Beltway Talk Podcast: Charlie Chesbrough's Sales Round Up
In today’s Beltway Talk, Cox Automotive’s Charlie Chesbrough gives listeners an overview of 2020’s second quarter auto sales. He touches on a number of subjects, including segment winners and losers for the year to date, what brands are best equipped to weather the recovery ahead, and how inventory constraints could impact sales for the remaining of 2020. For dealers wondering if the worst is behind us, and what lies ahead, this is a must-listen episode. Listen in and subscribe here.
North American Car, Truck of the Year Jurors Reveal 2021 Candidates
In a year when so many things have been tossed up in the air, one thing remains consistent: the 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists who are part of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, or NACTOY, jury, will have plenty of new products to evaluate before announcing three winners next January. According to The Detroit Bureau, a total of 36 new products were included on the list of eligible models on Tuesday, a broad mix of American, Asian and European cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. If anything, jurors will likely have to amend the list to take on other models, however, as manufacturers struggling to deal with coronavirus pandemic adjust product launch schedules. Read more about this year’s candidates here.
Mercedes-Benz Partners with Nvidia on Upgradable Vehicles Starting in 2024
Mercedes-Benz and Nvidia are partnering to develop the next-generation of the automaker’s in-vehicle computing systems that will assist with remote, or over-the-air, updates and automated driving capabilities, reports CNBC. The companies announced the cooperation Tuesday with promises of developing “the most sophisticated and advanced computing architecture ever deployed in an automobile.” The electrical architecture, or brains, of a vehicle essentially enables the vehicle’s systems to communicate. It also allows the vehicle to receive and send information to outside sources for things such as remote upgrades or service alerts. Mercedes-Benz will begin to deploy the new architecture across its fleet in 2024, according to the companies. It will use Nvidia’s “Drive” platform, enabling features such as the vehicle’s driver-assist systems to be upgradable. It’s much like how Tesla remotely upgrades systems on its vehicles. Read more here.
New U.S. Metal Tariffs Would Be 'Dumb,' Canadian Supply Group Says
The Trump administration is considering reimposing tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada and an announcement could come by the end of the week, according to people familiar with the matter. And just the possibility of the tariffs has drawn the ire and criticism of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, reports Automotive News. If Canada refuses to impose export restrictions on aluminum, the U.S. will announce Friday the reimposition of 10 percent tariffs on aluminum from the country and implement the tariffs by July 1, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. Flavio Volpe, head of the APMA, is worried the United States will also tax imported Canadian steel. He let his frustration and disapproval be known Tuesday morning on Twitter. Volpe said any new tariffs would “reconfigure sourcing dynamics” for his members that supply the North American auto industry with parts. Read more here.
Honda, GM Partner to Produce Hand Sanitizer
Auto Remarketing reports that as part of an industry-wide effort to help alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Honda and General Motors announced on Monday that they are producing nearly 12,000 gallons of hand sanitizer through their Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) partnership. According to a news release, the hand sanitizer will be used by both companies at their facilities throughout the region, and Honda is donating 3,750 bottles to health care facilities in Ohio and Michigan this week. The OEMs indicated the hand sanitizer is being made at the Brownstown, Mich., facility where the FCSM team has been working on the development of fuel-cell fuel stacks for the next generation of hydrogen-powered cars. Using an apparatus designed to manufacture the electrodes used in the fuel cells, the automakers explained the team developed a process to re-purpose the equipment to produce a hand sanitizer that would allow employees and health care professionals to work more safely. Read more here.
Federated Insurance's Claim of the Month – Could It Happen to You?
A wooden flower planter near a dealership’s outdoor smoking area caught fire after someone discarded a cigarette in it. The building then began to burn. No one was hurt, but the building, some tools, and vehicles damaged. The dealership also incurred a great deal of business income loss and their reputation was partially damaged within the community. CLAIM AMOUNT: $750,000
Most fires are the result of overlooked and unexpected hazards, rather than obvious ignition sources. To help detect such dangers, use your imagination.
If you adopt the mindset that accidents happen when you least expect them, you will be more effective in anticipating hazards, increasing not only your chances of preventing fires, but also of preventing workplace incidents in general.
Visit federatedinsurance.com or contact your local marketing representative for resources you can use to create or enhance your own risk management program.
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2021 Kia Sedona's New Look Revealed as Korean Market Carnival [Autoblog]
Auto Industry Looks to Get Off the Ground with Autonomous Flying Cars [Forbes]
12 Brand New, Super Fun Automobiles That Cost Less Than the Average New Car [Gear Patrol]
