First Drive: 2012 Toyota Yaris

Old School Toyota goes the tried-n-true route with its new Yaris By John LeBlanc QUEBEC CITY, Que. — If you’ve been shopping for a new subcompact, chances are, you’ve likely discovered small cars aren’t so small anymore. What use to be considered bottom-feeder econoboxes are now available with “big car” features with luxuries like heated […]

The Crank: Do racing automaker CEOs help or hinder car sales?

By John LeBlanc Standing up in front of government officials or at auto shows is where we usually find the head of car companies. But Toyota and Aston Martin have released a video of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda and his Aston counterpart Ulrich Bez not in pinstripe suits behind a podium, but wearing Nomex behind […]

The Crank: Is Scion becoming Toyota’s Saturn?

By John LeBlanc Pop quiz time: Did you know that it’s been one year since Toyota Canada introduced its so-called “youth” Scion brand to this country? No? Well, you’re forgiven if you forgot to get an anniversary gift or send a card. With sales a mere fraction of the automaker’s original estimates, it’s not like […]

Top 10s: Worst Best-selling New Cars

By John LeBlanc Fast food giant McDonald’s may have sold billions and billions of hamburgers. But does that make the Big Mac the best-tasting hamburger money can buy? Er, probably not. The Canadian new car market is much the same. Just because a model makes the best-sellers list, that doesn’t make it the “best” car […]

2011 Frankfurt: Worst in Show

By John LeBlanc It’s one thing to put up with the lack of air conditioning, long lineups for the food, seas of bleach blonde dealer wives, and obnoxious videographers pushing and elbowing to get the best angles (you know who you are, Mr. Tripod!). These are all expected at the bi-annual Frankfurt motor show, one […]

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