The Crank: When “new” doesn’t necessarily mean “improved”…

By John LeBlanc New car buyers have religiously looked towards the U.S. not-for-profit Consumer Reports annual automotive issue to get one of the more objective views on new showroom fare. And one of the features in this year’s annual is the calling out of a half-dozen new-for-2011 models that simply don’t measure up to their […]

The Crank: Is Mitsubishi Motors too small to survive?

By John LeBlanc Having started selling cars on its own into this country only seven years ago, Mitsubishi Motors is one of the newest car brands in Canada. But recent changes in the automaker’s product plans, frankly, don’t give much optimism for Mitsu’s future. In North America, Mitsubishi has, let’s say, some challenges. The biggest […]

2011 Geneva Leftovers: Worst in Show

Story and photos by John LeBlanc GENEVA – If you’ve had a chance to take a look at the highlights from this year’s Geneva auto show, you more than likely already have an idea that this was one of the more diverse and interesting shows since the recent economic crisis rocked the automotive industry a […]

Top 10: Most underrated new cars

By John LeBlanc Between now and the end of 2010, you’ll be inundated with a plethora of This- or That-Car-of-the-Year awards. Some, more credible than others. Unfortunately, though, most of these types of trophies go to “all-new” cars coming into the market. And with more than 300 new models available today, some cars — inevitably […]

First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi RVR GT AWD

A cuter ute Mitsubishi jumps into the mini-crossover ring By John LeBlanc LUNENBURG, Nova Scotia – My late father was a two-door kind of guy. So despite needing to jam my younger brother, myself, our hockey gear, and maybe even an occasional friend three or four times a week to a local rink or the […]

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