Category: Special
Most Dangerous States for Young Drivers Revealed
An analysis commissioned by personal injury lawyer John Fitch has shed light on the most perilous states for young drivers, based on driver fatality rates. The study examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over the past…
The A to Z of 26 Discontinued Automakers
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…
Raising Awareness: Hot Cars and Heatstroke
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…
Preparing for a Memorable Memorial Day Weekend Road Trip
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…
How to Report a Stolen Vehicle
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…
We Visualize the Next-Generation Toyota Tacoma & Toyota 4Runner
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…
Heated Seat Subscriptions and Other Follies
Vehicle-based subscriptions are here. Heated seats, audio system upgrades, and even performance boosts may soon cost consumers extra, but not as part of a one-time option or package upgrade. If certain automakers have their way, you’ll soon be charged a…
Are Electric Vehicles Becoming More Affordable?
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…
What Are the Advantages of Solid-State Batteries?
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…
The Best-Selling Cars of 2022
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…
Dragon Tale: Alfa Romeo Stelvio
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…
Dragon Tale: Ford Mustang 2.3T
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,…
Tales From the Tail of the Dragon
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…
The Best Cars for the Beach
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…
What is the Toyota Mirai?
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…
Dread Driving? Take AMTRAK Instead
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…
Is Ford Planning Two Additional Electric Trucks?
The Ford Motor Company is gangbusters about electrification, as it releases new models and ramps up production. In 2021, the Ford Mustang Mach-E made its debut. In 2022, the Ford F-150 Lighting rolled out. An all-electric Ford Transit van is…
Hands-Free OK? Consumers Indicate Otherwise
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…
Nothing is As it Seems: The FTC and Car Ads
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…
Happy National Drive-In Movie Day!
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…