Combining traditional hospitality with Nissan’s autonomous driving technology, one Japanese inn is treating guests to some unusual amenities: self-parking slippers, tables and floor cushions. At first glance, the ProPilot Park Ryokan looks like any other traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan. Slippers are neatly lined up at the foyer, where guests remove their shoes. Tatami roomsRead Full Story
Author Archive | westernadmin
OpenRoad Auto brings Karma hybrid electric supercar brand to Vancouver
OpenRoad Auto Group has launched Western Canada’s first Karma Automotive dealership with the opening of Karma Vancouver, located at 1717 West 5th Avenue on Vancouver’s west side. Karma is a Southern California-based automotive manufacturer known for its luxury electric plug-in hybrid sports cars and has partnered with a select number of North American automotiveRead Full Story
Mazda wins three 2018 ‘Best’ Category Awards from AJAC
Mazda Canada has received three ‘Best’ Category Awards for 2018 from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC)—Best Small Car (Mazda3); Best Small Utility Vehicle (Mazda CX-5); and Best Large Utility Vehicle (Mazda CX-9). These awards make the Mazda3 eligible to win the overall 2018 Canadian Car of the Year award, and the CX-5Read Full Story
VW Canadian class settlement provides benefits for approximately 20,000 3.0L Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche diesel vehicles
Volkswagen has confirmed its agreement to resolve consumer claims in Canada regarding approximately 20,000 affected 3.0L diesel vehicles, subject to court approval. The full agreement and summaries of its terms are available at www.VWCanadaSettlement.ca. As noted in the December 2017 announcement of the agreement, the proposed settlement provides for cash payments and other benefits toRead Full Story
Class action filed regarding Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks
A proposed Canadian class action was filed on January 11, 2018, by Siskinds LLP and Sotos LLP against Ford and Bosch regarding certain diesel-powered F-Series Super Duty trucks. Siskinds’ Québec-based affiliate, Siskinds Desmeules, has also filed a similar action on behalf of Québec residents. The proposed actions allege that Ford equipped affected vehicles with softwareRead Full Story
Switchblade, the world’s first flying sports car, prepares for take-off
If you’ve dreamed of the day you could go from driving down the road and, like the Jetsons, take to the skies, this is now becoming a reality. Samson Motors of Central Oregon, creators of the Switchblade—the world’s first flying sports car—has successfully completed grueling suspension testing in preparation for a spring 2018 launch. TheRead Full Story
Nissan unveils seven ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’-inspired show vehicles at 2017 LA Auto Show
Nissan unveiled seven Star Wars-themed concept vehicles at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show in celebration of the brand’s ongoing collaboration with Lucasfilm for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The show vehicles provided a dynamic display to highlight Nissan’s dramatic designs and the famous characters and crafts from the upcoming film, debuting in theaters DecemberRead Full Story
Alfa Romeo returns to Formula 1
Alfa Romeo, the prestigious Italian brand owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has signed a multi-year technical and commercial partnership agreement with Swiss Sauber F1 Team for participation in the Formula 1 world championship beginning with the 2018 season. The partnership will provide additional opportunities for the two organizations in both Formula 1 and theRead Full Story
All-British Whistler Run (ABR) Sunday May 20, 2018, Vancouver, Canada
On Sunday May 20, following the static ABFM event at VanDusen, the annual Vancouver-All-British Whistler Run will take place. This fun day gives participants the opportunity to drive their British vehicles on one of the world’s most scenic roads, the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Entrants gather Sunday morning at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Centre South Mall forRead Full Story
All-British Classics at VanDusen, Saturday May 19, 2018, Vancouver, Canada
UPDATED: January 17, 2018 Dubbed The Greatest Show on British Wheels, Vancouver All British Field Meet (ABFM 2018) celebrating 33 years, will make its way to the magnificent venue at VanDusen Botanical Garden on British Columbia’s Victoria Day weekend. Western Canada’s largest collection of 500-plus British-built cars and motorcycles will be displayed in 60 classesRead Full Story
MINI celebrates 15th anniversary in Canada
MINI is a brand renowned for never needing a reason to throw a party and celebrate. However, an anniversary for 15 years of doing business in Canada was an appropriate time to bring the passionate MINI fan base together on October 14, 2017 in Montreal. The event marks the fourth iteration of MINI Invasion, anRead Full Story
Moss Motors acquires XKs Unlimited
Moss Motors Ltd. has acquired well-known classic Jaguar parts specialists XKs Unlimited of San Luis Obispo, CA. Serving Jaguar enthusiasts since 1973, XKs Unlimited has always prided itself on its selection of a wide range of parts, customer service and dedication to the Jaguar community. The addition of XKs Unlimited’s operations, personnel and expertise toRead Full Story
Vancouver ABFM recognized in Classic & Sports Car magazine
The September 2017 issue of U.K.-based, Classic & Sports Car magazine published a five-page spread on the May 2017 Vancouver All British Field Meet (ABFM) that included 17 photos and 7 sidebar owner stories. “This recognition in a world-renowned, classic car magazine speaks to the quality and diversity of the B.C. collector car community andRead Full Story
Nissan unveils IMx zero-emission concept at 2017 Tokyo Motor Show
Nissan has unveiled its IMx all-electric crossover concept vehicle at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. The IMx offers fully autonomous operation and a driving range of more than 600 kilometres. At the core of the IMx’s technological features is a future version of ProPILOT autonomous technology. When ProPILOT drive mode is selected, the system stowsRead Full Story
Gooding & Company sells most valuable Porsche in world auction history
Gooding & Company auction achieved more than $155 million for 285 lots sold in 2017 and posted a strong 82 per cent sale rate from the auction house’s three esteemed venues. Collectors responded to the quality and unique offerings as 40 cars sold above the $1-million mark and 42 new world auction records were established.Read Full Story
Limited-edition Lotus Elise Cup 260
Lotus has integrated some of the latest design philosophies from high-performance stablemates including the Exige Cup 380, and the mighty Evora GT430, as well as building upon the track and competition only Elise Race 250 to produce the extreme limited-edition Lotus Elise Cup 260. Setting a standard for outright track pace and low lap times,Read Full Story
BlackboxMyCar wants ICBC to offer insurance discount for drivers with dash cams
North America’s biggest dash cam supplier, B.C.-based BlackboxMyCar, is calling on the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) to offer an insurance discount for customers with a dam cam installed in their vehicle. “Ideally, we’d like to see them offer a 10-15 per cent discount,” said Alex Jang, CEO of BlackboxMyCar. Several countries, including Britain, ThailandRead Full Story
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is World’s Fastest Production SUV
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has claimed the title of world’s fastest production SUV, setting a new benchmark lap time at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring. In September 21017, a Stelvio Quadrifoglio lapped the 20.7-kilometre) Nordschleife (north loop) in a record 7 minutes 51.7 seconds. This new benchmark time is a full eight seconds faster thanRead Full Story