Perry Lefko

The variant is considered to be the most contagious mutation, to date, of COVID-19. And scientists are still running tests to see how well — if at all — the variant can evade vaccine protection.

CIAS, set for Feb. 18-27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is Canada’s largest annual consumer show, with more than 650,000 square feet (60,386 metres) and crowds averaging 330,000 to 360,000.

Open-concept showrooms are not new, but subtle changes to the traditional glass-box design, including highly visible service departments and sales staff working on the showroom floor, provide a more comfortable environment for customers and, quite literally, transparency into the operation.

The Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS) will be back in 2022 after the 2021 edition was cancelled because of COVID-19, organizers said Thursday.

Chris Stommel, president of Michigan-based Foresight Research has come to the conclusion, based on 10 shows that have taken place in the United States since the spring, that manufacturers that skip auto shows will suffer brand damage.

Canadian auto show organizers are planning to run their events in 2022 after COVID-19 shut them down in 2021 – and in some cases the last two years – but they will be doing so without some manufacturers that supported them previously because of fallout from the pandemic. 

Organizers made the decision to proceed with the show after the Ontario government on Oct. 8 enacted legislation that lifted capacity restrictions for large venues and events, said General Manager Jason Campbell.

The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association is recommending the Ontario government build more highways to meet the growing demand of population and employment growth.

Trillium Automobile Dealers Association President Michael Eatson urges automakers to work with their dealer networks to navigate the digital course. “It’s engaging and listening to the dealers just to find out what their people want,” he says.

Organizers of the Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) are seeking direction from the Ontario government concerning its COVID-19 rules for indoor and outdoor events before committing to holding the 2022 show. 

The Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) is hoping proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act will allow them to finalize automobile transactions at a site other than the point of purchase.

Founded in July, 2018, TRADE X, is set up as a third party to ensure the condition of the cars that are being bought and sold are verified, the money exchanged is secure, the vehicle gets to where it is going and sellers are paid in their local currency with applicable taxes.

Silvia Carfora, CEO of the Weis Group, a Toronto-based architectural firm mediates the "natural tension" between automakers and dealers as image programs adapt to a market in flux.

The new dealership is part of an overall brand strategy the Policaro Group has of building three new stores and moving exclusively to retailing premium luxury brands.

Expansion ambitions are being curtailed because of numerous industry unknowns and a 15- to 20-per-cent rise in building costs.