KABUL - Canada likes to say it is the engine that drives Afghanistan's reconstruction, but it's the Afghan people who are in the driver's seat.
In Kabul, folks take that literally.
Driving a so-called "Canadian car'' has become a symbol of prestige among residents of the Afghan capital.
While Canadians may associate Toyota with the Japanese, Volkswagen with the Germans and Ford with the Americans, all three are considered Canadian cars in Kabul.
All three do contain either parts made in Canada or are assembled in Canada.
Auto dealers in Kabul do a brisk business importing cars from Canada that have been damaged in accidents or are used cars dealers were unable to sell.
Dealers say the cars weren't stolen but legitimately exported to Dubai.
Dubai has long been considered a major destination for cars stolen in Canada and around the world.
