That said, with a changing global market in mind, countries have been more willing to get involved in the planning and development of national automotive companies. Mexico’s “Olinia”, for instance, is a planned EV line set to be led by a new federal ministry, with a focus on affordability. As noted in its initial press release, the target demographic is families and young people, with three models expected to cost between US $4,400 to US $7,400—significantly lower than other EVs sold in the country.
The idea is that a nationally led framework will aid in the project’s coordination, with production intended to take place across several regions to keep costs down. Government ownership will also ensure a reliable stream of investment and that the end product is something attainable by the average Mexican family.
Turkey is pursuing a similar project through its Automobile Joint Venture Group (TOGG), a consortium of companies with the support and financial backing of the government. The goal is to create a national brand of EVs, with some models already being available for purchase.
With Mexico and Turkey offering prospective templates, Canada need not reinvent the wheel in pursuing its own, publicly owned automaker. Only the federal government has the ability to operate a program of this magnitude by bringing together our natural resources, skilled workforce, and industrial capacity to create a sustainable and affordable Canadian brand.
I’m sorry but I just don’t buy that. Canada built its original rail system coast to coast in the 19th century with a population of 4 million and a highway coast to coast in the 60’s with a population of 20 million. We can make HSR happen today with a population of 40 million. We just need some vision.
Do I really need to mention who was in the path of the original railway? That being said, a single, coast-to-coast line actually does make sense, and is one of those projects under serious consideration at the federal level. But, it’s going to compete with airlines, not cars. If you want to go from Regina to Saskatoon or Calgary to Drumheller neither that nor an ebike are going to help.
Have a look at just about any public works project around and how they go, if you actually interested in or care about this. You’re going to have to demolish homes and restructure communities along the way. It can be done, and it has, but it’s slow and terrible, and a lot of people will hate it. I would assume the trans-Canada highway reused a lot of existing road and still was like that.
Vancouver area is expanding the skytrain, its not HSR, but it will make the 60km commute a breeze. And my one coworker drives 5 hours from his residence to Vancouver area every few weeks. So a rail route would compete with a car. There is a plane route, but with getting to airport, security and waiting or delays, driving is a more pleasant option.