A month or so ago, I exchanged emails with an editor whose auto blog shall remain nameless. TTAC had slated his wide-eyed, spin-friendly coverage of some auto industry news. The offended ed wanted me to believe that our sites were brothers in arms. He argued that delivering "soft news" was just as valid a pursuit as purveying "hard news." In what turned out to be my final missive, I insisted that the term "soft news" is an oxymoron. We were actually discussing the difference between good journalism and bad journalism. And that was that. But the more I surf his site, the more I cruise the autoblogosphere for honest-to-God reportage, the more I wonder if Watergate ever happened. Time and time again, the press give even the most patently bone-headed not-to-say Lutzian industry players a free ride. Even on those rare occasions when a reporter asks a suit a hard question, the self-proclaimed journalist never drills down to the nitty gritty. I guess that's why we're here. To ask the question no one else is asking. And I think the industry knows it. That's why Tesla failed to honor its promise to TTAC and followed BMW, Subaru and other automakers in refusing us seat time in a press car. But– and I'm guessing here– our editorial independence is also one of the reasons Toyota recently contacted TTAC and offered access to their press fleet. Does this signal some kind of sea change? Is the industry finally ready to face the music? I doubt it. But like Ford CEO Alan Mulally's promise to see the world through "clear glasses," it's a start. Kudos to Big Al. And props to Toyota. While we won't give either automaker special treatment, we recognize and respect their courage.
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Kudos to Toyota for providing press cars to TTAC – I know that will resonate with me the next time I’m shopping.
Considering some of the reviews they have received at the hands of TTAC and some of the stories you have published I would say they are showing both courage and confidence.
I don’t personally resonate with many of their products (two maybe?) but I respect what they do.
I hope many others follow RF, and have the courage to listen and hang in there when you refuse to apply the smoocher to their…well anyway, good going to Toy and TTAC.
Props to Toyota for stepping up. As an information worker, I am glad whenever I see a company that understands the value of the Web 2.0 economy. This will definitely be a consideration when buying my next car.
Gutsy move on their part, I hope others follow suit.
All those hard reportage questions you mention in your writeup are the exact reasons why YOU should have been in Detroit, RF.
Either s*!t or get off the pot, as they say.
That aside, have fun with the Toyo fleet.
Ha, you mixed up the saying Robert, it’s “Don’t think of White Elephants.” Pink elephants are for the non-discerning alcoholic.
auto blog shall remain nameless
Might that be TCC? That one dropped off my Bookmarks list some time ago for not being anything other than a list of glorified press releases.