2013 Frankfurt: Toyota and Lexus debuts far from conservative

Story and photos by John LeBlanc FRANKFURT – Trying to garner some attention in a European market where it’s a relatively small player, Japan’s Toyota debuted two outlandish concepts here in Frankfurt.

Toyota’s “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” hybrid strategy right on track

Story by John LeBlanc YPSILANTI, MICH. — The “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” strategy has been around since Henry Ford’s 999 racecars appeared at the dawn of the automotive industry in 1901. More than a century later, Japan’s Toyota is continuing that tradition with its latest TS030 racer, the first hybrid racecar to be […]

Comparo: 2012 Ford Fiesta vs. Kia Rio 5 vs. Toyota Yaris

Story and photos by John LeBlanc Bottom feeders, tin cans, s—boxes — if you haven’t been in the market for a new small car lately, these are just some of the adjectives you may associate with subcompact cars. However, automakers are trying to lower their government-mandated corporate average fuel economy ratings, so to soften the […]

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 […]

Top 10s: Future New Fuel Sippers

[svgallery name=”2012 Fuel Sippers”] By John LeBlanc It’s déjà vu all over again for new car buyers. Just like in 2008, when gasoline peaked at nearly $1.50 per litre, buying an inexpensive and fuel-efficient small car is starting to look like a smart idea. So while we’re witnessing a bunch of new, small cars being […]

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