Automotive Quality: Zen and the Art of Warm Fuzzies
By Matthew DandaMay 29, 2007 - 34,100 views
During one of my first job interviews, the HR guy threw me a curve ball. How do you define quality? The question stopped me cold. I’d just read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, in which the main character went insane trying to answer that same question. I don’t remember what I said, but thus began a long-term intellectual exploration. I know this website has tried to define this seemingly nebulous term many times, but here’s what I’ve been thinking.
Automotive Quality: Zen and the Art of Warm Fuzzies editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | Sales and Marketing | 62 comments 
GM, Ford, DCX: Big Three iPhone Home?
By William C MontgomeryJanuary 16, 2007 - 55,515 views
According to yesterday's Yahoo finance, Apple juice is the Detroit’s drink of the moment. Mark Fields, FoMoCo’s Prez Del Americas: "I admire their pure understanding of the brand and the type of customer they're going after.” Mark LeNeve, GM’s Veep of SS&M (Sales, Service and Marketing): "We're really trying to be more like companies like Apple, where we can innovate and move faster.” Eric Ridenour, COO of the C in DCX: "I think a fresh, creative mind is something that you can appreciate and focus simply on some complicated things." While the Big Two Point Five’s top execs are happy to sing the praises of the iMac, iPod, Apple TV and iPhone, it's lip service. They’re unwilling to learn the true lessons of Apple’s recent success.
GM, Ford, DCX: Big Three iPhone Home? editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 144 comments
CUV’s: A Tale of Two Parking Lots
By William C MontgomeryJanuary 4, 2007 - 44,321 views
Frisco is a bedroom community just north of Dallas. The Texas town is home to the Frisco Roughriders Double-A baseball team and an IKEA. If there isn’t an IKEA near you, wait ten minutes and check again. Meanwhile, in case you haven’t heard of this Swedish furnishings company, their massive stores combine excellent prices with trendy and efficient design. Need to furnish a 295 square foot living space on the cheap? IKEA is your answer. Need to survey the vehicular habits of the aspiring middle class? Their parking lot awaits.
CUV’s: A Tale of Two Parking Lots editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 159 comments
The Road Ahead
By Stein X LeikangerDecember 17, 2006 - 44,062 views
In the late 70s, Dutch traffic planner Hans Monderman experienced the kind of insight that gets people sent to an asylum. ”Let’s eliminate all traffic signals and signs and remove the divisions between the road and sidewalk where cars and people interact. There will be fewer accidents and traffic flow will improve.” Monderman’s approach seemed completely radical: roads that seem dangerous are safer than roads that seem safe. The concept was a smack in the face of convention.
The Road Ahead editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | Safety | Sales and Marketing | 75 comments
The One Percent Solution
By Michael MartineckDecember 12, 2006 - 51,016 views
Amory Lovins makes his living studying energy use and efficiency. According to the physicist and cofounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute environmental think tank, the modern automobile uses just one percent of its energy to move its occupant hither and yon. The number is shockingly small, and it may point to big changes for future cars.
The One Percent Solution editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | Technology | 149 comments
And then there’s Corolla dependable
By Joe ChiaramonteNovember 9, 2006 - 40,572 views
I was making my way through my morning paper recently when my progress was interrupted by a paean to perfection by automotive journalist Matt Nauman. Normally, I don’t pay much attention to the local paper’s car reviews or features; thanks to wall-to-wall dealer ads, these syndicated features are about as independent-minded and critical as a stage mother watching her daughter perform Grease on a high school proscenium. Of course, pistonhead that I am, I still scan them. And Nauman’s work stopped me in my tracks. The subject of his unadulterated adulation, you see, was the Toyota Corolla.
And then there’s Corolla dependable editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 92 comments
Preview: Volvo XC60
By Robert FaragoOctober 14, 2006 - 25,685 views
Volvo arrived late to the SUV party, but they brought some killer tunes. The XC90 was a full-sized soft-roader CUV thingie before full-sized soft-roader CUV thingies were cool. Well, OK, it’s hard to argue that any Volvo was or ever could be “cool;” but the instantly recognizable ride was an instant hit with America’s safety-minded Soccer moms. Although the initial model sported a decidedly anemic five-cylinder engine, the company rectified the situation (for a price) with Yamaha’s V8; an inline six finally replaces the five banger for ‘07. Oh, and there’s a new, smaller XC60 coming too.
Preview: Volvo XC60 editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 19 comments
Shoemaker Does Paris
By Jay ShoemakerOctober 10, 2006 - 14,003 views
I arrived at the Paris Mondial de L’Automobile too late for the press days. Big mistake. My first attempt to gain entry to the second largest auto show in the world fell on a weekend. I could barely squeeze through the entry gates, let alone get up-close-and-personal with the more attractive models. So I retreated into the Metro, vowing a working week return. Monday morning proved a bit more relaxed, although by midday the crush returned. Luckily, there were a few machines worth the scrum.
Shoemaker Does Paris editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 15 comments
New Model Preview: Subaru Impreza WRX STI
By Andrei AvarvariiOctober 10, 2006 - 33,627 views
Subaru is hard at work on the successor to the legendary Impreza WRX. Spy photographers recently caught several camouflaged test vehicles strutting their stuff. The shots lead us to believe that the new car will be a hatchback, drawing its design inspiration from the ’00 B5-THP concept car. The change from four doors to five will throw the WRX STI against cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Opel Astra OPC and Ford Focus ST. Do the European and American hot-hatches stand a chance?
New Model Preview: Subaru Impreza WRX STI editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | 26 comments
Pontiac: We Build, um, What Was it Again?
By Jonny LiebermanOctober 4, 2006 - 34,393 views
GM Car Czar Maximum Bob Lutz’ recently stated that anyone who thinks that GM will shutter divisions is a “weenie” who doesn’t understand the cost of dealer lawsuits. Yes, well, one day, GM will have to jettison brands. Perceived wisdom dictates that The General should pare itself down to Chevrolet (low end cars), GMC (trucks and SUV’s) and Cadillac (high end cars). As for Saab, Buick Hummer and Saturn, bon voyage! And then there’s Pontiac. Yes, Pontiac. I believe GM’s product starved “performance” division has the greatest potential of any of its current brands. With great products, Pontiac could go from neglected stepchild to superstar son.
Pontiac: We Build, um, What Was it Again? editorial continued »
Posted in Design | Editorials | Sales and Marketing | 101 comments
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