A security guard stands under an umbrella at an Audi car seller in Shanghai on August 6, 2014.Johannes Eisele / Getty Images A couple in China is being sued by a car dealership after their daughter scratched the paint of more than 10 new vehicles sitting in the showroom.According to 7news Australia, the couple was accompanying their friend who was visiting the dealership, and brought along their three-year-old daughter. It wasnt until after they left that they found out their daughter had taken a stone and drawn into the paint of 10 new cars, including an Audi Q8.The father, referred to in reports only as Mr. Zhao, is being sued for 200,000 Chinese Yuan (CDN$37,500), according to the Lingui Peoples Court.The dealership says the vehicles can no longer be sold as new cars as a result of the damage, and that it may reevaluate the assessment if the vehicles values are found to have depreciated after their respray. If the dealership tried to still sell them as new cars, they could be sued for false advertising, and would have to compensate triple the purchase price if found guilty so it would rather not take that chance. The vehicles, although new, will have to be sold as used. According to the court, Mr. Zhao rejected the 200,000 RMB demand, but ended up reaching a settlement with the dealership of about 70,000 RMB (around CDN$13,000).The silver lining is that somebody out there is going to get a great deal on an Audi with fresh
Origin: Dad sued after toddler draws on dealer’s new Audis with a rock
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Ferrari confirms it’ll build an electric car, but not until after 2025
Ferraris chief executive confirmed mid-December that an electric vehicle will wear the brands Prancing Horse, but only after 2025, when itll slot into the GT lineup alongside the companys V12s.My sense is the electric will come out after 2025. The battery technology is not where it should be yet, said CEO Louis Camilleri during an embargoed lunch this week in the Centro Stile at Ferraris Maranello factory.The car would become part of the GT lineup of vehicles, rather than attempt to slot into the performance lineup populated by mid-engined supercars. Since a GT car must go long distances at high speed, electric vehicle technology still has some catching up to do in order to appease Maranello.There are still significant issues in terms of autonomy, in terms of speed of recharging. So eventually we will come out with one. But its post-2025. Not in the short term, said Camilleri. The fully electric vehicle will be a major departure for Ferrari, which has wn multiple awards for its internal-combustion engine designs. Founder Enzo Ferrari was from the start very proud of his companys powerplants, saying aerodynamics are for those who cant build engines.But it seems that times are changing, and so must the most stubborn brand in history. Luckily, we still have five-plus more years of solid Ferrari V12s before the EV trend threatens their security.LISTEN: What do you get when you combine a cross-country electric vehicle road trip with a poignant love story? Mary Ann’s Electric Drive, that’s what. In this week’s episode of Plugged In, we chat with Harvey Soicher, a Vancouver man who tragically lost his soul mate 18 months ago but found some semblance of healing by embracing what he calls a ‘pioneer spirit’ to drive his Audi e-tron from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and back.
Origin: Ferrari confirms it’ll build an electric car, but not until after 2025
Tesla driver distracted by dog in car blames Autopilot after smashing into police
A Tesla Model 3 driver was checking on his dog in the back seat when his car, on Autopilot mode, smashed into two parked cars, according to a police report out of Connecticut.The incident happened on the states I-95 highway early morning Saturday, December 7.According to a post by the Connecticut State Police department, one of the vehicles the Tesla struck was a police car pulled over to the side of the road, assisting a separate vehicle accident.Both of the patrol cars assisting with the other accident had their lights flashing, and a flare was set up, so it should have been pretty easy for somebody to see them. Unless, of course, youre relying on your car to drive itself while youre turned around checking on your dog in the back seat, which is exactly what happened.The driver of the Model 3 was issued a misdemeanor summons for Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment, but luckily nobody nor any animal was seriously injured in the accident.The CSP issued a warning to remind motorists that although a number of vehicles have some automated capabilities, there are no vehicles currently on sale that are fully automated or self-driving.Tesla has not commented on the incident, and the investigation has not revealed whether or not the Model 3s brakes were applied prior to the collision, by either the driver or
Origin: Tesla driver distracted by dog in car blames Autopilot after smashing into police
BMW decides to offer Apple CarPlay for free after all
BMW has made buyers pay for the privilege to connect their phones to its already-outrageously-priced luxury vehicles since 2016 in Canada, it just started the practice this past July but now the automakers reversing its decision to allow a better customer experience.For the 2019 model year, BMW was asking Canadian buyers for $100 per year for Apple CarPlay, unless they wanted to opt for a 20-year subscription for $400. After just a few months, that price has been dropped back down to free.BMW is always looking to satisfy our customers needs and this policy change is intended to provide them with a better ownership experience, a BMW spokesperson said to Autocar.In the U.S., the decision to charge users a one-time $300 fee and then a subsequent $80-per-year subscription fee was definitely a head-scratcher, considering every other manufacturer offers the connectivity service for free on most standard models. The fees were likely implemented to make buyers similarly scratch their heads, and step up to the next-highest trim level BMW, which offered full satellite infotainment and navigation for only a few dollars more.CarPlay doesnt cost automakers any extra money, according to Apple, but it does cost money to implement the system into vehicles, one likely eaten by manufacturers who offer the service without charger unless youre BMW.While automakers have been trying to keep phone companies away from their vehicles for years, believing they could offer a better system themselves, more and more companies are now caving to consumers who prefer their phone
Origin: BMW decides to offer Apple CarPlay for free after all
Tesla Autopilot users rate feature’s safety high, even after close calls, crashes
2018 Tesla Model 3 Peter Bleakney photo The vast majority of Tesla Model 3 owners consider the cars Autopilot feature a real safety benefit, despite the fact the systems sometimes put them in danger.The overwhelming consensus about Autopilot is that it made owners feel safer while driving, according to a survey of Model 3 owners conducted by Bloomberg. Of the 5,000 owners polled, over 90 per cent touted the safety benefits of the system.The survey also found 13 per cent of owners say the Autopilot mode has put them into a dangerous situation before.Perhaps most interestingly, the overlap between Model 3 owners who answered those two questions that way was pretty big most of the drivers who reported being put in a dangerous situation by the system also said it made them feel safer. Were not sure what is going through those peoples minds, exactly.One owner surveyed, for example, admitted their car didnt slow down enough to take a bend in the road and ended up hitting a truck; they rated Autopilots overall safety four stars out of five. To be fair to to the capability of Teslas software, some 28 per cent of owners also say Autopilot has saved them from a dangerous situation.It would be interesting to see what other drivers think of Teslas Autopilot when they are driving down the same stretch of road as a Model 3. Do they feel more nervous that the Tesla might be driving itself? Or do they feel safer knowing that there is a second set of eyes on the road?For more on electric vehicles, listen to Drivings EV podcast Plugged In. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google
Origin: Tesla Autopilot users rate feature’s safety high, even after close calls, crashes
BMW’s Hallowe’en tweet gag backfires after Benz retorts
BMW USA tweeted a(n arguably) funny Halloween message to its followers October 31, showing off a $500 BMW M5 Halloween costume it just added to is online accessories catalog wrapped around a Mercedes-AMG. The caption on the tweet? Now every car can dress up as its favourite superhero.If, impossibly, that didnt get a chuckle out of you, Daimlers official Twitter account clapped back at BMW with its own quip.Nice one, @BMWUSA. Thats a really scary costume! Especially that radiator grille was the retort. We imagine everybody laughed until they peed their vented leather seats.Nice one, @BMWUSA. That’s a really scary costume! Especially that radiator grille Daimler AG (@Daimler) October 31, 2019Groan. Interactions like this almost always backfire, and its never a good idea to show another brands product looking better than yours. A wrinkly BMW car cover over top of a pristine Mercedes-Benz just set them up for a take-down.At the same time, we have to admit its unusual to see these two German rivals engaging in playful banter on the internet its usually Audi that takes the brunt of the abuse from BMW, or vice-versa. Are things OK between those two? Maybe theyre going through a rough patch, who knows? All we know is this joke falls a little flat.Even worse, the whole gag feels just a little vaguely familiar probably because somebody already made literally the same joke back in 2013.Back then it was Pepsi floating the ad featuring its can costumed as a Cola Coca. We wish you a scary halloween! read the copy. A Coca-Cola fan responded using the same image, but with a new caption on it: Everybody wants to be a
Origin: BMW’s Hallowe’en tweet gag backfires after Benz retorts
After far too long, Nissan’s updated Frontier pickup is coming soon
2019 Nissan FrontierHandout / Nissan There are few sureties in life: death, taxes and the stale styling of the Nissan Frontier. Thanks to the companys glacier-like design cycle, the looks of the current Frontier are very nearly old enough to get a licence and drive themselves.Thats about to change, according to the gearheads at Automobile.In an interview with the mag at this weeks Tokyo Auto Show, Ivan Espinosa, corporate vice-president of global and Japan product planning, said a new Frontier is a priority for the company and will probably appear within the next calendar year.In a vacuum, those words arent much to go on. However, when asked about the new trucks styling, Alfonso Albaisa, global vice-president of design, went on to say it will have a spirituality of adventure and be bolder than the overall design direction of other Nissan products thanks to it being, yknow, a truck. Albaisa described the look as strong, and the expectation is itll be more than just an evolution of the current trucks styling. Your author, for what its worth, thinks the next Frontier will share design cues with the 2020 Titan.In addition to new duds, theres an excellent chance the next Frontier will also have new modes of motivation, even if it rides on the same old platform. The current truck allows customers to choose between an inline-four making 152 horsepower and a 4.0-litre V6 making 261 ponies. Neither are exactly cutting-edge technology, so any upgrade here will be a marked improvement.Despite its age, theres a solid argument to be made that Nissan doesnt need to rush in bringing a new Frontier to market. The current model is posting robust sales numbers, thanks in no small part to its price-leader status. Canadian customers can get into a King Cab 42 for less than $25,000. Absent of large changes since the mid-2000s, parts availability is vast and cheap.In the meantime, Nissan is busying itself with introducing the refreshed Titan truck. If the above timeline holds, itll be good practice for when they roll out a new Frontier next
Origin: After far too long, Nissan’s updated Frontier pickup is coming soon
Jaguar Land Rover returns to profit after revenue boost
Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth that the firm’s turnaround programme is firmly on track after it returned to profit in the last financial quarter. Hit by falling sales, the British firm posted a £395 million loss between April and June of this year. But it turned that around in the quarter running from July to September, recording a £156 million pre-tax profit – a £246 million year-on-year improvement. The improved results were driven by Jaguar Land Rover’s revenues rising to £6.1 billion, an 8.0% year-on-year increase. While retail sales dipped by 0.7%, the firm was boosted its performance in China, where sales grew 24.3%. The arrival of the new Range Rover Evoque also helped, with sales of that model up 54.6% compared to the previous year. Range Rover Sport sales rose 17.5% over the same period. Jaguar Land Rover has been undergoing a massive £2.5 billion cost-cutting and restructuring programme, named Project Charge, and Speth said the improved results reflected the success of those efforts. The firm has already achieved £2.2 billion on efficiencies, and is on track to reach its goals by the end of March 2020. It has also invested in new facilities, such as the recentl;y opened Product Creation Centre. “Our people have responded very positively to the challenging circumstances over the past year,” said Speth. “The improved performance this quarter reflects their ongoing passion and
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover returns to profit after revenue boost
After Mercedes, Volvo and Audi are bailing out from Montreal Auto Show
The Detroit auto show also known as the North American International Auto Show will, in 2020, leave behind its traditional still-hung-over-from-New-Years January time slot for a new its-not-freezing-any-more date in June.Thatll make LeSalon International de Montréal – a.k.a. the SIAM, still hosted in January the first major North American auto show of the year.Does that mean that, three months before its doors open to the public, the 2020 Montreal International Auto Show will see even more concepts cars, world premières or more firecrackers, rock bands and other fanfare?It doesnt seem like it. In fact, the latest news is two more manufacturers are bailing out of the Quebec rendezvous. The organizers, the Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles de Montréal, learned a few days ago Audi and Volvo wont show their new vehicles at the downtown Palais des Congrès during the shows January 17 to 26 run for 2020.That implies Polestar, Volvos new electric-performance brand, which just announced Montreal would play home to its first North American dealership, wont catch any of the eyes of the metropoles Auto Show 200,000 visitors.These two absentees join an already-not-coming Mercedes-Benz; corporate in Germany announced last September the best-selling luxury brand in Canada and the U.S. would be a no-show at all North American exhibitions this year.But, in Montreal, though Mercedes-Benz wont be represented as a manufacturer, local dealerships have accepted the shows offer of a small area outside the main floor, where theyll display their latest products, says SIAM vice-president Denis Dessureault.Its not the first time Montreals automotive rendezvous has to deal with AWOL manufacturers. Most notably, at the turn of this century, a bunch of luxury brands decided to skip the Montreal Auto Show, then held at the Olympic Stadium, over its crashed roof, and organized their own annual event at Place Bonaventure. It lasted only two years.More recently, we saw Porsche drop out of the SIAM picture from 2012 to 2014; it came back in 2015, though Volvo didnt participate that year, nor in 2016.Volvo also bails from Toronto’s CIASWhat about the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), scheduled for its 47th run at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from February 14 to 24 next year? Well, theres good news and bad news.Yes, Audi will show its new products in la Ville-Reine, confirms spokesperson Cort Nielsen, adding the Montreal no-show decision was taken by the Montreal dealers.The bad news? Volvo wont participate in Torontos CIAS, despite the auto show being the biggest in Canada with 350,000 visitors and despite Ontarios market registering 42 per cent of all new cars sold each year in the country.For now, only Volvo and Mercedes-Benz are out of the CIAS, though. That brings us to a total of 38 brands for this 2020 edition, general manager Jason Campbell told Driving.ca. He quietly added that the floor space vacated by Benz was quickly grabbed up by competitor BMW-Mini.No confirmations for the 100th annual Vancouver Auto ShowWhen it comes to the Vancouver International Auto Show, an event celebrating its 100th anniversary in March, nothing is confirmed, or not confirmed We dont secure our dealers that quickly, executive director Jason Heard told us.That said, Vancouvers automotive rendezvous already dealt with an absent Mercedes-Benz last year, as did Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec City, New York, ChicagoAnd it could be so much worst. The 2019 NAIAS, the last North American International Auto Show held in Detroit in its usual January slot, had to deal with a much longer list of absentees. Audi, BMW-Mini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche and Volvo all skipped that
Origin: After Mercedes, Volvo and Audi are bailing out from Montreal Auto Show
Manitoba GM dealer triples sales after hiring women in senior roles
In this Wednesday, April 26, 2017, photo, Chevrolet Camaros are lined up in the lot of a Chevrolet dealership in Richmond, Va.Steve Helber / Associated Press A GM dealership north of Winnipeg has seen vehicle sales almost triple within five years, and the reason? Women, reports Automotive News Canada.More specifically, women working in senior roles at the company. Selkirk Chevrolet-Buick-GMC has a staff of 75 people, with over a third of those people being women, many of them in positions such as sales, technicians, service advisers and financial management.Matt Walters, general manager of the dealership says weve created a culture where everyone can be successful.Women contribute at all levels at Selkirk, and even the dealerships nickname was the product of one of its general sales managers, Diane Little: Estrogen GM. The push to have more women on staff began five years ago, and since then, new and used vehicles sales have jumped from 400 to 1,100. The sales have been so good the family recently bought the Steeltown Ford dealership across the street.Women kind of have a different way with things, service adviser Nancy Wendell said. A lot of customers are just kind of put at ease.According to Kelly Balmer, general manager at Steeltown Ford, winning customers means paying attention to the small ball.The customer has to come first, she offered. Sometimes in the car business, we forget that.The women have all worked their way to the top, and have done their time down in the trenches. Theyre hoping the success of the two dealerships is a wake-up call for the
Origin: Manitoba GM dealer triples sales after hiring women in senior roles
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