Archived Fleet News
Click here to subscribe to our RSS FEEDGet news as it is published!
September 25, 2009
CFLA NAMES MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Michael Collins, DealerTrack Canada, Inc., has been named Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA) Member of the Year for 2009. Announcement was made by CFLA chairman, Fred Booth, at 2009 national conference. “Michael is an excellent example of those who have worked quietly for the association, committed to its work,” said Booth. “They don’t seek attention; rather they generally get their satisfaction simply from a job well done.”
September 16, 2009
VW’s DIESEL INCENTIVE Volkswagen Canada (VWC) will offer Jetta TDI Clean Diesel sedan customers $1,000 in addition to Federal Government’s $300 Retire Your Ride incentive. “We felt it was time to stimulate the market and help people move out of old vehicles that contribute the majority of the pollution and greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles on the road today,” said John White, president and CEO, VWC.
September 15, 2009
ADESA OPENS IN MEXICO
ADESA recently opened a vehicle auction in Guadalajara, Mexico. “We are fortunate to have as customers almost every large factory, manufacturer finance, rental and leasing company operating in Mexico, which enables us to offer our dealers a wide selection of inventory,” said Michel Gillies, managing director, ADESA Mexico.
September 14, 2009
FLEET CHALLENGE ONTARIO HOSTS BREAKFAST FORUM SERIES
Fleet Challenge Ontario’s Green Fleet Management Breakfast Forum Series for 2009-10 topics include: Green Fleet 101- a Primer (Oct 6, 2009), Green Fleet 201- Financial Planning (December 1), Green Fleet 301 – Hybrids and Electrification (February 23, 2010), and Green Fleet 401 – Masters Series (June 10, 2010). Green Fleet 101, 201 and 301 will be held at Estates of Sunnybrook (2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, Ontario), session 401 will be at Centennial College, Ashtonbee campus (75 Ashtonbee Rd., Toronto, Ont.). Speakers include: Chris Hill, manager of central fleet, city of Hamilton; Roger Smith, director, FCO; Keith T. Kerman, assistant commissioner, New York City department of parks and recreation; and Jason Mathers, program manager, USA Environmental Defence Fund Corporate Partnerships Program. For more information call: (416) 207-9774 ext. 123.
September 10, 2009
DODGE JOURNEY: TOP SAFETY PICK Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded 2010 Dodge Journey 2009 Top Safety Pick rating. “The Top Safety Pick designation is our highest award and only goes to vehicles affording the best overall crash protection, plus electronic stability control (ESC) to help drivers avoid many crashes altogether,” said Adrian Lund, IIHS president. Journey’s standard safety equipment includes: ESC with traction control, multiple airbags, front seat active head restraints and brake assist with ABS.
September 8, 2009
BUICK ALLURE BECOMES LACROSSE General Motors of Canada renamed Buick Allure, “LaCrosse,” matching it’s US signature. “Going forward here in Canada, we plan to put a great deal more emphasis on Buick than we were able to do in the past,” said George Saratlic, product communications, GM Canada. “By adopting a common LaCrosse name for Buick’s latest sedan, we can fully leverage the major advertising and creative campaign being developed for its launch in the U.S.”
September 8, 2009
FORD ADDS TO GOVERNMENT ”RETIRE YOUR RIDE” PROGRAM
Ford of Canada offers up to $3,300 toward new Ford vehicles when old rides are turned in. Federal Government’s “Retire Your Ride” program offer $300; Ford offers: $1,000 towards a Ford car or compact truck, $2,000 for Ford crossover or SUV, and $3,000 for Ford truck or Lincoln. Vehicles 15 years or older are eligible. Those who have used the Retire Your Ride program since February ‘09, will need to re-confirm eligibility. “People who might otherwise not be able to buy a new car can now afford the latest in vehicle safety, fuel economy and smart technology,” said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada.
September 2, 2009
MERCEDES-BENZ ADDS SPRINTER Mercedes-Benz Canada (MBC) will sell Sprinter starting January 1, 2010, when Sprinter’s association with Dodge will end. Sprinter will be serviced through Mercedes-Benz dealers. A 3.0 litre six-cylinder diesel engine will become available. “We are looking forward to integrating the Sprinter business into the Mercedes-Benz Canada infrastructure,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, president and CEO, MBC.
September 2, 2009
SATURN DEALERS TO CLOSE
General Motors Canada’s 46 Saturn dealers will close by December 31, 2009. “GM and Penske Automotive Group have been exploring the potential sale and distribution of Saturn vehicles in Canada. After careful and thorough analysis, it was determined that the business case did not support distribution of Saturn vehicles in Canada,” said Stew Low, director communications, GM Canada. Local GM dealerships will take over Saturn parts, warranty and customer service.
September 1, 2009
ELECTRIC TRUCKS GAIN FAVOUR Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation delivered Newton electric trucks to: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Coca-Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T and Kansas City Power & Light. “The electric vehicle technology delivered to these customers today can readily be delivered to fleets in every major town and city in North America,” said Darren Kell, of Smith Electric Vehicles. Lithium-Ion batteries with 120 kW motor give Newton electrics top speed of 80 km/h and range of 160 km on full charge. On-board battery chargers take six to eight hours to charge battery. Three models are available: 7,500 kg, 10,000 kg and 12,000 kg; max payload is 7,300 kg.
September 1, 2009
SUBARU EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) named 2010 Subaru Forester and 2010 Subaru Outback, Top Safety Picks for 2009. Both got ‘good’ ratings in front, side, and rear crash tests, both have standard electronic stability control. “Building safe vehicles is one thing our customers have come to know and expect from us,” said Tom Doll, executive vice-president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc.
August 27, 2009
TIRES FROM PLANT FIBERS Oregon State University (OSU) found that replacing 12 per cent of tire filler silica with microcrystalline cellulose, decreases energy required to produce tires, reduce costs, lower rolling resistance in hot weather and improve fuel efficiency. “We were surprised at how favourable the results were for the use of this material,” said Kaichang Li, associate professor, OSU College of Forestry. “This could lead to a new generation of automotive tire technology, one of the first fundamental changes to come around in a long time.”
August 27, 2009
REPAIR SPENDING DOWN
Vehicle repair spending has declined seven per cent year over year ($920 to $856). The percentage of vehicle repairs done at lower cost service providers has increased 17 to 23 per cent, according to J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study. “In a difficult economy, vehicle owners seem to be delaying what they perceive to be non-essential maintenance or seeking out the lowest-cost option,” said Darren Slind, senior director, J.D. Power. Aftermarket service shops now account for 59 per cent of the service market, up two per cent since 2008. Almost 40 per cent of service customers would like to see weekday hours extended.
August 26, 2009
ANOTHER GPS SYSTEM
Networkfleet, Inc., announced Networkfleet 4200, GPS tracking system for fleet. The unit has web-based applications providing vehicle information similar to Networkfleet 3500 wireless fleet management system. “Since announcing that this product would be available, we have had tremendous interest and have already taken significant number of pre-orders in July,” said Keith Schneider, president, Networkfleet.
August 26, 2009
ZAP ELECTRIC VEHICLES STARTS TO HUM
Electric vehicle manufacturer, ZAP secured up to $25 million from Cathaya Capital, L.P. to speed up fleet and government ordered trucks and vans, and is looking for long-term production and assembly commitments. “This is a critical juncture for ZAP as we now have the means and resources to begin addressing the opportunities at hand on a global basis…” said Steven Schneider, ZAP CEO.
August 20, 2009
HYUNDAI TOPS-UP “RETIRE-YOUR-RIDE” PROGRAM Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. announced a financial top-up of $500 to $1,000 to the Federal Government’s Retire Your Ride program. Intended aim of the program is to remove high-polluting older vehicles while encouraging sustainable transportation alternatives. “With topping up all government incentives, we hope to encourage a significant removal of old, polluting vehicles from our roads,” said Steve Kelleher, president and CEO, Hyundai.
August 20, 2009
FLEET MANAGEMENT ON A BLACKBERRY
A fleet management Blackberry application is now available from PHH Arval. Fleet drivers will be able to get help for accidents, maintenance, and other operational needs from PHH via a Blackberry. When called, the PHH agent will have all appropriate information readily on hand. “This first-to-market mobile application is just the beginning of a new wave of technological advances we have planned,” said David Zuidema, PHH Arval CIO.
August 17, 2009
AUDI FLEET DVD NOW AVAILABLE Audi Canada's DVD entitled “Audi: The Future of Fleet” runs approximately 15 minutes. It reviews the company’s history, the Audi fleet program, model overview and what’s new for 2010. The DVD itself is included in the August/September issue of Canadian Automotive Fleet.
Click here to view Audi's DVD video.
August 14, 2009
BUICK CROSSOVER PLUG-IN HYBRID
General Motor’s yet-to-be-named Buick crossover vehicles will include plug-in electric hybrid systems. Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder and 3.0L V-6 engined vehicles will be available in 2010. GM’s two-mode hybrid system with technology developed for GM’s Voltec system (used on Chevrolet Volt) will be modified to suit. “Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice-chairman. The crossover Buick will feature two electric motors, and controls, battery management systems and 3.6L V-6 flex-fuel engine.
August 12, 2009
UPDATED CHRYSLER CANADA FLEET INCENTIVES
Chrysler Canada revised fleet incentives for 2010 vehicles.
| 2010 INCENTIVES: | |
| Chrysler | |
| Sebring Convertible | $6,750 |
| 300 | $6,750 |
| 300C/300C SRT8 | $6,750 |
| Town & Country | $4,250 |
| Dodge | |
| Nitro | $2,750 |
| Grand Caravan | $4,250 |
| Grand Caravan CV | $3,750 |
| Ram 1500 | $3,750 |
| Charger | $5,750 |
| Jeep | |
| Liberty | $2,750 |
| Grand Cherokee | $8,250 |
| Commander | $8,250 |
For older news, click here to view our more of our News Archive.