Tag Archives: Canada

News

BRP Shows Sales Growth Despite Warmest Winter On Record In US, Canada

If you reside in someplace within the US or Canada that usually experiences harsh winter climate, you in all probability do not want me to inform you that issues have been simply bizarre final winter.

From the top of 2023 and stretching into the start of 2024, most locations the place winter is often chilly and harsh skilled a big reprieve. For those that’ve been round quite a lot of winters, we all know that the severity of winter can (and does) differ from yr to yr. One yr, it could possibly be Blizzard Central, and the following yr, you would possibly simply see grey skies on a regular basis however subsequent to no snow. It’s cyclical, and that tendency is not out of the unusual.

However, winter from 2023 to 2024 wasn’t simply any yr, quantifiably talking. Both the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Canada’s Weather Network agree: The US and Canada have each simply skilled their single warmest winter on file. Period. Full cease.

How a lot hotter was it? In Canada, it was a full 1.3 levels Celsius hotter than its earlier warmest winter file. In the US, the 48 continental states skilled a collective winter that was 5.4 levels Fahrenheit above common. Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin all recorded their warmest winters on file, whereas 26 different states every noticed the 2023-2024 winter season crack their high 10 warmest winters of all time.

That’s Why Ski-Doo’s Parent Company Says Snowmobile Sales Were Significantly Down This Winter

At the top of March 2024, Ski-Doo’s father or mother firm Bombardier Recreational Products launched its FY2024 This autumn quarterly monetary report. What have been the outcomes? Overall gross sales have been down by 10 p.c for the quarter. However, excluding snowmobile gross sales, BRP additionally famous that its quarterly gross sales would solely have been down two p.c quite than 10.

Since it was the fourth quarter of BRP’s reporting yr, it additionally launched its yearly gross sales figures on the similar time. Overall, BRP recorded gross sales development of eight p.c year-on-year throughout all powersports classes. Excluding snowmobiles, that quantity rose to 12 p.c development YoY. 

Throughout the report, BRP explicitly calls out what it phrases “unfavourable winter conditions” throughout North America (effectively, the US and Canada, anyway) at least ten occasions as a motive why snowmobile gross sales have been so comparatively sluggish. As we have seen from each the US and Canada, it is not an invalid excuse. The climate was, certainly, measurably fairly a bit hotter than regular. Less and even no snow means fewer individuals snowmobiling. The math is not obscure, even in case you’re not a finance skilled.

By Contrast, Year-Round Product Sales Were Up Nine Percent

BRP breaks its merchandise into two classes on this report: Year-round merchandise and Seasonal merchandise. Year-round merchandise embrace side-by-sides, ATVs, and all the three-wheelers that Can-Am sells. Seasonal Products embrace snowmobiles, private watercraft (Sea-Doo), and pontoons. 

For FY24 This autumn, BRP reported a side-by-side gross sales rise within the low 20 p.c vary, an ATV gross sales lower within the low single digits, and a three-wheeler lower within the excessive 20 p.c vary (definitive figures not listed). 

By distinction, the Seasonal Products class noticed revenues down by 28 p.c. Snowmobiles have been down within the excessive teenagers percentage-wise, whereas private watercraft have been down about 60 p.c and pontoons have been down within the mid-70 p.c vary. 

Powersports Parts and Accessories revenues have been down 23 p.c, and Marine revenues have been down 32 p.c as effectively. As a direct end result, BRP laid off 129 workers at an meeting plant that makes Manitou pontoon boats in Lansing, Michigan on the finish of March 2024, in line with Crain’s Detroit Business. 

Earlier within the yr, in September 2023, BRP-owned boat producer Alumacraft introduced that it might lay off 68 employees at its St. Peter, Minnesota plant, wiping out one whole shift (and going from two shifts to only one). Prior steerage in 2023 from BRP famous that the corporate was concurrently constructing a brand new boat manufacturing plant in Chihuahua City, Mexico. 

Motorsport

Canada To Ban Sales Of New Cars That Produce Emissions From 2035

Canada is placing one other nail within the combustion engine’s coffin by asserting a zero-emission mandate. The ultimate model of the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard was revealed this week, and it features a gross sales ban on new automobiles that generate emissions from 2035.

Before that occurs, automakers energetic in Canada must adjust to different rules. Beginning with the 2026 mannequin 12 months, at the least 20 p.c of automobiles bought by an organization in a 12 months must be ZEVs (zero-emission automobiles). By 2030, the goal will enhance to 60 p.c, with the last word purpose being ZEV-only gross sales by the center of the following decade.

Canada ZEV mandate

It’s vital to notice the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard technically will not outlaw combustion engines from 2035. Aside from battery-powered EVs and hydrogen EVs, zero-emission automobiles will also be plug-in hybrids that may run solely on electrical energy. However, these PHEVs should work in EV mode “for a specified minimum distance before they transition to operating as hybrid vehicles, using both liquid fuels and electricity.”

Light-duty automobiles generate roughly half of Canada’s greenhouse gasoline emissions from the transportation sector. The transportation sector itself is answerable for a couple of quarter of the nation’s general greenhouse gasoline emissions. With the 2035 goal set, authorities challenge that polluting light-duty automobiles will all be faraway from the roads by 2050.

Canada is the most recent nation to place stress on automakers to change to zero-emissions automobiles. Earlier this 12 months, the European Union determined to ban sales of new cars that generate emissions from 2035, however ICE automobiles operating on artificial fuels might be allowed. The EU consists of 27 nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic (Czechia), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The UK is now not a part of the EU nevertheless it too is focusing on 2035, a five-year delay in comparison with the unique plan. Countries such Norway, Israel, and Singapore are additionally setting aggressive targets for automakers to change to EVs. Similarly, an increasing number of states within the US intend to undertake these requirements within the coming years.

Motorsport

Kia Canada Is Reportedly Withholding Deliveries To Avoid Looking Too Successful

Is it attainable to have too many new automotive gross sales? Kia Canada thinks so, at the least in response to a latest report from CBC News. Amid document gross sales for the automaker comes phrase that new automobiles ordered by Canadian prospects are being withheld at staging places within the nation till 2024. The cause? Kia Canada does not wish to look too profitable within the eyes of the company workplace in South Korea.

The information stems from an alleged video name that occurred on November 17 between a Kia Canada regional supervisor and quite a few dealership representatives. CBC News obtained footage of the decision, by which the supervisor says, “With the global slowdown, Kia Canada wants to control wholesale and retail performance in 2023 to not show high overachievement.”


Technology

Who Makes Ninja Appliances, And Are They Any Good?

SharkNinja is a company that was founded by Mark Rosenzweig. The company was initially established in Montreal, Canada in 1997, before entering the United States market in 1998. Mark Rosenzweig, a third-generation business owner, originally named the company Euro-Pro Operating, LLC. According to a Forbes interview, Rosenzweig moved the privately-owned company from Canada to Newton, Massachusetts in 2003. Initially, Shark’s products focused on their no-loss suction vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaning devices.

In 2009, the Ninja brand was launched, with Mark Barrocas as the CEO of SharkNinja. The early products were centered around their kitchen blenders, and in 2015, they released their first coffee maker. In 2017, SharkNinja was acquired by the Chinese appliance maker JS Global, and in 2018, Ninja joined the Chinese subsidiary Joyoung to develop the Foodi brand.

However, in June 2023, SharkNinja, Inc. officially separated from JS Global and became its own entity, entering the New York Stock Exchange in July of the same year. Since 2020, SharkNinja has paid over $3.3 billion to JS Global subsidiaries for merchandise and goods, mostly manufactured in China, as reported by CNBC. So, while the company is now a separate entity, it still depends on JS Global and Chinese manufacturers.

Motorsport

Chevrolet Silverado Production Resumes in Canada After Short Strike at GM

General Motors has reached a tentative agreement with Unifor to continue Chevrolet Silverado production in Canada. Earlier this week, the union went on strike for a brief period at three GM facilities, including the Oshawa Assembly plant responsible for manufacturing the popular and profitable pickup truck.

Unifor had authorized the strike after GM refused to “meet the pattern agreement,” as stated by Lana Payne, the union’s national president. This strike followed an agreement between Unifor and Ford of Canada, which offered wage increases of up to 25 percent in the country. Now, GM is also following suit.


NewsNew

600cc Two-Stroke Engine by Panthera Motorsports: Based off Honda CR500 Platform

Panthera Motorsports, based in Canada, has announced the development of a 600cc complete engine that is based on the Honda CR500 platform. This engine will come with options for an electric starter and a hydraulic clutch. The PM09 engine by Panthera Motorsports will be available in three options: complete engine, top-end only, and bottom-end only. The company claims that the OEM Honda cylinder will fit on the Panthera Motorsports bottom-end, and their top-end will work with the OEM Honda bottom-end. The complete engine will cost around $7,800 USD, the complete bottom-end is priced at $3,800.00 USD to $4,200.00 USD, and the complete top-end is priced at $1,900.00 USD to $2,500.00 USD. More information and images can be found on Panthera Motorsports’ website.

Customers interested in the PM09 engine package can make a down payment to secure their spot in line and guarantee the manufacture of all the necessary components for their engine. The payment ensures a fixed price, regardless of any potential increase in production costs. Vehicle fitment and requirement information will be collected closer to the completion date. The package will include a complete engine with both kick start and electric start, an EFI throttle body or an oversized carburetor, an ECU and complete wiring, and a complete exhaust.

The engine specifications include a bore and stroke of 95mm x 84.5mm, a connecting rod length of 160mm, a primary ratio of 2.25, and transmission ratios of 1.75, 1.39, 1.09, 0.87, and 0.72. The exhaust configuration consists of one main port and two sub ports, and there are seven transfer ports. The engine also features a triple port, servo-controlled power valve system and an electric starter. The weight of the engine is 70 lbs. The cost of the engine ranges from $3,900.00 USD to $7,800.00 USD.

The complete bottom-end engine block is specifically designed for the Panthera PM09 600CC engine and is compatible with the Honda CR500 chassis and cylinder bolt patterns. It provides a solid base for the CR500 engine when combined with the Panthera cylinder. This fully assembled engine base comes with a counter balancer shaft and an electric starter. It offers 70% less vibration than a CR500 and is equipped with a high-capacity clutch that has 80% more torque capacity than the OEM Honda clutch. The clutch actuator options include a hydraulic slave and a cable actuator. The transmission features a primary ratio of 2.25 to reduce loads on the clutch and transmission and allows for the use of a smaller front sprocket. Two transmission ratios are available: standard ratio and HRC ratio. The complete bottom-end engine block costs between $3,800.00 USD and $4,200.00 USD.

The complete top-end cylinder kit is a direct bolt-in replacement for the CR500 engine base. It features a modern design with 2-stroke technology, a bore size of 95mm, and a forged 95mm piston. The optional servo-controlled power valve blocks all three exhaust ports and provides a powerband twice as large as the original CR500. A control module is included, which only requires the spark ignition signal and a 12V supply. The cylinder kit weighs 10 lbs and has dimensions of 11 x 11 x 10 inches. The cost of the complete top-end ranges from $1,900.00 USD to $2,500.00 USD.

For more information on the Panthera Motorsports PM09 engine, visit their website. There is also a video available for a complete overview of the engine.

Volkswagen

Electric VW bus for North America and Europe: world premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase

  • Comeback in the USA and Canada: Volkswagen celebrates the long-awaited return of the VW bus to North America with the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase.
  • June 2: day of the world premiere becomes new US holiday. The European premiere of the long ID. Buzz follows at the VW Bus Festival in Hanover from June 23 to 25.
  • Spacey: the new ID. Buzz with long wheelbase is one of the most spacious electric vehicles, with room for up to seven people and a large luggage compartment
  • High-efficiency drive system: at its launch, the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase will be optionally available in Europe and North America with new 85 kWh battery (net) and new 210 kW electric drive motor
  • Samba Bus for the modern age: newly developed panoramic sunroof with electronically controlled tinting is the largest glass roof ever produced by Volkswagen

Volkswagen ID. Buzz with long wheelbase

ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB) – Near-production concept car.

A vehicle like a rock song. Good vibrations. Whenever it appears, people smile: the ID.Buzz. The icon among electric vehicles. The latest addition to the family is now here: the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase. It is “Made in Germany” for Europe – as well as for Canada and the US. Because Volkswagen is starting the comeback of the VW bus in North America with the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase. The world premiere will also take place there on June 2, at surfer hotspot Huntington Beach, on the Pacific Coast Highway near Los Angeles. The vehicle will be revealed as part of the largest VW Bus festival in the USA as a tribute to the fans and the country. At the same time, America will welcome the ID. Buzz with a generous gesture: from New York to San Francisco, June 2 will in future be celebrated as a holiday, “Volkswagen Bus Day”. This bus tour will continue in Germany in just three weeks with the European debut of the long ID. Buzz. The date and location are also perfect: June 23 to 25 at the international VW Bus Festival in Hanover – Europe’s largest VW Bus meetup.

With the T4 generation, the VW bus left the USA and Canada 20 years ago. However, it still holds a cult following from New York to San Francisco to this very day. The T1, T2, and T3 rear-engine generations are still a familiar sight at beach parking lots in California, Florida, and Long Island in 2023. Volkswagen is now closing the circle again with the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase and is bringing the VW bus back to North America – this time with an electric rear-wheel drive. Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Brand Group Volume, says: “Volkswagen is an extremely strong global brand with a great history, millions of loyal fans and legendary products. This is clearly evident here at the largest VW Bus festival in the USA. I am therefore delighted that the team at Volkswagen Group of America is celebrating the premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase here. With this model, we are taking a big step towards becoming a true love brand again.” Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, underlines the importance of the electric VW bus for the US market:“The ID. Buzz and the USA – it’s a perfect match! The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys real cult status. Our aim today is to further strengthen the Volkswagen brand in America. The ID. Buzz with long wheelbase is exactly the right model to fulfill this task.” Lars Krause, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, also says that the ID. Buzz is the comeback of a certain automotive feeling for life: “In the USA, Canada, and Europe, the VW bus has embodied a unique attitude on life for decades. The picture of the legendary T1 Lightbus in Woodstock is unforgettable. The DNA of this symbol of freedom lives on in our ID. Buzz. It is of utmost importance to us that we can now offer the people of North America a modern, all-electric new edition with the ID. Buzz in an iconic design.”

Volkswagen ID. Buzz with long wheelbase

ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB) – Near-production concept car.

With a length of 4,962 mm and up to seven seats, the large ID. Buzz is perfectly primed for its launch in North America. At the same time, it is also expanding its range of possible applications in Europe. The extra length due to the increase in the wheelbase by 250 mm creates room for a third row of seats, providing up to 2,469 liters of storage space, and for a new, larger 85 kWh battery (net capacity), giving even more range. And the new heat pump increases efficiency in winter. The large ID. Buzz will also be available with a new 210 kW (286 hp) electric drive motor. This electric drive motor increases the maximum speed to the electronic limit of 160 km/h (European ID. Buzz with 150 kW: 145 km/h). The large ID. Buzz can reach a speed of 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. But that’s not all: an all-wheel drive version (GTX) with an output of 250 kW (339 hp) has been announced for 2024. The ID. Buzz GTX will be able to complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds, making it perfect for rapidly merging with traffic on the highway.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz with long wheelbase

ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB) – Near-production concept car.

Other new features of the large electric VW Bus include a head-up display, an upgraded next-generation infotainment system, and remote parking via smartphone. Meanwhile, a newly designed high-tech panoramic sunroof with smart glass brings back memories of the legendary Samba Bus of the 50s.At 1.5 square meters, it is the largest glass roof ever built by Volkswagen. The smart glass can be changed from transparent to opaque and vice versa using the touch slider or voice assistant. The North American versions will also feature air-conditioned seats and an illuminated Volkswagen logo on the front.

Delivery of the first ID. Buzz vehicles in America will start in 2024. Almost parallel to the market launch in North America, the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase will also be available in Europe. Like the Multivan and the Bulli T6.1, all ID. Buzz vehicles will be produced at the main plant of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. This is one of the most state-of-the-art automotive plants in the world and the home of the VW Bus family.

The world premiere of the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase can be followed via this link at 6:30 pm (CEST):
https://www.youtube.com/live/EETqf24cDfg?feature=share

Volkswagen ID. Buzz with long wheelbase

ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB) – Near-production concept car.