The philosopher George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Frankly, we're feeling a little déja vû. Twenty-one years ago, America was edging toward an economic downturn -- one that eventually spelled ruin for George H. W. Bush. Also: the Cold War...Read More»
Here are a couple of words to the wise men (and wise women): be prepared for your holiday travels. For flyers, that means bring books to pass the time and wear slip-on shoes. For road-trippers it means bundle up, carry snacks, and don't always trust your GPS navigation system. A Nevada couple...Read More»
Concept cars don't always get the respect they deserve. Though some -- like the Cadillac Converj -- demonstrate production-ready designs, others seem like kooky high-fashion getups from the runways: so conceptual, so out there, they're more fit for sci-fi flicks than car conventions. And thus, it...Read More»
We aren't entirely sure how an unassuming Mormon family from San Antonio, Texas found themselves in the armored car business, and we're even less sure how Texas Armoring Corporation scored a reality series wherein they convert "everyday cars into bulletproofed, bomb-resistant, gadget-filled...Read More»
The ZOE Z.E. concept car stems from a curious collaboration between French automaker Renault and luxury skincare company Biotherm (a division of L'Oreal). The ZOE Z.E. offers the usual complement of EV conceptual goodness -- it's battery-powered, boasts zero-emissions, is quickly rechargeable, and...Read More»
![Chinese children salute cars [Du Bin for The New York Times]](https://static.hgmsites.net/images/cache/chinese-children-salute-cars-du-bin-for-the-new-york-times_100231737_151x113.jpg "Kids Salute Cars In China To Reduce Accidents, Learn Manners")
China may not be as isolated as it once was, but there are still cultural differences that set the country apart. To minimize traffic accidents near schools, for example, America created a system of school zones and built a few speed bumps. China, on the other hand, has ordered children to salute...Read More»
The last time we mentioned the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize, there were 111 competitors aiming to create vehicles that are (a) capable of 100 mpg and (b) viable for mass production. After reviewing the applications, the pool of candidates has been cut to 43 teams from around the globe...Read More»
Cristiano Ronaldo has changed the face of soccer -- not to mention that of a few fine cars. You might recall that in January, Ronaldo had a confrontation with a brick wall in his Ferrari 599 GTB, which was okay for Ronaldo, but not so much for the supercar. Last we heard, Chrissy was looking...Read More»
A couple of months ago, John Voelcker reported on a futuristic, self-driving vehicle dreamed up by Google's industrial designers. That sort of personalized, automated transport may seem fairly sci-fi, but it's not as far off as you might think. For proof, look no further than the Pronto4 System...Read More»
This isn't exactly "testing footage" for the Aston Martin Rapide. But hey, let's not worry ourselves with names. Whatever you prefer to call it, you have to admit: that's a damn fine hunk of metal. Now run along and enjoy your Friday. [YouTube]Read More»
We have good news, bad news, and more good news for Infiniti fans. The good news: Infiniti is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The bad news: the company chose to celebrate by turning an Infiniti G37 into an art car inspired by Cirque du Soleil (which seems really random, but Cirque is celebrating...Read More»
People are generally of two minds about Cash-for-Clunkers: either it was a brilliant piece of economic stimulation, or it was a big, steaming pile of stupidity. Similarly, we are of two minds about a car thief in Vineland, New Jersey, who made off with a 1997 Ford E350 Econoline van that had been...Read More»
A handful of automakers like BMW and Porsche have strong industrial design programs separate from the ones that govern the look and feel of their vehicles. BMW's DesignworksUSA unit has been particularly well-regarded in the larger design world -- and its reputation will likely get another shot in...Read More»
Racing fans in the Deep South have reason to celebrate: NOLA Motorsports Park is constructing one of the longest road courses in America, and it's located just outside New Orleans. Altogether, the track will offer three short-ish segments of 2.4, 1.3, and 1.3 miles, which can be run all at once as...Read More»
The "man cave" is enjoying a spurt of popularity here in the U.S. -- and for good reason. It's a place for guys to play video games, watch some sports, and munch on sausages, without the hassle of fussy accouterments like potpourri or doilies or napkins. However, while the man cave is many things...Read More»
The anti-car movement insists that automobiles have made us fat and lazy -- and there's some truth to that. However, a new study in the Journal of Urban Health shows that being carless doesn't always mean being healthier. Of the 2,156 individuals studied, car owners weighed about 8.5 pounds more...Read More»
We're not entirely sure what to think of Maverick Business Adventures; it seems like an old boys club for folks who run $1 million+ companies. According to a press release, the "mavericks" get together several times a year for "networking and high adrenaline adventure". Their newest adventure...Read More»
Question: What would you get if you combined the wackiness of a Japanese game show and the idiotic fun of racing your cubicle buddies in office chairs? Answer: A Japanese game show featuring office chair races, of course. We admit, we have NO idea what's going on here, but we may have found our new...Read More»
It's been a busy week in the auto industry -- especially for European automakers. The big theme of Frankfurt has clearly been green technology, and most manufacturers in attendance claim to have some sort of electric vehicle in the works. The majority of those EV announcements have been vague, but...Read More»
