Industry news. Current hacks. Trending topics.
Let’s face it; the current Nissan 370Z is as old as the pyramids. Almost, anyway. It’s so old that there is concern it can’t meet some safety standards on the horizon. Yeah, that old. Unless Nissan radically updates it the current Z won’t meet the fed’s ever-tightening regulations. So what’s Nissan to do? It’s working …
Part of the Toyota Tacoma’s appeal is its old-school approach to pickup truck design. Its interior may have some flaws, but it has enough modern features, like Android Auto, to make it livable. And apart from some models’ rust problems, the Tacoma is an incredibly reliable truck. But Toyota makes a truck that some consider …
Everybody knows that Jay Leno loves cars, but Nick Cannon’s love of cars is a little more surprising. The two spoke about their shared hobbies.
Ford has been on a roll for the last few years with 2020 and 2021 marking a period of many new models debuting. It’s also a time for cleaving away storied sedan brands like the Taurus, Focus, and Fusion. But throughout the last few years, one thing has been consistent. Ford’s share price has been …
He’s threatened tariffs before but now he’s serious. President Trump has issued a private threat of 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles from Europe unless Britain, France, and Germany formally accused Iran of breaking the 2015 nuclear deal. Officials in all three countries were shocked at the idea of such a threat. “The tariff threat …
There are some countries where it is illegal to replace tires with a larger size. That’s where we’re at based on the latest move by the Environmental Protection Agency. Sending fear through the aftermarket industry like nothing before it is going after companies for violating the Clean Air Act. The announcement today means the EPA …
This is it, you have your new three-row SUV, with all sorts of room for activities. You get it home, and try to park it in the garage—but, oh no, it doesn’t fit. With how big SUVs and trucks have gotten, it’s not uncommon to find owners of F-150s and Silverados who can’t park their …
While reliability (strangely) doesn’t appear in the top list of brand loyalty factors, it’s undeniably important to consumers. SUV owners wouldn’t hold onto their vehicles for so long if they couldn’t stand up to daily abuse. 3rd row SUVs especially need to be reliable, as they’re often used to transport families, although minivans are arguably …
Unfortunately, we have more recall news. Almost 700,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the US are being recalled. These are 2018 and 2019 models. The vehicles in question have fuel pumps that suddenly stop pumping. This leads to the car stalling according to Toyota. It affects the following non-hybrid models: 2018-19 Lexus LS 500, GS …
No, this is not Photoshopped and yes, this is an actual Prius created by Toyota. Actually, it’s technically Toyota, but it is from one of its sub-brands known as “Modellista.” It’s a concept called “Ambivalent RD Prius.” Yes, even the name is a bit kooky. Now that you’ve seen a return of fins with the …
The Kia Soul has seen a surprising amount of success since its debut in 2010. Many people have been wondering whether it’s a car or SUV.
In many ways it’s surprising we don’t hear about things like this more often. If you’re a vehicle engineer we’re sure they get the urge to test out the fruits of their efforts. It seems that’s exactly what happened not far from the home of the Corvette’s manufacturing plant. Two engineers were arrested in two …
Dealers at the raw end of auto loan scams have got to be a first. Follow along as we delve into this swindle involving Social Security numbers, credit privacy numbers, and something called synthetic identities. Credit applicants in on the swindle are changing the last four digits of a Social Security number. The numbers belong …
There is a rash of tailgate thefts popping up around the country. In years past it was not a huge expense to have to replace a stolen tailgate. But today with backup cameras, built-in steps, and unique features it can run a few thousand dollars to replace. No matter where you live, it can happen. …
Don’t you just love the interweb? Just type in any question and a flood of helpful answers come gushing forth. Also, a tidal wave of crazy nonsense-that some out there actually believe. Take car sickness, for instance. You know, like when your child or partner starts feeling nauseous from the movement of the car? You …
When it comes to off-road parts, Fox shocks are one of the go-to’s. They’re standard on SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. Trucks like the Ford F-150 Raptor, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon also get them. So does the Ford Ranger Raptor. And soon, US Ranger and …
This is a tear-jerker about a distraught little girl who lost her father right after he sold the family’s beloved Mustang fastback. Ella holds a lot of memories shared with her dad from the car that made it more than just a car to her. We also have video of the reunion so if you’re …
When you buy a vehicle, whether it’s new or used, you have the responsibility of keeping it running strong for as long as you own the car. If you don’t perform regular maintenance, you risk causing damage to some of your vehicle’s parts. You can replace them, but some will cost you more than you …
The next saga in the incredible story of auto titan Carlos Ghosn and his escape from Japan launched today. His tell-all press conference was two hours of facts, figures, and hyperbole. Ghosn was making his case in the court of public opinion. Ghosn’s main vindictive was at Japan’s criminal justice system and individuals within Nissan …
Everyone was shocked at the 2020 CES show when Sony pulled the wraps off of its own concept car called Vision S. Wait, what? Yeah, Sony built a car. No one expected it would reveal a vehicle at CES. So, what’s going on with this latest entry in the electric vehicle zeitgeist? No one expected …
When your vehicle has received fewer redesigns than the Toyota 4Runner, you know it’s getting old. And yet, the Dodge Challenger is still remarkably popular. While the Ford Mustang may be ranked as higher on the used-car market, and Chevrolet’s updated the Camaro regularly, the Challenger actually beat out the Camaro in 2019 sales. In …
To be honest, a lot of us can take or leave some of the new safety features developed in the last couple of years. But here is something that technology has bequeathed upon us that we really want. Bosch has developed a “virtual visor” that actually improves driving by blocking out the sun blinding your …
Chevy’s recent commercials featuring ‘real people’ have many viewers wondering just how real these people are.
New features are added to cars all the time and they’re supposed to make life easier and safer. However, this new feature ultimately fails at both.
Ever since Tesla showed its Cybertruck pulling an F-150 uphill, towing tug-of-war videos have surged in popularity. One YouTube team even attempted a Tesla-Ford rematch and highlighted how difficult it is to compare ICE trucks with electric ones. But are tests like this actually useful, or pure publicity stunts? Recently, Edmunds.com took two popular off-road …
No vehicle has done this one thing in the history of automobiles. Introduced in 2008 as 2009, the Dodge Challenger has lasted virtually unchanged for 13 years. But that’s not the industry-first it has achieved. The industry-first is that the Challenger has sold more units each subsequent year than it did for 2009. That is …
Your new SUV was fine for a few hundred miles. Then the electric gremlins started. The audio volume would blast randomly. The infotainment screen went blank. Each time you took it back to the dealer it had your SUV for a couple of days. You’d pick it up and sometimes leaving the dealer or within …
There are now almost 60,000 Dodge Hellcats of different stripes prowling the highways and dark places of America. There will be many more before Dodge implodes or otherwise stops making them. To many, 60,000 Hellcats is just great. And it is, except that there’s one very dark, very scary thing about 60,000 Hellcats in the …
The great thing about used cars is that there are millions of options. That’s also the problem. All pre-owned vehicles are not created equal, and the chances of picking a lemon are higher than used car salesmen would like you to think. Thankfully some automakers create high-quality vehicles that will continue to hold its value …
Ford and GM have a huge advantage over their Japanese and German rivals. We’re seeing it in the number of Japanese companies in the hottest segments with the oldest models, and European companies rich in cars but almost nonexistent in trucks and SUVs. It took a while for this to happen, but US manufacturers are …
Let’s say you want to convey a certain image while cruising around in your car or truck. You’ve decided that the macho look of big mustache and flower shirts just isn’t cutting it. You want to make a statement when you pull up to the racket club or tailgate before the big game. What you …
When it comes to daily-drivable off-road SUVs, it’s tough to beat the Toyota 4Runner. True, the SUV’s design is old-school, and it was missing certain safety features until recently. But its design also means it’s practically bulletproof; that and its very-real capability means the Toyota 4Runner holds its value extremely well. Only the Jeep Wrangler …
While used vehicles don’t always offer the same safety features as new ones, buying used can save you a bundle. Whether you’re in the market for a pickup truck or luxury SUV, there’s undoubtedly a reliable, affordable model available. Some are available for less than $30,000. And it appears that used trucks and SUVs might …
Nothing like James Bond-cool ever happens in the auto industry. Until yesterday. If you haven’t been following the saga of Carlos Ghosn, the former head of Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi, you must not like mystery novels. There has been some crazy stuff going on with this whole episode, and it’s real. And, it’s happening to one of the …
GM has a long history of supporting the U.S. Military. In fact, the two collaborate so often that GM has a branch of the company dedicated to the military.
The charts and analysis are so confusing. Are electric vehicle sales up or down? Are all of the other countries seeing a rise in electric vehicle sales except the US? Did electric vehicle sales tank in 2019? The standard response to the number of EV sales in the US is 2%. It’s 3% in California. …
Nothing ever changes when it comes to how dealers screw with their customers. The latest assault on car buyers is over the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition models. (This has to be a record for the longest car name in history!) As they slowly trickle into dealers the limited edition …
NASA is committed to getting to the Red Planet in the next couple of years. To that end, it has designed a vehicle to traverse the Mars surface to take samples and relay Martian winds it will send audio to scientists. This week excitement swelled as NASA revealed the rover at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory …
When it comes to pickup truck safety features, most consumers tend to focus on airbags, seat belts, and crumple zones. But truck safety involves more than just those. There are the risks associated with going over payload capacity, for one. However, there’s one more thing that isn’t always considered: a pickup truck’s brakes. But as …
When it comes to environmentally friendly cars, people tend to think of electric cars. But why aren’t hydrogen powered cars and trucks more popular?
When it finally comes time to trade-in your truck or SUV, you want to get as much for your wheels as possible. Some models, like the Toyota 4Runner and Mercedes G-Class, hold out well against depreciation. Others, though, don’t. But making sure your specific vehicle has a high trade-in value can be tricky where features …
In a nanny state, happy new year to all crazy ruling Washington state’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled yesterday you must use your turn signals. In cases of lane changing or making a turn you have to use your turn signal or it’s the jail for you. OK, maybe not jail time but at least a …
Researching your next vehicle isn’t enough on its own. Yes, knowing how safe the Hyundai Palisade is compared to the Ford Explorer, or what standard features come with the Honda Passport—these are all important. And every SUV buyer wants a reliable machine, made by Toyota or otherwise. But while listening and watching people review cars …
Never one to sit on the sideline, Hyundai is trying to carve out a future in the trucking industry. How will Hyundai’s truck of the future work?
With fears of an economic slowdown getting closer General Motors and Ford Motor Company cut thousands of jobs in 2019. They also closed numerous factories as vehicle sales continue to slow down. Sales are expected to continue dropping in 2020 resulting in two consecutive years of declines. Forecasters are already saying global vehicle sales will …
Buying a used car doesn’t always mean decreased performance. Many cars on dealership lots are still in great condition. Some companies, like Carvana, won’t even sell a vehicle that had been in an accident. Good reliability is also an important factor. Used cars with great reliability ratings can last many years after their initial release. …
People often think off-roading requires specialty vehicles. So, they put up a Jeep Wrangler’s or Land Rover Defender’s drawbacks to be able to crawl over rocks. Or they shell out large sums for Mercedes G-Wagons or Rolls-Royce Cullinans. But then they worry about damaging their expensive SUVs. And while inexpensive off-roaders like the Suzuki Jimny …
The merger between Fiat-Chrysler and PSA Group is finalized with both parties signing the paperwork. It will take a while to absorb the impact of 14 brands across the world now housed within one company. With this much coming together you know some will be killed off from overlap or lack of significant sales. We …
Fiat-Chrysler has been overproducing vehicles including Ram trucks and Jeep. Like, 70,000 overproducing. It is now scrambling to dump them by the end of the year. The 2,400 dealers are being pounded by corporate sales teams to take these unassigned vehicles. The only way dealers are absorbing so many cars and trucks that they would …
Whether you’re hauling bicycles, motorcycles, or bed campers, a pickup truck’s bed is a useful space. Although not enclosed like an SUV’s trunk, a truck bed has its advantages. Pickup trucks also usually have higher payload and towing capacities. But towing and hauling are more complicated than just strapping a hitch or loading lumber. If …
