VW’s ID.Aero Concept Previews Long-Range EV Sedan
Volkswagen is offering a first look at what is likely to become the all-electric replacement for the familiar Passat sedan — though it has yet to confirm whether the ID.Aero will eventually make it to the SUV-crazed U.S. market. The ID.Aero is one of as many as 50 all-electric vehicles the Volkswagen Group will launch through its various brands by mid-decade, part of a more than $100 billion electrification program reports The Detroit Bureau. For now, it’s just a concept, but a production version isn’t far behind, with VW confirming the ID.Aero will reach showrooms in China during the second half of 2023. “With the ID.Aero show car, we are giving a preview of the next member of the VW electric vehicle family,” said VW brand CEO Ralf Brandstätter. “With our ACCELERATE strategy, we are driving the electrification of our model range at full speed. After the ID.4, this model will be our next world car.” Click here for the full story.
How the Auto Industry Can Create More Career Paths for the LGBTQ+ Community
Ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace is one of the wisest things you can do as a manager or car dealer. This June, as Pride is being recognized and celebrated around the country, CBT News want to discuss LGBTQ+ representation, or the lack thereof, in retail automotive. CBT News welcomes Richard Herod III, General Manager and Owner of White Bear Mitsubishi and the Chairman of the Mitsubishi National Advisory Board, to share his perspective on LGBTQ+ representation in the industry. At 19 years old, Herod started working part-time at the dealership as a cashier while attending college. He was studying marketing then and was curious about the other roles he could take on at the dealership But when Herod started working at the dealership, he wasn’t out yet. When he came out at age 20, his work environment at the dealership was very affirming. Herod said his colleagues weren’t concerned by it at all. Before he came out, Herod wondered if gay dealership managers or owners even existed. He thought his career in auto retail was over. However, 26 years later, Herod is now the General Manager and Owner of White Bear Mitsubishi. Click here for the full story.
Silicon Valley Car Dealer Embraces a Tech Giant Culture
The Volkswagen showroom that shares a home with Del Grande Dealer Group's headquarters features a mural of surfers in nearby Santa Cruz, hand-painted columns by a local artist and classic VW Beetle and microvan models with their beachy, Northern California vibe. But don't be fooled by the casual atmosphere. Like its high-tech neighbors in the heart of Silicon Valley, Del Grande means business. And that means satisfying sky-high expectations of customers and employees by nurturing a team culture that encourages soft skills such as caring and hard ones including financial results. Automotive News reports Silicon Valley is one of the most competitive job markets in the country. Operating a traditionally low-margin retail business in such an environment isn't easy. Living expenses are high, so Del Grande offers salaries that meet or beat the market's going rate — plus benefits, training programs and employee appreciation. "You can have all this cool stuff, but if you don't have a team and a culture and an organization where people want to come to work, feel appreciated and have opportunities for growth, really nothing matters," said Jeremy Beaver, CEO of Del Grande Dealer Group. Click here for the full story.
Genesis G80 Gets ‘Electrified’
Add the ’23 Genesis Electrified G80 to the short list of battery-electric vehicles that outdoes its specifications in real-world driving. The second BEV in the Korean luxury brand’s stable, joining the GV60 CUV, the Electrified G80 (that’s the official name) travels 3.4 miles per kWh during Wards’ 190-mile drive through the winding roads of the Ozark Mountains near here. At that rate, based on the capacity of the car’s 87.2-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and driving on a combination of country and mountain roads, city streets and a small amount of highway, the Electrified G80 tops its 282-mile estimated range by 14 miles. The Electrified G80 is powered by twin 136-kW motors, front and rear, producing 365 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque driving all four wheels. A treat when driving any electric car is the instant-at-any-speed torque, and the Electrified G80 doesn’t disappoint. The seamless acceleration in Comfort drive mode was strong; select the Sport mode and it becomes exciting. The i-Pedal or one-pedal driving, with three selectable levels of regeneration, makes it possible to do most driving without relying on the friction brakes. Click here for the full story.
Gas Prices Not Denting Demand for New Cars
Record gasoline prices have some U.S. consumers considering electric vehicles earlier than anticipated, but the surge has not roiled the industry or prompted the kind of seismic shift in buying habits seen during previous price increases. Automotive News reports in 2008, the cost of gasoline peaked at more than $4 per gallon, and consumers abandoned hulking SUVs and pickups in droves. Automakers scrambled to retool factories to produce smaller, fuel-efficient sedans. Today — even with the national average recently topping $5 for the first time — there's been no such panic. Aside from a proliferation of electrified options, experts point to a significant improvement in the fuel economy of most internal-combustion vehicles, including large pickups and utilities. In a recent survey of 300 SUV owners, AutoPacific found that 72 percent would be open to either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric utility vehicle, but only 17 percent said they'd downsize from the segment they're driving now. Click here for the full story.
Vote for CNA National in the Dealers’ Choice Awards
For the past 40 years, CNA National has been providing automobile dealerships with unparalleled program offerings and award-winning service. As a result, the company has earned 31 accolades in the Dealers’ Choice Awards, far more than any competitor. “As an industry leader, CNA National has set a high standard for products, claims administration, participation program management and overall customer service,” says Jeff Weston, chief revenue officer. “In response, dealers have named us their number-one provider for 17 years in a row!” Help AIADA’s longest-standing affinity partner continue its winning streak by voting for CNA National in the 2022 Dealers’ Choice Awards. CLICK HERE to enter the company’s “Get Charged Up About Winning!” sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 (use code CHARGE18) and then vote. Or simply visit vote.cnanational.com.
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Around the Web
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Polestar 5 Launches All-Electric 884-HP Powertrain [Autoweek]
Mini is Sending Some Buyers a Car-Sized Puzzle to Apologize for Delivery Delays [Autoblog]
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