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DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S LETTER - Is auto theft declining? Auto theft is down 17% since this time last year, although it actually increased in some parts of the country. Gold star if you can guess where.
ELECTRIC AVENUE - PlugIn America partners with Consumer Reports. The dynamic duo launch an initiative to understand driver issues at plug in charging stations.
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT - N.S. and O.N. partner to generate opportunities for foreign-trained tradespeople.
WOMEN AND WHEELS - 9 things you may not know about (female) professional drivers - Ellen Voie reminds us with this helpful checklist.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD - contributor Rahman Mohamed takes a crack at compiling some weirdness for your reading pleasure.
FEATURES
PLOWING BY DESIGN - The Maritimes are rock stars when it comes to managing piles of the white stuff but they all have their own methods, thank you very much. By Zachary Perlmutter
FLEET SNOW REMOVAL - the last article for our little mag by our resident mindful trucker Dana Smith has some common sense speak for fleet managers.
SNOW REMOVAL: IT’S A CANADIAN THING, EH? Kirk Mathieson breaks down some snow removal trends including....wouldja believe snow depth sensors?
ETC.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS - Twenty seven years after its historic opening the iconic Confederation Bridge still retains its status as the longest covered bridge over ice covered waters in the world. by Carter Hammett
CAR WASH LIGHTING - Wouldja believe the subtle yet critical role lighting plays, cultivating car wash ambience? Mike Burcham shares the deets.
ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE - ‘A little extra’ goes a long way in this Newfoundland NAPA shop, writes Kristen Lipscombe.
MY WINTER DRIVING TRAUMA When the snow first hits the pavement every year, the number of collisions on the road inevitably goes up.
THE FORD STREET TRUCK RETURNS Lobo is the street-performance version of Maverick, giving customers a new, differentiated model.
GM SUPERCHARGING FOR EV DRIVERS General Motors has added 17,800 Tesla superchargers for its North American customers.
IS AUTO THEFT DECLINING?
By Carter Hammett
DESPITE SOME REGIONAL DIFFERENCES, AUTO AND TRUCK THEFTS DECREASED BY A SIGNIFICANT 17% DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2024, COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2023, REPORTS ÉQUITÉ ASSOCIATION.
“These positive national results are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the insurance industry, federal and provincial governments, law enforcement
agencies, and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) to reduce auto theft and disrupt the flow of funds to organized crime,” Équité wrote in its latest report.
Ontario and Quebec were the provinces that saw the largest declines in auto thefts with Ontario down 14% and Quebec down a whopping 36%.
Équité Association attributes this decrease to the ‘strong partnership between police, CBSA and government stakeholders. SUVs maintain their hold as the most popular kind of vehicle theft, with 5,532 reported stolen in Ontario up to July. There were 2,816 taken in Quebec. Passenger cars are in second place, with 3,414
stolen in Ontario while 1050 were taken in Quebec.
Interestingly enough, the decrease experienced in Quebec and Ontario caused a shift in other provinces, reports Équité. This is illustrated by a 10% decrease in western Canada and a 5% decrease in Alberta.
“There is a ripple effect happening, as vehicles stolen for export in Alberta are primarily exported out of the Port of Montreal. Additionally, the awareness of auto theft and the work that law enforcement is doing to prevent auto theft in the province is having a positive impact,” the organization says.
Trucks are the most stolen category of vehicle out west (3,593) followed by cars (2,692) and SUVs (2,546).
But vehicle theft actually increased in Atlantic Canada by 11% in 2024.
That’s because strong measures to combat theft in Ontario and Quebec have forced thieves to look toward other provinces, Équité says.
Cars (sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and wagons) made between 2010-2016, are the most stolen category of vehicle in the Atlantic provinces, with 383 stolen thus far in 2024. The three most commonly stolen cars are the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata, followed by the Kia Optima.
More than 28,000 cars have been stolen across Canada so far in 2024.
THANKS DANA!
And a quick note before signing off for this issue. We were saddened to hear that long time contributor and truck pundit Dana Smith has decided to move on to greener pastures. During his years with us, Dana contributed numerous articles on everything from electric trucks to health and wellness, all of it written in the signature plain speak style, he came to be known for. Whatever the topic, Dana was always on top of it, offering words of wisdom derived from years of experience on the road and on the page. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him well on the next leg of his journey.
PLOWING BY THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES ARE STARS AT DEALING WITH UNPREDICTABLE WINTER
WEATHER BUT THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS
OF DEALING WITH IT
By Zachary Perlmutter
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER PEOPLE DO OR DON’T LIKE WINTER, THERE’S NO DENYING SNOW REMOVAL IS TEDIOUS YET NECESSARY.
Every city that’s experienced snow regularly can attest to that, yet the systems of removal are different depending on where you live. In eastern Canada, where, according to Statistics Canada, roughly seven per cent of the total country resides, the issue of snow removal is compounded by the cool fronts of The Atlantic Ocean. Despite this, each of Atlantic Canada’s four provinces has a unique challenge when it comes to snow removal
and its impact on traffic. And it’s their remedies that makes the Atlantic Canada approach interesting in the conversation about snow removal.
First on our list is Newfoundland and Labrador, specifically the capital, St. John’s. When doing research, through contacting their government officials and reading online, I discovered that the amount of snowfall increases the elevation, making the terrain more difficult to traverse with cars. Additionally, the impact of climate change is projected to make extreme snowstorms more frequent, especially given the latitude of the province. St. John’s usually accumulates around 335 cm of snowfall each year, and the snow plowing budget is roughly $20 million. The city uses regular snow blowers, grader- and- loader mounted snow blowers to clear away large snowfalls. The most highly-recommended tire for winter conditions suggested by the city was an Ice Radial tire.
Next, there’s Halifax, N.S.. According to correspondence with the municipality, which was quite extensive, their Winter Operations program uses both in-house and contracted operators, and they usually clear about 4,322 km of streets, 1,000 km of sidewalks, six km of bike lanes, 11 km of multi-use pathways and roughly 2,300 bus stops. This is prioritized based on traffic, access to buildings like hospitals and schools, and routes of importance. The city uses standard snow clearing vehicles with standard tires without studs. Their budget between April 1st of 2023 and March 31st of 2024 was about $35.7 million, surpassing the previous year’s expectations by three per cent. Given the impact of climate change and rising temperatures, the city projects that the winter season will get milder and shorter, which may reduce the demand on the budget for snow removal.
Fredericton, N.B., on the other hand, uses graders, loaders, trucks and large
BY DESIGN
snow blowers to clear their snow. According to an instructional video, the city uses 11 salt trucks, 42 street plows, and 14 sidewalk plows, and they make sure to salt the roads prior to the winter to help prevent snow from sticking to the streets.
They also prioritize plowing based on a three-tier system that begins with major streets and ends with minor streets that cars commute on regularly. Depending on the weather, the streets might be continuously cleared during storms, and a final shoveling is done when the major snow clearance is finished.
Although little was mentioned about
tires or climate change impacts from the city, given that New Brunswick is neighbouring Nova Scotia, it can be assumed their struggles are similar.
Finally, there’s Charlottetown, P.E.I.. I had to do some digging with this, (pun intended) but the city’s website does have some specific information regarding snow excavation in the winter. In particular, they try to keep the streets running as smoothly as possible by plowing as the snow falls during the daytime, and while their site doesn’t mention an annual budget, it does point out that their plowing machines start being deployed when
roughly 2.5 cm of snow hits the ground. It also takes about 16 hours to remove 1525 cm of snow in continuous intervals, all of which is done strategically to ensure snow gets removed in a timely and costefficient manner. Given that P.E.I’s such a small island, concerns about climate change most-likely revolve around rising sea levels and milder winters.
Beneath all of this conversation about snow is a more interesting conversation about snow removal and plowing methods. Traditionally, salt is used to help prevent snow from sticking to the ground, and sand is used upon clearing to keep
the snow to the sides.
However, since salt has the potential to erode natural growth of plants as the weather warms up, other methods have been piloted in Atlantic cities to address that. In an article in The Philadelphia Enquirer (2019), different, more environmentally-friendly methods of snow removal were discussed that were also costefficient, including using the pulp left from wine production, beet juice and the byproduct of cheese.
All of these were effective ways to remove snow from the ground that didn’t harm the earth like salt, and it’d be interesting for future research if Canada’s Atlantic provinces have implemented these methods.
Ultimately, while snow can be difficult to deal with for many people living in Canada, both from a lack of heat and the accumulation of it on the ground during storms, Canadians have learned to be resourceful and adapt over the years to the challenges of winter. This is also true of Atlantic Canada. Not only do the four provinces have unique challenges surrounding snow and snow removal, they also have overlapping concerns about climate change and future impacts.
There are also alternative methods for snow removal that don’t involve using salt, a known irritant to natural growth, and these could benefit from further exploration. After all, snow’s The Wild West of seasons in terms of visibility and possibility, and if Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I are any indication, then the challenges faced there aren’t much different than the challenges of other provinces in the country.
Zachary Perlmutter is a writer based in the Greater Toronto Area.
PLUG IN AMERICA PARTNERS WITH CONSUMER REPORTS
AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND PLUG-IN HYBRID LANDSCAPE, PLUG IN AMERICA IS WORKING WITH CONSUMER REPORTS (CR) AS CR LAUNCHES A NEW INITIATIVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES DRIVERS EXPERIENCE AT PUBLIC CHARGING LOCATIONS.
CR’s new EV Charging Community announced September 26 is a group of EV and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners who share feedback online after they charge in public.
The most common issue holding Americans back from getting an electric vehicle is charging logistics, according to a Consumer Reports nationally representative survey of 9,030 U.S. adults conducted in June and July, 2023. Reliable public infrastructure is critical for those on longer road trips, and for Black, Latino, low- and moderate-income drivers, renters, apartment dwellers and others who may not have access to home charging as they consider switching to an EV.
EV drivers are encouraged to take a screener survey to see if they qualify to join CR’s EV Charging Community available here.
Community members who qualify will share their observations through quick surveys after they charge. Areas of focus include charging speed, uptime, payment problems, safety issues, and access to amenities at EV charging stations throughout the country. Results from the community will highlight trends in EV infrastructure and pain points where improvements and consumer engagement are needed.
Approximately 1,600 active community members are already providing key information about America’s EV charging ecosystem. According to preliminary data, 27% of enrolled EV drivers are experiencing a problem when publicly charging their vehicle.
In addition to Plug In America, the non-profit organizations Greenlatinos, Forth, Generation180 and the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance Education Fund are partnering with Consumer Reports on initial outreach. CR and partners welcome other non-profit organizations with EV-driving members to reach out to join this important effort.
“We know from our annual survey that public charging is still a concern for EV drivers and is a barrier to EV adop-
tion,” said Joel Levin, executive director at Plug In America. “By teaming up with Consumer Reports, we’re hoping to gather more specific information so we can help create better policy and inform charging companies.”
“Charging stations are critical services, but when they’re out of order or barely functional, it wastes consumers’ valuable time,” said Drew Toher, sustainability campaign manager at Consumer Reports. “As more people consider an EV or plug-in hybrid as their next vehicle, public chargers must be reliable and accessible. To make this happen, we need EV drivers across the country to join this groundbreaking effort to better understand people’s public charging experiences.”
“Participating in this effort will provide EV drivers in Texas a great opportunity to share their public charging experiences and help improve the charging landscape in the state,” said Laura Morrison, executive director of Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance Education Fund.
“Access to reliable, affordable, safe EV charging is crucial to building an equitable and optimal public EV charging network. In research we have done on this topic, we have found that among Latino drivers, concerns about lack of access to charging infrastructure is a major issue holding them back from buying an EV,” said Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Sustainable Communities Program Director at GreenLatinos. “We need more and better quality chargers in our communities in order to make an EV future possible for all — your participation in this survey will help us collect the information we need to make this possible. Please join us by sharing your experiences and insight.”
“It’s an exciting time in our nation’s
transition to vehicle electrification. Generation180 is pleased to partner with Consumer Reports to help ensure a positive charging experience for EV drivers by engaging our nationwide network of over 6,000 EV owners and Ambassadors. Working together, we can help improve the public charging experience,” said Stuart Gardner, Generation180’s executive director.
FLEET SNOW REMOVAL
BEING PREPARED
AND HAVING A PLAN IS KEY WITH YOUR FLEET SNOW REMOVAL, WHETHER IT BE A SMALL OR LARGE SCALE
OPERATION.
By Dana Smith
WHEN YOU THINK OF
SNOW REMOVAL, YOU PROBABLY THINK OF SNOW PLOWS ON OUR HIGHWAYS, OR MAYBE JUST CLEARING SNOW OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY.
Living in Canada, we know all too well how much work that can be. Picture a yard full of transport trucks and trailers after a snow storm, all sitting there with many feet of snow on them. The yard having a ton of snow all around every piece of equipment and all the buildings. How does one go about cleaning all that up?
Well for large fleets it can be a daunting task. Especially if there are a few storms in a row and/or if they have acres of yards to clean up in multiple locations
Most trucking companies plan for this either by doing it themselves, or contracting the task out to someone else. It goes pretty quickly if you are a small fleet, but if you’re a large one, it could take a few days to clean up. For those who do it themselves, most have a crew/system with which they can clean up the snow in the same manner every time as quickly as they can. They also have budgets for this as well. For those who contract it out, it snows and the contractor shows up at any time to remove the snow as fast as possible. This may involve crews working 24/7 to get the job done.
With that being said, while crews are doing their snow clearing, the companies still have to service their custom-
ers. Trucks rolling in and out of the yards, trailers being shunted in and out of the dock doors, while the plows are trying to remove the snow. This can quickly become a safety issue. Someone must coordinate everything so that it gets done, and no one gets hurt. Trucks and trailers need to be pulled out of their parking spots by shunters, plowed out and put back within minutes. If one has a yard with 300-400 trailers in it, well, you can see how much work that is every time it snows.
When thinking of snow removal for your fleet, some things to consider are supervision and coordination of your operation. Optimization of your equipment and personnel, and also processes for effectively getting the job done in an efficient manner. Some of these things would be removal of the snow and ice from the throughways, and parking lots at your terminals. Then there are walkways, and
salt/sand distribution for your personnel safety. Garage and dock bays as well.
Let’s look at the main areas of getting this job done: Supervison and coordination is the glue that holds it all together. I mean without this, there can be mass chaos, and things being inefficient. Managers need to be effective with the right communication to all involved, to make things run smoothly and ensure that no one gets hurt.
Fleet planning can be overwhelming, depending on how much equipment you have to work with. So to combat this, you need a plan. Having a plan makes things run smoother. That way everyone involved knows what they are responsible to do, and how to do it.
Equipment allocation helps with an efficient operation. How many vehicles and personnel do you need to run the plows and shunt trucks? How many do you need for salting and sanding, or shovelling walkways? You may need small snow blowers and salt spreaders as well to help with the cleanup. These all require people to run them. Do you have enough staff to help with the job? All things to consider within your plan.
Equipment readiness is crucial. We all know that things always break when you need them to go. Murphy’s law. Is all your equipment ready for the job? Has it been serviced, and all parts are in good working order and ready? Good things to check beforehand. Do you have an abundant supply of fuel, salt, and sand ready to go? Do you have someone on call for emergency repairs for equipment breakdowns while in operation?
Personnel training and safety is a huge part of snow removal. Without them, the job won’t get done. Do you have enough people to run everything? Do you have extra personnel in case someone can’t come in? Are the people doing the job properly trained on all equipment operations? Do they understand safety protocols, in case something goes wrong? Safety policies and procedures formed ahead of time can save lives.
Weather forecasting is helpful as you would like to know roughly how much snow you have to deal with. Keep an eye on weather forecasts that will help with this.
Data analysis can really help you the next time there is a snow storm. Using information and data metrics can help with equipment and personnel allocation in different areas where needed. Maybe you need another plow in a different area instead of where it was, to better serve the purpose. Also, asking your people what could be done better always helps for the next time, as they know best. Because they are on the front lines. Be open to feedback from your people. It will help you to build an awesome team.
One of the big things now in trucking that the DOT watches for when it snows, is snow and ice build up on the trailer roof. There are now machine companies that can get to clear the snow and ice off the trailer roof. They are made like a scraper blade that you lower down on top of the trailer and drive through. It can take the snow off in seconds.
It can be quite costly if you are caught with snow or ice on your roof, on the highway. Not only in fines and trailer roof damage, but the possible loss of human life from a piece of ice flying off your trailer and hitting another vehicle. Just 6” of snow on a 53’ trailer can weigh as much as 5,000lbs. Wet snow can be twice the weight upwards of 10,000lbs. Being prepared and having a plan is key with your fleet snow removal, whether it be a small or large scale operation.
DESROSIERS AUTO UPDATE
DESROSIERS AUTOMOTIVE CONSULTANTS RELEASED ITS LATEST UPDATE ON THE CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET, WHICH INTERESTED DEALERS WILL NOTE SHOWS SIGNIFICANT CHANNEL SHARE SHIFTS.
The aftermarket has experienced remarkable stability in recent years, despite the pandemic, more work-from-home, the semiconductor issue, vehicle shortages, higher used vehicle prices, and government mandates for ZEV sales. Based on DAC, the overall aftermarket has remained “remarkably stable — at least at a macro-level.”The overall light vehicle aftermarket enjoyed growth, increasing from $22.5 billion in 2021 to $24.1 billion in 2023. Of this, retail aftermarket parts experienced an increase from $12.9 billion to $13.7 billion from 2021 to 2023. And labour climbed from $9.6 billion to $10.4 billion from 2021 to 2023. However, beneath the overall growth DAC said there are noteworthy channel shifts taking place within the automotive aftermarket.“Changing consumer maintenance patterns and the changing structure of the light vehicle fleet are leading to significant changes within the aftermarket,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC, in a statement. He added that understanding these shifts is “critical not only to understand current market share dynamics, but also for forecasting how different players within the aftermarket (new vehicle dealers, independent repair facilities, retail chains, etc.) will perform over the coming five years.”
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
By Carter Hammett
WHILE
SOME
DRIV
ERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT BRIDGE CLOSURES DURING THE WINTER, THE CONFEDERATION BRIDGE STANDS AS A UNIQUE REMINDER OF THE POWER OF VISION AND A REFLECTION OF COMMUNITY BUILDING.
Ever since its 1997 opening, the iconic Confederation Bridge has been praised as
an engineering marvel and has proudly kept its status as the longest bridge (12.9 km) over ice-covered waters in the world.
Owned by the Government of Canada, the bridge covers the Northumberland Strait and links Jourimain Island N.B. with Borden-Carleton P.E.I. It’s built in three parts: the seven-pier 0,6 kilometre East Approach Bridge; The West Approach Bridge, which heads east from N.B., and the 11 km Main Bridge which joins the other two. The bridge was designed to last 100 years: twice the lifespan of the average bridge.
The majority of the structure is 40 metres above sea level, with its highest point reaching 60 metres, which allows ships to sail beneath the bridge and between its piers.
Perhaps the most unique and impressive feature of the structure, however, are the ice breaking shields at that waterline,
which continue down to 4 m below average sea level to ensure maximum protection for the support piers against the thickest possible ice layers.
The bridge has a number of built in features that enhance its safety, including concrete barriers which are designed to minimize visual distractions while also serving as a wind break; Seven thousand drain ports enable melting snow and ice to run off during winter and roadway curves to keep drivers alert while reducing the chances of accidents. The road surface is also composed of a long-lasting bituminous mix that helps reduce road spray during wet weather as well.
Built over four years at a cost of $1 billion, the bridge employed 5000 people during the construction phase. This followed years of increased subsidy costs for the ferry service that acted as the main link between P.E.I. and New Brunswick
for decades. Finally in the late 1980s the feds called for expressions of interest from private companies to build a bridge to the mainland.
The bridge was finally financed, built and operated as a public-private partnership by developer Strait Crossing Development Inc. and the attention to detail has been nothing short of stellar.
There are times when it’s necessary to close the bridge during extreme weather conditions, but generally speaking the bridge is designed to minimize most weather concerns. That said, there have been exceptions where the structure has had to close to all traffic, although these occasions have been rare. Usually the most common wind restrictions apply only to a few vehicles, including motorcycles, vehicles towing objects and highsided vehicles.
Crossing the actual bridge only takes about 10 minutes under normal conditions. It is the most direct, cost-effective way of crossing from one province to the next with some exceptions of course.
Vehicles longer than 2.6 metres, need to report to either province’s scale house where they will be measured before using the bridge. Vehicles longer than 3.6 metres may require a bridge escort, while vehicles measuring more than 4.26 metres in width require both a lane closure and a bridge escort.
Another remarkable achievement that tends to fly under the radar are the builders’ concerns for the surrounding environment. SCDI established new lobster terrain by strategically disposing dredged material into non-productive fishery areas of the Northumberland Strait. This also enhanced the existing environment for other crustaceans and plant life as well.
But it wasn’t just marine life that benefited from the bridge design. SCDI also constructed nesting platforms for ospreys, in Cape Jourimain National Wildlife area, in the process becoming the area’s most extensive osprey management program to date.
As if that weren’t enough, on the tenth anniversary of the Bridge, researchers
were commissioned to assess the bridge’s impact on the environment over the previous decade. Researchers determined that 16 million litres of fuel and over 44 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide along with other greenhouse gases were minimized as a result of the bridge.
Furthermore, vehicles using the bridge consume one-tenth of the fuel that a similar crossing using a ferry would consume, which has also contributed to a decrease in greenhouse gases.
Even the bridge’s lighting system–responsible for 45% of its energy use–didn’t escape notice after 315 lights were replaced with an LED lighting system, resulting in an impressive 30% decrease in power consumption.
So the next time drivers find themselves at The Confederation Bridge huffing over wait times or winter delays, remember the significant achievement this engineering marvel has been recognized as and be proud of the ingenuity that it has contributed to the economy, the community it connects and beyond.
SNOW REMOVAL . . .
IT’S A CANADIAN THING, EH?
IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE THE WHITE STUFF STARTS FALLING AGAIN. BUT, TECHNOLOGY JUST MIGHT HAVE THE UPPER HAND THIS WINTER.
By Kirk Mathieson
ON JANUARY 13, 1999, TORONTO MAYOR MEL LASTMAN CALLED IN THE ARMY TO HELP DEAL WITH A SERIES OF SNOWSTORMS THAT HAD BEEN PLAGUING THE CITY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH, CAUSING SCHOOLS TO CLOSE AND BRINGING TRAFFIC TO A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL.
More than 400 soldiers and reservists out of Petawawa descended on the city with equipment and shovels and began digging the city out of its powdery predicament.
In the aftermath, there were mixed reactions. Many residents were relieved to have found a path out from under the snowiest January in almost 200 years, while others thought it somewhat ridiculous that Canada’s largest city couldn’t handle an unexpectedly relentless spate of icy January weather without summoning the federal government for assistance. But everyone agreed on one thing – it was a blizzard no one would ever forget.
If there’s anything that unites Canadians from coast- to- coast, it’s our long and robust winters. Donning parkas and dusting off shovels at the start of the season is an annual ritual for most
of us. But clearing a network of streets and keeping roads safe is a different kind of task, requiring the right equipment, personnel, and a lot of advance planning. Here are some trends in snow removal impacting the industry right now.
FLEET TRACKING SOFTWARE
Managing a snowplow fleet means more than just keeping track of weather and road conditions. Multiple factors have to be taken into account, including route priority, amount of time needed to clear a given area, how frequently an area needs to be cleared, and travel time between routes. In addition to this, the dispatcher needs to be receiving up- to- the- minute information on changing weather conditions and the current status and location of each truck.
Fleet tracking software does all this and more using the latest GPS and logistics technology. This important tool can help to integrate the service by bringing together the complex array of data involved in running a fleet into a streamlined, easy to use format.
Dispatchers are informed about travel delays, weather changes and other unexpected events as soon as they happen, and residents can download the app and get real time information on road status and even submit individual requests. Data from a given event or timeline is saved and can be used to make service improvements in the future.
SNOW DEPTH SENSORS
Keeping track of snow accumulation
is a key component of any snow removal strategy. Environment and Climate Change Canada uses automated observing stations to measure snowfall and drift in remote locations. This information is reported hourly and relayed to a central database which can help municipalities and other jurisdictions to plan ahead for extreme weather events.
Snow depth sensors use either lasers or sonic pulses to send a signal to a surface and calculate the depth and volume of snow throughout an area. Temperature and precipitation are also evaluated and taken into account to ensure the most accurate results.
These devices can be mounted on poles or fences and are designed for long term use in rugged weather conditions, ideal for remote or inaccessible areas where staffing is not an option.
As this technology becomes more sophisticated, automated snow measurement will likely play an even bigger part in snow clearing and road safety.
NEWS AND VIEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC REGION SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Communities receive funding for active transportation projects
The provincial government is providing $5 million to support 27 new active transportation projects in communities across Prince Edward Island.
The Active Transportation Fund has supported projects that encourage more walking and biking since 2020, resulting in over 100 new active transportation initiatives from community groups, municipalities, and non-governmental organizations.
This year’s funding supports a trail access map and trail restoration in Mount Stewart, a key starting point for the Confederation Trail for residents and visitors. Souris West will develop an active transportation plan to create safe walkways from local businesses to the beach and wider paths for cycling, hiking and dog walking. Cycling PEI will work on improvements to existing trails at Brudenell, Gairloch and Brookvale. Community Connections and Summerside Rotary will purchase trishaws to improve mobility options for local residents.
Past projects include 112 bike racks for schools, such as the ones at West Royalty Elementary School, 100 km of paved shoulders on Island roads and highways, and 35 km of shared active transportation pathways that are now popular locations for biking and walking.
“Building more active transportation opportunities helps the province reach its net zero emissions goals while also making it easier and safer for Islanders to get outside and get active. We need to be here for our communities so they can build, expand or replace infrastructure, setting them up for success well into the future. To me, the active transportation fund is a win-win for communities, and we couldn’t do it without the support of community groups and municipalities taking on these exciting projects,” said Steven Myers, Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action.
NEW BRUNSWICK
New Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge officially open
The new Madawaska-Edmundston
International Bridge officially opened August 15, replacing the previous structure that has connected the two border communities for 100 years.
“This bridge is more than just a piece of infrastructure,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “It is an important link that brings communities, and countries, together. It will help us to maintain our Canada-U.S. connections with an important transportation and trade link between New Brunswick and Maine, benefiting communities on both sides of the border.”
The previous bridge was approaching the end of its service life, with the deck and superstructure showing signs of advanced deterioration. A feasibility study determined that building a new bridge would be more cost effective than maintaining the existing structure.
Maine’s Department of Transportation
managed the project with the support of New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, in co-ordination with federal agencies in Canada and the United States. The international bridge is jointly owned by the provincial and state governments, which have a costsharing agreement on international bridge replacement projects.
“The new international bridge is built on a new alignment, crossing the Saint John River approximately 1,400 feet upstream from the old bridge on the U.S. side and tying into the existing New Brunswick port facility on the Canadian side,” said Robin Carnahan, administrator of the United States General Services Administration. “The new bridge features wider travel lanes and added shoulders on both sides. There is a raised sidewalk on the downstream side of the new bridge.
The new bridge is designed to last 100 years.”
Demolition of the old bridge is expected to be complete by June 30, 2025.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Contract Awarded for Completion of Team Gushue Highway
The Provincial Government has awarded a contract for $30 million to Bursey Excavating and Development Inc. for the completion of the Team Gushue Highway.
Once completed, the highway will provide an alternate and more efficient route for residents on the southern Avalon to access key provincial services and social infrastructure, including the province’s largest health care and post-secondary facilities.
The Team Gushue Highway project involves the completion of a north-south arterial highway route in St. John’s and Mount Pearl. The end of the Team Gushue Highway will be connected to the Pitts Memorial Drive (Route 2) and Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive (Route 3) interchange using a roundabout corridor. This will involve extending the paved highway from Topsail Road – where the Team Gushue Highway currently ends – to the Commonwealth Avenue, Brookfield Road and Heavy Tree Road area.
The project also includes installing drainage culverts, an overpass structure and auxiliary access roads, as well as re-aligning a section of Brookfield Road. Once completed, this project will alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety and en-
hance access to and from the cities of St. John’s and Mount Pearl and the surrounding urban and rural communities.
Construction on the multi-year project will begin this fall, with an anticipated completion date of late 2026.
“The completion of this highway represents more than just asphalt and concrete, it symbolizes our commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of the southern Avalon and improving connectivity. The ripple effect of this project will be felt throughout the broader community, strengthening our economic foundation and providing benefits for residents,” said Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia Partners with Ontario to Create More Skilled Trades Opportunities
Nova Scotia and Ontario are working together to improve recognition of international credentials for skilled trades professionals.
The two provinces have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that details the collaboration, including Nova Scotia’s efforts to recognize international credentials and improve the flow of skilled labour.
“Nova Scotia is a growing province, and we need even more skilled trades professionals to build our homes, hospitals and infrastructure,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “We are excited to collaborate with the Province of Ontario to improve recognition of
international credentials, remove barriers, share processes and lessons learned, and work together to improve labour supply in both provinces.”
Ensuring internationally educated trades professionals can have their credentials recognized quickly and efficiently is essential to addressing current labour market challenges and supporting the successful integration of newcomers.
The Province is investing $100,000 annually to support this work, which is part of the $100-million investment announced in October 2023 to recruit, retain and train more people in the skilled trades. The government is accelerating growth in the skilled trades and modernizing the apprenticeship and trades qualification system to meet the needs of a growing province.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build the highways, hospitals and homes our growing communities need, which means we need to create more pathways for apprentices and journeypersons who will help us build Ontario. Building on the success of our MOU with the Government of Alberta last month, we’re excited to partner with Nova Scotia to remove interprovincial barriers for skilled tradespeople. We’re also exploring new opportunities with the Atlantic provinces. This will help fill in-demand jobs across both provinces and support our mutual goals of building stronger communities,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Province of Ontario.
9 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT (FEMALE) PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS
By Ellen Voie
IN THE PAST, MANY MOTOR CARRIERS TRIED TO BE GENDER BLIND IN THEIR HIRING PROCESS. THEY INSISTED THAT THEY ONLY HIRED, “THE BEST DRIVER.”
However, over the years we’ve learned that women experience the trucking industry differently than men. While many of the challenges are the same, women prioritize things differently.
Based on data from both the Women In Trucking Association’s WIT Index as well as information supplied by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and Tenstreet regarding retention, here are nine things you may not know about female professional drivers.
1. THE PRIMARY REASON WOMEN ENTER THE INDUSTRY IS BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.
Yes, women earn the same as men as drivers, as for-hire motor carriers don’t discriminate compensation based on gender. After a relatively short training period, women can earn a middle class living as a professional truck driver.
2. MOST WOMEN WHO BECOME DRIVERS WERE ENCOURAGED INTO A TRUCK-DRIVING CAREER BECAUSE OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND.
A WIT best practices survey found that 83% of women state they entered the industry because a spouse or someone close to them encouraged them to get a CDL and “come out on the road.”
3. SAFETY IS A CONCERN FOR ALL DRIVERS, BUT PERSONAL SAFETY IS SOMETHING FEMALE DRIVERS THINK ABOUT MUCH OF THE TIME.
When asked to rate their level of safety on a scale of one to ten, the average score was 4.4 on the WIT survey. This is a major
indicator that women have significant safety concerns while doing their jobs.
4. THE LEAST SAFE AREA FOR DRIVERS ARE TRUCK STOPS.
In the WIT survey, 87% of professional drivers identified truck stops as the least safe part of their job. Many female drivers report fueling and eating at one truck stop and then moving to the next one to sleep, so no one is aware that there is a female solo driver in the cab. Many drivers resort to carrying weapons in the truck and it’s estimated that 25% have a gun with them.
5. MALE DRIVERS ARE THE BIGGEST OFFENDERS WHEN IT COMES
TO HARASSMENT.
Thankfully, most men are decent and supportive, but when that isn’t the case, female drivers are at risk. Approximately 69% of female truck drivers report verbally offensive comments on the job, and 57% have experienced unwanted advances. Worse, 6% report being sexually assaulted on the job. Perhaps better sensitivity training is needed along with anti-harassment policies and enforcement for all drivers.
6. ALL DRIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THEIR TRAINING ON THE JOB WITH A COMPANY TRAINER.
Approximately 69% of female professional drivers feel there should be a same-gender training policy in place. No one wants to share a cab or a sleeper berth with a stranger, especially when they are of the opposite sex. Another 42% of drivers said they know of someone who experienced harassment or assault while sharing the cab with the opposite gender trainer.
7. WOMEN ARE SAFER DRIVERS THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.
The ATRI Crash Causation study found that male commercial drivers are 14% more likely to be involved in a crash in every statistically significant area (curves, intersections, night driver, etc.). Women are more risk-averse, and from carrier reports, are often better with their paperwork, working with customers and take better care of the equipment.
8. MORE WOMEN LOOK TO THEIR CARRIERS FOR SUPPORT AND RESPECT.
Tenstreet’s retention surveys found that women are more likely to stay with a carrier that treats her well. Nearly 77% felt their carrier treated them fairly and over 82% said they were treated with respect. For men, the numbers were slightly less with about 70% feeling they were treated fairly and 72% feeling respected. Research has also shown that men value pay equity over respect.
9. THERE ARE MORE AND MORE WOMEN ENTERING THE INDUSTRY AS PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS.
While data vary depending on the type of license and vehicle being counted, the 2024 WIT Index reported that an average of over 10% of their driving fleet are women. This number has been typically increasing since 2016 when WIT began conducting the WIT Index but is still not enough considering women make up half the workforce in the country.
The Women In Trucking Association continues to provide valuable information on how to attract, retain and empower women in the industry.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
WINTER IN CANADA. NO SURPRISE.
Edited and compiled by Rahman Mohamed
WHETHER IT WAS THE SUMMER OF RAIN, SUMMER OF SUN, SUMMER OF FIRE OR THE SUMMER NOT AT HOME, IT’S OVER.
No matter where you are, you have to accept, Winter will be here. Fall is the season of preparing for winter. Why do you think they call Canada the ‘Great White North’ or ‘The Land of Ice and Snow’? Even our anthem calls Canada ‘The True North strong and free’;
YOUR CAR IS TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING…
All cars have their signature noise. What is it trying to tell you?
The ‘click’ when you’re in 10 layers and trying to turn it on is the battery’s way of telling you “Hey, charge me or I won’t turn on!”. If it makes noise when you’re braking, check the brake pads. If you’re waiting for someone and the car is making a ticking sound, check the oil. If the tires are thudding while you’re driving, check out the tire pressure or alignment. If you can’t stop on ice or doesn’t drive properly before the snowplows come by you probably forgot the Winter Tires. Don’t forget your habits. You might
be the one that taps the boots in the air before getting in, the one that makes sure the windows are all unfogged before taking off the toque, or the one that never takes off the toque even though the heating is on full blast. Everyone has some weird habit (probably why the aliens haven’t come in the flying cars). And don’t forget to remove the ice and snow before you drive.
DON’T FORGET THAT SCRAPER!
It seems that some didn’t know it was illegal in Pennsylvania to not remove the ice and snow from their car. Makes sense; it was signed into law there in 2022. Unless you’re in Vancouver, a Canadian is no stranger to ice and snow. You probably even have the experience and the tools – the brush and scraper (probably more than 2; Vancouverites won’t know what it is).
THE CAT IN THE BACK
Even if you have your car you’re going to have some fog on your windshield. It frustrates all drivers and can take time away from your commute (as if the commute wasn’t already long enough). A suggestion for preventing fog is using kitty litter. You heard it.
Since kitty litter is designed to absorb kitty urine it’ll absorb the moisture in your car and your window won’t fog up! It’s suggested to fill a sock half or full with
kitty litter and leave it in your car. If you bring it home instead of leaving in the car don’t panic; it’s suggest the litter in the sock will absorb the fog better than a hand towel or your hand. What sane Canadian keeps a hand uncovered in Winter? Some forms are suggested to have a better effect than others. Before you throw the Litter Bomb away make sure no one will be hurt; you’ll be forced to say ‘Sorry’ or lose your Canadian citizenship if it hurts someone and is reported.
Whether you’re worried about breaking your side mirrors or have no damage phobia when you’re taking off the snow, don’t worry; soon you might not even need them because of the driverless car. It’s coming. Tesla has been talking about the robotaxi and a car using cameras instead of side mirrors was spotted in Palo Alto, California in August. Sure, there might not be any mirrors outside but the ultimate question for a Canadian: Do you have to change to winter tires and take off all the snow or just the snow from the cameras?
DRAWING IN NEW CUSTOMERS THROUGH ELEVATED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES
IS THE TREND AMONG OPERATORS TO HELP GENERATE INCREMENTAL GROWTH AND EXPAND MARKET SHARE.
“Having proper and sufficient lighting level in a retail space is important for the customer to see the product,” said Bruce Krekeler, a recently retired senior electrical project engineer at Hixson, a Cincinnati, Ohio based architecture and engineering firm. “In a small commercial space the lighting is about selling the product and
feeling safe and comfortable in the environment. You want your customers to feel safe and wanting to come into the store.”
The role of lighting in the appearance of a retail space cannot be understated.
“Lighting can play an important role in delivering an elevated customer experience by making the space more engaging using creative designs and lowering glare with direct and indirect elements,” said Cecil Thomas, senior product manager at LSI Industries.
Many newly constructed sites use an open ceiling concept with improved lighting creating a comfortable and inviting environment.
“Well-lit open ceilings give off a spacious vibe and present challenges as well as opportunities for great lighting,” said
Thomas. “Continuous or standalone linear lighting is one option that is often used in such spaces to elevate the aesthetic appeal.”
Allowing natural light into the indoor space is now common, but once the sun sets, operators want to maintain a well-lit, secure space. Adding intelligent or smart controls to your indoor lighting can help keep the light inside the store balanced throughout the day and night.
“Lighting controls have advanced to the point where they aren’t even noticeable anymore,” Thomas said. “Mesh based systems have become prevalent in the market and these intelligent systems are more configurable than ever before, to meet the most stringent of energy codes while maximizing energy savings and
ROI. The best control systems use a common interface for both indoor and outdoor lighting, substantially reducing the implementation timeline.”
Additionally, many convenience store operators are growing their product offering inside the store. Soda, water and grab ‘n go snacks remain staples, but many locations are now offering fresh items like fruit or made to order sandwiches. Several brands have added onsite kitchens to offer freshly crafted hot food items.
“Using higher colour rendering indices, lighting can play an important role in reproducing colours of fresh fruits and vegetables more accurately so that customers can make the best decisions for their lifestyle. Lighting can also draw customers’ attention to profit centers like coffee or snacks, benefiting both the store operator and the customer in terms of ease of locating items,” Thomas said.
Correctly merchandising these new items is essential and proper indoor lighting is critical.
“Higher colour temperature is important in smaller retail space with products of all colours, shapes and packaging.,” Krekeler said. “The ability for LED products to be different colour temperatures makes this easier in small spaces.”
All of these more recent trends for indoor spaces contribute to more customers choosing to enter a convenience store for essential items and once inside, customers tend to stay longer which leads to more
purchases.
“The initial feeling of safety to enter the space is critical,” Krekeler said. “Bright enough for people to feel comfortable entering and then staying in there.”
Mike Burcham is the marketing communications manager at LSI Industries based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Contact him at mike.burcham@lsicorp.com.
ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE:
FRIENDLY GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR NAPA SHOP GIVES ‘A LITTLE EXTRA’ TO EVERYONE WHO WALKS INTO SHOP
By Kristen Lipscombe
FOR NAPA AUTO PARTS OWNER AND MANAGER BRAD RUSSELL, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DOING BUSINESS IS ENSURING THAT EVERYONE WHO WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS OF HIS GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR SHOP IS TREATED EXACTLY THE WAY HE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED – EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE.
“For our customers, we try to go above and beyond to fulfill their needs,” Russell, 48 of Trinity Bay, N.L., told Auto and
Trucking Atlantic while taking a brief break from overseeing his bustling NAPA location in the heart of smalltown Newfoundland.
“I just try to do things that I would want someone to do for me, if I was their customer,” said Russell, who has been working at the shop for 23 years now, grabbing the opportunity to take on the growth of the Grand Falls-Windsor NAPA AUTO Parts franchise almost immediately after graduating with a business degree from the St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.
“We give a little extra,” Russell said of the work ethic he inspires among his employees, which has grown from three to eight people, since previous owner Gord Hiscock took the young entrepreneur under his wing to show the ins and outs of running a successful NAPA Auto Parts store.
“I started at the bottom,” Russell recalled. “Basically, I was at the counter, sweeping the floors, cleaning shelves, doing deliver-
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)
ies – that kind of stuff.”
Russell, who knew he had to learn everything about the business before taking over the manager position, inspires the same sense of professionalism in his employees.
That includes sales associate Darren Snow, who has worked at the friendly Newfoundland NAPA store for more than two decades, starting off as a counterperson, and Karen Kennedy, who started working at the friendly Newfoundland shop about 15 years ago and has worked her way up from delivery driver to the assistance manager role.
“It’s a good place to work... with good people, said Grand Falls-Windsor native Kennedy, who loves working at the NAPA location because of the shop’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“You treat them as fairly as you can,” Russell said of the importance of valuing
his employees just as much as his clients. “I basically look at my staff and put myself in their shoes.”
For example, Russell said, “I have a family and if I have something in regards to family that I have to attend to, then I want the flexibility to be able to attend to it, and I try to give my staff the same kind of… respect so that they can do the things that they need to do so they can take care of their families when they need to do.”
“I think my staff realize that,” Russell said. “They understand that they’re working somewhere where I actually do value them as people and not just employees.”
The married father of three also mentors his staff members the way he was mentored by both Hiscock and his father, who owned a service station where he started off pumping gas and changing tires.
That includes Kennedy, who “only
knew the colour of my vehicle when I first came.”
“And now I know a lot,” she said with a chuckle of how much she has learned working at the NAPA shop, which provides automotive parts and paint for both individual clients and local garages and service providers.
“Our parts specialists can help guide you in making the best selection from our wide range of high-quality replacement auto parts,” the NAPA website says. “From brake pads to cleaners, and batteries to motor oils, you can count on NAPA to have everything you need to keep your vehicle in perfect condition.
“Whether it’s to repair, maintain or upgrade your vehicle, you’ll find the products you need from all the best brands.”
Learn more about NAPA Canada products and services at www.napacanada. com.
MY WINTER DRIVING TRAUMA
I ACQUIRED MY DRIVERS LICENSE IN FEBRUARY 1985 . TYPICAL NOVA SCOTIA WINTER BACK WITH FOOT AFTER FOOT OF SNOWFALLS. SNOWDRIFTS EVERYWHERE.
By Sean Maddox
IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE I HAD MY FIRST WINTER DRIVING ACCIDENT OR LAST.
I was driving through the south end of Halifax around Dalhousie: those narrow streets and high mounds of snow; you know the mountains the street plow creates, then the university’s plows add the sidewalk snow. Those mounds of snow were notoriously large.
One night that February drifts were huge. I couldn’t see around it from the seat of my Ford Tempo. I nudged forward more and more until it was too late. I was committed as was the lady that crashed into the back of my parents new car. It was less than a month old.
April came as did another accident. My first experience in fishtailing due to slush; that heavy sticky Canadian slush. Add insult to injury to mom and dad’s new car. They also had a lot of their wedding china in the truck of the car.
That was a bad winter
Fast forward 10 years or so, I was on the edge of a mountain in Malawi. My Toyota Hilux stuck in the mud and slipping towards the edge of the cliff in the tea plantation. Tea pickers gathered around and pushed and pulled to get me free from that mud. Those men and women were the first to really explain and teach me how to use the gears of a standard transmission. Use the gears of a car to drive in all conditions.
I came back to Canada after many years and the representative of the insurance company told me I was gonna have to pay these extremely high prices because I didn’t know how to drive in snow anymore. I said that I was a better driver today than ever because of my experiences driving in the US, across Africa and throughout Europe. She had no logical response.
Through all the years of driving across continents, I learned about aggressive
driving, defensive driving, and “oh no, a goat.” But it wasn’t until about 10 years ago I was on my way to work one morning and my back tire caught slush. It threw my BMW X3 into a 360, T-boned a brand new twin cab Ford 250.
First thing out of the mouth of the driver of the Ford was “are you all right?”
It wasn’t until the next winter came, and we had the first snowfall that I learned the trauma of the accident was there. It is this day.
I drive much slower these days, more conscious of the elements, and seasonal preparations. Especially for trips out of the city. Making sure the tires are good, windshield wipers are good, the scrapers are in the trunk before the fall.
Each year the transition to winter driving gets easier. That first snowfall or two, still brings back a few memories. I white knuckle the steering wheel; remind friends and family to drive appropriately in all conditions.
THE FORD STREET TRUCK RETURNS!
INSPIRED BY THE LOWERED TRUCK ERA THAT LASTED FROM THE MID-1980S TO THE EARLY 2000S AND MAVERICK CUSTOMERS ALREADY PERSONALIZING THEIR TRUCKS FOR PERFORMANCE, THE MAVERICK LOBO IS A NEW CANVAS FOR MODERN STREET TRUCK BUILDS.
Lobo is the street-performance version of Maverick, giving customers a new, differentiated model with the same Maverick value and versatility. It joins the lineup that includes the off-road capable Maverick Tremor and the efficient Maverick Hybrid.
When Maverick designer Josh Blundo joined Ford in 2019, he saw a clay model of the Maverick and noticed its potential. He began modifying the truck as if it was his own: a widebody, wings, front splitter, and wheels.
His idea inspired a special build by Tucci Hot Rods that drew praise at the 2021 Special Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) trade show. Blundo and the team later got the green light and began designing Lobo.
At the same time, engineers like Keith Daugherty began tweaking the springs and suspension and testing components from other Ford performance-oriented vehicles to help create an authentic on-road performance truck.
Engineered for On-Road Performance
The result of that collaboration is the Maverick Lobo with a lowered ride height and an on-road tuned suspension with
tuned shocks and a 2-litre EcoBoost engine tested to Built Ford Tough standards and backed by a factory warranty.
Maverick Lobo ride height is 1.27 centimetres (a half-inch) lower in the front and nearly three centimetres (1.12 inches) lower in the rear compared to Maverick, and roof height is approximately two centimetres (0.8 inches) lower.
Tuned steering makes Maverick Lobo drive more like a performance car, with torque vectoring through a twin-clutch rear drive unit and bigger, enhanced brakes with dual-piston front brake calipers used on the Focus ST sold in Europe. Inspired by drifting and autocross, there’s also a new Lobo drive mode, which improves cornering performance, grip, and stability, helping to minimize understeer.
Lobo mode is meant only for closed courses because it activates the truck’s torque while reducing stability control intervention. (Think about Lobo mode as the Maverick equivalent to Mustang track mode.)
And to ensure Lobo is ready to handle demanding performance driving, we also upgraded the cooling system. It utilizes the larger radiator and fan from Maverick’s 4K towing package and a transmission oil cooler.
STREET TRUCK DESIGN
Maverick Lobo maintains Maverick aesthetics in a slightly different interpretation. Unique front style, painted rear bumper, and rocker moldings contrast with a black-painted roof and 19-inch black wheels.
The interior features inspiration from street art that designer Kristen Keenan observed in her travels and experiences she
gained in designing athletic shoes.
There’s Grabber Blue and Electric Lime accent stitching, a graffiti-inspired overprint on the seats as a nod to street culture, and the Lobo name embossed into the black driver and passenger seats.
This colour combination is a nod to current streetwear trends, where multiple colours are often used together in a way that brings harmony without matching perfectly.
To keep it easy for customers to select their Maverick Lobo canvas and get started with their own personalization, the truck comes in two configurations: standard and high.
PURPOSEFUL TECHNOLOGY
Standard configuration comes with everything described above, while high configuration adds other comforts like heated steering wheel and seats, Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver-assist technologies, a 360-degree camera, spray-in bedliner, moon roof, and, beginning early in 2025, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist helps take the frustration out of hitching a trailer. It works by using the rear camera and corner radars to align the hitch with the trailer coupler while simultaneously controlling the truck’s speed, steering, and braking to stop at just the right place.
Once hitched, Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob to indicate which direction the trailer should go while reversing into position.
For more information, please visit www.ford.ca.
GM CANADA EV DRIVERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO EVEN MORE PUBLIC CHARGERS WITH THE ADDITION OF OVER 17,800 TESLA SUPERCHARGERS
OSHAWA, ON (SEPTEMBER 18, 2024) – BEGINNING TODAY, GENERAL MOTORS (NYSE: GM) WILL BEGIN OPENING UP ACCESS TO 17,800 TESLA SUPERCHARGERS FOR ITS CUSTOMERS WITH THE USE OF A GM-APPROVED NACS DC ADAPTER.
A move that will help accelerate fast and convenient charging options for current and future EV drivers. With the addition of the Tesla Supercharger Network, GM customers will have access to more than 231,800 public Level 2 and DC fast chargers in North America – a number which will grow as GM continues to help accelerate the deployment of infrastructure in communities and heavily-traveled
corridors through its various charging collaborations. To access the Tesla Supercharger network, Canadian customers will be able to purchase a GM-approved NACS DC adapter for $310 at their nearest GM dealer later this year. Pre-order is available starting September 18, 2024. “GM’s ongoing efforts to help accelerate the expansion of public charging infrastructure is an integral part of our commitment to an all-electric future,” said Shane Peever, Vice President Sales & Marketing, GM Canada. “Enabling access to even more publicly available fast chargers represents yet another way GM is focused on further improving the customer experience and making the transition to electric more seamless for our customers.” The GM-approved NACS DC adapter has been developed to help ensure that customers can confidently charge their GM EVs at chargers that utilize the North American Charg-
ing Standard (NACS). Customers will be able to use their GM vehicle brand mobile apps* and the power of OnStar connectivity to seamlessly locate available Tesla Superchargers, check station status, initiate a charge, and pay for charging sessions. Additional information about GM’s efforts to accelerate accessible public charging options is available on GM’s public charging webpage. General Motors of Canada is headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario and is part of a global company that is committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. In Canada, General Motors markets Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles through our strong Canadian network of dealers, as well as OnStar services. More information can be found at www. gm.ca or by following @GMCanada on X, Threads, and Instagram.
