Flavio Volpe, head of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, explains how close Canadian auto assembly came to extinction and how the word “north” added to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act turned the tide. He also tells us how the new U.S. EV tax credits will benefit Canada and affect the automotive supply chain.

Lana Payne is the new national president at Unifor. She says it’s time for the union to “turn a page” and restore trust in order to move past the kickback scandal that ended Jerry Dias’ presidency early. She also says nothing will change when it comes to auto bargaining unless committee members what to tweak that approach. And, she plans to grow the union and take its fight “in the street god damnit.”

Kimoby’s Dan Robinson helped develop and market a software program that allows dealers to use text messaging to communicate with customers, help stores run more efficiently, and save dealerships money. He tells us why good old-fashioned email and phone calls are already antiquated technology at dealerships and what makes instant messaging the go-to solution in customer service and retention.

Automotive News Canada Toronto Bureau Chief David Kennedy sets the scene less than two weeks before Unifor elects its next president. Who’s running? What’s the process? And what’s the first order of business for the union’s next national leader?

Rafih Auto Group CEO Terry Rafih compares and contrasts Canadian and U.S. operations discuss his new, unique Gen-5 Porsche store in Michigan, and talks about “the ups and downs of Detroit” as it relates to automotive. He also has some candid thoughts on the Canadian federal luxury tax.

Trader Corporation’s AutoSync President Edwin Ulak discusses how consumers always drive change in the retail space, particularly online. He also has some advice for dealers as the pace of digital transactions picks up.

Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association President Brian Kingston discusses his group’s new EV Readiness Dashboard, calls for tripling EV incentives, explains why Canada needs 1.6 million chargers, and tells us what he learned at the Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition in Oslo, Norway.

Al-Karim Awadia, Google Canada’s Head of Industry - Automotive, tells us what Canadians are searching for, what dealers need to do to seamlessly transition to digital retailing, and looks at what lies ahead for automotive online.

Jeff Williams of Absolute Results says dealers need to look at new ways to measure success when inventory is tight and demand is high. He also has advice on how dealers should prepare now for a return to normal inventory levels. And, he says, the compensation model absolutely has to change as the digital revolution continues.

Huw Williams, a lobbyist for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, and Chris Pfaff, CEO of Pfaff Automotive Partners, talk about the “huge detrimental effect” the federal luxury tax will have on dealers. They also vow to keep fighting against the levy, despite it being scheduled to go into force on Sept. 1. They warn it will cost the industry jobs and millions of dollars.