Category: Auto News Today

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Driven Brands announces its rapidly growing glass servicing business will migrate to the Auto Glass Now brand

Driven Brands announces its rapidly growing glass servicing business will migrate to the Auto Glass Now brand
  • Uniting less than Car Glass Now in 2023, Driven Makes boosts platform for development as the 2nd largest player in the U.S. car glass provider classification
  • Rebranding features migration to a solitary issue-of-sale method and standard working strategies that lay the basis for business purchaser growth
  • Driven Brands completes 10th acquisition, introducing to Automobile Glass Now’s rising situation as the 2nd premier participant in the U.S. automobile glass provider classification.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Driven Makes Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: DRVN) (“Driven Brand names” or the “Business”) today claimed that it will be migrating its glass servicing offering to the Car Glass Now (“AGN”) brand commencing in January 2023. Considering that getting into the U.S. glass small business fewer than a year back, Driven Makes has grown to close to 175 spots and about 700 cell models through a series of acquisitions and a developing pipeline of greenfield openings and ten acquisitions, including the acquisition of Low cost Auto Glass that shut nowadays.

Auto Glass Now's new branding will focus on the fast, friendly, and right nearby customer value proposition.
Vehicle Glass Now’s new branding will concentrate on the speedy, pleasant, and right nearby purchaser price proposition.

About the study course of 2023, the Enterprise will migrate its locations beneath Vehicle Glass Now and roll out refreshed manufacturer collateral on-line, in promotion, across new and reworked services, and on its mobile support vans. Auto Glass Now is rooted in the legacy of community experts providing customized support, and is now focused on delivering a “wow expertise” by building vehicle glass servicing ever more quickly, welcoming, and convenient. As component of this rebranding, all amenities and mobile vans will be refitted with the industry’s latest applications and products to make sure high quality auto glass repairs for any make or product.

“This rebranding, linked technologies refresh, and operational standardization give us not only a potent brand positioning that will crystalize our differentiation as a countrywide purchaser-targeted brand, but it also boosts the encounter for equally our retail and commercial prospects,” mentioned Michael Macaluso, EVP and team president of Paint, Collision, and Glass. “Moreover, it gives us an incredible system to carry on our national expansion by way of tuck-in M&A action and greenfield openings, which has helped us develop into the second largest participant in the U.S. glass servicing class in just a couple limited months after coming into this house. I could not be much more fired up to see what this gifted workforce accomplishes less than a single brand name, uniform technologies system, and regular go-to-market strategy.”

Automobile Glass Now, the 2nd most significant participant in the automobile glass servicing, will go on to leverage the electric power of Driven Brands’ shared expert services capabilities like facts analytics, direct-to-purchaser promoting, procurement, and business consumer romance management such as the Company’s insurance policy and fleet associations.

“As we scale our already speedily growing national presence under one particular united brand, we will enhance our positioning with our presently solid B2C purchaser foundation and commence to unlock a important chance to enhance our B2B capabilities by extending our glass expert services to our current insurance, fleet, and other professional relationships in just the greater Driven Brands portfolio,” ongoing Macaluso. “We have been proud to welcome all these primary companies into our auto glass spouse and children and to the Vehicle Glass Now brand. We are enthusiastic to transfer forward together remaining rooted in the community approach to every single community we serve and setting up on generational dedication to consumer service.”

Visit DrivenBrands.com for much more information.

About Pushed Manufacturers

Pushed Brands™, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the greatest automotive solutions business in North The usa, providing a selection of buyer and professional automotive wants, including paint, collision, glass, car or truck mend, oil modify, maintenance and motor vehicle clean. Pushed Brands is the guardian company of some of North America’s primary automotive assistance firms together with Take 5 Oil Change®, Consider 5 Motor vehicle Wash®, Meineke Vehicle Treatment Centers®, Maaco®, 1-800-Radiator & A/C®, Vehicle Glass Now®, and CARSTAR®. Driven Models has additional than 4,700 destinations across 15 international locations, and expert services more than 50 million vehicles on a yearly basis. Pushed Brands’ network generates around $1.9 billion in annual income from additional than $5.3 billion in system-wide gross sales.

Our Paint, Collision & Glass segment is comprised of our automotive collision maintenance assistance models, ABRA, CARSTAR, and Correct Automobile United states our 50-year legacy automotive paint brand, Maaco and our a number of North American glass repair service, substitute, and calibration brand names, such as UniglassPlus, VitroPlus, Automobile Glass Now, and Jack Morris Car Glass. These firms provide retail, insurance coverage, and fleet clients, and give 3rd-bash car glass statements management solutions for the Canadian market.

Source Driven Brand names

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Ford EV certification program under fire in Connecticut

Ford EV certification program under fire in Connecticut

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., previously this 7 days explained he prepared to request the Federal Trade Fee, as properly as state authorities, to look into Ford Motor Co.’s electric car certification software above potential violations of franchise rules in what he labeled an “egregious procedure” of sellers.

Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group of Connecticut state legislators in criticizing the strategies during a digital press meeting that also incorporated a major-ranking member of the Connecticut Automotive Stores Association. The lawmakers referred to as on Ford to yet again hold off a Dec. 2 deadline for dealers to opt-in to the method.

“I am persuaded there is a scenario that requirements to be investigated in this article,” Blumenthal claimed, indicating the challenge was of “profound” public desire. “I just feel Ford is making a terrible miscalculation listed here if it persists in this technique.”

Ford, in a statement, explained it would not extend the deadline.

“The voluntary application empowers our sellers on when and how to enroll and we recognize that some dealers functioning in marketplaces with limited EV penetration could chose not to enroll in this spherical,” Ford spokesperson Marty Günsberg said in an emailed statement. “For these dealers, Ford is offering a second entry issue in 2025 as Ford’s EV generation scales promptly. We are assured that we will have adequate seller enrollments for this spherical to provide our buyers nationally.”

Furthermore, Günsberg claimed Ford “does not consider the voluntary application violates Connecticut’s franchise laws.”

The certification program, rolled out to sellers in September, would involve them to commit up to $1.2 million on chargers, staff education and new profits expectations to overhaul the retail encounter to be in a position to sell long term EVs. Dealers can opt for to spend $500,000 as an alternative but would be authorized to provide no additional than 25 EVs a 12 months.

Ford has noted that the expense figures could fluctuate based on federal and condition incentives.

Vendors who elect not to devote would be constrained to advertising only gasoline-driven styles and hybrids.

Connecticut State Rep. Roland Lemar, a Democrat, claimed he was involved about the value, which is extra than what other models have questioned their networks to expend. He wishes the corporation to rework big pieces of the method.

“They require to roll back this deal language and need to not, in any circumstance, maintain our dealers to a Dec. 2 deadline,” he claimed. “If they never, I can guarantee them … that there will be repercussions at each the condition and federal stage.”

Sen. Heather Somers, R-Conn., explained she had “deep and grave problems” about the plan.

“Ford is attempting in no magic formula indicates to undermine Connecticut’s franchise method,” she claimed. “The amount of financial commitment necessary for our community dealers is staggering.”

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Adopting the agency model: How OEMs are mastering a new retail approach Mastering a new retail approach

Adopting the agency model: How OEMs are mastering a new retail approach Mastering a new retail approach

Enterprises ought to produce a much more seamless changeover

Numerous elements will figure out the amount of action an OEM can deal with inside of its new retail design, from the location in which the business enterprise operates, to the variety of item traces or shopper demographic. OEMs’ approaches will vary from people of disruptors, and some makers will carry on to perform with partners who just take about obligations these types of as aftersales. Proper company examination that breaks down the administration of aftersales, made use of cars and trucks, leasing, and insurance policies, is essential, as is the mapping of touchpoints and interactions. Lots of companies are employing the help of skilled suppliers to aid them in picking the greatest products and in deploying electronic resources to support their transformation in a way which is price-productive and lean.

The restructure of an OEM also requires an helpful conversation technique to interact the inside firm and the retail community, defining individuals’ roles in the organization and the advantages of staying aspect of it. New tasks will evolve with the introduction of new work titles and skill sets that help link the employee to the manufacturer and expand the scope of their positions. It’s also critical to recall that in practically all new designs, retailers – or agents – will continue to participate in a extremely important part. An agent’s interaction with buyers will be remodeled from a single that generally pushes goods and products and services on them, to a single which is focused on providing qualified, customized help and on setting up interactions that have the prospective to very last a lifetime.

The agency model supports the standardization of digital tools and a lot more customized shopper encounters. But standardization does not suggest equivalent implementations across the community. The model really should support an omnichannel arrangement that can be tailored to satisfy area cultural requirements or mindsets. Dealers (or agents) and OEMs will want to concur on adaptations to method, distribution, direct management and consolidation of the actual physical and electronic purchaser journeys.

Agency design revenue are mainly pushed by info, but many legal aspects encompassing the use of client info need to be deemed where by the design is carried out. OEMs have to comply with data privateness restrictions, as properly as levels of competition guidelines which stipulate that independent automobile suppliers ought to have the capacity to mend autos below the brand’s guarantee, for that reason letting motorists versatility in their choice of workshop.

A standardized and scalable transformation can be elaborate and highly-priced, but it is a lengthy-expression financial commitment that will crank out far better cost savings as the business grows. By getting the planning right, the organization can improve the speed of transactions and boost items and solutions continuously across marketplaces, controlling the customer practical experience to a normal that absolutely represents the high quality of the brand name.

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Tesla losing EV market share to sub-$50,000 rivals

Tesla losing EV market share to sub-$50,000 rivals

Tesla is however the huge puppy of the U.S. EV marketplace, with a commanding 65 per cent sector share and the No. 1 place amongst luxurious brands, no matter of powertrain. But because of Tesla’s value improves above the previous two a long time, it really is positioned alone typically outside the house the mainstream, other than for the foundation Model 3, analysts say.

Tesla’s EV industry share in the U.S. has fallen from 79 per cent in 2020, and it is envisioned to tumble down below 20 percent by 2025, S&P Global mentioned.

For yrs, Tesla critics have been predicting the arrival of EV level of competition from legacy makes and rival startups — and it is lastly listed here. Notably, the new arrivals are crossovers and pickups that buyers want instead than early-adopter EVs that were scaled-down and centered on meeting regulatory mandates.

“S&P International Mobility predicts the number of battery-electrical nameplates will expand from 48 at current to 159 by the finish of 2025, at a rate a lot quicker than Tesla will be equipped to add factories,” the facts firm mentioned. Though Musk has teased a decreased-priced Tesla for years, “the current market start timing is unclear,” S&P World wide stated.

Tesla does have a products technique to defend its market share, including the planned launch of the Cybertruck pickup from its new manufacturing unit in Texas. Musk has also declared a “robotaxi” that drives autonomously for 2024. And Tesla will deliver its initial Semi cargo vehicles on Thursday. But that does not help it with light-weight-car or truck buyers.

“Right before you experience much too poorly for Tesla, on the other hand, bear in mind that the model will continue to see unit revenue develop, even as share declines,” stated Stephanie Brinley, a senior analyst at S&P World wide Mobility. “The EV industry in 2022 is a Tesla market, and it will continue on to be, so extensive as its competitors are sure by production ability.”

As these types of, S&P World wide added: “Tesla these days is the brand best equipped for getting edge of the speedy surge in EV demand, however manufacturing investments from other automakers will erode this edge quicker than later on.”

Other takeaways from the report:

  • “Of a lot more than 525,000 EVs registered above the 1st nine months of 2022, virtually 340,000 have been Teslas. The remaining volume is divided, quite erratically, amongst 46 other nameplates.”
  • “Buyer willingness to evolve to electrification remains the major wildcard. Hunting previous Model Y and Product 3, no solitary model has realized registrations higher than 30,000 units by way of the very first 3 quarters of 2022.”
  • “Growth potential customers for EV products are sturdy, financial commitment is huge and the regulatory natural environment in the US and globally suggests that these are the resolution for the long run.”

 

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Layne Riggs’ gamble pays off with NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national title

Layne Riggs’ gamble pays off with NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national title

Almost nothing has occur effortless for Layne Riggs from the second his car racing occupation commenced.

A veteran in late product inventory motor vehicle competitors despite being just 20, the 2nd-generation competitor from Bahama, North Carolina, has fought for every victory with a small procedure, all although ready for the proper option to observe in his father Scott Riggs’ footsteps as a driver in one of NASCAR’s top a few divisions.

The conclusion to wager on himself by heading for a NASCAR Advance Auto Areas Weekly Sequence title paid out off for Riggs, who joined a prolonged list of noteworthy nationwide champions with a stellar year that saw him claim 16 victories at five tracks, as well as a observe championship at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway.

Heading for the national championship was tough for Riggs on several fronts. He admitted getting capable to replicate on and cherish what he attained in 2022 with his workforce has been equivalent elements cathartic and validating.

“It’s been fantastic to celebrate with my crew and bask in our glory,” Riggs reported. “In the minute when we were being winning all the races, it was tricky to celebrate anything at all, as we experienced to concentrate on the subsequent day of racing. You could not take pleasure in the time, but we experienced a substantial staff social gathering, and it was good to share stories and celebrate what we did, especially since we’ll almost certainly under no circumstances do this all over again.”

Relevant: Remaining NASCAR Advance Auto Sections Weekly Sequence standings

Even even though he has a acquainted previous identify, Riggs does not see himself a great deal distinctive than the blue-collar motorists who dominate limited tracks along the East Coast.

Most of the crew customers who guide the Riggs spouse and children with their late design inventory car or truck program are volunteers, all of whom have labored tirelessly to retain the cars aggressive with other prime-tier companies that include things like JR Motorsports and Sellers Racing Inc.

Becoming a pupil at UNC Charlotte only served to complicate issues for Riggs as he poured each individual ounce of electrical power into defeating defending Weekly Series winner Peyton Sellers, but he managed to locate the fantastic stability by frequently speaking with his team about what he necessary to be comfortable in his automobile.

Peyton Sellers (26) follows Layne Riggs (99) as they attempt to pass Chris Denny (2, partially hidden behind Riggs’ car) during the second race of twin 65-lap NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division races that highlighted the Halifax County Farm Bureau Championship Night event at South Boston Speedway on Sept. 4. (Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway)
Layne Riggs (99) experienced to struggle Peyton Sellers (26) all yr for the NASCAR Progress Vehicle Parts Weekly Sequence title, with Riggs in the long run prevailing by 4 details. (Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway)

The maturity and composure Riggs desired to remain concentrated amid his hectic routine came about by perfecting his race craft versus a lot of talented competition, which incorporated existing NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry, Bobby McCarty, Deac McCaskill and Jared Fryar.

With out those people folks to lean on in his developmental period of time, Riggs thinks he would by no means have gotten close to the Weekly Series crown.

“This past time served as my final exam for late product inventory racing,” Riggs claimed. “I’ve figured out so substantially from all the veterans out there, but I experienced to use all the information. You don’t seriously see that advancement till you seem back and see all the methods you’ve created, but each aspect of myself has gotten far better.”

In the center of his pursuit for the national championship, Riggs eventually acquired the prospect to make his NASCAR nationwide series debut by signing a 3-race deal with Halmar Friesen Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Riggs squandered no time demonstrating the broader NASCAR lover foundation the talent he possesses. Through his very first race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, immediately after beginning 23rd, Riggs patiently climbed his way as a result of the field and challenged several of the very best drivers in the Truck Series before in the end settling for a seventh-position finish.

The subsequent two Truck Sequence appearances for Riggs saw him carry above the momentum from his general performance at IRP. Even though he did not eclipse his vocation-very best finish, Riggs certified fourth at Richmond Raceway and 2nd for the year finale at Phoenix Raceway, exactly where he led five laps just after passing eventual Truck Sequence champion Zane Smith shortly just after the preliminary commence.

Riggs is at this time functioning on securing the needed funding to compete in the Truck Sequence full-time in 2023. Details are nevertheless getting sorted out, but Riggs hopes to at the very least get acceptance for the opener at Daytona Intercontinental Speedway prior to viewing how the relaxation of the year turns out from a fiscal standpoint.

Relevant: Occupation stats for Layne Riggs

A extra lively existence in the Truck Collection signifies Riggs will move on from the willpower that formed him into the driver he is nowadays, but he even now plans to contend in a handful of late model stock motor vehicle events when he has free of charge time.

“I’ll probably do the Josh Berry plan in which I race [late model stocks] on off weekends,” Riggs explained. “There will not be a set routine, so I obviously won’t be running for any championships, but you’ll certainly see me at some short tracks just owning enjoyable.”

With a countrywide championship beneath his belt, Layne Riggs is getting ready to embark on what he hopes will be a entire NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence agenda following year. (Joe Chandler/South Boston Speedway)

Riggs hopes the good results and notoriety he liked in 2022 is a favourable sign for other blue-collar racers on the lookout to crack into NASCAR’s best ranks.

Through his late model stock motor vehicle vocation, Riggs has occur across a good deal of drivers he understands would excel in NASCAR’s top series if provided the suitable option. Possessing been in that crowd himself, Riggs would like to see those same veterans stick to a similar path, and he thinks ongoing modifications in the business may possibly just one working day allow for them to do so.

For now, Riggs intends to symbolize the Southeast limited monitor sector as each a Weekly Collection winner and a Truck Series competitor. He anticipates a demanding finding out curve throughout his to start with year in the division, specifically when it will come to figuring out aerodynamics and heading up towards the diverse Truck Sequence roster.

“In the late product environment, you have your pick out veterans that are generally up at the entrance racing just about every other,” Riggs mentioned. “When you go to the Truck Collection, there are so lots of extra of them. The very best from the grassroots produced it to the Truck Collection, so there’s going to be a ton of competition. I felt like I was the very best in my space, so I consider I’m up to the process.”

Loads of hurdles lie in advance for Riggs as he transitions into a new section of his vocation, but he is all set to embrace the pending adversity and demonstrate that his nationwide championship is the initially of lots of NASCAR accomplishments to arrive.

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2022 Los Angeles Auto Show: Best in Show | News

2022 Los Angeles Auto Show: Best in Show | News

The 2022 Los Angeles Auto Display was a little but mighty show that includes reveals from hefty hitters like the Toyota Prius and Subaru Impreza. But the star of the show — and Autos.com’s Greatest in Clearly show — is the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6, the most recent electrical vehicle from the South Korean automaker.

Here’s why our panel of editors chose the Ioniq 6 as Cars.com’s Best in Exhibit.

Associated: More 2022 L.A. Auto Demonstrate Protection

Jennifer Newman, Editor-in-Chief

With the Ioniq 6’s unveiling, Hyundai has strike again-to-back again dwelling operates as it adds to its EV lineup. To my eye, the Ioniq 6 gives off Porsche vibes, specially when viewed from the rear. The Ioniq 6 also picks up the Ioniq 5 electric SUV’s pixel topic, with small squares sprinkled throughout the interior and exterior, including the change alerts, taillights and throughout the spoiler. The Ioniq 6 retains the Ioniq 5’s roomy interior but swaps the SUV’s slidable center console for a flat bridge. As an Ioniq 5 proprietor, what had me most energized is the button that normally takes you instantly to the controls for heated and ventilated seats somewhat than forcing the driver to dig by menus to adjust these controls it is a small but thoughtful and appreciated update.

Brian Normile, Street Examination Editor

I’m extra lukewarm on the Ioniq 6’s traces, but it’s undeniably distinct and extremely substantially an Ioniq EV. The swooping strains make a strong assertion about its performance target, and the guarantee of much more vary from equally the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 compared to the Ioniq 5 — utilizing identical powertrains — is compelling. The roomy inside and its sustainable elements also gain factors with me, as do the primarily actual physical controls. The choice to go the window switches to the center console a la the Ford Bronco is an attention-grabbing a single, but not a deal-breaker by any suggests. The swooping roofline cuts into backseat headroom, but there’s so a great deal legroom that it feels like a fair trade.

Damon Bell, Senior Research Editor

What impresses me most about the Ioniq 6 is that it is unabashedly a car. Its overtly streamlined form actually stands out in the sea of boxy vehicles and wagon-shaped SUVs that dominate today’s new-car or truck landscape. It is just one of the sleekest, smoothest sedans I’ve viewed in current memory, and the glimpse is emphatically “form follows functionality.” Its unconventional proportions make me feel of the 1930s Chrysler Airflow or 1970s Citroen SM — common autos with similarly unorthodox profiles. The Ioniq 6’s cabin is as initial as its exterior and far more roomy than you may possibly hope presented the swoopy, sloping roofline. I’m 6 toes, 6 inches tall, and I in good shape in the backseat improved than I imagined I would thanks in part to the generous legroom and flat ground with no centre driveline hump. Hyundai has crafted a daring, design-ahead motor vehicle that does not neglect practicality.

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