Mazda is set to unveil a small car at the coming LA Auto Show with the expected unveiling of the 2011 Mazda2. The new car is expected to adhere towards the growing demand for smaller and fuel efficient vehicles in North America. Aside from the Mazda2, other vehicle models are expected to be shown off with the likes of the Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, MX-5 and RX-8 also set to be unveiled next month. The Mazda2 is set to be offered in the U.S. and Canada later in 2010.

(Source) Press

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By now this has probably already sold, but if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a guy in Canada who is selling a homemade jet pack.  No, seriously.  A JET. PACK.  Here’s the ad:

Jet Pack — Jumps You 10′ in the Air

serious buyers only can test out on my property and of course watch me first for safety reasons and training.

Wow.  Just…wow.  Apparently this beastie can be yours for the low, low price of five hundred bucks American, and you too can strap an amalgamation of parts and gasoline on your back, leap ten feet in the air twice, and then take the thing off before it explodes.

Sounds like a deal to me!

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Electrovaya has recently let us know via press release that they have secured $16.7 million worth of funding thanks to the Ontraio government.

The company in question is based out of Mississauga, Canada and focuses heavily on the development of rechargeable batteries. The press release states that funding is to help Electrovaya continue their battery research efforts in addition to helping them pre-commercialize their offerings.

With all of this funding for battery research provided by governments around the world we better be seeing them put to practical use in the years to come.

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The celebrated Cash for Clunkers program is more complex than one would think. At least concerning the dealers, there is a fine print which states that “All trade-ins must be disabled and scrapped by a disposal facility that is a part of the End of Life Vehicle Solutions program and has been approved by the NHTSA.”

This means that in order to avail of the Cash for Clunkers program, dealers need to properly dispose of traded-in cars, meaning that they still have to add another area of business when it comes to operations. But thanks to disposal facilities such as JunkMyCar.com, the process has been sub-contracted, making sure that the requirements of the CARS rebate program are properly addressed.

The benefits Junk my Car offers to dealers include ensuring they receive the Disposal Facility Certification Form, determining the scrap value that will be passed on to the customer, and receiving payment for each vehicle removed.

Hence, for the consumers thinking of availing of the Cash for Clunkers Program, make sure that the dealer you are negotiating with has the proper means of properly processing your intent to avail of the special rebate program. Better yet, inquire if they have an affiliation with Junk my Car, a free junk vehicle removal service that facilitates the removal of cars, trucks, and motorcycles in the United States and Canada.

(Source) Press

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All-electric vehicles are definitely the future considering gas prices continue to go up and the world’s supply is being depleated at an alarming rate. Founder of Magna International, Frank Stronach, knows this and this is why he wasn’t to begin production of all-electrics as soon as possible.

So soon in fact that he has been quoted to have said that the company hopes to begin production in Canada within the next three years. This means that both the cars themselves and the electric components will be produced entirely in Canada.

As a side note, Stronach has also said that he has plants to invest up to $300 million dollars in Canada’s all-electric campaign.

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We have all been hearing the advent of biofuels and apparently Shell will be the first service station to introduce advanced biofuel made from wheat straw. All this will take effect on June 10 where a Shell Station based in Canada will blend 10% cellulosic ethanol to all regular gasoline purchased.

Cellulosic ethanol, as an end fuel, is identical to ethanol but it can offer up to 90% less lifecycle CO2 emissions than gasoline. It is a key part of Shell’s strategic investment and development program in sustainable biofuels.

“We’re proud of this world-first,” said Brian Foody, Chief Executive Officer of Iogen Corporation. “Building a demo plant is one thing but you then need to go through the process of operating the new technology at scale, learning, modifying and lowering costs. With the volumes we’re producing today, we’re confident about the future.”

The next thing we have to do now is to see how it will affect the vehicle performance and if they are indeed reliable as what studies say. To date, it is still too early to rejoice and a lot of factors, mostly on the end of the consumers, have to be addressed and this includes the reaction of their cars to this new kind of fuel.

(Source) Press

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To help address the growing number of stolen vehicles, a GPS made to help in the recovery of potentially stolen vehicles has been launched in the market that will be disseminated through new car dealerships. This unique partnership leverages MOC’s extensive automotive dealer channel relationships and CalAmp’s proven GPS-based asset tracking technologies to provide consumers with SVR solutions superior to those currently available through new-car dealers.

The products will be marketed by MOC under its Ecotrac brand name and feature highly-sensitive GPS technology in compact and durable designs customized to the unique needs of different vehicle types. In addition to SVR application, users of Ecotrac will have the option to track and monitor vehicle activity from a full-featured website or mobile phone. Ecotrac gives consumers real-time control and remote location information needed to make quick, informed vehicle management decisions.

MOC has developed strong relationships in the new-car dealership industry over the past 50 years and will market Ecotrac products to thousands of its accounts through distribution channels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. CalAmp plans to leverage its manufacturing and development expertise to provide the Ecotrac bundled hardware, hosted web-based applications and wireless data service plans.

(Source) Press

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Rebuilding and restoring old and classic cars is a hobby for most and apparently Karmann USA is ready to aid the people who are into it. Karmann USA is launching a new aftermarket group to rebuild and restore convertible tops for vintage cars in the United States.

Headquartered in Plymouth Township, Karmann Classics will offer a variety of services including: standard roof repair for vehicles in daily service; original or “authentic” restoration for show models, and a wide range of other customization options to suit specific customer needs.

“Karmann’s new aftermarket division initially will focus on restoring VW Karmann Ghias and VW Beetle convertibles,” said Erik Roeren, president and CEO of Karmann USA. “As the original manufacturer of the VW Karmann Ghia and VW Beetle convertible, Karmann is uniquely positioned to rebuild convertible roof systems for these vehicles.”

Karmann Classics initially aims to serve customers in a four-state region of the Midwest, including Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as well as convertible owners in Ontario, Canada. During its launch phase, Karmann Classics will have the capacity to work on three to four vehicles at a time.

The company plans to expand nationwide and eventually will provide restoration services for all convertibles, in addition to Karmann Ghias and Beetle convertibles. Karmann Classics is partnering with local VW dealerships, which also will handle vehicle restoration.

(Source) Press

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The figures don’t lie and if you base it on the news you have been reading as far as the automobile industry is concerned, this report is not at all surprising. In what many seem to be readily acknowledging already, China has risen above the occasion and surpassed the United States in the area of car production. China in 2008 manufactured 9.3 million cars, while the United States built 8.7 million. In 2009, China will build 8.7 million autos, compared to 7.6 million for Japan.

“China’s rise to the No.-2 position in global car manufacturing in 2008 marks a major milestone in China’s economic ascendency and the United States’ industrial decline,” said Egil Juliussen, PhD, director and fellow, automotive research, for iSuppli.

“China during the last five years more than doubled its domestic automobile production, while U.S. manufacturing has declined by nearly 50 percent. China, which produces most of its cars for domestic sale, has benefitted from its booming economy and the soaring disposable incomes of its consumers. Meanwhile, U.S. auto production has been declining steadily due to increasing imports from the NAFTA nations Canada and Mexico, as well as from Europe and Asia.”

(Source) CIOL

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In a move that is aimed to come up with a win-win solution, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and Chrysler will be in talks to help clear out the impending job issues surrounding the car industry.

“Getting to the bargaining table with Chrysler has taken longer than expected,” said CAW President Ken Lewenza. “But the CAW fully expects to get the process back on track and work towards reaching an agreement with Chrysler that will secure jobs here in Canada.”

Both Chrysler and General Motors must reach cost cutting agreements with all stakeholders before the fast approaching March 31 deadline, required by the Ontario and federal government to qualify for financial support.

The CAW represents approximately 8,000 workers at Chrysler in Brampton, Windsor, Etobicoke (Toronto) in assembly, auto parts and the offices.

The new agreement between the CAW and General Motors was reached on March 8 and ratified on March 11.

(Source) Press

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That electric beauty called Tesla Roadster will be available in Canada starting today. Unfortunatelly shipping will only start in Q4 so you won’t be able to enjoy it tomorrow. The car still cost $109,000 but if money is no object to you then you’d probably be better off getting it. The first ones to get the Tesla will be regional centers in Seattle and New York.

Here’s what Tesla representatives had to say about the Canadian expansion:

Canada and Norway are the only two countries worldwide where the majority of electricity comes from renewable resources, including run-of-river small hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and solar energy. An EV recharged from the current Canadian grid, on average, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 85 percent compared to an equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle. In hydro-dominant British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba, the reduction would be an impressive 98 percent.

So what do you say Canadians? Are you going to get it?

via Press

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Most cars these days, used and brand new, come with the usual airbags. But along that line comes the possibility of some cars that may be overlooking this feature, either on purpose or perhaps because potential car owners choose to pass on them to save on car purchase cost.

But if this report is any indication, car buyers may want to reconsider passing on airbags. Their lives may depend on it.

A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds that nearly one in five fatal accidents involve cars that have missing air bags. This problem endangers the lives of used car buyers, current owners and innocent passengers.

Industry experts estimate that as many as 1 out of 25 previously deployed air bags are not properly replaced. Carfax urges drivers that have had their car’s air bags replaced to make sure all air bags are functioning properly. In addition, anyone shopping for a used car should have an ASE-certified mechanic or body shop inspect the air bag system prior to purchase.

So if you know better, check out the airbag features of your next car. Your life may depend on it.

(Source) PR Canada

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Ferrari of Tampa Bay was recently opened which hopes to draw in better business after restructuring in recent months by Ferrari of Central Florida. Ferrari North America, with 36 dealerships in the US, 4 in Canada and 9 in Central and South America, wants to offer to its customers an environment similar to the one they would have by visiting the ever-renovating Ferrari factory in Maranello.

Florida is the third largest market for Ferrari North America, accounting for more than 12% of its sales in 2008.

With the new dealership, better reach and sales for Ferrari which has been aching to build on this strategic direction for months now.

(Source) Press

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Canada’s Zenn car is a low cost (MSRP starts at around $12,000) totally electric vehicle designed for neighborhood use, with a range of 40 miles and a top speed of 25 MPH. ‘Zenn’ is an acronym for Zero Emission No Noise, and points to the ecologically sound nature of the vehicle.  The Zenn is manufactured in St. Jerome Canada and headquartered in Toronto, but was first released in the U.S.

Although the Zenn car meets all U.S safety standards, it’s low speed became the target of two years of red tape before the Canadian government approved it’s use on public roadways. Zenn Motors is working on a new totally electric model, the cityZenn, that has a range of 250 miles per charge and attains top speeds of near 78 MPH.

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Ford and the Canadian government have reached a deal according to which the car manufacturer will receive CAD80 over five years in incentives to upgrade their current facilities.

The main object of the deal is Ford’s Essex engine plant which manufactures V8 engines for current SUVs and trucks. The plant will be converted to flexible manufacturing which will let Ford produce whatever it needs to meed certain demands. It seems that’s what they always wanted but never were able to create.

What will Ford do? It will create or save 750 CAW jobs. Ford will also build a new center for research engine efficiency and fuel technologies. The future facility will work on hybrids and alternative energy sources for Ford.

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