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...]
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...]
Energy Efficiency: Electric Vehicles vs. Fossil-Fuel Vehicles
For a while back, we’ve been seeing the ever so slight shift within the automotive industry - from fossil-fuel vehicles to the electric ones. The first and most obvious reason for this is humanity’s attempt to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve the environment. The second and third are that electric vehicles are easier to maintain and electric charging is cheaper. However, there is one more thing to consider here. Apparently, electric cars have significantly higher energy efficiency than cars with ICE engines. Let’s examine. Note: our auto service shop in Hamilton Ontario is … [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...]
5 Biggest Automakers’ Plans with EVs
The rise in sales when it comes to electric vehicles is more than noticeable, but it seems that we are able to say that mostly because of Tesla Inc.’s coming out into the mainstream electric vehicle market. They are also responsible for the end-of-year surge which lead to the year 2018 closing with 2 million sales. The estimated result stands at 2,018,247, which is 72% more than a year ago at an average market share of 2.1%. Moreover, all-electric cars took 69% of sales, while PHEV 31%. Such a high advantage for BEVs has not been seen since 2011. Next year result is expected at 3-3.5 million … [Read more...]
Why Aren’t We All Driving Electric Cars by Now?
Driving electric vehicles has its benefits - no doubt - if you disregard the high initial price of the vehicles themselves. Electric cars preserve the environment and help us breath clean(er) air. Moreover, electric cars are cheaper to own than fossil-fuel ones, not just in terms of “fuel” costs - charging costs for an EV are about 20-50% of gassing up a tank in a fossil-fuel car, but also in terms of maintenance. Finally, electric cars are easy to maintain and cheaper if you bear in mind that their systems are simpler than in fossil-fuel cars, thus making them easier to take care of. So why … [Read more...]
Elon Musk: From Electric Cars to a City on Mars
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years, you must have heard of Mr. Elon Musk. Actually, his name is most often associated with the electric car industry and the private 21st-century space exploration. The launch of Musk’s Tesla Roadster into the Earth’s orbit was hands-down one of the most exciting moments of 2018 and Mr. Musk was elbows deep involved in the preparations for it and the event itself. More recently, he has been making headlines about moving to Mars and making the staple of his most prominent company - the Tesla Model 3 - more affordable and … [Read more...]
The Automotive Industry in 2018: Review (Infographic)
With 2018 coming to a close, it's the perfect time to sum up all the car buying stats for Canada. Not only that, but you can also compare it to the predictions from the beginning of the year. Have Canadians moved onto electric vehicles or are we still sticking to their fossil-fueled guns? Enjoy! Should you have a problem with your vehicles, you can always come to your trusted mechanic at CRS Automotive. Visit our repair shops in Hamilton … [Read more...]
How to Choose the Best Winter Tires for Your Car (Infographic)
To prepare vehicles for winter driving conditions, drivers have a lot to think about. One of those things is mounting winter tires, which is a must not only in legal terms, but also allows for safe driving in extreme conditions we have in most parts of Canada. But choosing the right tires for a vehicle has proven to be arduous business and quite tricky even for the most experienced drivers. Nevertheless, we are here to help you out - we have prepared an infographic with advice on how to choose the best winter tires for your car in 7 steps. Enjoy! You can always turn to your trusted … [Read more...]
Mary Barra: The Woman at the Helm of an Automotive Giant
The automotive industry is predominantly male - there is no beating around the bush about that - even though there are some … [Read more...]