Year-end musings
My last publisher’s note of the year. Another year in which it’s been my great pleasure to work in and contribute to this amazing industry. So what’s on my radar at year end? I’m just back from the Los Angeles …
News
Canada teams up with INTERPOL on auto theft
As part of a joint initiative with INTERPOL, the federal government announced up to $3.5 million over three years to combat transnational organized vehicle crime through Project Drive Out. The project aims to increase information sharing between law enforcement agencies, …
U.S. new vehicle sales forecast for November looking good
Canadian dealers keeping tabs on new vehicle sales in the United States can expect November sales to maintain a steady seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.0 million, according to a Cox Automotive forecast. In its latest update, the company …
Nissan Canada among Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures
Nissan Canada has been recognized by Waterstone Human Capital, a cultural talent advisory firm within the country, as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2024. The automaker announced the news this month, noting that the program recognizes best-in-class …
New manufacturers to participate at 2025 Montreal Auto Show
The Montreal Auto Show recently unveiled a list of automotive manufacturers — including new entries — that will be participating in the 2025 edition of the event. In a news release the team said more than a dozen essential brands, …
Compact vans, mid-size cars see largest price declines in used segments
Canadian used wholesale market prices were down -0.33% this week, for the period ending on November 23, which is similar to the prior week and the 2017-2019 average of the same period. For car segment prices, the -0.26% this week …
MVRO backs new Ontario legislation focused on VIN fraud
The Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario are backing new legislation introduced by their provincial government that focuses on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) fraud, which involves stealing a VIN from a legitimate car and using it to register a stolen one. …
Toyota Highlander tops Canadian list of stolen vehicles in 2023
The Toyota Highlander was the most stolen vehicle in Canada in 2023, bypassing the Honda CR-V that held the position for two consecutive years. The data was pulled from the Équité Association, a not-for-profit organization that supports Canadian property and …
Kot Auto Group adds another dealership under its umbrella
Kot Auto Group has expanded in British Columbia with the acquisition of Okanagan Dodge, the group’s second Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler dealership. Woodgrove Chrysler was the first Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler dealership under the Kot Auto Group umbrella, having been acquired in …
Melissa Young to move on from CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario
Melissa Young, the outgoing CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario, has been described by the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario as the reform-minded, common-sense leader that new car and truck retailers needed. “The Ontario Government recognized this when they abolished the …
Emobi launches cloud-based Plug & Charge with AI identification
In the world of cloud-based options and electric vehicle charging, dealers in Canada may be interested to note that Emobi launched a streamlined Plug & Charge solution that uses AI-powered identification and cloud-based certificate authentication. The solution is called JustPlug …
Star U.S. Honda dealer shares his secrets
If you could bottle up and sell Brian Benstock’s energy, coffee sales would take a serious hit. The car dealer from Queens, New York, brought all of his passion, energy, and ideas to the stage of the Western Canadian Dealer …
