Dec 24
Globe and Mail wakes up!
Check this article out. They didn’t have to hire a consulting firm to tell them what they already knew! They just had to read our web site! Wonder where the APA and the CAA stand on this? Are they going to wake up too!
Wonder where this consulting firm got all its info… www.carswithoutborders.com
Wonder who commissioned the study?
December 24th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I whole heartdly agree with the last post. We are being treated poorly as consumers. My wife and I have just come home from Florida for Christmas. In our last “spree”before Christmas, we have noticed that Canandian consumers are still overpaying on goods like magazines cars, etc. Magazines now no longer carry Us pricing !! I wonder why. Canadian vehicle pricing just states the savings rather than a direct price comparison. Deceiving too say the least. It is time for us to wake up! We are being screwed ! I do not fault the local retailor. Their hands are tied. I do fault the large conglomerates who want to maximize their profits to reflect on the bottom line.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
It’s getting better all the time (Lennon-McCartney) The battle has just begun..
December 24th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
I finally recieved my Recall Clearance Letter on DEC 24 2007 from BMW Canada for my 2004 BMW Z4 after waiting since Nov 15 2007….By the way the Recall letter is dated Nov 25 2007…..BMW….YOU HAVE (CENSURED) OFF COMPLETLY for a long time!!!……YOU WILL NEVER SEE ME IN YOUR DEALERSHIP EXCEPT FOR THE FREE WARRANTY!!!
December 24th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
You have to wonder what the manufacturers are thinking. Ford ran 1/2 page ads in our local newspaper yesterday claiming that 2007 Navigator pricing has been lowered $10K due to a currency adjustment. Reading the small print, the 10K was already factored into the $63K price. Well guess what, the same vehicle sells in the US for $32K-$40K depending on options so the $63K price is no deal at all.
My concern about the article is that it will only encourage manufacturers to commence more dirty tricks to prevent the import of their vehicles.
December 24th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
happy holidays to one and all and a big thank you to the founders of this website . the more i read about members experiences here the more it would appear that the manufacturers next line of defence or “fleece” is the dreaded recall clearance letter . i see absolutely no reason why an authorized dealer cannot provide the same information if they have access to the same data base when checking the serial number . currently it seems the manufacturer can ask just about any $$ amount they want or completely refuse to issue the letter in the first place .
December 24th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
“greg in nb says:
December 24th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
currently it seems the manufacturer can ask just about any $$ amount they want or completely refuse to issue the letter in the first place .”
If we do not get enough publicity and public support for each issue …the current one being the Bumpers….Transport Canada is going to ensure that the regulations are not harmonized and are already on record as having said so. I suggest that we all write our MP’s and Lawrence Cannon asking for harmonization.
December 24th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Here is an opportunity to make your views on harmonization and what it will do for car prices in Canada in the e-Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071224.wrcars24/CommentStory/robNews/#comment1546355
The more the merrier. After all it’s Christmas.
December 24th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
At this time today, Carswithoutborders has more comments on this article than the Globe and Mail! I cancelled my subscription last month, did everyone else! see comments below:
bill johnson from Quebec, Canada writes: Excellent study. I am surprised that Canadians are so aware of the real price differences between the 2 countries. The automakers and one prominent auto ‘expert’ have done everything possible to obfuscate the issue. Oddly, just last year the same auto analyst reporters that consumers were getting ripped off.
The government really ought to look into collusion in price setting in the auto industry, beginning with transportation/destination (PDI) charges. They are uniformily 2-3 times higher than in the states.
Open up the border by harmonizing all standards with the USA. Accept dealer (USA) printouts that there are no recalls on vehicles. Do not let the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Volvo etc dictate which cars can be imported by their outrageous fees to turn on daytime running lights or providing a recall letter. Honda/Acura is the worst - they punish Canadian consumers and US dealers for selling to us. Enough is enough.
Posted 24/12/07 at 1:37 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
Kothar Rumbleg from Canada writes: They (car manufacteur and new car dealers) even go so far to say in either country that if you sell a Canadian bought car in US or a US bought car in Canada, that the respective “worth” is much much less than the one already available in the country! So for all the Canadian used dealers selling US bought cars on their lots should be charging near rock bottom prices compared to a previously bought Canadian car? Don’t think so! but these vehicles are somewhat lower, the used dealer is still selling to make a profit. The industry is using every smoke, mirror and trick they can to save face. Too little too late!
Posted 24/12/07 at 3:51 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
Joe Anonymous from Montreal, Canada writes: I strongly agree with the first writer’ comment. Remove the barriers to the U.S. car market and let supply and demand dictate pricing. Legislate those car companies who do not comply with punitive damages.
I want to buy the new 2008 Malibu…about $3000 cheaper in the US, but they (RIV/Transport Canada) are not even allowing me my right as a consumer, to shop for the best deal!
Enough is enough.
Posted 24/12/07 at 5:33 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
Michael Buffy from Winnipeg, Canada writes: I agree with the first writer’s comment about the need for absolute harmonization. It is central to the auto manufacturers power to use non-tariff trade barriers.
In May 2007 CAPC (Canadian Automotive Parnership Council) indicated that Transport Canada was unwilling to harmonize bumper standards.
Transport Canada has given us until Dec 31/07 to provide our comments to them on the alternatives that they are suggesting.
You can find the Transport Canada Notice and all the details relating to thei bumper “initiative” at
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2007/20071013/html/notice-e.html
This is your chance to demand harmonization on this issue..if you want fairer pricing from the auto manufacturers.
December 25th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Merry Christmas to all.
Are you ready for the fight?, because I’m, tell me how I can contribute.
Now the fight has a clear name Car Makers and their abusers
check this old history:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00EFDA173AF93AA15752C0A96E958260
December 26th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Just checked the date of the article - it is an old article published in 1998. 10 years later they are still doing this kind of stuff in Canada. Shame on the car companies - no ethics. They need to read the article “Corruption-proofing your career” that appeared in the G&M. Because everyone does it doesn’t make it right. Enron, Jail, WorldCom , Jail….Black , Jail….
December 27th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
i would suggest mentioning http://www.carswithoutborders.com on every comment/forum/discussion you have so that we can drive (ha) more traffic (ha ha) to this site.
this site has had such an amazing impact in such a short time that we should be promoting it as much as we can.