Through our Dealers Do Good campaign, AIADA is recognizing dealers for the positive impact they have in the communities they serve. If you’re a dealer doing good, let us know here, tag us on Facebook or Twitter, or join the conversation with the #DealersDoGood hashtag.
On June 16, Northpark Automotive Dealer Principal and President, Eddie J. Tourelle was recognized with the 2022 James Samaritan of the Year Award during the Annual State of Our Children Breakfast presented by James Samaritan — an organization focused on serving children who age out of the Louisiana state foster care system. Mr. Tourelle pledged one year ago to donate a vehicle each month to a qualified foster care teen in need through James Samaritan's Gift-A-Lift program. To date, Northpark Automotive has delivered eight vehicles. He took it a step further though by providing a facility for Gift-A-Lift to operate from for its candidate training and vehicle transfers. Click here to view a photo of the award.
Congressional Watchdog to Study Automotive ‘Right to Repair' Issues
The U.S. Government Accountability Office will examine "right to repair" issues involving the auto industry in the coming months. In an email to Automotive News, spokesman Chuck Young said the office accepted a request last week to study the topic and plans to begin the effort in about six months "when relevant staff complete other work and become available." The action comes after Rep. Jan Schakowsky urged the GAO to examine "federal agencies' efforts to ensure consumers' right to repair" with respect to light-duty cars and trucks. The Illinois Democrat asked the GAO to study how federal agencies might balance considerations such as "addressing cybersecurity risks that may be associated with greater access to vehicle data and whether technology exists to ensure both data access and cybersecurity protections," according to a letter sent June 6 to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. Schakowsky also pressed the GAO to look into the effectiveness of the auto industry's self-regulation and how it has kept pace with advances in technology as well as the competitiveness of the vehicle repair market in the U.S. Click here for the full story.
Study Finds That Majority of Drivers Distrust Hands-Free Driving Systems
Automakers are jumping into the field of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with both feet, trying to stuff as many features into their new cars as they can. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, though, wanted to find out what consumers actually want. Carscoops reports the survey shows that the majority of consumers are pretty conservative when it comes to ADAS systems. After surveying 1,000 drivers on three partially automated driving systems, the IIHS found that consumers prefer systems where they are more in control that have more safeguards. Although consumer interest in ADAS technologies is strong, they are suspicious the more hands-free the technologies become. According to Alexandra Mueller, who designed the study, drivers seem to prefer the idea of a system that requires them to remain engaged and will accept quite a few driver oversights. In the cases of lane centering and lane changing systems, for example, drivers said they preferred the hands-on versions that helped but did not entirely take over during those maneuvers. In the case of lane changes, drivers were very skeptical of systems that could initiate lane changes without any human input. Click here for the full story.
The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Selling Cars
Emotional intelligence is just as important as technique in car sales. Consumers want more than just a competent car salesperson that can state the facts. Instead, consumers want someone who can understand their needs and purpose for car shopping. It is much easier to speak to someone who is emotionally intelligent compared to someone who only knows how to calculate numbers and sales. What is emotional intelligence? CBT News reports EQ, or emotional intelligence, is a relatively new concept. It is now being combined with sales and customer service because of how comfortable it is. A person who can tell what another person is feeling and help them solve problems is a valuable asset to your team. Using emotional intelligence in sales, though, is not new. Even if this is the first time you have heard the phrase, someone has likely used this type of intelligence on you. What are consumers looking for? Before you can use your emotional intelligence knowledge in car sales, it is essential to determine what consumers are looking for in car sales. Usually, there is a motivation or purpose behind the consumer. Click here to learn more about emotional intelligence and selling cars.
New Platform Gives ’23 Honda HR-V Larger Stage to Shine
Honda’s HR-V entry-level CUV has been a competitive contender but has played little sister to its larger, more mature and much stronger-selling CR-V sibling. That made sense because it was based on Honda’s smaller, less-expensive Fit, while the CR-V is Civic-based. Wards reports but for 2023, HR-V moves up to the ’22 Civic’s global architecture platform and so grows in size, performance, features and appeal. Now powered by the Civic’s 158-hp 2.0L 4-cyl. (vs. the previous 141-hp 1.8L) that delivers 138 lb.-ft. (187 Nm) of peak torque through a “re-engineered” CVT, it also boasts a roomier interior on a longer 104.5-in. (2,654 mm) (up 1.7 ins. [43-mm]) wheelbase, significantly wider tracks (+ 2.0 ins. [51 mm] front, 2.5 ins. [64 mm]) rear) and independent rear suspension. Among its other key features are standard Hill Descent Control, a 7.0-in. (18-cm) multi-information display, a 7.0-in. – or available 9.0-in. (23-cm) HD – color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (wireless with the latter), Honda Sensing system with new wide-view front camera, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control. Click here to learn more about the ’23 Honda HR-V.
Federated Insurance’s Claim of the Month — Could it happen to you?
A dealership mechanic took a customer’s vehicle home after work to confirm that the vehicle was in good working order, and that repairs were completed properly. That evening, he drove the vehicle to a friend’s house for a barbeque. At one point, the mechanic allowed two guests attending the barbecue to drive the vehicle. One of the guests, who was driving the customer’s vehicle, was speeding when he crossed the centerline and lost control, hitting an oncoming vehicle, which overturned. The accident resulted in several injuries, one death, and both vehicles were totaled.
CLAIM AMOUNT: $1,100,000.00
Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of your business being held liable for employee actions after working hours:
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Minimize or eliminate the use of company or customer vehicles after business hours.
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Create and implement a written driving policy, and communicate it to all employees.
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Provide introductory and ongoing training for employees
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Eliminate overnight test drives of company or customer vehicles.
Visit federatedinsurance.com or contact your local marketing representative for resources you can use to create or enhance your own risk management program.
Around the Web
Porsche Patents New Active Diffuser that Can Hide a Hitch [Carscoops]
Volkswagen Teases New US-Bound Luxury Sedan [Carbuzz]
The Weird History of the Honda HR-V [Autoblog]
BMW M to Use Motorsport Ties to Determine Features of Future EVs [Autocar]
