Findlay VW harnesses wind power

Findlay Automotive Group has always been a forerunner in the automobile business. Now one of its dealerships has paved the way to a unique concept that is certain to gain attention from other businesses across the country.

Findlay North Volkswagen at 7500 W. Azure Drive in the northwest valley recently joined forces with Wing Power Energy, a Burlington, Mass., company that installed a vertical axis wind turbine in the dealership's parking lot.

Standing about 35 feet from the base to the top of blades, the wind turbine is considered state-of-the-art in the field of vertical micro wind-generation technology. Even more importantly, the dealership expects to see savings benefits that can be passed on to consumers.

"This is a trial system that has been going on for about a year. We anticipate that once Findlay North Volkswagen discovers the true benefits, there will undoubtedly be many more businesses in this state that will want to capitalize on the system," said Bob Tomasi, vice president of operations for Wing Power Energy.

Tomasi said similar systems have been installed in Ellensburg, Wash., a suburb of Dallas and in partnership with Verizon Wireless in Salem, Mass.

Harry Ruda CEO of Wing Power Energy added, "We applaud companies such as Findlay who have stepped up to make a difference in their communities by demonstrating that they have the vision and foresight to be a pioneer in the adoption of alternative energy."

Findlay North Volkswagen General Manager/Partner James Cobbs praised the system.

"This is part of what Volkswagen calls Blue Energy," said Cobbs, a car business veteran who has been with Findlay Automotive Group for the past 15 years. "Volkswagen is known worldwide for continually upgrading or redesigning its product and we feel adding the Wing Power Energy wind turbine system goes hand-in-hand with the VW philosophy of remaining a step ahead at all times."

Findlay North Volkswagen Service Manager Dave Pedersen concurred.

"I love what the Wing Power Energy turbine represents," he said. "In addition, you can see it from far away and just the sight of blades speaks for our concern for the environment. We must do all we can to save energy and this is a great example of how we are doing our part."

Findlay North VW is one of the latest additions to Findlay Automotive Group, which was founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff Findlay, now oversees 26 new and used-car dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho.

For more information on Findlay Automotive Group, visit www.findlayauto.com. For more information on Findlay North VW, visit www.findlaynorthvw.com or call 982-4800.