
Voting is now open for The Ledger’s Best of Central Florida awards! We were so proud to find out that the entire Kelley Automotive Group has been nominated as one of the top 5 used car dealerships, and even more grateful after we found out that the nomination came directly from the community.
The community had the opportunity to nominate businesses via The Ledger website from July 12, 2020 through July 26, 2020, and they chose to nominate our entire Polk County automotive group, which includes locations in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Auburndale. Kelley Automotive Group also has one location in Cheifland, FL.
Voting began this morning at 12:00 a.m. and will end on September, 20, 2020. The winners will be entirely determined by the votes of our local Central Florida community, so it would mean so much to us if we win. We are a family and locally-owned and operated group of dealerships, and so many team members were born and raised right here in Polk County.
Despite COVID-19, we’ve been blessed with a lot of recognition and support this year, including having multiple dealerships in our dealership group win 2020 Top-Rated Dealer Awards from CarGurus. Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow was also named Florida’s only GMC Dealer of the Year by General Motors earlier this year, and they were also awarded a Buick Mark of Excellence award (also by General Motors).
We’ve been grateful to be able to share this support with the community and give back through the Twenty Buck Truck program (which supports youth in agriculture), sponsoring the Cheep Jeep at Jeepin’ with Judd and sponsoring Bustin’ Clays with Grady Judd, as well as various other initiatives. Thanks to the support of the community, we were able to give $100,00 to the Polk County Youth Fair this year alone!
The Kelley family has been serving Polk County’s automotive needs for 50 years this year, and is proud to support the local community through sponsoring the Twenty Buck Truck to give back to youth involved in agriculture, sponsoring the Cheep Jeep at Jeepin’ with Judd, sponsoring Bustin’ Clays with Grady Judd, and various other initiatives. They were able to give $100,000 to the Polk County Youth Fair in 2020 due to the support of the local community. We can’t think of another community we’d be so proud to be a part of!
Great News: Employee Pricing Has Been Extended
Last we’d heard, employee pricing on new vehicles was going to end on August 31st, but the Kelley Automotive Group just received the great news that we get to extend it through September 8, 2020! While we will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2020, you will still have through Tuesday to take advantage of the best pricing of the year!
For the next few days, you can still take advantage of great deals like up to $11,000 off a new GMC Sierra 1500 at our Kelley Buick GMC location in Bartow, FL. You’ll also see great offers like up to $8,000 off a new GMC Yukon or GMC Yukon XL, or up to $5,000 off the brand new Buick Encore GX, the latest in Buick’s line of SUV offerings.
The Encore GX is new for this year, and the family-friendly SUV comes with enough back seat room for both car seats and teenagers, as well as the safety features every parent looks for in their new SUV. It also offers a crowd-pleasing infotainment system standard on an 8-inch display, while still giving customers the option to use either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It’s luxury and safety all wrapped up in a package that’s perfect for the whole family!
On the lease end, customers who prefer to lease their new car, truck, or SUV will find deals through September 8 that will give them something to celebrate. For the next few days, customers will still have lease options for as little as $110/month! Even if you’re not quite at the end of your lease cycle, reach out if you’re ready to upgrade … we may be able to get you upgraded without extra cost to you!
As usual, please reach out for the full details, as terms and condition apply, and approved credit is needed. We’ve been told these deals will definitely not be extended past the 8th, so call (844) 885-6132 to schedule a time-saving appointment today!
For Immediate Release: September 2, 2020
Polk County, Fla. – The Kelley Automotive Group has announced that they will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2020. This closure will affect all of their Polk County dealerships, which includes Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow, Kelley Used Truck Store in Lakeland, Kelley’s Used Cars in Auburndale, and Kelley of Winter Haven. The service center at Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow will also be closed.
While the automotive group has opted to be open for many recent holidays in light of the current pandemic, they have chosen to be closed this Labor Day in order to give their employees a day off to spend with their loved ones. As a family-owned and operated group of dealerships, they wanted to make sure to give their employees that time since they’ve been so flexible for their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kelley family is proud to say they’ve been serving Polk County’s automotive needs for 50 years this year, and they’re proud to support the local community through sponsoring the Twenty Buck Truck to give back to youth involved in agriculture, sponsoring the Cheep Jeep at Jeepin’ with Judd, sponsoring Bustin’ Clays with Grady Judd, and various other initiatives. They were able to give $100,000 to the Polk County Youth Fair in 2020 due to the support of the local community. They are proud to not only be able to say they live and work in Polk County, but to also actively strive to give back to the community!
Their Bartow new car and truck store-Kelley Buick GMC-was named Florida’s only GMC Dealer of the Year by General Motors earlier this year, and multiple dealerships in the group won 2020 Top-Rated Dealer Awards from CarGurus. Kelley Buick GMC was also recently award a Buick Mark of Excellence award by General Motors, and the entire automotive group has been nominated in The Ledger’s annual Best of Central Florida awards. Voting for the Best of Central Florida awards begins September 6, 2020.
Kelley Buick GMC Extends Service Hours
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2020
Polk County, Fla. – Due to increased customer demand, the Kelley Automotive Group has extended their service hours at Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow, FL. The Polk County-based automotive has received numerous requests from customers to offer extended after-work and Saturday hours, and they are accommodating those requests. The service hours at the Bartow store have been extended until 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The opening hours will remain the same at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. on Saturdays
The announcement came right before the automotive group was nominated as one of the top 5 used car dealerships in Central Florida as part of The Ledger’s annual Best of Central Florida awards. The group prides itself on providing excellent customer service, and receiving this nomination after extending their Bartow service hours just reinforced to the group that they made the right decision.
Voting for the Best of Central Florida awards will begin on September 6th at 12:00 a.m. and end on September 20th, and the winners will be entirely determined by the votes of the local Central Florida community. Kelley Buick GMC’s extended service hours are available immediately.
Kelley Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated group of dealerships. Their Bartow new car and truck store-Kelley Buick GMC-was named Florida’s only GMC Dealer of the Year by General Motors earlier this year, and multiple dealerships in the group won 2020 Top-Rated Dealer Awards from CarGurus. Kelley Buick GMC was also recently award a Buick Mark of Excellence award by General Motors.
The Kelley family has been serving Polk County’s automotive needs for 50 years this year, and is proud to support the local community through sponsoring the Twenty Buck Truck to give back to youth involved in agriculture, sponsoring the Cheep Jeep at Jeepin’ with Judd, sponsoring Bustin’ Clays with Grady Judd, and various other initiatives. They were able to give $100,000 to the Polk County Youth Fair in 2020 due to the support of the local community. They are proud to not only be able to say they live and work in Polk County, but to also actively strive to give back to the community!
Save the Date: Event for Business Owners

Whether you’re in Central Florida or up by Chiefland, the Kelley Automotive Group is looking to help your business grow! On September 26, 2020, we’ll be hosting a commercial, fleet, and business event at the Suwannee River Fair & Livestock Pavilion. That address is 17851 90th Avenue, Fanning Springs, FL 32693.
The event will be hosted by two dealerships in the Kelley Automotive Group: Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow, FL and Big Bend Chevrolet Buick in Chiefland, FL. Both dealerships are part of GM’s Business Elite program, which was created to make sure business owners have the best sales and service experience possible over the lifecycle of any vehicle they purchase through the program. The program gives customers access to business financing and leasing options, priority hours, and work-ready loaner vehicles. Kelley Buick GMC customers also have access to a mobile service unit for fleet vehicles.
The companies will have a selection of fleet vehicles on display, and their full team of commercial and fleet sales representatives will available to answer questions and explain the features available. They’ll also have representatives out from Knapdeide Truck Equipment, Suwannee River Kubota, Ag-Pro Chiefland, HG2 Lighting, and more so attendees can get all of their business needs met at once.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided (in individual containers) starting at 11 a.m. Prizes and giveaways will also be available.
Please RSVP to Randy Durden by calling (352) 745-0221 or emailing him at randy@bigbendchevroletbuick.com.
If you need a new or used vehicle for your business before the end of September, please check out KelleyBuickGMC.com or BigBendChevroletBuick.com to check out current inventory. If you don’t see what you need, please give us a call at (844) 885-6132. Now only does our inventory change daily, but we can order the vehicles you need to help your business get ahead!
Guide to the 2020 Buick Encore Towing Capacity

Compact SUVs are popular on the Lakeland market, offering a great combination of flexibility and performance. The 2020 Buick Encore and the Buick Encore GX stand out among the pack, with their surprisingly spacious design and plenty of utility for Lakeland roads. What is the 2020 Buick Encore towing capacity? And can a Buick Encore tow a boat? Find out answers to the questions and more below with a guide from Kelley Automotive Group.
2020 Buick Encore Towing Capacity: Encore and GX Engines
The 2020 Buick Encore comes with a zippy, fun engine to get your around Bartow with ease. If you want 1,000 pounds of Buick Encore towing capacity, you’ll want to choose the Buick Encore GX, which builds off the performance features of the Encore to add even more performance perks. Let’s look at the engine specs for both vehicles:
2020 Buick Encore Engine
- 1.4L DOHC Turbocharged Engine generating 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque.
- EPA-estimated 25 city / 30 highway mpg
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- Available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
2020 Buick Encore GX Standard Engine
- ECOTEC 1.2L Turbo Engine generating 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque
- EPA-estimated max 30 city / 32 highway mpg
- Standard Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
- Max Buick Encore Towing Capacity of 1,000 pounds
So, can a Buick Encore tow a boat? Even though it’s in a small package, the powerful Buick Encore GX can tow a boat from Auburndale to Winter Haven with ease. It’s one of the many reasons the Buick Encore GX is a family-friendly SUV.
2020 Buick Encore Towing Capacity: Towing Tech
Besides asking, “can a Buick Encore tow a boat?”, many drivers are interested in knowing the different types of mechanical and technological improvements that make towing easier for their long trips. Buick has designed the Encore GX for controlled towing with the following additions:
- Trailer Hitch: Add the trailer hitch to your vehicle to achieve the max 1,000 pounds towing capacity.
- Electric Harness: This allows you to connect the lights on your trailer to those on your Buick Encore
- Stabilitrak: The Stabilitrak electronic stability control system is an acclaimed performance technology that gives you better, more controlled performance
- Safety: Available technologies like Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a Rear Vision Camera make you more aware of your surroundings when you’re trailering.
Besides towing, another utility highlight on the 2020 Buick Encore is the cargo space. Fold the seats down on the 2020 Buick Encore for more than 48 cubic feet of cargo space, and get up to 50.2 cubic feet of cargo space on the 2020 Encore GX.
Find the 2020 Buick Encore at Kelley Automotive Group!
Lakeland drivers can step inside this power compact SUV and try it out for themselves at Kelley Automotive Group! With powerful capabilities in a small package, the Encore checks a lot of boxes, and we can help you buy it with resources like our online credit application! Contact us today with any questions about the 2020 Buick Encore towing capacity and more.
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Hurricane Laura: We’re Here to Help
As a company that has long worked with customers from all over the continental U.S. to get them in the vehicle they want, the Kelley Automotive Group well-equipped to help customers in Texas and Louisiana that are impacted by Hurricane Laura get into a new car quickly and easily. As Floridians, we’ve been there, and that makes us dedicated to keeping the process as smooth and easy as we can for you.
While we certainly hope you were lucky and experienced very little fallout from this massive storm, we’re also prepared to help if you do need a new vehicle. Not only can we offer a free virtual test drive to give you an up-close and in-depth look at any truck, SUV, or car you’re interested in, but we’ve long-offered a secure online credit application so you can buy your new vehicle from wherever you are. We can also help you sort through appraising your vehicle (using pictures) to help you try and get the best settlement from your insurance company.
Once you’ve decided on a new truck, car, SUV, we’ll work with the shipper of your choice to get your vehicle to you in a timely manner. We can also pick you up from the Tampa or Orlando International Airport (free of charge!) if you’d rather pick your vehicle up in person or take it for a final test-drive before making your decision.
With hundreds of vehicles to choose from (and more new and used vehicles arriving daily), the Kelley Automotive Group can help get you into the vehicle you need. Whether you’re looking to replace your family’s beloved Yukon or you need a new diesel truck so your company can get back to work, we’re always here to help.
If you are impacted by Hurricane Laura and need help replacing your car, truck, or SUV, please give us a call at (844) 885-6132 or fill out the form below so we can help.
For Immediate Release: August 24, 2020
Polk County, Fla. – The Kelley Automotive Group has been nominated as one of the top 5 used car dealerships as part of The Ledger’s annual Best of Central Florida awards. The automotive group received their nomination courtesy of the community, who had the opportunity to nominate businesses via The Ledger website from July 12, 2020 through July 26, 2020.
The nomination is for the entire group, which includes locations in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Auburndale. The automotive group also has one location in Cheifland, FL.
According to Marketing Manager Candace Kassman, “To even be nominated by our community is an honor, and it’s even sweeter since Kelley Automotive Group is locally owned and most of us have grown up in Polk County!”
Voting will begin on September 6th at 12:00 a.m. and end on September 20th, and the winners will be entirely determined by the votes of the local Central Florida community.
Kelley Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated group of dealerships. Their Bartow new car and truck store-Kelley Buick GMC-was named Florida’s only GMC Dealer of the Year by General Motors earlier this year, and multiple dealerships in the group won 2020 Top-Rated Dealer Awards from CarGurus. Kelley Buick GMC was also recently award a Buick Mark of Excellence award by General Motors.
The Kelley family has been serving Polk County’s automotive needs for 50 years this year, and is proud to support the local community through sponsoring the Twenty Buck Truck to give back to youth involved in agriculture, sponsoring the Cheep Jeep at Jeepin’ with Judd, sponsoring Bustin’ Clays with Grady Judd, and various other initiatives. They were able to give $100,000 to the Polk County Youth Fair in 2020 due to the support of the local community. They are proud to not only be able to say they live and work in Polk County, but to also actively strive to give back to the community!
Is the Buick Encore GX the Most Family-Friendly SUV?
New for 2020, Buick has introduced their new Buick Encore GX, which slides right in between the popular Buick Encore and Buick Envision, size-wise. This new addition slides in at a very budget-friendly price point, while being roomy enough for everyone in the family, whether you’re looking to tow car seats or adult-size teenagers.
It also comes with an impressive host of standard safety-assistance features for the price-point, which only adds to its appeal as the new family-friendly vehicle of choice. These features include blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with pedestrian braking, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, as well as lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning. Customers also have the option of adding an Advanced Technology Package with adaptive cruise control, head-up display, navigation, and a surround-view camera.
One of the most crowd-pleasing features of this new family-friendly SUV is the standard infotainment system housed on an 8-inch display. The user-friendly system is both quick to respond and easy to navigate. Customers will also still have the option to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are both standard. Other standard features include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and the ability to pair two phones to Bluetooth at once. Customers will have the option to add Amazon Alexa integration and embedded navigation.
The five-seat SUV ads to its budget-friendly appeal by getting a combined 28 mpg in gas mileage, which will help keep expenses low as children are ferried between school, play dates, and recitals and games. It’s also getting great reviews from consumers, with 93% of consumers currently recommending it on Cars.com.
With the Kelley Automotive Group Buick concierge service now available, customers will have the opportunity for free door-to-door delivery in the state of Florida, as well as the ability to work their entire deal online through the General Motors Shop.Click.Drive feature. Using Shop.Click.Drive, customers can pick out their vehicle, create their deal, and schedule delivery, all from the comfort of their own homes. Of course, customers who prefer the in-person experience can still visit Kelley Buick GMC in Bartow, FL for the full in-house experience. Either way, we look forward to helping you soon!
Here’s How a Virtual Test Drive Works
Whether it’s because people want to make the process of buying a car, truck, or SUV quick and easy-or because people are trying to limit in-person interactions as COVID-19 cases increase all over the state, including in Polk County-we’re finding that more and more customers are calling in and requesting a virtual test drive. However, the question we get over and over again is: how does a virtual test drive work?
The short answer is that it’s really easy! But since we know you want to know the details, we thought we’d break the process down for you, step-by-step. Here are the steps:
1. First, you’ll call (844) 885-6132 or fill out a form on this website to let us know which vehicle you’re interested in. You’ll be speaking with someone in internet sales, and they’ll be asking you for a few key points of information, including your first and last name, phone number, email address, as well as information on the vehicle you’re interested in. At this point, you can go ahead and let them know if you’d like to visit us in person, or if you’d like to request a virtual test drive and free local home delivery.
2. If you decide you’d like to buy your new vehicle remotely, we’ll start by taking the vehicle you’re interested in on a quick, filmed test drive. This not only allows you to get a closer look at the vehicle you’re interested in, but you’ll also get the chance to see how it drives. This is also a great time to send over any questions you have about the vehicle, so that we can answer any questions for you while filming.
3. While a truck specialist is filming your walkaround video, the internet salesperson will text you over a link to our secure, online credit application. They’ll also request a copy of your driver’s license for identity verification purposes. Once you’ve filled out the application and we’ve received a copy of your driver’s license, we’ll be able to start processing your application as soon as you’ve reviewed your virtual test drive!
3. Once you’ve reviewed the virtual test drive and decided you want to move forward, we’ll start processing your credit application! While we work on that, you can help us value your trade by providing some information to your internet specialist, including the VIN number for your trade, as well as the mileage. Clear internal and external pictures will also help us give you the most accurate remote appraisal up front, and you can text them to us! Keep in mind that good pictures are important because the trade appraisal is dependent on the vehicle being accurately presented to us. If we show up and there’s a big dent that you didn’t tell us about … well, that’s going to change things a little bit.
4. Once you’ve decided you want the new car, truck, or SUV to be yours, you have two options to finalize everything. One, you can still come into the dealership, take the vehicle for a final test drive, sign your paperwork, and take your vehicle home. OR, if you want a more contact-free option, we do offer free local home delivery. We will sanitize the vehicle and bring it to you, along with all the necessary paperwork. The tag and title work will already be done, and we’ll just need a few minutes to verify your trade while you sign the paperwork, and then you’ll be on your way with your new vehicle! Purchases do come with our standard seven-day-buyback guarantee, and out-of-state delivery is an option as well!
As more and more people seek to make the car-buying experience easier, Kelley Automotive Group is committed to offering an array of buying options to help make the process easier for all the citizens of Polk County. Whether you’re looking for a truck in Lakeland, a new Buick Encore or GMC Sierra in Bartow, a hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind Jeep in Winter Haven, or some help rebuilding your credit at our Auburndale location, the Kelley Automotive Group is committed to being here for you!

