Car FYI

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada Theme of the Show: Beyond Expectations For an event that featured the Canadian debut and/or exhibition of several high-performance vehicles, the opening ceremonies were a particularly high-octane affair. The late Sergio Marchionne, than-CEO of Fiat Group and later Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), took to the stage for the company’s press conference followed by a Q&A in an act that could be viewed as brave or foolish. Just ahead of the auto show, his automaker had been reportedly asking for $700 million in government assistance to upgrade their Canadian manufacturing short of five years after the company accepted nearly $3 billion in loans from the Ontario provincial and Canadian federal governments in order to restructure Chrysler Group. Despite the allegations there was some serious hardball being played by the auto company, Marchionne’s speech and tone attempted to divert any hostilities drawing heavily on his personal Canadian conne...

Photo Credit: Car FYI Canada/Chris Nagy Theme of the Show: 40th Anniversary- The Legacy The Canadian automotive landscape had certainly changed over a 40-year time span (at least that would be my impression despite the fact I wasn’t alive in 1974). The brands, the technology and the diversity in vehicle types present two different worlds of motoring.  The 2013 Canadian International AutoShow marked four decades of collecting the latest vehicles under a roof during the middle of winter. Humbly started as an exhibition in the International Centre near Pearson International Airport by a local Toronto dealership organization, the modern incarnation of the car show consumed the floor of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre by the time the 40th edition of the show was held.  As one final note worth mentioning about the 40th edition of the Canadian International AutoShow, Media day occurred on Valentine’s Day so it was an occasion where I spent time with a love in my life. ...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Canada is a great land with great people. As a Canadian, I am happy each and every year on July 1st to celebrate a collective greatness with my countrymates. Barbeques, fireworks and the proud displays of the Maple Leaf flag is some of the ways Canada Day is remembered each year. During my Canada Day, I spent time reviewing photos I have taken over the years of race cars. While it took me some time to prepare my presentation, I proudly display for you a sampling of Canadian motorsport history. 1986: Paul Tracy's Kroll Racing Frissbee-Chevrolet Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Auto racing enthusiasts of the 1960s and 1970s would fondly celebrate the Can-Am Series. Auto racing greats such as Penske Racing's first superstar Mark Donohue, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Formula 1 race team founder Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme are just a few big names that wheeled some of the most exotic sports cars on the planet during the e...

As Canada resides in the middle of winter, time has a tendency of slowing to the point that the snow and cold weather seems to take an eternity to pass. Thankfully, there are moments of the frigid winter months for which many of us wait to transpire. Providing some acceleration to time in the city of Toronto, an assortment of indoor events entertains and intrigues. The International Boat Show, Sportsman Show as well as sporting events has kept the largest city in Canada amused. Even with the recent struggles for the Toronto Maple Leafs proving less than entertainment, you can safely say their story has been one of intrigue. Later this week, the doors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will open for another annual pleasure, the 2015 Canadian International AutoShow. The 42nd annual edition of the Canadian International AutoShow takes place at a time the automobile is undergoing quite a metamorphosis with advancements coming in powertrains and dr...