Last week I highlighted a provision in the Senate highway bill that would allow vehicle safety recalls to be delivered electronically (email) as opposed to standard mail. Below are two provisions from that same piece of legislation that also address … [Read More...]
The topic of automotive franchise has been in the news lately as Tesla pushes into more states seeking permission to operate factory-owned stores. I decided to browse through a few books to see what history had to say on the topic of the automotive franchise. Below is a brief summary of some of the information I learned.
In the early 1900s product inventory was a big driver in creating the need for the modern day auto dealer. Automakers like Ford didn’t have [Read more...]
Today the Senate will begin a 30 hour (if no one seeks to limit debate) deliberation of Senate Bill 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013.
This bill would permit states to charge sales tax for purchases made online otherwise known as ‘remote sales.’ A remote sale is defined as, “A sale into a State in which the seller would not legally be required to pay, collect, or remit State or local sales and use taxes unless provided by this Act.”
States, rightfully so, support this measure. Economists predict [Read more...]
The internet erupted in outrage over comments made by Stirling Moss on women and their ability to compete with men in auto racing.
I decided to see what history had to say on the subject. Looking back 100 years, it seems women were very active in auto racing. Even more so than they are now.
It appears it wasn’t uncommon for them to openly challenge men in races. They competed with one another globally for a racing title, Queen of Racing World.
While this isn’t by any means a full historical account of women in racing, these few newspaper stories (1914-1918) provide [Read more...]
Apologize for craptastic image. Photoshop died. Resorted to Paint.
I hate grocery stores. They are cold and filled with people who are either slink around aimlessly or speed down aisles like Supermarket Sweep contestants; both of which are irritating.
People, driving a grocery cart is like driving a car; similar rules apply. Don’t block the box, look both ways and most importantly don’t park in a NO PARKING ZONE (like in front of the meat section).
As frustrating as grocery shopping can be, it does give me a chance to [Read more...]
After writing about the Jeep Cherokee earlier today I started to wonder how it might look like in a few other colors.
Using what little knowledge I have of Photoshop, I made the following colorized versions of Jeep’s new CUV in Trailhawk trim. (CLICK READ MORE FOR AN EXPLOSION OF COLORFUL JEEPS) [Read more...]
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is the modern day bob of automotive design. Short, with an attention-grabbing mix of butch and girlish.
While I do find the Cherokee attractive, I can’t help but think the large blank space in the rear was designed to accommodate some type of Jeep-specific aftermarket module system. If it wasn’t maybe it should.
I was cutting a friend’s hair once and [Read more...]
We live in an era of always on, always connected; an age of instantaneous information. Today the life of a story is measured in minutes and the coarse feel of printed news is foreign to most.
And while technology and the need to be first are to blame for the relentless churn of news media, technology also allows us to preserve and recall our historical narrative.
The Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities partnered on a project called [Read more...]
The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) is a study administered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) that looks at motorcycle helmet use, child restraint use and driver electronic device use. The data for the study is gathered in two (self-explanatory) ways: the Moving Traffic (MT) Survey and the Controlled Intersection (CI) Survey.
While the most recent report is filled with interesting (and alarming) bits of data, the graph below stuck out to me. [Read more...]
Chevrolet recently pulled the wraps off a Camaro that is better than the two previous track-ready Camaros. The Camaro Z/28 now joins the Camaro SS 1LE, Camaro ZL1 and the Camaro NHRA race-ready chassis in a crowded room of track-inspired/ready/built Camaros.
The Z/28 will feature a host of parts from the GM Performance bin of Corvette components. An LS7 engine, uber-expensive brakes from the Z07 Carbon packaged Z06, R-compound sticky tires, and more.
To ensure everyone knew just how serious GM was about the track capability of their now 300lb lighter Camaro, they [Read more...]
Last night I finished reading EPA’s report titled Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2012. The 120-page report is filled with historical data on cars and trucks.
While the purpose of the report is to summarize key trends in fuel economy and carbon dioxide-reducing technology, it also tells a fascinating story; how engineering makes heavier cars, faster and more fuel efficient than ever.
Step back for a minute
Because vehicles are often compared to either their previous generation or to their [Read more...]
Yesterday images were released of the new Cadillac CTS. Having grown up in Florida I know all too well what happens to Cadillac’s once they reach Florida showrooms.
Rather than wait for Joe General Manager to aesthetically botch a strikingly good looking car [Read more...]
Over the weekend photos showed up on the internet of the new Cadillac CTS. Where and how they got there and to what extent they were teasers or not is of no interest to me. What I see I like. I really like. Who am I kidding – I love it.
Seldom do I write about actual vehicles on this blog (I’m working on changing that). The CTS is a special case. It has earned a soft spot in my heart after [Read more...]
A DC-based automotive writer who loves cars and the communities they create. Send me a note! I'm always up for a coffee. juan@dcautogeek.com
