Automotive

If you’re travelling for the holidays, driving cautiously in winter conditions is imperative – reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden movements.

Navigating winter roads in B.C.: A holiday travel guide

By Blair Qualey The holidays are fast approaching, and for many of…

  • Dec 7, 2023

 

The third-generation Acadia, due to arrive in early 2024, looks a bit like the 2023 version, but looks are definitely deceiving. PHOTO: GMC

Size, refinement mark GMC’s 2024 Acadia – a much-improved mode of family transportation

For running the roads with family or friends, it doesn’t get much…

  • Dec 6, 2023

 

The Free Wheeling option package is available with the Bronco Sport Badlands trim level. PHOTO: FORD

Auto Sleuth: Ford brightens the Bronco Sport; New platform for a new Bolt, and more

The automaker will introduce a retro-inspired option called Free Wheeling for the…

  • Nov 27, 2023

 

The NCDA wants the B.C. government to adopt a more flexible approach to mandated zero emission vehicle targets and the penalty structure, with concerns existing rules will have unintended consequences.

Flexibility will be key to B.C.’s continued leadership in ZEV adoption

By Blair Qualey Only days ago, the provincial government introduced legislation that…

  • Nov 7, 2023
The NCDA wants the B.C. government to adopt a more flexible approach to mandated zero emission vehicle targets and the penalty structure, with concerns existing rules will have unintended consequences.
The eight-speed paddle-shift transmission located between the rear wheels might improve weight distribution but it also requires remote-mounted cantilever shocks and springs. There’s actually no room for a trunk. PHOTO: FORD

FIRST LOOK: 2025 Ford Mustang GTD

Ford’s street stallion offers other-world performance, but it comes at an other-world price

  • Nov 7, 2023
The eight-speed paddle-shift transmission located between the rear wheels might improve weight distribution but it also requires remote-mounted cantilever shocks and springs. There’s actually no room for a trunk. PHOTO: FORD
There’s no longer a V-8 option for the Grand Cherokee (although it’s available in the Grand Cherokee L) which means either a 293-horsepower V-6 or the 370-horsepower plug-in hybrid system. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

Meet the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

For short commutes, this Jeep could help stretch your fuel budget, but there’s a lot more going on

  • Oct 27, 2023
There’s no longer a V-8 option for the Grand Cherokee (although it’s available in the Grand Cherokee L) which means either a 293-horsepower V-6 or the 370-horsepower plug-in hybrid system. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. British Columbia’s government is accelerating its zero-emission vehicle targets so it can hit its goal five years sooner. Osborne says the province is the “first in the world” to put EV sales target into law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. pressing the gas pedal on EV transition targets by 5 years

Aiming to mandate all new light-duty vehicles, passenger cars and trucks sold be EVs by 2035

Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. British Columbia’s government is accelerating its zero-emission vehicle targets so it can hit its goal five years sooner. Osborne says the province is the “first in the world” to put EV sales target into law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring. PHOTO: Toyota

Auto Almanac: Toyota’s 4th-gen hybrid; Fixing spongy brakes + more

DRAWING BOARD 2024 Toyota Prius: Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring with…

  • Oct 22, 2023
Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring. PHOTO: Toyota
The Audi E-tron GT has front and rear electric motors and a claimed best range of about 380 kilometres. That will definitely be lower if you take advantage of the car’s ample thrust that propels it to 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in as little as 3.1 seconds. PHOTO: AUDI

2024 Audi E-tron GT: Sleek, premium-class electric sedan acts more like a sports car

Platform sharing when it comes to electric vehicles is quite common. One…

  • Oct 21, 2023
The Audi E-tron GT has front and rear electric motors and a claimed best range of about 380 kilometres. That will definitely be lower if you take advantage of the car’s ample thrust that propels it to 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in as little as 3.1 seconds. PHOTO: AUDI
Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file

October’s arrival means it’s time for winter tires

Designated highways require winter tires or chains from Oct. 1 to March 31, other routes to April 30

Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file
The Mazda CX-9, pictured, continued while the new CX-90 was being brought online. Now it’s time for the CX-9 to bow out. PHOTO: MAZDA

Auto Sleuth: Welcome to the Lotus Eletre; farewell to Mazda’s CX-9 and Chrysler’s 300C

Say so long to the CX-9 You could say it was inevitable…

  • Sep 29, 2023
The Mazda CX-9, pictured, continued while the new CX-90 was being brought online. Now it’s time for the CX-9 to bow out. PHOTO: MAZDA
Unifor national president Lana Payne attends a news conference in Toronto, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Unionized workers at Ford Motor Co. of Canada have ratified a three-year agreement. Payne issued a statement today saying the deal will mean tremendous gains for autoworkers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Ford workers in Canada ratify agreement, set precedent for other automakers

54 per cent of those who voted endorsed the proposed collective agreement

Unifor national president Lana Payne attends a news conference in Toronto, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Unionized workers at Ford Motor Co. of Canada have ratified a three-year agreement. Payne issued a statement today saying the deal will mean tremendous gains for autoworkers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
More than 110,000 zero emission vehicles are registered in B.C., most purchased with the benefit of the Clean BC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program, which the NCDA delivers in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia and funded by BC Hydro.

Canada crosses critical threshold in ZEV adoption

By Blair Qualey According to a recent Bloomberg Green analysis of zero…

  • Sep 11, 2023
More than 110,000 zero emission vehicles are registered in B.C., most purchased with the benefit of the Clean BC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program, which the NCDA delivers in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia and funded by BC Hydro.
Donations raised through the New Car Dealers Association will help provide shelter, basic needs, recovery assistance and emotional support for B.C. residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Phil McLachlan / Western News photo

New Car Dealers support for B.C. wildfire relief surpasses $236,000

More than $236,000 has now been raised through the New Car Dealers…

  • Aug 31, 2023
Donations raised through the New Car Dealers Association will help provide shelter, basic needs, recovery assistance and emotional support for B.C. residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Phil McLachlan / Western News photo
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.

A road trip without the stress. Is that even possible?

By Blair Qualey As we enter the final weeks of summer, there’s…

  • Aug 21, 2023
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.

Preparing for a safe road trip

By Blair Qualey So many things can happen on a summer road…

  • Aug 9, 2023
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO

Compact 2025 Volvo EX30 is smooth, but the price might be its most interesting feature

Keeping pace with the competition in the premium class appears to be…

  • Aug 9, 2023
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.

New Car Dealers make provincial pre-budget submission

By Blair Qualey An important part of the provincial budget process is…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.
Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Vietnamese-made electric cars arrive at Port of Nanaimo for sale in Canada

More than 750 VinFast electric vehicles being processed at Nanaimo’s B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre

Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Vietnamese-made electric cars arrive at Port of Nanaimo for sale in Canada

More than 750 VinFast electric vehicles being processed at Nanaimo’s B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre

Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)