Like a giant snowball rolling down a hill and getting bigger as it goes, Chinese EVs are gobbling up the worldwide market. The US International Trade Commission reports that between 2018 and 2023, Chinese EV exports grew by 1,016%, totaling nearly 1.6 million vehicles—more than any other nation. They’re also ranked second only to Germany […]
In March 2024, news broke that a new car brand was planning to enter the US market. Cupra, a high-performance marque originating in Spain and rapidly spreading across Europe and Mexico, now has its sights set on North America with hopes of being ready for launch by 2030. It’s now been nearly a year since […]
It’s no secret the average vehicle is getting bigger. According to data from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, the average American car in 2023 was 22 inches longer and 12 inches wider than a decade before. Weight has also increased, with EPA data showing the average current heft of 4,300 lbs has increased […]
Ever since development began on autonomous vehicles, speculation has run rampant about the rise of self-driving taxis, more popularly known as robot taxis or robotaxis. In 2017, outlets from the Wall Street Journal to Forbes were predicting robotaxis and other self-driving vehicles would soon lead to the end of car ownership in big cities. More […]
Part of the 21st-century automotive technology boom has included the rise of dash cam technology. According to expert estimates, between 10 and 20% of vehicles currently have a dash camera installed, and a 2024 survey found that up to one-third of people who will be buying a vehicle in the next few years want it […]
Although the news had been known for months, it became a crushing reality this past November. After an uninterrupted 28-year run, you will soon no longer be able to find a new Chevy Malibu for sale as Chevrolet has officially ended production of the Malibu for the second time. The vehicle initially ran from 1964 […]
As someone who’s worked in auto racing for 14 years and been a fan my whole life, I’ve witnessed and experienced more disasters and near-disasters than I care to talk about. However, I’ve also witnessed great strides in motorsports safety, from local short tracks to the highest levels of stock car and open-wheel competition. Although […]
It wasn’t long ago that solid-state batteries were the hottest new EV technology, promising longer ranges, faster charge times, and other benefits versus lithium-ion. However, despite extensive ongoing investments from automakers, optimism has cooled as the tech’s potential seemingly remains far from reality. As Julia Poliscanova of Transport & Environment told CNBC in October 2024, […]
When you’re looking for a new truck, like almost everything in life, you want to get the most for your money. There are many reasons for this, from a higher resale value to having more performance and tech options at your disposal. The question of a great deal doesn’t just extend from model to model […]
When Hyundai introduced the Tucson compact crossover SUV in 2004, it quickly became a reliable part of their lineup, appealing to value-conscious people who wanted smooth handling and high storage capabilities even from a smaller vehicle. Since the late 2010s, though, the Tucson’s popularity has exploded as part of a larger shift in buying habits […]
Earlier this year, I wrote about the unexpected return of the Scout automotive nameplate, which was Jeep’s biggest off-road challenger in the 1960s and 1970s before a combination of factors led to its untimely end. Volkswagen announced the revival of Scout Motors in 2022 to produce EVs inspired by the original SUV lineup; when I […]
It wasn’t too long ago that the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) was the darling of the automotive industry. After Volkswagen became the first major automaker to add a DCT to a mass-market car in 2003, other brands like Ford, Dodge, BMW, Fiat, Audi, and Skoda jumped on the bandwagon, releasing new transmission designs based on the […]
In 1999, BMW first offered the X5 for sale, making it the company’s first SUV—or, as the brand referred to it, “Sports Activity Vehicle.” Twenty-five years later, this midsize crossover stands at the pinnacle of the luxury automotive market. The X5 is the top-selling BMW model in North America, outshining other noteworthy machines like the […]
A few months ago, longtime Toyota 86/GR86 enthusiasts got the news they hoped for: The Hakone Edition, which had previously been seen on the 2020 Toyota 86—the final year of the first generation—was making a return. With the Toyota 86 having since been upgraded to the Toyota GR86 under the Gazoo Racing banner, fans were […]
For decades, Ford has dominated the US small truck market—first with the Ranger and now with the Maverick. Since its introduction, sales of the Maverick have exploded. In the first seven months of 2024, more than 100,000 Mavericks left US dealerships—more than as many sold in the whole of 2023. Seeing this, along with solid […]
Does it feel like you see a lot of black cars on the road? It’s not just a feeling. According to an analysis by iSeeCars.com, approximately 22% of all cars sold are black, making it the second-most common vehicle color after white. Over the centuries, black has represented things like power, wealth, mystery, sophistication, and […]
As I sit here, Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a fun, spooky time of year, but in the automotive world, we’ve already seen spookiness that is anything but humorous. Several vehicle recalls have stood out for all the wrong reasons, being driven by issues that cause serious safety concerns for the vehicle’s occupants […]
Autonomous vehicles (AV) are closer than ever to being a reality. Despite development being slowed by multiple factors, such as the semiconductor shortage after the COVID-19 pandemic and getting the proper regulations in place, automakers are still plowing ahead on getting self-driving vehicles to market. Current predictions are that worldwide sales of Level 4 and […]
Of all the reasons to get an SUV, being able to store your luggage, equipment, and goodies is a major one. Even in the compact SUV segment, cargo space is key. In a 2019 study by Cox Automotive, 46% of respondents who were swapping a sedan for a compact SUV said having more cargo capacity […]
The demand for luxury vehicles continues to grow. Cox Automotive estimates that, in recent years, luxury vehicles have approached 20% of all US sales. Meanwhile, Fortune Business Insights is predicting the worldwide luxury car market will grow by more than 10% annually through 2032. Defined as a vehicle that has high-end quality, features, and comfort, […]
