Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Things that never were nor ever should be, Part II: the Dodge Caravan "CarCamel"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/25/things-that-never-were-nor-ever-should-be-part-ii-the-dodge-ca/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for gallery of the Car Camel

You need something to carry a car, but you don't want just any old pickup truck or SUV because anybody could do that. And since you do have that vintage Dodge Caravan lying around... why not grab the chainsaw and make something really special?

Allow us to officially introduce the Car Camel. Apparently plying the highways of Ontario, Canada, it's a shortened minivan with a car hauler stuck to its backside. It ain't pretty, and it probably ain't too fast, but we have to admit that it is pretty neat... if you're into that kind of thing. Have a look at the gallery of images below, but if any of you get the idea to make a Car Koala... please, don't. Thanks for the tip, Zak!

UPDATE: Jackpot! Autoblog reader Paul H found the owner's personal blog on which he explains how, and more importantly why, he built the Car Camel. Also check out more pics of the Car Camel, including it actually carrying a car, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Car Camel


[Source: Photobucket]

 

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]]>canadacar camelCarCamelconversiondodge caravanDodgeCaravanminivan2008-08-25T12:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Another CEO leaves Ford: Top Canadian exec quits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/23/another-ceo-leaves-ford-top-canadian-exec-quits/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/23/another-ceo-leaves-ford-top-canadian-exec-quits/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/23/another-ceo-leaves-ford-top-canadian-exec-quits/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Bill Osborne, up until yesterday the President of Ford Australia, is not the only non-U.S. Ford exec taking a walk from his responsibilities at the Blue Oval. Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd head-honcho Barry Engle (above) has also chosen to leave the company on the exact same day. The coincidences don't end there, as both men took their respective positions just six months ago in February of this year. While we're not yet sure what role Osborne will be stepping into, his counterpart from Canada is headed to Pennsylvania, his home state, to join New Holland Agricultural Equipment SpA as president and CEO. New Holland is a unit of CNH Global NV -- itself controlled by Italian automaker Fiat.

As we said regarding the open position in Australia: "Ford has not announced a replacement, but the new boss will have his or her work cut out as the Australian market adjusts from its high-horsepower diet to more fuel efficient vehicles." Yeah... that's been going around.

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

 

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]]>barry englebarry engle fordBarryEngleBarryEngleFordford2008-08-23T10:45:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM Canada gone from leasing business]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/gm-canada-gone-from-leasing-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/gm-canada-gone-from-leasing-business/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/gm-canada-gone-from-leasing-business/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Following the lead set by Chrysler Financial in the United States, GM Canada has announced that it will no longer offer leases through its GMAC Financial arm. While Chrysler LLC has not officially cut out lease deals in Canada, dealers up north report that the rates being offered to them are far too high to be feasible. GMAC spokeswoman Gina Proia told Bloomberg, "There's just a lack of funding in that country for lease assets." Both Chrysler LLC and GMAC are owned in part by Cerberus Capital Management LP.

This leasing downturn is expected to hit hard in Canada, where leases make up a larger percentage of new car sales than in the States. To counter the issue, long-term financing deals with zero-percent interest are being established both by the automakers and by certain third-party lending institutions in an effort to continue offering the low payment solutions that the buying public has grown accustomed to. Thanks for the tip, Lance!

[Sources: Report on Business, Bloomberg]

 

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]]>canadacanadian leasecanadian leasesCanadianLeaseCanadianLeasesgm leasegm leasesgmacgmac financialGmacFinancialGmLeaseGmLeases2008-07-29T19:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM and CAW reach deal over truck plant closure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-and-caw-reach-deal-over-truck-plant-closure/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-and-caw-reach-deal-over-truck-plant-closure/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/gm-and-caw-reach-deal-over-truck-plant-closure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In a deal designed to assuage the tensions between General Motors and the Canadian Auto Workers union, GM's new car plant in Oshawa, Ontario will gain two additional models to build. The old truck plant in the same city, though, will still close sometime in 2009. Until then, the truck plant will continue to assemble hybrid versions of GM's full-size pickup trucks. The new Oshawa plant will begin building GM's long-anticipated Camaro revival and will also get some Chevrolet Impala production and an unnamed Buick model at some point in the future.

In addition to the extra work at the brand new Oshawa plant, displaced workers with at least 26 years of GM employment will get a percentage of their yearly salary, even after the plant has closed, until they have reached the necessary 30-year mark for retirement. Other qualifying ex-employees will get buyout packages of some sort. Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: CBC News]

 

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]]>camarocanadian auto workersCanadianAutoWorkerscawimpalaontariooshawaoshawa ontariooshawa plantOshawaOntarioOshawaPlant2008-07-28T16:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ford cancels planned third shift for crossovers at Oakville plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/ford-cancels-planned-third-shift-for-crossovers-at-oakville-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/ford-cancels-planned-third-shift-for-crossovers-at-oakville-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/ford-cancels-planned-third-shift-for-crossovers-at-oakville-plan/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Flex

Ford has been banking on strong sales of its crossover vehicles to help counter the sinking ship that is its line of SUVs. While the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, along with the brand new Ford Flex and revised Escape, have sold well enough to post a meager 2.8-percent gain in overall sales so far this year, that number apparently isn't high enough to warrant a third shift at Ford's Oakville, Ontario plant that the automaker was hoping would be necessary. Unfortunately, this shift cancelation means that 350 workers who had planned on showing up for their first day next Monday are now left jobless.

While there are certainly buyers out there who require the capability to haul around their entire families and their associated gear, all large passenger vehicles -- crossovers like the new Flex included -- face an uphill battle now to overcome current market conditions, as this latest announcement once again proves.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Ford Flex


[Source: Courier-Journal]

 

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]]>crossover salesCrossoverSalescuv salesCuvSalesford crossover salesford cuv salesford edgeford edge salesford flexford flex salesFordCrossoverSalesFordCuvSalesFordEdgeFordEdgeSalesFordFlexFordFlexSaleslincoln mkxlincoln mkx salesLincolnMkxLincolnMkxSalesoakvilleoakville assemblyoakville plantOakvilleAssemblyOakvillePlant2008-07-23T09:21:00+00:00<![CDATA[Honda cuts Odyssey and Pilot production; makes room for more Civics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/honda-cuts-odyssey-and-pilot-production-makes-room-for-more-civ/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/honda-cuts-odyssey-and-pilot-production-makes-room-for-more-civ/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/honda-cuts-odyssey-and-pilot-production-makes-room-for-more-civ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot

Honda has got to be happy that it has a hot selling compact car to take some of the pain out of the slowing minivan and SUV markets. Hurt by the sky-high price of gasoline, both the Odyssey and Pilot, both recently redesigned, are sitting on dealers lots longer than Honda would like. In order to match production with consumer demand, Honda will close its plant in Lincoln, Alabama for two days next month and cut second shift production at the plant every Friday in August through October. Displaced workers can choose to take either unpaid time off or use paid vacation leave. Some of that unused capacity will be taken up by the Ridgeline, which will now be assembled at the Lincoln plant instead of in Ontario where it is currently being built.

The Civic, on the other hand, will see its production boosted at the East Liberty, Ohio plant and in Alliston, Ontario, where capacity will be available due to the Ridgeline's departure. Score another point for Honda's modular manufacturing techniques.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>alliston ontarioAllistonOntariohonda odysseyhonda pilothonda productionhonda ridgelineHondaOdysseyHondaPilotHondaProductionHondaRidgelinelincoln alabamaLincolnAlabama2008-07-21T18:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Buzz Hargrove will step down early]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/buzz-hargrove-will-step-down-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/buzz-hargrove-will-step-down-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/buzz-hargrove-will-step-down-early/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers, Canada's largest in the private sector, will step down earlier than anticipated. Hargrove wasn't expected to retire until he reached the CAW's mandatory age of 65 next year. It's tough to resist the allure of cuddling with Yorkies, Bingo every Monday night, and shuffleboard to fill in those long, wistful hours recalling the glory days of torquing valve covers in Windsor, so Hargrove has accelerated his departure to mid-September. No replacement candidate has been named yet, though an endorsee will be announced later today. Come this fall, keep an eye out on the golf courses of Florida for a relaxed looking guy drinking a Molson, eh?

[Source: Automotive News - Sub Req, Photo: media.canada.com]

 

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]]>buzz hargrovebuzz hargrove cawbuzz hargrove retirementbuzz hargrove unionBuzzHargroveBuzzHargroveCawBuzzHargroveRetirementBuzzHargroveUnioncanadian auto workersCanadianAutoWorkerscawhargrove retirementHargroveRetirement2008-07-08T16:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[States start paying people to buy new, cleaner cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/states-start-paying-people-to-buy-new-cleaner-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/states-start-paying-people-to-buy-new-cleaner-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/states-start-paying-people-to-buy-new-cleaner-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

All of the clean new vehicles in the world won't amount to much if they don't replace the older, dirtier fleet of cars currently on the roads. For this reason, some U.S. states are beginning to offer programs which pay drivers to turn in their old clunkers for new, cleaner cars and trucks. In Texas, for instance, up to $3,500 is available to qualifying families which earn less than $63,000 per year in combined income and own a vehicle which fails current emissions testing. Texas was able to retire 11,000 vehicles last year alone by using this cash-based incentive. California too has begun offering a similar program, and though its $1,500 offer is a bit less generous, that state has no income restrictions.

Even our neighbors up north have plans to reduce their older vehicle fleet by one-percent starting January 1st of next year. Canada's plan would offer drivers either $300 towards a new vehicle, a discount bicycle or a bus pass, which seems a bit suck-tastic next to the program in Texas.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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]]>dirty cardirty carsDirtyCarDirtyCarsemissionsemissions testingEmissionsTestingold carold carsOldCarOldCars2008-07-01T08:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Watch out, Canada alters bumper standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/watch-out-canada-alters-bumper-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/watch-out-canada-alters-bumper-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/watch-out-canada-alters-bumper-standards/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Come September 1, 2009, Canadian bumper standards will finally adhere to those in Europe and the United States, despite IIHS disagreeing on the matter. Canada's current standards have very strict low speed impact requirements. These damage protection standards often lead manufacturers to tack ugly padding on their bumpers. The unique standards can also be used as an excuse to keep many vehicles out of the Canadian market altogether. The costs necessary for manufacturers to meet and verify these tough regulations only up the price for the maple leaf market over the rest of North America. The adoption of a consistent standard should diminish the confusion felt by automotive consumers and allow them access to the cars they desire. It might also add more cushion for careless pedestrians who manage to get tagged by slow moving vehicles. Thanks for the tips everyone.

[Source: Canada Gazette]

 

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]]>bumper standardsBumperStandardsCanadaCanadian safety standardsCanadianSafetyStandardsSafety StandardsSafetyStandards2008-06-27T11:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM may add car line to closing Canadian truck plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-may-add-car-line-to-closing-canadian-truck-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-may-add-car-line-to-closing-canadian-truck-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-may-add-car-line-to-closing-canadian-truck-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Despite rising tensions (and a lawsuit) between General Motors and the Canadian Auto Workers union, the automaker may be interested in adding a new car line at its soon-to-closed truck plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Though that plant was originally scheduled to stay open a few more years, slumping sales of full-size trucks built there have forced GM to announce its early closure along with three other pickup and SUV plants. Since that announcement, union workers have barricaded GM Canada's headquarters for the last eight days in protest, which we'd imagine might make it difficult for GM management to negotiate with union officials... but what do we know?

According to The Detroit News, however, GM has been talking with Ontario's Economic Development and Trade Minister, Sandra Pupatello, who says that the government is very interested in securing the new vehicle line as quickly as possible. Even if a decision is made in short order, it is likely the plant's 2,600 workers would be out of work for up to two years after the closes and before its ready again with new tooling for a passenger car line.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

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]]>canadacanadian auto workerscanadian unionCanadianAutoWorkersCanadianUnioncawgmontariooshawaoshawa ontariooshawa plantOshawaOntarioOshawaPlantunion2008-06-11T18:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM Canada suing CAW for C$1.5 million]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-canada-suing-caw-for-c-1-5-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-canada-suing-caw-for-c-1-5-million/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/gm-canada-suing-caw-for-c-1-5-million/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hold on to your britches folks. General Motors dealings with the Canadian Auto Workers union just took another turn for the worse. GM, like every other full-line automaker selling vehicles in the United States, has been unable to move as many pickup trucks as it had hoped since the price of gas has spiked. In response to the shifting tide of vehicle sales and to slow the huge financial hemorrhaging, GM announced about eight days ago that it would be closing four plants that build trucks and SUVs, including one in Oshawa, Ontario. Unfortunately, the General had recently promised to keep that particular plant open for a few more years, so the announcement more than irked the Union officials from up north.

Here's where things get real ugly. In retaliation, the CAW has blockaded the entrance to the GM headquarters in Canada for the last eight days. As you might imagine, GM has a slight problem with this and has taken the matter to court, where documents reveal that the automaker wants C$250,000 from the local union and five of its members for a total of $1.5 million in damages. We're not sure if this impending lawsuit will impact the Union's plans for a rally this Thursday in the parking lot of the Oshawa headquarters, but it's probably safe to say that this situation won't have a happy ending.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>blockadecanadacanadian auto workersCanadianAutoWorkerscawgmontariooshawaoshawa ontariooshawa plantOshawaOntarioOshawaPlantunion2008-06-11T17:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[The world doesn't need a tire-smoking, burnout machine, but it's got one]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/the-world-doesnt-need-a-tire-smoking-burnout-machine-but-its/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/the-world-doesnt-need-a-tire-smoking-burnout-machine-but-its/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/the-world-doesnt-need-a-tire-smoking-burnout-machine-but-its/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Sometimes you have reasons to explain things, sometimes you have excuses. And sometimes you simply have the word: "art." Why did Canadian Steven Laurie create the posi-track burnout machine? Because it's art. Somehow. What is it? It's a contraption with a small engine atop an axle, all of which is restrained by a "driver." The engine revs and the wheels spin, but with the driver holding things back, they don't go far and they leave long trails of rubber.

But this isn't dragstrip heaven. As you might imagine, with human power in charge of the proceedings, this isn't a 400-hp affair -- it goes pretty slowly, in other words. The track you see in the picture above took a few minutes to make. Nevertheless, it is something. If slow motion burnouts aren't your thing, you can check out his donut machine, boom tube, or his chainsaw with a tailpipe. Oh, Canada, indeed. Follow the jump to check out the video. Thanks for the tip, Eliot!

[Source: Hack A Day]

Continue reading The world doesn't need a tire-smoking, burnout machine, but it's got one

 

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]]>artboom tubeBoomTubeburnout machineBurnoutMachinecanadasteven laurieStevenLaurie2008-06-11T09:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ford begins production of the Flex]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/ford-begins-production-of-the-flex/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/ford-begins-production-of-the-flex/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/ford-begins-production-of-the-flex/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



On one end, General Motors is announcing its intention to wind down SUV and truck production, while at the other, Ford is just gearing up production of a vehicle that's plenty large in its own right. Ford Flexes are now beginning to roll off the line in Oakville, Ontario, and the plant even has plans to bring on new hires in order to meet production demands. Considering the current rise of gas prices, one might think Ford's boxy people carrier will quickly meet its demise. However, despite its full size stature, room for seven humans and a few cold drinks, the Flex doesn't attack your gas budget like Cookie Monster on a binge. Its 3.5L V6 engine gets a respectable 24 mph on the highway, assisted by a high-tech six-speed automatic transmission. Down the road, when the Flex is available with a turbocharged direct injection Ecoboost option, its fuel economy should raise a bit more.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Flex


[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>2009 ford flex2009FordFlexflexford flexford suvFordFlexFordSuvsuv2008-06-05T08:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Sigh. Pontiac G3 may be headed for U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/sigh-pontiac-g3-may-be-headed-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/sigh-pontiac-g3-may-be-headed-for-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/sigh-pontiac-g3-may-be-headed-for-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Looks like badge engineering is alive and well at General Motors. After decades of the practice damaging its brands, GM may sell the Pontiac G3 in the U.S. The G3 is nothing more than a rebadged version of what we know as the Chevy Aveo that's sold in Canada as the Wave. It's rebadged and sold elsewhere in the world under various brands, but we don't see those here in the U.S. The new subcompact would supposedly bolster the offerings at combined Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers by adding a new fuel-efficient vehicle to the mix. Oddly enough, however, the G3 only achieves marginally better fuel economy than the already-available Pontiac Vibe, itself a slightly redesigned version of the Toyota Matrix, thanks to its diminutive four-banger and old-school four speed automatic tranny. Curiously enough, you can already EPA numbers for the G3 sedan and hatchback at the government's fuel economy website, which could be further support for the notion that it will be sold in the U.S. soon, or may indicate that it's sold in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>badge engineeringBadgeEngineeringpontiac g3pontiac wavepontiac-g3pontiac-wavePontiacG3PontiacWave2008-06-02T14:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[In the bag: CAW reaches deal with Big 3 four months early]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/in-the-bag-caw-reaches-deal-with-big-3-four-months-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/in-the-bag-caw-reaches-deal-with-big-3-four-months-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/in-the-bag-caw-reaches-deal-with-big-3-four-months-early/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Shortly after reaching an agreement with Ford, the Canadian Auto Workers union announced the rather surprising news that it had reached tentative agreements with both General Motors and Chrysler. These deals come about four months before the deadline for a deal was to be hit and stand in stark contrast to the protracted negotiations that recently took place between the Big Three and the CAW's American counterpart, the UAW. Under the new deal, GM promises to keep its Oshawa, Ontario plant open until 2012 and offers buyouts worth up to $125,000 to workers at the Windsor transmission plant, which will soon be shut down. Chrysler, for its part, agreed to continue producing minivans at its Windsor assembly site, continue producing the 300C in Brampton, Ontario and keep its Toronto casting plant open until 2011.

CAW President Buzz Hargrove calls the tentative deals "a win-win" for both the union workers and the automakers. Union workers in Canada will get the chance to vote on the contracts later this month. A GM vote is planned for Friday, May 16. Chrysler's contract vote will follow on Saturday, May 17.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>buzz hargrovebuzz-hargroveBuzzHargrovecanadian auto workersCanadianAutoWorkerscawchryslergeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmunion2008-05-16T14:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[GM announces plan to close Windsor transmission plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/gm-announces-plan-to-close-windsor-transmission-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/gm-announces-plan-to-close-windsor-transmission-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/gm-announces-plan-to-close-windsor-transmission-plant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When the second quarter of 2010 rolls along, 1,400 workers at General Motor's Windsor transmission factory will be out of work. The plant, which currently produces four-speed gearboxes for GM, will be phased out at the turn of the decade, with no plans to retool the facility to produce any other components. GM's Canada President, Arturo Elias, made it clear in the announcement that the decision was not a "reflection on our excellent Windsor workforce," but instead is due to a lack of available, "replacement products in the relevant timeframe for this location." Fortunately or unfortunately, today's announcement of the plant's closing takes place as the General negotiates a new contract with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>arturo eliasArturoEliascanadian auto workersCanadianAutoWorkerscawfactorygeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmplantunionwindsor tranmissionWindsorTranmission2008-05-12T15:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ontario introduces bill to protect "children" from secondhand smoke]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Four U.S. states, one Canadian province and one territory have already banned smoking in your car when children are present. Next up to potentially adopt the legislation is Ontario, Canada. A bill has been introduced into parliament that would fine anyone smoking in a car when someone under the age of 16 is also in the car.

The bill makes no exceptions for, well, anything. It doesn't matter if the car is stopped or moving, if all the windows are down and the sunroof open, or whether the smoker is driver or passenger. Smoke inside a motorized vehicle with a "child," and it'll cost you $250 Canadian.

While we don't argue with the supposed spirit of the law -- protecting children from the ill health effects of smoke -- we do wonder about the relevant age. Sixteen years old seems kind of long in the tooth to be classified as a "child," while 17-year-olds are suddenly adults who can handle it. There would also seem to be more dangerous things out there than traces of smoke at 55-MPH with the windows down, but it is Canada after all, so maybe not.

Thanks for the tip, Rodstar!

[Source: Canadian Driver]

 

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]]>canadaontariosmokesmokerssmokingsmoking banSmokingBan2008-05-02T06:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[CAW reaches deal with Ford five months early]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/caw-reaches-deal-with-ford-five-months-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/caw-reaches-deal-with-ford-five-months-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/caw-reaches-deal-with-ford-five-months-early/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We've been hearing for some time now that Buzz Hargrove and the CAW didn't want to have anything to do with the two-tier wage structure or health car plans that the UAW agreed to. Before the landmark labor contracts were ratified in the States, American auto manufacturers enjoyed the cheaper cost of building cars in Canada, and because that difference in manufacturing cost was no longer a factor, it appeared that the CAW and Detroit could be in for a long and messy fight. That may not be the case, though, as word comes from our unionized-friends up north that the CAW and Ford have already agreed in principle to the major points of their upcoming contract, a whopping five months ahead of schedule.

According to Automotive News, the union is expecting a deal to be done by the end of the week. We can surmise that the deal does not include a multi-tiered wage structure, though. "We were not going to do a tier-two and if Ford had insisted it would have resulted in a fight," says Hargrove. The CAW did, however, agree to give up 40 hours of vacation time per year, a supplemental health care fund and a reduced entry-wage for new-hires. Ford will compensate CAW workers with a single payment of $3,500 for the lost vacation time and a $2,200 bonus if the contract is ratified at the plant-level. Ford also promises to keep the St. Thomas plant open until at least 2011 as opposed to the current plan of 2010. See the press release after the break for all the juicy details.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req., CAW]

Continue reading CAW reaches deal with Ford five months early

 

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]]>buzz hargrovebuzz-hargroveBuzzHargrovecanadian auto workerscanadian unioncanadian-auto-workerscanadian-unionCanadianAutoWorkersCanadianUnioncawford2008-04-30T07:03:00+00:00<![CDATA[IIHS warns Canada against merging bumper standards with U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Transport Canada has been planning on implementing a change which would lower Canadian bumper safety standards from the current 8 km/h standard to 4 km/h. This halving of the standard would bring the Canadian testing in line with the regulations of both Europe and the U.S. Apparently, Transport Canada believes that vehicles would be cheaper to import while maintaining automobile safety. In fact, Canadian officials believe that the new standard could actually improve pedestrian safety. Or not, according to the IIHS, which has sent a letter to Transport Canada urging them to reconsider making the change. The IIHS response is pretty scathing, Using words and phrases like "unsubstantiated, incorrect assumptions, ill-informed and misleading," but the response could seemingly be summed up this way: Yo hosers, what were you thinking, eh? Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Auto North]

 

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]]>bumper regulationsbumper-regulationsBumperRegulationscanadaiihssafetytransport canadatransport-canadaTransportCanada2008-04-25T18:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Redesign proposed for T-Rex trike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/redesign-proposed-for-t-rex-trike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/redesign-proposed-for-t-rex-trike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/redesign-proposed-for-t-rex-trike/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for more pics of the proposed redesigned T-Rex

When we had our first close encounter with the T-Rex at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show in this blogger's hometown, it had just undergone a minor cosmetic update. Now on the market for 14 years, local industrial designer Johnatan Côté of Morelli Designers is proposing a complete redesign to bring it up to date.

The biggest change is the removal of the roof, which consisted of little more than a couple of tubes in the first place, but added vital roll-over protection and structural fortitude to the vehicle. Coupled with a more dynamic, modern design, the updated T-Rex proposal also incorporates more storage space, doing away with the optional saddle-bags on the current model while increasing much-needed capacity for things like crash helmets and groceries. Overall, the design makes a compelling case for an updated T-Rex, but makes us wonder what it is about the Canadian province of Quebec that makes it a breeding ground for sporty reverse trikes like this, as well as the Bombardier Can-Am-Spyder and the Cirbin V13R. Well, we guess you need to have something to do when hockey season is over. Thanks for the tip, Jarrett!

Gallery: T-Rex design by Johnatan Cote


[Source: Gizmag]

 

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]]>johnathan coteJohnathanCotequebec trikeQuebecTriket-rext-rex redesignT-rexRedesign2008-04-10T13:28:00+00:00