Love Toby Keith? Love adventure? Love a good laugh? Then, you will definitely enjoy the new tale of “The Insiders.”

Follow the Insiders, two brothers named Turner Clay and John Will Clay, as they give unique updates from behind the scenes of Toby Keith’s Live In Overdrive tour presented by Ford F-Series. The three month trek, which began on June 14th in Salt Lake City, Utah and ends September 22nd in Boston, takes the two and their all-access passes from coast to coast and into parts of Canada. It is more than just a behind the scene look at what happens on tour… sometimes they become the scene on tour.

Here are just a few videos from this series that is a little bit country and a little bit of a rocky road.

Live in Overdrive: Week Three

Catching Toby Keith at His Bus

Don’t forget to enter for the chance to win your own Ford F-150 EcoBoost Truck and other prizes along the way. Check out WWW.TobyKeith.com/ford, for more details.

When you want to win at saving big on your next Ford, visit Planet Ford in Spring (serving the greater Houston area). For your new Ford, take the short drive on I-45! www.PlanetFord45.com

Randall Reed (center), Owner and President of World Class Automotive congratulates the Planet Ford and Planet Lincoln dealerships in Spring, Texas (serving greater Houston area) for making Automotive News’ Best Dealerships to Work For. Also photographed: Sean Burns, General Manager and Operating Partner (left) and Rick Ford, Chief Operating Officer (right)

World Class Automotive Group is pleased to announce that two of its locations have been named recipients of the top 100 automotive dealerships to work for in America!

Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring, Texas and Randall Reed’s Planet Lincoln in Spring, Texas made Automotive News’ inaugural Best Dealerships To Work For list.

“We’re very proud,” said Randall Reed, President and Owner of World Class Automotive. “The management, along with all of the members of the Planet Ford and Planet Lincoln family are now among the elite chosen as the best of the best in the country.”

The list was compiled based on employee workplace satisfaction scores that measured everything, from the quality of the work place to the treatment of the employees. “We have identified those dealerships and the recognition begins with this list of the top 100 places to work–a summary that honors new-car dealerships in the United States that have excelled in creating a quality work environment,” per a statement from Jason Stein, Editor of Automotive News.

“This is quite an honor,” said Shawn Burns, General Manager and Operating Partner at Planet Ford. “We have garnered many awards, but this one is truly special. We believe in creating a quality work environment where everyone can thrive, and this shows that our efforts are working.”

Both dealerships will not only be highlighted in an upcoming October issue of Automotive News, the dealerships and their management teams will be recognized at a gala hosted by the publication on October 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

Today, the dealership celebrated the top honor from Automotive News with a catered luncheon and party for both dealerships at the Planet Ford location in Spring.

“The automotive business is about the customers and their total satisfaction, but a key to achieving that goal is to have world class employees who enjoy what they do,” said Mr. Reed. “And, we have an incredible team of apparently VERY happy and excited associates numbering over 250 strong!“

About World Class Automotive Group
World Class Automotive Group is owned by Randall and Sherry Reed. The family-owned business is comprised of several dealerships throughout Texas, including: Planet Ford in Spring, Planet Lincoln in Spring, Planet Ford in Humble, Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM in Humble. Hillcrest Ford in Huntsville, Prestige Ford in Garland and Park Cities Ford and Lincoln in Dallas.

About Planet Ford and Planet Lincoln in Spring
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford is located at 20403 I-45 in Spring, Texas. The dealership has earned the honor of being the No. 1 Ford dealer in the area for 12 Years. Planet Lincoln is located at 20440 I-45 in Spring, Texas. Planet Ford and Planet Lincoln, serving the greater Houston area, offer new and quality pre-owned vehicles. In addition, Planet Ford and Planet Lincoln also provide full Service, Parts and Collision Departments.

*Based on retail sales reported by Ford annually since 1998.

The weather in Houston is starting to pick up, and it’s no secret that we’re starting to sweat more and more each hot and humid day. On place we always feel that wall of hot air is when we open up our car door. That’s because inside of our cars is the one of the hottest places. For example, when it’s only 72 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can rocket to 116 degrees within an hour, even with windows cracked.

Sadly, people still believe that bringing a pooch along for a quick ride and leaving them in the car for a “quick errand” can be harmless idea.  The harsh reality is that every year dogs die after being intentionally locked inside vehicles while their owners shop and run other errands.

Drivers need to be aware that a dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees, however dogs can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 degrees for only a short time before suffering organ failure, brain and nerve damage or even death.*

If losing your beloved pet wasn’t enough, police are now charging people for their negligence.  Recently, a Seattle man was charged with a felony of animal cruelty after leaving his dog, which suffered a fatal heat stroke, inside his parked car.**

If you see an animal in distress inside a vehicle, call your local animal control agency, police department or humane society immediately. And as always, stay tuned for more automotive news from Planet Ford in Spring. Log on to www.PlanetFord45.com for all of your automotive needs.

*Source: http://www.mydogiscool.com.

**Source: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-man-charged-after-dog-suffers-fatal-heat-1627394.php

For many students moving to Austin this fall for college, transportation to school and around Austin will be a key issue they will be facing.  A student’s transportation is an essential and vital part of their college life that gives them the luxury to be truly independent. We explore the many options of several vehicles out in the market today and found that only one car stood beyond any other as the best and most suitable option for Austin’s geography, climate and culture. That car is the — drum roll, please — 2011 Ford Fiesta!

The Ford Fiesta is capable of taking on the vast geography changes the city of Austin has to offer.  The city is in the heart of the Hill County, which means there are various elevations in and around the city.  One moment you can be driving at 425 feet above see level the next you’ll have to climb 1,000 feet. The Ford Fiesta has enough torque and horsepower to climb any of Austin’s terrain with ease.

Next, the climate in Austin is fairly difficult to predict, as with any other city in the great state of Texas. One moment you are enjoying great weather, the next you are running for cover from a thunderstorm. This is not a problem with the Ford Fiesta. It is equipped with AdvanceTrac® ESC.  This feature automatically applies the brakes and modulates engine torque whenever it detects wheel slippage, and it helps avoid skidding and fishtailing by controlling under steer and over steer issues. What does that all mean? It helps maintain control under unfavorable conditions such as ice, gravel or rain and provides more confident stopping power.

Finally, “Keep Austin Weird” has become a staple of Austin’s culture. This is why the Ford Fiesta fits in with city’s culture. The Fiesta has no qualms about standing out, from its sleek front end to its distinctive dragon-eye headlamps. A razor-slash side panel highlights the car’s cut-and-run stance, while the upswept rear end makes it look like it’s ready to launch. And with a starting price just under $14k its easy to own one.

Stop by Planet Ford in Spring to see this vehicle before you take off to school this fall.

Lets keep this short. Here are some tips to drive in the rain for a safer driving experience.

• First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don’t follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.
• Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
• Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they’ll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights you still should put them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.
• Before it starts to rain, replace old or brittle wipers.
• Avoid off-road driving: it’s hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV.
• Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.
• Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.
• When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it’s deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car’s electrical system.
• Avoid splashing pedestrians.
• If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Slow down! This should be obvious but it also very important. People are so used to driving certain speeds on certain roads that sometimes they forget the need to slow down when inclement weather presents itself. Be careful and have a safe driving trip.