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Cutting edge concepts at Tokyo Motor Show 2017

Benjamin Yong on November 23, 2017

Honda Sports EV rear

This Honda Sports EV concept was one of many beautifully designed examples unveiled at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show.

Next-level design is what the 2017 edition of the Tokyo Motor Show is all about. We’ve rounded up the boldest of the bunch in the form of concept cars currently on display until Nov. 5 at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre.

Mazda Kai concept

Mazda Kai

Embodying a more evolved form of the KODO design language, this smoothed over compact hatchback might very well be a next-gen Mazda3. Though the slammed suspension and massive wheels likely wouldn’t make their way through production if that really were the case, the combination certainly looks awesome on the concept.

Honda Sports EV front

Honda Sports EV

Remember the boxy Urban EV Concept debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few months ago? The Sports EV Concept is the squashed and stretched out fastback version, clearly influenced by iconic Hondas of old such as the S600 Coupe. Don’t hold your breath on picking one up if it’s made however, unless you already live in Japan.

Toyota GR HV Sports

Toyota GR HV Sports

With borrowed elements from the TS050 Hybrid created for the World Endurance Championship auto racing series, the GR HV Sports is purposed as an eco-friendly sports car for the street. Sprayed matte black, this partially electric two-door features a targa top, rear-wheel drive and transmission selection buttons uniquely mounted in series on the centre stack.

Mazda Vision concept

Mazda Vision Coupe

The Hiroshima-based manufacturer makes this list twice with a second unveil at the show: the Vision Coupe, which, surprise, is actually a full-length sedan. It’s considered to be of the same lineage as the RX-Vision concept from 2015 and is meant to show off just how aesthetically appealing Mazda can make a vehicle. The exterior styling is called “one motion,” intended to evoke a sense of elegant speed.

OpenRoad gets personal with Todd Talbot, Co-host of Love It or List it Vancouver At OpenRoad Toyota Richmond

OpenRoad Auto Group on July 10, 2017

JULY 10, 2017 (RICHMOND, B.C.) – B.C.’s largest automotive retail group is getting personal with one of Canada’s hottest TV personalities – Todd Talbot, the co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver. OpenRoad Auto Group recently partnered with Talbot to produce a series of videos profiling Talbot and his new Toyota Tacoma from OpenRoad Toyota Richmond as part of a social media campaign being rolled out this week.

“You couldn’t get a better or more genuine spokesperson for your brand,” said Christian Chia, President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “Todd has been a long time customer of ours at MINI Yaletown, so we’re delighted to extend our relationship in this way to showcase his personal side and demonstrate how his OpenRoad vehicle fits into his lifestyle.”

The first video is titled “73 Questions with Todd Talbot” which features Talbot walking through OpenRoad Toyota Richmond while answering rapid fire questions and performing celebrity impressions and showing off his dance moves. OpenRoad will release a second video showcasing Talbot in the Toyota Tacoma later this month, followed by another series featuring another vehicle in early 2018.

The partnership between OpenRoad and Talbot also includes his work as an emcee at OpenRoad’s annual charity golf tournament and social media posts from Talbot directly which will highlight the diversity of his vehicle for his work and lifestyle as a TV host, a realtor, renovator and a family man.

“Like most people, I’m really busy between working, moving, renovating, and being a dad, so the Tacoma plays a big role in my daily routine,” said Talbot. “I look forward to sharing a glimpse behind-the-scenes, and I hope our friends on social media will come along for the ride!”

 

 

Interviews with OpenRoad spokespeople and high-resolution photos are available upon request. 

ABOUT OPENROAD AUTO GROUP
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group with over 1,000 associates representing 18 quality automotive brands at 22 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. openroadautogroup.com

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Tanis Sullivan
604-230-8008
tanis@tanissullivan.com

A Night to Support The Pacific Autism Family Centre

Chris Eastwood on January 25, 2017

OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody and Puzzled Jewelry have teamed up to present A Night to Support the Pacific Autism Family Centre on February 18, 2017. The second annual event will be filled with music, food, drinks, dancing and casino fun, all with the purpose of raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly complex developmental condition that targets typical brain growth. ASD is characterized by communication difficulties, social behavioural challenges, and repetitive behaviour. ASD is believed to be a lifespan disorder that affects 1 in 68 children.

OpenRoad proudly supports the work of Patricia James, Keri Kennett and Debbie Sui, all of whom came together to create Puzzled Jewelry after autism diagnoses that affected each of their boys. Puzzled  Jewelry is a brand with a cause, offering unique puzzle piece jewelry designs that represent autism awareness, made with high quality sterling silver. Proceeds from the sales of their jewelry go towards the Pacific Autism Family Centre, which provides individuals and their families with resources for their children.

OpenRoad sees the importance in supporting organizations such as Puzzled Jewelry and working towards a common goal – to spread awareness and advance research for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Each year Puzzled Jewelry creates a unique item to build awareness for autism. This year Puzzled Jewelry has released special sterling silver puzzle piece earrings available for sale at all London Drugs location throughout BC, and various locations in Alberta, from February 27th to March 31st 2017. All proceeds will go to the PAFC.

Tickets are limited and can be bought online, to purchase tickets for the event or to learn more about Puzzled Jewelry please click here: https://tricitiesbc.snapd.com/#/events/view/1015018 

Three big redesigns unveiled at North American International Auto Show 2017

Benjamin Yong on January 18, 2017

North American International Auto Show 2017 sign
The 2017 North American International Auto Show, held in downtown Detroit’s Cobo Center, runs from Jan. 8 to 22. Photos by Benjamin Yong.

This year at the Motor City’s premier automotive event, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), aside from the usual assortment of concepts and future tech teasers, the big news was focused around the next generation of a group of well-established models from Honda, Toyota and Lexus. Let’s take a look.

2018 Honda Odyssey front

2018 Honda Odyssey

Making its world debut in Detroit, Honda’s best-selling minivan gets a complete redesign. Besides its obviously sleeker profile and addition of the “flying wing” front grille also found on siblings like the Civic and Ridgeline, there are a ton of new features. The Magic Slide second row seats can be configured in countless a ways to allow for different seating positions, easy access to the third row and increased storage capacity.

2018 Honda Odyssey cargo

Drivers no longer have to wonder what’s going on behind them — utilizing a camera, CabinWatch shows rear passenger activity on the eight-inch Display Audio screen, and CabinTalk allows two-way communication via the on-board speaker system and rear entertainment system headphones. And parents of messy children and/or pets can breathe easy, because the HondaVac built-in vacuum returns for 2018.

2018 toyota camry front

2018 Toyota Camry

Including the latest version that was just revealed in Detroit, there have now been eight generations of the Toyota Camry. And it shows no signs of slowing down. Based upon the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, the family sedan — offered in gasoline or hybrid form — takes on a, dare I say, sporty appearance, expressed through a two-piece grille, stylized front and rear bumpers and lower hood and roofline.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE

At the top of the five-grade lineup are the SE and XSE, both wearing even more aggressive front and rear fascias, larger wheels, lip spoilers and black accents. Inside, all Camrys are available with “futuristic” equipment such as three interlinked displays consisting of a 10-inch HUD, seven-inch multi-information instrument cluster display and an eight-inch screen responsible for audio, navigation and climate control readouts.

2018 lexus ls 500

2018 Lexus LS 500

When the Japanese luxury nameplate launched in North America nearly 28 years ago, everything was riding on one vehicle: the LS 400. It set all kinds of benchmarks in terms of comfort, value, quality, etc., and Lexus is hoping to do it all again with the 2018 LS 500. Like the original, this flagship is rear-wheel drive and embodies the latest signature Lexus design language.

2018 lexus ls 500 side

Resting under the hood is a powerplant developed using the company’s ties with F1 racing. Perfectly balancing performance and efficiency, a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 produces 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, tuned to deliver quick acceleration and a throaty yet refined exhaust note. As a first for a premium passenger car, the engine is mated to an advanced electronically controlled 10-speed automatic transmission capable of anticipating driver input.