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OpenRoad solidifies reputation as one of the Best Employers in Canada

OpenRoad Auto Group on November 12, 2015

OpenRoad solidifies reputation as one of the Best Employers in Canada

For the fifth time, B.C.’s largest volume dealership group earns top spot in Aon Hewitt survey

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Nov. 10, 2015) – Employees love to work at OpenRoad. That’s according to a recent survey conducted by Aon Hewitt, which evaluated employee engagement and satisfaction at 236 Canadian companies. For the fifth time, OpenRoad Auto Group earned a spot on the Best Employers in Canada list, ranking in the top 25 percent and placing in the Platinum Employer category.

“It is a great honour to be recognized once again as a top Canadian employer. It certainly validates our efforts to ensure our employees are satisfied,” said Christian Chia, President and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “We know our employees are critical to our success so we made a commitment many years ago to invest in programs we believed would attract and retain top talent, while keeping our employees happy and productive. Our consistently high scores in this annual survey must mean that we’re doing something right.”

According to the survey results, employees at OpenRoad Auto Group reported high levels of engagement in all categories, citing examples like strong internal communications, fun employee events and specialized programs that support skills training and professional development. Employees also referred to OpenRoad Hearts, an innovative peer-to-peer recognition app that allows employees to use their smartphones to send and receive hearts for going above and beyond the call of duty. Since the app was launched in 2013, there have been over 7,000 individual engagements with links to OpenRoad’s social media feeds where employees and customers can comment and provide positive feedback.

Conducted by Aon Hewitt, a global firm specializing in human resource solutions, the 2016 list of the Best Employers in Canada was compiled based on responses from nearly 625,000. Employees at participating firms were surveyed on engagement (whether they feel motivated at work), performance culture (whether success is rewarded), leadership (whether executives treat their team as valued assets) and employment brand (whether they are proud to work at the company). According to Aon Hewitt’s definition, employees are engaged when they “say, stay and strive”. They speak positively about their employer to others, are committed to staying with their current employer and are motivated by their organization’s leaders and culture to go above and beyond to contribute to business success. On average, 80% of employees were engaged at Platinum Level Best employers this year.

Other industry-leading companies that made the Best Employers in Canada list along with OpenRoad are Federal Express Canada, Intact Insurance Corporation, Delta Hotels and Resorts, PCL Constructors, Keg Restaurants Ltd., Marriot International, Edward Jones and Purdy’s Chocolatier. To view the complete list of the 2016 Best Employers in Canada, click here.

About OpenRoad Auto Group

OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C’s largest volume dealership group representing 14 brands at 16 dealerships in Vancouver, Richmond, Port Moody and Langley. OpenRoad has earned a reputation as a people-first organization with recent Top 10 Best Employer (2016), Best Managed Company (Deloitte 2014) and CADA Innovator of the Year Laureate (2012) awards. The team at OpenRoad prides itself on offering a superior new and pre-owned selection of quality automotive brands while providing a premium car buying and ownership experience for each and every customer. www.openroadautogroup.com
 

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Production begins on redesigned 2016 Honda Civic

Benjamin Yong on October 22, 2015

2016 Honda Civic rear line
The 2016 Honda Civic has been changed inside and out. Photos by Benjamin Yong.

On Wednesday, Honda officially began mass production of the global platform 10th generation Civic at their Alliston, ON manufacturing plant. Over the next 18 months, the automaker will begin rolling out the vehicle in five different forms: starting with the sedan, and then a coupe, hatchback, Si and for the first time in Canada, an ultra-high performance Type-R model.

During a presentation to the media, Dave Gardner, senior vice president of operations at Honda Canada, said this is “the most ambitious redesign of the Civic in Honda’s history.”

2016 Honda Civic media presentation

Somewhere along the way, the country’s best-selling passenger car for the last 17 consecutive years lost a bit of its spunk that made it so loved in the first place. That’s why Gardner said the Civic finally returning to its roots of being fun to drive and possessing great fuel efficiency.

2016 Honda Civic pair

The four-door now looks like a completely different animal compared to the 2015 version. It’s bigger — 50 millimetres wider than before — but also 20 mm lower and with a shorter front overhang, reduced by 30 mm, to give it better handling characteristics.

2016 Honda Civic fastback

Rather than going with a conventional flat sedan shape, designers have opted for a fastback look, similar to the shape of the Honda Crosstour — however, the Civic is sleeker and less bloated than its sibling that was discontinued last year. This move gives the vehicle a unique appearance while yielding significantly more interior space, particularly in the cargo area.

Lighting has been given an upgrade to full LED front and back. The headlights are completely integrated into the grille as though it were one piece, and the taillights are shaped like large “Cs” wrapping up and onto the trunk area, flanking a handsome subtle lip spoiler.

2016 Honda Civic electronic parking brake

A couple of big changes in the interior include the use of higher-quality materials, and a traditional handbrake delete, replaced by an electronic unit to save space. This allows for the much larger storage console that can gobble up an iPad and large drink containers with ease, and even has a small tray for your key fob. All grades benefit from a brake hold button that, when activated, automatically applies the brakes for you so you can remove your foot from the gas, something that can be useful in stop-and-go traffic.

2016 Honda Civic Android Auot

Android adopters no longer have to be jealous of iPhone users and vice versa, because both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported.

The news that everyone really wanted to hear revolved around the two newly developed engines. A normally aspirated 2.0-litre motor will be standard on the base LX and EX trims, producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The show stealer, though, was the introduction of the first turbine-driven powerplant ever offered by Honda, and the most powerful in a non-Si model: a 1.5 L turbo making 174 hp and 162 lb-ft., available on the EX-T and Touring. Consumers interested in the former can choose either a six-speed or CVT transmission, with the latter have only the CVT as an option.

2016 Honda Civic Earth Dreams turbo

Pricing will be made available when the 2016 Honda Civic Sedan goes on sale later this fall, and stay tuned in the coming months for more information on the other variants. 

Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster: new vs. old

Benjamin Yong on October 18, 2015

ND vs NA Mazda MX-5 Miata
The evolution of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Photos by Benjamin Yong.

It seems like ages ago that Mazda first broke news of the fourth-generation MX-5, affectionately referred to as the “ND” by car geeks for its chassis code, via a teaser videoand some cryptic messaging. Now that units have finally started finding their way from dealership lots into buyers’ eager hands, let’s have a look at just how much, or as it turns out, how little, things have changed since the original NA Miata first made an appearance on our shores way back in 1989.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata angle

Exterior

With today’s stringent safety and emissions regulations, it’s common for new vehicles to be bigger and significantly heavier than their predecessors. The latest Miata bucks this trend by actually being shorter than the original, by 33 millimetres, and has lost approximately 68 kilograms compared to the outgoing model. That means it’s only 83 kg heavier than the featherweight first generation.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata front

There are sadly no more pop-up headlights, replaced by swoopy KODO Soul of Motioninspired flush mounted units. But like the NA, the 2016 MX-5 comes standard with a manually operated soft top. Before you complain about losing the previous slick Power Retractable Hard Top (PHRT), the current top can be raised and lowered easily using just one hand, and the whole operation takes a few seconds without having to leave the driver’s seat.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata interior

Interior

While the first three iterations featured an instrument cluster and dash layout that really didn’t change that much, the ND catches up with the times by integrating a digital information screen next to the tachometer and adding a touchscreen infotainment interface. You still get supportive seats and a driver-focused cabin, and most basic operations like locking/unlocking doors and adjusting windows and mirrors are now motorized across the board.  

Engine/transmission/suspension

Keeping in line with the other contemporary Mazda offerings, the Miata now features a complete fuel saving and performance boosting SKYACTIV suite centered around a 155 horsepower engine making 148 lb-ft of torque. That’s a sizeable boost when you consider the car once made 116 hp and 100 lb-ft. And even though a six-speed automatic transmission with optional paddle shifters are available, for maximum fun factor you’ll want the six-speed manual that feels as satisfying to shift as ever.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata engine

Balance has always been a staple for the sultry roadster and it remains so with a front engine/rear-wheel drive configuration, near 50/50 weight distribution, and independent suspension. Safety features have also been modernized with all trims receiving anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, traction and dynamic stability control and driver/passenger/side airbags.

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 is available now and starts at $31,900.

2015 Formula Drift: “Year of the Scion”

OpenRoad Auto Group on October 6, 2015

By: Josh Chow (Drive Marketing)

Since the launch of Scion in Canada in 2011, OpenRoad Scion has been bringing you the latest news from Formula Drift & the Scion Racing team featuring both the Scion FR-S & tC and 2015 we got another first hand experience. In August, our team had the chance to get up close & personal with the Scion Racing team on the track in Seattle, WA which featured Fredric Aasbo & Ken Gushi which if you have been following the series, are two of the most popular drivers of the decade.

With both drivers having amazing performances throughout the season at different stages of the competition, it has almost been a back and forth battle between the two Scion driver’s who are great friends & teammates off the track. With Gushi placing on the podium in rounds 2,3, & 6 and Aasbo placing 1st in rounds 1,4, & 5 – It places the duo in first & second place in overall standing.

This year has been the best year for Ken Gushi in several years and he is looking stronger every round with great consistency in every battle he has faced thus far. As a crowd favourite for many years, he does not disappoint in entertaining the crowd with many of his runs as what the judges call “near perfect”. Also known as “The Gush”, he’s also been seen up in Vancouver, BC, drifting in commercials for OpenRoad Auto Group. He currently sits at 348 points in 2nd overall standings Fredric Aasbo is no stranger to the top of the podium and championship runs. Currently sitting first place in overall standings, he is in a great position with his Rockstar Energy Scion tC. The former Rookie of the Year currently sits at 428 points and also boasts a win at Formula Drift Canada: Montreal (World Series). With the win on the east coast, he is set up to win the World Championships and is in a strong lead for the regular Formula Drift Season.

With both Scion Racing Drivers leading the pack, its safe to say, it’s “The Year of the Scion” as Ken Gushi would say.

See the latest video feature of Ken Gushi at Formula Drift Seattle as he goes through his 2015 Formula Drift Journey:

Formula Drift 2015: “Rise of the Gush” – Ken Gushi

Formula Drift 2015: “Rise of the Gush” with GReddy Racing | Scion Racing’s Ken Gushi.See the mini documentary of Ken’s journey to his 2015 success.Great work from our own: Takuya TK Akiyama

Posted by Drive Marketing Group on Thursday, August 13, 2015

Stay tuned for the Formula Drift Final Fight in Irwindale, CA as we bring you live coverage on our Social Media Channels. 

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What do Canadians look for when vehicle shopping?

Benjamin Yong on October 5, 2015

OpenRoad Audi show room
A recent survey shows Canadian consumers are saavy when it comes to shopping for cars, revealing some interesting stats.

Fall is officially here, which means the leaves are changing colour, the days are becoming shorter, and car shoppers are on the hunt for good deals as the model years switch over. If you’re wondering what exactly it is consumers want when shopping for vehicles, autoTRADER.ca recently conducted a survey probing Canadians about that very question, and these are a few of the results they came up with.

Can you guess what the three most important factors people consider when they are purchasing a new car? It turns out 77 per cent of respondents ranked cost as their number one consideration, followed by fuel efficiency and then reliability. When it comes to pre-owned, cost is still king at 63 per cent, but the number two and three spots are taken by mileage and condition, respectively.

Hyundai Accent

Speaking of cost, a good example of a budget-friendly vehicle, especially for students, is the 2015 Hyundai Accent. Starting at $13,249, it is one of the most affordable in its segment while still being practical and fun at the same time. With seating for five coming in either a sedan or hatchback format, it’s available in manual and is powered by a 138-horsepower engine.

IIHS Top Safety Pick awards

Interesting factoid: women rank safety above reliability compared to men. Looking for a safe mode of transportation? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts annual tests to determine how well any given automobile protects its passengers during a crash. Their highest rating is the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+), meaning it must score well in overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as feature exceptional frontal crash prevention.

Audi braking guard

With the help of its available Driver Assistance package that includes Audi braking guard and adaptive cruise control, the Audi Q5 luxury crossover earned an IIHS TSP+ for 2015.  Other TSP+ winners include the current Infiniti Q70 and Honda CR-V.

Some additional survey statistics: 71 per cent of Canadians head to the Internet to peruse websites and online reviews when buying a new or used vehicle, 20 per cent ask friends and family for advice, and 7 per cent turn to the newspaper. In B.C., 73 per cent of drivers are interested in hybrid or pure EV ownership, up from the 57 per cent in the Prairies. And finally, 64 per cent of our nation’s motorists prefer a car straight from the factory, 28 per cent like second-hand, and 8 per cent don’t mind either way.