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Lorraine Explains: Want to buy a car? Now might be the best time
Lorraine Sommerfeld - driving.ca | June 8, 2020
...The Automobile Protection Association (APA) “expects that the lost production in 2020 will require automakers to trim their incentives or raise prices in the autumn.” Coupled with an anticipated shortage of some models, look for prices to head back up. Read More
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Dealerships reopen after COVID-19 shutdown
George Iny - APA | June 3, 2020
We spoke with Paul Shaw of Ken Shaw Lexus Toyota to find out how dealerships are operating in an era of social distancing and increased sanitary measures: Read More
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APA Lemon-Aid Guide: What’s new for 2021
Ron Corbett - APA | June 1, 2020
While there have been no major auto shows since Toronto in mid February, there have been a number of significant new car unveilings by motor makers in cyber space. Read More
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Can I put off car payments and insurance premiums because of COVID-19?
Jason Tchir - The Globe and Mail | April 6, 2020
I’ve lost some income because of everything happening with COVID-19. What happens if I can’t make my car payments right now?
If you have to miss a payment because of COVID-19, don’t put off asking for help.. Read More
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Toyota's paint-peeling problem to be covered under 'unprecedented' extended warranty for certain models
Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | February 13, 2020
Toyota has announced details of a plan to fix vehicles with peeling white paint, a problem that has plagued the automaker for years.Toyota... said its "warranty enhancement program" will cover several models of vehicles with blizzard pearl or super white paint manufactured as far back as 2008. Read More
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APA at the 2020 Canadian International Auto Show Press Day
Ron Corbett - APA | February 13, 2020
The Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto is the largest event in the Canadian car show season, with around 350,000 people expected to pass through the turnstiles by the time the show ends. Read More
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Lorraine Explains: Are modern car shows irrelevant?
Lorraine Sommerfeld - Driving.ca | January 20, 2020
...As Ron Corbett with the Automobile Protection Association so succinctly puts it, “they are consumer shows first and while they can be useful PR venues, the consumer aspect of the shows is paramount and ignoring that many cheque-waving potential buyers seems foolhardy.” Read More
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APA at the 2020 Salon de L'Auto de Montreal Press Day
Ron Corbett - APA | January 16, 2020
The 2020 Salon de l’Auto de Montreal is the 77th edition of the show, ran from January 17th to the 26th at the Palais de Congres in Montreal.
Read More
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Remembering Paul Babarik
January 21, 2020
Long-time APA member and retired Concordia University Professor Paul Babarik passed away this month, age 90. Read More
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APA at the 2020 AJAC Test Fest
Ron Corbett - APA | November 14, 2019
The Auto Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) car of the year TestFest took place at Mosport Raceway, in Ontario, on October 29th and 30th, 2019. Read More
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Your car-loan payment may be way too high. Here's what's happening
Erica Alini - Global News | October 26, 2019
Behind the gargantuan loans are ever longer auto loans, early trade-ins, and negative equity, an issue that's been long known to insiders but remains poorly understood by many consumers, according to Iny...
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Are used parts OK in insurance claims?
Ross McLaughlin - CTV Vancouver | September 10, 2019
The engine... seized 15 minutes after getting an oil change at a Mr. Lube in Richmond.. Read More
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If the car dealer starts calling you a VIP, be wary
Lorraine Sommerfeld - driving.ca | September 9, 2019
Dealerships offering "pull-ahead" schemes want your car for the same reasons you shouldn't sell it to them... Read More
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Toyota tight-lipped as Canada-wide parts snafu leaves customers fuming
Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | August 29, 2019
It's been 57 days and counting since Halifax resident Catrina Brown took her leased Toyota Rav4 to a collision centre after it was damaged in a highway accident... Read More Podcast
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Can Car Dealers Add Fees to Advertised Prices? The Majority of Ontarians Don’t Know the Answer
OMVIC | April 16, 2019
According to OMVIC, only 47 per cent of Ontario’s car buyers know that if a dealer advertises a price for a new or used vehicle, that price must include all fees and charges the dealer intends to collect, with the exception of HST and licensing... Read More
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When Honda refuses to fix a recalled CR-V, it gets to decide how much it's worth
Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | April 8, 2019
A Rothesay, N.B., woman whose Honda CR-V has been recalled says she's caught in a battle with the automaker after it refused to repair her vehicle and instead "pressured" her to sell it back for less than she believes it's worth. Read More
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Two major recalls and a warranty extension from Hyundai and Kia Canada
APA | April 4th, 2019
Hyundai and Kia Canada issued important "Product Improvement Campaigns" covering 2011-1018 models with 2L turbo and 2.4L non-turbo engines. The engines are used in the Optima and Sonata sedans, and some Sorento, Sportage, Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs... Hyundai Canada has agreed to extend the warranty for all vehicles covered under the Knock Sensor Detection Software campaign to 10 years/200 000 km, whichever comes first. Find out more and see which models are affected.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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$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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Report Warns Auto Financing Going Overboard
APA | August 7, 2015
Seven years now the norm for vehicle loans. Full Article
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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