Top 10: Worst SUV Wannabes

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By John LeBlanc

What with today’s small car craze, it’s hard to believe that at one point in the late 1990s, sports-utility-vehicles roamed the North America byways like herds of 18th century bison. Large, ill-handling and gas-guzzling contraptions like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Tahoe and Jeep Grand Cherokee were some of the top-selling vehicles in their day. Not all automakers, though, had an appropriate vehicle to jump on the SUV bandwagon. Read more

The Trouble with Toyotas: $100M saved applying “cheap” floor mat fix

By John LeBlanc

Toyota President Akio Toyoda ’s appearance this week in Washington to defend his company’s actions on the unintended acceleration crisis isn’t getting off to a great start. A newly released internal Toyota document claims the Japanese automaker saved more than $100 million (U.S.) by convincing U.S. safety officials to end a 2007 investigation of unintended acceleration complaints with only a floor mat recall instead of a potentially more costly mechanical fix. Read more

2010 Toronto Auto Show – “Must See” Concepts

It’s the last weekend to check out this year’s Canadian International Auto Show, down at the Metro Convention Centre. I’ve already told you about the “must see” performance debuts, but here are my recommendations  for the most interesting concepts you’ll find at this year’s show. – John LeBlanc Read more

Brand-Aid: Does Ford really need Lincoln?

By John LeBlanc

Despite being the darling of the auto-world media right now (NO BANKRUPTCIES!! NO BAILOUT MONEY!! NO STICKY GAS PEDALS!!), Ford has a problem child: its name is Lincoln. Ah, yes, Lincoln. Remember? Ford’s luxury brand? Don’t feel ashamed if you’ve forgotten. Read more

Bailout Blues: Will Fiat ever deliver on its promise of new Chryslers?

By John LeBlanc

With U.S. lawmakers taking Toyota to the wood shed this week, let’s take a look at another automaker with some, ahem, challenges: Fiat-run Chrysler. Read more

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