Silvercar by Audi
Audi of America recently announced the expansion of the brand’s U.S. mobility solutions with the availability of Silvercar by Audi at Audi dealerships. Customers will now have access to Silvercar by Audi at participating dealerships in several markets to rent from an exclusive Audi fleet and enjoy the customer satisfaction and premium Silvercar by Audi experience.
Additionally, Audi at Your Door – launched in May at participating dealers – offers customers a new online premium vehicle purchase and service experience. The expanded offerings continue the brand’s efforts to meet and adapt to consumers’ evolving mobility needs. Customers can rent, purchase and get on the road the way they want to in an Audi.
The Silvercar by Audi operations update will allow new and existing customers to rent an Audi at participating Audi dealerships, providing another entry point for customers. Silvercar will continue to offer an exclusive Audi fleet with premium standard features through the Silvercar mobile app and Silvercar website, including service provided by a Silvercar Mobility Specialist on location to assist customers when needed. The newly launched Contactless Rental will also be available at participating dealerships, making renting with Silvercar by Audi a worry-free and consumer friendly experience.
“We’ve seen and heard from customers that their mobility needs are changing as transportation habits evolve,” said Stephan Zeh, head of Audi Mobility Services. “The addition of Silvercar rentals at dealerships provides a new, convenient way for new and existing customers to enjoy the premium Audi experience in their neighborhood.”
The automaker said this new accessibility to Silvercar by Audi addresses the growing demand from new and existing customers for local rental options to accommodate regional transportation, longer test drives, flexible short-term transportation and lease bridges. It allows Audi to meet both short-term and long-term consumer demands and expectations during today’s rapidly changing travel environment. For example, urban-dwelling customers are showing increased favorability toward auto travel due to the uncertainties currently surrounding air travel.
Circle K to deploy more EV stations
According to Automobile News, Circle K owner Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is taking its electric car strategy to North America after learning from consumer habits in northern Europe. The Laval, Quebec-based convenience store giant will add charging stations at locations on the west coast of the U.S. and Canada and in its home province, CEO Brian Hannasch said in an interview. Longer term, the company wants to expand into at-home vehicle charging in North America, as it’s doing in Norway.
“We’ll have chargers deploying in the next 12 months in Canada and in the U.S.,” said Hannasch, whose company has outlets in 48 of the 50 states. “Our goal will be to follow the path we’re on in Norway.” The company, which counts more than 14,350 locations worldwide, has been experimenting with chargers and stations for years in the Scandinavian nation, where subsidies for electric cars helped speed up their adoption.
NHTSA launches SaferCar App
The United States Department of Transportation announced the launch of a redesigned mobile app, SaferCar, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with an emphasis on safety and convenience for the public. Available for both iOS and Android, it allows users to save their vehicles, car seats, equipment, or tires in a virtual garage on their smartphone. The app automatically checks, in the background, whether a recall is issued and alerts users when a recall occurs.
“In today’s world, smartphones are the tool of choice for many tasks – and the updated SaferCar app is a new safety tool at the public’s disposal,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens. “The SaferCar app allows you to store your information locally on your device and then the app goes to work to inform you of recalls as they occur – and owners can more quickly get their free recall repairs scheduled.”
Because each user’s information is stored only on their device, no personal information can be shared with NHTSA – ensuring a safe and private user experience. Once the user sets up their virtual garage, the app checks for safety recalls every day, and will notify the user if an issue requires their attention.
For more detailed information on the SaferCar app and to download it, visit NHTSA.gov/app.
Used cars more in demand
Car and Driver reported that as the coronavirus pandemic continues, used cars are in demand because new-car supplies are low and people are choosing car ownership over public transit and ride sharing. Used-car prices are up and inventory is down.
The first signs of the used-car boom came in May and June, following the overall economic downturn the U.S. saw in March and April following the first wave of stay-at-home orders caused by the coronavirus here. J.D. Power calculated that auto dealers sold 2.1 million used vehicles in May and June, 9% more than they did in those same two months in 2019.
In fact, Edmunds found franchised car dealers sold 1.2 million used cars and trucks in June, which was more than in any month since 2007. According to Cox Automotive, people kept buying more used cars in July, with the 2.2 million used-vehicle stockpile at U.S. dealerships that month representing a 22% drop compared to July 2019.