Is this the car that was supposed to save Saab?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All over the Interwebs today, a grainy shot of what appears to be the much-anticipated 2013 (or 2014) replacement of the almost-dead Saab 9-3 is making the rounds.

The Swedish newspaper that posted the pic says the image is from a presentation the automaker made to Sweden’s National Debt Office from earlier this year, one of several cap-in-hand sessions the caretakers of Saab have had to make since General Motors said good riddance in 2010.

Will Canadians ever buy “small” trucks again?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As my Wheels colleague, Jill McIntosh, has written in her review of the updated-for-2012 Toyota Tacoma, Canadians love trucks—but not unless they are of the full-size nature.

You are probably well aware that the long-reigning best-selling new vehicle in Canada is the Ford F Series. But did you know that including the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra twins, the Ram (nee Dodge) 1500, and the less-popular Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan, 193,694 full-size pickups have been sold though to the end of September this year, here in Canada*.

From the Fleet: 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE FLEET are brief synopses of manufacturer-supplied rides that happen to end up in my laneway – JL

 It's hard to ignore the seasonal signs of hibernation. Available daylight has become precious. Lawn furniture is overdue for storage, and you've probably already had to rake your yard for fallen leaves at least, if not twice. And then there’s the act that can bring tears to an enthusiast’s eyes: the ritual of "putting away the ragtop" for the winter.

Is Scion becoming Toyota's Saturn?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Pop quiz time: Did you know that it’s been one year since Toyota Canada introduced its so-called “youth” Scion brand to this country? No? Well, you’re forgiven if you forgot to get an anniversary gift or send a card. With sales a mere fraction of the automaker’s original estimates, it’s not like Scions have been clogging up Canadian roads. Even more worrisome for Toyota fans is how similar the Japanese automaker’s bungling of Scion mirrors how rival General Motors spolied its now defunct Saturn brand's early success.