Thirty-seven-yea- old Alexander Lifshits, a Russian Israeli new immigrant to Winnipeg, has been working at Vickar Community Chevrolet on 964 Regent Avenue west for almost a year and a half as a finance and sales consultant.
"One month after my arrival, Larry Vickar gave me an opportunity to work with him. I am indebted to him and very grateful for giving me this opportunity," Lifshits says.
Lifshits "loves living in Winnipeg" and even likes the winters here. "I love Winnipeg weather because it reminds me of my childhood in Siberia, Russia. I'm used to cold weather", he notes, adding that he was fourteen years old, when he immigrated with his parents to Israel from Russia.
Lifshits has already sold many vehicles to new Israeli immigrants. "They usually buy a Chevrolet Equinox or the Chevrolet Cruze. The Chevy Equinox is popular because it is affordable, fuel efficient technologically advanced and a safe SUV. The Chevy Cruze is popular because it is reliable and spacious," Alex explains. He adds, "The Chevrolet brand has existed for over a 100 years and is well-known for being desirable."(The price for a 2018 Chevy Equinox starts at $25,545.00 and the price for a 2018 Chevy Cruze starts at $16,395.00.
Alex states that he is proud to help new immigrants who he has met, for example, at the Rady Jewish Community Center, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Etz Chayim Synagogue, to choose the best vehicle for their needs and budget.
Alex's work involves "explaining to customers their financial options to obtain a loan in order to buy a vehicle based on their credit rating." He says, I work on the phone mostly. Most of my customers are from Manitoba and Ontario. Mainly I sell trucks such as the Chevrolet Silverado to customers in rural Manitoba and Ontario." He says "The Chevy Silverado is a very popular truck that is made for Canadian roads and winters, about half of its parts are made in North America." (The price for the 2018 Chevy Silverado starts at $30,435.00).
Alex, his wife Anna and their children (ages 3 and 5) have bought a house in Whyteridge and are very involved in the Jewish community. He is a Board member of the Rady JCC, both he and his wife Anna volunteer for PJ Library. "We also invite newcomers to our home for dinner in order to meet them and see if we can help them in any way," he says. Alex's youngest child goes to the Rady JCC's David and Ruth Asper Early Learning Centre and their oldest goes to Brock Corydon elementary school. Lifshits and his family appear on the cover of the Rady JCC's winter 2018 Guide.
Prior to coming to Canada, Alex had experience in the areas of sales and customer service. In Israel, he and his family lived in the Haifa area. He served in the Israel Defence Forces in the Golani infantry brigade. He says that he and his wife decided to move to Canada " We want our children to live without the fear of war."
Alex's wife Anna, works as an administrative assistant at Great West Life. Prior to working as an administrative assistant, she translated documents from Hebrew to English and Russian and vice versa. Lifshits says "We love living in Winnipeg, It is friendly, peaceful and a great place to raise our children."
Anyone who is interested in speaking to Alex can reach him directly at 204-298-4700. He would be glad to go over finance options or give you any information relating to a vehicle at Vickar Community Chevrolet.