Domestic Cars

by Megan Hennessey

Automakers Choosing Galleries, Fashion Shows Over Auto Shows

Enthusiasts can see cars close and personal at auto shows. But now, automakers are looking for opportunities to reach a new group of shoppers in different settings. Automakers have been getting creative, stepping into more artistic pursuits to introduce shoppers to new cars — and we’re not just talking about the latest Marvel movies. We took a look at 2018 to see what new avenues automakers are exploring to introduce us to their cars. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

How Green Is Your Car’s Interior?

Going green in our cars means more than just getting better fuel economy. As early as 1998, Chrysler aimed to use recycled materials for the fabric roof liner of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Fast forward to the 2010s and the list of automakers using recycled materials has grown.

Since 2014, The BMW i3 has used natural fibers along with recycled plastics and aluminum. The 2015 Nissan Leaf incorporated 25 percent recycled materials, including steel for the body.

Ford stands out when it comes to using recycled materials; in addition to using recycled materials in the wire frame and under the hood, Ford incorporates recycled materials in tactile components of a car’s interior, such as seat cushions and fabric. In 2011, Ford began using soy foam for its seat cushions. Shortly after, the automaker incorporated Repreve fabric, made of recycled water bottles, in the 2012 Ford Focus Electric.

Ford isn’t just focusing its recycling efforts on one or two models. Instead, its efforts span multiple models, from trucks to compact vehicles.

It’s turned its attention to another interior component, with some inspiration from bees. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Automaker Byton Focuses on Tech First with Electric SUV

The auto industry is evolving in two ways, both of which spell massive changes for the industry with which we all grew up.

First, the industry has become globalized like never before. American cars are built in Mexico, Japanese cars are made in America, parts are sourced from around the world, and finished cars are exported into global markets.

Second, this global evolution is the continued blurring of the lines between car and tech experience. Rather than cars offering tech products, tech products are becoming cars.

That’s an important distinction from the carmakers of our youth, and one that’s driving a new breed of automaker into the limelight. Chinese automaker Byton is a perfect example.  Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Here are the 2018 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Finalists

The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards aren’t your typical auto accolades. Rather than being chosen by a specific organization, these awards are given by an independent jury of automotive journalists based throughout the United States and Canada.

The winners are often vehicles that shake up the status quo while delivering an exceptional experience to the driver and passengers. Only cars that are new to the market, or substantially redesigned, are eligible for nomination.

Each member of the 57-person voting committee submits a score for each of the finalists. They are free to judge the cars however they like, but must disperse a pre-determined number of points across each of the three finalists in each category. The vehicle with the most points in each category wins. The winners are announced each January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This year’s finalists are prime examples of the exciting cars being produced by automakers around the world. Continue reading >>>