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Ocotber 27-29, 2009
Ocotber 29, 2009Ford introduces new Transit Connect compact delivery van
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On October 21, the Dodge truck division of the renewed Chrysler Canada launched its 2010 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 pick-ups to specialized press in Ypsilanti, Michigan. After an in-depth description of the technical details, journalists were sent out on the Michigan country roads with their trek ending at Chrysler’s Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan. There, they had the opportunity to drive the new trucks on the test track, in off-road situations, pulling trailers, and at full load. Just about every model of the 2500 and 3500 series were available with a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 or a 6.7-litre Cummins turbodiesel engine mated to an automatic or a standard shift transmission. The new Ram Heavy Dutys are available with rear- or four-wheel drive with regular cab, Crew Cab (replacing the Quad Cab), and Mega Cab and with short or long bed, depending on the cab. (ED) [View photos] |
October 6, 2009
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ARI Canada invited industry leaders, valued customers, and the media to celebrate the expansion of their Mississauga offices. “Today’s event is about showcasing our expansion and showing our commitment to the market, our customers and our employees,” says Mindy Holman, President and CEO of Holman Enterprises, the parent company of ARI.When ARI Canada first opened its doors in Mississauga in 1993 they only had 37 employees, modest offices and a customer portfolio with just under 8,000 vehicles. Following the recent expansion, ARI offices now occupy 2 entire floors where the over 240 employees manage an impressive portfolio of over 122,000 vehicles. (JK) [View photos] |
Septembre 1-2, 2009
Cadillac Introduces a New SRX and CTS Sport Wagon in New York
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Cadillac’s original SRX needed a total redesign for 2010, but it was difficult for the manufacturer to reproduce the “station wagon” look and adapt it to a smaller SUV. The answer? Two new cars! Actually, the older SRX is now replaced by a station wagon (or “Touring”) version of the popular CTS sedan and a brand new mid-sized SUV. In early September, Cadillac chose the beautiful region of White Plans, NY to launch the two new cars and the trip included a stop at the Monticello Motor Club to drive the powerful 556-hp V8 powered CTS-V at the race track. autosphere.ca was there! (ED) [View photos] |
September 14, 2009
Les Enchères d’autos ESP
A high-profile company
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Unique establishment of its kind on Montreal Island, Les Enchères ESP has become, since 1982, an important used car reselling hub. Located near major freeways, having an extensive fleet and counting on a significant permanent team, the company offers all services related to automotive auctions, including its own financing program. Their address is 1600, rue Normand in Lachine, near route 13, ESP is immediately accessible by the Norman exit from Highway 20. Can be reached by phone at 1-388-377-9191 or online www.espdirect.ca [View photos] |
September 1, 2009
Subaru: Delivering the right vehicles for Canadians
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What a difference a year makes! As I think about our outlook for 2010, I can’t help but look back and reflect on some of the core Subaru philosophies that have supported us through such uncertain economic times. As you are all aware, the fall of 2008 saw an almost unprecedented decline in economies worldwide. We watched the stock markets crumble and credit markets tighten up almost overnight... |
August 29, 2009
North Toronto Auction Charity Drive
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North Toronto Auction is behind a charity drive that raised over $1,600 for the Kidney Foundation. Chrysler Canada donated a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T that was auctioned off (for a weeklong drive) to the highest bidder. The winner - Rick Paletta of CarNation - bid $1,000 for the opportunity to drive the Challenger for a week. Stu Ralph, owner/partner of North Toronto Auction, says his company plans to hold these special auctions every few months in order to raise awareness of the Kidney Foundation’s car donation program, as well as to raise funds for the charity. (JK) [View photos] |
August 15, 2009
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On August 15, Toronto- and Ottawa-area Kia dealers got the new Kia Forte Koup at a driveaway from Toronto’s BMO Stadium. Kia’s first-ever coupe comes with a 2.0- or 2.4-litre engine. The company’s 5-year, 100,000-km warranty is standard, even for daily fleet use. “It will have a good daily rental presence, because it’s an offering in the two-door compact segment,” said George Lykopoulos, Kia’s fleet manager of regional accounts. “In regular fleets, it will be the vehicle for the manager who has a cap limit, but can get something that’s a little more fun. It’s a sport-tuned little machine that people will want to drive.” [View photos] |
July 15-16, 2009
Ford launches its 2010 Flex with EcoBoost
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Ford of Canada invited specialized journalists on July 15-16 in Boulder, Colorado so they could discover its new 2010 Flex powered by the new EcoBoost V-6 engine. This twin turbocharged engine develops 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Consequently, the EcoBost equiped Flex with all-wheel drive can deliver a fuel economy of 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9,2 L/100 km on the highway which is 20% better than any V8, according to Ford. Among the 2010 new features are the Active Park Assist, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and Class III ( max. cap. 2, 041 kg /4,500 lbs) towing capability with motion stabilizer. In Canada, the EcoBoost engine is only available with the top of the line Limited edition and base price is $46,599. But why Colorado? Because the manufacturer not only wanted to prove the Flex’s towing capabilities but also the engine’s performance at high altitude. [View photos] |
July 13-14, 2009
GM launches its Canadian-made Equinox in Ontario
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Last July, General Motors of Canada held the introduction of its new Chevrolet Equinox 2010 for the automotive press. Fleet Digest was thus invited in Grand Bend, Ontario for the occasion. Note that the new Equinox, a redesigned compact SUV or CUV built at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, is available with a new 2.4 litre four-cylinder Ecotech engine with direct fuel engine or a 3.0 litre V-6 also with direct fuel injection. Prices will begin at $25, 995. [View photos] |
June 24, 2009
Annual GE Ride and Drive Event
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Much anticipated, the annual GE Capital Solutions Fleet Services Ride and Drive event draws large crowds and always enjoys a big turnout. This year’s event was no exception with over 120 attendees enjoying the more than 100 vehicles on display - everything from hybrids to convertibles to muscle cars and exotics like a $150,000 Audi R8. “This is our 12th annual event,” says Sumair Mirza, Senior Marketing Manager, GE Capital Fleet Services, Canada. “The event demonstrates our continued commitment to the market and partnership with the OEMs, and is a sign of stability in a day and age when the economic world is experiencing such change.” OEM representatives mingled with GE Capital's customers, enjoyed a hearty barbeque lunch, and returned to their respective offices with a door prize and a better understanding of which vehicles to short list and include on selectors. |
June 6, 2009
Great Looking Cars at John Scotti’s
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Car fans in the Montreal area all know the name John Scotti. This local car dealer is famous for selling exotic cars such as Jaguars, Land Rovers, Lamborghinis, and Lotuses. Many Canadians also are familiar with John Scotti’s business. He is known for the collectible automobiles he has for sale. However, many believe John and his store to be inaccessible to most. To prove them wrong, John Scotti held an “Open House” day on Saturday June 6. |
June 3, 2009
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Kia Canada recently offered most of its vehicles on a silver platter for fleet customers to sample and test drive during their second annual Ride and Drive event. More than 70 fleet buyers attended the whole-day affair, which included breakfast, lunch, and an extended test drive on the menu. “Last year the event was held at our head office, and this year we’re trying to do something a bit different,” says George Lykopoulos, Fleet Manager, Regional Accounts for Kia Canada. “The goal is to have all our guests drive a choice of vehicles on a variety of different routes including picturesque country roads, scenic routes, winding roads as well as highways and city streets.” Kia’s Ride and Drive event gave fleet buyers an opportunity to preview the new Kia. “The design team Kia has hired is taking the company in a new direction,” says Richard Pasts, Fleet Manager, National Daily Rental, Kia Canada. “It seems the plan is to come up with a couple of different models [or a couple of redesigned models] every year.” [View photos] |
June 3, 2009
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Manheim Canada is reaching out to the black tie crowd with quarterly Exotic Highline Events, offering clients a long-term segmentation strategy and an outlet that targets high-end buyers. Last month, the auction lanes were packed with exotic names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Bentley, and more. “This is one of the most exciting events we’ve had here,” says Brad Hart, General Manager, Manheim Toronto. The first two Highline Events (March 25th and June 3rd, 2009) sold in excess of $20 million in stock, including a Ford GT ($168,000) and a Rolls Royce ($210,000). “We had over 1,000 bidders, including 400 online on Simulcast from as far away as Egypt, Germany and Kazakhstan,” says Steve Macaluso, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Manheim Canada. [View photos] |
June 1, 2009
Ford 2010 Model Planning Preview
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Ford of Canada’s annual business meeting and ride-and-drive event offered the company an opportunity to introduce fleet buyers and managers to a broad range of new and exciting vehicles. The more than 300 in attendance learned about Ford’s green initiatives, Ford’s innovative technologies, and the exciting Quality Fleet Care program - guaranteed to make life easier for fleet managers. [View photos] |
June 1, 2009
Ford 2010 Model Planning Preview
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Ford of Canada held one of their business meetings at their Canadian Headquarters in Oakville the end of April and combined it with a ride-and-drive event for the first time ever. More than 300 fleet buyers and managers from the Toronto area attended the event to experience some of Ford's new and exciting vehicles. "The Taurus has received an incredible amount of attention," says Mike Traub, director of fleet sales and remarketing for Ford. "That coupled with the Fusion, including the hybrid, has had people come up to me personally to say it's great to see Ford back in the car business, and not just the truck business." [View photos] |
May 30, 2009
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There is an association in Quebec called APOM—Association des Professionnels de l’Outillage Municipal, which, roughly translated, means the Association for Professionals of Municipal Tooling. Twice a year, it chooses a city in which to hold a local exposition to show people involved in city management what is new or current in city maintenance and repairs, big or small! Last May 8, APOM chose the City Garage in Repentigny, a suburb of Montreal, to hold its meeting. |
May 20, 2009
Annual Georgian College Automotive Job Fair
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The annual Georgian College Canadian Automotive Institute job fair was a resounding success with fifteen employers offering more than 50 jobs to the close to the dozens of students who stopped by to apply. “Today is all about career opportunities for students from our Automotive Marketing and Automotive Management programs,” says Alan J. McGee, Associate Dean, Canadian Automotive Institute and Business and Management Studies. “Every year we invite employers to come to our school and promote themselves to our students, and vice-versa.” The Canadian Automotive Institute offers a three-year diploma program in automotive marketing, and a four-year automotive management degree program. [View photos] |
May 4, 2009
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Canadian Kia dealers, Kia executives and local media gathered at the Toronto headquarters of Kia Canada to celebrate the official launch of the 2010 Kia Forte in Canada. The Forte blends Kia’s exciting new design direction under the tutelage of Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ chief design officer, with a multitude of standard features. The Forte replaces the Spectra and will be offered in a coupe version later this year. Daily rental companies as well as Kia's corporate accounts have already expressed an interest in the Forte. |
March 5-15, 2009
The Geneva Auto Show had surprises in store for everyone, even for North Americans!
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Held from March 5-15, 2009, the Geneva Auto Show was very spectacular! In the past, most vehicles on display weren’t always destined for North America; however, this year could bring a competely different approach, especially with the globalization of the industry. Here are a few of the featured vehicles from this Swiss show. |
April 10-19, 2009
New York International Auto Show
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The New York Auto Show takes place every year around Easter. It also closes the annual season of international car shows. This year was exceptional since there were many interesting new cars and prototypes unveiled at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center, where the show is held. Here are a few pictures of some of the novelties seen at the New York Auto Show. (ED) |
April 3-4, 2009
A quick glance at Montreal’s Expo Grands Travaux
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For the second time in three years, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium was the venue for a major heavy equipment show that also featured quite a lot of appliances and accessories for fleets and light vehicle operators. Called the Expo Grands Travaux (Big Jobs), this exhibition was the place to see some of the most recent and spectacular vehicles. But it was also a place to meet people of the industry and let them explain their great equipment. (ED) |
February 27, 2009
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Canadian Kia dealers, Kia executives and local media gathered at the Toronto headquarters of Kia Canada to celebrate the official launch of the 2010 Kia Soul in Canada. Designed in Southern California, the Soul is the newest product offering to join the company’s ever-expanding line-up. Its bold and edgy design is indicative of the new Kia design theme, with more package and styling combinations than any previous Kia vehicle. |
February 13, 2009
2009 Canadian International Auto Show Vehicle Debuts
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Automotive enthusiasts who attended the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show, held in Toronto from Feb 13 to 22, got a glimpse of some of the exciting vehicles making their debut at the show. |
February 13, 2009
Canadian International Auto Show Personalities
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The Canadian International Autoshow (CIAS), held in Toronto every year in the month of February, is about the people behind the cars as much as it is about the vehicles on display. This year’s CIAS, which took place from Feb. 13 to 22, 2009, attracted many top personalities from the automotive world. (JK) [View photos] |
February 11, 2009
2009 Canadian Car of the Year Awards
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Every year, members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) get together to test drive all the new cars in Canada and vote on the top vehicle in each category. The winners of the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year Awards are…the envelope, please… Best New Small Car (under $18,000): Toyota Corolla |
February 11, 2009
Government of Canada Hands Out 2009 ecoENERGY Awards
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The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources Canada announced the 2009 recipients of the ecoENERGY for Vehicles Awards at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto on February 11, 2009. The ecoENERGY Awards recognize the manufacturers of the most fuel-efficient new vehicles each year, and winners are determined using the annual fuel consumption estimates for each vehicle, as published in the Fuel Consumption Guide. And the 2009 winners are: Two-seater car: smart fortwo/cabriolet |
January 21, 2009
Subaru, the all-wheel drive star of the Montreal Auto Show
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What brand name comes immediately to mind when all-wheel drive cars are mentioned? Subaru, of course! And in a snowy city like Montreal, no wonder it stands out during the annual auto show! Consequently, the Subaru booth at the Montreal Auto Show was a favourite for visitors. The new Forester sure attracted many consumers but there were also other Subaru greats like the very popular Impreza even in its rally clothing, the classic Legacy and the more impressive Tribeca. Do we have to point out that all were all-wheel driven? (ED) |
January 21, 2009
Mazda, still one of Montreal’s favourite brands
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Anyone who visited the Montreal Auto Show surely noticed that the Mazda presentation attracted a very large crowd. Why? Simply because Mazda is one of the country’s favourite brands and it shows mostly in and around Montreal. The Japanese manufacturer’s most popular product in Canada is the compact Mazda3. Since that car has been completely redesigned for the coming year, no wonder it attracted so many people at the Mazda stand. But it didn’t stop there. Mazda also had its very recent mid-sized Mazda6, its sporty Mazda MX-5 and racy RX-8, its almost unique Mazda5 microvan, its CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers, its Tribute SUV and its traditional B series pick-up at the show. (ED) [View photos] |
January 20, 2009
NAFA at the Montréal International Auto Show
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Photos :Marie-Josée Rousseau |
NAFA Québec’s President, Roger Constantin, invites all NAFA members and Fleet contributors to a dinner meeting at the Montréal International Auto Show, where one can leisurely admire the trendy and distinctive cars presented at the Show. [View photos] |
January 19, 2009
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It might date back to more than a hundred years ago when it introduced its now legendary Model T, but as long as most observers can remember, the Ford Motor Company has always been of great help to business people, whether because of its trucks or its cars... [Full story] |
January 16, 2009
Montreal Auto Show and its personalities
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Photos :Marie-Josée Rousseau |
A major event like the Montreal Auto Show cannot be held without the appearance of some of the most important people in the Canadian automotive industry. Indeed most of the industry leaders in our country always make it a point to attend the year’s first car show held at Montreal’s Palais des Congrès. At the same time, local industry people join this select group of representatives during Press day to meet the hundred of journalists covering whether the industry, whether the social and public event. For some people, it is even their first visit ever in Canada’s French metropolis. Here are a few of these people we saw during Press day. (ED) |
January 16, 2009
The Montreal Auto Show Opens the Canadian Season
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The North American International Auto Show in Detroit had not yet opened to the public (January 17) but the Montreal Auto show opened its doors to visitors, consumers, and aficionados on Friday the 16! There were less spectacular unveilings in Montreal than in Detroit; nonetheless, Canadian consumers were expressly treated to the presentations of vehicles like the new Maserati GranTurismoS and Quattroporte, Ford Fiesta, Fusion and Fusion Hybrid , Mustang and Lincoln MKZ 2010, Audi’s A6, Q5 and Q7 TDI, BMW Series 7, Mini Cabriolet, Volvo XC60, Jaguar XK and XKR 2010, Honda Insight, Nissan 370Z and Cube, Infiniti G37 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Toyota Scion, Kia Koup and Soul, Mazda3, Lexus IS and RX, Lancer Sportback, Volks Touareg 2 TDI, Subaru Forester PZEV, Hyundai Tucson FCEV, Saturn Vue 2 Mode, GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado Hybrid, Chevy Camaro and Buick Allure 2010. Here are a few pictures of what could be seen at the Montreal Auto Show. (ED) [View photos] |
January 14, 2009
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The automotive world is buzzing with excitement about the latest supercar—the Audi R8. Sleek, sexy and powerful, it certainly would make a great addition to any fleet. But with a price tag of $141,000, it might be difficult to justify... [Full story] |
January 12, 2009
Day One at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
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We all believed that the 2009 edition of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit would be boring, with the unveiling of very few new products; such was not the case on Sunday, January 11. The press days opened with GM showing almost a dozen upcoming new cars, including Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac models. Ford impressed a lot of people with its new 2010 Taurus, while Chrysler showed us a preview of what it could do with its sedans. What’s more, Subaru was to unveil a prototype version of its Legacy. There were many new vehicles showing up with hybrid-electric configuration, most probably what American manufacturers will adopt at large. (ED) [View photos] |
January 8, 2009
Inaugural cocktail launching Manheim’s new installations
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Photos :Marie-Josée Rousseau |
Official opening of new installations for Manheim, global vehicle auctioneer, which is experiencing outstanding growth and expansion. There was celebration in the air at the inaugural cocktail on October 20, 2008 in St-Eustache. [View photos] |
January 5, 2009
January 5, 2009
Industry Leaders
A Time for Gratitude
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Farmbro Inc., a well-known Canadian fleet upfitter, took the time to thank customers and to express the company’s gratitude for a great 2009. Farmbro’s first annual Christmas Wine and Cheese Customer Appreciation event was held at the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club on December 21st, with over 40 in attendance... |
January 5, 2009
January 5, 2009
Industry Leaders
A Time for Gratitude
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Farmbro Inc., a well-known Canadian fleet upfitter, took the time to thank customers and to express the company’s gratitude for a great 2009. Farmbro’s first annual Christmas Wine and Cheese Customer Appreciation event was held at the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club on December 21st, with over 40 in attendance... |
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