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January 24, 2012
AUTO REMARKETING CANADA 2012 CONFERENCE
Auto Remarketing Canada 2012, annual pre-owned industry conference, will take place at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Ontario on April 16 to 18. The conference theme is “Bringing it All Together.”

Speakers will include:

• Cathy Clark, GM AutoPark SuperStore, Burlington
• Carey Smith, Dir of Investigations, MVDA, OMVIC
• Josh Bailey, Canadian Black Book
• Michael Hatch, Chief Economist, CADA
• Paul Potratz, Potratz Advertising
• Geoff Helby, ALG
• Matt Rispin, North Toronto Auction
• Brian Murphy, JD Power & Associates/PIN
• Michael Rothe, Dir. Legal Svcs. OMVIC

Other speakers will be added to cover information on topics such as: remarketing best practices, certified pre-owned, social media, advertising, inventory management, and sales.

Early bird registration is now open and the rate will expire March 14 and is $795USD. For more information visit: arcanada.autoremarketing.com.

January 23, 2012
2012 ECOENERGY AWARDS WINNERS
Natural Resources Canada has specified the most fuel-efficient vehicles for 2012 as part of ecoENERGY for Vehicles Awards. Ten winners, each in a specific vehicle category were determined.

“These manufacturers are developing the latest vehicle technologies to help Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources. “The fuel consumption ratings for vehicles provide Canadians with the right tools to help make informed decisions to lower their fuel costs while reducing their environmental impact.”

The winners: (total annual fuel use in brackets):

• Two-seater: Honda CR-Z and Smart fortwo (1,060 litres)
• Subcompact: Mitsubishi i-MiEV (3,740 kWh)
• Compact: Chevrolet Volt (780 Le*)
• Midsize: Nissan LEAF (480 Le*)
• Full-size: Hyundai Sonata (1,460L)
• Station wagon: Toyota Prius v (920L)
• Pick-up truck: Toyota Tacoma (1,780L)
• Special purpose vehicle: Ford Escape Hybrid (1,220L)
• Minivan: Mazda5 (1,660L)
• Large van: Ford Transit Connect Van (1,760L)

*Le = gasoline litre equivalent.

January 17, 2012
GREEN WITH 'NV'
Nissan Canada will debut the e-NV200 Concept car at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario in February. The concept, is based on the NV200, which was selected as New York City’s “Taxi of Tomorrow.” It features Nissan LEAF’s all-electric powertrain.

“With its standout design and ‘no gas, no tailpipe, no emissions’ powertrain, the e-NV200 Concept is set to revitalize the van segment,” said Judy Wheeler, Director of Marketing at Nissan Canada.

The e-NV200 is expected to start production in 2014.

January 10, 2012
CAR AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR WINNERS NAMED
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year; the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Other Car of the Year finalists were 2012 Ford Focus and 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Other truck finalists were 2012 BMW X3 and 2012 Honda CR-V.

"Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy," said John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra's far-reaching impact on the industry."

Winning cars and trucks are adjudicated by factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. To be considered, vehicles must be new or significantly changed from the preceding model year. Fifty independent North America automotive journalists formed the judging panel.

January 3, 2012
GAS PRICES TO CONTINUE RISING IN 2012?
According to Kent Marketing Services Limited, the average price of gasoline in Canada in 2011 was just under $1.24/litre, a 20 cent increase over 2010; and nearly 30 cents more than 2009. Breaking things down, averages across Canada were: Vancouver ($1.32), Calgary ($1.11), Regina ($1.22), Winnipeg ($1.14), Toronto ($1.24), and Montreal ($1.31). The average price for diesel was over $1.26/litre.

An article in Sudbury Northern Life notes “It's not an achievement drivers are applauding, but Canada set a new record in 2011 for gasoline prices. According to the weekly gasoline price report from the province, the 2011 average price from coast-to-coast was 1.24 cents a litre, the highest recorded average price ever. Besides being a new record, the price was a full 20.4 cents higher than the 2010 average. And the Canadian diesel price at 124.7 cents, while not a record, was less than one cent lower than the record high 125.1 cents hit in 2008…”

Prices are expected to continue rising in 2012.

More detailed information is available in “Oil prices rise in 2011 for third year in a row; prices expected to keep climbing in 2012” an article at Canadian Business.

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January 3, 2012
NAFA WILL SPONSOR RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR FOR FLEET MANAGERS
NAFA (National Association of Fleet Administrators) will operate a Risk Management 101 webinar for fleet managers from February 6 to March 1. The webinar will operate on Mondays 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays 6 to 7 p.m. Kate Vigneau, CAFM (Certified Automotive Fleet Manager) will teach the series, intended to demonstrate strategies for dealing with risk by focusing on insurance, subrogation, training, safety and handling a loss. NAFA’s Risk Management Guide is the course textbook. Prospective participants are CAFM/CAFS candidates intending to take the Risk Management exam in 2012, nut others are also welcome. A certificate will be presented upon course completion.

Four areas of competence will be covered: risk management processes, principles of insurance and its significance in risk management, driver training, vehicle safety, and crash management. The cost is $199 for CAFM/CAFS candidates enrolled in the Certification Program. The cost for NAFA Members/Affiliates not currently enrolled in the certification program is $249; and for non-NAFA Members/Affiliates not currently enrolled in the certification program the cost is $349. For more information or to enroll, visit www.nafa.org/WebinarCourse.

December 22, 2011
ARI ACQUIRES FLEET SUPPORT GROUP (FSG) IN THE UK
Automotive Resources International (ARI) purchased Fleet Support Group (FSG) headquartered in Chippenham, England. FSG is the largest independent fleet management company in the United Kingdom managing 55,000 cars and trucks in the UK and Northern Ireland.

"This acquisition is another vital step as we continue to expand the scope of our services and our geographical reach. Everyone at ARI is extremely excited about joining forces with FSG and about the opportunities that lie ahead of us in the European market," said Carl Ortell, President, ARI. "Our clients rely upon our unique ability to deliver customized solutions to achieve exceptional results. A growing number need more sophisticated global fleet support. This acquisition gives us more flexibility, capabilities and proven fleet expertise to serve them."

Geoffrey Bray, Chairman and founder of FSG said "Existing FSG and ARI customers will benefit from the expertise, skills and range of services that we each provide. Both organizations already offer turnkey solutions for public and private sector fleets. Added value for our customers will be achieved through the synergies of our affiliation with ARI."

December 22, 2011
HINO AND ALLISON TRANSMISSIONS AGREEMENT
Hino Motors Manufacturing signed a multi-year agreement with Allison Transmission to make its automated transmissions available on Class 6 and 7 Hino trucks in North America. All 2013 models with Allison 1000, 2000 and 3000 Rugged Duty Series (RDS) transmissions will carry a three-year unlimited kilometer warranty.

December 20, 2011
CHRYSLER TO INTRODUCE NEW 2013 DODGE DART
Chrysler will unveil the 2013 Dodge Dart compact car in January at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Dodge Dart is based on the Alfa Romeo Gilietta, and brings back the 1960s Dart name.

Dart will offer three engine choices, a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0 litre, a 16-value 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged, and a Tigershark 16-valve 2.4L MultiAir. Three transmission options will be available. MultiAir technology allows direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion, producing a 15 per cent increase in low engine rpm torque and a 7.5 per cent increase in fuel economy.

Dart's layout features an 8.4 inch touch screen Uconnect multimedia centre and 14 interior colours. Dart also has 10 standard air bags, active and passive safety features, including blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection.

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