Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Some 700,000 Toyota sedans and pickups in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are being recalled by the Japanese automaker to replace a faulty brake light switch and fix an airbag issue.

In an announcement on Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp. said the recall covers 495,470 Tacoma pickup trucks made between 2005 and 2009, 70,500 Camry and 116,000 2009-2011 Venza vehicles. The numbers include 16,000 trucks in Canada and 13,000 in Mexico.

For the Tacoma, friction between the spiral cable and the retainer in the steering wheel spiral cable assembly may occur and could damage the electrical connection for the driver’s airbag module preventing it from deploying during a crash.

A flaw in the brake light switch could prevent the Camry and Venza from starting or shifting out of park, so this part will be replaced. Toyota is already obtaining replacement parts.

There were no reports of accidents related to the faulty brake light switch and airbag issue. However, the carmaker received 162 complaints on the Tacoma problem since 2005.

In February 2010, Toyota also recalled 8,000 units of 2010 Tacomas and 7,314 2010 Camrys for safety inspection. The defect in the 4WD trucks was a cracked front drive shaft that may eventually lead to the separation of the drive shaft at the joint portion while the 4-cylinder models of Camry’s left rear brake tube could puncture leading to reduced braking ability.

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Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. is set to voluntarily recall close to a million car models to repair troubles with power windows and computer equipment.

The global recall will be done in two categories. Some 936,000 units of the Fit subcompact, CR-V crossover and Fit Aria in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa are part of the first category. The Fit is called Jazz in some overseas markets, while the Fit Aria is also known as City.

The second category, meanwhile, will involve 26,000 CR-Z compact hybrid models in Japan, the United States, Canada and other markets.

Both overseas recalls will cost the Japanese carmaker $16.8 million.

In a statement, Honda said the recalls are necessary to fix programming problems with the engine control unit, as well as in the driver’s-side power window switch units, which the carmaker said could potentially melt and catch fire.

Honda Motor Co. is Japan’s third-biggest car maker by volume.

The company had recalled more than 2.3 million vehicles in early August, citing problems with automatic transmissions.

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When compared to Mazda cars, the 2010 Chevy Malibu’s framework has a wider range of features and adjustments that allow better relaxation. For example; the driver seat allows the driver to customize the seating position, and the cabin support is great for those who need to be comfortable during a long trip. When it comes to safety, every Malibu has the security of OnStar option that comes with an Automatic Crash Response for the initial six months.

Speaking of long trips, Chevrolet cars are well-known for providing efficient gas mileage. In fact, with the 2010 Chevy Malibu a person can get at least 33 MPG. The Malibu LT and LZ models are able to travel over 500 miles on a single fill-up, which is more than what their competitors offer. The Malibu is an ideal buy for those who are constantly traveling, and do not want to spend tons of money due to shifty gas prices in the current economy.

Chevy Malibu’s are very attractive vehicles with an array of features that are perfect for those who would like to invest in a vehicle that provides safety, adjustable features, and is very also very affordable since it is under $30,000. For those who would like to know more about new or used cars, please visit The Leggat Auto Group’s website. Leggat has a staff of car dealers with over 80 years of experience, and can help assist anyone with their car purchasing needs.

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Used cars are being sold in great numbers in the United States and Canada. This business is flourishing online both on the local as well as global level. Online sale and purchase of cars is a great option for both dealerships and private sellers. There are several reasons why one should go in for online purchase. Most car dealers make good money from second hand cars. This is possible for them because they buy the car at a cheap price and then sell it off at a high price. Buying a car online is profitable for the buyers as the website owners hardly keep a profit for themselves as they are not investing anything in it. Therefore, there are no ‘middlemen’ per say in an online auction. For instance, if an owner sells a car for $400, then the website may earn merely $50. However, if you bought the same car from a dealer, he may sell it for $4,000. Dealers charge more because they have to incur costs like cleaning, commissions to salespersons, storage, and standard overhead costs. Even after incurring these costs, they have to keep a profit margin for themselves and that is why the high cost of the used cars.

It is therefore best to buy a machine online as you can get it here without an intermediary. There are numerous online auction companies in the United States and Canada. Cars are available at a cheaper price online. Online sellers can ensure that they are giving the best price because more and more people are turning to the web for selling their vehicles. On the contrary, only a handful of people consider buying online. The huge supply and less demand decrease the price of these vehicles. You can buy a car from any country in the world and have it shipped to your doorstep. However, if you have your doubts about the car and want to check it yourself, then you should go in for a local option. The wide array of used cars available online can make the buyer confused. There are so many vehicles that he can choose from that apart from setting the price, he can also choose the model, make, and mileage of his choice.

The online auction is a great way to buy second hand vehicles as the choice is limitless. When you go to a dealer, and tell them what’s in your mind regarding the make and the model, he might show you something that you want. However, the price may be higher and he may not be able to offer you many choices. Online auto auctions especially in the United States and Canada provide you the freedom of choosing used cars. Choose your car from the comfort of your home without having to go through the hassle of facing dealers. Select the vehicle according to your need and budget and think for a while before you make that purchase because online companies give you that freedom.

Finding a store that specializes in selling German car parts, or JDM parts, or even British car parts can be difficult, and it’s not all that uncommon to find a shop where no one knows anything about the product they are selling. Sometimes the best place to shop for auto parts, especially parts that are exclusive to one type of car, is at an online car parts store. There are a lot of car part stores online, and it’s the job of the customer to find exactly which one they need, according to what kind of car they have, and to make sure it’s legit.

Customers can purchase a wide variety of different auto parts online, and most products can be purchased new, used or rebuilt. One can purchase the main components of the car, such as the engine, and transmission, to other parts such as the distributor, radiator, muffler, and lights. Customers can also purchase those items to customize their car and optimize performance, such as certain times of engines, motor mount kits, tire rims, and racing seats in a number of different styles and price ranges.

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But there are other financing options out there in the vast used car universe that are more creative so they can finance people even thought they man have credit that’s not stellar. In fact their credit may be non-existent or very poor.

One example that provides this type of credit is called buy here pay here lots. These buy here pay here lots are operated by used car dealers that function within a network of dealers who participate in the buy here pay here car program in the US and Canada. The program is designed to assist those buyers who really need a new used car but can’t afford to buy one using traditional vehicle financing.

There are pros and cons of buying a used car under this program

Buy here pay here lots means literally that you ‘buy here’ and most likely ‘pay here’ both directly at the lot. This financing program is nicknamed BHPH. Under BHPH one of the options is to apply on line by filling out an online credit application. The credit application will be sent to participating dealers in your area who have the option of accepting or declining the application. When one of the dealers accepts the credit application, you will receive notification. You may then visit that dealer and pick out a car.

Another option under this program is that you visit a used car dealer that is a participating member of the program. They will have you fill out an application for credit before you begin looking for your new vehicle. This allows both you and the dealer to be able to decide exactly how much money you can afford to pay for a car. A disadvantage is that you may not be able to qualify for that special car you have already decided to purchase.

If you choose to utilize this program you really need to find out what happens if you are late making a payment. And since this is a ‘pay here’ deal, it means you will physically have to deliver your payment directly to the dealer. Generally you will need to have cash or a money order. If you feel you will be making a lot of late payments, you need to reconsider if you really need a new car at this time. Or accept the fact that the new car you buy will be a bit older than you originally planned.

The real pro of this program is that the dealer really wants to sell you a new car. Additionally, the dealer will most likely be willing to take your really old used car in as a trade in.

One process is the person interested in buying a used car completes an on line credit application which is provided by the buy here pay here car program. This is then submitted and within a specified period of time, the application is circulated to participating car dealers. When the application is accepted by one of the dealers, the applicant is notified within a specified period of time that the application for credit has been accepted. The applicant then goes to that dealer and buys a new – used car.

The buy here pay here car program also works where the potential buyer goes into a dealership that offers this program. Ideally this dealership has the car you are interested in. As the dealer reviews your credit application with you, they are also determining just how much you can actually afford to pay on a regular basis for the car. It works out really well if the car you are interested in is one of your choices for a ‘new’ car. Also it works out best for all parties if the dealership is near where you live.

This program is based on the ‘buy here’ theory where you actually buy the car directly from the dealer where you submitted the credit application.

This is different than where you might go into a dealer that only sells one or two brands of vehicles and those vehicles are financed through the car manufacturer’s financing arm. With these dealers you might go ‘shopping’ with the salesperson through the various inventory available at other dealers. If you find the exact vehicle you want with all the options, the dealer will have it brought into the lot for you to buy. In this case you also mail in your payments directly to the finance company that provided the financing for the vehicle.

The other part of the program is the ‘pay here’ aspect which means you also pay for the car at the dealer. You actually take the cash or money order or whatever the means of the payment directly to the used car dealer where you purchased the car. The dealer has the option to set up various payment plans. They work with the applicant to structure the repayment plan to match the buyer’s budget. It may require a weekly or bi-weekly payment. But the object is to make it manageable for the buyer. The dealer really doesn’t want to have to take back the car if the buyer fails to make the payments on time. The program is intended to get a potential buyer into a car of their choice.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – The Supreme Court of Canada allowed Thursday the filing of a class-action lawsuit by veterans over their military pension. The action reverses an earlier decision by the Federal Court of Appeal, which was initially certified by the Federal Court.

The case stems from a suit filed by military mechanic Dennis Manuge on behalf of 6,500 injured veterans. Manuge was hurt in 2002 while assigned at the Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. When he left the military, Ottawa took back $10,000 of Manuge’s disability pension, which prompted the ex-mechanic to file the suit.

Manuge got Federal Court okay for a class action, but Ottawa appealed and secured a stay. The Court of Appeal turned down Manuge’s class-action lawsuit, ruling he should have applied for a judicial review of his case.

The basis of the Supreme Court action was a $250 million lawsuit filed by TeleZone Inc. against Industry Canada. The firm accused Ottawa of denying it a license for wireless communication services. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice allowed TeleZone’s legal action, ruling it was not necessary for the telecom firm to seek a judicial review of Industry Canada’s action.

More than 50 percent of veterans in Manuge’s class-action lawsuit have mental health problems. Manuge, who once was deployed in Bosnia, suffered depression after he injured his back at the military base in Ontario.

When Manuge was released in 2003 after nine years of service, he became eligible for long-term disability insurance benefits of 75 percent of his pay. However, Ottawa removed almost $400 – included for pain and suffering – from the amount that Manuge received monthly.

Ottawa explained the clawback for recipients of disability payments was to keep premiums as low as possible, and that such deductions were common among public and private plans during that time. Manuge’s class-action lawsuit would not apply to veterans who were injured after 2007 because by that year Veterans Affairs started to give lump-sum pain and suffering payments that were not deducted from long-term disability.

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