The idea of smart cities was not on anyone's radar back in 2005, but then New Orleans got a head start on data-driven decision making thanks to Hurricane Katrina. After Katrina hit and the city's levees failed, the city started using data to improve and speed-up decision making to support the city's recovery. Amsterdam was another early adopter with the Amsterdam Smart Cities Initiative in 2009. The team used data to address depression and increase treatment for people who were not getting help. By combining statistics from insurance companies and information about the cost of treatment for … [Read more...]
4WD vs. AWD: What’s the Difference?
When buying a car in Canada, you have to expect you’ll be driving it in bad weather for the majority of the year, so you’d be remiss not to pay attention to how much traction is offered in the models you’re considering. Traction is critical because it determines how well your tires grip the road. When all 4 tires spin normally while you're driving, your car moves the way it should without any surprises. Good traction comes in handy during inclement weather, less-than-ideal road conditions, and when your car travels on dirt or gravel roads. Vehicles come in various configurations … [Read more...]
Is Carbon Tax Bad for Canadian Auto-Production?
The implementation of the Carbon tax throughout Canada has the Canucks paying more attention to CO2 emissions by turning to a cleaner way of life - using alternative sources of energy, cleaner fuels, tech that uses less energy or simply biking to work instead of driving (as if Canadians weren’t physical enough). So, by all accounts, it’s having a beneficial effect on people, but does that also go for the automotive industry? Is Carbon tax having a negative impact on the Canadian auto-production? Let’s examine. According to some industry officials, the federal government’s Carbon tax, … [Read more...]
10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying a New Car (Infographic)
Buying a car is going to cost you a pretty penny - you can’t escape that no matter how cheap a vehicle you end up purchasing. In fact, the rule is - the cheaper the car, the more it’s going to cost you to maintain it. Never mind if it doesn’t really fulfill your needs and requirements in the way you intend to use it. Therefore, before you buy a car, here are 10 basic questions to answer. We are in Hamilton and Stoney Creek - visit us … [Read more...]
10 Most Cost-Effective Hybrid Cars
With the Carbon tax now in full effect throughout Canada, people are looking for new ways to minimize their carbon emissions - which was the Government’s intent in the first place. Among other things, this also means that they are changing their requirements and desires when buying cars. Criteria like car dependability and lifespan still play a big role in choosing the vehicle, but overall, we can see a big shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles being purchased more often. If you are looking to buy a car, and your main criterium is how dependable it is, the latest J.D. Power … [Read more...]
How to Avoid Curbsiders
If you are thinking about buying a car, a used one might be a good solution for you if you find yourself without enough money, time and choice in buying. However, before purchasing a used vehicle - or a new one, for that matter - you need to do a lot of homework about both your prospective car and the dealer, so as not to make a very expensive mistake. You need to make sure to avoid curbsiders, here is how you do it. Curbsiders are illegal, unlicensed vehicle dealers that often pose as private sellers, but some operate from small automotive businesses (repair shops, rental companies, … [Read more...]
What Is a Rebuilt Title?
If you’ve ever bought a used car, or you’re thinking about doing that and have started looking and gathering info, you may have heard that some cars come with a rebuilt title. The term might be self-explanatory, but it never hurts to know more, so keep reading to find all about what a rebuilt title is. A rebuilt title refers to a vehicle that had a salvage title and has then been restored to roadworthy condition. Salvage titles are issued for cars that have been damaged in a crash, accident or weather event (like a flood) and are deemed by an insurance company to be totaled and too … [Read more...]
What Are Your Rights When Buying a Used Car?
When buying a car, there are a lot of things to consider (the dealer’s reputation, the choice and state of the vehicle, etc.) - and there is a simple reason for that. Unless you have unlimited financial means, you won’t be able to just walk into a car dealership and pick a car without considering its price and how you are going to pay for it. That’s why it’s crucial that you be aware of your consumer rights in case something goes wrong with your car purchase. Stick with us to find out what they are. In the Ontario province, you can buy a car in these 3 ways: 1) Buying outright: Using … [Read more...]
10 Reasons to Admire Canadian Auto Production (Infographic)
Before the signing of the 1965 Auto Pact by Canada and the US, American car companies were forced to produce Canadian-specific models in branch plants located largely in Ontario. But with America exporting most of the required components, Canada racked up big trade deficits due to the value of parts crossing the border. The Auto Pact abolished automobile-related tariffs between the 2 countries and, in exchange, the Big 3 automakers pledged that Canadian auto production would not fall below 1964 levels. Canada would produce a smaller variety of vehicles, but in greater numbers – many of which … [Read more...]
Car Depreciation: What Are the Risks?
When buying a car, you have to be prepared to lose money… Over time. No one wants to throw money away, and whether or not you will do that with car purchase is up to you and your negotiation skills and the amount of preparation you’ve invested prior to buying a car. But, one thing is for sure - cars tend to lose in value as time goes by and start as soon as you drive them off the dealer’s parking lot. New cars usually lose around 11% in value as soon as you take them off the dealer’s lot and by the end of the first year of driving, its value has decreased by 25%. However, the good … [Read more...]
