The Crank: Are Saab’s new caretakers at Spyker in trouble? Again?

By John LeBlanc As we wait to hear about the supposed 20-or-so Canadian dealers who are ready, willing, and able to start selling and servicing Saabs again, it looks like the Swedish automaker’s new parents at Dutch super car maker Spyker are continuing right where former owner Government Motors left off: losing money. Share:

The Crank: The silver lining in Toyota’s latest troubles

By John LeBlanc Ho-hum. Another—the sixteenth this year—Toyota vehicle recall. This time for the bland-yet-popular, Canadian-made Corolla and Matrix models. If you happen to work for Toyota, at the corporate or dealership levels, this is yet another left-right jab to your company’s image. No doubt. And as Tony Alphen’s piece in the Toronto Star reads, […]

The Crank: The people have spoken, hybrids really are a dumb buy

Honda Canada replied to the Civic Hybrid and Insight hullabalu: “There has been a rumour circulating this week about Honda Canada no longer selling the Honda Insight or Civic Hybrid. Please note that it is just that—a rumour. Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and will bring the products they want. […]

The Crank: 2010 Concours D’LeMons

[svgallery name=”2010 Concours LeMons”] Story and photos by John LeBlanc SALINAS, Calif. – In total contrast to the multi-zillion-dollar collector and race cars I saw at the Quail Lodge, Monterey vintage races and Pebble Beach concours last weekend, I managed to sneak away to Toro Regional Park, home of the second annual Concours d’LeMons for […]

The Crank: Why I hate (some) Old Fart cars

By John LeBlanc MONTEREY, Calif. – Cars as art? No problem. I can appreciate the past as rolling sculpture as well as anyone else. I never really understood the fascination with driving old cars, though, at least for the cars I’ve owned or driven in the past. They’ve always been more fragile, unreliable, slower, or […]

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