Be Alert And Be Responsible, Back-To-School Safety Starts With You

As the school year starts, there is new troubling research from CAA that shows an increase in parents reporting dangerous driving behaviours in school zones. (CNW Group/CAA South Central Ontario)

As students get back into the swing of a hectic school routine, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is reminding everyone travelling through school zones to slow down and put safety first.

According to a new CAA study, 9 out of 10 parents said they have seen one or more bad driving behaviours in a school zone. 

The top five behaviours include:

• Speeding
• Illegal parking or stopping
• Distracted driving or texting and driving
• Not stopping at a marked crosswalk
• Not stopping for a school bus

"Everyone plays a role around safety in school zones. It is important for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to have patience to ensure everyone's safety. As we embark on a new school year, it is a timely reminder for everyone give yourself ample time to get through school zones, follow posted speed limits, and focus on safe driving habits," says Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations for CAA SCO.

School zones become high traffic areas in the morning and afternoon. CAA SCO urges pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to be fully aware of their surroundings by putting away any distractions such as electronic devices.

Silverstein adds that there is no excuse for distracted driving and unsafe behaviours behind the wheel. "Nearly 6 in 10 parents say they have seen an increase in unsafe driving practices in school zones in the last two years. Parents and guardians can do their part by slowing down in school zones, avoid driving distracted, and remembering to be considerate to others on the road."

For motorists, it is essential to take extra care around school buses. Drivers who pass a stopped school bus with its arm extended and red lights flashing face a fine of up to $2,000 and receive six demerit points for a first offence.

Tips for pedestrians:

• Stop before stepping onto the road
• Look in all directions before crossing the street
• Listen for traffic
• Walk, don't run, across the road

Tips for drivers:

• Check for children on sidewalks, driveways and behind your vehicle before backing up
• Remember to slow down in school zones
• Be ready to stop at all times as children may dart out between parked cars
• Try to make eye contact with children waiting to cross the street
• Come to a complete stop for school buses when red lights are flashing

How to share the road with school buses:

• Drivers in all directions must stop when they see red lights flashing on a school bus. The only exception is roads separated with a median
• Drivers must stop at least 20 metres behind the bus

If you see a driver who doesn't stop for a school bus, safely pull over and record:

• Location (street or intersection), date and time
• The description of the vehicle including make, model, colour and license plate
• Status of the bus (moving or stopped, were lights flashing, children boarding or not)
• A record or photograph of the scene
• Contact the police with as much information as you can

CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol program. This year the program is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The program was developed to protect, educate and empower elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. 

Today the program is delivered across Ontario in partnership with over 55 police services. It is available in over 800 schools, reaching approximately 20,000 elementary school students.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Related Videos:

The Most Famous Car In The World: RM Sotheby's Presents James Bond Aston Martin DB5 [Video Included]

1965 Aston Martin DB5 "Bond Car" (image via RM Sotheby's)

RM Sotheby's has announced "the most famous car in the world" and the most iconic Aston Martin of all time to lead 'An Evening with Aston Martin', a special single-marque sale at the company's Monterey auction on 15 August. RM Sotheby's will present a James Bond 1965 Aston Martin DB5, one of just three surviving examples commissioned in period by Eon Productions and fitted with MI6 Q Branch modifications.

In 1963, two near-identical cars were built by Aston Martin and loaned to Eon Productions for the filming of Goldfinger; one for stunt driving and chase sequences, and the other for interior shots and close-ups, to be equipped with functional modifications by special effects guru John Stears. 

As legendary weapons-master Q would explain to 007, the DB5 was equipped with front and rear hydraulic over-rider rams on the bumpers, a Browning .30 caliber machine gun in each fender, wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers, a raising rear bullet-proof screen, an in-dash radar tracking scope, oil, caltrop and smoke screen dispensers, revolving license plates, a passenger-seat ejection system, a telephone in the driver's door to communicate with MI6 headquarters, and a hidden compartment under the driver's seat containing several weapons.

The smash success of Goldfinger led producers to order two more DB5s; chassis nos. DB5/2008/R, the example on offer by RM Sotheby's, and DB5/2017/R. The two cars were fitted with all Bond modifications and shipped to the U.S. for promotional duties for Thunderball.

Reached through his son, Stephane Connery, legendary actor Sean Connery, who portrayed James Bond on film in both Goldfinger and Thunderball said: "These DB5s are amazing – I remember the Furka Pass tire shredding as well as the promotional events with these cars – they have become increasingly iconic since Goldfinger and Thunderball, in fact I bought a very fine DB5 myself relatively recently."

Under current ownership, the DB5 has undergone a well-documented restoration by Aston Martin Heritage Specialists Roos Engineering, with all thirteen Bond modifications refurbished to function as originally built. 

• One of three surviving examples, having had just three private owners over 50 years, the DB5 offers a highly desirable acquisition for the serious marque collector…or secret agent (Estimate: $4,000,000 - $6,000,000).

The Video:

SOURCE: RM Sotheby's

Lexus Helps Save the Universe in "Men in Black: International"

The 2020 Lexus RC F to star as the Men in Black agents’ vehicle of choice in Sony Pictures’ Men in Black: International

To complete their missions, the Men in Black need vehicles with the horsepower for high speed pursuits, the most advanced alien-fighting technology, and sophisticated styling befitting the most exclusive group of secret agents in the galaxy. Lexus is pleased to fill that role as the official vehicle of Sony Pictures' "Men in Black: International," slated to open in U.S. theaters June 14, 2019.

• The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

Lexus vehicles are the official fleet of Men in Black agents globally in the film. The 2020 Lexus RC F stars as the Men in Black agents' vehicle of choice for their high velocity pursuits. The luxury sport coupe recently underwent an exciting change, making it faster, lighter and even more ready to transport the Men in Black as they save the universe. 

The Lexus RC F offers the best power-to-weight ratio in its class and the most powerful Lexus V8 to date, generating 472-horsepower – plus in the film it boasts some pretty amazing alien tech. The Lexus RX Hybrid and Lexus LX SUVs are also featured in film scenes with alien encounters.

"We've added some advanced capabilities to the RC F to assist the Men in Black agents, creating a truly one-of-a-kind alien-fighting machine," said Lisa Materazzo, vice president of Lexus marketing. "We can't wait for moviegoers to see the RC F as they've never seen it before."

The collaboration between Lexus and Sony Pictures' "Men in Black: International" includes integration in the film, a co-branded TV spot, a custom Men in Black RC F and sponsorship of the film premiere.

"We're excited to collaborate with Lexus on this multi-tiered campaign in support of 'Men in Black: International,'" said Jeffrey Godsick, EVP, Brand Management and Global Partnerships, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group. "The Lexus RC F sports coupe provides the perfect vehicle for our team of Men in Black agents, led by Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, as they protect the galaxy."

Men in Black International (2019)

About "Men in Black: International"

The film is directed by F. Gary Gray, and written by Art Marcum & Matt Holloway, based on the Malibu Comic by Lowell Cunningham. 

Produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, E. Bennet Walsh, Riyoko Tanaka, David Beaubaire, Barry Sonnenfeld, Edward Cheng, and Howard Chen. 

The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rafe Spall, Laurent Bourgeois & Larry Bourgeois, with Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson. 

The Trailers:

SOURCE: Lexus

Students Put Energy Efficient Cars to the Test at Shell Eco-marathon Americas

NIU Supermileage team competing under Prototype – Internal Combustion category on the track at Make the Future Live California featuring Shell Eco-marathon Americas at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. (Scot Tucker/AP for Shell)

Make the Future Live California featuring Shell Eco-marathon Americas drew more than 1,000 students to Sonoma Raceway to compete for the title of most fuel-efficient vehicle.

Northern Illinois University of DeKalb, Illinois took home first place in the Internal Combustion Engine Prototype category with their gasoline-fueled vehicle achieving 1,524 miles per gallon. This was the college's first time winning the Shell Eco-marathon Americas Mileage Challenge competition.

"This award means everything to our team," said Josh Helsper, team leader of Northern Illinois University. "It validates all the engineering we've learned and the work we've done."

Mater Dei High School broke the United States UrbanConcept record in the Battery Electric category with a 68.2 miles per kilowatt-hour run. The high school has participated in every Mileage Challenge since the inaugural Americas competition in 2007.

This year, a total of 88 high school and college teams from across the Americas including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States, participated in the competition, in two vehicle classes: Prototype and UrbanConcept. The Prototype class is focused on ultra-efficient, lightweight designs, typically with 3 wheels. The UrbanConcept class focused on more "roadworthy" vehicles aimed at meeting some of the real-life needs of drivers. Entries were divided into three energy categories: Internal Combustion Engine (gasoline, diesel and ethanol), Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Battery Electric.

"These students have dedicated countless hours to developing solutions that support a cleaner, lower-carbon energy future," said Shanna Simmons, Global Technical Director Shell Eco-marathon. "The mileage challenge is a platform for students to test their theories on energy efficiency and receive hands-on experience before entering the workforce."

The Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2019 Winning Teams

Student teams worked intensively from Wednesday to Saturday to pass detailed technical and safety inspections before heading to the iconic Sonoma Raceway track for the Mileage Challenge. Each team's vehicle was required to make eight laps for a total distance of 6.12 miles within 24 minutes. 

The winners in each class follow, based on vehicle class and energy category:

• Prototype Internal Combustion Engine: "NIU Supermileage," Northern Illinois University, 1524.9 mpg
• Prototype Battery Electric: "Eco Illini Supermileage," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 152.0 m/kWh
• Prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell sponsored by Linde: "Ualberta EcoCar Prototype Team," University of Alberta, 159.8 m/m3
• UrbanConcept Internal Combustion Engine: "Wawasee Gold," Wawasee High School, 680.7 mpg
• UrbanConcept Battery Electric: "Mater Dei Supermileage 2," Mater Dei High School, 68.2 m/kWh

Student teams also won awards for their work off the track, in the following categories:

• Technical Innovation Award sponsored by Southwest Research Institute: BYU SMV, Brigham Young University implemented a system to quickly optimize the air-fuel ratio over a short engine burn time. The optimization is meant to achieve better fuel economy and reduce harmful emissions.
• Most Innovative H2 Award sponsored by Linde: Ualberta EcoCar Prototype Team, University of Alberta was awarded this off-track award for the customized controller built for their hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle.
• Communications Award: LA Tech EcoCar, Louisiana Tech University submitted an integrated communication plan with clear objectives, audience and content strategy, multi-channel tactics and measurable analytics.
• Vehicle Design Award for Prototype: Pato a Jato, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná used an eco-friendly plant-based resin and biodegradable material made with a 3D printer. The car is painted yellow, which was chosen to reflect light better than dark colors, decreasing the internal temperature.
• Vehicle Design Award for UrbanConcept: LA Tech EcoCar, Louisiana Tech University pushed the envelope in design. They paid attention to detail including mounted LED lights inside the body of the car for a sleeker and more aerodynamic look.
• Safety Award: Texas A&M University had a high-quality submission and went into great detail on their processes to ensure their car and driver were safe. Ultimately, they chose driver safety over and above track performance and chose not to take an additional risk to complete a last attempt.
• Perseverance and Spirit of the Event Award: EEV at Sac State, California State University, Sacramento. This team was organized, funded and managed entirely by students with minimal support from the school. The team included students from diverse engineering disciplines with a clear delineation of roles, while still working collaboratively.
• Southwest Research Institute Scholarship Winners: $1,000 scholarships were awarded to three students from University of California, Berkeley; Rice University; and San Antonio College.
• Travel Safety Stipend: The LSU Capstone Team from Louisiana State University provided a very detailed journey management plan, which took into account rest times, driver changes and proper sleep times.

Drivers' World Championship Qualifier

The winning schools have earned themselves a place in the Drivers' World Championship to be held at the Make the Future Live event in London, UK, from July 1-5, 2019. 

They will face-off against teams from Asia and Europe for the chance to be crowned world champions and earn a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the home of Scuderia Ferrari in Italy. 

This is a global competition to match the proven energy efficiency of their cars, with the speed, skill and strategy of the driver to see who can cross the finish line first without running out of their limited allocation of energy.

Within the Drivers' World Championship Terms and Conditions, only one team from any school can be awarded an opportunity to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon Drivers' World Championship. As such, the team who finished fourth in the race, Alden-Conger High School's Knights 3 team, will also join the following teams in London:

• First Place: Wawasee Gold, Wawasee High School
• Second Place: Mater Dei Supermileage 2, Mater Dei High School
• Third Place: Mater Dei Supermileage, Mater Dei High School

Shell's Make the Future Live Partners, many of whom actively used the event as a recruitment ground, included: Agility, Altair, Dassault Systèmes, HP, Linde, Sonoma Raceway, Southwest Research Institute and Toyota.

To learn more about Make the Future Live California, please visit the website.

About Make the Future Live

Make the Future Live is one of Shell's global platforms that offers conversation, collaboration and innovation around the world's energy challenges. With events hosted in countries around the globe, they aim to provide an opportunity for multiple stakeholders: including students, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and the public, to experience, test and contribute bright energy ideas.

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon is a global program built to offer students hands-on opportunities to develop ideas and technology, knowledge and skills, within an arena of competition.

Currently held in Asia, the Americas and Europe and made up of two key competitions: Mileage Challenge, and Drivers' World Championship, students from countries across their respective regions use innovative problem-solving skills to design and build their own cars. Looking at every aspect of design and technology, students then compete to prove that their bright ideas will produce the most energy-efficient vehicle when tested on the track.

The concept of Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born. In April 2007, the Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States, and in 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia, up until 2013. In 2019 Regional Shell Eco-marathon Mileage competitions will be held in Kuala Lumpur, California and London. London will also host the Drivers' World Championship, with qualifying events held in California and Kuala Lumpur..

Mater Dei Supermileage team competing under UrbanConcept – Battery Electric category on the track at Make the Future Live California featuring Shell Eco-marathon Americas at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. (Scot Tucker/AP for Shell)

SOURCE: Shell

History in Motion: Iconic Cars from Hollywood will Parade Around Los Angeles on President's Day led by a Presidential Limo with a Special Guest

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton

Celebrating Los Angeles' love of both the automobile and Hollywood, the Petersen Automotive Museum will host a parade on President's Day, February 18, 2019. Featuring iconic Hollywood cars, the parade will be a fun "thank you" to the people of Los Angeles for their unwavering support over the past quarter century.

Beginning at 10 a.m. in Playa Vista, the parade route will pass several of the city's landmarks including The Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

During the route, there will be one planned 20-minute stop at Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice, where viewers can take pictures with the parade cars. 

After the parade, the cars will return to the Petersen at around 1 p.m. and be displayed on the third floor of the museum parking garage.

Viewers positioned around the designated parade route will see the 1951 Chrysler Camera Car once owned by billionaire movie mogul Howard Hughes; the Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus from the 2006 American comedy-drama "Little Miss Sunshine;" the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible from the second installment of the Austin Powers franchise "The Spy Who Shagged Me;" the 2002 Jaguar XK-R Stunt Car that was the anti-hero car in the 2002 James Bond flick "Die Another Day;" the Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton, which belonged to President Dwight D. Eisenhower; the Honda S2000 from "2 Fast 2 Furious;" and other iconic Hollywood vehicles.

"The Petersen would not be what it is today without the steadfast support of the Los Angeles community," said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. "For 25 years, we have strived as an organization to captivate the hearts of Angelenos, igniting within them a passion for the automobile. Because Hollywood is such an important aspect of our community, the parade will serve as a fun tribute to the industry on which Los Angeles was built upon."

SOURCE: Petersen Automotive Museum

Related Stories:

• The US Presidential State Car
• Fast and Furious - Cars in Film
• Cars That Started On TV
• Cars That Were Bigger Stars in Movies

Hyundai Preps for the All-New Veloster's Appearance in Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp with a Fully Integrated Marketing Plan

The all-new Hyundai Veloster will be making its Hollywood debut in Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp and Hyundai is suiting up to give fans an action-packed experience...

The all-new Hyundai Veloster will be making its Hollywood debut in Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp and Hyundai is suiting up to give fans an action-packed experience. Leading up to the July 6 release, Hyundai is tapping into Ant-Man's superpowers with a fully integrated marketing plan that includes new commercials, an interactive sweepstakes and much more.

"Having our all-new Veloster immersed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a great way to entertain consumers and showcase the vehicle's stylish design and performance capabilities to a massive audience," said Dean Evans, CMO, Hyundai Motor America. "We wanted to take full advantage of this collaboration by engaging fans and providing them with experiences beyond the big screen."

"There's so much fun to be had with this film, which is why we're elated about the approach that Hyundai has taken with their campaign," said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel's SVP of Global Partnerships & Marketing. "The humor is there, the heart is there, and the creativity is firing on all cylinders because they're experimenting with the same sizing and scale gags that our heroes encounter all throughout the movie."

Hyundai's Ant-Man and The Wasp Broadcast Creative: 
Starting on June 11, Hyundai will air the new Ant-Man and The Wasp-inspired ad "Stoplight Standoff" on U.S. broadcasts. 

"Two police officers and a Veloster driver exchange in a very awkward standoff at a stoplight, as they each think the other is suggesting a race. Little do they know, a tiny Veloster based on the vehicle featured in the movie is the cause of confusion and is burning rubber between their cars, showcasing the car's cool and aggressive look." 

Still from the Ant-Man and The Wasp-inspired ad "Stoplight Standoff"

The new spot was shown for the first time globally at Hyundai's display at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea on June 7.

"We're huge Marvel fans, so we immediately recognized that our goal was to integrate Hyundai in a way that felt organic and paid homage to the comedy inherent in the films," said Joe Reynoso, associate creative director and Alvaro Soto, senior copywriter, both from Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN USA, who helped develop the integrated Ant-Man campaign.

World Premiere: 
During the world premiere of Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp, the Veloster from the film will be dressed as a packaged toy car that has been enlarged and displayed at the red-carpet event. 

Hyundai will also be sponsoring the premiere livestream that runs on Marvel's digital platforms. During the livestream, two segments will be dedicated to Hyundai and hosted by Marvel's on-air personalities as they explore more of the backstory behind Hyundai's placement in the movie as well as fan reaction to what's happening on the carpet.

Still from the Ant-Man and The Wasp-inspired ad "Stoplight Standoff"

Sweepstakes and Exclusive Screening: 

Marvel fans will have a chance at an early screening, as Hyundai will be placing around Los Angeles tiny toy versions of the Veloster, which will serve as movie passes to an exclusive showing. 

Hyundai will drop clues on its Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat channels about the mini-car locations. Participants will also be encouraged to post about the scavenger hunt on their social channels, using #HyundaiVeloster. 

⏩ The scavenger hunt will take place in late June.

The screening event will give attendees a special experience with Hyundai and Marvel, and a shareable night out at the movies. The event will have fun photo ops, gift bag giveaways, custom artwork posters and a Hyundai Veloster display. Roughly 500 people will be able to attend the exclusive screening, which takes place on July 3 in Los Angeles, three days before the theatrical release. Seating at the event will be first-come, first-served for those that find a car. Advantage is helping manage the experiential screening event for Hyundai.

Hyundai will also implement the movie car into the trim section area on HyundaiUSA.com's Veloster landing page where guests can enter to win tickets to see Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp. Additionally, weekly mini-ads highlighting the Hyundai Veloster will be placed within Marvel comic books from June 20 to July 25. Multiple versions of this creative will subtly appear at the bottoms of various other advertisements that are promoting the biggest upcoming Marvel Comics releases.

Finally, select Hyundai hand-raisers and owners will receive mail with custom artwork from Marvel artists of the Veloster that gives recipients exclusive early access to a behind-the-scenes featurette. The artwork will also be sent to all Hyundai dealerships to leverage in their showrooms.

"Ant-Man and The Wasp" - Imax poster 

About Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp:

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes Ant-Man and The Wasp, a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pymwith an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

Ant-Man and The Wasp is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip "T.I." Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.

Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard are producing with Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Chris McKenna& Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari wrote the screenplay. Ant-Man and The Wasp hits U.S. theaters on July 6, 2018.

SOURCE: Hyundai Motor America

The Ad:

"Ant-Man and The Wasp" - Trailer:

Renault Joins Forces with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" to Take Customers on the Alternative Road [Video Included]

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Are you ready to take the regular road with Renault?
Does Renault’s alternative road have you considering the regular road with Renault? From browsing articles about ‘How the 10 Worst Renault Trafic Sports Fails of All Time Could Have Been Prevented’ to checking out a lease on a new Renault KADJAR, if you’re inspired by Renault, it might be time to look into purchasing that new motor. You don’t have to invest in an entirely new vehicle either - you could consider lease or secondhand options to find a car you’d be happy to take on a new journey.

Renault is teaming up with "Solo: A Star Wars Story" to provide a thrilling experience for its customers ahead of the launch of the film, released in UK cinemas on 24 May 2018.

From April to July 2018, Renault is inviting everyone to 'take the alternative road' through a pan-European campaign - designed and produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Disney and Publicis Conseil. For the French car manufacturer, this is an unprecedented collaboration which will be live in 25 countries throughout Europe.

When Renault joins forces with "Solo: A Star Wars Story", it's natural to expect adventure. In the all-new movie featuring the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy, we'll find out how taking the alternative road led Han Solo to meet his mighty future co-pilot, Chewbacca. Now, thanks to the features of Renault KADJAR - 4x4 transmission, emergency breaking system and blind-spot alerts - Renault is offering its customers their chance to 'take an alternative road' too.

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Live out your "Solo: A Star Wars Story" dream with Renault 

From 9 April 2018, Renault is giving everyone the opportunity to be a part of Han and Lando's adventure in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in selected dealerships*: Visitors will be invited to watch an exclusive scene from the upcoming film, seven weeks before its release. To add even more excitement, the preview is brought to life through virtual reality (VR) technology.

*Available at dealerships in the following countries: UK; Ireland; Netherlands; Portugal; Switzerland; Austria; Poland; Czech Republic; Sweden; Denmark; Belgium

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

Are you ready to take the alternative road? 

Renault has also partnered with Shazam to provide those on their commute a chance to taste the Renault and "Solo: A Star Wars Story" experience - at their bus stop. Taking part is simple: participants just have to use their Shazam app to scan the Renault and "Solo: A Star Wars Story" out of home advertising - then the adventure begins.

This activation launches a video where the user can explore the Renault KADJAR, observing each aspect of the vehicle as if it was just in front of their eyes via augmented reality. Users then click through to learn more about the features of the vehicle.

The augmented reality experience is just one part of the fully integrated campaign, which also includes a TV spot that stars Chewbacca. Renault also worked with leading visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic, known for their work on the Star Wars films, to create the special effects in the TV spot.

In addition to the exclusive in-dealership and Shazam experiences, Renault is also running a national competition which will provide those who enter the chance to win a variety of goodies and "money can't buy" experiences. Consumers can enter the competition by visiting their nearest dealership.

Alongside the TV spot, press and out of home materials communicating to the general public, the majority of the assets developed will be published on digital platforms. The content has been developed with customer profiles at its heart, providing a tailored experience for each different audience.

Image from the Renault's "Star Wars" TV commercial [starring Chewbacca]

SOURCE:  Publicis Conseil and Renault

The Video:

The Economist: Autonomous Vehicles Will Change The World The Future Will Be About Selling Rides, Not Cars

AV success depends on whether policymakers can learn the lessons of the horseless carriage and apply them to the driverless car

Autonomous vehicles are expected to develop and spread quickly in the coming years. Some are already on the road. This report considers the implications of fully self-driving cars for personal mobility, car ownership and the future of transport, on the assumption that the remaining technological hurdles will be overcome. It also looks more broadly at the wider economic, social and cultural effects of AVs.

The author of "Reinventing wheels," a special report published in today's edition of The Economist, is Tom Standage, the newspaper's deputy editor and head of digital strategy. He notes that AVs are not yet ready to operate entirely without human supervision, but have made rapid progress in recent years. Tech giants (notably Google's sister company Waymo), startups, carmakers and academic researchers are all working on AVs or developing related technology, including laser scanning, computer vision and machine learning. Waymo expects to launch a driverless "robotaxi" service this year, serving a limited part of the city of Phoenix, Arizona; GM, America's biggest carmaker, hopes to follow suit next year.

Because AVs sit at the intersection of the technology and automotive industries, a furious battle is under way to dominate this emerging industry. The result has been a flurry of deals and alliances between carmakers, software and hardware companies and ride-hailing firms. The report predicts that at least initially, and possibly even in the long term, a large proportion of self-driving cars will be taxis of some sort. The future will be about selling rides, not cars.

"Reinventing wheels" examines four main themes:

• Technology: AV technology is making rapid progress but still needs further work for a wide rollout. A fully autonomous car needs to master three tasks: perceiving its environment, predicting the actions of those around it and responding accordingly. The first two of these tasks pose the greatest technical challenges.
• Impact on industry: carmakers, tech companies and ride-hailing firms are all competing and often co-operating in this new field. AVs could undermine the case for car ownership, but there is a big opportunity for carmakers to reinvent themselves as mobility providers, selling miles rather than metal boxes.
• Urban planning: AVs present an opportunity to rethink cities. They could reduce traffic and reduce transport costs. But whether they increase urban density or encourage sprawl will depend on planners' and policymakers' choices.
• Society: AVs could greatly reduce crashes, emissions and congestion, but could also have unintended consequences. By recording riders' every move, they raise privacy concerns. And uneven provision could cause new forms of segregation.

A century ago the advent of the car brought more personal autonomy, freedom of choice and mobility, but at the cost of pollution, congestion and road deaths. Autonomous vehicles will prove similarly revolutionary. AVs offer policymakers an extraordinarily flexible tool with which to shape urban and transport environments—but that also means that they offer authoritarian governments a powerful means of social control. Whether they are a success will depend on whether policymakers can learn the lessons of the horseless carriage and apply them to the driverless car.

⏩ To read the full report, please click here... 

SOURCE: The Economist

"Flying Pigs" Video Marks Arrival Of The All-New 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid [Video Included]

“Flying Pigs” video marks arrival of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler brand is celebrating the arrival of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid with a new 60-second video "Flying Pigs," which will begin running across digital media channels beginning Friday, April 28. "Flying Pigs" can be viewed on the Chrysler brand's official YouTube page, in addition to the brand's social channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is arriving in dealerships now. 

"If I had told you even two years ago that the Chrysler brand would transform the minivan segment with the industry's first hybrid minivan, and that it would achieve 84 MPGe, with class-leading features and innovations, including hybrid-exclusive technology features, including a smartphone app, deliver relevant vehicle information, such as charge status and scheduling, charging station locations and an 'efficiency coach' for more efficient driving, many consumers would have said they'll believe it 'when pigs fly'," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. "With the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid arriving into dealerships, consumers will no longer have to say they'll believe it when they see it, and can now experience it firsthand for themselves."

"To celebrate this next critical chapter in our Minivan Firsts – our story requires a very specific message – one that speaks to two very distinct audiences (parents and children)," said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer – FCA Global. "Through the spot's unique story-telling device, flying pigs and blue moons are seen as the device to highlight segment-first features that are almost unbelievable and will appeal to adults and kids alike."

The 60-second "Flying Pigs" video opens in an animated picture-book view, from the perspective of a young boy and his sister sitting in the passenger seats of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as their parents take the minivan for a test drive. As mom and dad learn about the class-leading safety and technology features, the children see the unexpected as they gaze into the sky through the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's tri-pane panoramic sunroof. With sweeping CGI aerial shots that include flying pigs, "down under" freezing over and a blue moon, the moral of the story is that the all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid defies all conventional thinking.

As the original creator of the minivan more than 30 years ago, FCA US LLC has transformed the segment with firsts, notching 78 innovations through the first five minivan generations.

"Flying Pigs" was created in partnership with Goodby Silverstein & Partners.

The Video:  
SOURCE: FCA US LLC