Blog

Insights, updates, and expert advice on car shopping, automotive technology, and the future of vehicle discovery.

Chinese EVs Are Coming to Canada: The Regulatory Map and Realistic Timeline

Canada's 49,000-vehicle quota is real, but the rollout won't be instant. Here's the regulatory map, the political blockers, and when you'll actually see cars on lots.

Latest Articles

2025 Canadian Used Car Market Annual Report

Comprehensive analysis of Canada's 2025 used car market: 1 million+ listings analyzed, pricing trends, provincial breakdowns, EV adoption, and what it means for 2026.

Cardog Team25 days ago14 min read

December 2025 Used Car Market Report

December 2025 Canadian used car market analysis reveals an unexpected 11.2% price surge as fresh inventory enters the market, reversing November's decline trajectory.

Cardog Team25 days ago9 min read

Building a VIN Decoder: A Systems Engineering Deep Dive

How VIN decoding actually works—from NHTSA's 565 submittal system and the global data asymmetry that shaped the industry, to implementation architectures and the mathematical elegance of the check digit algorithm.

Cardog Team29 days ago2 min read

The Color Tax: Why Paint Costs Thousands (And Varies By Vehicle Type)

Black trucks cost $3,500 more than white. White sedans cost $2,500 more than black. Yellow Mustangs cost $27,000 more than red. Color pricing makes no sense.

Cardog Team29 days ago12 min read

Christmas Car Deals 2025: 9,000+ Vehicles Discounted This Week

Dealerships slash prices before year-end with 9,002 vehicles discounted in 48 hours. Average savings of $7,384 across trucks, SUVs, sedans, and EVs. Real market data and deals.

Cardog Teamabout 1 month ago13 min read

How We Reduced a 1.5GB Database by 99%

A deep technical dive into optimizing the NHTSA VPIC database for offline VIN decoding across Node.js, browsers, and edge computing.

Cardog Teamabout 1 month ago7 min read

The Data That Could Have Saved Lives: How Consumer Complaints Predict Recalls Years in Advance

Analysis of 2.1M NHTSA complaints reveals safety issues appear 2-3 years before recalls. Meanwhile, Canada has no public complaint data—leaving 20M vehicle owners in the dark.

Cardog Teamabout 1 month ago10 min read

Exploding Sunroofs: The Dangerous Defect Hiding in Plain Sight

Analysis of 5,183 NHTSA complaints reveals sunroof explosions increased 1,188% since 2010. Popular SUVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota lead the problem.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

Phantom Braking: The Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car's Safety Systems

Analysis of 2.1M NHTSA complaints reveals phantom braking surged 1,280% in 2022. One manufacturer accounts for 17% of all safety system complaints.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago10 min read

Tesla Cybertruck Door Failures: 9 Deaths Reported, Electronic Systems Trap Occupants During Fires

6.5% of Cybertruck complaints mention deaths—30x higher than Ford's rate. Multiple NHTSA complaints describe occupants trapped inside burning vehicles when electronic door systems fail after crashes.

Cardog Research Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

Year in Review 2025

How we built Corgi, an open source VIN decoder, and used it as the foundation for a complete automotive market intelligence platform with real-time analytics, recalls data, and AI tools.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago4 min read

Best Honda Civic Years to Buy: Complete Buyer's Guide (2012-2025)

Discover the best Honda Civic model years to buy based on real market data, reliability ratings, and 8,000+ active listings across North America.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago16 min read

AutoTrader Canada Pricing: How Much Does It Cost in 2025? (Complete Fee Breakdown)

Complete breakdown of AutoTrader Canada pricing, fees, and costs. Private seller pricing, dealer packages, hidden fees, and free alternatives for 2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago19 min read

AutoTrader Canada Review 2025: Is It Worth Using? (Honest Analysis)

Honest AutoTrader Canada review: real pricing data, inventory analysis, pros/cons, and whether AutoTrader.ca is worth it for buyers and sellers in 2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago22 min read

AutoTrader vs Cardog: Which Platform Is Better for Canadian Car Buyers?

Compare AutoTrader and Cardog for Canadian car buyers. Real market data on inventory, price intelligence, user experience, and which platform fits your needs.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago20 min read

Canadian International AutoShow 2026: Complete Toronto Guide

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto: dates, tickets, featured vehicles, and what to expect February 13-22.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago10 min read

CarGurus vs AutoTrader Canada: Which Car Shopping Platform Is Better in 2025?

Head-to-head comparison of CarGurus and AutoTrader Canada for car buyers. Real data on inventory, pricing tools, search features, and which platform wins for different buyer types.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago24 min read

CarGurus vs Cars.com: Which Car Shopping Site Is Better in 2025?

Comparing CarGurus and Cars.com for car buyers. Real analysis of inventory, pricing tools, research features, and which platform fits your needs in 2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago19 min read

How Does Cars.com Work? Complete Guide for Buyers & Sellers in 2025

Complete guide to Cars.com: how it works for buyers and sellers, editorial content, dealer vs private listings, pricing models, pros and cons, and business model.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago24 min read

Is Cars.com Reliable? Pricing Accuracy & Platform Analysis for 2025

Complete analysis of Cars.com's reliability, pricing accuracy, and deal ratings. How their methodology works, what they get right, key limitations, and better alternatives.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago17 min read

TrueCar vs CarGurus: Which Car Buying Platform Is Better in 2025?

Compare TrueCar and CarGurus side-by-side. Which platform offers better pricing, dealer selection, and user experience for buying new and used cars in 2025?

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago15 min read

EV Battery Fire Risks: Real Data Analysis (Not the Hype)

EVs have 61x lower fire rates than gas cars (25 vs 1,530 per 100k). But the Chevy Bolt's $1.8B recall was real. Here's what the data actually shows about EV battery fires.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago27 min read

Hyundai/Kia Theft Recall: The TikTok Challenge That Sparked a Crisis

Over 8 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles vulnerable to USB theft. The Kia Boyz TikTok challenge caused a 1,000%+ spike in thefts, 8 deaths, and an insurance crisis. Complete list of affected models and what you must do now.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago23 min read

Jeep Fire Risk Recalls: What You Need to Know (Updated 2025)

51+ deaths from Jeep fuel tank fires. 1.56 million recalled in 2013, 320,000 more in 2025. Complete list of affected vehicles and what you must do now.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago20 min read

VIN Decoder Guide: What Your Vehicle Identification Number Reveals

Learn how to decode your VIN to discover your vehicle's manufacturing details, specifications, recall history, and true value. Complete guide with examples.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago13 min read

Takata Airbag Recall: Complete List of Affected Vehicles (Updated 2025)

58+ deaths, 2,023 injuries from exploding Takata airbags. Still active in 2025. Complete list of affected vehicles and what you must do now.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago29 min read

Ford Recall History: Most Common Issues and What Buyers Need to Know

Complete analysis of Ford's 14,915 recalls from 1966-2025. Discover the most recalled models, common issues, and which years to avoid.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago22 min read

November 2025 Used Car Market Report: Price Decline Accelerates as Inventory Tightens

November 2025 Canadian used car market analysis reveals accelerating price declines, tightening inventory, and shifting buyer dynamics across all provinces.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago9 min read

AutoTrader Alternatives: Top 5 Options for Canadian Car Buyers in 2025

Discover the best AutoTrader alternatives in Canada. Compare Kijiji Autos, CarGurus, Clutch, Facebook Marketplace, and Cardog for buying and selling vehicles online.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago20 min read

Best Chevy Silverado Years to Buy: Expert Guide with Real Market Data

Discover the best Chevy Silverado years to buy based on 15,826 real listings. Expert analysis of reliability, pricing, and value across all generations.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

Best Honda Accord Years to Buy: Expert Guide to Reliable Models

Discover the best Honda Accord years to buy based on real market data. Expert analysis of 1,457 listings reveals which model years offer the best value and reliability.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago13 min read

Best Toyota Camry Years to Buy: Expert Guide with Market Data

Discover the best Toyota Camry years to buy based on real market data. Analysis of 2,538 listings covering reliability, pricing, and value across generations.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago11 min read

Best Toyota RAV4 Years to Buy: Complete Reliability Guide (2025)

Discover the best Toyota RAV4 years to buy based on real market data, reliability analysis, and pricing trends. Expert guide to RAV4 generations 2006-2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago14 min read

CarGurus Alternatives: Better Options for 2025

Explore the best CarGurus alternatives in 2025. Compare AutoTrader, Clutch, Cars.com, Facebook Marketplace, and AI-powered options for smarter car shopping.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

CarGurus vs AutoTrader vs Clutch: Which Car Marketplace Is Best in Canada?

Comparing CarGurus, AutoTrader, and Clutch for Canadian car buyers. Real data on inventory, pricing, user experience, and which platform fits your needs.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

CarGurus vs Cardog: AI vs Traditional Search - Which Is Better?

Comparing CarGurus' traditional search platform with Cardog's AI-powered automotive intelligence. Real analysis of features, pricing tools, and which approach works best.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago15 min read

Clutch vs Traditional Dealers: Cost Analysis for Canadian Car Buyers

Complete cost breakdown comparing Clutch's certified used car model to traditional dealerships. Real pricing data, hidden fees, and total ownership costs in Canada.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago14 min read

Edmunds vs KBB: Which Valuation to Trust in 2025?

Comparing Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book valuations for accuracy and reliability. Learn which tool to trust when buying or selling your car in 2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

How Does AutoTrader Work in Canada? Complete Guide for Buyers & Sellers

Complete guide to AutoTrader Canada: how it works for buyers and sellers, pricing models, dealer vs private listings, pros and cons, and business model.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago19 min read

How Does CarGurus Work? Pricing Algorithm Explained

Deep dive into CarGurus' deal rating algorithm, pricing methodology, dealer integration, and business model. Learn how the platform sources listings and generates revenue.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago16 min read

Is CarGurus Accurate? Deal Rating Analysis

Analyzing CarGurus deal rating accuracy with real market data. How the algorithm works, what it gets right, its limitations, and better alternatives for price intelligence.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

TrueCar Review: Is It Worth Using in 2025?

An honest TrueCar review covering how it works, what it does well, limitations, and whether it's worth using for buying or selling your car in 2025.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago12 min read

October 2025 Used Car Market Report: Canadian Pricing and Inventory Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of Canada's used car market in October 2025. Pricing trends, provincial breakdowns, fuel type comparisons, and inventory insights.

Cardog Teamabout 2 months ago10 min read

Lobbying and Regulatory Strategies of Major U.S. Autonomous Vehicle Companies

The race to deploy autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the United States has not only been a technological competition, but also a regulatory and political one.

Cardog4 months ago54 min read

The 17-character code that runs the automotive world

How VINs encode everything from check digits to 565 submittals, and why the NHTSA's database is the only comprehensive public vehicle registry on Earth

Cardog Team6 months ago10 min read

How we built the world's fastest VIN decoder

How we optimized the NHTSA's vehicle database to make it 100x faster and 100x smaller

Cardog Team6 months ago4 min read

Introducing Cardog

The car industry has a secret: it makes more money when you know less.

Cardog Team7 months ago9 min read

What is Cardog?

How Cardog works and what it does.

Cardog Team7 months ago5 min read

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