cars

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters at the Liberal summer caucus retreat in St. Andrews, N.B. on September 13, 2022. When Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne gets in front a microphone these days to talk about electrifying Canada’s auto industry, he has a favourite line to sum up his efforts to attract global investment. “Not everyone in the world wakes up thinking about Canada,” he says. His job, as he sees it, is to change that. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Innovation minister on road to making Canada a battery electric and EV powerhouse

Champagne sees the industry as key to Canada’s future

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters at the Liberal summer caucus retreat in St. Andrews, N.B. on September 13, 2022. When Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne gets in front a microphone these days to talk about electrifying Canada’s auto industry, he has a favourite line to sum up his efforts to attract global investment. “Not everyone in the world wakes up thinking about Canada,” he says. His job, as he sees it, is to change that. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The design of the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge models will derive inspiration from the concept Recharge, pictured, that Volvo debuted in 2021. PHOTO: VOLVO

The Auto Sleuth: Volvo adds electric Recharge versions; Lexus’ first EV + more

Hot off the press news from the auto world!

  • Oct 16, 2022
The design of the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge models will derive inspiration from the concept Recharge, pictured, that Volvo debuted in 2021. PHOTO: VOLVO
All four winter tires need to match in size, tread type, and depth. File photo

Winter tires are required on many B.C. routes between Oct. 1 and March 31

While fall’s leisurely arrival has winter driving far from the minds of…

All four winter tires need to match in size, tread type, and depth. File photo
As before, the WRX has standard all-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT is optional, but standard with Sport and Sport-tech trims fitted with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of dynamic-safety technologies. PHOTO: SUBARU

Rally-inspired sedan keeps its performance creds on the front burner

Many automakers participate directly or indirectly in motorsports. For the past two…

  • Oct 6, 2022
As before, the WRX has standard all-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT is optional, but standard with Sport and Sport-tech trims fitted with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of dynamic-safety technologies. PHOTO: SUBARU
The redesigned Honda HR-V is based on the Civic platform, which means it’s bigger and more powerful than before. PHOTO: DELOREAN MOTOR COMPANY

The Auto Sleuth: Honda’s updated HR-V, 2024 Blazer goes electric, and more

Honda’s updated HR-V small utility vehicle is bigger and stronger After an…

  • Sep 17, 2022
The redesigned Honda HR-V is based on the Civic platform, which means it’s bigger and more powerful than before. PHOTO: DELOREAN MOTOR COMPANY
All Outback models get the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. PHOTO: SUBARU

2022 Outback Wilderness: Tricked-out Subaru takes direct aim at growing outdoorsy market

There likely isn’t an automaker that’s better positioned than Subaru to confront…

  • Sep 12, 2022
All Outback models get the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. PHOTO: SUBARU
The roofline is similar to the Rogue’s, but the Rogue looks like a Nissan and the Outlander looks like a Mitsubishi. Which is better? PHOTO: MITSUBISHI

Alliance with Renault-Nissan bears fruit with 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

“I get by with a little help from my friends,” is a…

  • Sep 7, 2022
The roofline is similar to the Rogue’s, but the Rogue looks like a Nissan and the Outlander looks like a Mitsubishi. Which is better? PHOTO: MITSUBISHI
The 2022 Nissan Frontier uses the previous frame, but there are some updates. The handling and steering are also claimed to be more precise. Four-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: NISSAN

2022 Nissan Frontier: Not 100 per cent new, but new enough to matter

It’s been a long time coming — 18 model years to be…

  • Sep 1, 2022
The 2022 Nissan Frontier uses the previous frame, but there are some updates. The handling and steering are also claimed to be more precise. Four-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: NISSAN
(Black Press Media Creative)

Honda Motor, LG Energy plan to build $4.4 billion U.S. EV battery factory

Decision part of industry-wide move toward electric vehicles

(Black Press Media Creative)
(Black Press Media Creative)

California To Ban New Gas Car Sales

California is expected to pass sweeping legislation to prohibit the sale of…

(Black Press Media Creative)
This undated image provided by Stellantis shows the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept. (Stellantis via AP)

Gas-powered muscle cars drive into the sunset, turn electric

Dodge will stop making gasoline versions of Challenger and Charger muscle cars by end of next year

This undated image provided by Stellantis shows the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept. (Stellantis via AP)
An unsold 2021 Model X sports-utility vehicle sits at a Tesla dealership Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Littleton, Colo. A tax on yachts, luxury cars and private planes and helicopters, designed to hit super-rich, could also cover some electric and hybrid cars, tax experts are warning. THE CANADIAN PRESS AP/David Zalubowski

Luxury tax on Canada’s super-rich could hit green cars: experts

Measure could hit some electric and hybrid vehicles, such as certain Teslas

An unsold 2021 Model X sports-utility vehicle sits at a Tesla dealership Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Littleton, Colo. A tax on yachts, luxury cars and private planes and helicopters, designed to hit super-rich, could also cover some electric and hybrid cars, tax experts are warning. THE CANADIAN PRESS AP/David Zalubowski
B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).

New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds electric vehicle rebate increase

Rebate for EVs hiked to a maximum of $4K

B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).
The MX-30 uses the bones of the CX-30 utility vehicle, but the MX-30’s rear doors are hinged at the back and of course the styling is different with a big front bumper and thin grille. PHOTO: MAZDA

Mazda MX-30: Is there enough to lure buyers to Mazda’s first EV?

Electric-vehicle first-timer Mazda is dipping its toe into the electric grid with…

  • Aug 3, 2022
The MX-30 uses the bones of the CX-30 utility vehicle, but the MX-30’s rear doors are hinged at the back and of course the styling is different with a big front bumper and thin grille. PHOTO: MAZDA
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer share a platform with the Ram pickup, much in the same way the Chevrolet Tahoe shares its platform with the Silverado. PHOTO: JEEP

2022 Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer: Four-wheeling in limo-like spaciousness

Look out Tahoe, Suburban and Escalade, there’s a new kid on the block

  • Aug 1, 2022
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer share a platform with the Ram pickup, much in the same way the Chevrolet Tahoe shares its platform with the Silverado. PHOTO: JEEP
The Corolla Cross is a nice bridge between the smaller Corolla Hatchback and the larger RAV4 (certainly better than the C-HR). As you might recall, Honda has a similar bridge between the Civic and the CR-V, called the HR-V. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: Capitalizing on the Corolla cachet

How did it take Toyota so long to flesh out the void between the Corolla and the RAV4?

  • Jul 28, 2022
The Corolla Cross is a nice bridge between the smaller Corolla Hatchback and the larger RAV4 (certainly better than the C-HR). As you might recall, Honda has a similar bridge between the Civic and the CR-V, called the HR-V. PHOTO: TOYOTA
Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News Staff

PHOTOS: Northwest Deuce Days deals Victoria a winning hand

Triennial event packs Inner Harbour area for Sunday show and shine

Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News Staff
Jim Jennings’s 1932 Roadster is a main feature in the book and will be seen at Northwest Deuce Days next week. (Garry Foster photo)

Author launches classic car coffee table book as Deuce Days descends on Victoria

Garry Foster weaves stories of people and their historic vehicles

Jim Jennings’s 1932 Roadster is a main feature in the book and will be seen at Northwest Deuce Days next week. (Garry Foster photo)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

B.C. new car dealers seek taxation relief

Provincial, pending federal taxes called double-tax for consumers

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

The Auto Sleuth: Hyundai’s cool Ioniq 5, Lexus’ first EV + more

Hot off the press news from the auto world

  • Jul 11, 2022
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI