Dec. 5, 2025 | The week’s top stories and Laura Zanchin talks EV investment, sales, rebates, more
About this episode
Laura Zancon, Principal and Executive Director of Zancon Automotive Group, discusses the significant investments dealers must make for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, including charging stations and staff training. The conversation highlights the challenges dealers face with fluctuating EV sales and the impact of government mandates and rebates. Key insights include the varying costs based on dealership size and location, as well as the need for more consumer-friendly EV models. The episode also touches on the current state of new vehicle sales in Canada and the importance of affordability in driving EV adoption.
November sales slide; New Charger output starts; USMCA under scrutiny. Plus, Zanchin Automotive Group Principal and Executive Director Laura Zanchin talks EV investment, sales, rebates and more.
electric vehicles (EVs)
"We discuss the millions of dollars she and other dealers are required to spend on electric vehicles infrastructure. We also talk about the future of EVs"
Electric vehicles, or EVs, run on electricity instead of gasoline. They’re becoming more common as people look for cleaner cars.
Electric vehicles are cars powered entirely or partially by electric motors and batteries, offering zero tailpipe emissions. They’re a key focus for automakers and governments worldwide.
government sales mandate and rebates
"We also talk about the future of EVs and the government sales mandate and rebates, which are both under review"
Some governments say automakers must sell a certain number of electric cars and give money back to buyers as rebates. This helps more people buy EVs.
Governments may set minimum sales targets for electric vehicles and offer rebates to encourage buyers. These policies aim to accelerate EV adoption.
serial production
"Stellantis on December 2nd began serial production of the 26 Dodge Chargers Scat Pack"
Serial production means the factory is making many cars of the same model over time, not just a few special ones.
Serial production refers to the continuous manufacturing of a vehicle model in a factory, as opposed to limited or prototype runs.
Dodge Charger Scat Pack
"In product news, Stellantis on December 2nd began serial production of the 26 Dodge Chargers Scat Pack, bringing back the gasoline-powered version of the muscle car"
The Dodge Charger Scat Pack is a sporty version of the Dodge Charger, known for its strong engine and bold look. It’s one of the cars that can be bought in Canada.
The Dodge Charger Scat Pack is a high‑performance variant of the Dodge Charger, featuring a powerful engine and aggressive styling. It’s part of Stellantis’ lineup of muscle cars.
third shift assembly
"bringing back the gasoline-powered version of the muscle car and set the stage for the return of the third shift at the Windsor assembly plant"
A third shift means the factory works a third day, usually at night, to make more cars.
A third shift refers to a third working day (often night) at a factory, increasing production capacity. It’s common in automotive plants to meet demand.
hurricane 6-pack engine
"The two-door performance version of the Charger features a hurricane 6-pack engine that generates 550 horsepower."
The Hurricane 6‑Pack is a six‑cylinder engine that gives the Charger Scat Pack a lot of power, about 550 horsepower.
The Hurricane 6‑Pack is a V6 engine developed by Dodge, producing around 550 horsepower. It’s used in the Charger Scat Pack to deliver strong performance.
electric push
"Yeah, they're asking a lot of dealers. So like it would depend on the electric push that comes from their model mix, right?"
The "electric push" means that car makers are making more electric cars because governments want cleaner vehicles and people like them.
The "electric push" refers to the industry-wide shift toward electric vehicles, driven by regulatory mandates and consumer demand. Manufacturers are accelerating EV development to meet these goals.
Mercedes-Benz
"So like for example, in a Mazda store, it's not that high. So you know, it's relatively less painful. But in something like, for example, Mercedes store, it's extremely high..."
Mercedes-Benz is a German company that makes fancy cars like the S‑class sedan and G‑Wagon. They are also making electric versions of their cars.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker that produces sedans, SUVs, and high-performance models. In recent years they have accelerated their electric vehicle strategy with the EQ brand.
Mazda
"So like for example, in a Mazda store, it's not that high."
Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes cars like the CX‑5 SUV and the MX‑5 sports car. They are also starting to make electric cars.
Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for models like the Mazda3, CX-5, and MX‑5 Miata. The brand has recently expanded its lineup to include electric vehicles such as the Mazda MX‑30.
OEM requirements
"And so dealers had to step up to that and they had to do whatever the OEM has required for their stores to do."
OEM requirements are rules that car makers give to the shops that sell and fix their cars, telling them what tools or parts they need.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) requirements are standards set by car manufacturers for dealerships, such as installing specific equipment or meeting service protocols.
high volume store
"So if you're a high volume store in the GTA, you're going to have a heck of a lot more chargers like."
A high volume store is a dealership that sells many cars each year, so it needs more equipment and staff.
A high volume store sells a large number of vehicles annually, often requiring more infrastructure like charging stations and service bays.
GTA
"So if you're a high volume store in the GTA, you're going to have a heck of a lot more chargers like."
GTA means the Greater Toronto Area, a big city region in Canada where many people drive cars.
GTA stands for Greater Toronto Area, a densely populated region in Ontario, Canada, with high demand for automotive services.
West
"And if you're in the West, perhaps, or if you're up north and on northern Ontario..."
West means the western part of Canada, like British Columbia and Alberta.
Refers to the western provinces of Canada (e.g., British Columbia, Alberta), which may have different dealership demands compared to the east.
Quebec
"...less, I'm assuming Quebec would have even more than us."
Quebec is a province in Canada where many people drive cars and may need more charging stations.
Quebec is a Canadian province with its own automotive market dynamics, often requiring more charging infrastructure due to higher EV adoption.
EV charging stations
"So like there would be EV charging stations for internal use, like our own service and inventory charging."
EV charging stations are places where electric cars plug in to get more battery power, like a wall outlet but much stronger.
EV charging stations are dedicated electrical outlets that supply power to electric vehicles for recharging. They can be installed in service bays, parking lots, or customer locations.
OEMs
"We know that the OEMs have sort of forced upon the dealers to add service and charging and product..."
The big car companies that make the cars, like Ford or Toyota. They create the vehicles before they go to dealerships.
OEMs stands for Original Equipment Manufacturers, the companies that design and build cars before they are sold to dealers.
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