Solar panels on top of the main sales and service building at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
Solar panels continue to power savings at dealership
Although today is Earth Day, the 904 solar panels at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln work year round, providing electricity and generating savings.
“I believe in protecting the environment, and using solar has an even bigger impact with the business than at my house,” said Mark Smith, Krapohl’s general manager and co-owner.
For instance, the original 576 solar panels on the main dealership building went up in 2017. They’ve provided an average of 161.3 megawatt hours each year since then. A megawatt hour is equivalent to 1 million watts of electricity being used for an hour.
The longer summer days in June and July produce the most energy at 22 megawatts per month from the original panels. December (3.5 MWh) and January (3.8 MWh) produce the least. Smith can log in at any time to see updated statistics and real-time performance of the panels.
Once Smith saw an average annual savings of $25,000 from those original panels, he had another 328 solar panels added to the Krapohl Body Shop and reconditioning building last year. The second set of panels is providing approximately 170 MWh per year, giving Krapohl about $45,000 a year in total savings.
“We also switched to LED lights a few years ago, and that has dramatically lowered costs as well,” Smith said. “While solar panels do have a cost for installation, they’ll pay for themselves in seven to nine years.”
And Kay’s Way, in memory of Kay Krapohl Smith, starts May 8
The Women’s Initiative of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is accepting grant applications through mid-May for programs and initiatives that support women and girls of Isabella County.
Charitable organizations, schools and municipalities can find information about grants and the application process on the Foundation’s website, through the “Grants” tab at the top. A grantseeker informational video is available on YouTube.
Letters of intent are due 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 11; applications are due 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.
“We’re looking for initiatives that help women and girls in their everyday lives, in their education and careers, and in their wellbeing,” said Erika Ross, co-chair of the Women’s Initiative. “This endowment fund through the Community Foundation exists to help women and girls become their best selves.”
“We encourage creative thinking,” Co-Chair Linda Coyne said. “We hope to see applications from a number of organizations seeking to address needs or create dynamic opportunities for women and girls.”
The Women’s Initiative was started in 2003 by Judy F. Smith and Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl, who founded Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his brother, Harold. Her impact is the driving force behind Kay’s Way: The Women’s Initiative Drive to Support Women and Girls, May 8 through 25.
During the drive, Krapohl and Weichert Realty will collect personal care and clothing items for women and girls to be distributed locally through Clothing INC and The Care Store. The dealership also will donate 100% of oil change sales from the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center on Wednesday, May 18 to the Women’s Initiative Fund. Watch Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s Facebook page for details.
The Women’s Initiative has granted more than $100,000 to local organizations, including for phone/video outpatient mental-health options during the pandemic. Other grants have funded coats, boots, diapers, formula, tricycles and a lunch that introduced eighth-grade girls to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Not only do we accept trade-ins at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, but you can also sell us a car you no longer need.
Most customers know Krapohl Ford & Lincoln will appraise a current vehicle and work out a trade-in deal when they buy a new or used truck, SUV or car.
Less known: You can sell your vehicle to Krapohl Ford & Lincoln without having to lease or buy another. For instance, say you are a two-car household, but now only need one. Call or stop by to talk with a Krapohl sales team member, have your vehicle appraised and work out a sale. It’s certainly a lot easier than trying to sell it yourself. All makes and models are welcome.
It’s even easier if you also bring in the vehicle title and the 10-day payoff amount or lien release. As with any interaction with the Krapohl sales team, this is a no-pressure situation.
Stroll through the lot at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln to view nearly 100 used vehicles.
Selection and reputation matter when buying a used vehicle
There are many benefits to buying used vehicles. For starters, it is no secret that you’re going to save money buying used instead of new — vehicles lose value as time passes and with each mile they are driven. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, here are five reasons you may want to consider buying from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln:
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln has more than Fords and Lincolns among its used vehicles. Check out our wide selection from a variety of automakers.
Drive one home today
It may be difficult in the next month to buy a new vehicle directly from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s lot — availability of new vehicles is low, and it could take anywhere from three to eight months for new vehicles to arrive once they’re ordered. Krapohl currently has nearly 100 used vehicles on its lot, however, so you could drive one home right away.
Choose from a large selection
Krapohl’s used vehicle inventory is vast and includes not only Fords and Lincolns, but also a variety of other brands. Whether you’re looking for a newer, low-mileage vehicle or a lower-cost, higher-mileage vehicle, Krapohl has options for you.
Assistant Sales Manager Mike Helmer says that nearly 60% of Krapohl’s current used vehicle inventory are vehicles that are under three years old and still under manufacturer warranty.
And if you’re looking for a particular used vehicle that isn’t currently on the lot, Krapohl’s sales team will help track it down for you.
Work with a professional and knowledgeable sales team
The sales team at Krapohl — with many years of experience under their belts — is available to help you through the process of buying your new-to-you used vehicle. Not only will they help find exactly what you’re looking for, they’ll answer your questions and work to ensure the price and financing are the right fit for you. This is the personalized service you can expect.
Count on safety and quality
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s Service Department thoroughly inspects nearly every used vehicle on their lot to ensure you’re buying a safe, high-quality vehicle. Krapohl also allows you take a used vehicle you may be considering to your own mechanic for an inspection — in fact, they encourage it.
And while it may have had a previous owner (or two), Krapohl also thoroughly details every used vehicle to ensure your purchase looks brand new. And if we have an “as-is” vehicle on the lot, it is clearly marked, and your sales team representative will alert you to what as-is language entails.
Lean on their reputation
There are many options when deciding where to shop for a vehicle, but Helmer says that when it comes to buying from Krapohl, consider its reputation. As the only locally owned, full-service Ford and Lincoln dealership in the central Michigan area, our employees in Sales, Service, Parts, the Body Shop, Reconditioning and the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center work with customers to answer questions and solve problems.
Molly Lang, the first customer to purchase a 2022 Maverick from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, loves the versatility of the downsized pickup.
Molly Lang, a new Krapohl Ford & Lincoln customer, loves new pickup’s versatility
Molly Lang was the first customer to buy a 2022 Ford Maverick from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. That fact put her among Maverick owners recently selected for a marketing Zoom conference call.
Molly, who owns Home Street Manor Assisted Living in Edmore, told Ipsos — an international marketing research company based in Paris — that she chose “Area 51” for the color of the Maverick. She enjoys its sunroof, towing package and the ability to use four-wheel drive.
“Also, it is perfect for getting all the groceries we need for the Home Street Manor Assisted Living,” she said. “I can put them all in the back, and I can use the pickup service. It’s perfect!”
Owning and running an assisted living business in an 1885 Victorian manor takes up most of Molly’s time. Still, she drives her Maverick one hour each way once a week to visit her daughter.
A first-time Krapohl Ford & Lincoln customer, Molly said she picked the longtime full-service dealership for the Maverick and for the chance to work with Assistant Sales Manager Mike Helmer, whom she met through her daughter.
Ford paused taking new orders on Mavericks in January, and the automaker expects to resume taking orders by summer when supply issues are worked out. For more information on the Maverick, be sure to check out a special page on the Krapohl Ford & Lincoln website.
Kyle Hauger, left, and Shawn Siegel flip the Baja frame so prep work can continue.
Body Shop’s prep work will lead to smooth, long-lasting paint job
Kyle Hauger, a technician in the Krapohl Body Shop, was busy Monday scuffing a black frame from the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers Team at Central Michigan University.
Kyle Hauger uses a scuffing pad to reach the hard-to-get spots on the frame.
It’s tedious work, prepping for a paint job. First, a degreaser was applied to clean the frame. A wire wheel took care of scuffing much of the frame. That left Hauger, using a scuffing pad, to hit the tiny details by hand. Overall, the prep work took about 2.5 hours to complete, a mini version of what a typical vehicle takes.
Properly scuffed, the black metal piping was left with a dull finish.
“You’ve got to get into all of the nooks and crannies, or the paint won’t stick,” he said.
The Baja team is one of Krapohl Ford & Lincoln community partners. The program at CMU challenges students to engineer, fabricate and race developmental, single-passenger, off-road vehicles. It’s a real-world manufacturing project that teaches students skills such as engineering, technology, logistics and marketing.
Krapohl provides support by loaning the team vehicles to travel to in-state races, and the Body Shop offered to paint the Baja and formula car frames.
Hauger, a Beal City High School graduate who has worked in the Body Shop for about 18 months, said he enjoys the Baja team project because he’s never too far away from dirt track racing. His father-in-law, Willis McKenzie, is the defending champion in the Hobby Stocks class at Mt. Pleasant Speedway. Kyle helps out by working on Willis’ vehicles.
The final step for the Baja car — painting in the bay — likely will happen later this week.
Landing on two feet at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln
Brenden Smiley, a former Marine, is learning to be a service technician at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln while he pursues a degree at Mid Michigan College.
Service trainee overcomes hardships, envisions bright future
Brenden Smiley doesn’t just work on cars — they have given him a new outlook on life.
Brenden, 32, joined the U.S. Marines after high school, leaving his hometown of Detroit to travel to Okinawa, Japan, where he completed basic training and remained stationed for two years. He then spent five years stationed in California before being discharged from the military.
While with the Marines, Brenden specialized in logistics. After leaving the service, however, he struggled to find his way in life. An interest in cars — particularly fast cars — gave him a path he didn’t know even existed.
He began working for a shop in California selling and servicing vehicles, without any formal training. He said for many years he tried to find a career path that was right for him.
“I worked more than 25 different types of jobs, but never found a place where I wanted to be,” he said.
After meeting his girlfriend and moving to Beaverton, Michigan, he enrolled in Mid Michigan College’s Automotive and Diesel Service program. After gaining critical hands-on experience at Mid, he was connected with Krapohl Ford & Lincoln and assigned a service technician as a mentor. He joined the service team in August 2021, has since completed his internship and continues his training.
Brenden is three classes away from earning his associate degree.
“As a kid, my dad was always working on cars, but he would never let me touch them,” Brenden recalls with a laugh. “Now, I like working on cars, and I learn something new every day at Krapohl. Teamwork is a big thing here.”
Brenden, also a trained mixed martial arts fighter, is excited about his future as a mechanic.
“I have goals, and I’m saving money to build a house,” he said. “I’m happy, and the future is bright.”
Note: If you want to talk shop with Brenden, ask him about turbos. They’re his favorite.
The 2022 Edge is a popular choice for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln customers.
First responders, medical professionals and military personnel are eligible
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln is offering an incentive for all active military personnel and veterans along with first responders and medical professionals. Anybody from this group will receive $1,000 cash toward the purchase or lease of a new Ford vehicle.
This offer also can be used to custom order a new vehicle.
Note that a limited selection of new vehicles are not part of this promotion. Your Krapohl Ford & Lincoln sales team member can help with this process.
Stop in soon to talk to a Krapohl sales team member for more information. This promotion ends April 4.
For this incentive, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln defines first responders as:
- Police: Police officer, sheriff/sheriff’s deputy, correctional officer, state trooper, federal law enforcement officer (Example: customs, Homeland Security, etc.)
- Fire department: Career firefighter, volunteer firefighter
- EMT: EMT, paramedic, 911 dispatcher
Military personnel are defined as: Active military personnel in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard; reservists serving on active duty and members of the Delayed Entry/Enlistment Program (DEP); all veterans; retirees, spouses/surviving spouses and other household members.
Medical professionals are defined as:
- Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN and ARNP)
- Anesthesiologists
- Athletic trainers
- Audiologists
- Cardiologist
- Cardiovascular technologists
- Chiropractors
- Clinical laboratory technician & technologists
- Dental assistants, dental hygienists & dentists
- Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Dietitians and nutritionists
- Doctors
- Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics
- ER nurses
- Exercise physiologists
- Family practitioners
- Genetic counselors
- Health information technicians
- Healthcare administrators, administrative & clerical positions
- Home health aides and personal care aides
- Home health nurses
- Hospital general staff & receptionists
- Licensed practical nurses (PN/LPN/LVN)
- Massage therapists
- Medical assistants
- Medical equipment preparers
- Medical records and health information technicians
- Medical transcriptionists
- MRI technologists
- Neurologists
- Nuclear medicine technologists
- Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners
- Nurse practitioners
- Nursing assistant & orderlies
- Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians
- Occupational therapists
- Oncologists
- Opticians
- Optometrists
- Orthotists and prosthetists
- Pediatricians
- Pharmacists & pharmacy technicians
- Phlebotomists
- Physical therapists, assistants and aides
- Physician & surgeons
- Physician assistants
- Podiatrists
- Psychiatric technicians and aides
- Radiation therapists
- Radiologist & radiologic technologists
- Recreational therapists
- Registered nurses
- Respiratory therapist
- Speech-language pathologists
- Surgeons
- Surgical technologists
- Therapists
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Veterinary technologists and technicians
New equipment gives service techs a lift
A portable hoist system allows service technicians to raise large vehicles high enough to work under them.
Hoist system handles service trucks and other large vehicles with no problem
The new lift system is wireless, so technicians don’t have to worry about connecting cables or working around them.
A new hoist system makes working on large vehicles easier and safer for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln service technicians.
Four blue lifts, each standing more than 7 feet high, make up the CL Challenger Lifts system. The units are wireless, so there are no cables to connect or work around. The units are on wheels, making the system portable and adjustable to any type of vehicle, from passenger cars to large vehicles, such as Transit vans.
Each lift handles up to 14,000 pounds. Together, they are more than enough to lift a large service truck.
“They like it,” said Krapohl service manager Jeff Slocum of technicians’ reaction to the new equipment that arrived Dec. 3. “It’s a lot more convenient than having to manually jack up all four corners and slide under the vehicle.”
The mobile column truck lift also gives service techs more room below the vehicle to work comfortably, and it allows more light into hard-to-reach areas.
Krapohl Ford & Lincoln’s showroom served as a drop off spot in May for items for the Women’s Initiative Fund.
Noah Pontius, an estimator in the Krapohl Body Shop, helped direct traffic for a drive-in movie in March at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.
Harold and Bob Krapohl founded Krapohl Ford & Lincoln more than 70 years ago. Today, we honor their spirit of community with one of our core values, acting all year on a strong sense of responsibility to help others.
We got involved with and supported numerous nonprofit organizations during 2021, always driven to improve lives and communities. And we want to thank you for helping to make that support possible, because when you do business with Krapohl, you, too, help area residents.
Here are a few ways we leveraged your support in 2021:
- Created holiday magic for thousands of area children through Toys for Tots and in partnership with the Mt. Pleasant Police Department
- Are providing cars and drivers through Community Cancer Services to patients without transportation
- Welcomed spring with a drive-in movie on our lot to benefit the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum
- Contributed to new appliances at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen
- Gave oil change proceeds to the Humane Animal Treatment Society
- Hosted an annual car show with more than 200 vehicles
- Promoted a vibrant downtown and healthy living by investing in the new GreenTree community-owned grocery
- Gave emergency scholarships to kids wanting to play youth soccer
- Spread the joy of art by sponsoring the Art Reach Festival of Banners
- Collected personal hygiene products and gave oil change proceeds to Kay’s Way: Women’s Initiative to Support Women and Girls
- Encouraged outdoor activity by sponsoring the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s Passport to Adventure
- Are providing road trip transportation to the CMU student Baja racing team
We believe in helping others. We believe in collaboration. And we believe it takes all of us to create vibrant communities.
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