Steve Mertl Vancouver Correspondent for Automotive News Canada [email protected] (604) 551-8653 Vancouver Correspondent See All Staff Page Recent Stories Why EVs cost more than ICE vehicles to repair and insure EVs cost 20 per cent to 22 per cent more to fix than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, according to one study. Canadian automotive R&D needs government funding, or it risks falling behind As the industry transitions to electric vehicles, industry insiders and observers say government aid is seen as essential. Rivian commits to more in-person customer contact in Canada Rivian, which makes high-end electric SUVs and pickups, is opening its first Canadian showroom in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby. End of the ICE age isn't here, yet Automakers are straddling a line, forced to invest heavily in electric-vehicle technology and just enough in the internal-combustion engine. What's next for ElectraMeccanica: ATV, eBike assembly in Arizona, and 4-wheeled EVs GLV will help ElectraMeccanica develop the E4. And, to keep the Mesa plant operating, ElectraMeccanica has contracted with Volcon Inc., which markets off-road recreational e-motorbikes and ATVs, and its manufacturing partner GLV to assemble their products starting in late May. ElectraMeccanica axes 3-wheeled Solo EV to focus on 4-wheel model ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp., is giving up on its troubled Solo three-wheel, single-seat electric vehicle and instead plans to develop a four-wheel EV, as it also further shrinks its Canadian footprint. Luxury tax is an administrative headache, dealers say It’s too early to assess the financial impact of the new federal luxury tax launched Sept. 1 on the auto retail sector but after two quarters living with it, the association representing Canada’s franchised dealers says it’s become an administrative headache. To stay in the city, dealership thinks smaller and taller As urban stores vanish, one in downtown Vancouver uses a tight footprint to maintain a toehold. Parkland to double size of announced EV charging network in western Canada Parkland Corp. of Calgary says it’s received financial support from the federal and B.C. governments to build a network of electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations. Rivian makes 1st Canadian deliveries An R1T pickup and R1S sport utility vehicle were handed over to two of Rivian’s Vancouver staff. Industry wants a course correction in Canadian post-secondary curriculum Automotive executives say postsecondary institutions are falling short when it comes to producing enough candidates to address the skilled-labour shortage plaguing the sector. Meanwhile, schools are up against rapidly changing technology and difficulty finding trade students with the required academic chops. Industry scours the globe for skilled labour The labour shortage only worsened during the pandemic, forcing companies to look outside Canada to fill vital roles. Why fixed ops appear to be at odds with EVs Repair needs will shrink, so dealerships need to stress customer loyalty to retain their business over the long haul. Canadians not ready for autonomous vehicles, study finds Canadians appear unready for the arrival of full-automated self-driving vehicles (AVs) and have a poor understanding of the technology, the J.D. Power 2022 Canada Mobility Index Study concludes. High gas prices aren't influencing car-buying habits, yet High fuel costs have yet to influence car-buying behaviour, but that could change if prices remain above $2/litre beyond the summer-vacation driving season. Load More
Steve Mertl Vancouver Correspondent for Automotive News Canada [email protected] (604) 551-8653 Vancouver Correspondent See All Staff Page