2 schools south of Montreal on lockdown after threatening calls
Vehicles from the Longueuil police (SPAL) are parked in the municipality on March 4, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)
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National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
VinFast's Long Warranties Provide Extra Security for Car Owners
Article content MARKHAM, Ontario — As Canadian households juggle increasingly strained budgets, VinFast is positioning its long warranties and lower ownership costs as a way to soften the blow of unexpected car repairs. Canadians are trying to juggle tight budgets while keeping up with essential expenses. Macroeconomic uncertainty has made every surprise cost feel heavier. A single car repair, for instance, can throw off a whole month's finances for many families. Article content Car repairs hurt more these days Article content Article content The numbers highlight the strain. More than half of Canadian workers live paycheck to paycheck 1. 41% of people say they can't save money each month after covering the basic 2. And 61% are reconsidering major life decisions due to rising costs 3. A sudden car repair can force people to make tough choices, like putting off a long-overdue trip or cutting back on other essentials. Article content Beyond the direct financial impact, the pressure from unexpected repairs can ripple across other areas of life. Families may delay medical care, spend less on education, or simply have trouble getting to work. The stress of managing these costs can also affect mental health and overall family well-being. Article content At the same time, car ownership quietly crept higher. Annual costs rose 9% in one year, from $5,025 to $5,497 4. A 2024 report found that the average dealership service visit now costs $465, which is up 7.6% from last year 5. Article content Yet despite rising costs, 78% of Canadians say living without a car is not an option 6. Work, groceries, medical appointments, and family responsibilities all require reliable transportation. For many, the car is a necessity. Article content Some Canadians have considered alternatives, including public transportation. Car sharing services report 87% satisfaction among users. Nearly half of car owners say they would rather pay only when they need a vehicle. However, these options do not work for everyone and often remain more accessible in cities. Article content VinFast aims to reduce surprise costs Article content VinFast, Vietnam's best-selling car manufacturer in 2024, is now three years into its global expansion 7, including in Canada. The company offers a different approach in this challenging landscape. Article content Its electric vehicle lineup includes the all-wheel-drive midsize SUV VF 8 and the flagship three-row VF 9, with starting all-in MSRPs of CAD $56,026 and CAD $77,321, respectively. But what makes them stand out is that they both come with one of the industry's longest warranties: ten years or 200,000 kilometers, with unlimited kilometers on the battery under normal usage. For the VF 8, VinFast also offers competitive monthly payment plans to reduce the financial pressure of switching to electric vehicles. Article content The extended warranty and after-sales support help prevent unexpected repair bills. For Canadian families navigating financial uncertainty, knowing repair costs won't appear without warning is a big relief. Article content This strategy reflects the foundation of VinFast's market leadership at home. It is built on three core values: premium vehicles, affordable pricing, and strong aftersales policies. For customers, it underscores the company's focus on long-term ownership support rather than one-time sales. Article content In a time when every dollar matters and people are cutting cost wherever they can, VinFast's focus on reducing ownership uncertainty positions the company to meet a growing need for stability and predictability. Article content Same as 4 Article content Article content 7 Article content Article content Article content Article content
Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
We love the performance of our aging Mini Cooper. What can we replace it with that's a little bigger?
We've been driving a 2010 Mini Cooper S for the past 13 years and although we love the performance and the looks it has had major repairs and we may be looking at another one. We'd like a car a little bigger and easier to get in and out of (as we get older) and with comparable performance but reliability is a concern. We've also driven a Honda CR-V (too big now and somewhat disappointing with repairs and rust), Toyota Corolla (reliable but boring and also rust prone) as well as a Volkswagen Golf diesel (which may have been our best, getting nearly 500,000 kilometres). We're open to electric or hybrid (we can charge at home) and are not concerned about financing. – Lyle, St. Catharines Mark Richardson: There are plenty of choices for Lyle, but I'd suggest an electric car. It will have quick performance, greater reliability since there are fewer parts to wear out and he can charge at home. Miranda Lightstone: I'm going to disagree. Richardson: There's a shocker… Lightstone: I'll steer Lyle away from fully electric and instead focus on finding a performance-oriented and/or even fuel-efficient gas-powered car. Why, you ask? Because he's driven a Mini for 13 years and that kind of experience is hard to match with a full EV. Richardson: Okay. What would you suggest, before I tell you why you're wrong? Lightstone: When it comes to comparable performance to the Cooper S (and since they were already smitten with their Golf Diesel) I would recommend the Volkswagen Golf R. German design and handling plus added oomph with a 300-plus horsepower turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. Richardson: Good luck finding a new one, though some diligent trolling of the internet might find a used model, probably well thrashed. I'd be more inclined to recommend the slightly toned-down but still considerably satisfying Golf GTI, which is also much less expensive. The R starts at almost $54,000, while the GTI starts at just over $39,000. Lyle didn't give a budget, but the cars he's mentioned aren't that costly. Lightstone: I suppose the GTI would suffice, but the R really is the Golf to have. And by the way, you never said I was wrong … But if not a Golf in some iteration, then what should Lyle look at to tick all the necessary boxes? Richardson: Before switching to electric choices, I'd suggest a Toyota GR Corolla as an easier-to-find Golf R. It's night-and-day over the basic Corolla, designed as a sporty vehicle and even available with a manual transmission. It starts at $51,500 before taxes, and it's definitely not boring. Lightstone: But, it is still a Corolla and they already had a bad experience with one in the past. It drives heavy in my opinion, nowhere near as nimble and direct as a Mini. And at the risk of sounding like the old one here, the exhaust note on the GR can be irritating on longer drives. Richardson: So let's avoid exhaust notes entirely and think about some electric choices. Lyle says he's open to EVs, he can charge at home and he likes performance. You've got to admit, the instant snap of acceleration from an EV can be a thrill every time. I'd start with a Hyundai Kona EV. Now there's a great, slightly larger, Mini alternative. Lightstone: Instant electric acceleration is impressive. I do think Lyle would appreciate a little more interior quality and design with the likes of the Polestar 2, which also boasts more range than the Kona EV (505 kilometres versus 420) and more horsepower (299 versus the Kona's 201). Richardson: And it's at least $8,000 more expensive than the basic $49,300 Kona EV, which is one of the better-value electric cars. The challenge is that we don't know how Lyle uses his cars. Mostly driving around town or daily commutes to Toronto? Putting half-a-million kilometres on a Volkswagen suggests he drives greater distances, so a typical EV might be impractical. But it'll give him all the zip of a Mini. Lightstone: We're trying to reinvent the wheel here: Why doesn't Lyle just stay with a Mini? A new 5-door or a larger Mini Countryman, either all-electric or with a conventional engine, could be what he really wants. Richardson: The Mini's changed a great deal in the 15 years, but it still has the same driving dynamics he appreciates. I'm wondering if the new model might be a little too cute for his older sensibilities, with its millennial-oriented control screen, but it's certainly worth a look. The Countryman would be the better choice, with its taller stance that's easier on rickety knees. Lightstone: As futuristic as the new Minis are, the fundamentals of the dash and centre console layout remain the same. Don't insult Lyle's ability to be hip with the times and enjoy the latest in interior features. And truthfully, any new model is going to have a learning curve when it comes to figuring out onboard systems. Richardson: With the Countryman, he can choose between an all-electric Mini or a gas-powered edition. It's the higher-tuned, $60,000 John Cooper Works edition that's the most comparable in performance to the $63,000 EV. The regular Countryman, with 241 horsepower and all-wheel drive, starts at about $49,000, though I'm sure the electric version will be a lot easier on maintenance. Lightstone: We've given Lyle some decent options both gas and EV here, and I'd recommend he try and test-drive his top three choices on the same day. I stand by him sticking to the Mini or VW family because he already knows and likes both. Richardson: I'll agree Lyle should test-drive an electric Mini Countryman, but if that's too costly for him, then give the Hyundai Kona EV a try. It's a hot hatch that's been around long enough that there are plenty of used models for around $30,000. If he prefers a gas-powered car after all, then the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a solid choice, if it's not too low for his knees. What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Petrina at globedrive@ and use 'What car' as as part of your subject line. Emails with different subject lines may not be answered. Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
2 people taken to hospital following 4-vehicle crash on DVP
Heavy traffic is seen in the southbound lanes of the DVP following a collision on Sunday, June 29, 2025. (City of Toronto) Two people are in hospital following a four-vehicle collision on the Don Valley Parkway on Sunday night. Emergency services were called to the highway near Don Mills Road just before 9 p.m. Toronto police said a woman in her 30s was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Another person suffered minor injuries, police said. The cause of the collision is unknown. The collision resulted in the closure of all southbound lanes of the DVP south of Don Mills Road, causing heavy traffic. Northbound DVP was also reduced to one lane as a result.
