The 39th Annual 2012 Twin Cities Auto Show

The 39th Annual Twin Cities Auto Show makes its return to The Minneapolis Convention Center March 10th – 18th 2012. Promising to bring the newest cars on the road and the most innovated features available!
The Auto Show Events and Features:
* Featuring over 30 different makes of Domestic and Imported vehicles with an estimated value at $15,000,000 in new vehicles.
* Over 400 vehicles will be on display inside the Minneapolis Convention Center.
* A toy car will be given away every Saturday-Sunday to the first 500 kids (10 years and under.)
* A Booster Chair safety check on Saturday March 10th and Sunday March 11th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
* A Job Fair on Wednesday March 14th 11:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m. so bring your resume and that winning smile! 
* Private Tours prior to each show for those car enthusiasts. It does come with limited availability 75 tickets per day. So make your reservation soon the price is $55.  
* Blood Sweat & Tears performing Friday March 17th at 8pm. With the first 2,000 rockers receiving a free “Rock the Auto Show t-Shirt” with an added bonus a “FREE” ticket to the Auto Show did we mention “FREE!” All tickets are sold online at twincitiesautoshow.com.  On the day of the concert, some remaining seats will be sold at the ticket booth of the Twin Cities Auto Show at face value. No guarantees of seat availability.

LOCATION: Minneapolis Convention Center 1301 South Second Street, Mpls, MN 55403
ADMISSION: Adults:  $8.00 online $10.00 (print $2.00 coupon) – Kids (11-15): $5.00 – Children (10 and under): FREE
½ price Adult Admission Wednesday March 14, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. (No other discounts apply)
PARKING: Plenty of parking surrounding the Minneapolis Convention Center.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: North Star will run on Saturday and Sunday from Big Lake, MN into Downtown Minneapolis. You can connect with the number 10 and 59 which makes a stop in front of The Convention Center. To schedule your trip contact MTC @ 612.337-3333.

Stellar Keys and Remotes will be in the crowd at the 2012 Twin Cities Auto Show. We will update the story with photos!

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Stellar and the MSRA Back to the 50’s 2011

Come rain or hail…the MSRA will go on! The weekend saw a forecast of storms and sun. Opening day brought a pleasant day with scattered clouds Saturday had the spectators watching the skies which didn’t fail to give us a day of showers and the chance to cool everyone off, Sunday was gloomy but the showers stayed away. This year the MSRA “Back to the 50’s” 2011 weekend, was attended by over 11,000 vehicles and with more than 125,000 spectators making it the largest three day event of its kind in the world. Considering this event began with close friends meeting at a pizza shop, organizing a group of 200 friends all to converge at St. Paul’s Midway Shopping Center parking lot. And this is how the 1st MSRA “Back to the 50’s” was started.

Stellar Keys and Remotes closed out their 4th year as a vendor at the show. Stellar made their 1st appearance back in 2007 starting with one truck, one table and two guys and have since tripled in size. We look forward to this event every year.

My first year attending the MSRA was 2010. I manage the office so this was something new to me. I wasn’t looking forward to working the event as I am not a big fan of the MN State Fair, and I  just didn’t want to deal with a lot of people. After buying coffee and walking in Friday at 8 a.m. it was calm and yet I didn’t realise what the day would entail. After a few hours are stand was busy and I had the chance to meet a lot of devoted MSRA fans that make it a point too never miss the show. The people are friendly and a lot different from the MN State Fair! After the weekend came to a close I was sad to see it end but could honestly say…..I was looking forward to the following year. I am now a fan of the MSRA “Back to the 50’s”.

What I look forward to the most is shutting down our stand and the walk around the fairgrounds with Gary Schmidt, from Wheeler Racing Engines. He makes the walk enjoyable and educational. We stop too look at the detail of the cars’ anything I need to know, I ask Gary.  Seeing all the classics and thinking of the time put into the cars and the detail, still amazes me! In the end the walk I’d have to say is the best!

I do have a favorite car, and it’s the Betty Boop car painted in Pepto-Bismo color.

This event is a “must” go too event if you love street rods, rat rods, custom and classic cars. The cars are great, the crowd is friendly and the food is amazing

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Side Mill IKT High Security Keys

With everyone demanding high security these days; Ford is moving the majority of their vehicle platforms to a global key design with a focus on high security over the next several years. The first vehicle too feature the Side Mill Key IKT 80 bit design is the 2011 Fiesta and is now available for the 2011 Ford Focus and in the near future the 2012 Ford Escape will follow.
The Side Mill IKT high security key and what makes these keys “unique” is the fail rate being lower and they are internally cut (meaning the key is cut in the center of the blade and not the edges) giving the consumer better security for their car.
Though too purchase from a local dealer might cost you an arm and a leg and a lot of your time. And with most consumers dealing with high gas prices and a bad economy, why would anyone want too pay the higher cost? Look no further we at Stellar Keys and Remotes, now offer you the latest in the Side Mill IKT high security key’s we have the latest equipment required to cut and program.
Are you looking too purchase the newest in high security automotive keys? But just not sure what the Strattec IKT 80 bit keys are, or where too purchase and just don’t have the spare time?
We have answers for you. At Stellar Keys and Remotes LLC not only do we save you money, we save you time and we are also available on the weekend’s offering the same price to you as the weekdays. We can meet you within the Twin Cities Metro area (see service areas). Our Locksmiths are experienced and each service vehicle is equipped too cut and program your key with the latest equipment and software.
Give us a call. We at Stellar Keys and Remotes LLC, are more than happy too answer your questions and too schedule an appointment too upgrade you to the latest security available for your car.

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Start seeing Stellar around the Twin Cities Metro

Stellar Keys and Remotes, we are proud to say we have added two new work vans to our work production which means our Locksmiths; are able to reach you with faster arrival times and those harder to reach areas.

The new “2010 Freightliner Sprinter” will hit the Twin Cities metro streets. sometime in mid-June. We are excited to wrap up a project that Cory and his father Gary have been working on every Sunday, for the past year.  They have worked together installing: insulation, A/C unit, aluminum walls and just finished the flooring inside the Sprinter. They are currently working at installing: the generator, custom cabinets, the final wiring, bolting down the new key equipment and last but not least, our favorite part, The Stellar Logo wrap that completes a much anticipated event for us. Which Cory will then, transition into.

With the continued rise of gas prices, Stellar decided to purchase a “2010 Ford Transit Connect” giving us better gas mileage; without having to raise our prices. Wade was promoted from Warehouse Manager, to Locksmith Trainee and has been moved into the new Transit. Giving us more man power!

There are much added bonuses that come with purchasing the Transit, besides the great savings. The main one giving us more accessibility to your customers; areas that were not so smaller to get to are accessible now; parking ramps, downtown parking, alleyways making it easier for us to get to you.  In the end saving you time and money!

Watch for Stellars new vehicles, as they will hit the Twin Cities streets soon if you haven’t already seen them!  Don’t forget to check us out at the MSRA this summer.

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Ford, Lincoln and Mercury introduced the new 80 bit IPAT and IKT Keys

One of the many things Stellar Keys and Remotes prides themselves in, is keeping up with the latest technology & software’s available in the Automotive Locksmith Industry.  As of Sept 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury introduced their new 80 bit IPAT and IKT transponder technology for a number of their 2011 model vehicles. Stellar Keys and Remotes, is now offering the capability to cut and program these for the new 2010 and 2011 vehicles.
The 80 bit technology expands the operational capabilities while increasing the security features.  The 80 bit technology is available as a plastic head IPATS key blank and as IKT (Integrated Key Transponder with remote).

Tim, our Lead Automotive Tech and Wade, our newest Tech in training have had the chance to work with the latest technology, Stellar will be offering this option to our customers. This is a plus for our customers, who were not offered this extra added security at the time of their purchase. We offer a knowledgeable technician, the latest equipment, plus the convenience of us coming to you with no added trip to a Dealership required.

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