New Beginnings - OpenRoad Driver

Lights, Camera...OPENROAD TVEvery week the OpenRoad AutoGroup’s eight dealerships feature 32 newand used vehicles for sale on OpenRoadTV, including the “hottest deals” of theweek. There are new, certified pre-ownedand used vehicle specials. “It’s a revolutionaryway to promote vehicles andour company. No one has ever tried thisformat in the local market before,” sayspresident and owner Christian Chia, “andwe really like the innovative approachCitytv and OpenRoad TV are taking.”Think Home Shopping Network for cars.Viewers can dial a toll free number 24hours a day and speak to customer serviceagents to acquire more informationor book test drives on vehicle specialsthey see on television.The program also introduces practicalinformation to help demystify the car buyingand car servicing experience. Thereare buying and safety tips featuring theinside knowledge of experienced productadvisors. There is also a weekly service tipcalled “Cam’s Corner” featuring CameronMa, the service director at OpenRoadLexus Port Moody. Ma is the reigningnational skills champion among all Toyotaand Lexus service technicians acrossCanada, so he was an easy choice to hostthe service tips segment.OpenRoad TV Includes: 32 new and used vehicles on sale and the “hottest deals” everyweek, buying and safety tips to demystify the car buying experience, weekly service tipson “Cam’s Corner,” OpenRoad Speakers Corner and the hilarious “talking pop ups.”On the fun side there are reality televisionclips from the OpenRoad SpeakersCorner and a series of hilarious andmemorable “talking pop up heads” – younever know what the surprising characterswill say.“I’m so excited to be hosting a newshow like OpenRoad TV,” says host AmyBeeman in between filming segmentsfor the fast-paced format. Viewers willrecognize Beeman from her work on TheKid Carson Show with Nira and Amy onThe Beat 94.5 FM, or on Shaw TV’s TheExpress where she tours new homes andeats at great restaurants. On air Beemanappears to be the perfect balancebetween personality and professional hoston OpenRoad TV.Today Beeman is interviewing chiefoperating officer, Rob Steele, whose boisterousenthusiasm about the company islarger than life and decidedly contagious.Steele is the kind of personality thatconvinces me OpenRoad TV is a greatway to show viewers the true natureof OpenRoad Auto Group. He inspiresnothing but smiles all around. “I just wishhe’d come out of his shell a little,” I jokelater with the producers as Steele’s voicebooms through the showroom, arms wavingin larger and larger circles.Between the car deals, the consumerinformation and the memorable personalities,a few stars may be born after all inOpenRoad TV. It’s worth a look, Saturdaysat 9:30 a.m. on Citytv Vancouver. OpenRoad TVFirst air date November 24thSaturday mornings at 9:30 a.m.Citytv Vancouver – Channel 13About Amy...OpenRoad TV’s AmyBeeman is far from shy.And she’s also extremely adventurous.While not tempting life by flying, skydiving,paragliding or scuba diving, Amy Beemanis back on solid ground producing andco-hosting The Beat 94.5’s Kid CarsonShow with Nira and Amy in the mornings,or hosting two TV segments for Shaw TV– Open House and Lunch is On Us. Afterteetering between careers as a pilot, actressand journalist (all within a few years), shesettled on a path that allows her to experiencenew adventures every day.How would your best friend describe you?I would say passionate, loyal, adventurousand organized – bordering onanal-retentive.What is a typical day like for you?Well, the alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m. andI’m usually busy at work until noon. I’m verysocial so I have a lot of lunch and coffeedates planned. In the evening, I go to aclass called Max Fit, which is like a bootcamp cardio sort of thing. And my husbandgoes, too, so we get to hang out a bit. Andthen it’s home and almost time for bed!First car?It was a 1985 white Topaz, four-door automatic.It was classic. And it didn’t beepwhen you forgot to turn the lights off, so Iwas constantly draining the battery.Tell me about your fear of putting yourface underwater. Have you overcomethat yet?[Laughing] Well, it’s a per-dive struggle.The fear is actually not being able to seewhat is in front of me. I’ve actually gone tothe point where I’ve driven to the ocean,put all my equipment on, walked into thewater and said, “Umm, nope! Not going todo it today.” And I’ve walked back out. SoI’ve been going to a hypnotist.–Vignette by Kimiko NomuraOpenRoad driver |28