Cars, Security and a Peek into my Life
Canadians dominate the auto industry – but we’re pretty quiet about it – which is why this week I’d like to do some bragging, politely.
I’m singling out Nissan, BMW, GM, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota, then the auto journalists too.
Read it online at Autonet.
The ending – last 3 paragraphs:
And then there’s the Canadian auto journalists – and I think this is indicative of our culture – we are consistently booked into one of two waves…
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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index
I look ridiculous exiting a Navigator; this’d be awesomely over-the-top.
GM just released a new infotainment system, introducing MyLink.
The core of the computing is done on your phone. Basically you’re looking at here a screen and a USB connection. That greatly reduces the amount of electronics in the car, plus price. An average infotainment system is about $1,500, instead, GM’s BringGo map app is $50.
The key is the software that make your car talk to your phone.
Another neat fact, GM worked with Apple on this software; when was the last time you heard about Apple collaborating. Change your calendar, text, music, all using Apple’s Siri.
The app is available for both iPhone and Android.
Bottom left: that’s a radio station from the other side of the world.
I interviewed the person who headed the project, meet Sarah LeBlanc.
She was a such a fun interview, we met early morning at the Toronto Auto Show. Thanks for kicking my day off to a great start, Sarah!
Read it on Autonet.ca.
Taken atop the Honda RV.
Test Fest – over seventy of Canada’s top automotive writers meet to evaluate hundreds of new model vehicles over a four-day period.
Their purpose? Based on back-to-back comparative testing, select the “best new” vehicles in several categories as well as an overall Canadian Car of the Year and Truck of the Year. The testing program includes “real world” driving on public roads — where you, the consumer, drives.
Daily updates are provided that include photographs, interviews and editorial.
At the end of ‘TestFest’, the comparative test data generated by the journalist experts is posted to this web site for your use as a resource buying guide. -from the website.
I videod throughout the day, will edit this weekend.
‘Test Fest’ and ‘Car of the Year’ are hosted by AJAC – Auto Journalist Association of Canada. It’s Canada’s best auto journalists gathered together, AJAC is serious. I’m not a member (yet), and was there during ‘Open Media Afternoon’, so I didn’t think I’d be attending the award ceremony. But I lucked out! But I didn’t have a change of clothes.
Here’s me before walking into a sea of cocktail attire. Remember, I’m the new kid.
There’s not yet a list online of all the winners; go to my editor Joe’s Twitter, it’s all there.
The other acronym to know is COTY – Car of the Year.
Obviously Honda took one home, and YES Maki!
It looks good on you Ford, and Christine!
Congratulations GM, and Neil! You were so pumped, it was awesome.
Then, dinner and the ‘29th Annual Automotive Journalism Awards‘.
Great seeing familiar faces, and same to the new ones I met! Thanks for being welcoming to the new guy.
Find me fastest on Twitter @KeriBlog, here’s the blog category Cars, email anytime, see you online.
