Which All-Wheel-Drive or Four-Wheel-Drive Chevy is Right for You

Behind every great service department is a leader who sets the tone. At Maritime Chevrolet, that person is Ralph Cascella! As our Service Manager, Ralph brings 38 years of automotive industry experience, an unmatched work ethic, and a genuine passion for the people he serves and everything he does. This month, we are proud to shine the spotlight on one of the most dedicated members of our team. A Career Built on Commitment Ralph grew up right here in Trumbull, Connecticut, and after graduating from Trumbull High School, he found his calling in the automotive business. Nearly four decades later, he has never looked back. For the past 20 years, Ralph has called Maritime Chevrolet home, and his dedication to this dealership is the kind that is simply impossible to manufacture. “I treat Maritime Chevy as my own business,” Ralph says. “I go above and beyond what I’m asked.” That is not just a phrase for Ralph. It is a way of operating. He is typically the first one through the door in the morning and the last one to leave at night. In one memorable example of just how far he will go, Ralph once spent the night at the dealership when the highway was closing so that he could get the driveway paved and have the doors open for customers the very next morning. That is the kind of dedication that defines a career. Ask Ralph about his proudest moment at Maritime Chevrolet and his answer is both honest and heartfelt. “Ten years ago, when the dealership changed ownership, they kept me on as their service manager.” For someone who pours as much of himself into his work as Ralph does, that kind of trust and recognition from ownership means everything. He is quick to share his gratitude as well. “I really enjoy my job at Maritime. Thank you to Eric and the Hodge family for all of their support.” That mutual respect between Ralph and the leadership team at Maritime Chevrolet is a big part of what makes our service department the well-run, customer-first operation that it is. When you ask Ralph what he loves most about the automotive industry, the answer has nothing to do with cars. “The relationships that I have built with customers and employees,” he says without hesitation. “And there is a new challenge every day.” After 38 years, that combination of connection and variety is what keeps Ralph as engaged and motivated as ever. Life Outside the Shop Those who know Ralph from his no-nonsense, get-it-done approach at the dealership might be surprised to learn about the softer side he keeps close to home. In the spring and summer, you will find him surf casting along the Connecticut shoreline or out trout fishing with his grandson, Chase. When fall and winter arrive, Ralph trades the water for his tree stand, spending quiet mornings in nature with his thoughts and a great view. And when it comes to what he truly cannot live without? That answer is simple and sincere: his time with his wife Leslie and his grandchildren. His dream car, fittingly for a man who has spent nearly four decades in the Chevrolet world, is a 1966 Chevelle SS 396. Classic, powerful, and timeless, just like Ralph himself. Twenty years of leadership, countless customers served, and a standard of excellence that runs through everything our service department does. We are incredibly grateful to have Ralph Cascella at the helm, and we hope this spotlight gives our customers a chance to appreciate the person who works so hard every day to make sure their experience at Maritime Chevrolet is a great one. Next time you bring your vehicle in for service, take a moment to say hello to Ralph. We have a feeling you will be glad you did!

Every October, Chevrolet brings one of the most meaningful traditions in motorsport back to the track. The iconic pink Corvette Stingray has returned for 2026, pacing the NASCAR Cup Series field at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway as part of Chevrolet’s ongoing commitment to the fight against breast cancer. This year marks Chevrolet’s 16th consecutive year partnering with the American Cancer Society in support of its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative, and the 2026 campaign is the most expansive yet. This year’s program ties donations to five NASCAR Cup Series races, creating more opportunities than ever before to generate meaningful support for breast cancer research and awareness. Chevrolet will donate $1,500 for each Team Chevy driver who finishes in the top 10 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Martinsville Speedway, with total donations up to $25,000 across all five events. At Talladega and Martinsville, where the pink Corvette Stingray serves as the official pace car, Chevrolet will also contribute $500 for every caution lap led by the pace car, again up to $25,000. When you add it all together, the potential impact of this year’s campaign is significant. To put that in perspective, in 2025 Chevrolet raised more than $1.7 million for the American Cancer Society, including $32,500 generated directly through the NASCAR campaign. The program has become one of the most visible and impactful charity initiatives in professional motorsport. “Each October, our motorsports platform gives us a powerful opportunity to turn the visibility of NASCAR into meaningful support for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” said Alyssa Haba, Senior Manager of Motorsports Marketing and Activation for Chevrolet. “With the pink Corvette Stingray returning to the track and donations tied to five Cup Series races, this year’s campaign creates more opportunities to make an impact and advance the fight against breast cancer.” The pink Corvette Stingray made its 2026 on-track debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400 on October 4, before returning as the official pace car at Talladega Superspeedway on October 25 and Martinsville Speedway on November 1 for the penultimate race of The Chase. If you have not had a chance to catch it on track yet, Martinsville is your last opportunity to see it in action this season. At Maritime Chevrolet, we are proud to represent a brand that uses its platform to make a real difference in people’s lives. Stop by and see us, and join Chevrolet in supporting the fight against breast cancer this October.

Some people find their calling early and never look back. Fernando Rodrigues, GM Certified Automotive Technician at Maritime Chevrolet, is exactly that kind of person. With a career that spans four decades and a passion for all things automotive that extends well beyond the shop floor, Fernando is one of the most experienced and respected members of our team, and we are thrilled to introduce him to you. Fernando grew up splitting his early years between Lisbon, Portugal and Bridgeport, Connecticut, giving him a unique perspective and a genuine appreciation for the opportunities his career has provided. Fernando's journey in the automotive industry began in 1985 with Chevrolet, making him one of the longest-tenured Chevy technicians you are likely to meet. His formal training includes studies at the Porter and Chester Institute of Automotive Technology and the GM Service Technical College, and he has spent the decades since building on that foundation through hands-on experience and continuous learning. He has been a proud member of the EH Automotive family for 21 years, a testament to the loyalty and dedication he brings to his work every single day. What keeps a technician engaged and motivated after 40-plus years in the business? For Fernando, the answer is simple: the technology never stops evolving.  That curiosity and commitment to staying current is exactly what makes Fernando the kind of technician customers can trust with their vehicles year after year. If you thought Fernando's love of cars stopped at the end of his shift, think again. When he is not in the service bay, you can find him out on the water boating and fishing, cruising on his Harley-Davidson, or doing what might be his most impressive side pursuit: restoring his 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS. He also has a knack for bodywork and paint, a skill that tends to surprise people who know him primarily as a mechanical technician. And his dream garage? A classic 1966 to 1970 Chevelle, a 1969 to 1970 Nova, and a 1970 SS Monte Carlo. In other words, if it is a classic American muscle car from the golden era, Fernando is a fan. One last fun fact he wanted to share? He is much younger than Ralph (our Service Manager). We will leave that one there. Fernando Rodrigues is the kind of team member that every dealership hopes to have: experienced, passionate, customer-focused, and genuinely dedicated to his craft. We are incredibly grateful for his 21 years of service to Maritime Chevrolet and the countless customers he has taken care of along the way. Next time you bring your Chevrolet in for service, there is a good chance Fernando has had a hand in keeping it running at its best. Now you know a little more about the person behind the work. Stay tuned for more employee spotlights celebrating the people who make Maritime Chevrolet what it is!