The Week in Reverse

The leaks in press embargoes for the upcoming Detroit auto show turned into hemorrhages this week. TCC doesn't get the same privileged treatment as the monthly magazines when it comes to advance photo shoots and press releases, but remember, you read about Chrysler's Imperial here first, along with the Challenger, Camaro and others. Stick with us next week and we'll throw in a few Suzukis, okay?

If you'd like to let manufacturers know that you'd rather read about their concept and production cars here, in a timely way, instead of them granting special favors to the monthly magazines, email us at letters@thecarconnection.com. We'll pass it along.

Speaking of press conferences, we'll give a really cool jacket to the first reader to spot a Detroit show press kit on eBay. Said kit must appear AFTER the manufacturer's press conference, which you can find here. Bonus points if you can identify the sleazebags and their "publications."

VW and Chrysler sealed a deal for American minivans to wear German badges. Someone has to ask: how will the marketing types reconcile the world's iconic family hauler with the world's iconic hemp transporter?

Jay Leno showed up at the L.A. auto show at the GM press conference--proving yet again that he'll do anything for a ride in a Corvette. Even hang out with automotive journalists in search of Tonight Show tickets.

Wouldn't it be lovely to see a long-term Aston Rapide in the TCC driveway? Your calls and letters of support are appreciated.

Can someone explain how ditching great, evocative names like Town Car and Eldorado and replacing them with letters really helps? Doesn't Detroit have an anonymity problem already?

A medical journal said this week that SUVs aren't safer for kids than normal cars, because of the higher risk of rollover. However, passenger cars without rear-seat entertainment systems have been directly linked to parental insanity, at least empirically. In raw, evolutionary terms, Mom and Dad, it's you or them.

TCC lauds readers for sticking with us as we took an extended champagne holiday at the end of 2005. We greet you back warmly for 2006, and encourage you to visit our cage at Cobo Hall at the Detroit auto show, up in the media room, behind the panda exhibit and the world's largest Komodo dragon. No, wait, that's the security lady who checks wristbands. You get the idea.