What Americans Want in a New Car: Everything
01.22.2013
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.
Jim Motavalli
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Detroit 2013: It's Not Always Easy Being Green
01.16.2013
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.
Automated Cars Are Coming, but in Las Vegas It's Safety First
01.09.2013
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.
The Highway Death Toll Rises: Here's Why
01.04.2013
After many years of declining numbers, fatal accidents are suddenly on the upswing again. Here's why.
The Open-Source Car: An Audacious Bid to Transform the Auto Industry
12.19.2012
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.
Hurricane Sandy, Solar Power, and an "Aw Shucks" Moment
12.12.2012
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.
The Battle Over Biofuels
12.06.2012
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.
Winding Down: The Last Days of American Suzuki
12.03.2012
What's happening behind the scenes, as Suzuki winds down its business? Jim Motavalli found out.
Crime Watch: Buying Protection with Radar Detectors and LoJack
11.20.2012
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.
Making the Case for Propane: From Gas Grills to Cars and Trucks
11.15.2012
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.
All About Algae: Danforth's Quest to Turn Pond Scum Into Gasoline
11.08.2012
The Danforth Plant Science Center in Missouri is a cutting-edge lab for developing tomorrow's biofuels.
How Not to Buy a Storm-Damaged Used Car
11.02.2012
Vehicles that have been through Hurricane Sandy may look fine, but they're ticking time bombs, waiting to bury you in bills.
My Buick: A Post-Sandy Parable
11.01.2012
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.
Roadkill: The Tragedy That No One Talks About
10.25.2012
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.
Cars That Swim: The Cool Story of Amphibious Vehicles in the Marketplace
10.18.2012
Michigan's Quadski is the latest attempt to get people to buy water-going cars. Many companies have failed when marketing plans went out to sea, but the Quadski is aimed at off-roaders and it might actually make a splash for a certain type of buyer.
