AIADA Names Washington Dealer Jason Courter as 2020 Chairman
AIADA on Monday announced that Bellevue, Washington, dealer Jason Courter will serve as its 2020 chairman. Courter, who is the CEO at Honda Auto Center of Bellevue and Honda of Kirkland, accepted the chairman’s gavel during AIADA’s 50th Annual Meeting and Luncheon, held Monday in Las Vegas during the NADA Show. “It is my mission to make sure that in 2020, AIADA channels some of the spirit and vision of its original founders from 1970,” said Courter during the luncheon as he shared his vision for his year at the helm of AIADA during its landmark 50th year. “We will fight to protect affordability for our customers. We will work to involve new dealers in our efforts, and we will strive to ensure that there isn't a single international nameplate dealer in the United States of America who hasn't shaken his or her congressional representative's hand in 2020.” Courter is joined in leadership on the AIADA board of directors by Howard Hakes, Immediate Past Chairman (City of Industry, California); Steve Gates, Chairman-Elect (Richmond, Kentucky); and John Connelly, Vice-Chairman (Columbus, Ohio). Read more here.
Don't Panic Over EVs, AVs, Top Honda Exec Tells AIADA
Electric cars and autonomous vehicles are coming to the U.S. and have great potential to disrupt the automotive status quo, but there's still time for automakers and retailers to embrace the change and incorporate it into their business models, Henio Arcangeli Jr., senior vice president at American Honda Motor Co., told AIADA’s dealer meeting. "My advice to you is don't panic," Arcangeli told dealers at a Monday luncheon for the American International Automobile Dealers Association, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. "Instead, think about what you can do to take a larger share of the business that's out there." According to Automotive News, the Honda executive was talking specifically about dealer fears that electrification can hurt profitability since EVs generally need less service than gasoline-powered vehicles. "There is a real opportunity here for dealers to better compete with third-party repair facilities, which presently service approximately two-thirds of the vehicles today," Arcangeli said during his keynote address. "As vehicles become even more technical with the advance of electrified, automated and connected technologies, customers will need your business — and for longer than the typical three-year period of a new car.” Read more here.
Beijing Auto Show Delayed Due to Coronavirus
Organizers of the Beijing auto show said the event will be delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak in China, reports Automotive News. The show was scheduled to be held April 21-30. New dates will be announced later, the organizer said in a statement on Monday. Across mainland China, officials said the total number of coronavirus cases rose by 2,048 to 70,548, with 1,770 deaths. The Chinese government's measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus have hit automakers aiming to ship exhibits and trade fair furniture to the show venue, Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Automotive News, reported. Potential exhibitors from abroad are not allowed to bring freight shipments to China, Automobilwoche reported, citing a document from the CIETC logistics group. Since it started in 1990, the Beijing show has grown to be one of the world's largest automotive trade fairs. It's a key launchpad for new product for the world's biggest auto market. Read more here.
Nissan Shareholders Add New Directors as Business Plummets
As Nissan Motor Co.’s shareholders met Tuesday to place new management on the board, the backdrop was grim. Sales and profitability are declining, a turnaround plan isn’t due for another three months and the stock is hovering near decade lows, reports Bloomberg. Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida, Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta, Executive Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto and Renault SA director Pierre Fleuriot were voted in as directors in essentially a swap with their executive predecessors. The proposals passed with the support of the French carmaker, which owns 43% of its Japanese partner. The voting totals weren’t immediately disclosed. Nissan has been mired in near-constant turmoil since the November 2018 arrest of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn on charges of financial misconduct. Hiroto Saikawa, Ghosn’s successor and accuser, was ousted over issues of his own compensation, and a key executive who was supposed to form a triumvirate with Uchida and Gupta stepped down in December. The makeup of the board also could determine the course of Nissan’s fraught relationship with Renault. Read more here.
Navigation Images Sharper Than Your TV Among Tech Improvements Coming to Vehicles
A pair of new technologies promise to make driving easier and more pleasant, particularly on long trips. Both feature prominently on vehicles debuting shortly, reports The Detroit Free Press. Augmented reality navigation will use graphics and artificial intelligence to improve driving directions. Road noise cancellation promises to make cabins quieter and more pleasant in the same way noise-cancelling headphones reduce the discomfort of airline travel. Mercedes-Benz already has vehicles with AR nav on the road. I tested the system in a GLS SUV running errands on a recent snowy evening. By the end of the year the Genesis GV80 and Cadillac Escalade will offer other approaches to the feature. Road noise cancellation will debut on the GV80. It’ll be teamed with other advanced electronics including engine noise cancellation and augmentation of desirable sounds like the engine to create what Genesis says will be a uniquely serene cabin. Read more here.
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