Although TTAC remains highly cognizant of the difference between carefully-prepared press vehicles and the cars people buy off dealer lots, we are not against press cars or manufacturer's junkets per se. (Nor have we ever been.) Our policy is simple: we declare any and all manufacturers' contributions to our coverage so you can read our copy with your bullshit detector switched-on to maximum sensitivity. Jonny Lieberman's junket-fed X6 review (from Spartanburg) marks an important turning point– at least from the automakers' point-of-view. Longtime readers will recall that the German automaker banned us from their press fleet for dissing the Subaru Tribeca B9 (go figure). So now we're back in their good books; provided they don't take offense to today's review or read that link and have a "they shouldn't have had a V8!" moment. Anyway, the Texas Toyota rep who offered us whips has stopped answering our calls. And TTAC's still on Subaru, Honda and GM's shit list (amongst others). How reassuring is that?
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Good news for TTAC. I hope the trend continues and other automakers begin to take this publication a little more seriously.
Good to see a podcast again as well. I’ll give it a listen this evening when I’m at a computer with speakers…
Pork Soda, not Kool-Aid
Keep up the good work!
So what if TTAC is on some automaker’s BS-list?
The truth shall set you free.
Hi, I’m very glad to see that you’ve made another podcast, I really like them!
One of the main reasons I read this site everyday is because you’re on several manufacturer’s shit lists. Another reason is that you aren’t afraid to use the word “shit”.
I think the manufacturers are finally grasping the “if you can’t beat `em with brilliance… baffle `em with bullshit” approach with respect to online blogging.
Fact of the matter is, you (and other sites) will review new vehicles regardless whether you were invited to a press launch. An independent test may result in a tester getting a complete dog of a production sample (cough*Journey*cough)while a scheduled test day means the manufacturers have more control over the product you are driving and ultimately reviewing.
Control is everything
I know that TTAC junket/press car policy seems a bit convoluted. So let me clarify a few things… 1. Writers on this site have long argued that press junkets are a hideous waste of money. Ford Death Watch 20 made the case quite clearly. 2. TTAC has always demanded total editorial transparency. If an automotive journalist accepts a press car, junket or any other type of manufacturer compensation for their time/effort, they should declare the full extent of the manufacturer’s contribution to that editorial within the related text. [I made this case for transparency in February 2006, in the rant “.”The Pleasure Stops Here Both Edmunds and The Car Connection vilified myself and TTAC for this piece. Edmunds eventually changed its policy regarding manufacturers’ “contributions” to their reviews– although their acknowledgement is ridiculously vague and patently evasive. The Car Connection has not.] 3. If we get a chance to review a new car before it hits the showroom floor, we will not turn it down. I feel strongly that TTAC's no-holds-barred analysis still serves a purpose as an "early warning system." That said, it is certainly true that we have found virtue in necessity; we’ve discovered truths about cars from driving dealer models rather than carefully prepped press cars (e.g. the Journey’s leaking roof). And I have been thinking about this prima facie contradiction… I have decided that if TTAC is let in the charmed circle, we will retest junketed models from a dealer at a later date– and provide a new mini-review as a blog post. (This new feature will not replace our “Second Take” counterpoint reviews.) Fair enough?
Fair enough! Thanks for the clarification.
+1 keep the podcasts coming. And the reviews too. As long as there is limited “pork soda” intake and full disclosure, I don’t care where the cars come from. The follow up with a real car is a good idea though.
i think it’s a great way to do business. It’s why I tell people about this site. I also want to add, that if you ever do decide to buy cars from the dealer lots for comparison purposes, I’m attaching my resume for the job of buyer!! I got dibs! Called shotgun!!
The fact that some automakers are afraid to have their products honestly reviewed says all that needs to be said. TTAC = can’t be bought. Really brings out the stark differences between this site and most others (not to mention what’s happened to the trade rags).
Keep up the good work, fellas.