Category: Special

Automakers come and go, with hundreds of brands rising and falling over the past century or more. Some of the marques were barely known, while others, such as Oldsmobile, once were strong players in a competitive market. We’ll focus on…

The tragedy of children dying from heatstroke in hot cars is an alarmingly recurrent issue. In the last quarter-century, over 940 such incidents have claimed innocent lives, sparking an urgent call for greater awareness and preventative measures. Children, with their…

12 tips to help make your Memorial Day weekend trip memorable. Planning a road trip for Memorial Day weekend? Whether you’re hitting the open road for a quick getaway or embarking on an extended journey, proper preparation is key. Follow…

More than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S. in 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). That’s the highest number of thefts since 2008, reversing a downward trend in the intervening years. If your vehicle was…

All-new versions of the midsize Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and the midsize Toyota 4Runner SUV are on the way. We expect the next-generation Tacoma to launch for the 2024 model year, followed by the 4Runner a year later. Both models…

It’s been 15 years since the Tesla Roadster came out, a nascent model in an emerging segment. Since then, the Tesla brand has established itself as the global leader in all matters of fully electric vehicles, with new competitors emerging…

Solid-state batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery that use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. Currently, the technology is emerging and may someday become the standard for powering electric vehicles. The Benefits of Solid-State Batteries There are…

Manufacturers may sell far more utility vehicles and trucks than they do cars, but that does not mean that there isn’t a market for coupes, hatchbacks, convertibles, and sedans. Most manufacturers have cut back on car models with the Buick…

Alfa Romeo remains a niche player in the US market, with just two models offered – the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio utility vehicle. Soon, though, a second SUV will join the fleet when the compact Tonale PHEV arrives in…

It was quite a day on the second Monday of November 2022 as drive time on the “Tail of the Dragon” came into focus. Representing a slice of US 129 starting in Graham County, NC, and ending in Blount County,…

We did it! We navigated the famous “Tail of the Dragon” and have the tales to go with it. The “we” part of this story is the Southeast Regional Automotive Media Association (SERAMA), an Atlanta-based media group. Formerly known as…

Surf’s up! And with that pronouncement comes many trips to the ocean, gulf or lake all summer long. Small numbers of beaches around the country still allow people to drive right along the shoreline, typically in a 4×4 or some…

The Toyota Mirai is an electric vehicle that doesn’t store electricity in a battery pack. Instead, it houses it in the chemical form of gaseous hydrogen. This works by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air to create electricity using…

Let’s face it: long road trips are not always what they are cut out to be. Sure, you have the flexibility to leave as you please, navigate backroads, or simply change direction on a whim. On the other hand, if…

I’ve always enjoyed the 4th of July, also known as America’s Independence Day. Growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s and 1970s gave me a special perspective of the holiday and the freedoms we Americans enjoy. I graduated high…

Hands-free driving is on its way. Will consumers embrace the technology? The push for electric vehicles includes a parallel movement to fully autonomous cars. Together, they comprise the chief elements of mobility for the decades ahead. Hands-Free or Hands-On Driving…

When Ford Motor Company was struggling to make ends meet in the 1970s due to the rise of imports and dropping quality in American manufacturing, then CEO Lee Iaccoca had the business savvy idea to sell the Ford Pinto with…

Remember drive-in movies? If you’re under 30, the answer may be a resounding no. Even for older folk, the concept may be more of an idea than an experience. Indeed, beginning in the 1960s, improvements in-home television and expanded screen…

The Toyota Avalon is a large sedan, the apex model in this brand’s car portfolio. Introduced for the 1995 model year, the Avalon originally targeted the big Buick and Mercury sedans of that day. Today, the Avalon soldiers on for…

While most car parts are produced in-house, other manufacturers also develop and supply a myriad of components. These producers vary wildly in scope, from third parties with a singular specialization, to another car manufacturer entirely. Four Noteworthy Automotive Suppliers Without…