The Most Googled Automakers of 2016

Top 10 Google Searched Automakers

Google, like Xerox before it, has become so synonymous with its function that the word has simply become a verb. We search Google for everything from Pokémon Go to figuring out the name of an actor from a television show from 1992, even though you can't remember the show's title. These are the top 10 most popular automakers on Google.

Honda

Honda beat out every other automaker to claim the Google crown in 2016. The Civic was all-new for 2016 and was the most popular model on Google.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz was the top-searched German automaker, and second only to Honda overall. The all-new C300 was the most popular model on Google

Tesla

Despite only selling two vehicles, Tesla was the third most popular automaker on Google. That was most likely boosted by the hype surrounding the upcoming Model 3, which was itself the most Googled Tesla.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini may sell fewer models in a year than Honda does in a day, but the storied Italian marque is still the fourth most popular automaker on Google.

Volvo

Volvo in the midst of a complete overhaul, with tons of new models hitting the streets. The all-new XC90 was the most popular model.

Ford

Ford was number six on Google's top searches this year. Focus, one of the automaker's most popular models around the world, was the most commonly searched vehicle.

Jaguar

People like searching for luxury vehicles, putting Jaguar at number seven. The aging XF still proved popular on Google search.

Bentley

Bentley, the Volkswagen-owned British automaker, was number eight. Crossovers and SUVs are selling more and more, so it should be no surprise that people were searching for the Bentayga.

Maserati

Maserati may only sell four models, but like Tesla it proves that you only need a few big names to be popular on Google. The all-new Levante SUV was the most popular Maserati.

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce is second German-owned British automaker on the list. The uber-lux Phantom was the company's most popular model.

by:autoblog.com


The Most Googled Automakers of 2016............................... www.redlineautosales.ca/the-most-googled-automakers-of-2016.htm

Deal reached in Volkswagen emissions class action

A proposed nationwide class settlement will pay cash to about 105,000 Volkswagen owners and lessees who were affected by the 2.0L TDI emissions fiasco. Total value of the benefits is up to $2.1 billion. Subject to approval by two courts, the settlement gives eligible class members the option to sell their vehicle back to Volkswagen or terminate their lease without penalty. They can also choose to trade-in their vehicle, or, if emissions modifications are approved by regulators, they can keep their vehicle, have it modified at no charge, and get an extended emissions warranty.
The agreement, reached in consultation with the Commissioner of Competition in Canada, includes a $15 million civil administrative monetary penalty for Volkswagen Group Canada.
"Volkswagen's primary goal has always been to ensure our Canadian customers are treated fairly, and we believe that this proposed resolution achieves this aim," says Maria Stenstroem, Volkswagen Group Canada president and chief executive officer.
Included in the proposed settlement are these vehicles:

• VW Jetta - 2009-2015
• VW Jetta Wagon - 2009
• VW Golf - 2010-2013, 2015
• VW Passat - 2012-2015
• VW Beetle - 2013-2015
• VW Golf Wagon - 2010-2014
• VW Golf Sportwagon - 2015
• Audi A3 - 2010-2013, 2015

Detailed information about the options for settlement class members is available at  www.VWCanadaSettlement.ca

by: canadianautodealer.ca

Deal Reached in Volkswagen Emissisons Class Action......................... www.redlineautosales.ca/deal-reached-in-volkswagen-emissions-class-action.htm

Family rides among top cars owners keep 10-plus years

The fact that the top 10 list of vehicles owners keep for at least 10 years is made up entirely of models from Japanese automakers - many of which of known for strong reliability - doesn't necessarily surprise Phong Ly.
No, the surprise to the iSeeCars.com chief executive: nine of the top 10 are either SUVs or minivans.
The domain of mom and dad, hauling kids around to soccer practice, piano recitals or school.
"They're primarily family vehicles, and you would think that after having kids (and owning) these family vehicles for five, six, seven years that you might want to get rid of them as quickly as you can, given how dirty the car gets over time," Ly said in a phone interview this week.
"So, it's a little surprising that these vehicles are actually still being kept by the original owners," he said. "And perhaps partly it's being kept for just memory's sake. And also, I think the fact that it's still running well and it's reliable. It can get you from Point A to Point B while carrying your family."
The only non-SUV/minivan on the list is the vehicle in the No. 2 spot: the Toyota Prius.
Thirty-two percent of original owners keep that car for 10 or more years, according to the iSeeCars analysis of more than 2.5 million vehicles.
Topping the list by a hair is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, where 32.1 percent of owners keep it 10-plus years.
On average, 12.9 percent of all car owners kept their rides for 10-plus years.
The complete top 10 is as follows, based on percentage of original owners holding onto the car for a decade or longer:
1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 32.1 percent
2. Toyota Prius: 32.0 percent
3. Toyota Highlander: 29.0 percent
4. Toyota Sienna: 28.7 percent
5. Honda Pilot: 27.2 percent
6. Honda CR-V: 25.2 percent
7. Toyota RAV4: 24.9 percent
8. Subaru Forester: 24.2 percent
9. Lexus RX (hybrid): 24.1 percent
10. Honda Odyssey: 24.0 percent

Hybrids at top, too; rental & lease favorites at bottom

As the list shows, there are three hybrids that cracked the top 10, as well, including the top two.
"The conventional wisdom not so long ago was that they may not be reliable vehicles. The Toyota Prius came out (in the United States and globally) in, I think, 2000.  But it's turned out that these hybrid vehicles are one of the most highly rated cars. It's highly ranked by Consumer Reports. It's out bored out by the metrics, the fact that the original owners - this is not the second or third one; this is the original owner - are holding on to these vehicles for so long," Ly said.
If you look towards the bottom of the list, the cars that have the lowest percentage of owners keeping them for 10-plus years are commonly rental cars and vehicles that are heavily leased, Ly said.
For instance, a Ford Taurus - a vehicle popular in rental and commercial fleets - had just 5.6 percent of owners keep it for a decade, he said. Or the heavily leased BMW 7-Series, where only 4 percent of owners keep the ride for at least 10 years.
"Those markets favor cars that are only a few years old - 10 years after these cars were first sold, chances are that they would be sold by their second or third owners instead of their original owner," Ly said in a news release.

Trends among most popular rides

If you look at the 10 most popular cars in the US, ownership trends were quite varied.  More than 20 percent of Toyota Camry owners keep their vehicles for 10-plus years, while just 7.9 percent of Ford Mustang owners do the same.
Likewise, iSeeCars points out that the most popular pickups were either close to average (Chevrolet Silverado at 1500 at 13.9 percent) or below average (Ram 1500 at 11.5 percent, Ford F-150 at 11 percent).
"Trucks are often used as heavy work vehicles, such as in construction, and so are driven much more than a typical passenger car," Ly said in a news release. "Consequently, they may need to be replaced earlier."

by: autoremarketing.com


Family Rides Among Top Cars Owners Keep 10 Years Plus............. www.redlineautosales.ca/family-rides-among-top-cars-owners-keep-10-plus-years.htm

Modified electric car provides driverless towing

Nissan Motor is expanding the role for its driverless technologies beyond personal use by modifying an intelligent electric car to tow finished vehicles around its Oppama plant in Japan. Dealers might well ask how long it will be before a similar technology moves their inventory around their own lots.
Intelligent Vehicle Towing (IVT), a fully, automated vehicle towing system, uses mapping and communication technologies - and a modified Nissan LEAF - to tow trollies of finished vehicles between loading and unloading points throughout the plant. No special infrastructure is needed for the system to operate.
The towing car is equipped with cameras and laser scanners that detect lane markings, curbs and potential obstacles or hazards around the vehicle. By cross-referencing the information with map data, the towing car calculates its own location and negotiates the route to its destination unaided. It travels within factory speed limits and automatically stops if it detects an obstacle or hazard, and sets off again when it determines that the road ahead is clear.
Driverless towing cars connect to a central traffic control system, which can monitor location, driving speed, remaining battery and operational status of each vehicle.
Trial operations of the system began a year ago. Nissan plans to continue testing the system at the Oppama plant and look at the possibilities for implementation at other plants both in and outside of Japan.


by: canadianautodealer.ca


Modified Electric Car Provides Driverless Towing........................................... www.redlineautosales.ca/modified-electric-car-provides-driverless-towing.htm

Genesis to launch with standalone dealers

Hyundai re-launched its Genesis brand in Canada on November 21, even though it didn't have a single physical dealership location in place, reports The Truth About Cars.
Instead, the luxury automotive brand is bringing revolutionary, top-shelf service to potential buyers and new owners.
Genesis Motors plans to establish 30 standalone dealerships across Canada after an initial ramp-up to some 17 dealerships in 2017, TTAC's Timothy Cain learned in a November interview with Chad Heard, senior manager of public relations Hyundai Canada.
The initial dozen-plus dealerships will be concentrated in key cities including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and, quite likely, Quebec City. A later roll-out of another dozen or so dealerships will bring the fledgling luxury brand to Canadians living outside of major urban centres.
Temporary "boutique retail locations" will be established in the aforementioned cities before putting brick to mortar for permanent, standalone dealerships.
In the interim before any dealerships are built, don't expect to find your new Genesis G80 or G90 in the back corner of a Hyundai dealership; nor should you expect to weave through rows of Elantras and Santa Fes when kicking off a test drive. Genesis Motors has other plans.
As found on Genesis' new website, one can schedule a "Genesis at Home Experience Drive" wherein a Genesis Experience Manager - an employee of one of Hyundai Canada's distributors - will drive to your home or office for a test drive, all at your convenience.
Should you choose to purchase a new Genesis after your test drive, maintenance will be equally as convenient thanks to "Genesis at Home Service," wherein a loaner vehicle - and don't expect an Accent - will be left at your home or office while your car is away for servicing.
Just arrange a time and pickup location that works for you, and leave the rest to Genesis service agents.
And the above is not a transient, disappearing perk; Genesis is offering complimentary scheduled maintenance for five years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first. A comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty matches this maintenance coverage for the same time and distance.
Complimentary map updates and premium roadside assistance are also included with every new Genesis purchase.
A new, simplified pricing strategy will show potential customers all-in pricing, inclusive of all fees and charges. Thus, what you see will be exactly what you pay when purchasing any new Genesis model.
Gaining market share in Canada's fiercely competitive luxury automotive segment will be an uphill battle for the Korean automaker, but it says it's in it for the long haul, and it doesn't expect overnight success.
"Our focus is not on volume," said Heard of Genesis' sales strategy. "Our focus is on customer experience."
The upstart luxury brand's kid-glove handling of prospective buyers and owners in addition to its ever-improving and competitively-priced vehicle lineup follows a "build it and they will come" approach to organic growth.
Since launching in Canada, Hyundai Motors has sold just shy of 10,000 Genesis vehicles and less than 500 Equus flagship sedans, but the automaker believes part of this sluggish growth is due to its dealership experience, which it's about to turn on its head.
Pricing for the new Genesis lineup will start at $54,000 for the newly badged G80 (formerly known as simply the Genesis sedan) while the top-of-the-line G90 (formerly badged the Equus) is priced at $87,000, thus bringing the fight to key competitors including Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz.

by: autofocus.ca

Genesis to Launch with Standalone Dealers....................................................... www.redlineautosales.ca/genesis-to-launch-with-standalone-dealers.htm