Media

What Grinds My Gears

By Justin Berkowitz
August 26, 2008 - 4,902 views

Psychologists tell us it's important to vent, so every so often I have to clear the air and discuss what really grizzles my gristle. I can't take it anymore, and it's possible-- even likely-- that I'm not alone on this. So, without further ado, you know what really grinds my gears?

What Grinds My Gears editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Industry | Media | 86 comments

Between the Lines: Motor Trend Disses BMW. Ish.

By Robert Farago
June 30, 2008 - 52 views

Source Interlink Media owns Motor Trend magazine. Both conglomerate and car mag are heading south, quickly, in a big way. Ad revenues and circulation are in free fall. Motor Trend (MT) is fighting for it survival with glossy pimpatorials for equally doomed advertisers. The August issue features a glossy "special advertising section" for Buick ("Drive Beautiful") and a slick "advertisement" for the Dodge Challenger ("Motor Trend drives the new Dodge Challenger Through Europe"). Meanwhile, the chronically undercapitalized columnist arthur st. antoine takes a whack at a premium car brand: BMW. Huh? 

Between the Lines: Motor Trend Disses BMW. Ish. editorial continued »

Posted in Between the Lines | Editorials | Media | 37 comments

Scoop! Letter from Car and Driver to Nissan Leaked to TTAC

By Gary Powers
June 3, 2008 - 1,752 views

In the July issue of Car and Driver, the BMW M3 coupe beat the Nissan GT-R in a comparison test.  I couldn't understand how this happened, or even why they'd be comparing the two, until I found a copy of this letter:

Dear Nissan,

We want to apologize for not having the GT-R win our last comparison.  Please don't feel bad.  The GT-R really is a great car but since BMW is secretly our parent company, they demanded that their M3 win another comparison.  Actually, we are contractually obligated to have a BMW win at least four comparisons a year....

Scoop! Letter from Car and Driver to Nissan Leaked to TTAC editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Media | 76 comments

The Truth About Newspaper Car Reviews

By Frank Williams
April 18, 2008 - 20,585 views

With the notable exception of Dan Neil's work at the LA Times, the vast majority of newspaper car reviews are written to fill the spaces between automotive advertisements while sucking-up to the dealers and manufacturers who provide the ad revenue. When I caught sight of Tom Keane's take on the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in the San Francisco Chronicle, I decided to see if the paper that fired TTAC's founder for his infamous Subaru Tribeca B9 "flying vagina" review had any teeth left in its automotive editorial coverage. In a word, no.

The Truth About Newspaper Car Reviews editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Media | 52 comments

The 2008 Dallas Auto Show. Yes, Dallas.

By William C Montgomery
April 9, 2008 - 11,439 views

My personal highlight of Last year’s Dallas Auto Show was watching Sajeev work his magic on GM’s regional marketing director. He’d met her at the Houston Auto Show some weeks earlier, where they’d had a productive conversation. Apparently the Powers That Be within GM didn’t think that was a good idea. She was talking gaily with other scribes when we approached her. When she turned to greet us, her face darkened the moment she recognized the dashing Mr. Mehta. Visibly agitated, she hissed, “I can’t talk to you,” spun on her heels and scurried away. After a moment of stunned silence I asked TTAC’s lonely lothario, “Do you have that effect on all women?”

The 2008 Dallas Auto Show. Yes, Dallas. editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Features | Industry | Media | 20 comments

VW AD Campaign is a No-Brainer. Literally.

By Jyan Ferng
March 28, 2008 - 29,578 views

Some car companies produce TV commercials that are targeted at your left brain. They hit you with stats and prices and lots of dry information. Some TV ads cater to entirely to your right brain. They seduce you with music, action and Jill Wagner (what car does she sell again?). And some TV ads try to mix a little bit of both at the same time. And then there are Volkswagen’s ads, which are no-brainers. And I don’t mean that in a good way.

VW AD Campaign is a No-Brainer. Literally. editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Media | 71 comments

Between The Lines: MT’s Angus MacKenzie’s on GM’s Sinking Stock Price

By Edward Niedermeyer
March 18, 2008 - 32,634 views

Angus MacKenzie did everything but call TTAC by name in his essay GM Shares Tumble. So What? Yes, the Motor Trend scribe can “almost hear the Detroit death-watchers rubbing their hands with glee” at the news of GM's stock hitting two-year lows. It's true. Every time GM's share price dips, we light giant cigars, twirl our collective mustache and laugh maniacally. That Mr. MacKenzie sees critical coverage of the auto industry as journalistic schadenfreude goes some ways towards explaining Motor Trend’s increasingly toothless car reviews. But how can MacKenzie, an experienced car hack, justify pinning Detroit’s woes on anyone other than, well, Detroit? Hey, a man’s gotta eat.

Between The Lines: MT’s Angus MacKenzie’s on GM’s Sinking Stock Price editorial continued »

Posted in Between the Lines | Editorials | Media | 52 comments

The Tragic Demise of Greek Buff Books

By Alex Kambas
March 4, 2008 - 11,104 views

I once read that a successful PR department is one that has managed to make the press an extension of its own. As bad as this idea may sound for an independent-minded consumer, I couldn’t help thinking that it now works the other way around. With the Internet obliterating buff books’ editorial relevance, many magazines have shifted their sales focus from their readers, the traditional customers, to the PR departments of the companies whose ad bucks support their survival. In this respect Greek car magazines are hugely successful.

The Tragic Demise of Greek Buff Books editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Media | 20 comments

Billy C’s 2008 Detroit Auto Show Round-up

By William C Montgomery
January 17, 2008 - 31,574 views

The press preview for the 2008 North American International Auto Show is finally over. TTAC’s Texas twosome--myself and Sajeev Mehta-- did our level best to catch the major reveals, grill some suits and get a feel for the temper of the times. On the plane back to the Lone Star State, I collected my thoughts on the show’s winners and losers. Were the carmakers fiddling while Rome burns, or preparing to rise Phoenix-like from the ashes ahead?

Billy C’s 2008 Detroit Auto Show Round-up editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Industry | Media | 39 comments

Detroit’s International Award of the Year Awards

By William C Montgomery
January 13, 2008 - 25,952 views

I’m not big on ceremony. Throw in a couple of blowhard politicians, a bevy of self-congratulatory industry execs and a swarm of self-important journalist jackals; and meetings like the 12th Annual International Car of the Year Awards are like kryptonite to my modest superpowers. The invitation from the friendly folks at Road and Travel Magazine read, “Regrets not Required.” In my case, regret was inevitable. Still, I donned a monkey suit and took one for the team with as much enthusiasm as I approached my first doctor’s visit after my fortieth birthday. Fortunately my doctor was quick and his gentle finger was warm, so that experience was not as bad as I had grimly anticipated. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the green-themed ICOTY award pageant.

Detroit’s International Award of the Year Awards editorial continued »

Posted in Editorials | Media | Sales and Marketing | 22 comments