Canadian APMA unveils 3D-printed EVs
In 2021, Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) announced its work on Project Arrow, a battery-electric SUV fully developed and manufactured in Canada. The initiative was born out of the country’s lack of an internationally recognised automotive brand, despite hosting several car plants. To address this, Canada has cultivated a robust supplier industry, which aims to demonstrate its capabilities through the Arrow project.The programme serves as a national platform, bringing together industry, universities, and technology partners. In the recently unveiled second phase of the project, the SUV concept has been expanded to include a van concept as well. To distinguish between the two, the vehicles have been named ‘Project Arrow Vector’ and ‘Project Arrow Borealis.’ However, the two prototypes target different timelines: the crossover SUV could be realised by 2030, while the van is not expected until 2040.The Vector is a battery-electric vehicle with a peak output of around 480 kW, a range of up to 550 kilometres, and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. In contrast, the APMA has set a target range of up to 1,500 kilometres for the Borealis van, along with Level 5 fully autonomous driving. This ambitious goal is reflected in the van’s interior layout, which features seats positioned facing each other. The project participants are using innovative 3D printing techniques to reduce both weight and the number of components.While the project’s initial announcement in 2021 mentioned plans for series production by 2025, with an annual output of around 60,000 units, those involved are now less specific about potential production plans. As Auto Motor und Sport notes, “Whether and in what form elements of the two projects will enter series production depends largely on the industrialisation level of the respective technologies.” While additive 3D printing of components is already used in small-scale production and motorsport, it remains in its early stages for high-volume segments—due not only to high costs.auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German), insideevs.com, apma.ca, linkedin.com
