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ABOVE Acura West general manager Paul Jennery shows off the company’s RDX Platinum Elite model. INSET The dealership showcases a variety of upscale vehicles like these TLX luxury sport sedans.
Plugging into the future ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE HORIZON By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
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he automotive industry is undergoing a paradigm shift as electric vehicles begin to move into the mainstream marketplace. “It’s been something people have talked about but hadn’t really considered, but now it’s hit the mainstream and you have the populace talking about it on a regular basis,” says Paul Jennery, general manager at London’s Acura West dealership. Staff members are dealing with customer queries about EVs daily. Jennery and his team are excited to participate with Acura in this transition to an electrified future, with the general consensus that the next decade will bring a full complement of EVs to the marketplace. That is not as distant as it may sound, Jennery says. “It’s a huge tran-
sition and not just the electric vehicles themselves but the infrastructure that goes along with them.” It will include adequate recharging sites, which Jennery predicts could take a few years to get in place. Other issues that must be considered include range and Canadian winters, when batteries drain more quickly. But the transition is definitely on the horizon. “It is the way of the future,” Jennery says. “I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t understand the implications of climate change and what it portends for our children and for the environment.” In the meantime, there is no shortage of exciting happenings at the dealership. Resurrecting the name of one of Acura’s earliest models, the Integra – a five-door
hatchback with a manual transmission option – will come out this spring. The original was offered as a coupe or sedan style and was extremely popular, helping Acura break into the automotive industry. There is also eager anticipation about the release of the latest Type S – or high performance – versions of the TLX and MDX models. The all-new TLX, introduced in 2021, has been well received. Its aggressive yet sophisticated new body styling appeals to many. And, the RDX, a best-selling mid-size luxury SUV, will be getting a mid-cycle refresh. “So, there are a lot of great things happening here against the backdrop of the coming EV launch,” Jennery says. It’s an exciting time for the automotive industry.
FOR MORE INFORMATION • ACURA WEST • 759 Wonderland Road North • 519-657-1557 • www.acurawest.ca 62 Lifestyle January/February 2022
