The 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone is the Brand's New Top Truck
The Toyota Tundra is driving farther into the luxury realm. FOX News reports that the new 2022 Tundra Capstone is set to be the pickup's top trim when it goes on sale this spring to compete against the likes of the Ford F-150 Limited and GMC 1500 Sierra Denali. The Capstone enters the lineup above the Platinum and western-themed 1794 and is packed with premium features. Click here for video. Available only as a crew cab with a 5.5-foot bed, the Capstone comes standard with the Tundra's new 3.5-liter i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, which is rated at 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 10,340 pounds. The model features a chrome grille and accents, plus standard chrome 22-inch wheels, which are the largest ever available from the factory, along with power side steps and a unique power bed step. For more on Toyota’s plans for the Capstone, click here.
2022 NACTOY Winners: Honda Civic, Ford Maverick, Ford Bronco
The compact Ford Maverick was named 2022 North American Truck of the Year while the Bronco was named Utility Vehicle of the Year and the Honda Civic took Car of the Year honors. Automotive News reports that it's the second-straight year Ford has earned two of the three NACTOY awards, and marks the third win for the Civic since the awards were introduced in 1994. The winners, announced Tuesday, were selected through a three-part voting process by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from U.S. and Canadian media. The vehicles were picked from three finalists in each category revealed in November. Click here for a photo gallery. In addition to the Maverick, truck finalists were the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Rivian R1T. Other utility finalists were the Genesis GV70 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Lucid Air and Volkswagen Golf Mk VIII (Golf R/Golf GTI) were the other car finalists. The Honda Civic, redesigned for the 2022 model year, was the top-selling compact sedan in 2021 with deliveries of 263,787 vehicles. For more on the NACTOY winners, click here.
Why Do Young People Want an EV? Because They’re ‘Cool’
A decade or so ago, doomsayers claimed personal vehicle ownership would tank, largely because young people of the time (Millennials) weren’t interested in buying vehicles. Well, scratch that item off the endangered list. That’s one of the findings of the 2022 State of the American Driver Report from a company called Jerry. It has an app that connects consumers with car insurers. Among its survey standouts is that 80 percent of American drivers consider a vehicle as essential to daily and weekly activities. American consumer feelings about electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles were other survey topics. A third of those polled never expect to drive an EV in their lifetime, while half expect to within 10 years. Wards reports that many people with an interest in buying an EV aren’t necessarily out to save the planet. Fuel savings motivate them the most. According to the survey, Millennials (ages 25-40) are most eager to go electric, followed by Gen Z (ages 16-24). Gen Z’s primary interest is because EVs are “cool.” For more survey results, including what generations are most likely to consider a self-driving vehicle, click here.
Rolls-Royce Car Sales Helped by ‘Life Can Be Short’ Mentality
The boss of luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce said Covid-19 deaths helped the brand sell a record number of vehicles last year as wealthy motorists splashed out after realizing “life can be short”. The BMW-owned company posted sales of 5,586 vehicles during the year, up 49 percent on 2020 and the highest in its history, said Torsten Müller-Otvös. “Quite a lot of people witnessed people in their community dying from Covid, that makes them think life can be short, and you’d better live now than postpone it to a later date. That also has helped [Rolls-Royce sales] quite massively.” According to the Financial Times, the demand for the brand’s cars rose worldwide, with increased sales in every big market. Growth was led by China and the Americas, which each accounted for about 30 percent of sales, Europe 20 percent, and the Middle East 10 percent. Sales in South Korea and Russia were also strong, said Müller-Ötvös. “All markets were booming worldwide. That is something I’ve never seen before,” he added. For the full story, click here.
How a Florida Audi Store Used Personalized Videos to Boost its Business
Audi Lakeland incorporated personalized videos into its sales and service strategy in May 2019, well before the coronavirus pandemic forced dealerships nationwide to take more of their customer interactions online. It was fortuitous timing. The videos have proved to be a vital tool, especially during the pandemic, because they jump-start the sales process and help sales employees capitalize on leads by almost immediately connecting consumers regardless of their location to vehicles they desire, said Paul Gomez, general manager of the Qvale Auto Group dealership in Lakeland, Fla. The videos have boosted dealership traffic and revenue. "It has become probably the most important part of our process, because what it does is introduce the customer to exactly what they're shopping for online," Gomez told Automotive News. Sales employees at Audi Lakeland in Florida shoot personalized videos of vehicles customers may be interested in buying, while service employees use video to show customers problems with their vehicles. The videos have boosted dealership traffic and revenue. For how it all works, click here.
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Mitsubishi Teases Ralliart Revival with Outlander Concept [Car&Driver]
GM's CarBravo Online Used Car Market Challenges Carvana and Carmax [AutoBlog]
A Custom Mercury, With a Batmobile in Its Family Tree, Heads to Auction [NYT]
Volvo Wagons and Sedans Aren't Going Away, CEO Confirms [The Drive]
