In fact, they’re already here… but you wouldn’t know it just from looking. Japanese automaker Honda has begun importing the subcompact Honda Fit into Canada from Guangqi Honda Automobile Co. Ltd., in China. The move may pave the way for the long-awaited next step: Chinese-made cars from Chinese automakers.

Pundits and prognosticators predicting a Chinese Car-pocalypse have been making like Chicken Little for years now yet the worst fears of North American automakers still haven’t been realized – or have they? It seems that the 2012 Honda Fit is typical of how Chinese manufacturers of a host of large and pricey consumer items have dodged the dreaded “Made In China” label while still, in fact, making these items in China.

Source: http://inventorspot.com/articles/chinesemade_cars_are_coming_canada_beauty_eh

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-10863_7-10011364.html?tag=cnetRiver

2012 Honda CR-V

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-10863_7-10011356.html?tag=cnetRiver

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/suv/2012-ford-edge-limited/4505-10868_7-35122719.html?autoplay=true&tag=cnetRiver

The good: Sync delivers excellent voice command and personal electronics integration in the 2012 Ford Edge. Sirius Travel Link brings in useful data such as traffic and weather information and gas prices. The 2-liter EcoBoost engine does not lack for power, but at the same time puts fuel economy in the mid-20s.

The bad: The MyFord Touch onscreen interface is poorly laid out and the buttons are often slow to respond.

The bottom line: The 2012 Ford Edge, with the EcoBoost engine, makes for a very practical family hauler, with a useful range of cabin electronics. The cabin tech interface might be flawed, but Ford has a fix on the way.

In the interest of pushing the technological edge, Ford has not been above taking risks. Collaborating with Microsoft on Sync turned out well. The initial release of MyFord Touch, not so much.

And now we have the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a direct-injection turbocharged 2-liter in the relatively large 2012 Ford Edge. Much could have gone wrong with that formulation. The engine might not have made enough power to push the Edge’s 4,000 pounds convincingly. Or the fuel economy might have been no better than Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6.

But in this instance, fortune favored the bold. I found even a gentle tap on the accelerator made the 2012 Edge step lively. And when I got around to flooring it, all hell broke loose, or at least all heck. The front wheels chirped and there was a hint of torque steer as the Edge made its attempt at the sound barrier.

From the engine’s specs, it appears 2012 Ford Edge didn’t have much to worry about. The four-cylinder EcoBoost’s 240 horsepower is a respectable number, but more important for acceleration is the torque number, 270 pound-feet. 2012 Ford Edge compares with only 253 pound-feet from the V-6 available in the Edge, although that engine boasts a higher horsepower number.

2012 Nissan Quest LE

BASE PRICE: $27,750 for Nissan Quest S; $31,050 for Nissan Quest SV; $34,500 for Nissan Quest SL; $41,350 for Nissan Quest LE

PRICE AS TESTED: $42,365.

TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, seven-passenger minivan.

ENGINE: 3.5-liter, double overhead cam V-6 with CVTC.

MILEAGE: 19 mpg (city), 24 mpg (highway).

TOP SPEED: NA.

LENGTH: 200.8 inches.

WHEELBASE: 118.1 inches.

CURB WEIGHT: 4,568 pounds.

BUILT AT: Japan.

OPTIONS: Carpeted floor mats in all three rows $205.

DESTINATION CHARGE: $810.

Do buyers know there is a minivan again at Nissan?

The Nissan Quest, which had been dropped for a couple years and re-emerged as a fourth-generation 2011 model, is back for 2012 with unique touches.

Seats have special padding and front-seat heaters that arguably are the fastest-acting in the business. An odor-avoidance system goes high-tech with grape polyphenol filtering.

There’s no tugging or fighting with electronic sliding side doors in this minivan, because they work without fuss. Nissan says the sliding door entryways also are lower than in other vans, which helps youngsters get inside and out. And no one risks a hernia taking a Quest seat out to make room for cargo. The seats are designed to stow in place and can’t be removed on a whim.

The Quest even looks a bit different from other minivans. It has a noticeably flat roof and styling that makes it look larger than it is.

And in top-of-the-line LE form, the 2012 Quest competes as a decked-out luxury van.

Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $28,560 for the base 2012 Nissan Quest S with 260-horsepower V-6 and continuously variable transmission.

The top-selling minivan in calendar 2011 was the Toyota Sienna, which has a starting retail price of $25,870 with 187-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and $27,110 with 266-horsepower V-6. All 2012 Siennas come with automatic transmission. The second most popular minivan last year, the Dodge Grand Caravan, has a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $21,830 for 2012. This is for an American Value Package Grand Caravan with 283-horsepower V-6 and automatic transmission.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/cars/ci_19818859

Toyota Prius C Nice Hybrid Car.

Toyota rushed a cut-rate version of its current Prius into development when Honda announced a sub-$20,000 price for the Insight a couple years ago, but the loss-leader never came to production. Turns out the incremental costs involved with adding crank windows and the like to the Prius weren’t recoverable, and anyway, there was no need to worry. Insight sales provided no serious competition.

“In my view, the Toyota Prius C is a beautiful car and very hot for this year.”