Over the past several years Volkswagen has been gradually migrating most of its transverse engined models from dedicated platforms to its so-called MQB architecture. This modular transverse toolkit as the name is literally translated from the German…

Once upon a time, hatchbacks were the dominant body style among smaller cars. The idea of slapping a tiny trunk on the back of a compact seemed ridiculous. But as crossovers and SUVs became more popular, it seems like most drivers that wanted a large…

It seems like every time we turn around lately, another startup is hoping to break into the auto industry with an electric vehicle. Some achieve a modicum of success like Tesla and manage to hang in and grow sales, if not profits. Others – most…

Tesla does not take criticism well. Tesla has long had an attitude that anything said about the company, its products or CEO that isn’t absolutely hagiographic is tantamount to heresy and anyone who disagrees hates humanity and the planet. Thus I was…

Usually, whenever an automaker adds a new feature to one of its models, it’s an occasion to issue press releases to make sure the whole world knows about it. Somehow, BMW added a major new capability to many of its products nearly two years ago and…

Humans generate a lot of trash. Refuse trucks circulate through our cities and neighborhoods collecting that trash, typically starting and stopping every few yards. For trucks that can weigh up to 33 tons, all of the slowing down and speeding up uses…

A decade ago, General Motors had powertrain engineering and development facilities scattered at locations all over southeast Michigan. The automaker also had a big chunk of property in Pontiac, Mich. that was formerly home to the eponymous GM car…

Ushr, the Detroit-based developer of high-definition maps used in General Motors Super Cruise system is being acquired by Japan’s Dynamic Map Platform Co. (DMP) Ushr was itself spun off from GeoDigital in spring of 2017. The price of the acquisition…

Not so very long ago, Audi was a brand with nothing but pleasant, yet staid sedans and station wagons. But then it introduced Quattro and for a time took over the world of rallying. The spread of that neatly packaged but very effective…

The 1950s are often perceived by many as a more idyllic time. Two world wars were behind us. What is now considered by some as the traditional family was the norm. The climate was stable. It was all good. Except it wasn’t. Racism was still rampant.…