Image Credit: Captain Electro.
Our friendly neighbors to the North decided they will be joining the EV party. Yup, Canada. The land of moose, Mounties, and bacon that is... different. That same Canada says that importing Chinese EVs tariff-free is not good enough. They want to build their own and I say it's about time they put the hockey sticks down and picked up a wrench.
The Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (catchy name, rolls right off the tongue like a spoonful of dry oatmeal) has unveiled two new concepts at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow. They call them the Vector and the Borealis. Perfect names for a superhero duo that fights crime with extreme politeness.
Image Credit: APMA.
Vector goes first since it isn't its first rodeo - it is part of the Project Arrow. The Vector builds on a concept shown back in 2023, but this one has been hitting the gym. It's got a more dramatic body and packs plenty of punch with 650 horsepower. That's up from the old 550 hp. Not bad for a car that probably apologizes when you hit a pothole.
My skepticism started twitching like a cat watching a laser pointer the moment they said the chassis was formed using AI. Of course it was, AI is making my coffee these days. And the chassis was 3D-printed. Like a boarding pass, but hopefully sturdier. It apparently uses a blend of polymers and aluminum. So, it's basically a high-tech plastic bottle mixed with a soda can? I'm teasing, mostly. It's actually fascinating tech, as long as it doesn't melt in the rain.
The APMA claims this printed wonder can travel 341 miles on a charge. You could almost escape a Canadian winter with that range. Almost. It also has Level 3 automated driving - that means "hands-off and eyes-off." Terrifying… Trusting a computer to drive you while you stare at your phone? I don't trust my toaster not to burn my bagel.
Then we have the Borealis. If the Vector is the sensible older brother, the Borealis is the weird cousin who believes in aliens. It's described as "skeleton-like." Perfect for Halloween. This one is supposedly a showcase for the next decade. The chassis? 3D-printed metal alloy. The powertrain? Also 3D-printed. I'm starting to think they just lost the keys to the regular factory and are printing everything out of desperation.
Image Credit: APMA.
The creators of this futuristic lozenge envision a driving range of 932 miles… That's enough range to drive from New York to Chicago without stopping to pee. I'll believe it when I see it, or when I can drive it myself without a recharge truck trailing me like a lost puppy. It also promises Level 5 fully autonomous driving. That's the holy grail, where the car is smarter than the driver. In my case, that's a low bar, but for the general public? That's ambitious.
But why are they doing this? Is it just to show off? "Project Arrow" is partnering with Ontario Tech University and over 80 Canadian suppliers because they want to prove Canada has the supply chain to build modern EVs for everyone. It's a noble goal, truly. Reminds me of watching my kid build a Lego castle to prove he can be an architect. Kudos for the effort.
Image Credit: APMA.
Will we ever see these maple-infused machines on the road? The Vector is a "near-term innovation platform" - that's "maybe, if we get enough money" in plain English. The Borealis is pure future-gazing. But despite all my grumbling skepticism, I'm rooting for them. The world needs more cars with character, even if they are printed out of a giant nozzle. Good on ya, Canada. Now, pass the syrup.
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