Returning for its third year, the 2015 CADA Summit will bring a mix of established favorites and new features. It’s taking place on February 11, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency in Toronto, just prior to the opening of the Canadian International AutoShow. Since it was established, the CADA Summit has grown quickly to become a must attend event for auto industry leaders and retailers.
To find out what’s in store for February, Canadian auto dealer conducted an exclusive interview with Patrice Maltais, Industry Relations Officer for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association and coordinator for the CADA Summit.
“A big focus this year will be looking to the future from a technology standpoint,” says Maltais. “Connected vehicles are going to become increasingly important and at the 2015 CADA Summit we will be exploring and discussing various viewpoints regarding this technology.”
Maltais notes that while the ability for vehicles to communicate with each other and their occupants will be a focal point, so will be how future generations of cars connect with the environment around them.
“As urban centres become more developed and populations grow, how city planning develops will also impact vehicle use and how cars interact with pedestrians and cyclists.”
Maltais says that changes in vehicle ownership, such as the potential growth in car sharing, will impact the industry, particularly in major metro areas. He notes that different types of ownership and new technologies are likely to have a big impact on the way vehicles are sold and serviced at the retail level. “These are all things we’ll be looking at,” he says.
Some firm favourites will return, including the Economic Panel, the Manufacturer Panel (this year with Hyundai Auto Canada, Jaguar Land Rover Canada and Toyota Canada, plus this year’s CADA Laureates will also take to the stage.
But there will be changes with the session for the Laureates. “We’ve decided to alter the format a little this year,” says Maltais. “We’ll be giving the Laureates more of a chat show type atmosphere, where they can not only discuss but also share their own stories about how they’ve achieved success.”
As the 2015 CADA Summit edges closer, Canadian auto dealer will bring you further details, including keynote speakers. Stay tuned.
For more information visit: Cadasummit.ca.
