There’s a staple of literary thought which says that there are only seven basic stories that can be told and that every story ever told is a variation of one of those seven stories. In all fairness (and with uncharacteristic humility), we’d leave the debate of that topic to people far smarter than we […]
Whether you purchased a car online, are looking to buy a car online, or have done your fair share of researching car buying options, one thing is pretty clear… The Automotive Landscape Has Come a Long Way At the risk of depicting myself as some sort of fossilized leftover from a simpler time (I’m […]
While the decision made by several automakers to re-envision their lineups around the ever-increasing popularity of SUV offerings might be primarily inspired by fuel-efficient crossovers, the continuing appeal of certain full-size SUVs would be hard to argue. Embracing the idea of versatility, in nearly all its forms, provides such offerings as ample seating, storage, and […]
What can you say about the truck segment, as a whole, that hasn’t been said before? Well, for the first time in a long time, there seems to be plenty to say – or at least, plenty to talk about. Enough with recounting the century-plus role of the pickup in our collective cultural mindset. No […]
Whenever a vehicle – regardless of make, model, body style or strengths – ascends to represent an entire segment, there comes the inevitable speculation as to which new offering will be the first to step up and take their crown away. These days there are no shortage of articles making mention of ‘Raptor-Killers’ and ‘Tesla-Killers’, […]
Let me be quite clear. My name would never make its way on a list of those who favor Ford or GM trucks. As a tried-and-true Mopar guy, RAM has always been my home base and is likely always to be. Thus, it’s always an exciting exercise when I’m tasked with exploring the pros […]
Annnnd we’re back…AutoInfluence with your current auto news headlines for the week of July 19th…including yesterday’s long-awaited reveal of the mid-engine C8 Corvette Stingray, rumors of Ford taking aim at the Gladiator, and a complete refusal to mention Area 51 (well, except for just then). So let’s get down to it. Ford Providing an […]
The story goes something like this: compelled by your desire for a new vehicle, you begin to research new model year offerings, exploring some of your favorites, finding yourself drawn to the various bells and whistles available in higher trim levels. And why not? You work hard, and deserve nice things, right? So, you […]
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator feels like its been a staple of conversation for the better part of two years now, and that ever-building sense of anticipation is finally paying off as Gladiators begin to hit showrooms and dealer lots everywhere. This expansion of the Jeep lineup is notable for a number of reasons. First, […]
For a long time, the image that came to mind when we thought about an SUV was something big and bulky that took up a lot of room in the driveway and guzzled up gasoline. Convenient for things like leg room and storage, but perhaps not the most versatile or practical for today’s loaded schedules […]
Around here, we spend a lot of time talking about the decision to purchase a pre-owned vehicle (usually, praising people for recognizing the built-in value, while empowering themselves to enjoy a better return on their investment). We talk about getting more vehicle for less money, and the fact that you’re putting depreciation to work for […]
Today on AutoInfluence, we take a moment to appreciate the Lexus RC F… When a hefty portion of your income comes from covering current auto news, developments and reveals, it’s all-too-easy to wave goodbye to a portion of every day, knowing that it will be dedicated to research. But for those of us with […]
Annnd we’re back. AutoInfluence with all your current automotive news headlines, as we kick off the month of June. So, let’s get down to business. Ford Beginning with the ticking countdown of President Donald Trump’s ultimatum that a 5% tariff would be implemented on all shipments out of Mexico by this coming Monday, unless the […]
It’s been just over a decade since we got our first look at the first-gen KIA Forte, an offshoot of the very same Hyundai Elantra that had pretty much failed to captivate our hearts. Fueled by our general lack of enthusiasm for the brand as a whole, it was unlikely that the Forte (in any […]
Today on AutoInfluence, we hand our spotlight over to Hyundai in a surprising declaration of our love for (cue: record scratch) the Kona. And yes, we’re as surprised as you are. Awards are always slippery slope, with both OEM and dealer advertisements sometimes relying upon them in order to differentiate their offerings from those […]
When someone tells me they’ve spent (or planned to spend) any time at a KIA dealership, I find it all too easy to ‘go cynical’. As someone who came of driving age in the mid-90’s, I was a fresh driver/car-buyer during those early years, when KIA’s presence started to gain a greater visibility in […]
Annnnd we’re…high? AutoInfluence back with all your automotive news for the week of May 24th even though work is being done in our studios, using some strong-scented chemicals. So bear with us, even if it means listening to Dan giggle indiscriminately while he works around us. Either way, we’re getting a head start on […]
Back in March, current auto news headlines seemed all-too-eager to report Ford’s decision to invest $850M in the restructuring of their Flat Rock, MI assembly plant. Amidst the steady string of negative news stories to befall the automotive industry (especially domestic automakers) it never fails to feel refreshing when there’s something positive to report […]
Annnnd we’re back… AutoInfluence with all of your automotive news headlines for this week of May 17th. Starting with… Ford Much to the chagrin of stateside enthusiasts, Ford unveiled the wagon-styled variant of the Focus ST, an offering that isn’t available in the U.S. Offering a welcome 58 cubic feet of passenger / cargo space, […]
As we approach the end of 2019’s first quarter, we’re seeing an endless onslaught of headlines related to automakers’ restructuring of their lineups around a more timely selection of models. Of course, this means the elimination of slow-moving sedan styles in favor of more popular crossover SUVs, a tech-centric focus on autonomous vehicles and […]
