Project Arrow - Canada’s Electric Vehicle
A Demonstration of Canada’s EV Expertise
Canada has never really been known for having a "Canadian car" - One that's truly designed, engineered, and built in Canada. But that's about to change.
Sure, in the past, Canada has brought the likes of Bricklin Motorcars in the 70's - often referred to as the Canadian DeLorean (although the 80's DeLorean should really be referred to as the American Bricklin). Canada has also had its fair share of "Canadian only" nameplate variations, like the 50's Monarch brand (a Canadian blend of Ford and Mercury ), 60's Pontiac Beaumont (based on the Chevrolet Chevelle), Pontiac Acadian, Pontiac G5 (rebadged Chevrolet Cobalt) - to name a few (and oddly many Pontiacs).
Canadian companies are also getting into the EV space, like ElectraMeccanica (related to Intermeccanica International that is known for building gorgeous high quality Porsche 356 replicas) that builds the upcoming Solo, a single-seat 3-wheeled EV.
But what many people don't know, is that Canada has a robust and world-class auto industry. It has a long history of manufacturing well-known nameplates, like the Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Chrysler Pacifica/Caravan, Ford Edge, and Honda Civic - and much much more, for the North American market. Tesla even is opening its first branded manufacturing facility in Canada. Top 100 global automotive suppliers, like Magna International and Linamar Corporation, also have Canadian roots. Legacy brands, like the Ford Motor Company, will also be building EV's in Canada.
And that's the point and mission for the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) and its fantastic Project Arrow - a Canadian EV concept vehicle. As the APMA's President, Flavio Volpe, explains in the interview, Project Arrow's main mission was to "build an all-Canadian car and then to showcase Canadian technology". It's not just a viable production EV with some of the most advanced technology, it's also a unique lighthouse project to demonstrate the capability of Canada's auto industry - from its people, companies, competencies, supply chain, and engineering. I would also add that it's a brilliant marketing initiative.
Sure to make Canadians, like myself, proud.