What marked 2024

Between the wavering promises of electrification, the setbacks of certain manufacturers and the decline of the conventional car, the year 2024 will not have been easy for the automobile industry. Some have tried to reinvent themselves, others to exhibit their know-how in this always transitional context financed with billions. Here is the news that caught our attention over the last 12 months.

The Roulez vert program will be less generous

The government of Quebec announced in April that its Roulez vert financial assistance program will be progressively less generous from 2025, until it is abandoned in 2027. The incentive measure applied after taxes, which this year was $7,000 on purchase of a fully electric vehicle, will increase to $4,000 in 2025 and $2,000 in 2026. The program is so popular these days that Quebec decided to temporarily suspend it in February 2025. It could be resuscitated in April, according to several media.

Jaguar starts from scratch

The legendary English manufacturer Jaguar set in motion its identity metamorphosis this year by unveiling a brand new brand image. Bright colors, androgynous models, redesigned font and logo: the transformation is spectacular and has caused a lot of reaction. The manufacturer also unveiled a first style study, a large electric coupe with futuristic lines promising nearly 700 km of autonomy which is truly automotive haute couture.

The Dodge Charger is electrified

While the Mustang remains firmly attached to its roaring V8s, the Dodge Charger has chosen a very different avenue in 2024 to ensure its survival. THE muscle car reinvents itself with a choice of electrical and thermal mechanics in addition to two- and four-door bodies. A bet that is undoubtedly risky and daring in the face of a naturally conservative clientele, but which could ultimately prove profitable.

Departure of the big boss of Stellantis

Shock wave at Stellantis. The CEO of the Euroamerican group announced his resignation on 1^is last December, a departure due according to him to strategic disagreements with the board of directors. Faced with weak sales, Tavares declared in July that he was ready to sacrifice his less profitable brands. He leaves behind a tense relationship with North American dealers who consider the models offered to be uncompetitive. Its Canadian sales fell 23% during the first three quarters of 2024, according to Automotive News.

Setbacks of Volkswagen and Nissan

It's not just Stellantis that suffered in 2024. Volkswagen and Nissan too. The German giant agreed last week with unions to avoid closing factories in Germany, but more than 35,000 jobs will be lost to reduce costs. Nissan for its part would only have 12 to 14 months of survival, according to the Financial Times which specifies that the Japanese manufacturer is looking for new partners after announcing the elimination of 9,000 jobs and 20% of its global production to save 2.6 billion US dollars.

60 years of the Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang celebrated its 60th anniversary on April 17^e birthday. The American legend born from the visionary mind of Lee Iacocca has managed to survive the decades, despite the many pitfalls along the way. It still remains a cult car today: nearly 2,000 Mustang owners gathered in Quebec in May to celebrate it, a world record for the pony car original.

Read our article on 60 years of the Ford Mustang

The year of supercars

The year 2024 will also have been remarkable in the world of supercars. Ferrari, McLaren and Bugatti all launched their spearheads during the same year. Although the approaches differ, they all use engines based on various forms of hybridization. The Bugatti Tourbillon, replacement for the Chiron, employs an 8.3L naturally aspirated V16 backed by three electric motors to produce 1775 hp. The Ferrari F80, descendant of the LaFerrari, is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 and three electric motors for a total of 888 hp. The McLaren W1 takes up the torch from the P1 with a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 boosted by an electric motor to produce a total of 1,256 hp. It is the only contender of the trio to have a rear-wheel drive.

Even fewer car models

The weakening of the supply in the various categories of cars has once again become more pronounced this year. The end of production of the Chevrolet Malibu, Infiniti Q50, Mitsubishi Mirage, Subaru Legacy and Volvo S60 exposes a lasting transition to SUVs and crossovers. The sports car also suffered from the departure of the Chevrolet Camaro, Jaguar F-Type and Nissan GT-R, icons that were long believed to be untouchable.

The arrival of the Tesla Cybertruck in Canada

A divisive figure since the somewhat chaotic unveiling of its prototype in November 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck finally arrived in the country this year. It shakes up the electric van segment with its retrofuturistic design by Franz von Holzhausen and highlighted by its stainless steel body panels. Although the irreverent exercise is technically very impressive, it does not reach the targets previously set in terms of price and autonomy. Elements which cooled buyers and pushed Tesla to completely stop production for a few days in December, according to Business Insider.

Scout Motors makes its first outing

The new electric vehicle manufacturer Scout Motors lifted the veil in October on its first two creations. Revived by Volkswagen which acquired the rights to its name in 2021, this brand takes the name of an SUV marketed from 1961 to 1980 by International Harvester. The original spirit is present in the design and construction of the off-road-focused Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV. However, we will have to wait until 2027 to get behind the wheel.