Latest news with #Breton
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Groups in Canada Fight for Access to Forbidden Chinese EVs
Like in the U.S., Canadian car buyers see a carefully curated group of brands and vehicles on dealers' lots, thanks to safety regulations, trade relations, and a whole host of other factors. Many have pressed the Canadian government to relax those rules as tariff pressure builds, and now, an EV advocacy group has joined the fight. Daniel Breton, head of Electric Mobility Canada, said, "Right now, Transport Canada is saying, well, we have to change the bumpers and we have to change the headlights and this and that for safety reasons, which, as far as I'm concerned, is total B.S." He continued to say that, "If the car is good enough to be driving on European roads, where you can drive much faster than here, don't come and tell me that they're not safe enough to be driven in Canada." Groups in Canada are looking for ways to keep more affordable vehicles flowing into the country as its trade relations with the U.S. have soured over tariffs and other actions. Breton and others feel that allowing vehicles from Europe, China, and elsewhere would strengthen trade relations and help more Canadians afford new cars. That said, our northern neighbors tend to buy larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs, similar to their American counterparts, making it riskier for automakers to invest in smaller new models for the country. Small vehicle sales in Canada are far below those of SUVs and trucks, but Breton said there is a place for the vehicles in the market. Breton wants the Canadian government to reconsider its 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports, and the public seems to be behind him. A recent poll showed that 70 percent of Canadians are in favor of allowing EVs approved for European roads into the country, and 5 percent said they'd like to see the 100 percent tariff dropped to the 35 percent level European countries impose. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Capri trousers are back! Here's how to style this vintage trouser shape for 2025
What exactly is a capri trouser? Let's start there, because these are not pedal pushers - we'll leave those to the year 9 school disco. A true capri trouser sits somewhere between the knee and ankle, never above the knee, and often comes with a dainty little side split at the hem. First designed in 1948 by the German designer Sonja de Lennart, and taken from her Capri Collection, they were her post-war attempt to create a feminine trouser that looked and felt fresh, sophisticated and still showed a bit of leg, rather than a pair more associated with uniforms and practicality. By the 1950s and into the 1960s it was the trouser. Loved and worn by millions of women, and made famous by Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe who was regularly photographed wearing a black jumper and crisp white capris in her daily life. Audrey Hepburn had quite a collection too, in gingham, black, baby blue - and of course, that striped pair in Roman Holiday, forever etched in our cinematic memory. Fast track into 2025 and capris are appearinh on catwalks at Louis Vuitton and Chanel, and are about to topple the voluminous palazzo pant from its pedestal as the trouser shape of summer. Fitted but not clingy, smart but unfussy and with google searches up from 21% last year, this is a shape you need to start considering. You might be sceptical, or rummaging through the back of your wardrobe thinking, 'Didn't I have a pair in 2006?', but hear us out. These cropped classics are practical, polished and a welcoming change from the billowing, flowy shapes dominating now. Also, they are a style solution and work for bike rides, boat trips and seaside strolls, plus they won't flap about or get caught in spokes. And because they're usually made from breathable cotton fabrics, they're ideal if you prefer leg coverage in the heat. Our edit includes nostalgic gingham prints from Nobody's Child and Next - also avilable in petite for those under 5'3. For tailored cotton styles head to Boden, Cos or French Connection whose Carson capri trouser has now been reduced to £24 (with an extra 20% off if you act quick). Regatta's cream cotton-rich capris are designed in a flattering tapered fit and feature pockets. Styling wise, wear your capri trousers with a crisp white shirt, a Breton top, or a waistcoat if you want to make them office appropriate. With regards to your footwear, pop on a kitten heel if you're feeling chic, or ballet flats on run-around days. Just keep the proportions right - nothing too oversized on top and let the ankle do the talking. Tres chic!Capri Trousers Navy £69.00 at Gingham Capri Trousers $69.00 at Rich Tapered Cropped Trousers £35.00 at Regatta at Marks & Spencer Slim Capri Trousers £45.00 at Gingham Authentic Denim Cropped Capri Jeans £36.00 at NextBeige Capri Cropped Trousers £22.40 at JD Williams Carson Capri Trousers £24.00 at French Connection You Might Also Like The anti-ageing wonder ingredient you're missing in your skincare routine 15 dresses perfect for a summer wedding 6 items our fashion team always take on a beach holiday
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
A revolution on two wheels
A baguette, a croissant, a two-hour lunch with cheese and wine enjoyed while wearing a Breton stripe and a red beret would have trouble beating the Tour de France in a "which-is-the-most-French' competition. A few weeks ago, I was in a town in central France, Châteauroux, also known as 'Cavendish City' because it was the scene of three of professional cyclist Mark Cavendish's record-breaking 35 stage wins. Already, before the race had even started, Tour fever was everywhere. Banners abounded and posters hang off every lamp post. It was exciting to be there a week early, just to experience the anticipation of the Tour — it's top of my bucket list to one day actually be at some of the race stages in France. The Tour de France is more than a sporting event — it's a national ritual that threads together France's geography, culture, gastronomy and tenacity...
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Open the door to cheaper electric vehicles from Europe, advocates urge
TORONTO – The federal government has stopped the world's cheapest electric vehicles — made in China — from coming into Canada with a 100 per cent tariff, so advocates are pushing to make it easier for automakers to bring in cheaper ones from Europe. 'Right now, there is a blockage, saying that for safety reasons they cannot let these cars in,' said Daniel Breton, head of Electric Mobility Canada. He's pushing to have the federal government rule that EVs deemed safe by European regulators don't need to be re-certified and modified for Canadian standards. The potentially costly process can be a barrier to bringing more compact and affordable EVs to the Canadian market, though demand might be the bigger hurdle. 'Right now Transport Canada is saying, well, we have to change the bumpers and we have to change the headlights and this and that for safety reasons, which, as far as I'm concerned is total B.S.,' said Breton. 'If the car is good enough to be driving on European roads, where you can drive much faster than here, don't come and tell me that they're not safe enough to be driven in Canada.' Attempts to lower the barriers to cheaper vehicles comes as EV sales have been disrupted by the abrupt end of government rebate programs, while tariffs and U.S. moves to end EV supports and mandates are further destabilizing the market. Breton said that allowing a more open flow of vehicles from Europe would fit in well with a push to strengthen and diversify trade ties with the region, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he hopes to do, but Transport Canada says it's not so simple. 'The certification requirements of other jurisdictions may not be sufficient to meet the safety needs of Canadian road users due to Canada's distinct driving environment,' said spokesman Hicham Ayoun in an email. He said Canadian test standards are better suited for the road infrastructure, speed limits and larger vehicle sizes found on Canadian roadways. 'Some European crash testing requirements are not as stringent as the Canadian regime due to differences in their driving environment.' While Breton said the idea that European testing is deficient is ridiculous, there is also the question of how much demand there would be for the vehicles. As Transport Canada pointed out, Canadians like big cars and trucks. So much so that a few years ago the International Energy Agency found Canadian vehicles were the largest and second heaviest in the world, resulting in the worst fuel efficiency rating globally. Automakers know that and could be hesitant to bring in smaller cars, said Sam Fiorani, vice-president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. 'European EVs are tailored for the European market, and those models don't convert very well to the U.S. and Canada,' he said. 'The small cars that Canadians appreciate are on the fringes — there aren't too many of them.' But even if the potential market isn't much bigger than the cars themselves, Breton said there's still demand from anyone ranging from downtown drivers to households looking to make their second car an EV. He pointed to the Smart EV his wife drives, which is no longer available in Canada. 'If today her vehicle was scrapped, she couldn't find anything on the market, except for the Fiat 500e. But that's it. That's not choice.' The Fiat is the cheapest EV available in Canada, with a base price of $42,290 (though the company is currently offering more than $4,000 in discounts) for an advertised 227-kilometre range. The Nissan Leaf is the nearest competitor, starting at a selling price of $44,596 for a 240-kilometre range. But there are numerous other compact models that aren't available here. Volkswagen sells its ID.4 in Canada, but not the ID.3 that can retail for some 20 per cent less, and Nissan doesn't sell its more affordable Micra model, while other European brands with compact EVs like Citroen, Opel and Peugeot don't sell in Canada at all. Sales numbers for the available compact options aren't high, with Stellantis selling 1,275 of its Fiat 500e model last year, compared with more than 62,000 under its Ram brand and more than 40,000 for Jeep. But the market also needs choice to grow and fewer barriers to entry, said Breton. There does seem to be support for at least the idea of bringing cheaper EVs from Europe, according to a poll released last month from Clean Energy Canada. The results from 2,585 Canadians showed 70 per cent were in favour of allowing European-approved EVs into Canada, with only 10 per cent against and the rest unsure. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. The poll also showed a majority supported the other big lever the federal government has to making EVs cheaper, by reducing or doing away with tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The results showed 53 per cent supported mirroring Europe's model that has put tariffs of up to 35 per cent on Chinese vehicles, an approach that balances protecting home industries with improving affordability. Breton said he would also like to see a more nuanced approach to China than the 100 per cent tariff Canada has imposed, to better strike that balance and make it easier to transition to zero-emission vehicles. 'We want to make sure that Canadians have access to affordable electric cars.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Open the door to cheaper electric vehicles from Europe, advocates urge
TORONTO - The federal government has stopped the world's cheapest electric vehicles — made in China — from coming into Canada with a 100 per cent tariff, so advocates are pushing to make it easier for automakers to bring in cheaper ones from Europe. 'Right now, there is a blockage, saying that for safety reasons they cannot let these cars in,' said Daniel Breton, head of Electric Mobility Canada. He's pushing to have the federal government rule that EVs deemed safe by European regulators don't need to be re-certified and modified for Canadian standards. The potentially costly process can be a barrier to bringing more compact and affordable EVs to the Canadian market, though demand might be the bigger hurdle. 'Right now Transport Canada is saying, well, we have to change the bumpers and we have to change the headlights and this and that for safety reasons, which, as far as I'm concerned is total B.S.,' said Breton. 'If the car is good enough to be driving on European roads, where you can drive much faster than here, don't come and tell me that they're not safe enough to be driven in Canada.' Attempts to lower the barriers to cheaper vehicles comes as EV sales have been disrupted by the abrupt end of government rebate programs, while tariffs and U.S. moves to end EV supports and mandates are further destabilizing the market. Breton said that allowing a more open flow of vehicles from Europe would fit in well with a push to strengthen and diversify trade ties with the region, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he hopes to do, but Transport Canada says it's not so simple. 'The certification requirements of other jurisdictions may not be sufficient to meet the safety needs of Canadian road users due to Canada's distinct driving environment,' said spokesman Hicham Ayoun in an email. He said Canadian test standards are better suited for the road infrastructure, speed limits and larger vehicle sizes found on Canadian roadways. 'Some European crash testing requirements are not as stringent as the Canadian regime due to differences in their driving environment.' While Breton said the idea that European testing is deficient is ridiculous, there is also the question of how much demand there would be for the vehicles. As Transport Canada pointed out, Canadians like big cars and trucks. So much so that a few years ago the International Energy Agency found Canadian vehicles were the largest and second heaviest in the world, resulting in the worst fuel efficiency rating globally. Automakers know that and could be hesitant to bring in smaller cars, said Sam Fiorani, vice-president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. 'European EVs are tailored for the European market, and those models don't convert very well to the U.S. and Canada,' he said. 'The small cars that Canadians appreciate are on the fringes — there aren't too many of them.' But even if the potential market isn't much bigger than the cars themselves, Breton said there's still demand from anyone ranging from downtown drivers to households looking to make their second car an EV. He pointed to the Smart EV his wife drives, which is no longer available in Canada. 'If today her vehicle was scrapped, she couldn't find anything on the market, except for the Fiat 500e. But that's it. That's not choice.' The Fiat is the cheapest EV available in Canada, with a base price of $42,290 (though the company is currently offering more than $4,000 in discounts) for an advertised 227-kilometre range. The Nissan Leaf is the nearest competitor, starting at a selling price of $44,596 for a 240-kilometre range. But there are numerous other compact models that aren't available here. Volkswagen sells its ID.4 in Canada, but not the ID.3 that can retail for some 20 per cent less, and Nissan doesn't sell its more affordable Micra model, while other European brands with compact EVs like Citroen, Opel and Peugeot don't sell in Canada at all. Sales numbers for the available compact options aren't high, with Stellantis selling 1,275 of its Fiat 500e model last year, compared with more than 62,000 under its Ram brand and more than 40,000 for Jeep. But the market also needs choice to grow and fewer barriers to entry, said Breton. There does seem to be support for at least the idea of bringing cheaper EVs from Europe, according to a poll released last month from Clean Energy Canada. The results from 2,585 Canadians showed 70 per cent were in favour of allowing European-approved EVs into Canada, with only 10 per cent against and the rest unsure. The poll also showed a majority supported the other big lever the federal government has to making EVs cheaper, by reducing or doing away with tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The results showed 53 per cent supported mirroring Europe's model that has put tariffs of up to 35 per cent on Chinese vehicles, an approach that balances protecting home industries with improving affordability. Breton said he would also like to see a more nuanced approach to China than the 100 per cent tariff Canada has imposed, to better strike that balance and make it easier to transition to zero-emission vehicles. 'We want to make sure that Canadians have access to affordable electric cars.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
