The Canadian auto retail industry continues to thrive in a uniquely challenging marketplace THE PERIOD BEGINNING in late 2008 and ending today can be split up into three distinct economic periods: the immediate crash and recession; its subsequent lukewarm recovery, …
Their world is changing, but dealers will adapt YOU CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER what the future of mobility will look like in our not-too-distant future. Touring auto shows and checking out the latest offerings from OEMs provide a startling glimpse …
AS THIS ISSUE IS GOING to press we are preparing to travel to Halifax for this year’s CADEX event. The half day conference, put on by the Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association with the exclusive support of TD Auto Finance, …
Manufacturers are scrambling to bring more fuel efficient vehicles to market but buyers aren’t following suit After a second consecutive record sales year for new vehicles in Canada that was driven entirely by growth in the truck segment, and with …
There’s a lot of buzz in the auto industry about the industry’s changing business model and the move from bricks to clicks — where customers can complete some or all of steps to shop, finance and buy their vehicles online. …
As each new year begins, industry conferences and auto shows kick into high gear, and I attend a flurry of events in rapid succession. But the one that I enjoy most each year, and learn the most from, is the …
Canada’s current tax system is a direct result of our desire for democracy and deductions The federal government has finally moved into a surplus position after years of recession-induced (and stimulus-increased) deficits. Thus it has been able to fulfill some …
Ready or not, your customers expect to be treated differently We can all get caught up in the hype of a new trend or technology. Auto dealers are not immune to this reality. The fear that someone else has adopted …
I love the start of the year. After spending the past few weeks working through the many deadlines that come with winding down the past year and clearing my desk, it’s time to start looking towards the coming year. It …
The view of Canada as a current beacon for fiscal responsibility perhaps doesn’t reveal the whole truth Now that we’re into election season (which, unfortunately, kicks off as much as a year before we actually get to vote), there will …
Auto dealers have a powerful source of untapped power at their disposal that can fire imaginations, excite desires and trigger emotional reactions. Putting it simply, cars and trucks are cool. People are passionate about them, and many have a particular …
I have used this space on several occasions to offer insights into the recent evolution of consumer debt dynamics in the Canadian automotive retail market. Though the details varied, the theme did not: consumers have piled on more debt in …
