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August 12, 2009
MERCEDES-BENZ CANADA NATIONAL FLEET MOVE OFFICE
As of August 14, 2009 the offices of the Mercedes-Benz Canada National Fleet Sales Department will move from their current location (Matheson Blvd.) to the Mercedes Benz Canada Head Office. The new address is: Mercedes-Benz Canada National Fleet Sales, 98 Vanderhoof Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4G 4C9. Main telephone number: 416-425-3550; direct lines: Allison Scarangella, manager fleet sales, 416-847-7497; Andre Hilliges, key account manager, 416-847-7498; Jo-Anne Lamontagne, key account manager, 416-847-7533; and Tariq Yousaf, fleet coordinator, 416-847-7534.

August 11, 2009
GM VEHICLES GO ONLINE
In the U.S.A. from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8, California residents can purchase G M vehicles through eBay. Web site “gm.ebay.com” allows purchase of vehicles through participating Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Pontiac dealers in California. Consumers can ask questions, negotiate price, secure financing, arrange payment and see up to 20,000 GM new 2008, 2009 and 2010 vehicles. “Buy It Now” (pay advertised price and “Best Offer” (submit offer and negotiate with dealer on price) options are available. Ability to compare pricing, a buyer’s checklist, trade-in valuator and qualifications for U.S.’s “Cash for Clunkers” program is also available. “Together with eBay Motors, GM and our dealers are reinventing the car-buying experience for our California customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM vice-president U.S. sales.

August 11, 2009
ADESA INTEGRATES CANADIAN AND U.S. E-BUSINESS OPERATIONS
ADESA has integrated U.S. and Canadian e-business departments; it will add staff to all auction facilities. Both operations will be aligned under Ben Skuy, executive vice-president, international markets and managing director, ADESA Canada. Jason Ferreri, vice-president, e-business sales and operations, and Trevor Henderson, vice-president, e-business and business development ADESA Canada, will continue to manage U.S. and Canadian operations, respectively.  “We as a company are absolutely committed to vehicles being sold online during every stage of the remarketing process, including upstream, midstream and at auction,” said Skuy. “By combining resources, it will allow us to create an even more robust online platform with increased functionality for our customers.”

August 10, 2009
NISSAN'S CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., with JATCO Ltd., has developed next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Using conventional CVT belt operation, an auxiliary gearbox and increased gear range, allows for 20 per cent higher gear ratios. Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) selects best gear ratios for driving types. “Nissan believes the CVT has very good potential as a leading technology for raising the fuel efficiency of internal-combustion engine systems,” said Shuichi Nishimura, corporate vice-president, Nissan Powertrain Engineering Division.

August 10, 2009
REBRANDING BRINGS MORE PRODUCTS FOR FLEETS
Waypoint Information Technology Inc. has re-named itself “troo Corporation”. Fleets can expect complete solutions including hardware installation, provisioning and airtime. Billing can be monthly, long-term contracts are not required.  Product trooTrack provides web-based GPS tracking including: search capability, map navigation, client-side data caching and points-of-interest. “The company has developed a leading, hosted tracking service that we’re now bringing to the broader fleet management space,” said Joel Bission, CEO, troo Corporation.

August 6, 2009
SUZUKI UNVEILS KIZASHI
Suzuki unveiled Kizashi flagship sport sedan. Expected in Canadian showrooms this winter, Kizashi offers 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and two-wheel or all-wheel drive (i-AWD) systems. Dimensions: length, 4,650 millimetres; width, 1,820 mm; height, 1,480 mm; wheelbase, 2,700 mm. Kizashi will be built in Japan. Kizashi hybrid is in the works.

August 6, 2009
NISSAN'S NEW ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE: LEAF
Late in 2010, Nissan will launch Leaf in Japan, Europe and the United States. Leaf is expected to cover 160 km. with top speed of over 140 km/h. It will be powered by laminated lithium-ion batteries with power exceeding 90kW. The AC motor produces power of 80KW plus and torque of 280NM. Battery quick charge time is 30 minutes, or eight hours, with 200V AC charger. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality, the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero, not simply reduced, emissions,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and CEO. Nissan will manufacture electric vehicles in Japan with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee. Canadian launch is expected in 2012.

July 23, 2009
COURIER ADDS MORE HYBRID ELECTRIC TRUCKS TO FLEET
Azure Dynamics announced that Purolator Courier Ltd., had placed an order for 50 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric trucks. The trucks will be delivered in the fourth quarter 2009 and will be deployed primarily in Ontario. Purolator currently operates 105 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electrics trucks as part of its fleet. “We’re delighted with our relationship with Azure and the performance of our current fleet of Azure products,” said Serge Viola, director of national fleet and ground line haul for Purolator. “They are helping us reduce operating costs by improving our fuel economy and up time. We look forward to expanding our hybrid fleet in communities across Canada.” The Azure Balance Hybrid Electric vehicle ordered by Purolator is built on a Ford E450 chassis, which is equipped with a hybrid drive train that has features such as engine off at idle and at below 20 miles per hour, while electronically supporting functions like power steering and braking. According to Azure, the powertrain, with a Ford 5.4L gasoline engine, can improve fuel economy by up to 40 per cent, while reducing carbon emission by up to 30 per cent in city conditions.

July 23, 2009
INITIAL QUALITY CROWN IS FORD'S
The latest Global Quality research System (GQRS) study compiled by the RDA Group in Michigan, places Ford first in initial quality in the U.S. The study reported Ford Lincoln and Mercury vehicles had the lowest number of defects of any full-line manufacturer. Mark Fields, president, Ford The Americas said "....we are not satisfied, for Ford, our plan is continuous improvement year after year."

July 20, 2009
FORD’S 10TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Ford released its 10th annual “Blueprint for Sustainability” report.  The report includes sections on climate change, a summary of vehicle and fuel technologies and a section on challenges for Ford and the automotive industry. The report can be viewed below.
Click here to download the report in PDF.

July 16, 2009
FOSSIL FUELS RULE
Fossil fuels will continue to dominate energy markets for the foreseeable future according to Erasmus University, Rotterdam professor Peter Odell. “Oil use won’t peak until 2050. It will decline thereafter but even by 2100 oil supplies will be 20 per cent higher than they were in 2000,” Odell said in a Reuters interview. Odell thinks alternative fuels will account for only 35 to 40 per cent of total energy by 2100.

July 16, 2009
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT PROMISES REBATES
Between $4,000 and $10,000 has been promised as rebates to purchasers of plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicles, after July 1, 2010. The Ontario government will also issue distinctive license plates allowing drivers of electric vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle lanes without passengers and to access charging stations and parking at GO Transit and Ontario government parking lots. “This plan helps get more people behind the wheel of a green vehicle to create jobs, reduce smog and equip Ontario for the 21st century,” said Ontario’s Premier. Ontario will add 500 electric vehicles to its fleet as well.

July 16, 2009
GE CAPITAL SOLUTIONS MOVES OFFICES
Later in the summer of 2009 GE will move its offices to a new location in Mississauga. Exact date to be announced. The new address will be: GE Capital Solutions, Fleet Services, 2300 Meadowvale Blvd., Mississauga, Ont., L5N 5P9.

July 14, 2009
PHH’S CANADIAN DRIVER ORDERING INTERFACE PROGRAM
PHH Arval recently launched a bilingual online Driver Level Ordering system and invitation management tool in Canada. The system is designed for employers to empower drivers to order company vehicles electronically using an easier, information-rich, visually-enhanced format. This new upgraded version of an existing Driver Level Ordering system in the U.S. will replace the system now in place there in 2010.

According to PHH, Driver Level Ordering simplifies vehicle ordering, cuts time out of the process and changes the way commercial vehicles are ordered. Once vehicle choices and options (including company or driver paid) have been made and authorized by the fleet manager, PHH sends eligible drivers e-mails inviting them to go online and order their vehicles. Drivers can view multiple interior and exterior images of each vehicle available to them, including 360º views. The driver can compare colour swatches and also zoom in on interior shots.

Each vehicle profile includes information about vehicle specifications and features. Once the vehicle is ordered, both driver and fleet manager can check the details and status of the order online

July 13, 2009
WINDSOR PLANT’S THIRD SHIFT TO STAY
Chrysler Group LLC will keep third shift at Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, as result of strong demand for Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. “Demand for our minivans in the second half of 2009 has been steadily rising and this decision will allow us to meet that demand,” said Reid Bigland, president and CEO, Chrysler Canada.

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