Car FYI

Equipped with four-wheel drive system incorporating a Rock-Trac part-time transfer case and 33-inch all-terrain tires, the Rubicon trim version of the Jeep Gladiator will be available to Canadian customers for a considerable lower price for the 2026 model year.  Roughly a decade ago, the Jeep brand had been promoted as the backbone to its parent auto group Stallantis (Known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles prior to 2021). Featuring a rich history that has made their vehicles attracting a broad base from serious off-roaders to luxury-minded city drivers, Jeep was also advantaged with a growing consumer trend favouring crossover utility vehicles. An expanded range of products in recent years included the flagship Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer  as well as a pickup truck version of the company’s famous Wrangler called the Gladiator. While Jeep has been recognized as a steady profit centre for Stallantis in North America, the brand has also underwent growing criticism from loyal customers a...

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: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles A highly dense element known for its high-melting, the precious metal known as tungsten probably does not receive the same attention for exoticness as gold or platinum. Tungsten has found its way into way applications in recent years including jewelry, electronics, high performance fields like auto racing and aerospace. For the 2018 Ram full-sized truck line, tungsten is set to join elite metal range with luxury vehicle status. The 2018 model year Ram Limited Tungsten Edition will represent the latest among the truck line’s growing premium trim options. The Tungsten Edition is an upgrade over the Limited level for the Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 featuring some of the most opulent touches incorporated in a pickup truck. Employing an ample amount of Tungsten Chrome details for the grille and accents, the unique shine of the Ram Limited Tungsten Edition is accompanied by body-colour matching components. Tailgate lettering of the Limited Tungsten...

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company A segment appearing on the surface to be working contrary to the modern automobile segment, the extended-duty three-quarter and one-ton pickup truck market has been facing the same type of scrutiny as passenger vehicles. Greater efficiency and improved technologies are almost universal traits sought from the latest vehicles. While passenger cars and crossovers are intent to promote better fuel economy as well as a more enriching commuting experience with infotainment systems, pickup trucks are expected to make the most from a powerful engine for greater towing and hauling strength. Ford Motor Company’s critically-acclaimed rethinking of their highly-popular, half-ton F-150 pickup truck showed a bold departure from the traditions of the work vehicle segment. Creating lighter weight, intelligently-equipped vehicles with the F-150, the 2017 Super Duty is the next chapter in Ford trucks’ new book on building a trusted hauler for the 21st century. ...

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company In the United States, there is two major bodies that evaluate the crashworthiness of vehicles; the government-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS was assembled by insurance companies to assess the potential cost of vehicle damage and personal injury that could be suffered in a particular vehicle. IIHS tests are traditionally more rigorous than the NHTSA tests. For Canadians who buy almost identical vehicles to the ones of our American neighbours, the results of crash tests is regarded as reputably as it is stateside. When the IIHS published recent crash test results released for the revolutionary new 2015 Ford F-150, truck buyers in Canada would be most intrigued to know how one of the country's most popular-selling vehicles performed. Testing of the 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab and SuperC...

    How many off-road adventurers have been waiting for the 2017 model year vehicles to roll onto dealership lots? The impending arrival the EcoBoost powered next-generation version of the F-150 based Ford Raptor the probably fueled the dreams of many who are attracted to the roads less traveled (or do not exist at all). The 2017 Raptor will be Ford's attempt to better its 411-horsepower off-roading pickup truck. Though Ford decided to create an all-new vehicle, Shelby American's Baja 700 conversion awakens the 2011 to 2014 model year 6.2-liter V-8 engined vehicle. In addition to the purchase of a 2011 to 2014 model year Ford SVT Raptor, Shelby's Baja 700 equipment package equates to a $45,000 investment. Not the first Ford SVT Raptor given the Shelby treatment, the respected Las Vegas based company enters a bold new performance realm. Exhibiting the same tenacious quest sports car excellence as the AC Cobra and GT350 version of the Ford Mustang, the limited edition...

As a member of the automotive press, February 12th was show time for Toronto's largest display of new automotive trends and technology . The 2015 Canadian International AutoShow was opened with some indications for the cast of some amazing, new players in the new vehicle sector this year. For 2015, there were some spectacular premieres being captured by cameras and being adored by the attendees. The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, Range Rover Diesel, Audi TTS and the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor  were all part of the exhibition inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. However, I must admit that this year presented a few more surprises than usual owed largely to some simultaneous vehicle unveilings. In the past, the scheduling of the Canadian International AutoShow at the same time as the Chicago Auto Show had led to a case of "either or" in automotive premieres. Influence of the Chicago show often resulted in first-...

Despite the changing automotive climate where electrified powertrains and crossover vehicles is part of a new 21 st century normal, the traditional products remains the main driving force for North America. A vehicle type renowned for toughness and versatility for serving a wide industry, pickup trucks exist as the bread and butter of major automakers. When it was time for Ford to reengineer their market-topping F-150 truck for the 2015 model year, it was accepted as the blue oval’s most important unveiling. Accounting for more than 30 percent of the Ford Motor Company’s total vehicle sales in the United States, the F-Series line-up, that includes the general duty F-150 half-ton, plays a pivotal part in the business’ financial health. On Tuesday, the first 2015 F-150 pickup truck rolled off the assembly line at the Ford Rouge Center. As the first 2015 Ford F-150 coasted along the production floor, the most radical redesign of the popular pickup truck transitioned from the show...