Somewhere in Ford’s headquarters a room has been cleared out to make room for all the high-fiving that must be going on there. The tallies are in, and according to Polk’s annual vehicle-registration review, Ford sold 1,020,410 Focus’s worldwide in 2012, which makes it the…
Many drivers waste fuel by excessively warming their vehicles before takeoff. Such actions are more common during the winter, when the process often involves unattended vehicles. Still, in any weather and whether there is someone in the driver’s seat or not, long warm ups are…
Ol’ Opie Taylor is at it again. Ron Howard’s upcoming movie, Rush tells the larger than life true story of Formula One racecar drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda as they battled for the 1976 F1 Championship. By the looks of the trailer, cast, and…
When Detroit Electric first opened shop in 1906, petroleum-powered automobiles were still battling electric cars to become the horse alternative to beat. Before they shut their doors in 1939, the electric pioneers put close to 13,000 pure-electric vehicles on the road. This month they’re ready…
Hats off to GM Authority, whose stalkerish coverage of everything General Motors apparently extends to the United States Patents and Trademarks Office. The Authority uncovered GM recently applied for a handful of trademarks revolving around the “Chevelle” nameplate, which raises the question if we might…
Last month the EPA proposed all 50 states should be required to obey a new set of rules that would have them sell lower-sulfur fuel by 2017. Shockingly, the oil industry isn’t taking kindly to the proposition, arguing the standards would increase the cost of…
When I wrote of driver distraction nearly a decade ago, things were different. The use of cell phones was well underway, but the obsession by drivers was yet undeveloped. It’s hard to believe, but back then texting had not even become popular! Now, although hand-held…
That’s about all there is to this despicable story. Police in Moscow are now carrying out stops on ambulances after companies began advertising “ambulance-taxis” for $200, or 6,000 roubles per hour on the Internet. The National Post reports the ambulances “use their sirens to scatter…
Remember when Cadillac’s were bloated land yachts with pillow-soft suspensions? If Elvis were to see his beloved American luxury brand today he’d mess his leather jumpsuit. Cadillac’s new direction is aimed at world-beating performance. Their biggest stab at the likes of BMW and Mercedes thus…
From reader inquiries and industry news, a mix of driving topics has come to mind. TPMS strikes again Reader T.M. wonders, “Is it against the law to mount tires without an operating t.p.m.s system?” The topic of TPMS was a lively one when I wrote…
The big three only have so many legendary nameplates they can reanimate from the glory days of the muscle car. Chevrolet played Camaro’s most valuable card this month with the reveal of the 2014 Z/28. If what Chevy says proves to be true, it won’t…
The Nurburgring is the Mecca of the automotive world, and as of this month, it’s for sale. After going bankrupt last July, a state-appointed liquidator was appointed to sell the government-owned motorsports complex. Of an initial 50 interested buyers, no more than ten are still…
The Kardashian sisters are probably better poster girls for capitalism than feminine equality. That isn’t stopping them from considering legal action over an ad that featured them bound and gagged in the back of a Ford Figo. Paris Hilton smiles from the driver’s seat and…
Former American Idol judge and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler is no stranger to fast times. His lust for life extends to the road where he’ll now be able to feel the wind in his lips at 275mph. He recently purchased one of only five…
Ford is banking hard on their turbocharged EcoBoost engines to increase fuel-efficiency without sacrificing horsepower. Road and Track confirmed via an anonymous source this month the 2015 Mustang will feature a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, not only to save fuel but also to overpower the Stang’s…
During a presentation at the IHS CERAWeek energy conference this month, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson made it clear GM is committed to making oil dependency an issue of the past. His announcement that GM is close to revealing a 200mile electric car was tempered…
Extricating crash victims from an electric car is a real-life game of Operation, only with much, much more electricity. Both first responders and passengers are in danger of being exposed to high-voltage components that aren’t likely to let them off with a giddy tickle. Complicating…
They call him “The Punisher”. Born Alexei Volkov, the Russian bus driver is famous in the city of Zelenograd for ramming motorists that cut him off. Better yet, Volkov records the smash-ups with a dashboard camera to maintain his innocence. A compilation of the footage…
As I write this, a prank video for Pepsi starring Jeff Gordon and a Chevrolet Camaro is approaching 31 million views on Youtube, two weeks after being posted. It doesn’t matter the whole thing was staged with actors, or that Jeff Gordon was replaced by…
As I travelled a 30 mph arterial last week, I was reminded that there’s no shortage of driving peeves. And, as with many aggravations occurring on the roadways, the upsetter may not even realize he or she is affecting the upsettee. In this case, a…
The hot new way to make an easy buck in Las Vegas isn’t at the slot machines, but on the highways. According to a recent report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there have been nearly 100 suspected staged car accidents in and around Sin…
Well this is embarrassing. While topping off at an Israeli gas station today, President Barack Obama’s presidential limousine, known as the “Beast” was accidentally filled with diesel fuel instead of gasoline.
How about a Mexican supercar? Brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria are hoping their company VŪHLwill convince a number of people to do just that. Their upcoming performance machine dubbed the 05 will be unveiled during the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer. A single…
Subaru is built on all-wheel drive, boxer engines and a Northwest popularity that could probably get a Forrester elected to public office. Subie lovers should find it concerning the Japanese automaker has yet to dabble in the wave of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles making…
From novice to old pro, drivers should practice certain actions that become “automatic.” By doing things repetitively, each and every time they are warranted, some driving behavior can become genuinely automatic. Acts like applying safety belts or adjusting the seat and mirrors should happen virtually…
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