Electrification a Hot Topic of Discussion at 2018 Canadian International Autoshow

Electrification a Hot Topic of Discussion at 2018 Canadian International Autoshow
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Canadian International Autoshow

Release Date

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

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TORONTO, February 21, 2018 – Electric cars were a hot topic of discussion on Wednesday at the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow (Feb. 16-25), as representatives from across the automotive industry took part in a panel that examined the issues shaping a future that will see more electric cars on our roads.

The discussion, ‘The Electric Revolution: What form will it come in?’, was the fifth installment of the Automotive Intelligence Series, a public education series designed to help provide insight into some of the most important subjects that will shape the future of driving.

The panelists were:

  • Morten Edvardsen – Senior Political Adviser, the Norwegian EV Association (NEVA)

  • Stephen Beatty – Vice President, Corporate, Toyota Canada Inc.

  • Brett Smith – Co-director, Center for Automotive Research at the University of Michigan

  • François Lefèvre – Chief Marketing Manager, Nissan LEAF, and Manager of Executive Planning, Nissan Canada Inc.

  • David Paterson – Vice President, Corporate and Environmental Affairs, General Motors of Canada Company

  • Brookes Shean – Regional General Manager, Central Canada for FLO/AddEnergie

  • Scott Hollinshead – Product Planner, Volkswagen Canada

  • Jack Simpson – General Manager - Business Development & Innovation, Toronto Hydro

Also on Wednesday, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the 2018 Innovation Award winners.

The Best Green Innovation was presented to Toyota for the Gas Injection Heat Pump System Design in the 2017/2018 Prius Prime. The Best Safety Innovation award was given to Lexus for Safety System +. The Best Technical Innovation award went to Cadillac for its Super Cruise Technology.

“I call this our inaugural year, as we have taken what used to be called the Technology awards and made them broader reaching. We’ve even added a category, and this is now our opportunity to recognize the very best – and most innovative – examples of new automotive technology available to Canadian drivers,” said Mark Richardson, President, Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

The awards are judged by a panel of nine automotive journalists who are all technology specialists. As a first step, they independently reviewed briefs on all entries submitted by Canada's automakers of their most innovative technologies. From that initial review, the jurors established a short list of finalists in each category. Then in early December, they convened for a day of presentations and questioning with manufacturers' representatives on each of the short-listed entries. The jurors then voted a second time by secret ballot.

As with the Canadian Car of the Year awards program, these votes were compiled and authenticated by the accounting firm of KPMG.

Finalists in the different categories were:

Best Green Innovation:
Chevrolet: Regen-on-Demand System (Chevrolet Bolt)
Lexus: Multi-stage hybrid system
Toyota: Gas Injection Heat Pump System Design

Best Safety Innovation:
Cadillac: Super Cruise Technology
FCA: eFlite Transmission – Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Volvo: S90 Hybrid Combined Powertrain

Best Technical Innovation:
GM: Vehicle to Vehicle (V2) Communications System
Honda: Cabin Talk and Watch (Honda Odyssey)
Lexus: Safety System +
Nissan: Pro Pilot Assist



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