Toyota

With more than 45 million Toyota Corollas sold globally since its introduction in 1966, it would be difficult to find a driver who did not recognize the name. Everyone has a Corolla story. Many, though, are going to be doing double takes when they see the re-imagined and reconfigured 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan. And that's exactly the point. 

The 12th-generation Toyota Corolla made its arrival in two chapters: the all-new Corolla Hatchback arrived earlier this year, and now comes the best-selling Corolla body style, the sedan. Both are based on the Toyota New Global Architecture, which is far more than a new body structure, also bringing together new approaches to engineering, design, assembly, and materials.

TNGA transforms both Corolla styles into drivers' delights while also bolstering the model's renowned value and reliability. Both draw from the same DNA and share powertrains. it's no surprise, then, that the 2020 Corolla Sedan dramatically elevates this model's focus on comfort and refinement while also infusing it with the Corolla Hatchback's feisty personality. 

From every angle, the new Corolla looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. The L, LE, and XLE grades will use the 1.8-litre engine found in the previous generation, yet with more horsepower and better fuel efficiency. The XSE and SE grades are powered by a completely-new 2.0-litre Dynamic-Force direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine Corolla engine is physically smaller and lighter, helping to lower the car's centre of gravity and help improve its overall balance. 

The new sedan comes ready to pair with the driver's digital life. The standard Entune 3.0 Audio includes an available 8-inch touch screen display; six speakers; Apple CarPlay compatibility; iPod connectivity; weather/traffic info; and more. 

The 2020 Corolla will also be available as a hybrid with an anticipated fuel efficiency of less than 5.0L/100 km.

Honda

One of the most eye-catching reveals at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show: the 2019 Honda Passport.

The new Passport, launching early next year, expands on Honda's award-winning light-truck lineup, joining the HR-V, CR-V, and Pilot as Honda's fourth SUV and its sixth light-truck model, including the Odyssey minivan and Ridgeline pickup.  The Passport was designed and developed in the U.S. by Honda R&D Americas and will be manufactured at Honda's Lincoln, Alabama plant. 

"The new Passport is a more personal, powerful and off-road-capable SUV that hits the sweet spot between daily comfort and weekend off-road, all-weather adventure capability," Henio Arcangeli Jr., senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., said in a press release. "With customer demand for SUV's continuing to grow, the new adventure-ready Passport is going to further solidify our lineup, attracting new buyers and keeping existing customers in the Honda family."

It's long been one of the most frustrating experiences for dealers and their customers alike...delays caused by waiting in long lines at Service Ontario Licensing Offices. 

In today's modern digital world, the paper-driven licensing and registration process, involving lining up or dropping off registration transfer and licensing applications for pickup later, is truly archaic. 

There's been lots of talk about modernizing the process for years, including enabling dealers to issue and transfer vehicle registrations and to licence vehicles on the spot at the dealership. 

Quebec has allowed in-dealership registrations since 2002. Some dealers in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are also able to register and plate vehicles without leaving the dealership.

A pilot project was initiated by the provincial government way back in 2011 at dealerships in Belleville and Peterborough. The dealers involved were successfully able to register and plate customers' vehicles in-house, slashing hours off of the normal registration processing time. The pilot project was widely hailed as a success. MTO even announced on its website that the project would roll out to dealers in 2012. Needless to say it didn't, apparently due to cost and technology concerns. 

In 2015, MPP Steve Clark introduced a private member's bill to amend the Highway Traffic Act to allow in-house registration and licensing to happen. The Bill died on the order paper of the Liberal government. 

On October 30, the Ontario government introduced Bill 50, the Cutting Red Tape for Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2018. It's also a private member's bill, but it is expected to pass after debate in the Legislature. After that, regulations will still need to be developed before it becomes law. This may take some time, but passage of the Bill will be the first step. 

We anticipate that there will likely be significant security requirements and precautions that dealers will be expected to fulfill in order to qualify to issue permits and plates. Some of these procedures may be costly, such as installing secure doors and safe storage areas, so many dealers may not qualify, at least not immediately, to participate in an in-house program. 

However, even dealers who are unable to use the process, will benefit from shorter lines and reduced wait times at Service Ontario offices, if high volume dealers are able to complete transactions in-house. Everyone who uses in-person Service Ontario services will be a beneficiary of the new system. 

Taken from the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Vol. 31 No. 09

The Courier

A vehicle carrier in Scotland had a too-close encounter with a bridge and caused thousands of dollars in damage to the Range Rovers and Jaguars on board in October. 

It seems the driver miscalculated the height of his load and sheared the tops off of several of the vehicles on the top deck, turning several brand-new SUVs and sedans into unfortunate convertibles. 

While no one was injured, the losses ill include two vehicles written off and serious repairs needed to several others.

Apparently the bridge was fine.