NISSAN LEAF LONG-RANGE SET FOR CES LAUNCH

Nissan has confirmed plans to reveal a new model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with a teaser suggesting it'll be the long-range Leaf electric vehicle.

The Leaf E-Plus, as it's likely to be badged, will pack a 60kWh battery and is expected to offer around 360km - up 120km on the 40kWh model touching down locally in April next year.

It's also expected to offer better thermal management than the regular Leaf's battery, opening the door for faster charging and better repeat acceleration.

Reports have suggested the car will cost US$35,400 when it launches, putting it head-to-head with the Chevrolet Bolt and entry-level Tesla Model 3.

Elon Musk promised a US$35k electric vehicle for the masses with the Model 3 but, even as production ramps up, only high-spec cars are being delivered at the moment.

In May, Musk said shipping the minimum-cost Model 3 would "cause Tesla to lose money and die".

"A larger capacity battery lends itself towards two things. One is obvious, more range.

"The other one, which is maybe a little less obvious, but equally as true, is additional horsepower and output," Brian Maragno, director of electric vehicle marketing for Nissan North America, said earlier this year.

by: www.caradvice.com.au

Nissan Leaf Long Range Set for CES
www.redlineautosales.ca/nissan-leaf-long-range-set-for-ces-launch.htm

Canadian preferences shift to SUVs

Utility vehicles have edged out sedans and some luxury cars this year when it comes to Canadian car buyer preferences. AutoTRADER.ca's annual top 10 most searched vehicles list for 2018 reveals a shift from premium sedans to sturdy SUVs.

"For the fourth year in a row, the perennial Ford F-150 has retained the #1 spot on the list, but this year, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have climbed into top positions as Canadian favourites, claiming spot #7 and #10 respectively," said Michael Bettencourt, Managing Editor, autoTRADER.ca. "As a result, sedans appear to be taking a back seat in 2018's top 10 list compared to previous years."

The news aligns with manufacturer plans to trim sedan models from their lineup. This includes OEMs like Ford, and to an extent General Motors, who recently announced the upcoming 2019 closure of its Oshawa assembly plant. The plant is responsible for the production of certain sedan models, among others.

An annual holiday light vehicle study form Desrosiers Automotive Consultants' also reveals that SUVs are a top vehicle preference for Canadians.

2018 Top 10 Most Searched Vehicles in Canada

1. Ford F-150
2. Ford Mustang
3. Honda Civic
4. BMW 3 Series
5. Jeep Wrangler
6. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
7. Honda CR-V
8. Porsche 911
9. Chevrolet Corvette
10. Toyota RAV4

Data from the report also indicates that Quebecers have a preference for practicality, as the #1 most searched vehicle in the province was the Honda Civic. The Toyota RAV4 and Corolla also made the list, displacing vehicles like the Porsche 911 and Jeep Grand Cherokee that appeared as #5 and #9, respectively, on the 2017 list.

Ontario car buyers showed a preference for classics with the Ford Mustang taking the #1 spot as the most searched vehicle in the province. The BMW 3 Series was bumped down to second place this year. The Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 also made the list.

In the Maritimes and Prairie provinces, utility vehicles took the lead over luxury. Ford, Toyota and Chevrolet are the top three car brands in these regions. The only luxury model to make the list was the BMW 3 Series, and only for the Maritimes and Manitoba.

In the Territories and Manitoba, the list of most searched vehicles included primarily SUVs and trucks. This was especially the case for the Territories.

"This year's search data and the future trends we have identified are all pointing to the fact that we are slowly approaching a tipping point in our industry," said Bettencourt. "We're witnessing a significant shift in consumer preference, as cars that were once a staple for one generation, are no longer for another. This will have a direct impact both economically and culturally, affecting the automotive industry and beyond."

by: www.canadianautodealer.ca

Canadian Preferences Shift to SUVs
www.redlineautosales.ca/canadian-preferences-shift-to-suvs.htm

Utility vehicles gain traction in Canada

A pickup truck took a familiar spot as the No. 1 most-searched vehicle on autoTRADER.ca's annual list, but moves by utility vehicles illustrate the growing "love affair" Canada has with the segment.

And that comes as Canadians are losing a bit of interest in sedans, minvians and some (but not all) luxury models.

According to autoTRADER.ca's annual top 10 most-searched vehicles list released Thursday, the Ford F-150 was the most popular search on the site.

"For the fourth year in a row, the perennial Ford F-150 has retained the No. 1 spot on the list, but this year, the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4 have climbed into top positions as Canadian favourites, claiming spot No. 7 and No. 10 respectively," autoTRADER.ca managing editor Michael Bettencourt said in a news release.

"As a result, sedans appear to be taking a back seat in 2018's top 10 list compared to previous years," Bettencourt said.

Overall, there were three utility vehicles represented on the list (the Jeep Wrangler at No. 5 joined the CR-V and Rav4). But perhaps more telling was this nugget: Each of the lists for individual provinces saw an SUV crack this list, the company said. And this has never happened before.

Not to be usurped by utilities, though, three sports cars made the top 10 national list: Ford Mustang at No. 2, Porsche 911 at No. 8 and the Chevrolet Corvette at No. 9.

Illustrating a shift away from minivans and sedans, the analysis points out in trends to watch for 2019 that minivan search interest was at 2.58 percent; there was an average of 11 percent year-over-year decline in used and new listings of minivans; and there was an average 15 percent decline in new-car sedan listings.

The company notes that "the absence of some of our favourite sedans from the list, alongside the fall of the minivan, further reinforce a car-buying future dominated by SUVs and subcompact crossovers."

And though the BMW M Series exited the top 10 list, the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class remained. Citing Bettencourt, the company added in its trends to watch analysis that "while most Canadians in 2018 opted for utility, general interest in luxury car brands remained steady - a key indicator that strong opportunity lies ahead in the mid-level luxury category, particularly as it pertains to SUVs."

The complete top 10 is as follows:

2018 Top 10 Most Searched Vehicles in Canada:

1. Ford F-150

2. Ford Mustang

3. Honda Civic

4. BMW 3 Series

5. Jeep Wrangler

6. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

7. Honda CR-V

8. Porsche 911

9. Chevrolet Corvette

10. Toyota Rav4

by: www.autoremarketing.com

Utility Vehicles Gain Traction in Canada
www.redlineautosales.ca/utility-vehicles-gain-traction-in-canada.htm

VW says the next generation of gasoline-engined cars will be its last

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Volkswagen expects the era of the combustion car to fade away after it rolls out its next-generation gasoline and diesel cars beginning in 2026.

Traditional automakers are under increasing pressure from regulators to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions to combat climate change, prompting Volkswagen to pursue a radical shift to electric vehicles.

"Our colleagues are working on the last platform for vehicles that aren't CO2-neutral," Michael Jost, strategy chief for Volkswagen's namesake brand, said Tuesday at an industry conference near the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

"We're gradually fading out combustion engines to the absolute minimum."

The world's largest automaker has started to introduce its first wave of electric cars, including next year's Porsche Taycan. The rollout across its stable of 12 automotive brands is forecast to comprise about 15 million vehicles, as the company earmarks $50 billion over the next five years to spend on its transformation to self-driving, electric cars.

Production of the VW brand's I.D. Neo hatchback will start in 12 months in Germany, followed by other models from the I.D. line assembled at two sites in China as of 2020. VW plans to launch fully or partly electric versions across its lineup of more than 300 cars, vans, trucks and motorbikes by 2030.

VW will continue to modify its combustion engine technology after the new platform is introduced next decade. After 2050, there may still be some gasoline and diesel models in regions where there is insufficient charging infrastructure, according to Jost

Problems with diesel pollution in cities can be resolved with cleaner engines, but the much bigger threat in the long run is CO2 emissions, which contribute to global warming, the VW executive said.

The German manufacturer is "fully committed" to the goals outlined in the Paris climate accord, which calls for accelerating the rollout of vehicles that lower or eliminate harmful emissions, he said at an industry conference organized by daily Handelsblatt.

The gradual exit of combustion engines marks a sea change for Volkswagen, which became the poster child of car pollution after it admitted to cheating on emissions tests in a scandal involving 11 million vehicles worldwide.

"Yes, we have a clear responsibility here," Jost said. "We made mistakes."

by: www.driving.ca

VW Says the Next Generation of Gasoline Engined Cars Will Be Its Last
www.redlineautosales.ca/vw-says-the-next-generation-of-gasoline-engined-cars-will-be-its-last.htm

British Columbia plans to end non-electric car sales by 2040

VANCOUVER, B.C. - British Columbia's premier said on Tuesday his government will introduce legislation next year that will require all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the province by 2040 to be electric or zero-emission vehicles.

Premier John Horgan said the province will phase in the sales targets, which apply only to new vehicles. They would start at 10 percent by 2025, rising to 30 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040.

To support the plan, British Columbia would expand its fast-charging network and spend an additional $20 million Canadian ($15 million U.S.) this year on incentives for consumers who buy electric vehicles.

"We need to make clean energy vehicles more affordable, available and convenient," Horgan said in a statement. He noted the targets were part of a long-term plan to achieve ambitious carbon emission reduction goals.

British Columbia offers credits of up to C$5000 for the purchase or lease of new battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and C$6000 for new hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It plans to expand the incentive program over time.

The province follows Quebec, which passed legislation in 2016 targeting 15.5 percent of sales and leases be zero emission vehicles by 2020. A number of U.S. states, including California, have similar laws designed to increase the supply and sales of plug-in electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle sales are booming in Canada, more than doubling in the second quarter of 2018 compared with the same period of 2017, according to clean-tech data firm FleetCarma. But demand is still far lower than for conventional vehicles.

Tesla's Model 3 is the most popular electric car in Canada, followed by Nissan's Leaf and General Motors' Chevy Bolt.

The International Energy Agency said last week that electric vehicles and more efficient fuel technology will cut transportation demand for oil by 2040 more than previously expected.

by: www.autoblog.com

British Columbia Plans to End Non Electric Car Sales by 2040
www.redlineautosales.ca/british-columbia-plans-to-end-non-electric-car-sales-by-2040.htm

Ford, Walmart to collaborate on designing automated-vehicle delivery

The project is the latest to grow out of Ford's broader effort to develop businesses that could use automated delivery vehicles. Ford was working with San Francisco-based Postmates already to develop delivery services that could employ automated vehicles.

The Walmart pilot, which will take place in the Miami area, initially will use human-driven vehicles operated to simulate how a self-driving vehicle would behave, Ford said. Ford has said it expects to launch commercial production of automated vehicles by 2021.

The new pilot project will offer customers delivery by Postmates of goods ordered at Walmart stores. Brian Wolf, an executive of Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, wrote in a blog post that the companies will work over the next "couple of months" to figure out what goods can be delivered successfully, especially perishable groceries.

"Before self-driving cars can go mainstream, we must get a better sense of how people want to interact with them," Tom Ward, Walmart senior vice president for digital operations, said in a statement on Thursday.

That could require new designs or equipment for vehicles, Wolf wrote. Among the challenges Ford has said it is working on is designing on-board storage systems that are easy for customers to open to retrieve a pizza or a package.

Postmates, according to its website, operates in 385 U.S. cities, as well as Mexico. It offers delivery from brick-and-mortar restaurants and stores.

Walmart is competing with online retailer Amazon.com (AMZN.O) and other rivals to cut the cost of delivering goods over what industry executives call "the last mile" to customers who order online.

Replacing human delivery van drivers with robotic systems could reduce last-mile delivery costs. But the technology is still expensive, and the industry is still waiting for regulations that could help protect automated vehicle owners or manufacturers from liability claims.

Ford is in discussions with German automaker Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) about a possible investment in its self-driving vehicle unit, people familiar with the situation said. No deal has been announced.Ford has emphasized commercial uses of autonomous vehicle technology, such as goods delivery, in contrast to rival General Motors Co (GM.N), which is working to build a robot taxi service at its GM Cruise unit.

In July, Ford said it would create a new business unit, Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC, to house its self-driving vehicle operations. The automaker said it would invest a total of $4 billion in the unit through 2023.

by: www.reuters.com

Ford, Walmart to Collaborate on Designing Automated Vehicle Delivery
www.redlineautosales.ca/ford--walmart-to-collaborate-on-designing-automated-vehicle-delivery.htm

CARFAX Canada branding now official

CARPROOF has officially rebranded its name to CARFAX Canada.

News of the name change was announced in the spring, when the company launched the rebranding process to better align with its U.S. counterpart, CARFAX.

"CARFAX Canada will continue to provide the same robust history and valuation information that dealers and consumers have come to expect from us," said Shawn Vording, Vice President of Automotive Sales at CARFAX Canada.

He adds: "We're excited to leverage the CARFAX brand because it better positions us to provide enhanced products and services to Canadians in the future, building on our extensive history of helping people make informed decisions about used cars."

Overall, the vehicle history, appraisal and valuation company is meant to help leverage the strength of the U.S. CARFAX brand so that more Canadians feel comfortable in buying and selling used vehicles in the country.

by: www.canadianautodealer.ca

Carfax Canada Branding Now Official 
www.redlineautosales.ca/carfax-canada-branding-now-official.htm

Hyundai and Kia Developing Solar Panel Roofs for Electric, Internal Combustion Engines

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors announced in a press release Wednesday that they are working together on solar charging technologyfor integration into hybrid, electric, and internal combustion vehicles. Hyundai plans to roll out this feature in three generations, with the first coming in 2019. The technology will improve fuel economy and range on equipped cars, reducing emissions in the process.

"It is an exciting development for us, designing a technology for vehicle owners to help them shift from being energy users to being energy producers," said Jeong-Gil Park, executive vice president of the engineering and design division of Hyundai Motor Group.

Generation one will be made for PHEVs, the second generation of tech will be made for internal combustion engines, and the third generation will be made for EVs. 

The first generation of the technology will be "created out of a structure of silicon solar panels that are integrated into a standard car roof," described Hyundai. As the hybrid car is parked, this roof will have the ability to charge 30 percent to 60 percent of its battery during the course of a day, depending on current weather conditions.

Generation two will be a semi-transparent solar panel embedded into the panoramic sunroof of internal combustion engine vehicles. This system is meant to charge the car's 12-volt battery. The addition of solar panels will allow the car to rely less on the typical alternator charging system, taking stress off of the engine and improving fuel efficiency as a result.

HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP

In its release, Hyundai Motor Group doesn't have much to say about the third generation of the technology, other than it "is currently in testing," and it will be applied to the roofs and hoods of future EVs to provide them with a source of clean energy.

"In the future, we expect to see many different types of electricity-generating technologies integrated into our vehicles. The solar roof is the first of these technologies, and will mean that automobiles no longer passively consume energy, but will begin to produce it actively," stated Park.

In the fight to reduce emissions, it's imperative not only for companies to manufacture more efficient cars, but also to power them through renewable sources, such as hydrogen cells, wind power, and solar energy. If the third generation of this technology makes it into production, it could put Hyundai and Kia a step closer to creating a true zero-emissions vehicle.

by: www.thedrive.com

Hyundai and Kia Developing Solar Panel Roofs for Electric, Internal Combustion Engines
www.redlineautosales.ca/hyundai-and-kia-developing-solar-panel-roofs-for-electric--internal-combustion-engines.htm

Maven to Expand Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing to 10 US Cities by December

General Motors' Maven division is expanding a service that lets owners and lessees rent out their cars, Airbnb style. The so-called "peer-to-peer" car-sharing service launched in beta form in Chicago, Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, earlier this year. According to GM, it will also be available in Baltimore, Boston, Jersey City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., by the end of 2018.

Maven's peer-to-peer car-sharing service lets people rent out their cars by the hour or by the day, and charge users for the privilege. Owners set their own rates within a range determined by Maven, which also takes a cut from each rental. Maven previously said owners could earn hundreds of dollars per month, but the actual amount depends on how much the car is rented out, and how much the owner charges.

Owners can rent out any vehicles from GM's four brands, as long as they are 2015 or newer models, don't have manual transmissions, and don't have uncompleted recall repairs. Both drivers and renters must also go through a vetting process before being allowed to use the service, and GM backs rentals with a $1 million liability insurance policy.

Other services like Turo and Getaround are working the peer-to-peer car sharing angle, but Turo's fights with the City of San Francisco and Utah rental companies show that the concept may face significant opposition from regulators and existing businesses.

Peer-to-peer car sharing will operate alongside Maven's existing services. Maven offers traditional car-sharing using a fleet of vehicles owned by GM, as well as a service that rents cars to drivers working for Uber, Lyft, and other so-called "Gig Economy" companies. Maven claims to have booked over 186,000 reservations, with more than 338 million miles driven.

by: www.thedrive.com

Maven to Expand Peer to Peer Car Sharing to 10 US Cities by December
www.redlineautosales.ca/maven-to-expand-peer-to-peer-car-sharing-to-10-us-cities-by-december.htm

Kijiji will debut standalone auto-shopping platform

 

Canadian classifieds site Kijiji has announced a new standalone car-shopping platform: Kijiji Autos.

The platform is separate from the company's existing automotive business (a space it has been in since 2005) and is an all-new automotive research and shopping destination with its own website and app.

"Our goal at Kijiji has always been to help Canadians make connections and to find what they need within their community," Kijiji general manager Matthew McKenzie said in a news release.

"Cars and trucks has always been one of the top categories on Kijiji and we've enabled countless Canadians to buy or sell vehicles for more than a decade," he said. "Through developing a new digital destination, we want to further help in the car buying journey."

McKenzie added: "We recognize that for some, car shopping is really fun, while for others it can be a lot of work.

"Whether you're a less experienced shopper who needs more information and guidance during the car-shopping process, or a car lover who knows what you want and simply want to find it faster, we want Kijiji Autos to help you find to the vehicle for you, through an easy-to-use, transparent and enjoyable user experience."

Sharing more details about the new platform, the company - which is part of the eBay Classifieds Group - said Kijiji Autos is designed to provide an easier, intuitive shopping experience focusing entirely on autos. It will include vehicle recommendations and various search/browse filters.

Kijiji Autos also has plans for features to help promote transparency: dealer ratings/reviews and pre-owned price analysis tool.

"The autos industry has rapidly changed over the last few years and we've worked tirelessly to elevate the brand, develop the right product and partnerships, and assemble the best talent," Kijiji director of autos Leanne Kripp said in a news release. "We constantly ask for feedback from our community of users and dealer partners, and that feedback is what's driven the evolution of our brand.

"What we heard was clear - Canadians want a better car shopping experience. Building on the success and learnings from our eCG family, we felt this was the right moment to do something disruptive in Canada. We're confident that Kijiji Autos will provide a more thoughtful experience for Canadian car shoppers, our dealer partners and private sellers," she said. 

Kripp added: "We know that by making it easier for Canadians to shop, we are also making it easier for Canadians to sell. By leveraging the 16.8 (million) monthly users on Kijiji and investing in the growth of the car-focused audience that can exist on Kijiji Autos, we can connect the full spectrum of car shoppers - low-, mid- and high-funnel automotive seekers - to dealers and sellers, creating more opportunities for buyers and sellers to transact successfully in their communities."

by: www.autoremarketing.com

Kijiji Will Debut Standalone Auto Shopping Platform
www.redlineautosales.ca/kijiji-will-debut-standalone-auto-shopping-platform.htm