To the moon and back probably deserves a new car.
That's what George Plews of North Battleford thinks, and he's getting the word out.
The word is that his 1998 Hyundai Elantra has travelled 785,000 kilometres in the last 11 years, and still has its original engine. He's shared that word with Hyundai and he is now one of 10 across the country in the running for a brand new Hyundai.
Plews works at the Lloydminster airport, commuting there, 145 kilometres away, five days a week, 52 weeks a year.
He told Hyundai, "I've travelled through -40 C, snow and ice covered roads, torrential rain storms, desiccating summer heat and suicidal ducks (but that's another story)."
He submitted a short essay to Hyundai, which is offering a 2013 Veloster DCT to the finalist who sent in the most popular Memorable Moment.
Plews' memorable moment? He wrote:
"It's the reaction I get from people when I tell them how many kilometres I have on my Hyundai. It's the look of eyes opening wide in astonishment, mouths slowly opening in disbelief and then the curiosity of wanting to know more."
A photo of Plews and his Elantra can be seen at www.hyundai30years.ca along with the nine other finalists. There are only two west of Ontario. What you won't see in the photo on the website (but check out the photo accompanying this story) is the front end of his Elantra. Plews says it shows clearly the result of sticking to a highway speed of 100 km/h. The paint on the front end of his car has been chipped away by the detritus thrown up by the wheels of the vehicles that pass him.
Lately, he's been on the road, dropping in at Hyundai dealerships across the west who have pledged to vote for him. His Elantra's fans can vote once a day at www.hyundai30years.ca until Nov. 15.
Even if he doesn't win a new Elantra, that's what his next car will be anyway. He chose his original one based on its good ratings in 1998, and he's been a Hyundai guy ever since.
