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THE WAIT IS OVER! ARAAC 2022 CONFERENCE (PAGE
ARAAC’S FIRST CONFERENCE IN THREE YEARS A WINNER
THE AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTIC CANADA (ARAAC) HOSTED ITS 2022 CONVENTION - THEIR FIRST IN OVER THREE YEARS.
Despite Hurricane Fiona’s devastating effect on the Atlantic region, over 50 members, suppliers and industry stakeholders made it to Truro N.S. to learn, network and have a good time.
Paul D’Adamo headlined the event with his unique presentation style combined with his in-depth industry experiences and insight. D’Adamo discussed the growing auto core business from the perspective of quality control and how dismantlers feed the circular economy in the auto repair sector, not only with used parts, but a steady supply of remanufactured parts. He led a second session on managing your business with intelligent financial statements.
At the Annual Meeting of members, the incumbent bard was re-elected to two year terms, with Andrew MacDonald from Maritime Auto Parts retaining the President position; Dalbert Livingstone from Island Auto re-elected as Vice President and Treasurer; and Paul Bell from Poehl’s Auto Recyclers elected as Secretary.
Industry technology experts from both Car-Part and Hollander showed the latest inventory management updates. Their booths in the trade show area were always busy with eager members trying to squeeze the last bit of data and intel from their computer systems.
Dave Giles from All EV Canada in Halifax wowed everyone with his knowledge of electric vehicles and how progressive auto recyclers are viewing electrification as a tremendous opportunity. It will no doubt change the industry, but by being proactive versus reactive will help position your business to survive and thrive. The final presentation was from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change regarding contingency planning for auto recyclers. They provided numerous guides and tools to make the requirement easier to meet - always useful information coming from the industry regulator.
The event wrapped up with a reception, dinner and entertainment - another successful meeting in the books.
This year’s convention was generously sponsored by Car-Part.com, Copart, IAA, Monidex Distribution, Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Climate Change, PMR, Progi, Rebuilders Auto Supply and Solera/Hollander. The trade show featured booths from the Atlantic Used Oil Management Association, Auto and Trucking Atlantic Magazine, Car-Part. com, IAA, John Ross and Sons, Monidex Distribution, Rebuilders Auto Supply and Solera/Hollander.
Next year’s event is already set and scheduled - June 8-12, 2023 in Halifax, N.S. in partnership with the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) and the Auto Recyclers of Canada (ARC) national board meeting.
VOLVO STUDY FINDS TEST DRIVING ELECTRIC CARS INCREASES ADOPTION AND PURCHASE CONSIDERATION
STUDY FINDS 72 PER CENT OF CANADIAN DRIVERS WHO TEST DRIVE FULL ELECTRIC OR PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE WOULD CONSIDER PURCHASE
In celebration of both World EV Day (September 8, 2022) and sustainable mobility and electric vehicle (EV) owner-
ship, Volvo Car Canada Ltd. conducted a study to explore the current state of EV consideration and adoption in Canada.
For Canadian drivers, experience is everything. The study found that 72 per cent of drivers who got into a full electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for a test drive would now consider purchase. This signals the importance of test drives and establishing first-hand EV experience and access for the next generation of Canadians drivers as we move toward an electrified future.
“We support the vision behind World EV Day and hope each year it inspires and educates more Canadians on what an electric future looks like to them,” said Matt Girgis, managing director, Volvo Car Canada Ltd.
Volvo Car Canada Ltd. believes that the road to a more sustainable future involves us all. In recognition of World EV Day Volvo Car Canada Ltd. will continue the #RechargeThursday initiative in partnership with One Tree Planted to reinvigorate the planet, through which over 6,000 trees have been planted to date. Every Thursday from September 15th, 2022, to November 3rd, 2022, Volvo Car Canada Ltd. will plant five trees for every test drive of a plug-in hybrid or pure electric vehicle at a participating Volvo Car Canada Ltd. retailers across Canada. Each test drive taken is also an entry for a chance to win one of four luxury sustainable getaways in
a Volvo Recharge vehicle.
“We know experience leads to adoption, which is why we believe in initiatives like our #RechargeThursday program. With our global ambition to offer pure electric vehicles by 2030, we can’t wait for more consumers across the country to get into our vehicles and understand all the benefits of an electrified lifestyle.”
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY:
• 72 per cent of Canadians with experience driving an EV or PHEV would considering purchase • 57 per cent of Canadian EV + PHEV owners said they were convinced to buy an EV or PHEV because of an interest in driving and living more sustainably • 41 percent of Canadian EV + PHEV owners said they were convinced to buy an EV or PHEV because of previous experience driving one • 53 per cent of Canadian drivers with
experience driving an EV or PHEV said affordable installation of at home/condo charging station would get them to purchase • 8 per cent of Canadians own an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) • 77 per cent of Canadian drivers have never driven an EV or PHEV
Released earlier this year, the insights from this recent study follow Volvo Car Canada Ltd.’s 2022 Mobility Trend Report, which explored how Canada›s changing commuting habits are projecting a more sustainable future. The report detailed that almost two thirds of Canadians say it›s important to contribute to a greener future with their car. Read more here. “The interest and adoption of EV and PHEV vehicles continues to grow,” said Matt Girgis, managing director, Volvo Car Canada Ltd. “We’re experiencing significant demand for our Recharge line up of vehicles, and we’re excited to engage our customers locally and across the country with this #RechargeThursday initiative. We look forward to continuing to find small, but meaningful ways for our customers to make the world a greener place, in addition to our larger initiatives.”
Volvo Cars is on track to become a climate-neutral company by 2040, reducing emissions across its entire value chain. Volvo continues to proudly offer an electrified version of its entire lineup. By 2025, Volvo will aim for 25 per cent of the material in new Volvo vehicles to consist of recycled and bio-based content. The pureelectric C40 Recharge is the first Volvo to feature a 100 percent leather free interior, including steering wheel, gear shifter and upholstery. In Volvo’s commitment to always provide exceptional service to its customers, the brand has introduced its ‘One Price Promise’ for pure electric vehicles, a straightforward and transparent shopping experience that is negotiationfree, both online and in-store.
To learn more about Volvo’s full range of products, services and electric ambitions visit volvocars.com/en-ca.
TIRE AND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM’S A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS
By Kastin Bradley
THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR COUNCIL OF NOVA SCOTIA HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO EMPLOYMENT FOR SIX OF THE FIRST CANDIDATES TRAINED AS TIRE TECHNICIANS.
After two years of industry-led planning, developing and partnering with NS Apprenticeship, NSCC and equity-seeking groups, the Pathways to Success program has come to fruition!
Pathways to Success is a free eightweek program, delivered online and in the shop over two four-week blocks. The program provides individuals with entry-level knowledge and training as a Tire and Maintenance Technician (TMT). The program is designed to increase recruitment and retention in the automotive power industry while reducing barriers to employment. Core competencies have been identified that will qualify jobseekers for employment in the automotive industry and the opportunity to work towards being certified as a Tire and Maintenance Technician (TMT) and enrolling in apprenticeship.
Block 1 covers competencies deemed necessary to work in-shop as a tire technician and prepares individuals ready to work for the upcoming tire-changing season in October.
Block 2 covers competencies in regards to the vehicle fluid and general vehicle maintenance. Upon successful completion of Block two, the candidates are ready for full time work as a Tire and Maintenance Technician.
The fall cohort was a wonderful group of individuals who were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an experienced NSCC instructor, Adam LaPierre. Feedback from participants indicated that the Pathways to Success program has cultivated a safe learning environment for individuals of all skill levels.
COHORT OF 6 PEOPLE IN AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WALKING TOWARDS AN OPEN GARAGE DOOR
PARTICIPANT BRANDON CARSON CHANGING A TIRE ON A HOISTED VEHICLE
During the in-shop training, one participant stated “Sometimes when my boss explains things it goes in one ear and out the other, but now I truly understand it.” Another stated, “This program is great because Adam’s never condescending and we have time to try things and say what we think might be right without it affecting a customer.” Participants also in-
dicated that they learned more than they were expecting to during the first block of training!
Post-program evaluation feedback included comments like: “The program is so amazing and helpful to me. It also changed my attitude… that I’m important.” as well as “[The program was] actually very helpful…it showed me how to work with others, be a good leader, learn different kinds of techniques, and safety rules and procedures. I am for sure gonna be using all the things from Block 1 at work.”
Since the completion of Block 1 multiple employers are reaching out seeking to hire individuals from the program. The course is not only beneficial to the individuals who participate, but also to em-
ployers. By hiring someone who has completed the Pathways to Success program, your new employee will require less training and be safety minded. Additionally, they have been selected for the program based upon the notion that they are dedicated to working within the field and have completed a Jobtomize Assessment for their “fit” for the industry. Therefore, it increases employee retention while decreasing the time and money spent training them in your automotive shop.
The Automotive Sector Council of Nova Scotia is excited to offer Block 2 of the program to our initial cohort in January, 2023. We are also recruiting for a new Block 1 cohort. Be amongst the first employers to refer your potential hires, or if you or someone you know is interested in participating or want more information, please contact pathways@automotivesectorcouncil.ca.-
“Sometimes when my boss explains things it goes in one ear and out the other, but now I truly understand it” - Pathways to Success Participant
“The program is so amazing and helpful to me. It also changed my attitude that I’m important.” - Pathways to Success Participant
“[The program was] actually very helpful…it showed me how to work with others, be a good leader, different kinds of techniques, safety rules and procedures. I am for sure gonna be using all the things from Block 1 at work”.
(LEFT TO RIGHT: ASC STAFF JUDY DICKSON, ASC PROGRAM MANAGER KASTIN BRADLEY, CONNOR MACMULLIN, BRANDON CARSON, CHASE MACINTYRE, GUTU WAQO, WASIU ABDUL, KADEN WRIGHT, NSCC INSTRUCTOR ADAM LAPIERRE)
PARTICIPANTS KADEN WRIGHT AND CONNOR MACMULLIN LAYING ON THE FLOOR DETERMINING WHERE TO SECURELY HOIST THE TRUCK
ONE INDIVIDUAL GUIDING A TIRE TOWARDS THE MACHINE WHILE ANOTHER PERSON WAITS TO HELP THEM
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
NEWS AND VIEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC REGION…
ANY FAN OF “THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS” MOVIES CAN NAME AT LEAST TWO TIMES SOMEONE DROVE A CAR IN REVERSE AS FAST AS THEY WERE DRIVING FORWARD.
Of course, some of that is movie magic, but there are some real mechanical “things” happening that we can’t see. In the real world, a Tennessee man has made it his life’s mission to test and document the top reverse speed of vehicles. He recently set a Guinness World Record for the fastest mile driven in reverse with an average speed of 48 mph. He hit a peak speed in that average mile of 54 mph. The drive took place in June, and he just won
Guinness recognition.
Scot Burner runs the YouTube channel “Always in Reverse,” where he takes cars on-track in reverse to test their top speed. His record attempt took place in his 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the National Corvette Museum’s Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Burner told Fox News that his technique is simple: He turns around with his right hand on the passenger seat and steers with his left. The rear window is his only view onto the track ahead, which can be disorienting at first, but Burner says he’s been at it since 2000, giving him plenty of time to practice.
Cars feature speed limiters that prevent them from traveling more than 60 mph in reverse, meaning the cars in the movies have been heavily modified to deliver 100 mph-plus speeds. Paul Walker did it with a Mitsubishi EVO 12 in «2 Fast 2 Furious,” and Vin Diesel did the deed in a flaming hotrod in “The Fate of the Furious” (or stunt drivers did, anyway.) Luckily for Burner, he wasn’t running from gangsters, and his car didn’t end in flames. Still an impressive record, however.
Source: Tennessee man sets Guinness World Record for fastest mile driven in reverse | Autoblog
IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME
Ice fishing often requires lugging a shanty out onto the ice for protection from the elements. A converted 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier attempts to simplify this process by combing the car and the ice shanty into one contraption.
This Chevy Cavalier ice shanty is currently for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and it›s located in Maine. The only remaining bit of the Chevrolet are portions of the front clip, with everything from the A-pillars back replaced by the hut. The fenders are gone, exposing the chained tires, and a piece of wood has replaced the front bumper. The hood and headlights are still there, though, and there’s a strange wooden box between the car and the shanty.
Inside, there’s a wood stove with a chimney poking out of the front. A storage rack sits above it. The vehicle’s controls stick out of the wall, with the instrument panel attached to a makeshift wooden dash. The shift lever is mounted sideways on the floor. The photos don’t show any controls for the accelerator or brake, but there are undecipherable things attached near the steering wheel. The available images don’t show off the entire interior space, including the drop-down table, the radio, and more.
The car isn’t road legal. There aren’t any photos of the rear, and we doubt there’s a place for a license plate. It also looks like the back of the shanty sits directly on the ground, and that design won’t fly on public roads. The car ran and drove when the owner parked it two years ago, but it’s unknown if it’s still operational today. The seller is asking $2,000 for it. Cars have served as mobile homes in the past, so converting one to a portable ice shanty seems natural. It might not be the most fun vehicle to drive, but driving isn’t its primary purpose. It’s designed to keep its occupants warm, the fish cold, and the outside elements from ruining a great day of fishing. The wood stove, chairs, and table provide all the ambiance one needs.
Source: Chevy Cavalier Ice Shanty Is The Mobile Fishing Shack Of Your Dreams (motor1.com)
A SNEAKY TRICK
For some drivers, it can be a challenge to find a parking spot. This is especially the case if you don’t have a garage or a driveway where you can park your car — and live in a congested city.
However, there is a way to overcome this challenge. It’s a little dubious, though. On the Reddit social media site, a man recently shared a sneaky parking trick in which his neighbor saves a spot when he’s not home.
Cars and mopeds parked on a street | Oscar Nord via Unsplash
The post for the sneaky parking trick went viral on Reddit, with it eliciting many responses from users. In the post, a man with the username “MihaiPirogov123” shared the sneaky trick on the “Casual UK” forum.
Along with sharing a photo of the parking tactic, he wrote, “My neighbour bought a broken moped to hold his parking spot when he’s not home.”
In the photo, the broken moped is sandwiched between two cars, with a large gap between them. When the neighbor arrives back home, he removes the moped — and then parks his car in the open parking space.
As of this writing, the Reddit post has over 3,900 upvotes, with hundreds of comments from other users, as detailed by Mirror.
Many users think that it’s a strange parking tactic, especially considering the fees required to operate the broken moped. Also, some users joked that the moped would get stolen.
Source: Man Shows Sneaky Parking Trick to Save Spot When Not Home (motorbiscuit.com)
Knowing how Tesla CEO Elon Musk tends to operate, we may be in for a publicity stunt next year as the Tesla Cybertruck makes its way across the channel from SpaceX’s Starbase to South Padre Island. However, we’re going to make it abundantly clear that intentionally using your Cybertruck (or any Tesla vehicle) as a boat is a terrible and dangerous idea.
Honestly, intentionally using any car as a boat is likely to have dire consequences.
Elon Musk has noted that Tesla’s vehicles can float, at least for some time, and won’t necessarily take on water like a gas car. There’s no intake, nor is there any engine to “hydrolock.”
This means the EV could hypothetically operate for an extended period of time without losing power. However, it doesn’t mean you should test it out unless you want your expensive electric car to end up at the bottom of a channel and risk your life. In the past, Musk published a few tweets like the following:
We *def* don’t recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
With all of that said, Musk actually tweeted that the “Cybertruck will be
waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat.” He added that it will even be able to cross “rivers, lakes, and seas that aren’t too choppy.” The parts about “briefly” and “not too choppy” are scary. However, the tweet was published a few weeks ago, and despite many warnings about the dangers involved, the tweet still exists:
Source: Elon Musk Has More To Share About A Tesla Cybertruck “Boat Mode” (insideevs.com)
