| The Truth About Cars

In Defense of: GM’s Hybrid SUVs

By William C Montgomery
November 19, 2007 -

Autumn in Texas plays host to a weekly cultural phenomenon known as high school football. Burgeoning grid iron gods burst on to the field of play from inflatable tunnels through mists of smoke and a phalanx of sparkly drill team coeds. A 300-student marching band plays the school fight song while two dozen cheerleaders power tumble across the field to herald the arrival of the young jocks. The stadium fills with ten thousand spectators-– mostly proud parents and rabid students-– who arrived to the game in typical Texas fashion: by truck. It is under the glare of these Friday night lights that I examine the value of GM's new hybrid SUVs.

In Defense of: GM’s Hybrid SUVs editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 86 comments

In Defense of “In Defense of Saab”

By Bell Springsteen
October 24, 2007 -

Before I respond to Steven Wade’s article “In Defense of Saab” and the resulting comments, I want to say a few words about the medium of discourse: the automotive blog. A few years ago, when automotive blogs first appeared, I was thrilled that I could comment on objectionable opinions. The ability to lodge instant feedback instantly rendered car magazines an anachronism. Or so I thought. After a month of commenting, I reread my previous posts. I was shocked by what I found. My comments were filled with hearsay evidence, unfounded opinions, attacks on cars I had never owned and a general prevalence of bullshit.

In Defense of “In Defense of Saab” editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 71 comments

In Defense of: American Automakers

By Phil Ressler
October 23, 2007 -

I’d just slipped the nozzle into my Cadillac XLR-V. A dark Merc SL550 rolled up, its driver eyeing my Bowling Green Batmobile. As he busied himself with the credit card ritual, every few seconds his eyes darted sideways to the Caddy. “Mind if I look inside?” He sat behind the wheel, running his fingers across the interior surfaces. “Nice,” he pronounced. “Comfortable. And it’s easy to see out. There isn’t as much storage as my SL, but I’d be OK with that.” As he exited the XLR-V, he issued his verdict: “I wish I had the courage.”

In Defense of: American Automakers editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 1,104 comments

In Defense of: Saab

By Steven Wade
October 22, 2007 -

If one word describes Saab’s recent past, it’s underinvestment. Back when the Swedish brand was self-sustaining, they operated their R&D department on a sko sträng. Despite the limitations, Saab created distinctively styled, innovatively engineered automobiles. Then, in 1990, GM bought half of Saab. Ten years later they bought the rest. Since that time, Saab has faced the same financial limitations as before, but without the managerial freedom to overcome them. Late in 2007, it looks like Saab is finally getting the money-- and respect-- they need.

In Defense of: Saab editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 53 comments

In Defense of: The Lincoln Town Car

By Sajeev Mehta
June 9, 2007 -

The “tumblehome” is the narrowing of a car’s profile from its beltline to its roof. This design trick creates a sleek, visually trim appearance without losing interior space. The tumblehome was once a hallmark of American automotive design, gracing evocative machines like the Plymouth Barracuda, Buick Riviera and Ford Thunderbird. In today’s Minivan-esque sedans and family-truckster CUVs, it’s hopelessly out of fashion. Now that Ford’s axing the Lincoln Town Car, it time to ask: should Detroit let this proud, once popular design tradition go quietly into that long good night?

In Defense of: The Lincoln Town Car editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 53 comments

In Defense of: The Audi 5000

By Paul Niedermeyer
May 3, 2007 -

When I first heard about the Audi "sudden unintended acceleration" segment on CBS's 60 Minutes in 1986, I knew immediately that they were blowing smoke. Literally.

In Defense of: The Audi 5000 editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 72 comments

In Defense of: The Chevrolet Corvair

By Paul Niedermeyer
April 17, 2007 -

Fifty years ago, GM's engineers and designers worked overtime to create a radical new economy or "compact" car. Its mission: take on the VW Beetle and a host of European imports flooding the U.S. market. The 1960 Chevrolet Corvair flopped in its intended role. Nevertheless, it went on to become one of the single most influential American cars ever made. Its legacy can still be seen around the world.

In Defense of: The Chevrolet Corvair editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 65 comments

In Defense Of: The Pontiac Aztek

By Andrew Dederer
October 25, 2006 -

Automotive history is littered with titanic failures. For every hot-selling Mustang, there’s a hatful (hateful?) of Vegas, Pintos, Excels, Yugos, Edsels and, of course, Azteks. From its introduction until its timely demise some four years later, the Pontiac Aztek SUV was the subject of journalistic dog-piling and a thousand weak jokes. But really, does it belong in this infamous company? The answer is a bit complicated; the Aztek was certainly a failure, but not exactly in the way you might expect.