2018 APA Secret Shopper Investigation of Vancouver New Car Dealerships with CTV's W5

APA - W5 | April 14, 2018

Secret shoppers from the Automobile Protection Association visited 16 car dealerships in Greater Vancouver to shop for new vehicles. Visits were recorded on W5’s hidden cameras. The W5 report on the investigation airs on Saturday April 14, 2018 and is available online. Overall, just three (about 20%) of the 16 dealerships visited earned a Pass. Read More

APA at the 2018 New York International Auto Show

APA | April 5, 2018

With over one million visitors expected to pass through the turnstiles at the Jacob Javits Convention Center by the time it closes on April 8th, the New York International Auto Show is the best attended new car event in North America. Read More.

APA at the Canadian International Auto Show Media Day

APA | February 21, 2018

The Media Day of the Canadian International Auto Show was a low-key affair this year with just a few significant reveals in Toronto. Read More.

APA at the Detroit and Montreal Auto Shows

APA | February 1, 2018

Several APA staffers attended the Detroit and Montreal auto shows. Here is the news on the most significant vehicles revealed at the shows. Read More.

The Sometimes Risky Business of Extended Term Car Loans

OMVIC | November 4, 2017

A cautionary tale about the 8-year loan from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. Be aware of the potential drawbacks when you decide to finance your next vehicle over a longer term. [PDF] Read More.

Subaru Extends Warranty for High Oil Consumption

Subaru Canada

Subaru Canada recently extended the warranty for engines that experience high oil consumption to 8 years/160,000 km. If you already paid for a repair, the deadline for reimbursement is November 30, 2017. Read More.

Government buying luxury cars actually benefits you

Lorraine Sommerfeld - Driving.ca | November 3, 2017

If consumer goods are to be regulated and tested to maintain any kind of safety and integrity in the marketplace, then it is up to good government to foster the most stringent grounds for testing that it can. And yes folks, that costs money.... Read More

APA at the 2017 AJAC Car of the Year TestFest

Ron Corbett - APA | November 1, 2017

The Auto Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) car of the year TestFest took place at Mosport Raceway in Ontario on October 25th and 26th, 2017. Read More.

Volkswagen:Will the emissions fix hurt performance and fuel economy?

Jason Tchir - The Globe and Mail | October 30, 2017

If you get the emissions fix for your Golf TDIs, they'll pollute less – but your fuel economy will get worse. Read More

Smart car model under investigation bursts into flames on Highway 417

Susan Burgess - The Globe and Mail | October 24, 2017

U.S. authorities are investigating reports of engine fires in Smart Fortwo vehicles. Read More.

Supreme Court denies federal evidence to Quebec gas price fixing lawsuit
National Post | September 28, 2017

A class-action suit that alleges oil companies and fuel retailers in Quebec were engaged in fixing the price of gasoline hit a pothole Thursday. Read More

APA Attends the 2017 AJAC EcoRun

Ron Corbett - APA | July 7, 2017

The 2017 EcoRun kicked off at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 15th and ended up 660 kilometres later, in Quebec City on the evening of the 16th. Read More.

$17M settlement reached in lawsuit targeting Eastern Townships gas 'cartel'
CBC News | May 19, 2017

A 10-year legal battle has resulted in a $17-million out-of-court settlement between a group of Eastern Township motorists and a number of gas retailers in the area. Read More

Another customer claims Winnipeg car dealership owes her money for trade-in
CBC News | April 17, 2017

Another customer has come forward claiming a Winnipeg car dealership owes her money following a CBC News story about a Brandon couple who claim to be owed more than $28,000. Read More.

Even Ford Motor Co. is concerned about Canadians’ car loan debt
Maclean's | March 31, 2017

Ford Motor Co. has joined financial regulators in raising concerns over Canadians’ appetites for longer-term loans to finance the purchase of new vehicles. Read More

APA's Annual Undercover Investigation with W5
CTV W5 & APA | March 18, 2017

The APA teamed up with W5 to go shopping for new cars. In LET'S MAKE A DEAL the APA's secret shoppers dropped in on car dealerships in Calgary. Read More.

Exploding Sunroofs: What can cause it, and who's to blame?
Mark Toljagic - Wheels.ca | Jan 16, 2017

Car owners who complain to their dealership about their shattered sunroof are almost always told that it was a flying stone that broke the glass and are advised to make an insurance claim. Read More

Millions of Vehicles with Potentially Dangerous Recalls Still on Road - Joanne Levasseur and Katie Nicholson - CBC News | Dec 7, 2016

"It's just this complete circle of finger-pointing that's going on, and nobody's taking responsibility for the issue," said Kevin MacDonald, an Ottawa car dealer who is fed up with government and manufacturer inaction. Read More

Ford owner fears for her safety after serious car malfunction
Ross McLaughlin and Sandra Hermiston - CTV | November 7, 2016

Kristen Chafe bought her 2014 Ford Edge because she thought it would be a dependable, sturdy vehicle. But the car only had about 23,000 kilometres on it... Read More

APA & CTV W5 Undercover Investigation
CTV W5 & APA | April 9, 2016

Sticker Shock! Secret shoppers from the APA visited 20 new car dealerships in Vancouver. See the full report.

New Sask. laws will help car buyers avoid hidden fees
CBC News | February 2, 2016

Automobile Protection Association says hidden fees can total more than $1K. Read More

Is your used car actually safe? Soon, it’ll be easier to tell
Lorraine Sommerfeld - Driving.ca | January 25, 2016

Mechanics and used car dealers may be up in arms, but Ontario's overhaul of its safety certificate program is long overdue. Read More

Nova Scotia urged to adopt all-in pricing on vehicle sales

Yvonne Colbert - CBC | January 19, 2016

A Halifax man annoyed about what he calls "hidden" car fees is calling on the Nova Scotia government to follow the lead of several other provinces and implement all-in pricing for vehicle purchases. Read More

Report Warns Auto Financing Going Overboard
APA | August 7, 2015

Seven years now the norm for vehicle loans. Full Article

Dealer, Toyota kept Montreal widow on the hook for husband's lease
CBC News - Raffy Boudjikanian | May 19, 2015

Situation to be rectified after questions by CBC. Read More

APA's Annual Review of the Auto Industry on CTV W5
March 28, 2015

The Real Deal - APA mystery shoppers visit 22 Calgary car dealerships. Read the APA Report

APA's Investigation of Used Car Dealers in Toronto
CTV W5 | April 2014

Accompanied by an expert mechanic, APA mystery shoppers embarked once again on a hair-raising quset for a used car in the GTA.
Read the full report | Visit CTV W5's Website

APA's Investigation of Used Car Dealers in Vancouver
CTV W5 | March 2013

APA mystery shoppers visited 18 used car dealers and two curbsiders in the Greater Vancouver area looking for a good used car.
Read More

Shops Unable to Pass the Latest APA Auto Repair Investigation
April 2011

The APA visited 31 repair shops in Toronto and Calgary for the correction of a simple problem, with mixed results.
Read More