Author: News/Media Release

IIHS is planning to include virtual tests into its head restraint rankings in stages.Photo: IIHS Marcy Edwards, senior research engineer of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), recently announced the institute is developing a path for the long run of IIHS rear-impact testing.IIHS’ long-term goal of the testing is to give you the option to guage how well each combination of a seat and head restraint protects people in a wide range of seating positions and crash scenarios. Getting there may be a multi-step process and would require the usage of virtual testing with computer models in addition to the traditional tools…

From the second half of 2025, additional manufacturing will probably be added in Busan, South Korea, for the local market and export to North American markets.Photo: Polestar Polestar confirmed the beginning of production for the Polestar 4 on Nov. 15, with first deliveries to customers in China expected before the top of 2023. Official launch in all other Polestar markets is planned for early 2024, with customer deliveries in these markets expected inside the same yr.“Polestar 4 stands out in design and performance, a remarkable SUV coupé in some ways,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, in a recent news release.…

Payzer has distribution partnerships with OEMs within the industries it serves, simplifying the connection for patrons with their upstream suppliers.Photo: WEX/Payzer/Canva WEX announced on Nov. 7 that it has accomplished the acquisition of Payzer.WEX, in attempting to expand its product suite and create additional cross-sell opportunities, acquired Payzer for a complete consideration of roughly $250 million. There’s also a further contingent consideration of as much as $11 million based on defined performance metrics, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments.Payzer is a field service management software as a service (SaaS) provider that gives scheduling, dispatching, customer communications, invoicing, sales…

To qualify for the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in 2023, a vehicle must earn a “Good” rating within the updated side impact test in addition to within the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and original moderate overlap front tests.Photo: Subaru Subaru announced on Oct. 27 that the 2024 Impreza compact automotive was named a 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).Moreover, the 2024 Crosstrek compact SUV earned the 2023 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award. For 2023, Subaru has received an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for seven models:2023 TOP SAFETY PICK…

Baker brings expertise in fostering client engagement and loyalty, and in process improvement and automation.Graphic: IARA / Bobit The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance has hired a brand new director to oversee its operations, the leading vehicle consignors trade group announced Oct. 31.Lauren Baker began Oct. 23 because the IARA’s director of growth and operations where she is going to draw on her experience as a manager and a pacesetter. She is going to report back to IARA executive director Mark Coleman.Baker is a 13-year veteran of the automotive industry, including owning her own automotive dealership together with her husband, in…

Several Coalitions have reached out to NAFA with plans to arrange and host regional events for members in Recent Jersey and Tennessee.Photo: Canva NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) announced a collaboration with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Coalition Network.This marks a step towards promoting sustainable fleet practices and expanding NAFA’s membership base, based on the organization’s news release.“The collaboration between NAFA and the Clean Cities Coalition is a big milestone in our shared mission to advertise sustainability in fleet management,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “We’re wanting to welcome the brand new coalition members into our community…

Newly standard across all EV6 models are charge port lighting and charge door marking to facilitate access.Photo: Kia Now entering its third model yr, Kia has announced that the all-electric 2024 Kia EV6 stays a part of Kia’s “Plan S” strategy, because the 2024 model yr introduces the 77.4-kWh battery to the EV6 Light, and with it, two latest trim designations in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (e-AWD).For 2024, the EV6 GT is now rated at an EPA-estimated 218 miles of all-electric range (AER), an improvement of 12 miles over the 2023 EV6 GT.Across all EV6 models, newly standard are charge…

Tarry Shebesta joined NVLA in 2000, and by 2002 was nominated to the board.Photo: Automotive Fleet On the annual conference of the National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) held in Austin, TX, Tarry Shebesta, CEO of Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), was elected NVLA President for the 2024-2025 term.Shebesta last served as NVLA president in 2007-2008, the one member ever elected to a second term.Shebesta was considered for the position resulting from his quite a few years of experience within the vehicle financing and leasing industry, particularly within the fast-changing FinTech space.Tarry Shebesta’s ExperienceShebesta has been an energetic NVLA board member since 2002.…

The foremost market vehicle segments saw seasonally adjusted prices that were mostly lower 12 months over 12 months in September. In comparison with September 2022, vans and SUVs lost lower than the industry.Graphic: Cox Automotive Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a combination, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) increased 1% in September from August, according the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) released Oct. 6, which rose to 214.3, down 3.9% from a 12 months ago.“September auction sales bolstered prices through the channel,” said Chris Frey, senior manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive, in a news release. “While there…

Weaver served as IAG executive director for the last five years. He has been instrumental in advancing initiatives to deal with the needs of IAG’s membership. Dave Blake, whose auction profession spans 30 years, has served as co-chair of IAG since 2010.Photos: IAG / Graphic: Bobit and Canva The Independent Auction Group (IAG) announced Sept. 27 that executive director Lynn Weaver will retire, and IAG co-chair Dave Blake will grow to be the brand new executive director. The changes are effective immediately.The announcement was made through the NAAA World Remarketing Convention in Chicago the week of Sept. 25, which Weaver…