Automotive News Canada - April 2024 - 17

* APRIL 2024
17
Anybody passing by
on the highway sees
it, and they want to
be a part of it. "
Laura Zanchin
Executive vice-president,
Zanchin Automotive Group
corridors of light grey, and wooden floors
are for entertaining and consulting with
buyers.
NEW IMAGE PROGRAM
The dealership is based on the
Mercedes-Benz MAR 2020 concept, mirroring
the architectural and design principles
built into other such stores globally. It's
the second example in Canada, following
the recent opening in British Columbia of
Mercedes-Benz Kelowna.
Along with the retail side of its operations,
the Toronto store has a separate service
centre for Mercedes-Benz Vans customers,
including a wholesale parts counter
and dedicated service space. Given easy
highway access to the dealership and the
proximity to downtown Toronto, commercial-vehicle
business could benefit, Pushka
said. The store offers same-day service to
van customers and is already building a
following, he added.
There are 35 service bays, a double-alley
service drive for customers dropping off
vehicles and 22 electric-vehicle chargers,
including three Level 3 DC fast chargers.
There's indoor inventory storage space for
more than 70 vehicles, in addition to outdoor
space.
Pushka said the dealership has a workforce
of 90, but he anticipates that rising
to 135 over the next four years as the store
builds its retail and commercial customer
bases.
A second-story balcony overlooking
the main showrooms could be used as an
event space. The team is already fielding
calls from those looking to host weddings
or business events in the unique environment,
said Laura Zanchin.
" We've had a lot of interest in people
renting out the space. We're looking into
that as well. " - ANC
Vancouver continues auto show roll
Toyota, Lexus experienced
high traffic, strong interest
and 'high dwell times,'
Toyota Canada said
By STEVE MERTL
VANCOUVER CORRESPONDENT
MIRRORING AUTO SHOWS IN
Toronto and Montreal earlier this year,
the Vancouver International Auto Show
(VIAS) made a healthy comeback with
support from auto brands and patrons.
Vancouver's situation is unique, however,
as there hasn't been a show since
2019. The public was clearly missing the
event as the 2024 VIAS set an attendance
record of 129,034 over five days at the
Vancouver Convention Centre, March
20-24, organizers said.
The previous record of 120,547 was set
in 2018, followed by a dip to 115,192 in 2019,
the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic
forced the show's cancellation.
A single-day record of 39,823 was set
on the Saturday of the 2024 show, besting
2018's 31,596.
" The success of this event is a tribute to
the automakers, dealers, specialty exhibitors,
collectors, staff and, most of all, the
car and truck lovers who travelled from
throughout British Columbia and the
Pacific Northwest to celebrate everything
that is automobile, " said a statement from
Blair Qualey, president of the New Car
Dealers Association of British Columbia,
which organizes the show.
The show hosted 31 brands and more
than 200 vehicles. They included a
record number of EVs, such as the Tesla
Cybertruck, as well as hybrids.
" We were delighted with the overall
attendance, which was above our expectations
and matched with strong interest
and high dwell times in both the Toyota
and Lexus exhibits, " said Paul Harrison,
Toyota Canada's manager of auto shows
and events.
The 2024 show expanded the EV and
plug-in-hybrid test-drive experience,
allowing potential customers to sample
nearly 50 green vehicles. There were 3,425
people who took advantage of the opportunity
compared with 2,700 in 2019.
VIAS 2025 is scheduled for March 26-30.
Canadian shows have been on an
attendance growth streak this year.
The Montreal International Auto Show,
Jan. 19-28, drew 168,447 visitors, up 14
per cent from 2023, while the Canadian
International AutoShow in Toronto, Feb.
16-25, attracted a record 371,559, up from
the previous record of 357,745 set in 2019.
- ANC
Manitoba begins rebates, Quebec winds down
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
incentives are a must. He
said Canada is out of " early
adopters " for whom price
wasn't a barrier.
" Now we move into the
next layer of people, but
they are pragmatists that
are saying, 'It has got to
make sense financially,' "
Chipman said.
However, Quebec is phasing
out its incentive program
by Jan. 1, 2027, because
it views EVs as affordable
without incentives.
" Let's watch the EV sales
tables turn as Quebec winds
their incentive down while
Manitobans get an extra
boost, " David Adams, CEO
of the Global Automakers
of Canada (GAC), said in
LinkedIn post.
" This is great news to see
the government of Manitoba
deliver on the promised EV
incentive, recognizing that
EVs remain largely unaffordable
for mainstream
consumers. "
GAC represents import
brands in Canada.
Chipman is concerned
about EV allotment for
Manitoba because of B.C.'s
and Quebec's ZEV sales
mandates that are more
aggressive than the federal
government's. Quebec's
gradually increasing annual
requirement is, in most
cases, at least 10 percentage
points higher than Ottawa's
mandates.
The federal targets
require that at least 20 per
cent of new light-duty vehicles
sales be ZEVs for the
2026 model year. The percentage
increases annually
to 60 per cent by 2030 and 100
per cent for 2035.
The look of the AMG space is the result
of " direct factory involvement, " said
General Manager Jonathan Pushka.
Weekly meetings determined details
such as colours and cabinet placement.
PHOTOS: DAVID KENNEDY
Although a $4,000 rebate - on top of the $5,000 provided
by the federal government - should boost EV sales,
Birchwood Automotive Group CEO Steve Chipman
is concerned that there will be limited inventory with
allocations focused on British Columbia and Quebec.
PHOTO: HYUNDAI
Manitoba and the remaining
provinces do not have
sales mandates.
" The manufacturers have
to get those cars into B.C. in
Quebec first, " Chipman said.
- ANC
The 2024 Vancouver International Auto Show attracted 31
auto brands and a record 129,034 attendees. Because of
COVID-19, it was the first show since 2019.
PHOTO: VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
ZEV REBATES
ACROSS CANADA
The maximum amounts provided
by individual Canadian provinces
and territories, usually
for battery-electric or hydrogen
vehicles. In some cases, the
amount for plug-in hybrids is
the same:
* British Columbia
* Alberta
$4,000
Not offered
* Saskatchewan Not offered
* Manitoba
* Ontario
* Quebec
$4,000
* New Brunswick
* Nova Scotia
* Newfoundland
and Labrador
* Yukon
Not offered
$7,000
$5,000
$3,000
* Prince Edward Island $5,000
$2,500
$5,000
* Northwest Territories $7,500
* Nunavut
Not offered
Automotive News Canada - April 2024

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