Vuse, leading vapor brand from R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (RJRVC), congratulates its partner Arrow McLaren SP (AMSP) for placing 9^th with No. 7 and 12^th with No. 5 cars in the Genesys 300 in Fort Worth, TX this past weekend. This event marked the first live race of the 2020 INDYCAR season.

“It was exciting to see the AMSP car on the track last weekend as we celebrate our partnership with the team. We are inspired by their commitment to performance and how they’re accelerating towards their goals,” says Leila Medeiros, U.S. Head of Vuse. “Just like Vuse is committed to its mission of bringing quality alternative products to adult nicotine consumers.”

Brand plans to bring “Ultimate Pit Stop” to fans at future races
Given the delayed season, both Vuse and AMSP teams have been adjusting and planning to bring premium activations to age 21+ adult nicotine consumers, in the safest way, when races allow fans to participate.

Vuse’s “Ultimate Pit Stop” will feature engaging opportunities for adult nicotine consumers to experience race-themed activities while learning more about a U.S. leading vapor brand. This may include race simulators, engraving stations for Vuse Alto products, moderated updates from the track, and more.

In addition to complying with all state and local restrictions on gatherings, the team will be implementing significant cleaning and public-gathering protocols. Upgraded safety measures at the Vuse brand experience include:

• All seats and surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectants between each use.
• Guests will be given gloves to wear when using the race simulator.
• Floor markings will be placed to encourage use of 6ft social distance.
• Several complimentary hand sanitizing stations will be found throughout the space.
• Directional signage and arrows will be placed to encourage one-way travel through the space.
• Guests will be given face masks upon entering the space.

“While we want to bring the best brand experience to races, our priority will be keeping our environment safe for both employees and adult nicotine consumers,” says Medeiros. “We are taking recommendations from local and public health authorities so all can enjoy our brand while feeling comfortable in the space.”

The Vuse brand promotion is part of a broader enhanced partnership deal between British American Tobacco (BAT), RJRVC’s ultimate parent Group, and McLaren, following a successful first year of global partnership with the McLaren Racing Formula 1 team, of which BAT is a Principal Partner.

The partnership is rooted in a shared passion for excellence in technology, innovation, and design. Arrow McLaren SP and RJRVC also have best practice processes, innovation, and respective industry expertise in common.

About Vuse/R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company:
The Vuse brand combines tobacco expertise with innovative technology to provide adult nicotine consumers with alternatives to traditional tobacco products. Vuse products are marketed in the United States by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (“RJRVC”), an operating company of Reynolds American Inc., a member of the British American Tobacco Group. RJRVC remains committed to responsibly marketing Vuse products.

About Arrow McLaren SP
The name Arrow McLaren SP marks a new chapter for our team, as three determined entities – Arrow Electronics, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and McLaren Racing – join forces with the combined goal to challenge for success. Arrow McLaren SP fields two cars in the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES: the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet piloted by Pato O’Ward and the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet piloted by Oliver Askew. Fernando Alonso will compete for the team at the Indy 500 in the No. 66 Ruoff Mortgage Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.

About British American Tobacco:
British American Tobacco Group (BAT) is one of the world’s leading, multi-category consumer goods organizations, that provides tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world. It employs over 55,000 people, with market leadership in over 55 countries and factories in 48. Its Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global cigarette brands and an increasing range of potentially reduced-risk products, comprising vapour and tobacco heating products, as well as traditional and modern oral products.

To learn more about R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, please visit www.rjrvapor.com.

By John Lawler, CEO, Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC
and Ford Motor Company Vice President, Mobility Partnerships

Last July, Ford and Volkswagen announced a collaboration with Argo AI to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in the U.S. and Europe. As part of this collaboration, Volkswagen would join Ford in investing in Argo AI. Working together with Argo AI positions both Ford and Volkswagen to better serve our future customers while improving cost and capital efficiencies. While the uncertainty of today’s business environment has created challenges for partnerships and investments in the self-driving space, this collaboration remains on track and will be a positive development for everyone involved. As a result, Volkswagen’s investment in Argo AI was finalized June 1.

In my previous role as vice president of Ford corporate strategy, I can tell you firsthand the moment our teams started talking, all three parties could see the value of working together. Here’s what we saw and why we believe it works for everyone involved — including our future customers.

Shared development costs: At Ford, we believe self-driving technology can make people’s lives easier and provide new and more efficient mobility solutions for our congested cities. Building a safe, scalable and trusted self-driving service, however, is no small task. It’s also not a cheap one. We’ve committed to spending more than $4 billion through 2023 on the development of our self-driving service. A large part of this investment is dedicated to developing the self-driving system. With Volkswagen’s investment in Argo AI, we will now share the cost of developing Argo AI’s technology.

Scale and reach: In addition to shared development costs, the deal with Volkswagen makes Argo AI’s self-driving software the first with commercial deployment plans for both Europe and the U.S. Because it can tap into both automakers’ global reach, Argo AI’s platform has the largest geographic deployment potential of any autonomous driving technology to date. Scale and geographic reach are important factors in developing a self-driving system that is robust and cost efficient.

In July 2019, Ford CEO Jim Hackett, Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky (middle) and Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess announced a collaboration to develop autonomous vehicle technology. Volkswagen’s investment deal in Argo AI closed on June 1, 2020.
Customer experience: While our companies are sharing Argo AI’s technology development costs, Ford will remain independent and fiercely competitive in building its own self-driving service. Sharing the development costs with Volkswagen doesn’t mean Ford is reducing its overall spend in the autonomous vehicle space. Instead, we are reallocating the money toward our unique customer experience including transportation as a service software development and fleet operations. We believe building the best overall customer experience will help differentiate us from our competitors in the self-driving space.

Investing in and creating the right customer experience is even more important now as the COVID-19 virus has impacted everything — from the way we work to how we shop. At Ford, we believe a change in customer behavior, whether permanent or temporary, is something we must fully understand as we build a self-driving service. Now is the time for us to be thoughtful about the service we are building so it can remain relevant in a changing world and offer customers peace of mind knowing they, or their packages, are in a safe and protected environment inside our vehicles.

We’ve said before, but it bears repeating: There are several important parts to developing a great self-driving service including the self-driving software, vehicle development, fleet operations and the customer experience. To be successful in this space, a company needs to look at every aspect of the business. It’s not about being first. It’s about providing value to our customers, making people’s lives easier and offering cities new and improved mobility solutions.

That’s been our mission from the start. Now, with Volkswagen’s investment in Argo AI complete, we can spend even more time and care ensuring we remain true to our goal.
https://www.theautochannel.com/

Volkswagen has previewed its new 2021 Arteon update, confirming a Shooting Brake (these days a wagon design with a low, tapered roofline) variant will join the four-door liftback when the line-up is revealed on June 24. While the Australian future for the Shooting Brake remains unclear, Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the liftback will grace Australian showrooms.

“Arteon will return in a familiar form in early 2021,” a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson told CarAdvice. “We’re interested in any available variants.” Teased in new images released by the brand, the four-door liftback and Shooting Brake are shown wearing revised headlight and bumper styling.

The Shooting Back also has an R badge with more aggressive styling, confirming the next-generation Arteon will get a performance R guise. Volkswagen says the 2021 Arteon will get an entirely new “cockpit environment” with the brand’s latest MIB3 infotainment system.

While powertrains are unannounced, Volkswagen says “the drive range has been re-aligned”, hinting that the Arteon may receive some form of electrification as part of the Volkswagen’s goal to sell a million electric vehicles by 2023.

More: https://www.msn.com/en-za/cars/news/2021-volkswagen-arteon-shooting-brake-teased/ar-BB154nG6?li=BBqfRGf

At the Vauxhall car showroom in Chingford, just northeast of London, business is motoring ahead after Britain lifted lockdown restrictions this week on the coronavirus-ravaged sector.

Car dealerships in England finally reopened as the UK government relaxed COVID-19 measures that had slammed the brakes on the industry and helped send the economy into reverse.

“When we reopened it was quite refreshing and pleasing,” Nick Locke, manager of the Chingford dealership, told AFP on Thursday, against a backdrop of sparkling brand new vehicles.

Sector sales had screeched to a near halt in April and May after a nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 23 to stop the virus’s spread.

Post-lockdown demand now is booming in Chingford for affordable mid-range cars from Vauxhall, which is owned by French automaker PSA Peugeot-Citroen.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/

http://www.irishnews.com/

AUL Corp., one of the nation’s leading automotive finance and insurance (F&I) providers, today launched a new vehicle service contract product covering the increasingly complex technology systems found in today’s vehicles, announced Jason Garner, AUL’s Senior Vice President of Product Development. Aptly named ‘AUL-Tech’, this new vehicle service contract provides comprehensive coverage for a vehicle’s technology systems, including intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, navigation, display screens, Bluetooth, audio systems and more. Being focused solely on technology, AUL-Tech is also affordable, providing dealers with a cost-effective policy delivering more safety and convenience to their car buyers.

Auto manufacturers provide particularly long powertrain warranties, especially so with electronic and hybrid vehicles, leaving opportunities for F&I providers such as AUL to cover items and systems that are equally costly to repair. According to Jason Garner, AUL’s SVP of Strategic Product Development, “Complex technology systems are no longer found in just the luxury makes and models. Today, you can find these systems in used vehicles across the pricing spectrum, and with AUL-Tech we’ve developed a best-of-breed solution that covers more makes and models, and older and increased mileage vehicles than any other provider.”

Comprehensive AUL-TECH Coverage
– Touch/Display Screens
– Adaptive Lighting Control System
– Accessory Power Point Connection Systems
– Factory Installed OEM Audio System
– Blind Spot Detection System
– Bluetooth System
– DVD Player System
– Forward, Backup, and 360˚ Camera System
– Home Link System
– Intelligent Cruise Control System
– Lane Departure Warning System
– Navigation System
– Parking Assist System
– Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
– Video and Gaming System
– WiFi Data Connection System

Providing coverage for this comprehensive list of technologies, AUL-Tech can deliver benefits up to $25,000.* “With AUL-Tech, we wanted to give dealers another cost-conscious arrow for their sales quiver, while giving car buyers the peace of mind knowing the expensive technologies in their vehicle are covered,” Garner added.

AUL Tech is available for traditional vehicles up to 6 years old with less than 60,000 miles, including most makes and models in production. The new policies offer 24 to 84-month terms, with no mileage limitations and include 24/7 roadside assistance featuring towing, flat tire changes, emergency gas delivery and more. For more information, visit us at https://aulcorp.com/aul-tech.

*Cost based on national averages

About AUL Corp.

AUL Corp., founder of the used car service contract industry with the introduction of the still-famous Any Year, Any Mileage® vehicle service contract in 1990, now offers a full suite of industry leading F&I products. AUL’s mission is to be the premier F&I provider in America by any quantifiable measurement of business activity. AUL enjoys a longstanding relationship with its underwriters, who hold an A.M. Best rating of “A” Excellent. AUL also enjoys the longest-term relationships in the industry with its agent and dealer clients, as verified by independent third-party research. To find out more, please visit www.aulcorp.com.

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases like automobiles, announced it has given $40,000 to the new F&I Providers Relief Fund through its Assurant Foundation.

The newly launched charity has announced a $1 million fundraising goal to help professionals in the F&I industry facing difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Assurant has been a leader in the auto industry for over 50 years,” said senior vice president at Assurant, Dan Lenczner. “Key to leading is taking care of people – your employees, the industry and the community. The F&I Providers Relief Fund is dedicated to helping this employee base that is vital to the automotive industry.”

Lenczner, along with six other industry leaders, sits on the board of directors that is leading the charity’s fundraising goals and reviewing applications. To avoid potential conflicts, anonymous applications will be vetted by objective staff members before they are submitted for board review.

The board will award grants up to $2,000 each and hopes that as more providers and other leading companies throughout the F&I industry join in the fundraising efforts, the Relief Fund will be able to help as many F&I managers, and their families, as possible.

To contribute to the Relief Fund, visit: https://www.changinglivesfound.org/fandiprovidersrelieffund
About Assurant Global Automotive Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global solutions provider in the automobile industry for manufacturers, large group and independent dealers, agents, third-party administrators, financial institutions, insurance providers, and vehicle technology companies.

Assurant Global Automotive helps drivers protect their vehicles and avoid costly repair. With over 50 years of industry experience, Assurant is trusted by and works with nine of the top ten global automotive manufacturers serving over 48 million consumers in 17 countries. Providing innovative solutions like vehicle service contracts, performance management and training, participation options, ancillary products, guaranteed asset protection, and more, Assurant Global Automotive helps clients grow and thrive.

About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases. Anticipating the evolving needs of
consumers, Assurant partners with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative products and services and to deliver an enhanced customer experience.

A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant offers mobile device solutions; extended service contracts; vehicle protection services; pre-funded funeral insurance; renters insurance and lender-placed homeowners insurance. The Assurant Foundation strengthens communities by supporting charitable partners that help protect where people live and can thrive, connect with local resources, inspire inclusion and prepare leaders of the future.
Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.

Jun 01, 2020 (The Expresswire) — “Final Report will add the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.”

Global “Automobile Insurance Market” forecast 2020-2026 report study gives comprehensive coverage of the market across different market segments, deep country level analysis, and examination on drivers, restraints, key trends and opportunities. Also, Automobile Insurance market report primary focus on key business financials, product portfolio, expansion strategies, and recent developments.

Sheena Leaman took the keys to her 2020 Chevy Equinox and breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was worried due to these trying times,” said Leaman, a 23-year-old machine operator from Clinton Township. “I went to multiple car dealerships and they were giving me crazy prices. The rebates are not as great as they were. And my lease was coming to an end.”

She is one of many car shoppers who has been uncertain about what to expect from the impact of newly relaxed stay-home restrictions related to the coronavirus and how it might affect her shopping choices. Meanwhile, car dealers say they’re overjoyed to see people, but they’re now coping with a rapidly shrinking supply of vehicles. The Detroit Three stopped car production from mid-March to mid-May because of the pandemic.

And now, well, pickings are slim.

“We have back orders on everything,” said Sam Pack, president and CEO of Pack Auto Group based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. “The Ford Edge, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, Super Duty, Mustang, Ranger. But the Ranger is our shortest availability of all our vehicles. All four of our Ford dealerships have a total of 14 Rangers when we normally would have 100.”

He owns six Five Star dealerships; four Ford, one Chevrolet and one Subaru.

“We’re short of inventory in all vehicle lines. The Chevy inventory is more severe than Ford, particularly Silverado. We have 22 light duty (Silverado) pickups in stock. We will run out in June,” Pack said. “And we will run out of F-150s at the pace we’re running now if, in fact, production doesn’t keep pace. We usually sell about 300 a month.”

For pretty much everybody, the shortage “will be with us another 60 to 90 days,” he said.

And this is why Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and the overall auto industry are adding production shifts to ramp up their factories as quickly as possible. Dealers noted that the process hasn’t been without challenges, including disruption at Ford plants. Getting parts from Mexico has caused delay, too.

Chris Ferlito, 32, a lawyer from Grosse Pointe Farms, wanted to lease a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban as quickly as possible to accommodate the latest addition to his family of five.

“We knew exactly what we wanted and we were able to get it,” he said, grateful that he shopped in May with Brian Carroll Automotive rather than waiting. He received his keys on Thursday.

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Jeep? Blazer? Good luck

“Dude, we’re rocking,” said Thad Szott, co-owner of Szott Auto Group in White Lake Charter Township. “The internet leads are coming in at a pace where we’re almost struggling to keep up. With Ram Truck and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, we’re definitely concerned about having enough inventory versus demand.”

He said his customers so love the new delivery model, where everything is done at the buyer’s home, he isn’t sure if many folks will return to dealerships.

Brian Carroll of Brian Carroll Automotive Group in Macomb Township is seeing the same thing in his work as a car concierge who partners with different dealerships. “Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram and Jeep Compass are very tough. The pickup situation, all of it, including GMCs. We’re also having a tough time with the Chevy Blazer.”

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