Dealers Make an Impact: AIADA's Dealer Visit Program
In the latest installment from Dealers Make An Impact, AIADA Chairman Steve Gates urges dealers to show Members of Congress how they make an impact by inviting them to visit through the AIADA Dealer Visit Program. The upcoming congressional district work period in August is an excellent time to host legislators, and it’s quick and easy to sign up. Watch here.
Toyota Buys U.S. Mapping, Road Data Firm to Bulk Up Driverless Tech
Toyota Motor Corp's research arm said on Thursday it acquired U.S.-based Carmera, a provider of maps and data for driverless vehicles, marking the Japanese car maker's latest investment in autonomous technology, reports Reuters. The purchase, through newly created subsidiary Woven Planet for an undisclosed sum, underscores Toyota's push to bulk up its self-driving arsenal as traditional automakers compete with the autonomous ambitions of tech giants including Apple and Amazon. Buying Carmera will give Toyota access to real-time, high-definition maps and crowdsourced inputs that are essential for autonomous vehicles to locate and navigate themselves, the companies said in a statement. The two companies have collaborated since 2018 on projects including technology that updates repainted lane markings on high-definition maps with accuracy. Read more here (Source: Reuters).
Former Automotive CEO Rosenberg Buys 2 N.H. Dealerships
Former Prime Automotive Group CEO David Rosenberg has purchased two more stores as he continues to build a new dealership group, reports Automotive News. Rosenberg, with partners and brothers Rick and Mike Bickford, on June 30 bought Tri-City Subaru and Tri-City Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Somersworth, N.H. The sellers were brothers Kenneth Plante, Roger Plante and Steve Plante. Rosenberg says he is keeping the stores' names, while Jordan Plante, a family member of the sellers, will remain general manager of the Subaru store. Somersworth is about 20 miles from the Atlantic coast. "The stores have a great reputation," Rosenberg told Automotive News. "They've been in business a long time. We're keeping all the staff that works at both dealerships." Read more here (Source: Automotive News).
Daimler Reports Q2 Preliminary Adjusted EBIT of $6.42B
Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG on Thursday reported preliminary adjusted group earnings before interest and tax of 5.42 billion euros ($6.42 billion) for the second quarter, with car and truck divisions beating analyst targets. According to Reuters, Mercedes-Benz Car and Van results were helped by pricing and cost discipline, helping to offset any impact from a global shortage of semiconductors. Adjusted EBIT for Mercedes-Benz cars and vans was 3.60 billion euros, versus consensus of 3.1 billion euros, it said. Adjusted EBIT for Daimler trucks and buses was 831 million euros, versus consensus of 680 million euros, the company said in a statement. "Daimler Trucks & Buses sales increased in almost all regions due to improved market conditions, which translated into higher profitability in the second quarter. In addition, the Daimler Trucks & Buses EBIT benefited from strong pricing, higher after sales business and positive, non-recurring valuation effects of around 100 million euros," it said. Read more here (Source: Reuters).
GM Warns Some Bolt EV Owners: Don't Park Them Inside or Charge Unattended Overnight
General Motors is telling owners of 2017-2019 Bolt EVs that were part of a recent recall not to park their vehicles inside or charge them unattended overnight after two of the vehicles caught fire, reports CNBC. The two Bolt EVs were repaired as part of a recall of nearly 69,000 of the vehicles that were flagged for fire risks. The recall was initially announced in November by GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One of the fires occurred while the vehicle was charging at the home of a Vermont state lawmaker earlier this month. The other fire happened in New Jersey, a spokesman for GM said, adding that it was notified about it earlier this week. “General Motors has been notified of two recent Chevrolet Bolt EV fire incidents in vehicles that were remedied as part of the safety recall announced in November 2020,” the company said in an emailed statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking owners of 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs who were part of the recall population to park their vehicles outdoors immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight while we investigate these incidents.”
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VW Atlas-Size ID.8 Crossover Planned [MotorAuthority]
There's No Middle Class of Cars Anymore [Road and Track]
VW Ups the Performance Quotient with New Golf R, GTI Models [The Detroit Bureau]
