2010 Beijing: Mercedes stuns with future CLS five-door

By John LeBlanc BEIJING – Alternating between the two major Chinese cities each April, it’s Beijing’s turn this year to host China’s annual international show. And so far during day One of two days of media presentations, the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept looks to be the stunner of the show. With its fifth door, […]

The Crank: Despite headlines, Government Motors still has our money

By John LeBlanc Interpreted one way, General Motors chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre’s announcement this week that the U.S. automaker has paid back $8.1 billion in government loans a full five years ahead of schedule could be considered “good” news. Especially considering where GM was less than a year ago.

The Crank: Is it deja vu all over again for crossborder new car buyers?

By John LeBlanc As the Canadian dollar soars towards parity with the American greenback, is it deja vu all over again for new car buyers? Two-and-a-half years ago in the fall of 2007, the Canadian dollar reached an all-time high, peaking at $1.10 U.S. retailers were caught off guard. The disparity between Canadian and U.S. […]

The Crank: Is Toyota finally getting it “right”?

By John LeBlanc Another week, another rash of bad news for Toyota, eh? Last Tuesday, the Japanese automaker was suffering from one of America’s most well respected consumers’ group warning not to buy one of the company’s Lexus 2010 GX 460 SUVs because of a tendency to get a little loose in the corners. Okay […]

Comparo: 2010 Kia Forte SX/Mazda3 GT/Toyota Corolla XRS

[svgallery name=”2010_Sporty_Compact_Sedans”] A Trio of Semi-Poorman’s Sports Sedans Sporty editions of three popular compact four-doors vie for your enthusiast dollars By John LeBlanc New car buyers like compact sedans because they can carry a family of four comfortably, and are cheap-to-buy and cheap-to-run. But what if you are looking for a bit of driving fun […]

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