This is the year Toyota becomes the world’s No. 1 auto maker, diesel-powered cars seriously start to come of age, the hybrid vehicle wars get really interesting, minivans get a needed boost and Detroit-based car companies either step up to the plate with vehicles that show respect for buyers or face an accelerated trip to the dustbin of history.

And so begins an interesting overview of the auto industry as it stands now by the Globe & Mail, with lots of discussion of the automakers and their ‘green’ initiatives, be it diesel, hybrid, electric and so on.

It’s a good read for those looking to get their heads around what’s going on in the industry right now.