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, LinkedIn, or Twitter, or join the conversation with the #DealersDoGood hashtag.
Parker Honda of Morehead City, N.C. recently made a donation of $755 to Hope Mission Ministries. The dealership raised the funds during a 50/50 raffle held in conjunction with its Trunk-Or-Treat event, held on Oct. 26. Hope Mission Ministries consists of five separate 501(c) 3 non-profit organizations: Hope Mission Soup Kitchen; Hope Mission Thrift Store; Hope Mission Recovery Homes; Peer Recovery Center; and the Hope Mission Foundation. “We are so proud to be able to partner up with organizations like Hope Mission that do so much good in our area,” explains Lindsay Parker, Marketing Director for Parker Honda. “It’s important that we give back to a community that has supported us for over 75 years, and we feel that partnering with Hope Mission and is a great way to achieve this goal.” Click here to view a photo.
EVs Dominate as Finalists for North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards
While battery-electric vehicles may just be starting to gain momentum with the public, they’ve certainly gained the attention of leading automotive journalists, with all-electric models making up fully six of the nine finalists for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year. The selection process — which includes three finalists for each of the three categories — underscores the dramatic changes sweeping through the auto industry, noted Gary Witzenburg, NACTOY president, as he announced the nominees during a ceremony marking the start of this year’s LA Auto Show. Significantly, all three of the Utility Vehicle finalists are all electric, “the first time that has ever happened in a single category,” said Witzenburg. The Detroit Bureau reports two of the three truck nominees are battery powered, along with one of the Car-of-the-Year finalists. But internal combustion technology hasn’t disappeared, with even a classic V-8 delivering plenty of muscle for one of the Truck category nominees. Click here to view the nominees.
Volkswagen’s New CEO Puts Self-Driving Car Plans Under Review
Chief Executive Oliver Blume has put plans for a self-driving vehicle under review in the first sign since his appointment two months ago that he is walking back some of his predecessor’s most ambitious technology ventures. Mr. Blume is likely to delay the Trinty self-driving electric car project and could cancel plans to build a new factory for the vehicle near its headquarters, people familiar with the matter said. In a message Thursday that was seen by The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Blume and VW brand CEO Thomas Schäfer told employees, “We are using this opportunity to review all projects and investments and determine whether they are viable.” “We don’t have the know-how to put a car on the street in 2026 that would be on the same level as a Tesla,” one of the people familiar with the developments said. Click here for the full story.
Alfa Romeo’s Plug-In Hybrid Tonale Coming to U.S. But Planned 2.0 Turbo Axed, CEO Says
Alfa Romeo’s plans to bring the Tonale SUV in North America have taken a dramatic twist according to a report that claims the only version offered will be the Q4 PHEV that launched in Europe Thursday. Alfa Romeo’s plug-in hybrid Tonale joins the front-wheel drive mild-hybrid Tonale in Alfa’s European lineup and is the only option for buyers there who want their cars with all-wheel drive. But Alfa Romeo’s Italy HQ and Alfa Romeo USA both previously claimed that North American buyers would get a more conventional non-hybrid, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with all-wheel drive. Essentially the same combination fitted to the car’s Dodge Hornet twin, but strangely making slightly less power, it was rated at 256 hp and sent its ponies to the ground through a nine-speed automatic transmission, reports Carscoops. Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said the 2.0-liter turbo wouldn’t be offered in the Tonale in North America after all – though you will still be able to buy it in the Hornet, which is built in the same factory in Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy. Click here for the full story.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV Bumps Up Range to 340 Miles
Hyundai Motor America is showing off its second dedicated electric vehicle — the 2023 Ioniq 6 — at the Los Angeles Auto Show Thursday, saying it will come in three well-equipped trim levels and offer a competitive 340 miles of battery range and ultrafast charging capabilities. The four-door "streamliner" is targeted at Gen Z buyers looking for a sporty EV that supports their connected lifestyle, reports Automotive News. "We want our cars to always connect with customers on an emotional level," SangYup Lee, who heads up Hyundai's design center, said in a statement. Hyundai designs its vehicles with different lifestyles in mind, vs. taking a "one-style-fits-all approach," he said. Like the Ioniq 5 compact crossover — the first of 17 battery-electric vehicles Hyundai Motor Co. plans to debut globally by 2030 — the new Ioniq 6 is built on Hyundai's Electric Global Modular Platform. In addition to supporting 400- and 800-volt charging infrastructures and enabling ample driving range, the E-GMP architecture allows for optimized interior space for passengers and cargo. Click here for the full story.
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