Imported Volkswagens sit at Autoport, one of North Americas largest vehicle processing and trans-shipment facilities, in Eastern Passage, N.S. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.Andrew Vaughan / Canadian Press Its part of the automotive food chain that can remain invisible in other parts of the country. All those vehicles made in Europe and other countries across the pond have to be brought to North American in some manner.Cadillac used to fly the Allante convertible from Italy to America in custom Boeing 747 jumbo jets, for example, an outrageously expensive proposition that surely contributed to its sky-high price.Thats why the majority of the worlds automakers, even premium brands like BMW and Mercedes, ferry their cars to a destination by ship. Halifax Autoport plays regular host to these sea monsters, where a vast number of European machinery make their first turn of a wheel on North American soil. Autoport is one of the largest vehicle processing and shipment facilities, handling nearly 185,000 vehicles every year.Those jumbo jets deployed by Cadillac could carry 56 cars at a time. The enormous ocean carriers docking at Autoport, however, are much more commodious. Spanning in the vicinity of 200 metres from stem to stern, ships like the Asian Majesty and MSC Cristiana can deliver about 5,500 cars at a time to the shores of North America. The vessels are simultaneously cubist and grand, hauling their cargo like an automotive layer cake.With upwards of a dozen decks, a peek inside one of these roll-on/roll-off vessels will reveal cars packed cheek-to-jowl, parked inches apart and tied down securely. Its tighter than the Don Valley Parkway at rush hour during an autumn rain storm. Ships crew will often plan their seafaring routes around large storms to avoid damaging their cargo, keeping a window of time when they depart to allow for these potential delays without being late to their destination.Fun fact: most auto carriers, and other types of cargo ships, cap their width at about 32 metres. Why? Such girth allows them to traverse the Panama Canal.The ship shown here is the sixty-three thousand gross tonne Grande Halifax, built in 2018 at the Chinese shipyards of Jinling. It, too, has a length of 199.9 metres nearly two football fields and a width of 32.26 metres. Cruising speed is 19 knots or about 35km/h. The ship has a capacity of 6,700 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) or 4,000 linear metres of rolling freight and 2,500 CEUs. It is equipped with four hoistable decks which enable the transport of rolling cargo with a height of up to 5.2 metres. Despite all this capacity, the crew count is only 27.Once the vessels arrive at Autoport, the companys many employees working as drivers must physically get in the cars and drive them off the ship. This requires a dizzying amount of organization, as each brand has its own parking spot in one of Autoports massive marshalling yards. Parking a Land Rover in the BMW area would not be helpful.The yards occupy space on both sides of Nova Scotias busy Route 332, meaning drivers must navigate across a public road or two in order for the vehicle to reach its correct spot. Once parked, drivers are ferried back to the ship and perform the dance again. This happens hundreds of times during each delivery and, since vessels only make money while theyre at sea, it is critical to get the cars unloaded as quickly and safely as possible. The Ceres container facility in Nova Scotia. Halifax Autoport As a subsidiary of CN, it should be no surprise that trains are involved in shipping the vehicles from an Autoport marshalling yard to their final destination. Rail cars, most of which have three levels, stand ready at the foot of Autoports parking areas. Theyre easy to spot, with yellow roofs and silver metal walls. Interestingly, while the walls have slats in them to provide ventilation inside the rail car, those slats are designed in such a way to make it difficult for prying eyes to see what brand of car is riding the rails.A small percentage of vehicles leave Autoport on trailer, depending on brand and final destination. It is not uncommon for residents of Nova Scotia to see tractor trailers with a load of fresh Audis, all of which are wrapped like a Christmas present in an effort to ward off in-transit damage. Save for a transparent window ahead and to the left of the drivers seat, its nigh impossible to tell the colour of that new Audi SUV until it reaches it final destination.Autoport knows what theyre doing but, as with most aspects of life, not everything works smoothly. In July of this year, an Ontario court ruled that Halifax Autoport was on the hook for a $10,000-a-day bill stemming from the storage and preservation of 2,966 BMW and Mini vehicles. Problems began during the brutal weather of February 2015, when the cars were exposed to harsh conditions. BMW argued the exposure to salt and ice created a safety hazard, necessitating a recall. Transport Canada warned of
Origin: How Halifax Autoport processes almost 200,000 imported cars per year
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Subaru recalls almost 35,000 Foresters because airbags may not go off
2017 Subaru Forester XT Touring Subaru has issued a recall for its Forester for a sensor in the passenger seat that can cause the airbags to deactivate. The recall affects 35,806 Subaru Forester vehicles from model years 2015 to 2018.Some Subaru vehicles are fitted with occupant detection, which works by sensing if a person is sitting in the passenger seat and readying affiliated systems, like the airbag, if it needed to deploy.The recall states the electrical connection for the occupant detection system (ODS) could become loose over time and become disconnected. If the part becomes disconnected, it could leave the airbag for that passenger turned off in a crash, potentially causing serious injury.While the recall affects a relatively small number of vehicles here in Canada, in the United States, 366,282 Forester SUVs could experience the issue.Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require the use of an ODS to determine if the occupant sitting in the passenger seat is of adequate size to be protected by the airbag in a crash. Many of the newer systems do not use weight to measure if there is a person sitting in the seat, but rather an Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor that changes based on the electrical charge in a persons body. This way, the airbag will not be activated if a box or bag is placed on the seat.Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to take the vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ODS sensor mat harness. If the part is found to be faulty, it will be replaced.To see if your vehicle is affected, visit Subaru.ca and type in the VIN of your Subaru, or call
Origin: Subaru recalls almost 35,000 Foresters because airbags may not go off
Nova Scotia used car salesman sentenced for almost $40k in fraud
In this file photo, unsold Hyundai Tucson crossovers sit at a dealership in Littleton, Colo.David Zalubowski / Associated Press In this latest episode of Used Car Salesmen Behaving Badly, a metal-moving bloke from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia has been sentenced to 44 months in the slammer after being found guilty of excessive financial chicanery. In most cases, it seems Michael David Surette took money for cars that were never delivered.The man was also fined tens of thousands and ordered to reimburse the customers he defrauded to the tune of $38,841. Those offenses took place between 2015 and 2018 during his tenure as a salesman at a place called Used Car Factory 21. To cap it all off, for part of that time he was on probation for previous fraud-related convictions. Lovely.Court records for the case read like a horror story of financial fraud, with person after person listed as being unlawfully defrauded. Not to excuse any sort of fraud, but it is especially galling that most of the incidents were for less than $5,000, suggesting they were targeted actions against people buying cheap used cars. Indeed, one victim was noted by the judge as having a minimum wage part-time job that sometimes began at 500 a.m. After borrowing more than $3,900 for a vehicle he never obtained, the man still had to walk to work 30 minutes each way. The fraud amounts ranged from $12,624 to just $600.In a damning indictment of the privilege from which he grew, the 53-year-old Surette is described as having enjoyed a great childhood in a home where he did not experience abuse nor witness any substance addictions.The author of the pre-sentence report noted that Surette stated he accepted responsibility for his actions. With respect to the offences before the Court, Mr. Surette expressed I guess I had no reason to do it, I shouldnt have done it. I guess opportunity.Considering the credit received for time already spent in custody, Surette will spend another 30 months as a guest of the prison system.Stay vigilant,
Origin: Nova Scotia used car salesman sentenced for almost $40k in fraud
Fore! Next-gen Volkswagen Golf almost ready for production
The new Golf – still camouflaged The Volkswagen Golf nameplate has been around for 45 years, popping up in family driveways and autocross courses alike in a variety of body styles over that time. This year will see the introduction of its eighth-generation, with VW promising a digital, intelligent, and connected new car.By way of a camouflaged teaser image, the company has announced that development work on the Gen 8 Golf has entered the final testing phase. While the black-and-white wrap confuses our eyes as to its details, theres no mistaking this for anything other than a Golf a two box hatchback design houses five doors and a familiar set of peepers. Fans should expect a sharpened and modernized version of the current car, in other words.Close examination of this testing mule reveals little, save for the round dots of forward-facing parking sensors embedded into its front fascia. That feature currently shows up in high-zoot Golfs in this country. Its fuel filler door is in roughly the same location as the existing Golf but is of a slightly different shape on this test car. Headlights are of a different shape than the Gen 7 car, cutting slightly upwards as they meet the grille instead of following those bodylines as they do today. Keyless entry nubs pepper the door handles and some sort of forward-facing camera presumably for driver aids is perched above the rearview mirror. As expected, the stern German behind the wheel reveals nothing.Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen Design, says At this time, we will not disclose all details of the new Golf but you can already perceive its elegant proportions, before going on to exhort that The next generation will be a genuine eye-catcher.The countdown to the debut of number eight has already begun the new Golf will celebrate its world introduction this
Origin: Fore! Next-gen Volkswagen Golf almost ready for production
Toyota recalls almost 4,000 RAV4s in Canada over rear cameras
2019 Toyota RAV4 LimitedDerek McNaughton Toyota is recalling close to 4,000 new RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles in Canada because the rearview camera display might not turn when the car is put in reverse.Some 3,896 model year 2019 RAV4 vehicles are affected in Canada, along with 14,215 in the U.S., or about 18,000 in total.In affected vehicles, a faulty connector could keep the rearview cameras dashboard display from showing up when the SUV is placed into reverse, increasing the risk of a collision while backing up.The automaker will contact owners of these vehicles beginning in
Origin: Toyota recalls almost 4,000 RAV4s in Canada over rear cameras
Cadillac may build an Escalade EV with almost 650 km of range
2018 Cadillac EscaladeHandout / Cadillac Cadillacs next-generation Escalade could offer electric power for the first time, and, somehow, the massive and heavy SUV might even be able to net 400 miles (643 km) of battery range.According to anonymous inside sources speaking to the Cadillac Society, the fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade will offer more than just the standard 6.2-litre V8 gasoline powertrainthere will also be a high-performance version that uses Cadillacs 4.2-litre twin-turbo Blackwing motor.Both will allegedly use a 10-speed automatic transmission, and be available in either two- or four-wheel-drive. But rumours are for buyers wanting to go green, were looking at a plug-in hybrid a la the CT6 PHEV; as well as a fully electric model with a surprising amount of range.It isnt that surprising, however, because when you have a truck thats already heavy and huge, you dont have to worry about adding a bunch of battery weightthe chassis can already handle it. The next-generation Escalade will debut in 2021, but the electric option wont arrive right when the vehicle debuts. It will likely come later in the life cycle of the truck, the sources say.When it does debut, however, it will give the Tesla Model X a run for its money, as currently the top model of that vehicle only gets 325 miles to the charge. Of course, that number might be upgraded by the time the Escalade EV is released.The luxury-minded Escalade will also see NVH (noise/vibration/harness) levels drop thanks to the electric powertrain. And if you flick on the latest version of Cadillac Super Cruise while youre behind the wheel, it might be hard to shake the feeling youre sitting in your living room at
Origin: Cadillac may build an Escalade EV with almost 650 km of range
County in California makes it almost illegal to repair your car at home
An example of a home garage.Stanley Munn Residents of Sacramento County may be in a bit of a bind the next time they elect to take on a car repair in their own garage. At issue are the countys zoning codes, some of which are worded with a vagueness that would make a politician proud.First expounded upon at the Grassroots Motorsports forum and brought into the mainstream consciousness by the gearheads at Jalopnik, the lawmakers have cleaved the activity of auto repair into two buckets: minor and major.Minor automotive repair is listed as including brake part replacement, minor tune-ups, change of oil and filter, repair of flat tires, lubrication and other similar operations.Major repairs are considered anything outside that scope, plus body or painting work of vehicles or vehicle parts. This is presumably meant to ward off neer-do-wells from setting up a chop shop or paint booth in their backyard.Heres the sticky part, though. The zoning law goes on to state it is unlawful to engage in even minor repair under the following circumstances:If using tools not normally found in a residence; When conducted on vehicles registered to persons not currently residing on the lot or parcel; Conducted outside a fully enclosed garage and resulting in any vehicle being inoperable for a period in excess of twenty-four hours. Number one on that list has a few people up in arms. What constitutes tools not normally found in a residence? Is it a welder? Air tools? Torque wrench? All of those reside in your authors suburban garage and see weekly use.The code goes on to say that The chemicals involved in major automobile repair can pollute our neighborhoods and endanger the health and wellbeing of our residents. Fair enough, as no one would want a person pouring motor oil or gallons of DuPont Hot Hues down the sewer drain.But its easy to see how haphazard enforcement of this code can get out of hand, especially when it goes on to say that this kind of activity increases vehicle traffic and the visual impact can negatively impact property values. Until the long arm of The Man comes knocking on my garage door, Ill continue giving my tools a
Origin: County in California makes it almost illegal to repair your car at home
Almost 100,000 Jeeps recalled over defect that could shift them to neutral
Fiat Chrysler is recalling 10,485 Jeep Cherokee SUVs in Canada because the transmission could accidentally shift into neutral while driving, keeping the vehicle from moving forward.Including Jeeps sold in the U.S., some 91,650 vehicles are affected, specifically Cherokees from the 2014 model year equipped with the 3.2-litre V6.On affected vehicles, a stuck valve in the transmission valve body can keep the clutch from deactivating, which may shift them into neutral while moving and cause an abrupt stop, increasing the risk of a crash.Fiat Chrysler hasnt outlined a specific fix yet for the issue, but nevertheless expects to begin the recall early August. No crashes or injuries associated with the issue have been
Origin: Almost 100,000 Jeeps recalled over defect that could shift them to neutral
Govt awards almost 40m to EV charging projects
Govt awards almost £40m to EV charging projects There is a focus on urban and residential EV charging Electric vehicle charging is set to benefit from £37 million in funding from the UK Government as part of its Road to Zero strategy. The announcement has been made on the first anniversary of the strategy’s lunch, which looks to remove new petrol and diesel cars from sale in the UK by 2040. The money will be split between 12 projects, which will support innovation in and expansion of the market. The key focuses will include solar-powered EV charging forecourts, underground charging set-ups, and wireless EV systems. Wireless EV charging will receive more than £2 million in funding, with charge point company and network Char.gy set to deploy wireless charging technology on residential streets. This will improve convenience for drivers, but also make the street environment safer, with no cables required at all. Instead, drivers with a wireless charging-enabled EV will be able to park up and charge with no need to plug in. There are very few models on the market that currently offer wireless charging capability, though more are on their way, and it is the sort of system that could be retrofitted to many EVs. Trials will be carried out in Milton Keynes, the London Borough of Redbridge, and Buckinghamshire. Pop-up charge points are set to receive investment too, with units set to be rolled out in Dundee and Plymouth, clearing up street furniture when it’s not needed on residential streets. Funding will also be used to support a renovation project, which will install charge points in car parks to allow for large-scale charging at night. An energy storage and advanced electronics project will be capable of providing ‘semi-rapid’ fast charging using a low power grid connection, minmising the need for expensive substation upgrades. There will also be a project that uses existing Virgin Media infrastructure – physical and online – to deliver widespread, cost-effective EV charging, using high-speed internet connections to share information about charging progress and parking spaces.
Origin: Govt awards almost 40m to EV charging projects
The gear you wear is almost as important as the bike you ride
Indeed, perhaps even more important, its hard to appreciate the delicate handling of your new Ducati or the bark of your burbling Harley-Davidson when youre frozen to the core or drenched to the bone.Here, then, is some of the best motorcycle gear that has maximized my safety and comfort over the last 12 months.Dainese D-Explorer jacket and pantsCanada poses special challenges for manufacturers of motorcycle clothing. Canadian summers can be brutally warm. But come September, the post-Labour Day chill sends everyone scurrying for their thermals. Finding a true all-season jacket that can handle our climate extremes can be a challenge.Hoever, its not a challenge the new Dainese D-Explorer is wilting from. Simply stated, this is the most versatile jacket/pants combination Ive ever tried. Theres a laudable jumble of pockets (two of them waterproof) and the Explorer is eminently adjustable (the collar can be adjusted two ways, the waist can be cinched and the cuffs and arms are adjustable tightness). Thats good news since the D-Explorer also comes with a separate Gore-Tex rain layer and a thermal liner. Throw in some excellent protectors a Wave D1 Level 1 built-in back protector and some truly excellent hard elbow protectors and the D-Explorer is another example of excellence weve come to expect from Dainese.So far, though, the D-explorer doesnt sound much different, at least technically, than a dozen or so competitive three-quarter length adventure touring jackets. Certainly, nothing that would justify its $1,099.95 suggested list price.What does make the D-Explorer worth that serious dosh, however, is the most innovative adjustable ventilation system in the business. Called the Dainese Modular Flap System, essentially there are two large 330-millimeter by 130-mm vented sections in the front and a truly humungous 440-mm by 280-mm perforated area in back. Combined, theyre large enough to rival many full mesh jackets for airflow. The unique aspect is that each of the vented areas is covered by a flap hence the nomenclature held in place in zippers. Each flap is fully adjustable, so not only is the D-Explorer well vented but one gets to modulate the airflow. The pants, similarly constructed, also features flaps though theyre not quite as effective.Venture Heat jacketWhat makes the D-Explorer truly four-season motorcycling garb is when I pair it with Venture Heats Deluxe Jacket. Thanks to its 84 watts of electric heat, my motorcycling becomes almost a 12-month enterprise, even in Canada. Prior to wearing the Venture Heat jacket, anything colder than 10 degrees had me scrambling for so many layers of woollies that I looked like the two-wheeled version of the Michelin Man. Deluxe Jacket plugged into my V-Stroms battery, its just a summer t-shirt under the Venture and D-Explorer, the electric mesh grid radiating so much heat that November becomes July.The Venture Heat Jacket is top quality stuff, has a built in temperature controller and costs but $259 if you order it from Calgarys Blackfoot Motorsports online. Id pass on the companys gloves however. Theyre not nearly as waterproof as claimed and when they get wet, they gave me little low voltage shocks in my fingers. Not cool.Held Air n Dry GlovesOriginally, I bought Helds Air n Dry Gloves as a rainy day alternative to my leather summer gauntlets. More and more, however, theyre turning into my everyday go-to handwear because of their incredible versatility.Thanks to their kangaroo leather palms, for instance, theyre just as supple and sensitive as any racing glove. Throw in perforations throughout the palm and little air scoops in the fingers and theyre also some of the best ventilated gloves Ive ever worn, perfect for the dog days of summer.Of course, ventilations and air scoops do not waterproof gloves make. Quite correct. But the trick to these Helds is that they are two-chamber gloves. In summer mode, your palm is right against that kangaroo leather enjoying all the benefits of sunshine and warm air. If it rains, though, just slip your hands into the Gore-Tex inner liner and even though the Air n Dry feels bulkier, theyre completely waterproof. Amazing versatility. And as soon as the sun comes back out and that outer kangaroo palm dries you can slip back into your summer gloves.The Helds only downside is that all that versatility doesnt come cheap, the Air n Dry gloves retailing for $338 from GPBikes.com.Modular helmetsModular helmets full-coverage headgear, but with a pivot that allows the entire front fascia to pivot upwards are the fastest-growing trend in protective headwear. As safe as a full-faced helmet, theyre more convenient thanks to a shield that lifts up out of the way.The only issue is that their two-piece design makes them heavier than traditional full-faced alternatives. Thats why AGVs Sportmodular is such a breakthrough. Constructed of carbon fibre, AGV claims the Sportmodular is the lightest modular helmet available. Its also a
Origin: The gear you wear is almost as important as the bike you ride
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