Gauthier to receive award for CNIB philanthropy

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This article was published 01/11/2019 (2135 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals has recognized Jim Gauthier as its outstanding philanthropist for 2019.

“It is a great honour to be recognized by the association,” Gauthier says. “There are a lot of people who give back to the community and are equally deserving.”

In receiving the award, Gauthier, who is the founder and president of Gauthier Auto Group, joins previous recipients Tannis Richardson, Gail Asper, the Mauro family and Doug Harvey.

Gauthier is the first auto dealer to receive the award, which will be presented Nov. 15 at the RBC Convention Centre.

Gauthier was nominated by the CNIB for his participation in the organization’s first national guide dog program, which was launched in Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax in 2017.

Previously, all guide dogs for the visually impaired in Canada had to be purchased in the United States or from private kennels — with long waiting lists and steep costs.

Gauthier and his late wife, Joyce (who died six years ago), always loved dogs. The philanthropist footed the $50,000 bill for the training and care of the CNIB’s first guide dog (named Joycie, in memory of Joyce Gauthier) for Manitoba.

Gauthier also received letters of support from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Seven Oaks Hospital, the Dream Factory, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Asper Foundation and the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Gauthier Auto Group stores include Jim Gauthier Chevrolet Ltd., Gauthier Cadillac Buick GMC, Gauthier Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, Jim Gauthier’s Waverley Chrysler Dodge Jeep and the Jim Gauthier Autoplex Collision Centre, Manitoba’s largest collision centre, which opened earlier this year.

 

New Lincoln, Cadillac models for ’20

Ford’s Lincoln and GM’s Cadillac, once the kings among luxury vehicles, may have been outpaced in recent years by import automakers, but a new generation of models from Lincoln and Cadillac promise to elevate the venerable brands to their former heights.

According to Jeremy Pinx, a sales consultant with McNaught Cadillac Buick GMC and a 19-year auto industry veteran, the Cadillac lineup is currently undergoing a thorough transformation.

The first of the new models to be introduced were the Cadillac CT6 and XT5, which made their debut in 2017. These models were the first new Cadillacs to adopt the brand’s revised naming strategy and Cadillac’s exclusive all-wheel-drive system.

Pinx says two other new models have recently arrived at the dealership. The 2020 XT6 is the largest crossover SUV in the XT series and is second in size only to Cadillac’s full-size Escalade among the luxury brand’s SUVs. The all-new 2019 XT4 is a smaller crossover SUV with available luxuries such as heated, cooled and massaging front seats.

The vehicles have a distinct appeal and will surely attract a lot of attention.

“You can tell these models are Cadillacs, just from the exterior, without having to look at the badging,” Pinx says.

Still to come are two more new models: the CT5, which replaces the CTS, and the entry-level CT4 sedan, which is replacing the ATS.

Lincoln poised to shine

Capital Ford Lincoln sales representative Murray Elke reprts the new Lincoln Aviator and Corsair are exciting and luxurious new models. The new-for-2020 Corsair replaces the Lincoln MKC.

“The Corsair has a different style from the MKC, new interior and upgraded infotainment system,” says Elke, who adds it is longer and wider than its predecessor.

The all-new Aviator mid-size SUV has a very wide front end and seats up to seven.

The model offers an available camera, which can detect potholes in the road as far as 15 metres away and make the necessary suspension adjustments.

A limited-edition Aviator hybrid model will be out in the new year.

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