Page 32 - On The Move - Volume 17, Issue 4

Car Dealerships Best Spots for Customer Tech Tutorials

level of satisfaction correlates with training at the important to get them off to a right start.” Her cus-
dealership.” tomer-training comments are in conjunction with
Yet, even if a dealership staffer is ready and the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index. It
It’s important to coach car buyers on how the able to do technology rundowns, customers might centers on automakers’ advanced technology sys-
advanced technology in their vehicles works. So balk if it’s an inopportune time. For example, with tems. Volvo scores highest overall in its high-tech
says J.D. Power’s Kristin Kolodge, executive direc- keys in hand and having just experienced the offerings.
tor-driver interaction & human machine interface time-consuming process of buying a car, they often Kolodge speaks of “lightbulb moments” when
are anxious to hit the road in their new purchase, consumers realize the extent of their vehicles’ tech-
research. Such instruction boosts satisfaction scores,
enhances understanding and eliminates misunder- not undergo a technology tutorial. nological capabilities. She adds: “The user experi-
standings. But in many cases, that training simply If that’s the case, Kolodge says an alternative ence plays a major role in whether an owner will
isn’t happening, Kolodge says. “It’s a challenging is to set an appointment for the customer to return use the technology on a regular basis or abandon it
issue.” to the dealership for “a second delivery.” That would and feel like they wasted their money.” Then again,
cover familiarizing them with the various technolo- customers need not hear about every technology
Car buyers can learn about their vehicles’ tech-
nologies in many ways. That includes online videos gies, including advanced-driver-assist systems that feature. By now, most people know how to do Blue-
and the owner’s manual, which is filled with infor- automatically accelerate, brake and aid in steering tooth pairings, she says. Source: WardsAuto
mation but isn’t always easy reading. Consumer sur- and lane-keeping. Those semi-autonomous features
veys indicate in-person instruction at the dealership are on more and more modern vehicles.
Such a learning session sets up customers for
is the most effective, Kolodge says. “The greater
greater control and understanding, she says. “It’s

Acura Launches Production of Fifth Generation TLX

After committing nearly $50 million to pre- large-project leader of the ’21 TLX program. “In re-
pare for production of the 2021 Acura TLX, Acura cent years, this has included an all-new inner frame
launches mass production of the all-new sport welding system, an entirely new paint shop, new la-
sedan at Honda of America Mfg.’s Marysville Auto ser brazing weld technology and other new systems
Plant in Ohio. The fifth generation TLX has an MSRP and processes that are used to build the new TLX,”
starting at $37,500. Production at the plant began Sheridan tells Wards in an email. curacy body weld process and high-performance
in early September. The $50 million investment in the TLX was adhesive, the team created the most rigid body ever
“Designed, developed and manufactured by a committed to stamping dies, additional weld robots for an Acura sedan, to help TLX deliver dynamic per-
team of Acura associates in Ohio and California, the and an advanced new automated system for the formance, says Sheridan.
2021 TLX is built on an all-new, Acura-exclusive plat- simultaneous installation of the engine and sus- The new TLX is the first Acura model to feature
form engineered for Type S levels of performance,” pension into the vehicle body, he says. “For more a laser brazed roof. This new process joins the roof
Acura says in a news release. Both the new TLX and context, this is the first Acura sedan created from to the body side panels, creating a seamless exterior
the TLX Type S high-performance variant will be as- the ground up around the brand’s Precision Crafted appearance with no need for a garnish over the rain
sembled exclusively at Marysville. Both powertrains Performance DNA,” Sheridan says. channels.
will be built at Honda of America’s Anna, OH, engine The TLX is the beneficiary of a $210 million in- Acura hasn’t released specific production vol-
plant: a 2.0L DOHC VTEC Turbo 4-cyl. powering the vestment in a new paint department in 2017 that umes for the ’21 TLX. Production schedules will vary
standard TLX and an all-new 3.0L Turbo V-6 for the provides Acura with four new premium “pearl” col- based on customer demand.
TLX Type S due next spring. Both engines are paired ors: white, black, blue and red, as part of the brand’s “We are incredibly proud to deliver Precision
with a 10-speed automatic transmission developed upmarket strategy. Crafted Performance for our Acura clients with a TLX
in-house. The production team at Marysville implement- that sets a new bar for performance and premium
Acura has been retooling the 35-year-old ed sophisticated manufacturing technologies to quality in an Acura sedan,” Sheridan says. Source:
Marysville plant continuously, says Ken Sheri- assure superior build quality and premium refine- WardsAuto
dan, associate chief engineer at the facility and ment for the ’21 TLX, Sheridan says. Using a high-ac-

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