General Motors is recalling 9,116 Canadian electric vehicles for a brake system software issue, U.S. regulators are investigating whether Waymo's autonomous vehicle software fix adequately addressed school bus passing incidents, and Cadillac is reporting strong Canadian EV sales growth of 77.5% in the third quarter.
- GM Brake Recall: 9,116 Canadian EVs (2024-2027 Chevrolet Blazer, Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, and Celestiq models) affected by brake control software issue; wireless updates available
- Waymo Investigation: NHTSA examining whether previous software remedy adequately fixed school bus passing incidents in 2,895 autonomous vehicles
- Cadillac Sales Growth: 77.5% increase in Canadian EV sales during Q3 2026; electric vehicles represent nearly 70% of Cadillac's Canadian sales
- Federal Charging Investment: $587 million proposed over five years to support 55,000+ additional EV chargers starting 2027-28
- Infrastructure Barriers: 54 charging sites abandoned over two years due to municipal approval delays and utility connection issues
In this week’s electric and autonomous vehicle report, a Canadian brake-recall update covers more than 9,000 vehicles, U.S. regulators question a Waymo software fix and Cadillac reports strong Canadian electric vehicle sales.
Brake check: GM recall covers 9,116 Canadian EVs
Transport Canada has updated a recall covering 9,116 General Motors electric vehicles that could temporarily lose braking at low speeds because of a software problem.
The notice, updated Nov. 9, covers certain 2024–2026 Chevrolet Blazer EVs, 2023–2027 Cadillac Lyriqs, 2026–2027 Cadillac Vistiqs and 2025 Cadillac Celestiqs equipped with performance all-wheel drive.
The correction is a software update to the brake system control module, the computer that manages braking functions. Eligible vehicles can receive the update wirelessly. Owners can alternatively arrange installation at a GM dealership.
Lyriqs previously repaired under Transport Canada recall 2024-453 require this repair as well. Completion of the earlier campaign therefore does not establish that the current braking concern has been addressed.
The recall was originally issued Oct. 29. Nov. 9 is the date of the updated Canadian notice.
Bus trouble: Regulators question Waymo’s software remedy
U.S. safety regulators have opened an investigation into whether a previous software recall adequately corrected Waymo vehicles passing stopped school buses.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the inquiry Nov. 6, covering 2,895 vehicles equipped with the California-based autonomous driving developer’s fifth-generation system.
Investigators identified reports of vehicles passing school buses with flashing red lights or extended stop arms. According to the agency’s opening document, most incidents identified during its earlier investigation occurred after Nov. 17, 2025, when the software remedy was reportedly completed across the affected fleet.
The proceeding is a recall query, an examination of whether an existing recall remedy adequately addressed the defect. Investigators will assess the fix and determine why incidents continued after its installation. The opening document does not announce another recall.
The investigation comes as preparations continue for Waymo’s planned Toronto service in 2028.
Under a partnership announced Oct. 16, Toronto-based Element Fleet Management is to oversee local fleet operations, including vehicle readiness, maintenance and charging. The Canadian launch remains a future project.
Luxury charge: Cadillac reports 77.5% Canadian EV sales growth
Oshawa, Ont.-based General Motors Canada has reported a 77.5% increase in Cadillac electric vehicle sales during the third quarter compared with the same period in 2025.
In a Nov. 9 announcement, the automaker reported that electric vehicles represented nearly 70% of Cadillac’s Canadian sales through September. Cadillac’s share of the Canadian luxury electric vehicle segment reached 51.9%, based on Mobility Global registration data using its luxury vehicle classification.
That figure applies to the luxury electric segment. It does not represent Cadillac’s share of all Canadian electric vehicle sales.
Third-quarter sales increased 112.6% for the Optiq, 93.2% for the Vistiq and 29.7% for the Lyriq.
“Two technologies at the core of the Cadillac experience are Canadian built,” said Adam Kostanowicz, managing director of Cadillac Canada, in the release.
Those include mapping and steering-control technology used by Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver assistance system, and Dolby Atmos audio technology developed at GM’s Canadian Technical Centre. Super Cruise requires an attentive driver.
Plugging gaps: Budget proposes $587 million for charging expansion
The federal government has proposed $587 million over five years to support more than 55,000 additional electric vehicle chargers, with funding beginning in 2027–28.
The Nov. 5 budget would renew the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which helps finance charging installations. A further $45 million would support charging research and development, while $2.2 million would fund assessments to prepare federal fleets for zero-emission vehicles.
These are proposed investments. The additional chargers have not yet been installed.
The budget separately lists 58,874 chargers operating or planned by 2028–29 under existing program funding. That total excludes the proposed new investment and includes planned installations.
Approval delays remain another obstacle. In findings released Nov. 4, the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council, an association representing charging businesses, reported that respondents had abandoned 54 sites over two years after securing agreements with property owners.
Ten sites were abandoned primarily because of municipal approval delays or denials and 17 because of utility connection delays or costs.
The council recommends counting charging spaces toward municipal parking requirements, simplifying approvals for installations in existing parking lots and deciding complete retrofit applications within three months.
