After famously cheating death in an 800-degree fireball in 1976, Niki Lauda passed away peacefully in his sleep in a hospital in Zurich, surrounded by family members in 2019. But who was the man who defied death and the odds to become one of the most legendary racing drivers of all time? Who was racing car driver Niki Lauda? Lauda’s death left the world without a man who gave so much to the sport of motor racing, who revolutionized it and brought joy to the fans. His bravery, his level-headedness, perseverance and ingenuity will be his legacy. Beginnings Andreas Nikolaus Lauda was … [Read more...]
Car Depreciation: What Are the Risks? (updated)
When buying a car, in Hamilton Ontario included, you have to be prepared to lose money… Over time. No one wants to throw money away, and whether or not you will do that with a car purchase is up to you and your negotiation skills and the amount of preparation you’ve invested before buying a car. But one thing is for sure – cars tend to lose value as time goes by and start as soon as you drive them off the dealer’s parking lot. New cars usually lose around 11% in value as soon as you take them off the dealer’s lot, and by the end of the first year of driving, their value has decreased by … [Read more...]
How Prone Are Electric Cars to Catching Fire? (updated)
"A battery-powered vehicle having a fire incident is newsworthy. A gasoline-powered vehicle having a fire is newsworthy only if it stops traffic,” said Steven Risser, senior research leader at Battelle, a nonprofit research and development firm and one of the leading experts on the risk of fires in electric vehicles So, how prone are electric cars to catching fire exactly? Stick with us to find out! With electric cars catching fire being more featured in the headlines than ever, it’s only reasonable to be concerned about safety in this sense. But, the truth is that electric cars are … [Read more...]
What are the total costs of vehicle ownership per brand? (updated)
When it comes to vehicle models, the maintenance costs by brand differ. Even if you’ve never bought a vehicle, you must know that owning it will cost you more than just the price you pay when making the actual purchase, right? In fact, as car owners must already know, when it comes to North America, besides a house, a car is the most expensive item for a family to own. But, does the brand you choose when buying a vehicle play a part in how much money you will need to pour into it over the course of your owning career? The cost of maintenance by car brand differs but what are the cars with … [Read more...]
Is Carbon Tax Bad for Canadian Auto-Production?
The implementation of the Carbon tax throughout Canada has the Canucks paying more attention to CO2 emissions by turning to a cleaner way of life - using alternative sources of energy, cleaner fuels, tech that uses less energy or simply biking to work instead of driving (as if Canadians weren’t physical enough). So, by all accounts, it’s having a beneficial effect on people, but does that also go for the automotive industry? Is Carbon tax having a negative impact on the Canadian auto-production? Let’s examine. Note: You will always find experienced and trustworthy licensed mechanics in … [Read more...]
10 Most Cost-Effective Hybrid Cars
With the Carbon tax now in full effect throughout Canada, people are looking for new ways to minimize their carbon emissions - which was the Government’s intent in the first place. Among other things, this also means that they are changing their requirements and desires when buying cars. Criteria like car dependability and lifespan still play a big role in choosing the vehicle, but overall, we can see a big shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles being purchased more often. If you are looking to buy a car, and your main criterium is how dependable it is, the latest J.D. Power … [Read more...]
10 Automotive Manufacturing Milestones (Infographic)
Since the late 19th century, and the first appearance of her majesty the automobile, our lives have never been the same. It’s become an irreplaceable part of our existence - and of many of us, the one thing they cannot go without. That’s why it’s only natural that it hasn’t stopped evolving - from appearance to speed and advanced capabilities, the vehicles of today are smart and more energy efficient. These changes resulted in some of the biggest automotive manufacturing milestones over the years, so take a look at the infographic to see what they are. CRS Automotive is in Hamilton and … [Read more...]
How Will Police Stop Self-Driving Cars?
As you know if you are a car buff, the automotive technology is constantly developing - and the car is evolving - bringing us significantly further from when it first appeared more than 100 years ago. Now we have not only cars running on electricity, but also smart ones - those that keep us connected with other people and in the know about the driving conditions in real time. And soon enough, people might not even be driving cars - with autonomous cars being developed by Tesla, Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and even Google as you read this. It’s an exciting time we live in, for sure, but it also raises … [Read more...]
10 Reasons to Admire Canadian Auto Production (Infographic)
Before the signing of the 1965 Auto Pact by Canada and the US, American car companies were forced to produce Canadian-specific models in branch plants located largely in Ontario. But with America exporting most of the required components, Canada racked up big trade deficits due to the value of parts crossing the border. The Auto Pact abolished automobile-related tariffs between the 2 countries and, in exchange, the Big 3 automakers pledged that Canadian auto production would not fall below 1964 levels. Canada would produce a smaller variety of vehicles, but in greater numbers – many of which … [Read more...]
Are Cars with Biometric Sensors the Future?
The automotive technology is rapidly advancing - so much so that there already are smart cars on our streets connected to smart city infrastructure and making the driving experience an easier one. Yes, easier, because connected car features can range from general Internet services, entertainment and social platforms, to smart mobility services that leverage data. Moreover, some aspects of the connected car are a reality - with 4G networks powering navigation devices, traffic alerts and streaming to entertainment systems. Many of the driving processes are being automated to the point … [Read more...]
