Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Driving it Today

PETER BROWN’S PETEYS

FOR 25 YEARS, Peter Brown has been editor or editorial director of Automotive News, which is the weekly newspaper of the multifaceted automotive industry. He’s approaching retirement and, in the … Continue reading

April 26, 2013 · 1 Comment

AUTO SHANGHAI 2013

IN A rich tradition of reporting on auto shows I haven’t actually attended (see Paris 2012 at http://www.wp.me/p2ETap-ho), I offer an outside look at 2013 Auto Shanghai. In full disclosure, … Continue reading

April 23, 2013 · Leave a comment

NEW CAR MATH

ARITHMETIC TRENDS of new car purchases are downright scary. According to an item in the Orange County Register, April 21, 2013, auto loans are lengthening to 96 months—that’s eight years! … Continue reading

April 22, 2013 · Leave a comment

ASTON MARTIN’S 100TH

LET’S CELEBRATE the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin. Let’s also clarify some hype about its dual-fuel Rapide S Hydrogen Hybrid to be raced at next month’s Nürburgring 24-hour. It’ll be … Continue reading

April 19, 2013 · 1 Comment

RACE DRIVERS EVOLVED

TODAY’S RACE drivers—especially those in the lofty realm of Formula 1—have evolved into specialists who possess intellect as well as athleticism. They’re closer to astronauts than they are to race … Continue reading

April 17, 2013 · Leave a comment

TOYOTA, HONDA SITTING EPA-PRETTY

WITHOUT A lot of fanfare last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published an update of automakers and their emissions credits amassed since 2009. Toyota and Honda are sitting pretty. GM … Continue reading

April 13, 2013 · 4 Comments

BUY THE MARQUE, NOT THE CAR

WE ALL love our cars, though personal mobility may be approaching a shift of paradigm. A recent survey of ownership options suggests this. A marketing idea with the Fiat 500e … Continue reading

April 6, 2013 · Leave a comment

WINDSHIELDS IN NASCAR

AS WE’VE seen recently, NASCAR collisions result in debris flying everywhere. Wheel tethers and other safety hardware can do only so much. Even minor on-track debris can cause windshield damage. … Continue reading

March 29, 2013 · 1 Comment

A BEV NICHE?

THIS MAY seem like beating a weary horse, but evidence continues to build indicating the inanity of battery electric vehicles being anything but a niche market. Even the federal government … Continue reading

March 15, 2013 · Leave a comment

GM HOTSPOT (AND V2V?)

DO YOU feel out of touch when you drive off on an errand and realize you’ve left your mobile phone at home? Today’s new cars are often Bluetooth-ready, but thus … Continue reading

March 5, 2013 · Leave a comment