This image was taken from the Help Find Tim Bosma Facebook page.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

In what's probably everyone's worst fear about selling their vehicles privately, a Hamilton, ON man went missing earlier this week after two men came to take his pickup for a test drive. Timothy Bosma, 32, had placed ads for his 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 on Kijiji and Autotrader near the end of April, and apparently finally figured he might have a buyer. Two men, who remain unidentified, came by late in the evening on Monday to presumably take a look at the truck and, when asked to take it for a test drive, Bosma agreed and went along with them.

That's the last anyone has seen or spoken to them. Hamilton Police's homicide division is heading up the search, even though it officially remains a missing persons case. Bosma's cell phone was being tracked by police, but had been shut off not long after he disappeared. Unfortunately, all communication between Bosma and the two men was done over the phone, meaning there's no electronic 'trail' for police to use.

The suspects descriptions are as follows:

- The first male is white, six-foot-one-inches to six-foot-two-inches tall, weighting about 180 lbs with light to medium short brown hair. He is unshaven and was wearing blue jeans, an orange long-sleeve shirt and running shoes.

- The second man is five-foot-nine-inches to five-foot-10-inches tall with a small to medium build, in his early to mid-20s. He has dark hair and was wearing a red hooded sweater with the hood up over his head.

 Bosma was last seen wearing dark jeans, work boots and a long-sleeve shirt. The missing vehicle is a black 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 with a Cummins turbodiesel, Ontario licence plate number 726 7ZW.

If you have any information about the case or see the vehicle, contact etiher the Hamilton Police or Crimestoppers.

Toyota Me.We Concept car

 By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos

Last week in Paris, Japan’s Toyota revealed its new Me.We Concept. Unlike most show cars these days, the Me.We doesn’t brag about having a gazillion horsepower or is jammed with leather-this or power-that or more infotainment goodies than you’ll find at home. Instead, the Toyota concept is more like what an Apple iPod is compared to your grandparents’ hi-fidelity home stereo system; taking the less is more approach.

Formula E prototype

By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos Canada

As part of this year’s Earth Day celebrations, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa welcomed the organisers of the new Formula E racing series to his fine city. This being Earth Day and green car-friendly California, the race cars involved in the new Formula E series don’t burn any fossil fuels of any kind. As you may have guessed, the “E” stands for “electric.”

Photo: Nissan

It’s been five years since a new automobile plant opened in Canada. And the news this week that Nissan’s North American production expansion plans do not include our country makes us wonder: Will we ever see a new car plant be built in Canada again?

Since the Great Recession of 2008, global automakers have been shying away from Canada when it comes to so-called “greenfield” manufacturing commitments. Honda's new engine plant in Alliston, Ontario and Toyota's RAV4 assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario in 2008 are the most recent, while Toyota has announced that it will add a new assembly line to its existing Cambridge, Ontario facility to start building Lexus RX 450 gas-electric hybrid crossovers next year. But the idea of an automaker building an all-new automaking facility in Canada seems as ancient an idea as the 1960s’ Auto Pact.

Bing: What is the Auto Pact?

For example, take Nissan’s North American expansion plans. The Japanese automaker currently builds vehicles in the U.S. and Mexico. But as part of a global effort to expand its Infiniti luxury brand, and in addition to producing the Infiniti JX crossover alongside its Nissan Pathfinder platform-mate in a Nissan pant in Tennessee, Nissan says it is considering adding a second production site in North America. But even after federal Industry Minister Christian Parades traveled to Japan to try and persuade Nissan to built the new Infiniti plant in Canada, Nissan Americas Chairman Colin Dodge told Automotive News that Canada is not on the list.

Now, Nissan hasn’t disclosed why its removed Canada from the list. In the past, the high cost of Canadian auto worker salaries and benefits (relative to some of their American and Mexican counterparts) and the lack of taxpayer-funded incentives to entice automakers here, have been cited as the two main reasons why a new auto plant in Canada is simply not going to happen any time soon.

A good example of what Canada is competing against comes from an announcement this week from Toyota. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has approved a $146.5 million U.S. tax incentive package to lure Toyota into expanding its Georgetown, Kentucky factory to start building its Lexus ES sedan there. Since it opened in 1988, the Kentucky pant has been the main production site for Toyota Camry sedans. With Toyota kicking in $531.2 million, the plant expansion could add up to 750 jobs on top of the 6,600 current workers.

Compared to the Kentucky, Toyota’s recent arrangement with the federal and Ontario governments for the new RX 450 hybrid expansion looks less attractive. Instead of outright tax breaks, Toyota is receiving $34 million Cdn. in “repayable contributions” after investing $125 million of its own money.

So what do you think? Do you feel Canadian governments should use taxpayer money to offer more subsidies to automakers to lure them to Canada? Should the autoworkers take lower salaries? Or are these sacrifices too high for the benefits of more manufacturing jobs?

Source: Automotive News

A female Saudi motorist speaks to the media after driving her vehicle in defiance of the ban on driving in Riyadh. Photo: Fahad Shadeed/Newscom/RTR

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

In the ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia, women aren't allowed to drive. While there's no official law that bans women from getting behind the wheel, it's a de facto rule since the women simply aren't issued the local licences that citizens require to legally drive in the country. 

There have been some significant steps made recently that hopefully mean change might be coming. According to a story in Reuters, Prince AlWaleed bin Talal, a billionaire and nephew of King Abdullah, has thrown his support behind legalizing women driving. For him, it makes economic sense because there are at least a half-million foreign drivers who are paid to drive them around, which would in turn both keep more money in the country and leave more money in hands of families.

Saudi women have responded to unrest before when the "Women 2 Drive" movement started in 2011 by posting videos and pictures of them behind the wheel. It sent a loud message to the ruling monarchy that the country would have to come around sooner rather than later. However, several women were detained and questioned while another two faced serious charges.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

About a month ago, an episode of the American Top Gear featured a challenge where the three hosts had to come up with the best idea for a new taxi to replace old dead Crown Victoria. Comedian Adam Ferrara had the brilliant idea of buying an out-of-service ambulance and outfitting the rear as a Las Vegas party bus, complete with booze-filled drink tubes, comfortable seats and more. He figured he'd be able to use the emergency lights and sirens to help move other vehicles out of his way, and while a couple scenes showed him taking advantage of the system, there were plenty of reminders from his fellow hosts that it was completely illegal.

Well, whether Ferrara (and the show's writers) were inspired by an incredible story coming out of Russia or the other way around, the similaritites between the two are spooky.

According to a story in the National Post, wealthy Russian businessmen are apparently hiring ambulances to help avoid Moscsow's legendary traffic jams. Just like on TG:USA, the ambulances are stripped of any medical equipment and fitted with more luxurious trappings for the VIPs willing to hire them. Police say they started seeing ads on the internet for 'ambulance-taxis' charging rates of 6,000 roubles (just under $200 Canadian) an hour and started cracking down.

Given the snapshot of Russian driving in general we get from the ubiquitous 'dash-cam' videos posted on the internet, the situation is chaotic at best. The story figures between double- and triple-parked cars and little traffic enforcement on Moscow's ring-roads that wealthy 'businessmen' late for meetings would probably jump at the opportunity to get where they need to with little fuss.

The 2014 BMW 328d at the New York auto show. Photo: Rod Hatfield

At this year’s New York auto show, spanking-new, gasoline-electric hybrids are still popping up on a regular basis. But as an alterative for automakers to meet ever-tightening fuel economy standards, good old-fashion diesels seem to making a comeback.

While Europeans long ago jumped on the diesel bandwagon (I mean who wouldn’t want a powerplant that offers a longer driving range, 25 to 30 per cent better fuel economy in the city and on the highway and more torque than a gas engine), North Americans (for various reasons, from General Motors’ dreadful diesels in the 1980s to the lack of availability at gas pumps) have been more reluctant.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

The nerves of the US Secret Service were probably already on edge in preparation for President Obama's first official trip to Israel, but things got considerably worse for the advance team earlier this week. Getting the presidential limousine - nicknamed The Beast for its tank-like appearance and construction - prepped for service, apparently one of the American agents somehow filled the tank with diesel fuel rather than gasoline. In the best of times, that's a costly and time-consuming fix: if the engine hadn't been started, they could just siphon the diesel from the tank, fill with gas and be done. Otherwise, it could require expensive flushing and more to get things cleaned up properly without damaging the engine.

We're not sure how the American agent in charge wouldn't know that the limousine runs on gasoline and not diesel. And also that in most parts of the world, the diesel pump nozzles are always larger and won't fit in gasoline 'necks' to prevent this very problem.

While embarrassing for the American team on the ground, there are actually a fleet of Beasts, and one was flown in from neighbouring Jordan in time for Obama's arrival. This isn't the first time the enormous limo's caused headaches in places where a giant American car is out of place: one got high-sided during the president's visit to Ireland earlier this year. 

Here's where a little forethought might have helped: the limousines are built on General Motors commercial truck chassis before getting the customized bomb-proof 'tank' body put on top, and is ostensibly designed to mimic a Cadillac. However, you'd think that given the power, torque and reliability of modern turbo-diesels in heavy-duty applications that one of those would be used underhood. Obviously a gasoline V8 of we're assuming very large displacement is there already, and gets about eight mpg (US)... 

Would it be smart for the US to have several variations of limousine available, meaning regular ones for home and countries with larger, more open spaces, and others that are smaller and more maneuverable when visiting abroad? Let us know.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

For the small percentage of people who own 'pure' electric or plug-in versions of regular hybrid vehicles, one additional place you might be able to get your fill will be Tim Hortons. The coffee-'n-donuteer has decided to install high-speed charging stations for both customer and employee use at the head office and its attached restaurant in Oakville, ON.

"The electric vehicle infrastructure is in its infancy and we see a potential opportunity for Tim Hortons to help make a true difference by expanding that infrastructure in Canada," said Paulo Ferreira, Senior Director, International Design and Building Standards, Tim Hortons. "At this stage, the goal for us is to explore and understand the technology, to see how it can work at our restaurants and how we can, in turn, support our guests who choose to go electric."

Currently, the Tim Hortons clientele doesn't exactly strike us as those who would be interested in buying a Nissan Leaf or Ford C-Max Energi, but hey, what can you do? There's plenty of speculation that Timmy's is tryingto accomplish a couple things with this experiment. First, Tim Hortons' more upscale competitor, Starbucks, is obviously more likely to have that 'green' customer as a client, but Timmys is hoping to bring a few of those 'bucks home to Canada. Second, Tim Hortons is already making big waves with its expansion farther south into the United States, and at this point, any little thing will help.

There are more than 3,300 locations across Canada and depending on how that research period goes, the company might look at adding charging points across the country. How ironic that it may take a national institution to create a proper cross-country EV infrastructure?

Is Tim Hortons being smart? Waste of precious resources? Let us know!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

For whatever reason, the current provincial government in New Brunswick has decided to backtrack a bit on its current efforts on keeping newer drivers safer behind the wheel. Like many provinces, NB uses a graduated licencing system that limits where and when those new drivers can get behind the wheel. One rule that both level 1 and level 2 licence holders are required to follow is that they aren't allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. because night driving can be challenging for even very experienced drivers.

Apparently, that very rule is the one the current government wants to repeal saying it's proving to be a hardship amongst New Brunswickers and there was no evidence of improved safety.

Both the ex-Premier Shawn Graham and the CAA are up in arms over the plan, saying that the current rules already provides exceptions to novice drivers who are required to drive during those hours if required for school or work. 

Steve McCall, president of CAA Atlantic agreed, saying, “The current legislation already includes a provision for exemption as a result of a requirement to drive to school or work. Not only is a change unnecessary, it would be a giant step backward in safe driving and would put these already vulnerable young drivers and other motorists at significant risk."

We're still figuring out who is nagging the current government to get this law changed because so far no one has stepped forward as a glaring example of hardship.

What do you think? What if your province decided to start repealing laws like this without public consultation?