Supporting the American battery industry against foreign competition makes sense, but here's one $249 million grant that didn't go well. The grants were designed to help U.S. firms be competitive against Asian battery giants, but it's one of the latter that's walking away with A123's assets.
What do Americans want in a new car in 2013... and what do they say they want? They're not always the same. Jim Motavalli explains.
Electric cars were in short supply in the Motor City this year, but even the gas guzzlers had green features, and there was plenty of action around the edges.
Automakers love to show off self-driving cars, but few think they'll be on the road in the next 10 years. Instead, the cars--bristling with sensors, cameras and lasers--are rolling test beds for advanced (and lifesaving) safety systems.
After many years of declining numbers, fatal accidents are suddenly on the upswing again. Here's why.
Jay Rogers' Local Motors has produced 60 off-road rally cars. The really interesting part is how they were built--with a crowdsourced design and many suggestions from the Internet, which changed everything from the engine (goodbye BMW, hello Corvette) to the door fit.
Rob and Garrett's 6.5-kilowatt portable solar array--built for a zero emission trip across the U.S.--was in the right place at the right time to turn on the lights and help the relief effort in hard-hit Far Rockaway, Queens.
It's war! Big Oil is bringing out the big guns, lawsuits are flying, and biofuels are under attack as never before. Not all the charges stick.
What's happening behind the scenes, as Suzuki winds down its business? Jim Motavalli found out.
It's not just phones that have gotten smart. Also showing signs of intelligence are the once humble radar detector and the lojack system that will help you find the laptop you left in your car.
Propane, the same stuff in our gas grills, also powers our cars? Southern cops are saying yes. Propane is an interesting fuel--liquid at near-room temperature, with relatively cheap refueling. The alternative--CNG and LNG--also have a case to make.
The Danforth Plant Science Center in Missouri is a cutting-edge lab for developing tomorrow's biofuels.
Vehicles that have been through Hurricane Sandy may look fine, but they're ticking time bombs, waiting to bury you in bills.
I did the right thing by my father-in-law's Regal. Now I don't get the insurance payout, but I can sleep at night.
It's not immediately clear how many animals die in the U.S. every year from collisions with cars, but it's safe to say that the numbers are in the millions. And aside from a few salamander tunnels, we're not doing much about it.
Listen | Our Show | Car Info | Mechanics Files | Blogs | Community | Fun Stuff | Store | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Cartalk.com is a production of Dewey, Cheetham and Howe. Contents © 2013, Dewey, Cheetham and Howe.
CAR TALK, DEWEY, CHEETHAM & HOWE, SHAMELESS COMMERCE, WARPED DISCS, and CLICK AND CLACK are registered trademarks of Tom and Ray Magliozzi and/or Tappet Brothers Associates d/b/a Dewey, Cheetham & Howe.