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Getting Back on Track: Fleets Prep for Redeployment after Quarantine

May 23, 2020 by Oswaldo (Ozzie) Flores Leave a Comment

Special to Auto Trends Magazine.

America’s trucking fleet is getting back on the road.

With much of America’s trucking operations being grounded for the past several months during the COVID-19 outbreak, fleet managers (as well as the rest of the nation) are chomping at the bit to get back to work. But what does that look like in a world where trucks have been sitting idle for 90 days or more?

A trucking fleet is designed to be used, and the fleet management software systems that have been installed to ensure efficiency, compliance, maintenance and safety are built to mainly monitor a fleet that is in motion – not one that’s been grounded. As we break out of our forced economic slowdown, fleets need to move forward with a fresh outlook and new set of compliance standards.

This re-deployment of a stale fleet cannot be figured out “on the fly.” Too much can go wrong on the road – that is, if the trucks even get that far. If vehicles are down for even a little longer than usual, mechanical issues can seep in.

Just like having wear and tear from the road, trucks can have wear and tear from sitting in a lot. With that in mind, here are three key strategies to getting your fleet back on track:

How to Bring Your Fleet Online

After sitting dormant for an extended period, each truck will be prone to a host of mechanical problems.

Before deployment, schedule a mobile or in-house mechanic to approve the vehicles, leaving enough time to properly inspect for road readiness. If you are unable to have a technician do so, plan to have vehicles scheduled for inspection by your regular shop to review the following:

1. Tires: Gauge the pressure of all tires before deployment. Air can leak out while trucks sit because the pressure builds at fixed points on the tire. Keep portable air compressors handy in the vehicle yard.

2. Batteries: Test the condition of each one and their respective charge capacities. Make sure to have readily available jump-starters on hand.

3. Fuel: Check fuel levels and, if possible, the condition of the fuel. After several months, it’s easy to lose track of who topped off and who didn’t.

4. Brakes: Make sure all brakes are fully functioning before going back on the road. Even if they haven’t been used, brake pads can deteriorate over time and brake calipers can freeze up from non-use.

5. Suspension: Closely inspect all steering components to ensure the vehicle is handling properly. Short test drives are recommended for evaluation prior to heading out on a long haul.

6. Fluids: Check all fluid levels, including radiator, brake, steering and washer fluids. Excessive leaks should be apparent from vehicle-sitting and may be a leading indicator of more serious troubles.

7. Third-party devices: If equipped with aftermarket mechanical (PTO, cranes, lifts, etc.) or electronic devices (cameras, GPS, etc.) these need to be checked for proper operation as well.

Without knowing where the problems lay within each vehicle, it is critical to conduct a thorough evaluation on every truck. This way, the failures can be addressed before it’s too late. Unfortunately, trucks can break down or cause a serious accident if they are not proactively maintained, and many of these mechanical issues are avoidable if detected ahead of time.

How to Remain Compliant in the “New Normal”

Once you determine your fleet is ready to go from a mechanical perspective, there are a series of regulations – including many that have been updated on account of the coronavirus pandemic – fleet managers need to understand. Being well-informed of the latest rules, as well as their exemptions and exceptions, is crucial to operating safely and efficiently – beyond avoiding compliance-related fines or violations.

Lawmakers, government agencies, and industry associations have issued guidance about everything from where to find food in a quarantine zone and how to remain socially distant with roadside assistance to sanitizing the cab and wearing protective gear.

Here are 10 key resources for understanding the compliance landscape in our new era of COVID-19 and perhaps beyond.

1. North American emergency declarations (exemptions and exceptions) broken down by federal and state governing bodies: https://www.cvsaemergencydeclarations.org/?country=USA&state=ALL&agency=ALL

2. Hours of service waivers and extensions as issued by the FMCSA: https://www.trucking.org/COVID19/federal-declarations#HOS

3. If licensing has been disrupted by COVID-19, drivers may secure waivers for their CDL and medical cards:
https://www.trucking.org/COVID19/federal-declarations#CDL

4. The latest guidance on preventing occupational illness and injury from OSHA:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trucking_industry/

5. CDC guidance on New York City and other hotspots:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0326-nyc-truck-driver-guidance.html

6. Certain states are not required to train third parties in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out if this waiver applies to your team:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/waiver-knowledge-test-training-certain-third-party-cdl-test-examiners-response-covid-19

7. Some disqualifying events may not be applied to drivers’ records during the emergency period:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2020-04/FMCSA%20Notice%20Enf%20Disc%20on%20SDLA%20DQs-Convictions%20Uploads%20-%20Apr%2017%202020.pdf

8. The bill providing workers with paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and increasing Medicaid funding:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201

9. New out-of-service criteria for North American truckers issued by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance:

CVSA’s New 2020 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is Now in Effect

10. Emergency waivers and extensions for trucker drivers with learner permits, who are pursuing licensing:
https://files.constantcontact.com/dbfea8d5301/c981bed6-226c-40d3-91e7-25dc0db6d2a1.pdf

Staying informed about policies is important during this time of change. Many of the waivers are temporary, though, and will need to be renewed in June or the rules will revert to their pre-pandemic state. Make sure to keep checking back regularly with these resources as compliance codes are changing often on a federal level and varying within individual states.

How to Bring Your Personnel Online

Since the machinery is only as good as the people controlling them, we’ll also need to “reboot” the staff – drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, etc. – to ensure they are refreshed and up to date on the latest operating procedures. This re-onboarding takes time and should be planned for long before redeployment.

Take time to retrain drivers on policies and procedures, providing them with a quick, but mandatory, refresher on high-level items that are critical to your business.

With COVID-19, it is strongly advised that each company implement new safe practices for touchless delivery, if possible, to protect both your employees and your customers.

Conduct a quick audit for all documents. Items that need to be in the vehicle(s) at all times may include the following:

Fuel card associated to proper vehicle(s)
Accident kit
Insurance documentation
Registration paperwork
Employee handbook
Vehicle operations manual
User manuals for third-party devices installed in the vehicle (ELD etc.)
Masks and gloves
Disinfectant wipes and spray

Administrative staff should also refresh themselves on company policies and procedures when it comes to requirements due to accidents, vehicle tow away procedures, missing fuel cards, maintenance requirements, etc.

As a fleet manager, your personnel is your most precious cargo, and ensuring the team’s safety and education is the most valuable form of compliance you can practice. Remember that they are working under extraordinary circumstances and be mindful of those pressures. Take the time to thank everyone for their continued effort, hard work, and patience during these unprecedented times. Words of encouragement and thanks go a long way towards providing a great experience for the customer and employee.

Having a fleet management software provider you trust as your partner is crucial during such an unprecedented time. With all the mechanical inspections, compliance monitoring, and staff education that needs to take place in preparation for redeployment, automation and recording technologies can be incredibly useful. For instance, a digitized maintenance process, portal and schedule to determine which vehicles had required immediate attention prior to the shutdown is more likely to be accurate and easy to reference than a paper trail which has to be tracked down among a fleet team that’s been sitting around for months.

Now more than ever, the condition of the fleet and its team needs to be ready to roll. Not only is the economy depending on all the logistics services these trucks provide, but the safety component and new risks from being idle cannot be overstated.

The key to executing this very delicate and high-stakes re-entry is having systems and processes that are current and keep up with the ever-changing compliance requirements of this new normal. Only an experienced fleet management software provider, who understands these compliance requirements as well as other critical business needs and best practices, can make jump-starting a trucking fleet as easy as possible, while maintaining efficiency and safety.

To ensure your fleet is in good hands, managers must continually review their software vendors and determine if they are providing the best services and features as they relate to maintenance, compliance, safety, and personnel. With all the disruption this year, are you confident that your provider can steer your fleet back on track?

Image by fkevin from Pixabay

Premium Delight: Buick Enclave Avenir

May 20, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The Buick marque once represented a line of sedans, with names such as Electra 225, Roadmaster, and Lucerne among them. These days, however, the brand is down to the Regal car line with an assortment of tiny, small, and midsize crossovers dominating the product field.

At the top of the crossover spectrum is the Enclave, a three-row model with room for seven. It seems larger than it is, thanks to its roomy interior.

The first-generation Enclave rolled out in 2008 and stayed on the market for 10 years. The second-generation Enclave made its debut in 2018 and includes only minor package changes for its third year.

2020 Buick Enclave Review

Buick offers the 2020 Enclave in four trims: Preferred ($40,000), Essence ($42,000), Premium ($48,400), and Avenir ($53,800). Add $1,195 for the destination charge.

Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available on all but the base trim.

Exterior

It’s big and it’s beautiful. That’s the 2020 Enclave. When dressed in the top Avenir trim it receives numerous embellishments, including unique upper and lower grilles, 20-inch Pearl Nickel wheels, and unique Avenir badging details. A commanding, but elegant presence and beautifully flowing lines are features of note.

Among the standard features are LED headlamps, heated power outside mirrors, roof-mounted side rails, 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, and a power moonroof with a fixed rear skylight. The color palette is limited on the base trim, but then expands significantly with the Essence.

Interior

Most Buick interiors are a cut above the competition and the Enclave doesn’t disappoint, particularly in Avenir trim. The cabin is spacious with room for seven. Buick doesn’t try to wedge in an eighth seating position by filling out a bench seat in the second row. That’s always a good thing.

Buick makes proper use of soft-touch materials, layered surfaces, and handsome detailing. The Avenir elevates the experience with perforated leather-appointed seats in chestnut or ebony, a real wood-accented steering wheel, and an 8-inch diagonal configured digital instrument panel.

A long list of standard features make the Enclave a strong contender in the segment. These items include loads of tech, heated and power front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, full power accessories, and three-zone climate control.

The standard cloth seats in the base Preferred model upgrade to perforated-leather first- and second-row seats beginning with the Essence trim. At the Premium level, Buick adds such features as a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and a power-folding third-row seat.

One feature that may be ideal for some shoppers is Buick’s “quiet tuning” technology, described as “In-cabin microphones distinguish unwanted powertrain noise and cancels it to help create a quiet interior cabin.”

Safety

It’s a mixed bag with Buick and its active driver-assist safety features. Unlike models that cost much less, you’ll pay extra for most of the advanced features or find them limited to certain trims. For instance, automatic emergency braking isn’t available on the Preferred and Essence trims, but it is standard with the Premium and Avenir. All models come with rear park assist and an HD rear vision camera.

Starting with the Essence trim, Buick adds lane-change alert with side blind zone alert. Rear cross-traffic alert is also included. At the Premium level, Buick adds forward collision alert, while lane-change alert is on the Avenir. To get the top safety features, such as advanced automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, you must opt for the Avenir Technology Package ($2,095). These features are then bundled with an updated four-wheel independent suspension system and continuously variable damping. Yes, you’ll notice the difference if you compare the trims as I have.

The extra cost for advanced safety features is hard to fathom. And that they’re only available on the Avenir drives the Enclave’s price to an eye-watering $60,000. In this department, it puts Buick at a distinct disadvantage to newer models, such as the Hyundai Palisade and Kia’s Telluride.

Technology

Even base Enclaves come with a stellar list of technologies. An 8-inch touch-screen display works with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, and Bluetooth. Buick also includes six USB ports, an auxiliary jack, and an app suite.

The standard audio package is a six-speaker system. Buick includes 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability with OnStar.

Beginning with the Essence trim, Buick adds a 10-speaker Bose audio system. This is where satellite radio comes in. If you want HD Radio, then start with the Premium trim. Navigation is bundled within a $1,395 “Sites and Sounds Package” on the Essence trim. This package includes the Bose system and a 120-volt power outlet.

Performance

Powering every 2020 Enclave is a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine works with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The powertrain performs admirably, supplying robust off-the-mark acceleration and strong passing power. We’ve long appreciated the Enclave’s special tuning, which takes it up a notch in our test Avenir trim.

We’re not ready to say the Enclave performs in the same category as Europe’s finest SUVs, but it definitely has an improved feel over the usual mainstream models. The Enclave is closely related to the Chevrolet Traverse right down to the frame and powertrain. The Buick, though, offers a more comfortable ride and a quieter cabin. If there is a downside to this powertrain it’s with fuel economy: you’ll average about 20 mpg according to EPA and our own testing experience. Likely, we’ll see some sort of electrified version in the future. Perhaps a conventional hybrid.

Three-row crossover utility vehicles supply noteworthy pulling power. In standard configuration, the Enclave has a 1,500-pound towing capacity. With the available towing package, it pulls up to 5,000 pounds, which is right where it should be.

The Buick Enclave in historic downtown Rocky Mount, NC.

Competitive Set

The bench for three-row midsize crossovers runs long and deep. Besides the Traverse and Enclave, GM offers the GMC Acadia, but it is slightly smaller than these two.

Among the other models in this segment is the Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Durango, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and the Subaru Ascent. We’ve driven them all and the competition is fierce. Most have a standard V6 engine. Some have a turbo four. The Durango is the lone model with V8 power available.

Our Recommendation

You could begin and end your search with the standard model and come away with a nicely equipped vehicle for about $40,000. That’s about the price you’ll pay for well-equipped trims from other models.

We’d opt for the towing package, but there isn’t else that’s a “must have” on the lower end of the trim level. Keep in mind if you want all-wheel drive, you’ll have to make the $2,000 jump to the next trim and pay another $2,000 for all-wheel drive.

2020 Buick Enclave Specifications

Buick	2020 Enclave
Segment	Midsize SUV
Price Range	$40,000 to $57,295
Destination Charge	$1,195
Standard Engine	3.6-liter,
Horsepower	310 hp @ 6,800 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.)	266 lb.-ft. @ 2,800 rpm
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Seating	Up to 7
Curb Weight (pounds)	4,359 to 4,685
Wheelbase (inches)	120.9
Length (inches)	204.3
Width (inches)	78.8
Height (inches)	69.9
Headroom (f,r…inches)	42.6, 39.9, 37.6
Legroom (f,r…inches)	41.2, 38.9, 33.5
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	62.4, 61.7, 57.3
Hip room (f,r…inches)	59.1, 57.7, 48.5
Storage (cubic feet)	23.6, 58.0, 97.6
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	5,000
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	19.4 (FWD); 21.7 (AWD)
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined)	18/26/21 (FWD); 17/25/20 (AWD)
Manufacturing Plant	Lansing, Michigan

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

2020 Nissan Frontier Highlights

May 12, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Last call on an aging model.

A cut-out of the engine bays shows the new 3.8-liter V6 powering every 2020 Frontier.

We haven’t seen a new Nissan Frontier pickup truck since 2005 and that’s an awfully long time between new models. In the interim, Nissan rolled out new and updated versions of its full-size Titan pickup truck and introduced a special Titan XD version, which fills the white space between light- and heavy-duty models.

We’re expecting a new Frontier in 2021, but in the meantime Nissan has given us an important hint of what’s coming our way, namely an all-new V6 engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Doubtlessly, Nissan knows that a new Frontier is overdue, so for 2020 it introduced a new powertrain for the current-generation Frontier, one that it says will appear in the next-generation model.

Here are the highlights of the 2020 Nissan Frontier:

New engine. The heart of the 2020 Frontier is an all-new 3.8-liter V6 engine. This one makes 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, up from the 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque delivered in the previous 4.0-liter engine. Nissan says the new engine has best-in-class performance (we confirmed this), improved fuel efficiency, and a better emissions record. The front-wheel-drive version earns 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway for a combined 20 mpg. This beats the 16/23/19 mpg city/highway/combined rating of the outgoing engine.

New transmission. Nissan’s powertrain offering is all-new with a 9-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous 5-speed automatic. It is similar to the one introduced in the Titan. Also gone is the 6-speed manual gearbox and the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. We think the next-generation model will also offer a four-cylinder engine, but you won’t find one or a manual transmission with the current model.

Five trims for the choosing. Nissan offers the 2020 Frontier in five trims: Frontier King Cab S and SV (4×2 and 4×4), Frontier Crew Cab S, SV (4×2 and 4×4), and PRO-4X (4×4 only). The 2020 Frontier is available in King Cab and Crew Cab body configurations, and in SV Crew Cab Long Bed. It has a standard 59.5-inch Crew Cab bed or an optional 73.3 SV Crew Cab Long Bed. You’ll also find a standard 73.3-inch King Cab bed.

Three package choices. As expected, Nissan offers multiple package choices available with the 2020 Frontier. They are: Value Truck Package( King Cab SV, Crew Cab SV), Midnight Edition Package (Crew Cab SV SWB), Special Edition Package (Crew Cab SV SWB). Among the features of the Value Truck Package are fog lights, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a spray-in bedliner, and a sliding truck bed extender.

We’re awaiting driver-assist features. Buyers desiring such driver-assist features as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These items will most likely appear in the 2021 Frontier. What you will find is the usual suite of airbags and the required rear-view monitor.

Light on the standard creature features. It took all these years, but power door locks and power windows are finally standard with the 2020 Frontier. Push-button start, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and tilt steering wheel control are also now standard items. Other creature features of note include air conditioning, a fold-up rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and Siri Eyes Free. Included among the upgrades are dual-zone climate control, leather seats, navigation, a Rockford-Fosgate audio system, and satellite radio.

Out with the old, in with the new.

The 2020 Frontier is an old truck, no doubt about it. Competing models such as the Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and the Chevrolet Colorado, have more to offer. What they can’t match is the Nissan’s low starting price, which comes in around $20,000.

We think most buyers will look closely at the four-wheel-drive Frontier SV and admire its circa $30,000 price tag. As for the top-of-the-line PRO-4X, it pulls out all the off-road stops and retails for about $40,000.

2020 Nissan Frontier Specifications

Nissan	2020 Frontier
Segment	Midsize Pickup Truck
Price Range	TBD
Destination Charge	TBD
Standard Engine	3.8-liter, V6
Horsepower	310 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.)	281 @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Seating	Up to 5
Curb Weight (pounds)	From 4,264 to 4,696
Wheelbase (inches)	125.9/139.9
Length (inches)	205.5/219.4
Width (inches)	72.8
Height (inches)	70.1/73.9
Headroom (f,r…inches)	39.9, 38.6
Legroom (f,r…inches)	42.4, 33.6
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	58.3, 58.3
Hip room (f,r…inches)	55.6, 58.0
Storage (cubic feet)	27.1 (std.); 33.5 (long)
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	6,720
Payload (pounds)	1,020 to 1,460
Fuel	regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	21.1
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined)	18/24/20
Manufacturing Plant	Canton, Miss.

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

See Also — Style Maker: The All-New Nissan Versa

Pandemic Times: Car Disinfecting Tips

May 9, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Interior cleaning, such as in the cabin of this Nissan Titan pickup truck, takes on a whole different meaning in pandemic times.

These are extraordinary times. America, indeed the entire world, is currently under siege by a pandemic known as COVID-19. This coronavirus has upended life as we know it and the reverberations are likely to last a long time.
The illness has taken many lives and we haven’t witnessed the end of it yet. At the same time, people need to go about their business, including driving to work, heading to the park, and shopping, among other pursuits.

Our vehicles may not have been used much over these past few months, but that’s soon to change. And with the increased driving time, another concern has arisen: how to disinfect car safely and without doing damage to the interior.

Nissan Disinfecting Tips

Nissan is offering tips on how to disinfect your vehicle to thwart the spread of COVID-19. Frequent hand washing as directed by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a crucial part of staying healthy, but so is disinfecting surfaces, including those in your car.

“Most people are still using their vehicles, whether they are essential employees commuting to work or someone running to the grocery store while in quarantine,” said Ryan Fulkerson, director, New Model Engineering, Nissan North America. “We want to make sure they’re informed on how to best keep their vehicle disinfected.”

The CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves for cleaning and then disinfecting surfaces. If a surface appears dirty, it should be wiped down with soap and water before disinfection. For vehicle cabins, a soft or microfiber cloth dampened with soap and water may be used to wipe down hard surfaces.

Alcohol-Based Wipes

While most common household disinfectants are effective, some are not ideal for use on a vehicle including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or other harsh and abrasive cleaners. These chemical products can damage your vehicle’s upholstery and/or interior surfaces. Instead, alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol are effective against the coronavirus according to the CDC and can be safely used in your vehicle.

The infotainment screen is tricky because it’s a high-touch area that should not come in contact with aggressive cleaners. Use screen wipes or a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to clean the screen surface. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Ammonia-based cleaners should not be used on infotainment screens, as they can damage the anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings. If the vehicle is equipped, using voice commands can help avoid touching the center screen altogether.

Your Disinfecting Checklist

The following is Nissan’s checklist to help you remember vehicles surfaces to regularly disinfect:

Steering wheel
Key and remote fob
Exterior door handles, both sides
Trunk lid or lift gate grab areas
Interior door pulls, both sides and interior door panels
Start button, if equipped
Rearview mirror: back and edges
HVAC vents
Gear selector
Turn signal lever
Windshield wiper controls
Center stack knobs
Center console and armrest
Seat belt and buckle. Avoid harsh cleaners on the belt itself, they can degrade the fibers and the belt’s strength
Parking brake handle, parking brake or release lever
Deep Cleaning, Automotive Dealership Style

If a vehicle requires more attention, remember that automotive dealerships and their service departments are deemed essential services while many businesses around the country are closed in response to government mandates aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

As a result, many service departments remain open and are available to assist with vehicle service and repairs. Many also offer no-contact drop-off or at-home pick-up and delivery, including your Nissan facility.

Photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine. Chart copyright Nissan North America.

Coronavirus: An Industry Under Siege

May 5, 2020 by admin 3 Comments

Car manufacturers are finding different ways to support Americans during the pandemic. Here, a technician administers a COVID-19 test for a passenger at a drive-thru testing center. This particular center is the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC. Hyundai supplied $4 million in grants through its Hyundai Hope On Wheels program to help underwrite testing (photo copyright Hyundai Motors).

Two months in and the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic shows little signs of ebbing. Sure, we’re seeing the number of new cases fall in many of the earlier hotspots, but in other areas of the country as well as in the world, the scourge seems persistent and ever-expanding.

Trillions of dollars of commerce have disappeared, with the federal government countering with trillions more in financial relief to assist small businesses and taxpayers. In the middle of it all is big business, including the automakers who depend on a steady stream of customers to keep their enterprises afloat.

Deep Losses Abound

To the surprise of no one, the U.S. auto industry’s sales have plunged, with some manufacturers, such as Honda, reporting losses above 50 percent. Manufacturing plants the world over have shut or are operating at reduced capacity. Also, the supply network is on hold, while consumers are more concerned about putting food on their tables, obtaining unemployment assistance, and holding off landlords, mortgage companies, and utility companies in an effort to stay afloat.

Yet, in these distressing times there remains a glimmer of hope. Americans are practicing physical distancing, virus testing and tracing continues to expand, and businesses are figuring out ways to reach consumers going forward.

Early on, manufacturers set out to console consumers, including those who were already financing or leasing their vehicles. Auto Trends received copies of various alerts, informing owners of options available, including deferred payments. The last thing anyone wants to see is a massive repossessing of late-model cars and the financial carnage that would cause.

Special Financing and Cash Back Deals

Besides reaching out to current owners, the automakers quickly updated their financing and leasing schemes to reach new-vehicle shoppers. Fiat Chrysler led the charge, rolling out 0-percent financing for up to 84 months, an uncommonly long timeframe. Besides its novel financing approach, the cashback deals are also better. Our internal survey shows savings of $7,300 to more than $10,000 on the Ram pickup trucks alone.

Other manufacturers joined in, delivering a variety of offers. For example, Toyota offers 0-percent financing for 60 months on three models: its midsize Camry sedan, compact RAV4 crossover, and Tacoma pickup truck. Hyundai rolled out 0-percent financing for 84 months on its compact Elantra sedan and compact Tucson crossover. Moreover, well-qualified Hyundai buyers enjoy a 120-day deferment on their first payment.

Canceled: Electrified Lincoln SUV

Beyond consumer assistance, the manufacturers have responded in various ways by delaying the introduction of new models or scuttling a planned vehicle completely. For an example of the latter, the Ford Motor Company canceled the planned all-electric SUV for Lincoln. The company cited the coronavirus crisis as the reason for canceling the SUV. Ford will, however, continue with its plan to release a Ford-brand pickup truck based on Rivian’s platform.

Manufacturing plants across America endured weeks of shut down, beginning in March. By early May, several plants in the southern U.S. resumed operation, including facilities owned by BMW, Hyundai, and Kia. All three follow Volkswagen, which restarted production at its massive Chattanooga plant at the end of April.

None are operating anywhere near full capacity as manufacturers maintain distancing, while also testing the veracity of their fragile supply chains.

Looking Ahead

The current downturn easily rivals the losses experienced during the Great Recession of 2008-2009. But the unemployment numbers today are far higher, with the rate spiking to an estimated 16.1-percent when the figures become known on Friday. As the states relax their various shutdown edicts, we expect that number to start to drop. Still, it could be many months if not longer before unemployment returns to an acceptable level.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, there are deals to be had. This writer exchanged his 2017 RAV4 for a 2020 Corolla, in April as the lease on the crossover came due. Opting for another lease, we lowered our monthly payments by selecting a lower-cost car and took advantage of incentives to save more money. Likewise, savvy consumers able to swing a new vehicle purchase should also garner an outstanding deal.

But there is one problem on the horizon: dealer stock is falling and, in many cases, won’t see replenishment until manufacturing resumes. Therefore, look for spot shortages until then, with pickup truck stock shrinking the most.

Budget Crossover: 2020 Hyundai Venue

May 1, 2020 by admin 2 Comments

Hyundai’s newest crossover is also its smallest one yet.

The 2020 Venue is a front-wheel-drive model powered by a 1.6-liter engine.
It is available in SE, SEL, and Denim trims, the latter pictured here.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue is an all-new model, the smallest crossover in this Korean brand’s arsenal. Slotted just below the Kona, the Venue brings new crossover affordability to the market in a front-wheel-drive-only vehicle. It’s the latest in an onslaught of new or updated Hyundai SUVs, a model we think will appeal to current hatchback owners.

Designated as a subcompact crossover, the tiny Venue is followed in Hyundai’s utility vehicle lineup by the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade. In California, Hyundai also offers the Nexo Fuel Cell, a hydrogen fuel cell crossover.

2020 Hyundai Venue Review

Hyundai offers the 2020 Venue in SE ($17,350), SEL ($19,250), and Denim ($22,050) trims. Add $1,120 for the destination charge.

All trims are governed by a four-cylinder engine. A manual transmission is standard, but dealers are likely to carry few equipped with one, opting instead for higher-trim versions with a continuously variable transmission.