January 2016 - Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association

The minivan makes a comeback!

The minivan has made its mark in history as being the vehicle of choice for millions of American parents.  Even though over the past few years, buyers have flocked to sport-utility vehicles and crossovers, by adding snazzier accessories, sleeker designs, and more roomy interiors, one particular minivan is making a huge comeback!  Recently, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, which created the modern minivan three decades ago, unveiled an all new model called the Pacifica.

Fiat Chrysler spent $2 billion to prepare its Windsor, Canada, factory to build the new model.  They also unveiled a plug-in hybrid version that will go into production later this year.  With the new Pacifica, Chrysler is attempting to shake the reputation for stodginess that has long dogged the boxy minivan.  “This may be the first minivan you buy where your children let you pick them up in front of the movie theater”, said Tim Kuniskis, Fiat Chrysler’s head of passenger car brands in North America.

Some of the features of the 2017 Pacifica include:

  • Foot-operated, power sliding doors and tailgate
  • Two 10-inch touch-screen displays for passengers
  • Second-row seats tilt forward for access to third-row seats in this hybrid

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If this cool new minivan seems like it could be perfect for your family, come see it in person at the 2016 Cincinnati Auto Expo, February 17-21!  It’s a can’t miss event packed with tons of fun for the entire family!

Source:

Sylvers, Eric. “‘Mom Mobile’ Makes an Unlikely Comeback.” The Wall Street Journal 19 Jan. 2016, Business & Tech sec.: B1+. Print.

Crossovers/SUVs to Look Forward in 2016 and Beyond!

For all of those excited and readily awaiting the 2016 Cincinnati Auto Expo, we have some great commodities in store for you!  The 2016 Event is one you won’t want to miss, bringing you the latest and greatest vehicles that your local franchised dealers will soon have to offer.  Check out this list from MSN featuring 20 Crossovers and SUVs to look forward to this year and beyond.

Also, be on the look-out for more information regarding the upcoming Cincinnati Auto Expo, taking place February 17-21, 2016 at the Duke Energy Convention Center!

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Drivers 50 or Older Remain Fastest Growing Demographic

Have you wondered lately why the roads that we travel daily seem to be experiencing changes in commodities such as signage?  Your answer lies ahead.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has just recently published new statistics reflecting data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., showing an increase in older drivers on the road.  Currently, there’s a record-high 214.3 million licensed drivers in the U.S; this includes 95.9 million age 50 and older which is 2.4 million increase over the previous years.  These figures support the U.S. Transportation Secretary’s 30-year framework for future transportation – which predicts a 77% increase among drivers over age 65 by 2045.

The most shocking statistic of this newly found data is that people aged 85 or older increased by 2.9% since the previous year, remaining the nation’s fastest growing demographic group among licensed drivers!  These statistics give reasoning to the variety of safety enhancements needed for America’s roads.  These enhancements include, but aren’t limited to cutting-edge retroreflective laminates which make highway signs brighter and more visible from greater distances – to address the needs of older drivers, which range from declining vision to decreased flexibility and psychomotor performance, and changes in perceptual and cognitive performance.

Sited from a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Public Affairs, “America’s roads and bridges must meet the needs of all pedestrians and drivers,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “Safety is our top priority, and our ongoing task is to find new and more effective ways to keep drivers safe, no matter what their age.”

Click here to access to the press release.