Feb. 13, 2026 | The week’s top stories and CADA’s Tim Reuss on Chinese EVs, sales, more
About this episode
Tim Reuss, President of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, shares insights on the evolving landscape of the Canadian automotive market, particularly regarding the influx of Chinese EVs and the government's new EV incentives. The discussion highlights the anticipated impact of these developments on sales and dealer operations. Reuss also addresses the challenges dealers face with technology integration and labor acquisition, emphasizing the need for effective AI solutions and workforce strategies. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future direction of the automotive industry in Canada.
Trump’s latest threat; Chinese EV demand; More EV infrastructure. Plus, Canadian Automobile Dealers Association President Tim Reuss talks about Canada’s new auto strategy, 2025 sales and what’s ahead in 2026, and Chinese EVs.
EV incentives
"So Tim, big news out of Ottawa today. EV incentives are returning up to $5,000 to start, but will decrease to $2,000 by 2030. Is this the right approach from the government?"
EV incentives are money given by the government to help people buy electric cars. This makes it cheaper for you to own an electric vehicle.
EV incentives are financial benefits provided by the government to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs). These incentives can help reduce the overall cost of an EV, making it more affordable for consumers.
EV
"...the government does have a stated goal of 75% EV drops in my 2035. Do you think that's ultimately achievable as a target? It was interesting the way it is worded..."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. Some EVs use only electricity, while others can also use gas.
EV stands for electric vehicle, which is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity. This includes fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids that use both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
plug-in hybrid
"...by different measures by plug-in hybrids, by very efficient internal combustion engines..."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can use both electricity and gas. You can charge it like an electric car, but it also has a regular engine.
A plug-in hybrid is a vehicle that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. It can run on electricity alone for a certain distance before switching to gasoline.
internal combustion engine
"...by very efficient internal combustion engines, yes, by full battery electric vehicles, etc..."
An internal combustion engine is what most cars use to run. It burns fuel like gas to create power that moves the car.
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a type of engine that generates power by burning fuel, typically gasoline or diesel, inside the engine's cylinders. This is the traditional engine type used in most vehicles before the rise of electric vehicles.
hydrogen fuel cell
"...or other vehicles, hydrogen, fuel cell, whatever it might be..."
A hydrogen fuel cell is a way to power a car using hydrogen gas. It creates electricity and only produces water, so it's very clean for the environment.
A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that converts hydrogen gas into electricity, which can then be used to power an electric motor. This technology produces only water as a byproduct, making it a clean energy source.
Tesla
"Now, interestingly enough, the immediate beneficiary of the quotas of the 49,000 quotas with China would be Tesla. That was importing most of the vehicles from China into Canada before this whole thing came up."
Tesla is a car company that makes electric cars, which are powered by batteries instead of gasoline. They are known for being very advanced and popular.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its innovative technology and high-performance electric cars. It has gained significant market share and recognition for its contributions to the automotive industry, particularly in electric vehicle development.
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