! Our dealership principal, Joe Buzzetta Jr., was grabbing a cup of coffee when he saw Tim. Tim is a local Long Island resident who has been traveling via a remote wheelchair on our local roads for the last 9 years. Coincidentally, our dealership still had our beloved Joe Buzzetta Sr.’s handicap-accessible Van! Our entire dealership is honored to have the incredible opportunity to change Tim’s life (and daily commute!)

We are so eager to announce that we have donated our handicap-accessible mini-van to Tim! Tim was so excited to gain back his license and get an even more grand scale of independence! It warms our heart to help out Tim. Thank you so much to the Buzzetta Family for their generosity! For more information, check out our blog post! Safest travels Tim!



The BMW M4 CSL

In March, Competition BMW of Smithtown’s showroom received quite the gem! Our dealership was 1 of 300 in the United States and 1 of 1,000 in the entire world to receive and sell the Limited Edition BMW M4 CSL!

What makes this BMW M4 extremely special isn’t just its limited number of units! This M Model from BMW has achieved the fastest Nurburgring lap time with its 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline-6 cylinder engine capable of 543 horses with carbon fiber as far as the eye can see! This rare BMW has a carbon fiber hood, trunk, roof, bucket seat, rear diffuser, front splitters and canards as well as an Alcantara steering wheel and rear seat delete! You can also find CSL badging and CSL-specific upholstery within its cool cabin!



Every piece of this limited edition BMW M4 was crafted to excite both BMW enthusiasts as well as all car enthusiasts. From its impressive and lightweight body frame, to its scarcity, Competition BMW was so proud to foster this M model before finding it its forever home!







Competition INFINITI of Smithtown has continued to uphold the best level of customer service possible! Whether it be showing our amazing visitors undivided INFINITI-attention, highlighting our latest inventory or displaying our appreciation to our Certified INFINITI-trained technicians, Competition INFINITI is ready to take on all your vehicle’s needs!



Award of Excellence & Circle of Excellence

Competition INFINITI is dedicated to serving our friends and family with the most outgoing customer service, speedy service appointments and the newest vehicles possible. The personal interactions are enriching enough for our staff, receiving an achievement for such is a true honor!

Our dealership is proud to complete all standards needed for receiving both the INFINITI Award of Excellence Program as well as the INFINITI Circle of Excellence Award! In order to be eligible for INFINITI’s Award of Excellence Program, various goals must be met. These goals include but are not limited to: Customer Experience Excellence, Positive Factory Relations, Compliance with the INFINITI Advertising Program and Meeting and Exceeding both the National Average for ISSI, Sales Satisfaction, as well as for ICSI, Service Satisfaction.

Not only did Competition INFINITI accomplish all of the requirements for the Award of Excellence Program, our results were so successful that they were considered above the average! Competition INFINITI is overjoyed to receive the Award of Excellence as well!

This is an immense honor as only the top 25 retailers (based on all of the aforementioned rankings) are able to receive the prestigious Award of Excellence!

Competition INFINITI is so proud of every member of our team. All of our employees work seamlessly together and have dedicated their time to accomplishing not just these standards, but passionately exceeding its expectations! Our team is motivated to continue to present even better interactions and rank higher next year!



Competition INFINITI Shows Appreciation for Service Technicians

Did you know that June was National Automotive Service Professional Month? To celebrate this awesome occasion, Competition INFINITI was honored to show our thanks to our hardworking and talented INFINITI technicians by hosting a Technician Appreciation Breakfast! We are so glad to be able to show our team just how much we appreciate all that they do!



Upcoming Models

As technology advances further and further, your favorite vehicle brands have been coming out with new cars that have been amazing us more than we thought possible! Check out these new and upcoming vehicles to get the inside scoop!

The Mercedes-Benz CLE
The Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe and Cabriolet will release during the year of 2024! Combining the innovations from both of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Mercedes-Benz CLE will be the largest coupe in the midsize segment! With a shark nose front, pronounced shoulders and large wheel arches, both Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown and Mercedes-Benz of Huntington are eager to get this brand-new CLE class from Mercedes-Benz into our showrooms in 2024!



The Subaru Impreza RS

The 2024 Subaru Impreza RS is a real head-turner! With RS-exclusive Cloth upholstery with red accents, 18-inch dark-gray alloy wheels and a 182 horsepower 2.5 liter SUBARU BOXER engine, both its aesthetics and technicalities are ready to drive you to excitement! Coming in 2024, the Subaru Impreza RS will receive a warm welcome into our family of impressive Subaru vehicles!



The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

Subaru of America is proud to soon offer the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness during the year of 2024! Redesigned for all adventures, the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness has 9.3 excited inches of ground clearance and matte black body-cladding for the ultimate protection during the coolest off-road climbs! Described as Subaru’s most capable Crosstrek yet, we’ll know more about this rugged Subaru trail-taker when its release date draws near!



The BMW XM Label Red

The BMW XM Label Red is following the presence of its predecessor, the BMW XM. The BMW XM was released during the first quarter of 2023 as the first BMW CM Label models. The BMW XM Label Red is anticipated to release during the late summer of 2023! This speedy SUV from BMW will house up to 735 horsepower and 735 lb-feet of torque. Drivers can choose between strikingly unique shades or mesmerizing matte tones. No matter the selection, you’ll be driving around with the custom wheel, upholstery, trim colors and accents of your dreams!  Details on how to order this BMW XM Label Red will be released at a later date, keep in contact with Competition BMW of Smithtown through our social media for all up-to-date information!

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Competition Automotive Group Celebrates Employee Anniversaries

With so many of our employees working here for many years, it is no wonder that it feels like you are working with family! This year we are celebrating a few special employee’s anniversaries!

Tom Palmero of Mercedes-Benz of Huntington – 10 Years
Tom Palmero is a Service Advisor here at Mercedes-Benz of Huntington! Our Service Advisors are the main communication between customers and our technicians to make sure that their vehicles receive the proper services and care that they need!

James Buzzetta Jr. of Competition Subaru of Smithtown – 15 Years
James Buzzetta is Competition Subaru’s General Manager! The General Manager oversees all departments from Sales, Service, Parts, and Support, to make sure that all is running smoothly!

Michael Demeo of Competition INFINITI of Smithtown – 30 Years
Michael Demeo is one of the talented technicians on the Competition INFINITI team! Our technicians are factory trained to service each vehicle to manufacturer’s standards! They go through vigorous training to be certified INFINITI technicians and work on our customer’s vehicles!

We appreciate the time and dedication that all of our employees put with our company, and value each and every skill that they bring to the table! Thank you for everything that you do, Tom, James, and Michael!



Competition Auto Group’s Green Initiative!

The Competition Auto Group is proud to be a part of the population that looks to be as eco-friendly as possible! Our various dealerships participate in many projects and initiatives both together and separately to demonstrate this, such as their partnerships with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization who’s mission statement is healing the Earth and its environment. Each store plants a tree every time a New or Pre-Owned Competition Auto-Group vehicle is sold! You can read more about our partnership, along with its benefits here!

Another proud initiative we have taken is informing our clients about the world of electric vehicles, and how they can be monumental for a more eco-friendly future! Our various models such as the Mercedes-EQ lineup, the Subaru Solterra, and BMW i vehicles have been a main focus of our dealerships!

Alongside our partnership with various organizations our stores like to do their own part as well! Take Competition Subaru of Smithtown and Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown for example!

Competition Subaru is honored to be a Subaru Eco-Friendly Retailer by meeting very specific certification requirements that center around energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, waste management, and community involvement! Read more about our Subaru dealership’s certification here!
Competition Subaru is also proud to partner with TerraCycle while our other stores take part in recycling. Terracycle reuses, upcycles, and recycles waste instead of incinerating it or putting it into a landfill. This recycled matter is then used to create eco-friendly seating that you can find around Competition Subaru of Smithtown!

Currently, Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown has solar panels installed for a more eco-friendly power source, and we hope to get them installed at the other stores as well!

We are also excited to have ordered reusable water bottles for the entire group to cut our waste, and we have so many more plans on the horizon!

The Earth is our home and there is no planet B. The Competition Automotive Group is proud to be doing our part and attempting to keep improving our environment as we go forward!





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Questions?

Our team is always here to help. Give us a ring at 877-893-1447.