At the beginning of the calendar year, many automotive analysts predicted a slowdown in global vehicle sales – and that has proven true in countries around the world.

In Canada for instance, through the first seven months of 2019, Desrosiers Automotive reports that vehicle sales totalled approximately 1.15 Million – down 4.8% year to date from 2018.  However, while overall car and truck sales dipped, the same was not true for electric vehicles (EVs), which continue to be an increasingly attractive purchase for new car buyers.

When the federal government announced it was establishing a purchase incentive program for EVs this Spring, there was little doubt it would create an additional spark. However, what has transpired since the Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program was introduced has been remarkable, particularly in British Columbia, where consumers can apply both the federal and the provincial CEVforBC™ incentive towards the purchase of a new EV.

Between May (when the new federal program came into effect) and June, approximately 14,000 incentives were processed nation-wide, up about 17 per cent over the same period a year ago.

In British Columbia, through the first seven months of 2019, more than 6,000 CEVforBC™ transactions occurred. While we don’t yet have data covering the entire summer, it’s safe to say that trend has continued. This follows a year in which 2018 EV sales totalled 8,500 – representing more than 11 per cent of all new car sales over the same time frame (excluding SUVs, pick-up trucks and minivans).

Auto manufacturers are gearing up for what will be a massive financial commitment, which according to Reuters, will exceed $90 Billion over the next decade. Analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Finance have also predicted more than half of new cars sold will be electric in 20 years. As many as 14 new EV models are expected to hit the market in 2020, and over the next two years it’s anticipated that more than 70 EV models will be available, offering an unprecedented levels of design and increased range.

However, we shouldn’t count out gas-driven vehicles just yet. After all, an estimated 95 per cent of all passenger vehicles and trucks sold in Canada continue to be gasoline or diesel powered. Here in BC, the fleet average is approximately eleven years old, underlining that the transition will take time. And of course, another factor is how quickly manufacturers can address issues such as cost, range anxiety, and access to convenient, networked charging stations.

There continue to be a number of ifs, and’s or buts – but one thing is certain, at some point the balance will shift. It’s an electrifying future in the automotive world!

For the latest information on car careers in BC’s automotive industry, visit: https://carsandjobs.com/

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].

Virtually everyone who has purchased a new vehicle will treat the new purchase like a treasure for an initial period – but after a period of time, it’s not uncommon for the novelty to wear off.
Where a car or truck owner may adopt a regimented routine that includes regular maintenance, oil changes and appropriate care, this commitment may slip over time – but allowing that to occur can have an impact on the life of the vehicle, its reliability and resale value.
A recent article in autotrader.ca explored the issue of what is the most reliable used car make or model. The authors concluded that there is no such thing – because much of this has to do with how a previous owner has cared for and maintained the vehicle. The most reliable kind of vehicle is the best maintained vehicle!
Two different vehicles of the same model can hold drastically different values when one has received regular care and attention and the other has not. That’s why a regimented and consistent approach to upkeep is far more important than the year, model and make of the vehicle. This is key in keeping the re-sale value of the vehicle up, especially when owners look to sell their vehicles.
There are a few rules of thumb to follow and regular maintenance is a prerequisite. It is important for owners to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, including oil and filter changes and keep a record of these schedules. These records are bound to come in handy during a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) of your vehicle.
There are a number of other factors that will impact the value of your car or truck, including age, mileage, condition, market conditions and location.
It’s no secret that keeping the mileage down can result in keeping your vehicle’s value up, so you may wish to consider renting a vehicle for long road trips to avoid unnecessary wear and tear of your personal vehicle. It can turn out to be the more affordable option in the end.
Driving smart is more than just avoiding reckless driving, it also includes driving safely. So, it’s always a good idea to invest in winter tires which can prevent serious damages from accidents and can consequently retain the vehicle’s value.
First appearances are important, and as such, the exterior condition of the vehicle is important.
Dings, dents or cosmetic damage can reflect negatively on a vehicle and leave the impression there may be interior damage as well. Apart from washing your car regularly, another element to keep your car sparkly is to wax two or three times a year, in order to prevent fading. A ceramic coating, while more expensive, can help protect your vehicle longer or a vinyl wrap around bumpers, side panels and hood that are more susceptible to road rash, rock chips and bug debris.
The undercarriage of your vehicle–the frame and components of the under body is also prone to deterioration and eventually rusting due to salt, sand, and grime year-round – so don’t leave this unattended. A variety of under-coatings are available – check with your service advisor for options.

In the end, we all want to get the most out of our investments, and in many cases, our vehicle is our second most significant asset aside from our home. It’s important to protect it now, and in the future, even if its future may be with someone else.

For the latest information on car careers in BC’s automotive industry, visit: https://carsandjobs.com/

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].

It’s that time of year when summer is coming to an end and the Labour Day Weekend is upon us. That means the start of the school year is only days away.
It’s especially important that drivers pay attention, especially in and around school zones where the volume of cars and traffic will be high during certain periods of the day. Don’t allow frustrations to get the better of you. Know that back to school means additional cars, school buses, and children on roads and sidewalks – so accept it, and build extra time into your schedule to get to your destination.
As a rule of thumb, reduce your speed in residential areas. For those who need a refresher, the speed limit in school zones is 30 kilometres an hour, between the hours of 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening.
Never overtake another vehicle while in a school zone, avoid any three-point turns or U-turns, and obey crossing guards. Some school zones also have flashers – so be prepared to stop and don’t block the crosswalk when making a right turn.
Give a greater amount of distance when you’re behind a school bus so that if the yellow lights start flashing, you’ll have more time to stop. Come to a complete stop when you see a bus displaying flashing red lights or extending its stop arm. Children are often not paying attention when disembarking, so be extra cautious.
If you’re a parent who drops your child off at school, there are several important safety tips to keep in mind. Finding an unloading area can be tough in a crowded school zone, but remember to never double-park. Double-parking blocks visibility for not only other vehicles, but pedestrians as well.
Keep children out of harm’s way by loading and unloading them from the passenger seat’s side. Don’t encourage mid-block crossing if you have to unload from across the street.
Parents, whether your child rides on the school bus, takes a bike to school, walks to school, or gets dropped off, it’s never too early to teach them how to stay safe on the road. Take the time to go through safety rules with children and teens who travel to school by themselves before sending them off to school this fall – and driving safety aside, also remind them not to accept rides from strangers.
Drivers, take extra care and caution and if you have a teen who has recently acquired a drivers’ license, take the time to sit down and reinforce some safe driving tips.
This is an exciting time for little ones, so let’s all be extra cautious to ensure their return to the classroom is a memorable one – for all the right reasons.
For the latest information on car careers in BC’s automotive industry, visit: https://carsandjobs.com/

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].

We may be nearing the end of what many would consider the dog days of summer, but that doesn’t mean drivers or cyclists can let their guard down.

In BC, historically, more than 700 cyclists are injured, and seven fatalities occur in auto-related accidents between June and September, each year. So, whether you’re a driver or a cyclist, we all have a role to play in sharing the road responsibly. To that end, we have prepared the following list of tips for drivers and cyclists (which includes many of those available at www.icbc.com) to help keep our roads safe:

Tips for vehicle drivers:

• Watch for cyclists on the road and make eye contact if you can, so they can anticipate your next move.
• Yield to cyclists and signal well in advance if you need to cross a designated bike lane or pull over to the side of the road.
• Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right, and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left. Likewise, scan for cyclists before you enter the roadway from an alley or getting in and out of a parking spot.
• Both drivers and passengers must shoulder check for cyclists before opening doors.
• Maintain at least three seconds behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist.

Tips for cyclists:

• Wearing an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards is the law in B.C.
• Make sure you are legal – in some cities like Metro Vancouver, a bell or horn is required to communicate with other road users.
• Be extra visible with reflective gear on your bicycle pedals and wheels, and lights when riding after dark.
• Use designated bike routes whenever possible – they’re safer and reduce conflicts with vehicle traffic.
• If there’s no bike lane, keep to the right-hand side of the road as much as it’s safe to do so.
• Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals and rules of the road.
• Be aware of people in vehicles as well as taxis to avoid getting hit by an opening door. It’s best to keep at least once metre away from parked vehicles.
• Before making any turns, shoulder check and hand signal in advance. Remember, drivers sometimes fail to yield right-of-way.
• Ride distraction-free. Don’t use mobile devices or headphones while cycling (if you must, use just one earbud so you be alert to sirens or horns).
• Communicate: Always use hand signals when turning, slowing down or stopping; before passing other road users, shoulder check and use your bell, or your voice.
• According to the BC Motor Vehicle Act, although riding side by side is legal on the shoulder of highways, it is recommended that side-by-side cycling be limited to roadways that have wide shoulders

One final thought – please observe posted speed limits and use caution in highway construction zones where flaggers are simply trying to do their job. Let’s do our part to ensure the summer months come to an end without needless injury.

For the latest information on car careers in BC’s automotive industry, visit: https://carsandjobs.com/

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].

By Blair Qualey

In a matter of days, a new vehicle insurance model in British Columbia will come into effect that may have an impact on your premium, based on your driving record.

ICBC is moving to a basic insurance model September 1 that is more driver-based. This means crashes follow the driver, not the vehicle, to help make sure drivers are more accountable for their behaviour on the road.

The Insurance Corporation estimates approximately three-quarters of its customers will be better off than today, with many seeing a decrease to their overall premiums. However, for those with frequent or serious driving condition, they will soon start paying more.

So how will the changes work?

Driving convictions from June 10th, 2019, going forward will have the potential to impact a customer’s optional premium, which will escalate in line with the frequency and seriousness of criminal offences. ICBC will ultimately scan back over a three-year period for driving convictions by June 10th, 2022. As a result, Criminal Code offences, impaired driving, excessive speeding and distracted driving, will result in increased premiums after the first conviction. Minor offences such as failing to stop, failing to yield, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt will only result in increased premiums if there are two or more convictions during the scan period.

Today, 10 percent of customers have either two or more minor driving convictions or have been convicted of a serious driving offence over the past three years, yet they pay the same for optional coverage as a customer with no convictions. Factoring in convictions when calculating optional insurance premiums aims to provide drivers with a financial incentive to improve their driving behaviour by avoiding higher premiums.

To ensure customers are informed about the changes coming to both basic and optional auto insurance, ICBC has expanded the content on its website. Visit  www.icbc.com for more details. It has also created an online education tool at the same site, so drivers understand how the new insurance model may potentially impact them.

Other changes also include the introduction of two new discounts this September, that drivers and new car shoppers should keep in mind.

The first involves 10 percent relief for vehicles with original, manufacturer-installed autonomous emergency braking (AEB). The system uses sensors to determine if a front-end collision may be imminent and automatically applies the brakes to diminish the severity or avoid a crash entirely. While not intended to be relied on, it’s meant as a last resort in the event the driver isn’t paying attention.

ICBC has also announced a similar 10 percent discount will be applied to vehicles that are driven less than 5,000 kilometres a year – again, effective this September. If you think you may qualify, bring a current odometer reading to your broker the next time you renew your insurance.

Over the coming months, there is bound to be a great deal of commentary about the new model, but the premise of the changes – based on fairness and an equitable model for all – is one that most British Columbians likely agree with.

For the latest information on car careers in BC’s automotive industry, visit: https://carsandjobs.com/

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].