Kelly Taylor Winnipeg Correspondent for Automotive News Canada [email protected] (204) 795-5892 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Service contracts get an overhaul for the EV era New and revised packages lift the cloud of uncertainty hanging over off-warranty EV repairs and provide a new revenue stream. Refreshed Hyundai Sonata, Elantra prove automaker still believes in sedans Hyundai is betting on a return to popularity of the sedan as it launches refreshed versions of its Sonata and Elantra models, offering new styling for both and optional all-wheel drive for the first time on Sonata. Catalytic converter theft is rising. Here's how Canadian dealers are fighting back From sophisticated security to proactive parking, Canadian dealers are fighting thieves and protecting catalytic converters. In fleeing war, he found a path, perspective, and career at Toyota in Canada How this Toyota executive’s auto industry journey got on the rails in Canada. Dealers lobby to end need for wet signatures, but lawmakers have to sign off on idea Groups seek flexibility in the rules governing where vehicle sales can close, in an attempt to bring auto retailing "into the modern era." How one dealership design hit a cantilever curve ball for a home run The second-floor showroom at Grand Touring Automobiles was the result of a concession, but it provided an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking. What the future holds for showrooms Online research, the rise of electric vehicles and innovations in other retail sectors are altering how dealerships will be designed, with showrooms shrinking, service areas growing and customers’ first points of contact changing, say experts in the field. VinFast to start VF 8 deliveries in June now that 781 have arrived from Vietnam Vietnam-based automaker VinFast is set to deliver its first vehicles to Canadian customers in June after 781 VF 8 electric vehicles arrived in port in Nanaimo, B.C., May 17. Magna: Human trafficking suit filed against it is ‘without merit’ The lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court, alleges that the supplier "chose to illegally recruit and hire foreign workers and violate" the Employment Standards Act Canadian Ford dealers win concessions on contentious EV programs Ford says it is "listening" and creating exceptions to fine-tune the Model e electric vehicle certification programs for different markets. Buy-sell firm DSMA to build out a national commercial-EV dealership network For Toronto-based DSMA, which specializes in finding qualified buyers in Canada and the United States for new-vehicle dealerships, the deal represents new territory. For Canada’s Vicinity Motor Corp., it’s a chance to expand beyond its compact EV transit buses to sell vehicles in a growing market. Lower average pay for women tied to their roles The pay for women at Canadian dealerships is increasing, on average, but the gap between men’s and women’s salaries is also growing, according to the 2023 Automotive News Canada Retail Salary Survey. Ford says 80% of Canadian dealers registered for Model e EV program Ford estimates the Model e Certified Elite program would cost dealers $1.3 million while the Model e Certified costs $560,000. The latter choice will result in a reduced allotment of EVs to sell. The investment covers charging stations as well as sales and service training. Canadian dealerships remain committed to commission Although more auto retailers are adopting salary-based compensation strategies to attract and retain employees seeking stable incomes, sales commissions are still key to dealerships, and that could be particularly true in an uncertain economy. 2022 Year in Review Canada’s automotive sector began the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic with hope, but anti-restriction protesters, a resurgence of the virus and continuing supply-chain disruptions — amplified by Russia’s war on Ukraine — pushed thoughts of a sales recovery far into the future. Load More
Kelly Taylor Winnipeg Correspondent for Automotive News Canada [email protected] (204) 795-5892 See All Staff Page