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Video: Stranded Canadian couple latest victims of “Death by GPS”

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

“Death by GPS” – Click above to watch video after the jump

Recently, we learned that sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvettes are out to get us, and now it seems that our beloved GPS has turned on us. Consumer Reports calls it “Death by GPS”, and it’s a term that refers to folks who wind up in dangerous or fatal situations because they blindly follow the directions provided by their electronic navigational aid.

A Canadian couple was recently in the news when their GPS led them astray and into a remote part of Northern Nevada. The husband set out for help while the wife remained with their vehicle for seven weeks until being discovered (still alive) by a group of hunters.

We live in an age where we rely quite heavily on the technology around us. It’s no surprise then that we put blind faith in our personal devices, yet we should take a step back to see them for what they really are. The GPS is a tool to aid with navigation, yet it’s not an infallible machine. Data (and a clear line of sight to orbiting satellites) is a major requirement for a navigation unit to function at its best. More remote areas have less data because of the infrequent amount of traffic they receive, thus a navigation unit would have less information with which to provide feedback.

If you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, and you’re heading into unfamiliar territory, it’s a good idea to remember that your navigation system is part of a team. Your brain should also be part of that team. Click past the jump to watch a CBS News clip discussing the “Death by GPS” phenomenon.

Continue reading Stranded Canadian couple latest victims of “Death by GPS”

Stranded Canadian couple latest victims of “Death by GPS” originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian BMW dealer holding contest to find ultimate blogger, $65K job up for grabs

2011 BMW 335is – Click above for high-res image gallery

Endras BMW in Ajax, Ontario has a sweet blogging gig open. The winner of the dealership’s Ultimate Blogger contest gets a free condo for a year, a new Bimmer every six months and a $65K a year starting salary.

Endras is looking for someone to represent it online, a job that includes attending press events, junkets and auto shows, as well as handling the outfit’s social media efforts.

To enter, write and submit a 200-word blog post on anything BMW-related. After Endras BMW management weeds out the entries that fail to impress, 20 semifinalists be asked to produce a video proving their obsession with performance.

In the last round of eliminations, the 10 finalists will get face-to-face interviews at Endras. After that, someone’s got a new job. If you want a shot at it, hop over to EndrasBMW.com and fire up your writing skills.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 BMW 335is

[Source: EndrasBMW]

Canadian BMW dealer holding contest to find ultimate blogger, $65K job up for grabs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Edge named Canadian Car and Utility of the Year

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Crossover, Chevrolet, Ford, Canada

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Click above for high-res image gallery

Both Chevrolet and Ford have something to brag about at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada named the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze the Canadian Car of the Year; the 2011 Ford Edge took Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year honors. According to General Motors, AJAC members cited the compact sedan’s efficiency, refinement, and price as the key factors, and that added bonuses like 10 standard air bags helped seal the award for the Cruze.

The 2011 Ford Edge crossover, won over journos with its extensive redesign and came out ahead following both road and track tests. Additionally, the Edge’s onboard technology features helped drive home the win. Hit the jump for both press releases.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT

Gallery: Review: 2011 Ford Edge

[Sources: General Motors, Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Edge named Canadian Car and Utility of the Year

2011 Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Edge named Canadian Car and Utility of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM, Ford slow production at seven plants due to Canadian storms

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, GM, Canada

Flint Assembly Plant

If you think early winter weather is causing you headaches this season, you should hear what General Motors and Ford are putting up with. The companies have seen production slow in at least seven of their manufacturing facilities in Canada and the Midwest thanks to road closings. According to Bloomberg, The General was forced to either slow or stop production of at least eight models, including the Chevrolet Equinox, Camaro and Impala as well as the Cadillac CTS and STS. And Ford hasn’t fared much better – the Blue Oval has brought production of at least six models to a stop.

Among the FoMoCo casualties of this week’s winter wonderland? The Flex, Edge and Explorer, but work was also held up on the Lincoln MKT and MKS. Additionally, the slowdown may impact the automakers’ fourth-quarter results, since most carmakers record their revenue when vehicles are assembled at the plant.

Interestingly enough, Chrysler, which operates facilities in Canada, has apparently not had to slow or stop production because of the weather. Likewise, the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio is operating normally so far this season.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: John Ehlke/AP /The Flint Journal]

Report: GM, Ford slow production at seven plants due to Canadian storms originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian dealer association looks to ban right-hand drive cars

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Canada

The current law in Canada allows for right-hand drive vehicles older than 15 years to be imported into the country, a loophole that allows for the importation of neat foreign iron that includes Japanese kei cars like the Suzuki Cappuccino as well as larger enthusiast cars like the Nissan Skyline. But the Canadian Automotive Dealer Association appears eager to stop the influx of these elderly RHD vehicles. The CADA claims that the cars and trucks, which the group claims are imported from Asian countries, are “dirty and unsafe.” The CADA goes further by saying that the vehicles are often used for “street racing and other reckless acts,” and it claims that the vehicles are 40 percent more likely to be involved in an accident. The proposed solution for these right-drive nuisances is for the Canadian government to change the antique designation to 25 years to reflect the changes made by the U.S. and Australia.

Critics suggest that the real reason these vehicles are so unpopular with the 3,300 dealers associated with the CADA is that the imported vehicles are nibbling away at their car sales. As the reasoning goes, the older RHD vehicles aren’t as safe or as environmentally friendly as newer vehicles, but neither are the left-hand drive vehicles on used car lots all over the country to our north. Hit the jump to read over the CADA’s official press release.

[Source: Canadian Automotive Dealer Association]

Continue reading Canadian dealer association looks to ban right-hand drive cars

Canadian dealer association looks to ban right-hand drive cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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