Car FYI

Photo Credit: Bavi Bas/ GM Canada In an event taking place ahead of Christmas, General Motors of Canada contributed two fast vehicles for Durham Children’s Aid Foundation supporting Sharon's Kids. Occurring back in October, I would like to call attention to this event as a constant reminder of how, even despite the difficulties and challenges almost everyone has endured in some form or another in 2020, there remained the capacity to recognize a good charitable cause.  Part of an online auction that was held between October 21st and October 28th, a pair of special Chevrolet Corvettes represented a classic end as well as a new beginning for the long-running sports car in Canada. The first vehicle of note is the final seventh generation Corvette assembled for the Canadian market, a 2019 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe featured a 460-horsepower V-8 engine and a Torch Red colour scheme. The second car positioned in the charity auction was the first of the radical eighth generation model . ...

Photo Credit: CNW Group/Toyota Canada Inc. Among the greatest secrets in this world surrounds the operations of one of the most benevolent beings on this planet. Although we can recognize his capacity for kindness, generosity and remarkable abilities to find the good in the world, a lot of aspects about Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas) are shrouded in secrecy. That being said, we have been able to create some elaborate visions surrounding the jolly man. Santa Claus’ appearance, North Pole headquarters and even his favourite foods have been constructed through a wide consensus. We have also predicted the image of the vehicle used by the man in the red suit as a rustic, 19th century-style sleigh being pulled by a group of magical reindeer. However, with this being the 21st century, is it possible that Santa is making deliveries in something more modern? For the 2020 Christmas Eve journey, Lexus has offered Santa Claus an ultra-sophisticated sl...

Photo Credit: General Motors of Canada While General Motors is recognized as a company rooted with the United States, the automaker has a strong connection to Canada. Initially entering into a deal to purchase Buick engines for vehicles sold by McLaughlin Motor Car Company in 1907, Canadian businessman R.S. McLaughlin gained a strong working relationship with General Motors’ architect William Durant. After the mutually beneficial Buick agreement, McLaughlin aided Durant in foundation of a new auto brand with Swiss race car driver Louis Chevrolet. The Canadian automotive magnate would not only be instrumental in establishing General Motors of Canada Limited serving as a chairman but was also an executive with the main company headquartered in Detroit. More recently, General Motors’ recovery from its 2009 bankruptcy included between 9 and 11 billion dollars in federal and government of Ontario funds.   After a long intertwined history with Canada, General Motors had made many di...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada More than ever, we’re aware that the world we know is subject to change. Adaptation during these changing periods is essential for individuals or groups to prosper for the future. Consensus and understanding are necessary to make the first steps along a better path that will ideally benefit everyone. With the automobile being an evolving machine that requires the successful interaction of many parts, the industry behind the construction of high quality vehicles must operate in the collective best interests for the present and the future.  Since 1925, the company now known as Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) and Canadian auto workers have assembled a fleet of great products. The Windsor Assembly Plant has served as the depended upon location for the automaker’s minivan since its inception while the Brampton Assembly Plant (acquired in 1986 after Chrysler Corporation purchased the American Motor Corporation) is currently the home for the Chrysler...

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company Since Ford’s presence in Canada starting in 1904, vehicles with internal combustion engines have been prominently sold and reliably produced in the country. Since 1953, Ford of Canada’s dominating production hub has been based in Oakville, Ontario. Over the course of decades, products turned out by the Oakville Assembly plant included vehicles from Ford Motor Company’s short-lived Edsel brand, the F-Series pickup truck, the compact Escort as well as the Windstar/Freestar minivan. At the start of 2020, Ford’s Oakville Assembly plant and its workforce of roughly 3,600 members has been producing the Edge mid-sized crossover vehicle as well as the Lincoln Nautilus premium crossover. With a reputation for building dependable, sought-after automobiles, a flourishing future of Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex is secured by plans to convert vehicle output to battery electric vehicles. Following a successful negotiation with the union representing 5,400 emplo...

Photo Credit: Joe Skibinski   The Indianapolis 500 ran for its 104th time in history under less than traditional circumstances for 2020. Held on a date in late August without any fans in the stands, the open wheel race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval operated in a less than traditional way. However, the combination of the national anthem and “Back Home Again in Indiana” being sung, track owner Roger Penske gave the command to start engines and the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Pace Car took a 33-car field off pit lane towards the green flag provided an illusion close to the typical Memorial weekend 200-lap contest. Becoming the first Japanese driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, Takuma Sato is now in the illustrious company of multiple winners of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. Taking the lead of the 500-mile race on lap 185, Sato fended off charges from New Zealand native Scott Dixon through the late laps until a caution on lap 196 solidified his pl...