This 2009 file photo shows a Chevrolet Camaro on General Motors flex line at its Oshawa, Ontario plant.Chevrolet GMs long-running Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant officially ceased vehicle production today, December 18.General Motors of Canada has been building cars in Oshawa since the company’s inception in 1918, though the car assembly plant closed this month was opened in late 1953, when demand for Canadian-built Chevrolets was strong enough to warrant building a second facility.The plants closure was announced November 2018 and was due to the recent restructuring of the company, which will halt vehicle production there.Two of the final products that rolled off its line the Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala were discontinued this year, and GM announced the plant would not be updated for the next generation of vehicles.The closing of the plant leaves 2,300 workers unemployed. Just because the plant is finished making cars, however, doesnt mean its going to be completely abandoned by the automaker.Around 300 workers will remain employed at the plant, as parts-stampers for GM and other suppliers. GM made a commitment to produce quarter panels, trunks, doors and hoods at the plant for the next 10 years. GM has also injected $170 million into the plant to convert it into a test site for autonomous- and connected-vehicle technology. Ground has already been broken on the 55-acre site for a paved testing circuit.Some Oshawa workers are eligible for retirement incentives of up to $150,000 if theyve been working there for more than 30 years, or are of retirement age. They will also receive a $10,000 vehicle voucher. Workers who are less than 50 years old but have 10 years or more experience and will turn 50 within three years will be offered an up-to-$150,000 buyout package, or can opt to be placed on a layoff
Origin: The last truck rolled out of Oshawa, Ontario’s 66-year-old GM plant today
last
Uber reports 3,000 sexual assault claims last year in its safety review
In this March 15, 2017 file photo, a sign marks a pick-up point for the Uber car service at LaGuardia Airport in New York.Seth Wenig / Associated Press Uber found more than 3,000 allegations of sexual assaults involving drivers or passengers on its platform in the U.S. last year, part of an extensive and long-awaited review in response to public safety concerns.The ride-hailing company released an 84-page safety report Thursday, seeking to quantify the misconduct and deaths that occur on its system and argue that its service is safer than alternatives.U.S. customers took about 1.3 billion trips last year, Uber said. About 50 people have died in Uber collisions annually for the past two years, at a rate about half the national average for automotive fatalities, according to the company. Nine people were killed in physical assaults last year, Uber said.Uber drivers reported nearly as many allegations of sexual assault as passengers, who made 56 per cent of the claims. There is little comparable data on assaults in taxis or other transportation systems, and experts have said the attacks are widely under-reported. The assault claims reported to Uber ranged from unwanted kissing to forcible penetration. Uber is very much a reflection of society, said Tony West, Ubers chief legal officer who helped spearhead the two-year research effort. The sad, unfortunate fact is that sexual violence is more prevalent in our society than people think. People dont like to talk about this issue.Uber had committed more than a year ago to release a safety study, a promise Lyft Inc. made soon after. Lyft, the second-biggest ride-hailing provider in the U.S., has yet to publish a report. On Thursday, Uber said it would regularly share data with Lyft and other companies about drivers accused of serious safety lapses and continue publishing safety reports every two years.Uber has faced a steady stream of complaints in court across the country over driver misconduct, and Lyft has recently seen an explosion in legal claims by passengers. Just in California, at least 52 riders have sued Lyft this year over allegations they were assaulted or harassed by their drivers, according to filings reviewed by Bloomberg.Uber has faced similar complaints in countries beyond the U.S. The company was sued in 2017 by a woman who alleged top executives violated her privacy after one of its drivers in India allegedly raped her.Regulators in London cited uncertainty about Ubers ability to ensure the well-being of its passengers as a reason they revoked the companys license to operate there last week. Uber will be able to continue operating in the U.K. capital as it appeals the decision. Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive officer, said at an event earlier this week that a precursor to trust is transparency.According to the study, the proportion of assaults to total trips decreased by 16 per cent last year as Uber implemented new safety tools, such as contacting drivers and customers when the system identifies unusual activity, as well as adding a button to dial 9-1-1 from the app. I do think Uber is one of the safest ways to get from point A to point B, said West.Uber disclosed five categories of sexual assault allegations. In 2018, Uber received 1,560 reports of non-consensual touching of a sexual body part, 594 reports of non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part, 376 reports of non-consensual kissing of a sexual body part, 280 reports of attempted non-consensual sexual penetration and 235 reports of non-consensual sexual penetration.The extent of sexual misconduct, while staggering, isnt unique to Uber, said Ebony Tucker, executive director at Raliance, an advocacy and consulting firm focused on preventing sexual violence. Ubers findings didnt surprise any of us, she said. Sexual assault is pervasive. Its everywhere.Counting assaults is a complicated exercise. Only about a third of claims the company received about penetration without consent were reported to the police, Uber estimated. In about a quarter of cases, Uber said its team didnt successfully communicate with the victim after the initial report. Women reported 89 per cent of the rape allegations, the company said.Uber opted not to disclose many other troubling forms of sexual misconduct that it had previously identified as possible reporting categories. For instance, the company didnt say how many times drivers and riders made inappropriate comments to one another, nor did it disclose incidents of indecent
Origin: Uber reports 3,000 sexual assault claims last year in its safety review
The last front-engined Chevrolet Corvette just rolled off the line
A moment of silence, please: Chevrolet has built its very last front-engined C7 Corvette. The historic vehicle rolled off the assembly line in Bowling Green, Kentucky yesterday.GM was surprisingly low-key about it, sending out only a lone tweet instead of a press release. The last one was a black 2019 Z06, powered by a 650-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 engine, sold long before it was built.It was offered last June at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction and brought US$2.7 million dollars, with the winning bid benefiting the Stephen Siller Foundation charity. It was the highest price paid at a Barrett-Jackson auction for a vehicle donated by an automaker. The money went to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which builds accessible, mortgage-free homes for injured military veterans, and helps pay off mortgages of families of first responders killed in the line of duty.Some endings are bittersweet. The last #Corvette C7 – the end of an era – rolled off the line today. It was previously auctioned for $2.7 million with proceeds going to building smart homes for veterans. pic.twitter.com/3NU7gWWbc6 Chevrolet (@chevrolet) November 15, 2019With the end of C7 production, the plant can now begin to build the mid-engine C8 Corvette, with a starting price in Canada between $69,998 and $85,398 across its three trim lines.The C8 marks the first time a Corvettes engine has been anywhere but under the hood since the sports car was introduced for 1953. The Bowling Green plant, which has made more than one million Corvettes since production started there in 1981, is the only factory that makes the
Origin: The last front-engined Chevrolet Corvette just rolled off the line
Octobers pureEV figures up 150 on last year
October’s pure-EV figures up 150% on last year October 2019 was the third best month ever for pure electric sales Pure-electric vehicle registrations in the UK achieved their third best month ever in October 2019 – and the highest total outside of a new registration plate month – according to the latest statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Pure-EV figures are up 152% compared to October 2018, and the fuel type is 133% ahead of the first ten months of 2018. More than 28,000 pure-electric models have been registered so far in 2019; over 54,000 plug-in vehicles when PHEVs are included in the figures. Combined sales of electric cars – pure-EVs and plug-in hybrids – are 10% up on 2018 year-to-date, showcasing how well pure-electric models have performed this year, and the relative lack of registrations for PHEVs. Plug-in cars account for 2.7% of all models registered in 2019 so far, with pure-EVs accounting for a little over a half of that figure. With new registration plates out in March and September, the two months traditionally record the greatest number of new cars sold across all fuel types. As such, for October 2019’s pure-electric registrations to be the next highest total after September’s figure of more than 7,700 and over 3,900 sales in March earlier this year, it represents a real show of strength for what is a fast-growing market. Where 2018’s total combined electric vehicle market share – EV and PHEV – ended up on 2.5%, pure-electric models are approaching that figure on its own. The combined figure for 2019 to date is 2.7%, and the last 12 months show a share of 2.9%. Average registrations for 2019 now stand at more than 2,800 for pure-EVs and a little over 2,600 for PHEVs. A combined figure of approaching 5,500 registrations a month for 2019 is around 500 units a month ahead of 2018’s total, and 2019’s figures are accelerating as the year goes on.
Origin: Octobers pureEV figures up 150 on last year
A last show gasp of summer
Steve Leary drove his 1929 Willys Whippet up from Snohomish to attend the Cruise the Shore Car show in his old hometown of North Vancouver.Cam Hutchins The long weekend to mark the end of another glorious summer was one I loved and hated as a kid as I was excited my birthday weekend was here, but it meant summer was over and school was starting. I am no longer in school and I dont look forward to birthdays anymore so this weekend with the Crescent Beach Concours cant come soon enough!Simply put, this is an awesome show in an awesome location! The little park at the end of Crescent Beach hosts a selection of the most amazing cars from B.C., across Canada and the United States. Every year the mix of cars change, but they are always exceptional. One year a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS 4 NART Spyder from Seattle came up and just before that one sold at auction for well over $30 million. I wonder what wild cars will be there tomorrow?As mentioned in a previous column I photographed the cover photo for the show program that included a Riley and an Intermeccanica Italia. Both cars I knew virtually nothing about and had to go home to read about them. I saw another couple of Italias at the Concorso Italiano in California a couple of weeks ago. But they were not all Intermeccanicas; the other Italia came from Triumphs Italian importer Salvatore Ruffino. The TR3 chassis was rebodied with a design by a young Giovanni Michelotti that featured a hood bulge and a kick up at the back edge of the door. Clearly Triumph was pleased with the design as Michelotti ended up designing the 1961 Triumph TR4. This one owner 1968 Mustang GT fastback was seen at the Mustang show in Langley last weekend. Cam Hutchins This weekend also has the Back to Bradner Show Shine hosted by the Pacific International Street Rod Association, a long-running club with lots of great members and great cars. Another not-to-miss show is the Canadian Falcon Fairlane Comet Club Labour Day event at George Preston Arena, where I ended last weekend at the Mustang show at George Preston Arena and it is a great place for a car show with lots of shade.I also went to the show in North Vancouver benefitting Lions Gate Hospital. On one of the side streets I saw George Pappas and his 1967 Beaumont Cheetah, a rare car from Conroy motors who stuffed the Corvette 427 into the Beaumonts and called them Cheetahs. Sitting alongside his car was a 4 speed 396 1968 El Camino, a 1969 Chevelle and a 1969 COPO 427 Camaro. All big blocks and all sold new on the North Shore. Another North Shore native, Steve Leary who now lives in Snohomish, Washington drove his 1929 Willys Whippet with a 1952 DeSoto Hemi up to the show Looks old school but is tricked it out with power steering and brakes. Four big blocks in a row originally from the North Shore at the Cruise the Shore event in North Vancouver Cam Hutchins So have a great long weekend and whatever show or race you get to, take a kid.and try not to rub it in that school starts in a couple of days!SHOWSAUG. 31What: 9th Annual Crescent Beach Concours dEleganceWhere: Blackie Spit, 3136 McBride Ave., SurreyWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Info: 604-263-3400 or crescentbeachconcours@gmail.comWebsite: crescentbeachconcours.comSEPT. 1What: Back to Bradner Show ShineWhere: Bradner Sports Field, 5305 Bradner Rd., AbbotsfordWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: By donationRegistration: 8 a.m. to noon $20 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-220-0542 or tudor32@pisra.comWebsite: pisra.comWhat: Mercedes-Benz Show ShineWhere: Waterfront Park, North VancouverWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: $20 and open to all Mercedes Benz, AMG and Smart vehiclesInfo: tony.millikin@sjrb.caWebsite: bcstars.mbca.orgSEPT. 2What: Canadian Falcon Fairlane Comet Club Picnic in the Park.Where: Langley Civic Centre, 20699 42nd Ave., LangleyWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. to noon $15 and open to all classic and specialty vehiclesInfo: 604-589-2451 or 66gta@telus.netWebsite: ffcclub.comWhat: Preston GM All Corvette ShowWhere: Preston GM at the Langley By-PassWhen: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9a.m. $10 and open to Corvettes onlyInfo: 604-533-2529 or dbifford@antrimcedar.comWebsite: bccorvetteclub.ca COMPETITIONAUG. 30What: Friday Night Mopac Auto Supply Street Legal Drag RacingWhere: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd., MissionWhen: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Racing at 5 p.m. to 11p.m. (weather permitting).Info: 604-826-6315 or info@missionraceway.comWebsite: missionraceway.comAUG. 31What: Oval racingWhere: Saratoga Speedway, Black Creek, B.C.Info: 250-337-5024 or race@saratogaspeedway.bc.caWebsite: saratogaracing.caAUG. 31-SEPT. 1What: Canada 200 WeekendWhere: Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Rd, VictoriaInfo: 250-474-2151 or denise@westernspeedway.netWebsite: westernspeedway.netWhat: Drift Union Matsuri WeekendWhere: Penticton Speedway, 2070 Carmi Ave, Penticton,Info: 250-809-9117, 250-460-0121 or
Origin: A last show gasp of summer
Chevrolet auctions off last front-engined Corvette for US$2.7 million
The last front-engined Chevrolet Corvette crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson on June 28, 2019Barrett-Jackson The next-generation C8 Corvette has finally been confirmed by Chevrolet to be mid-engined, ending a 65-year tradition of the front-engined sports car.This also means the C7 Corvette will be the last generation to have the engine in the front, something Chevrolet celebrated this past week when it auctioned off the final one built for a whopping US$2.7 million.The car itself is an all-black Z06 with no distinguishing characteristics.That is to say, it will be an all-black Z06 the car hasnt been built yet, of course, and the one that crossed the stage at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction June 28 was just a placeholder.All proceeds from that sale are going to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which pays off mortgages for the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and builds mortgage-free, accessible smart homes for injured service members. The last front-engined Chevrolet Corvette crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson on June 28, 2019 Barrett-Jackson The foundation is named after Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who was killed during the tower collapse on 9/11. Chevrolet has been a supporter of the foundation for many years, and most recently sold the first production 2019 ZR1 at auction to benefit it, to the tune of US$925,000.The C8 Corvette has been teased to the press since man first walked on land, but its finally going to be unveiled for real on July 18th.It was initially thought Chevrolet might sell the C7 Corvette alongside the new C8, but of course this news disproves that
Origin: Chevrolet auctions off last front-engined Corvette for US$2.7 million
This road patch makes pothole repairs last longer
Canadian drivers are no strangers to the pothole. We’ve all swerved to avoid one, slowed to crawl through one or had to wait behind a person holding a stop sign on a pole while a crew worked to fill one. No, there’s no such thing as a good experience with a pothole, which is why the best kind is the filled kind, and also why this product that purports to help keep them that way for longer is so intriguing. It’s called the American Road Patch and it’s basically a big bandage with adhesive that bonds to concrete and asphalt surfaces on one side and a road-like texture on the other. As the video explains, pothole repairs fail when the hole isn’t properly sealed and water gets in to the affected area, sometimes as quickly as just a few days after being filled. But when the patch is placed over the filled hole, it provides a superior seal that keeps the moisture out longer. “American Road Patch because it’s placed over the existing pothole and immediately adheres to and actually becomes part of the road,” the host of the video explains. “Where American Road Patch has been used it has provided years of maintenance-free service. Over the long run, (it) saves time and money over conventional methods of pothole repair.” The product, which is has a protective cover that you literally peel off of the sticky side just like a Band Aid, is currently in place on U.S. interstates, on state and county roads and in driveways, and has been tested mostly in the company’s home state of Alabama, far from the frozen highways of the Northern States and Canada. Will it work up here where frost heave regularly upsets the contours of our nation’s roads? There’s a ‘where to buy’ section on the company’s website that includes Canada, so if you get one for that stubborn pothole in your driveway and test it out this year, please let us know.
Origin: This road patch makes pothole repairs last longer
Chevrolet will auction off the last front-engined Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette Z06Handout / Chevrolet The next-generation C8 Corvette has finally been confirmed by Chevrolet to be mid-engined, ending a 65-year tradition of the front-engined sports car. This also means the C7 Corvette will be the last generation to have the engine in the front, and Chevrolet will celebrate this by auctioning off the final one built. The car itself is an all-black Z06 with no distinguishing characteristics. Although it hasn’t been built yet, we can expect there might be a plaque or something. This news also quashes rumours that said the C7 and new mid-engine C8 might be sold alongside each other. The car will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction on June 28th, and all proceeds will go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which pays off mortgages for the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and builds mortgage-free, accessible smart homes for injured service members. The foundation is named after Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who was killed during the tower collapse on 9/11. Chevrolet has been a supporter of the foundation for many years, and most recently sold the first production 2019 ZR1 at auction to benefit it, to the tune of US$925,000. The C8 Corvette has been teased to the press since man first walked on land, but it’s finally going to be unveiled for real on July 18th, just a few weeks after the sale of the last
Origin: Chevrolet will auction off the last front-engined Corvette
All about car 