If you head to Fiat’s U.S. website, you might notice something different between the Fiat lineup and quite literally any other manufacturer under the Stellantis name. Specifically, you may notice that the only vehicle offered by Fiat on American turf is the Fiat 500e. But wasn’t the Fiat 500e discontinued in 2024? The technically correct […]
Category: News
What’s With Tariffs and the Auto Industry?
That’s a great question, but the answer isn’t quite as simple as you (and I) might want it to be; there are a lot of moving parts involved, after all. The short answer is that, at this moment, nothing is happening with tariffs that impact the auto industry, though if the proposed 25% tariffs on […]
The Rise and Fall of the DCT
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 […]
The Resurrection of the Harvester Scout: A Legend Returns
The International Harvester Scout is one of the most storied nameplates in off-roading. From 1960 to 1980, more than half a million of these pickups and sport utility vehicles were produced, and they maintain a cult following among off-road enthusiasts and vehicle customizers. Together with the Jeep CJ and Ford Bronco, the Scout lineup helped […]
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Plant Unionizes: What Does It Mean for the Auto Industry?
There must be something to the old saying, “The third time’s the charm.” United Auto Workers (UAW), one of the largest unions in North America, has plenty of members who work in the automotive industry in northern states, but spreading to the South has been rocky. Thanks to strong anti-union sentiment in southern states, previous […]
How the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Threatens the Automotive Industry
When the 300-meter container ship MV Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early on March 26, it seized headlines across the nation. It was a shocking human tragedy, with six construction workers losing their lives when the bridge collapsed. As the full details of the incident emerged, it also became clear […]
The Versatility of the 2024 Honda Accord
We saw a decrease in commuting during the pandemic, but now that people have returned to their normal pre-pandemic lives, many are now seeking a vehicle designed to improve their daily drive. With fuel efficiency being a primary concern and the need for comfort to take priority, some manufacturers are rising to the challenge. Honda, […]
Koji Sato: Defining the Future of Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation—you might have heard of them. They’re the largest automotive manufacturing company in the world (by volume), and they didn’t get that way overnight. It took decades of hard work from shrewd and passionate people. It took innovating a system of production that has since become the elite model for lean manufacturing around […]
Why the 2023 Honda HR-V Is One of the Most Well-Rounded Compact SUVs
The Honda Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle, or HR-V for short, has recently come out with its 3rd generation of subcompact SUV. With the absence of production for the Honda Fit, the HR-V 3rd generation models are no longer based on them. Instead, the all-new 2023 Honda HR-V has undergone an almost complete overhaul from its former […]
Clean Energy: Are All EVs Created Equally?
By now, you’ve probably realized that electric vehicles (EVs) are taking over the automotive industry. If you’re one of the many, myself included, who thought that all EVs are clean, then you’ll want to rethink this notion. Of course, the industry claims that EVs are cleaner than their gas-powered counterparts due to the fact that […]
Take Your Road Trips to the Next Level With the 2023 Ford Explorer
For the adventurous heart, road trips are a way of life. The freedom to explore sites, cities, and the great outdoors means a world of possibilities. You can pack up your car with a couple of suitcases, sporting equipment, snacks, and a killer playlist and head out for a night, weekend, or much longer. If […]
That’s a Wrap: 2022 Highlights in the Automotive Industry
2022 was a year of ups and downs, and not just for the world at large. The automotive industry struggled with the ongoing pandemic, leading to shortages and delays, but there were also exciting improvements in the electric vehicle market, along with the inclusion of more safety and infotainment technology and, of course, the introduction […]
Requiem for Those at the End of the Road (Part 2)
I love year-end countdowns! A year still seems long enough to forget everything that’s happened. Hit songs I haven’t heard since the spring, blockbusters I still haven’t seen, events in my life that meant a lot then got lost in the fog of daily battles. This countdown is a lot like that. It’s a celebration […]
Requiem for Those at the End of the Road (Part 1)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, a perfect time to reflect on everything that happened (and didn’t), to remember that which we’ve lost, and celebrate that which we’ve gained. Combining all of the above with a spirit of curiosity led me to check out all the cars that meet their untimely (or timely) […]
Which Safety Features Come Standard on the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
The Volkswagen Taos, a subcompact SUV with a roomy interior, turbocharged engine, and solid fuel economy rating, is a relatively new offering that first debuted for the 2022 model year. Given how new it is, it’s not surprising that the 2023 Volkswagen Taos hasn’t undergone any major design changes to differentiate it from the debut […]
In Memoriam: Discontinued Models of 2022
When looking at the auto industry, it’s easy to get excited about all of the upcoming options that are slated to hit the road next year. Whether you’re hoping to get your hands on the monstrous 2023 Ford Raptor R, looking forward to enjoying style and efficiency with the 2023 Toyota Prius, or watching the […]
Car Costs: Doom and Gloom, or Sunshine on the Horizon?
If you’ve been shopping for a car lately, then I don’t need to tell you that cars are expensive right now. Even if you haven’t been shopping for one recently, you’ve probably seen plenty of headlines already that talk about it. In general, everything costs more right now than it did a year ago due […]
These Vehicles Are Desperately Overdue for a Redesign
The auto industry is a fickle lady. One moment you’re on top and have the vehicle that everyone wants, and the next you’re old news—with all of the attention on someone else’s product. To combat this, car companies are constantly updating and redesigning their vehicles to keep them fresh, new, and exciting—in order to attract […]
Reminder: Don’t Leave Kids in Parked Cars!
The beginning of summer brings all sorts of things: warm evenings and fireflies twinkling in the sky, perfect picnic and barbecue weather, family vacations, and lazy hours spent by the pool (or at the beach, if you’re lucky). Sadly, summer also brings far-too-many news stories about children left in cars—who succumb to the heat and […]
Tesla’s Practices Are Becoming Increasingly Worrisome
People love to talk about Tesla being the most valuable auto manufacturer in the world and about the substantial wealth of its CEO, Elon Musk. Some of us also like to talk about how controversial Tesla and Mr. Musk are – about the decisions they’ve been making and about how those decisions are not always […]