Auto Racing

TORONTO, ON - It's likely going to be a long weekend for both sides in the Canadian auto talks.

The Canadian Auto Workers warned Thursday may target more than one of the Big Three North American automakers if negotiations fall through.

It says talks have intensified in an effort to avoid a work stoppage when the current contracts run out at the end of Monday but there's been no progress.

"Today we are without an agreement on all major issues," the union said Friday in a message to its members at Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

"Our committees are frustrated, but remain intent on finding a solution."

CAW spokesman Peter Kennedy said Thursday a decision about who to target will be made closer to Monday night when the current contracts expire at 11:59 p.m..

"We urge members to stay on the job and stay tuned for further information and instruction. Your bargaining committees are working very hard, guided by our shared goal of winning the best agreement possible while minimizing the sacrifice to our members," the union said in a message distributed Friday to the media.

The three automakers have taken a low-profile approach during the talks but industry observers have noted they're looking for lower labour and pension costs in line with an agreement with the United Auto Workers in the United States.

The CAW, which is independent of the UAW, has historically been able to prove its members had an economic cost-advantage over their American counterparts but that leverage has dwindled or disappeared due to a Canadian dollar now worth more than the U.S. currency as well as contract concessions at the UAW.

The CAW has said it's prepared to allow a plan that would see new employees earn less when they are hired and take longer to reach the top end of the wage scale.

CAW president Ken Lewenza has said the union opposes a permanent two-tier system — such as one accepted by the United Auto Workers union for employees at the automakers' U.S. plants.

Kennedy described the talks as the most difficult he's seen in more than 20 years, including the restructuring in 2009 to save GM and Chrysler from bankruptcy.

Through Twitter, Nissan Canada is offering free rides to festival goers during the first weekend of TIFF in the fully-electric Nissan LEAF 

Toronto, ON – Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) attendees will have the chance to take a ride in a chauffeur-driven Nissan LEAF™ during this year’s festivities. Two Nissan LEAFs will be driving around downtown Toronto on the 7th and 8th of September, offering free taxi rides to festival attendees. To hail the Nissan LEAF taxi, all a prospective passenger has to do is send a Tweet that incorporates the hashtag '#LEAFTAXI' and their chosen destination. 

In consideration of all the vehicles on the road to support various TIFF events*, the Nissan LEAF gives eco-conscious festival-attendees an emissions-free option to get around the festival. The zero-emissions, lithium-ion battery-powered Nissan LEAF features a 107-hp engine with 207 lb-ft of torque, giving up to four passengers a sustainable ride that has the engine power to get them where they need to go.

"The Nissan LEAF is the perfect vehicle to represent Nissan at TIFF,” says Judy Wheeler, Director of Marketing for Nissan Canada. “Just like the film festival which seems to grow in prominence each year, the Nissan LEAF is representative of the innovative, forward-thinking attitude that Nissan instils into all of its products.” 

“By offering free taxi rides, we aim to show Torontonians how practical and affordable the Nissan LEAF is to own. It’s the ideal vehicle for the urban commuter – economical at the pump and stylish enough for a cosmopolitan environment like TIFF," Wheeler concludes.

The two Nissan LEAF taxis will be based in the Entertainment District and will travel as far north as Dundas Street, east as York Street, west as Bathurst and as south as Front Street. The Nissan LEAF taxis will be operating from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday and will driven by professional drivers.

All Tweets sent with the '#LEAFTAXI' hashtag will be monitored and winners of the free rides chosen at random will be contacted via @reply by @nissancanada

F-150 sales jump 30% 

OAKVILLE, ON– Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited continues to lead the Canadian market in sales in August and year-to-date. Ford Mustang, Escape and the Canadian-built Edge all saw strong sales with increases of 12 per cent, 13 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively.

“The Canadian industry continues to show steady growth, and at Ford we are seeing an increasing number of customers in our showrooms,” said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “The Escape has been Canada’s top-selling CUV for the last eight years and with the all new model now in showrooms it will help keep up the great momentum.”

Surging F-Series sales were powered by F-150, which saw a 30 per cent increase. Also in August, Ford CUV and SUV sales rose 9 per cent, driven by the popular Explorer, which saw a 22 per cent increase.

Continental Tire's newest luxury performance all-season replacement tire helps consumers save money with EcoPlus Technology and Tuned Performance Indicators.

FORT MILL, S.C., - Continental Tire the Americas, LLC has introduced the company's newest luxury performance all-season replacement tire to dealer shelves, the PureContact™.  This premium tire brings together best-in-class wet braking, fuel efficiency and ride comfort in a sleek design that is sure to give drivers the confidence they need year round.

"The PureContact™ brings together our innovative technologies into one luxury all-season tire," said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire.  "We've married our EcoPlus Technology, Comfort Ride Technology and Tuned Performance Indicators for a replacement tire that will help our customers arrive to their destinations safely while also helping to save money and be kind to the environment."

The PureContact™ features best-in-class wet braking with the help of EcoPlus Technology.  Continental Tire's award-winning EcoPlus Technology improves treadwear while enhancing grip on wet roads thus promoting a shorter stopping distance.  This particular technology also improves wear and fuel efficiency which can save the consumer money over the life of the tire.

Drivers will also receive an extra measure of confidence with the inclusion of Tuned Performance Indicators.  The Dry, Wet and Snow letters in the tread indicate the tire's optimal performance levels.  Additionally, Continental's Comfort Ride Technology absorbs vibrations caused by road surface irregularities, giving drivers and their passenger's a smooth and enjoyable ride.

The PureContact™  is backed by some of the strongest warranty programs and service contracts in the industry.  This luxury performance tire has a 60-day customer satisfaction trial and a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty and a 72-month manufacturer's limited warranty program.  The PureContact™ comes in a wide range of sizes from 15" – 18" wheel diameters with a UTQG rating of 700 AA for H and V speed.