LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -

The dealerships in Audrey Higham’s district took their lumps and recorded losses in 2007 and 2008, but that didn’t keep the district sales manager for the Chevrolet brand in Long Island, N.Y., from helping them adapt to challenging economic times.

In the latest Faces of GM blog, the automaker spotlights Higham and shares how has she has guided her district’s stores toward achieving profits again by teaming with them to craft special promotions and utilize accessory sales and financing. And she says it’s working.

"I find Chevrolet to be very exciting.” She is a fan of the Tahoe and Suburban, and she said, “Equinox is bringing people in the door that we haven’t seen in years.”

One of the vehicles, though, that gets Higham very excited is the new Camaro. In the blog, she shares a story about when the new Camaro was announced. A dealer in her district — thrilled to hear the news — accepted a $5,000 deposit for the vehicle, despite the actual delivery scheduled for years later.

“I said, ‘You gotta give that back. You can’t keep $5,000,’” Higham shared.

After the model arrived, Higham loved it.

“The beauty of it, the quietness of it. You know when you’re sitting inside, you feel like you’re in a real race car,” she noted. “Even with a 6-cylinder.”

“304-horsepower? And now it’s going up to 312? And 30 miles to the gallon! And we’re going to kick Ford Mustang’s butt,” Higham boasted.

Higham also made some personal adjustments. She quit smoking two years ago, and began a new habit: running.

“I try to get in five miles four or five times a week, which hasn’t been happening lately, but I have been in two 10K races,” she pointed out.

The self-described Brooklyn girl also discovered another outlet. “Suddenly I’ve decided that I like gardening. I never thought that I did and now every Saturday and Sunday I’m outside. I have a vegetable garden and I just started an English garden.”