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Florida Could Suspend Carvana’s Dealer License For Not Submitting Title Applications

Florida could suspend Carvana’s dealer license after it has failed to transfer the titles of some vehicles sold.

Carvana was reportedly notified of the issues in an email sent by Florida authorities last week. This email is said to have included a spreadsheet that showed 300 Carvana vehicle sales dating back to 2019 that had not had their titles transferred. More than 100 of these vehicle sales occurred in Florida.

State law in Florida requires retailers to apply for a title within 30 days of completing a sale. Speaking with Auto News, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said Carvana has until January 31 to submit title applications for all the vehicles it sold in 2021 before December 1.

“The department has been proactively working with Carvana to identify and assist Florida customers who have not received their title in a timely manner, and in accordance with state law,” the spokesperson added. “Florida law allows for the suspension of the dealer’s license if they fail to apply for a transfer of title in a timely manner.”

This isn’t the first time Carvana has been scrutinized for not delivering titles in time. Earlier this year it settled with Florida regulators and agreed to pay $500 each to 12 customers who had to wait three to eight months to receive titles on vehicles they purchased. In August, Carvana had its dealer license suspended for 180 days in Wake County, North Carolina for not producing titles fast enough, among other issues.

Carvana sold 244,111 vehicles in the U.S. last year, making it the country’s second-largest retailer of used vehicles. A spokeswoman from the company says Carvana has applied for around 23,500 titles in Florida over the past 12 months.

2022 Toyota Avalon Drops AWD And TRD, Starts From $36,375 For Its Final Year

The fifth-generation Avalon might have been introduced in 2018, but Toyota has confirmed that 2022 will mark the end of its production. Today, the automaker announced pricing for the 2022 MY alongside a few changes in the lineup.

The 2022 Toyota Avalon starts from $36,375 (excluding the $1,025 fee), making it $250 more expensive than last year’s model.

The full-size sedan is not available in AWD variants anymore, while the sporty TRD trim was also dropped from the range. The good news for prospective buyers is the addition of new safety features as standard, including the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package (dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, etc), and the addition of a rear-seat reminder system.

Just like last year, the Avalon is available with gas and hybrid powertrains. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 301 hp (224 kW / 305 PS) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque, mated to an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox that sends power to the front axle. The hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors producing a combined 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and comes with a fuel economy rating of 44 mpg combined.

The 2022 lineup includes six trim levels, including the XSE Nightshade Edition that is visually differentiated from the glossy black accents, the 19-inch wheels, and the rear diffuser. Inside, variants are differentiated with the base XLE featuring SofTex upholstery and “engineered wood” trim, the Limited coming with perforated leather and genuine wood sourced from Yamaha, and the Touring with perforated SofTex / Ultrasuede and aluminum trim.

In terms of equipment, the Limited and Touring come standard with a premium 14-speaker JBL Audio system, a 10-inch Head-up display, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen (Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Amazon Alexa), a wireless charging pad, and a moonroof (also standard on the Nightshade, optional in XLE, XLE hybrid). The Touring is the sportiest of the bunch equipped with the electronically controlled Adaptive Variable Suspension system, and an extra driving mode (eco, normal, sport, sport+, custom)

2022 Toyota Avalon Pricing

Avalon XLE 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $36,375
Avalon XLE Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $37,350
Avalon Limited 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $42,675
Avalon Limited Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $43,650
Avalon XSE Hybrid Nightshade 2.5-liter ECVT: $40,700
Avalon Touring 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $43,075

*MSRP prices excluding delivery processing and handling fee of $1,025

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2023 Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan Edition Tops Out The Range At $75,300

Land Rover has revealed the 2023 Discovery Metropolitan Edition and opened its order books in the United States.

The Metropolitan Edition sits at the top of the Discovery line-up and is based around the R-Dynamic HSE model. Land Rover has equipped it with Bright Atlas detailing across the front grille and the Discovery lettering. In addition, the luxurious SUV sports 22-inch Diamond Turned alloy wheels with Gloss Grey detailing and black brake calipers. Hakuba Silver inserts are also found on the front and rear bumpers.

The special touches continue in the cabin where the Discovery Metropolitan Edition has Titanium Mesh trim detailing. It also comes standard with a head-up display, heated steering wheel, powered and heated third row, a front cooler compartment, and four-zone climate control.

The Discovery Metropolitan Edition is available with a single powertrain, the automaker’s 3.0-liter Ingenium six-cylinder featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and producing 355 hp.

“The introduction of the Metropolitan Edition brings a new level of premium appeal to the Land Rover Discovery,” Land Rover brand director Finbar McFall said in a statement. “The special edition model represents the flagship of the line-up and builds on the appeal of the R-Dynamic specification with exterior design enhancements and a suite of convenience-boosting technologies.”

Elsewhere across the Discovery line-up, Land Rover says the R-Dynamic model now features a gloss black contrast roof as standard. Wireless phone charging, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a Meridian sound system, and three-zone climate control are also standard on all Discovery models.

Prices for the flagship 2023 Discovery Metropolitan Edition start at $75,300, while the entry-level Discovery now starts at $56,600.

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Electrify America More Than Doubling Its Charging Network, Will Have 1,800+ Stations By End Of 2025

One of the biggest challenges to electric vehicle adoption is a lackluster recharging infrastructure, but things have slowly been improving.

Now they’re getting a serious jolt as Electrify America has announced plans to more than double the size of their charging network.

Under the new Boost Plan, the company will have more than 1,800 fast charging stations and 10,000 individual chargers in the United States and Canada by the end of 2025. The expansion will also focus on adding more 150 and 350 kW chargers, which significantly reduce recharging times.

Also Read: Electrify America Completes First Cross-Country EV Charging Route

We’re leading the way for more electric vehicles in North America! Today, Electrify America announced its “Boost Plan” to double its current #EV charging network, with plans to install 1,800 stations and 10,000 individual chargers by 2025.⚡Read more: https://t.co/iT9QwnIAgz pic.twitter.com/Gf6IOJA3u8

— Electrify America (@ElectrifyAm) July 13, 2021

In the United States, the company expects to have approximately 800 charging stations and 3,500 individual chargers by the end of the year. That’s slated to increase to more than 1,700 stations and 9,500 chargers by the end of 2025.

The expansion will see Electrify America enter new markets including Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming and Vermont. This will give the company a presence in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

As you can see in before and after maps, the expansion will add new ‘electric vehicle charging highways’ in a number of areas. Many of them are located in the North were infrastructure has been lacking or nonexistent. The company will also focus on improving the charging infrastructure in the California Central and San Joaquin Valleys as well as cities such as Austin, Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Picture credit: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops

Furthermore, Electrify America will be installing canopies and enhanced lighting at select charging stations. This should hopefully make recharging on rainy or snowy nights a bit more pleasant.

Canada is also getting some love as the country is set to have more than 100 charging stations and 500 chargers by the end of 2025. They will be located in metropolitan centers, along major highways and near popular amenities.

As part of the expansion, charging stations will be added in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This will enable EVs to travel from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, British Columbia.

According to Electrify America CEO Giovanni Palazzo, “We have decided to double our current charging infrastructure in North America over the next four years to help meet the need for the rapid growth expected of electric vehicles by virtually all the auto manufacturers, and to help make EV adoption more accessible and attractive than ever.”

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One Car Dealership Tried Remote Delivery Services For 7 Years, Didn’t Work Out As Expected

Remote services are all the rage these days following the first pandemic wave in early 2020 that forced many business, including dealerships, to close their doors to the public. We’ve come a long way since then, but many car dealers are still bucking the trend of offering remote delivery.

Not everyone is sold on the practice though, including Alderman’s Chevrolet-Buick-GMC in Rutland, Vermont, which had experimented with delivering their vehicles all over New England free of charge for seven years, from 2011 through 2018 before ending the service for good. Even during the pandemic lockdown, the dealership decided to go against the prevailing wisdom and continue serving customers locally exclusively with in-story delivery.

What happened?

The decision to end remote services, the practice of delivering vehicles to buyers from hither and yon for free, was not reached easily. Intended as a way to improve customer service, the offer was taken up by many buyers, but the dealership found itself dedicating employees to making deliveries and retaining fewer and fewer customers.

“What we were doing was really spreading ourselves thin, not executing as well and raising expenses,” Mark Alderman, general manager, told Automotive News.

It’s all comes down to returning customers

The dealership found that up to 30 percent of the 1,100 new and used vehicles it sold annually were delivered across state lines, to people for whom it would not make sense to return for service. It also found that finance and insurance revenue was hurting as a result of the free deliveries.

“We were doing it because we wanted to sell more cars,” Alderman said. “When we looked back on it, there were a lot of benefits to the dealership and the customer experience that get lost when you ship a car.”

By 2014, the dealership reached its lowest customer retention rate of 42 percent. In 2018, Alderman decided to stop offering the service and instead mandated that each new vehicle be delivered in the dealership’s service lane, where customers could take a picture with their new car and a sign proclaiming where they got the car. The photos would then be posted to Facebook and the customers tagged.

Even through the pandemic, when low inventory meant that people from all over New England were shopping for cars anywhere they could find them, Alderman says he doesn’t regret focusing on local. Salespeople do have to make their sales online, but they’ve taken to posting videos that demonstrate vehicle features and hosting Zoom chats with customers to talk them through the purchasing process.

All of which is leading to some of the highest loyalty levels the dealership has ever seen. In 2020, 62 percent of customers were returning customers and so far in 2021, 69 percent have purchased a vehicle with Alderman before.

Dealerships “are afraid of the customer walking away,” Alderman told Autonews. “We just made a deep commitment to not try to be everything to everybody, of trying to be just really excellent in our space.”

New 2022 Genesis G70 Starts From $38,570, Lower Than Its German And Japanese Rivals

Genesis announced the pricing details of the redesigned 2022 G70 sedan, which can be now ordered from the carmaker’s website.

Prices for the 2022 G70 start from $38,570, including a $1,045 freight charge, in base 2.0T Standard RWD trim level. Customers can spec all-wheel-drive for an extra $2,100.

That’s notably less than the German premium competition, with Audi charging at least $40,145 for the base A4 2.0T, BMW asking $42,895 for the entry 330i and Mercedes, $42,650 for the C300, with all prices mentioned here including destination. Even Lexus’ IS 300 begins higher at $40,500. However, it’s good to remember that pricing of a new vehicle is one thing, and re-sale value is another. It remains to be seen how the G70 will fare in this regard down the road.

The 2022 G70 2.0T will be offered in Standard and Prestige trim levels while the V6-powered models will be available in the Sport Advanced, Sport Prestige, and Launch Edition grades.

Driven: 2020 Genesis G70 2.0T Might Have Gotten A Refresh, But Is Still Very Competent

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers 252 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. Those wishing for some extra performance can choose the more powerful 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 with its 365 HP and 376 lb-ft of torque. Both engine options are paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

As it’s traditional for Genesis, the updated 2022 G70 will offer a comprehensive range of features as standard, including free scheduled maintenance with Service Valet, Genesis Connected Services, map updates, and more, for 3 years or 60,000 miles.

The 2022 G70 features along list of standard equipment, including a new 10.25-inch infotainment system with Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights all around, power-adjustable and heated seats, an acoustic windshield, as well as a wide range of driver-assistance systems that includes Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and Highway Driving Assist, among other.

Go for the 3.3-liter V6-powered version and you’ll get the Performance Brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, variable-ratio steering, leather upholstery instead of leatherette, and more. The 3.3T Sport Prestige adds a Brembo braking system, a limited-slip differential, electronically controlled suspension and Nappa leather upholstery.

As for the range-topping $53,545 Launch Edition, it comes with lightweight 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels, a matte paint finish in either Verbier White or Melbourne Gray, and a two-tone Obsidian Black/ Sevilla Red interior.

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Porsche Hosts Classic Restoration Challenge With 40 US Dealers

The U.S. is home to more classic Porsches than any other nation. That means that quite a few of them are in need of a little sprucing up.

Porsche has encouraged 40 of its U.S. dealers to enter a restoration challenge that will run through September and see 40 classic Stuttgart sports cars brought back to their former glory.

The cars are located across the country, from sea to shining sea, and run the full breadth of Porsche’s history, from 356s, to five generations of 911, to 944s and 928s, as well as more recent stuff, like a first-gen Boxster. There are rarities, too, like a 1988 Slantnose 911 Turbo and a 1989 911 Speedster.

The newest car in the competition is from 2005, and it’s a pretty special one: a Carrera GT that’s getting ready to be put back on the road. In that spread of vehicles, there are engines that make as much as 612 hp going up against others that make just 75 hp.

The favorites to win should be the ones being restored by the nine designated Porsche Classic Partners that do this kind of thing on a regular basis. Nevertheless, all dealers have access to Porsche’s catalog of more than 60,000 Classic Genuine Parts, so the winner is far from a foregone conclusion.

When the cars are ready to be judged in August, the best cars from three regions of the country (East, South-Central, and West) will be selected by a panel of experts from Porsche Cars North America. They will be looking for the best restorations of engines, suspension, and interior, as well as documentation.

From those three regional winners, a final winner will be selected and announced in September.

The Ariel Atom 4 Is Now Being Made In America And It’ll Cost You Nearly $75k

Ariel North America has started building the Atom 4 in the United States.

Largely identical to the European variant, the North American Atom 4 is built in Virginia and powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from the Honda Civic Type R.

The engine produces 320 hp (239 kW / 324 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque and is paired to a six-speed manual transmission. This setup enables the 1,350 lbs (612 kg) Atom to rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds. If you keep your foot pinned to the floor, 100 mph (161 km/h) will come in 6.8 seconds and the Atom 4 will eventually top out at 162 mph (261 km/h).

Also Watch: Ariel Atom 4, McLaren 720S And BMW S1000RR Square Off For An Unusual Drag Race

If that isn’t fast enough, an optional performance package increases the engine’s output to 350 hp (261 kW / 355 PS) thanks to ECU tuning, a three-stage boost controller and a performance exhaust. The package also includes a limited-slip differential, an adjustable traction control system and an upgraded radiator.

While the powertrain carries over from the Euro-spec model, the American variant has a laminated windscreen, a front wiper and a revised suspension with Eibach springs and adjustable Bilstein dampers.

Staggered 16- and 17-inch wheels are standard, and they’re backed up by a market-specific braking system that features four-piston AP Racing calipers as well as 11.4 inch (290 mm) ventilated discs. Carbon fiber wheels are optional and they weigh nearly 50% less than the standard alloys. Customers can also opt for two-piece rotors and high-performance brake pads specifically designed for the track.

In the United States, pricing starts at $74,750. The performance package costs $7,995 and the car can also be equipped with upgraded suspensions, carbon fiber packages as well as track packs. If that hasn’t scared you off, Ariel is currently accepting deposits of $22,425.

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MTM Gives Audi RS5 R8-Rivaling Levels Of Power For Just $2,149

If you were looking to make your Audi RS5 feistier, then you might want to consider MTM America who has just launched two power upgrades for it.

We will cut to the chase and tell you about the Stage 2, as it lifts the output of the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from 444 to 560 HP, and torque from 443 to 540 lb-ft (600-732 Nm), which result in a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).

That’s just 2 HP short and 134 lb-ft (182 Nm) more than the entry-level 2020 R8 Coupe, which can sprint to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and starts at $169,900. The tuner hasn’t said anything about the acceleration time of the RS5 after applying the ECU tune, which will cost you a very decent $2,149, although you will have to take the car to the company’s headquarters in Miami for the installation.

Watch Also: Can The Audi RS5 Sportback Serve As Your Sole Daily Driver?

A Stage 1 upgrade is also available for the B9 generation of the RS5 at MTM. It costs $1,699 and will up output to 532 HP at 5,700 rpm and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) at 2,500 rpm. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration has been improved by 0.3 seconds, to 3.6, and the top speed has increased to 180 mph (290 km/h), from 174 mph (280 km/h) with the optional RS Dynamic Package.

A whole bunch of other stuff can be found in the tuner’s catalogue for the RS5, such as the more advanced Stage 3 kit, which includes aftermarket turbos and other auxiliaries. This one is significantly pricier at $28,799, but it promises 603 HP and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) in return, for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 3.1 seconds and a 199 mph (320 km/h) max speed. Air intakes, valve controllers, exhaust systems, wheel spacers, spring kits, wheels, paddle shifters and so on are also available.

Tesla Picks Texas For $1 Billion Cybertruck Gigafactory

Tesla has used its second quarter update to reveal its next and largest gigafactory will be located outside Austin, Texas.

The site spans approximately 2,000 acres and CEO Elon Musk described it as an “ecological paradise” that will be open to the public. Following the announcement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the plant will create at least 5,000 new jobs and generate over $1 billion (£785 / €684 million) in capital investment.

He went on to say “Tesla is one of the most exciting and innovative companies in the world, and we are proud to welcome its team to the State of Texas.”

Also Read: Tesla Eyeing New Cybertruck Factory, Musk Wants It In Central US

The decision to build the gigafactory in Texas isn’t much of a surprise as the state was offering millions in incentives. In particular, Travis County commissioners approved $14.7 million (£11.5 / €12.7 million) in tax incentives and that’s on top of another $50 million (£39.2 / €43.2 million) that was approved earlier.

Tesla says preparations for the plant are already underway and Musk has previously said it will build the Cybertruck as well as the Model Y. As it turns out, the Tesla Model 3 and Semi truck will also be made in Texas.

As for the financial side of things, total revenues were up slightly to $6 billion (£4.7 / €5.2 billion). Automotive revenues also climbed and Tesla noted the result can be partially attributed to higher vehicle deliveries and higher regulatory credit revenue.

Given the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not surprising to hear that production dropped significantly. Model S/X production fell by 59%, compared to the first quarter, to 6,326 units. Likewise, Model 3/Y production dropped 13% to 75,946 units.

Despite the drop in production, deliveries remained strong. Model S/X deliveries fell 13% for the quarter, while Model 3/Y deliveries were up 5%. Overall, total deliveries improved 3% from the first quarter.

Of course, this isn’t all good news as inventories are running low. As Tesla noted, their “finished vehicle inventory levels decreased to 17 days of supply.”

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