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
truck
Racer builds 1950s Ford truck that drives backwards
Former IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton tries his hardest to go the right direction on the race track, but back home in Indiana, hed prefer facing the wrong way in a 1952 Ford pickup.The story comes courtesy of %7B%22provider_name%22:%22YouTube%22,%22provider_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.youtube.com%5C/%22,%22object_url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/youtu.be%5C/>%22,%22type%22:%22oembed%22,%22channels%22:%5B%22desktop%22,%22tablet%22,%22phone%22%5D%7D target=_blank rel=noopener>Barcroft Cars’ Ridiculous Rides, which profiled Hamilton and his ridiculous custom truck built to be driven down the road bed-first.Construction started by essentially turning the body around on the frame. The engine now resides in the bed, while the gas tank sits under the hood. Power comes from a Chevy 350 (sacrilege!) connected to a Turbo 350 transmission.The interior has undergone a complete transformation, besides the seats just being turned around. A section of the rear cab had to be cut out for Hamilton to put his feet somewhere, never mind the pedals. The steering wheel now comes up at an angle more akin to a bus, and the entire dashboard is a custom-fabricated piece. The backwards truck is without a doubt a confusing creation, even befuddling Hamilton himself like when he enters the truck, for example, since the drivers side door is now on the passenger side.Hamilton says people get a kick out of it, and that its fun when it makes somebodys day. And at the end of it, thats what hot-rodding is all about, isnt it? Having fun, and not taking life too seriously too many people have that
Origin: Racer builds 1950s Ford truck that drives backwards
4,000-hp Thor24 custom truck hammers for US$12 million in Saudi Arabia
What has twenty-four cylinders, weighs 32,000 pounds and was outlandish enough to command US$12 million in a country where moneys no object for many of its residents?If you think the answer is this Thor24 crew cab semi built by stunt pilot and boat racer Mike Harrah, youd be absolutely right.Over the span of seven years and about US$7 million, Harrah constructed one of the most extreme vehicles let alone truck tractors ever to ply the face of this earth. The power developed by 1,704 cubic inches of displacement comes from a brace of two 12-cylinder Detroit diesel engines, arranged neatly like ducks in a row.There are a dozen 871 superchargers arranged above the blocks to push the beast to create a blistering 3,974 horsepower. It also packs a nitrous boost, allowing the 32,000-pound truck to crest 200 km/h. A quartet of 12-foot drag chutes help to reel in all that speed.Harrahs vision began with a Peterbilt 359 crew cab semi, a truck stretched to 44 feet in length to accommodate his plans. Once the frame was completed, most parts on the bottom side were replaced with chrome-plated or polished aluminum bits. From a visual standpoint, its a good wager there is nothing else in the world like Thor24. As if to put the exclamation point home, flames adorn Thors flanks because of course they do.A bidder at the Global Auto Salon auction, hosted by Worldwide Auctioneers in Riyadh this past weekend, paid a reported US$12 million for this 44-foot-long brute. Keeping in spirit with other custom big rigs, an auxiliary power unit is onboard. The unit is what else? a Hawker jet engine. Your author was on the ground at the Riyadh show, where Bugattis were as common as Corollas. In that context, perhaps Thor24 doesnt seem so outrageous after all. But make no mistake back here in a world that loosely approximates reality, Thor24 is a wonderfully brutish machine that has more road presence than a fleet of Jensen Interceptors.Well have more car stories from Saudi Arabia in the days ahead, including the tale of a man who bought a brace of heavily-patinad 57 Chevys and plans to take them on a 1,600-km road trip. Until then, enjoy these snaps of what is surely the wildest semi in
Origin: 4,000-hp Thor24 custom truck hammers for US$12 million in Saudi Arabia
Halifax police taking delivery of Canadian armored truck in 2020
The Halifax Regional Police will take delivery of a new armored vehicle come spring of 2020, a decision thats stirred up some controversy, Global News reports.The Terradyne Gurkha MPV will cost the municipality $368,000; that sounds like a lot of money, but its a lot less than the $500,000 the city had budgeted for.The contract was awarded to southern-Ontario-based Terradyne Armored Vehicles Inc. on September 23, according to Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for the municipality. According to HRP, the vehicle will provide a level of safety for the officers and the public, while helping them address the climbing number of issues they encounter. It has also stated the vehicle would not be equipped with weaponry or aggressive equipment.Critics of the vehicle say it makes local law enforcement too militaristic, particularly in the context of being used to police marginalized and minority groups around the city.This isnt the first time armored vehicles have been used by smaller police departments, and the results have been mixed.Fredericton Police Force unveil their armored vehicle in April 2018, and Frederictons Emergency Response Team have used it a few times. The vehicle was also deployed in August of 2018 during the fatal shooting of two Fredericton police officers.The New Glasgow, N.S. police force decided they didnt need their armored vehicle after owning it four years. The 10-ton vehicle with rotating turret was provided to the town free of charge as surplus from the Canadian military, but the police chief said We really have not had any use for that since weve had
Origin: Halifax police taking delivery of Canadian armored truck in 2020
Man proposes to girlfriend with turbocharger for her truck
A young man recently proposed to his girlfriend in an interesting way: with a special message written on the compressor wheel of a turbocharger.The pickup-lover and his girlfriend are apparently building a Ford truck together with a 7.3-litre Powerstroke diesel engine. When she mentioned she wanted a big shiny turbo for the build, her boyfriend got an idea.He sent a message to KC Turbos asking for them to write a special message on the KC300x series turbocharger (worth about $1,190). KC Turbos was happy to oblige the young lovebird, and wrote the message Will you marry me? on the compressor wheel of the turbocharger. Were guessing she said yes after all, who could say no to a honking great big turbocharger?Its hard to see, but there is actually an engagement ring on top of the turbocharger on the compressor wheel in the close-up shot.KC turbos shared the love story in a Facebook post with the hashtag #EveryKissBeginsWithKC, a play-on-words referencing the Kay Jewelers slogan.This is a great story of true love. That, or a really elaborate way to buy an expensive turbocharger for the dudes truck. Either way were glad that somebodys
Origin: Man proposes to girlfriend with turbocharger for her truck
This man’s backward-facing Chevy truck is actually street-legal
A video of a Chevrolet pickup truck that appears to be traveling backwards down a road in Massachusetts has been, for obvious reasons, gathering attention. Because it’s not actually driving backwards. And you’re not crazy. But the truck’s owner might be a little — the best kind of crazy, that is. In the video, a man apparently named Ron is seen driving down the Massachusetts roadways in his backward-mounted Chevrolet pickup truck. The video shooter seems to know him and his build, laughing and saying Theres Ron in his backward-facing pickup truck.ViralHog posted the short video clip to YouTube, and according to their description, Ron took four years to complete the build, which involved installing the body onto the truck’s chassis backwards to give the truck the appearance of moving in reverse when driving forward. From the outside when it’s parked, it looks like a normal model of the brand’s former full-size pickup, the C/K 1500. But a peek through the windows informs you that this is not your standard Chevy. The steering wheel and pedals, seats, dash and instrumentation have all been switched around to allow the driver to look out over the box as they drive. And when it turns, which it does toward the end of the video, it does so with its front wheels turning from the middle of the box and the former signal indicators acting as brake lights.Perhaps most impressively, Ron has managed to get the local authorities and insurers onboard. His truck is insured and totally legal. Why did the man build this backwards machine? No idea. Hopefully we hear more from Ron and get to see some other angles of his fascinating
Origin: This man’s backward-facing Chevy truck is actually street-legal
Watch: Classic Ford truck goes up in flames in Ontario
An unlucky classic car enthusiast in Windsor, Ontario saw his vintage Ford F-150 almost burn to the ground after a small engine fire turned into something much larger.The incident, captured in a now-viral video post shared on Facebook by Firefighter World, involved an incredibly clean-looking classic 1980-to-1986-gen Ford F-150 Stepside pickup.Initially, the owner tries in vain to put out the flames with a pair of pants.The woman riding in the vehicle searches for a fire extinguisher or some water from nearby businesses, while the man frantically tries to put the fire out by himself.The owner can be heard repeatedly crying out I just finished it today!Eventually, he finds a fire extinguisher and tries to put out the growing blaze himself, but the fire had by then gone past the point of handheld extinguishers, and the man is forced to watch his truck burn until firefighters arrive to put out the blaze.The cause of the fire is not known, but being a likely carbureted classic truck, the engine may have backfired due to incorrect tuning and caused the air cleaner to catch fire. At one point the chrome air cleaner top is seen falling off the fender and onto the ground.Its also possible the fuel lines werent all tightened up properly, causing fuel to drip onto the exhaust manifold. This is a stark reminder of why classic car owners or any car owner really should carry a fire extinguisher in their vehicle. Theyre cheap, and in some cases can save you a phone call to your insurance provider.Commenters on the video have been mostly sympathetic, and our hearts cry for this guy, too, who doubtlessly poured his soul into this truck just to watch it go up in smoke. Somebody want to start a
Origin: Watch: Classic Ford truck goes up in flames in Ontario
The 2020 Ram 1500’s the first truck to earn top marks in IIHS safety testing
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Ram is on something of a tear with its new 1500 pickup in this country, chalking up healthy sales as it offers customers a wide a range of trims and engines. Now, it has another arrow to add to its quiver a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.This makes Ram 1500 the first full-size pickup to earn this accolade. It tests a half-dozen crashworthiness measures, plus the clarity and strength of headlight output.It is this last criteria that flummoxes most manufacturers, denying them the coveted + notation. Driver assists such as forward collision mitigation helps improve ratings as well.Ram ticked all the boxes in testing, meaning the Top Safety Pick+ rating applies to 2020 Ram 1500 pickups and 2019 trucks produced after May of this year, so long as theyre equipped with adaptive LED projector headlamps that have high-beam assist and Rams automatic emergency braking technology.Of the crash tests conducted by the IIHS, three simulate frontal impacts, with the new Ram half-ton recording good results in each. In typically understated government fashion, good is the highest possible rating. Outcomes were the same in the three remaining crashworthiness tests, which inflict damage consistent with a side impact, rear impact and a rollover.This recognition validates our unrelenting efforts to deliver more value for our customers, says Reid Bigland, head of Ram Brand. The new Ram 1500 has earned many accolades for its capability and design. It is immensely satisfying to have the IIHS recognize our truck for its compelling safety story. As for its competitors, the 2019 Ford F-150 also earns good marks in all crash tests but fails to annotate its result with a + thanks to headlights which only earn a poor rating. Its the same story at Chevy for its 2019 Silverado, save for a marginal result in the passenger-side small overlap crash test.Elsewhere in the automotive sphere, the snazzy new 2020 Hyundai Palisade also earns a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS when equipped with its best headlights. Volvo, long a brand with a name thats basically a byword for safety, also picked up a brace of Top Safety Pick wins for its large S90 and XC90
Origin: The 2020 Ram 1500’s the first truck to earn top marks in IIHS safety testing
Spotting a fire truck ahead is easy for people, not so for cars
A Tesla crashed into a fire truck near Los Angeles in 2018.Culver City Firefighters To the human driver, it would have been an obvious obstacle: a police car and fire truck, emergency lights blazing, blocking the lane ahead.But to the Tesla Model S traveling down a Southern California freeway last year on Autopilot, it was a far more vexing technical challenge thats inherently difficult for the growing number of vehicles that automakers are equipping with driver-assist systems.The car slammed into the rear of the fire truck, resulting in no injuries but drawing the attention of federal investigators concerned about the emerging technology.Its not unique to Tesla, said David Zuby, chief research officer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has studied how automated driver-assist systems perform. Weve seen evidence in our test driving of other systems with this kind of problem.The radars and cameras used to sense obstructions ahead each have their limitations and computer software that evaluates the data is still a work in progress, according to the experts and advocates. In many cases, they are better at tracking moving vehicles ahead than recognizing parked ones.To be sure, automated driving systems have clear potential to improve traffic safety by supplementing the driver. Automatic emergency braking alone has been found by IIHS to reduce rates of rear-end crashes by half, and the insurer-funded group estimates that the system could reduce police-reported crashes of all types by 20 per cent.So far, Tesla is the only carmaker cited by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in an accident investigation for how it designed its partially autonomous system, but the case highlights the broader limitations of similar technology. It also puts a spotlight on a related concern: how to keep the imperfect humans behind the wheel engaged.The sensors on a Tesla and other cars are relatively good at following a vehicle in the same lane and adjusting speed to maintain a safe distance. But when a vehicle changes lanes known as the cut-out scenario it can leave the trailing vehicles sensors struggling to assess whats ahead.The cut-out is one of the hardest scenarios, said Phil Koopman, an engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University and co-founder of Edge Case Research, a Pittsburgh-based autonomous vehicle technology company. Theres no question about that.The radar and camera system on the Tesla involved in the Jan. 22, 2018, crash in Culver City, California, didnt see the fire truck in time to brake, according to the NTSB. The cars automatic braking system didnt activate, though it gave the driver a collision warning 0.49 seconds before impact, the investigation found.The Tesla sped up after the vehicle it had been following changed lanes several seconds before the impact, hitting the fire truck at 31 miles (50 kilometers) per hour.The Model S involved in the crash was a 2014 model. Since 2016, Teslas vehicles have received additional cameras, improved automatic braking and, according to the company, they can better handle the cut-out hazard.Tests to replicate cut-outs were found to be one of the most challenging to automated driving systems examined in 2018 by Euro NCAP, which tests and assigns safety ratings for vehicles in Europe. Automated driver-assist systems on some models tested last year by Euro NCAP found several vehicles struggled to automatically handle stationary objects and in the cut-out scenario. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 5 Series and Nissan Leaf, for example, offered limited or very limited automated support and primarily relied upon the driver to handle the situation.But its not just a sudden lane change that can flummox such systems, Koopman said.The radars typically used on vehicles that have automated braking cant distinguish very well between a road sign and a stopped vehicle, he said. If a car slammed on the brakes for every object it sensed ahead, it would cause endless false alarms.That can pose risks, too. More than 80 late-model Nissan Rogue drivers have complained to auto regulators that the SUVs automatic emergency braking system activated unintentionally, 10 of whom claimed the misfire occurred when the road ahead was clear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may open a defect inquiry into the issue after the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group, reported the complaints to the
Origin: Spotting a fire truck ahead is easy for people, not so for cars
This Nova Scotia man has owned the same Model T truck for 70 years
Randall Pitman is 87 years old, and for the last 70 years hes been driving the same old truck, a 1927 Ford Model T.According to the CBC, Pitman was 17 years old when he bought his truck in 1949, and the pair have gone on a number of adventures since, spanning hundreds of kilometres.To be able to afford the truck, Pitman worked at a gas station earning just 10 cents an hour, equivalent to $1.13 in 2019 money.Eventually, he saved up $50 ($563 today) and went to the auction house to buy the truck.Eventually, I bid $45 and the auctioneer, as auctioneers do, kept saying, Forty-five! Who will give me 50?’ he remembers. I stupidly said Forty-seven fifty, and he said Sold!’The truck is pretty basic in the truest sense of the word. Asking Pitman about brakes elicits a chuckle and a reassurance that they work. Nothing on the truck is done for you; even the ignition timing must be manually adjusted to start it.It doesnt even have turn signals Pitman has to stick his hand out the window and signal like you would on a bicycle.Pitman will put the truck on a flatbed to take it on a 600-kilometre journey to Crapaud, P.E.I for a car show that is expected to attract hundreds of vehicle and enthusiasts. Hes covered journeys longer than that in the past, but said that as the car gets older, the parts become more expensive; roadside repairs would still be possible, but not favourable.Pitmans other vehicle is another 1927 Model T, but a coupe model he bought in the 1960s and has been slowly restoring. Hes confident hell keep both vehicles on the
Origin: This Nova Scotia man has owned the same Model T truck for 70 years
All about car 