After our characteristically snarky blog on the launch of ecodrivingUSA.com website, The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers reached out to TTAC to defend its PR campaign. Like every professional spinmeister I've ever met, AAM's Senior Director of Communications proved to be an affable, sensible, persuasive guy. And how can you argue against saving gas? So I let the not-so-sibilant Charlie Territo make his case, then explored other mpg-related issues: federal fuel economy regs, state's rights in the matter and suchlike. TTAC encourages any newsmaker (or their rep) to contact us about any published story to make their case on the site, including, should they desire, unedited editorial space for their reply. (robert.farago@thetruthaboutcars.com) 

According to our pals at pistonheads, old people are pissed that the UK's "watch out for old people" traffic signs depicts old people as, uh, old people. You know, hunched over. In pain. Feeble. Defenseless. Slow. (This is, of course, ignoring the fact that it looks like the woman bringing up the rear is giving the old coot a mobile reach-around.) Well, the idea is to get motorists to slow the Hell down. If a sign shows old people as "fitter, healthier senior citizens," then they can get the bloody Hell out of the way, can't they? The fact that the UK  government has already removed the words "elderly people" from the signs reveals that political correctness is becoming/has become more important than anything (save paying your taxes). If it was me– and thank God it isn't– I'd put signs up with a points systems for mowing old people down, sponsored by Death Race, with the attendant fines. And by the way, I can say shit like this because I'm old. Dag nabbit! Well, older than Justin, anyway. But not wiser. Apparently.

"(Americans see it as) their God-given right to buy the largest vehicle they possibly can, own as many vehicles as they can, trade them for new vehicles as often as they can, drive them as much as they want and wherever they want." The idea that the average American is a stupid, selfish, size-obsessed planet-killer is an intellectual conceit, created and perpetuated by intellectually-conceited members of the European chattering class. In truth, Americans are no or more less politically, socially or environmentally aware than their European equivalents. But analyst Dennis DesRosiers isn't entirely off-base when he says there's only one "real" reason Americans aren't continuing their fuelish ways: they're broke. "If gas prices come back down to earth… Americans are going to go back to larger vehicles and watch out, there may just be a shortage of capacity." IF gas prices stay level for five years AND people can get out of their loans, maybe. Meanwhile, not. And a shortage of capacity? Only if you define "too much" as "not enough." But is there anything really fundamentally wrong with wanting a large, comfortable vehicle? See? We're already engaged in that debate. All of us. 

"Selling consumers more vehicle than they need has been the mainstream auto industry's business model for most of the past century," Joseph P. White writes in today's Wall Street Journal. "The wreckage created in Detroit by the bust of the bubble market in large sport-utility vehicles is just the latest example of how dependent auto makers are on the strategy." Whenever I hear pundits talking about other people's needs, and the greedy businessmen that convince consumers to buy against their own self-interest, I get nervous. One of the real joys of living in a democratic capitalistic society: within limits, citizens get to determine for themselves what's in their own best interests. If I want to drive an SUV, I am not denied that opportunity because someone else says "Sorry Comrade Bub, you don't need it." Sure, there are plenty of arguments against SUVs. (I've made more than a few myself.) But it's simply not true that Detroit's in trouble because they suckered dumb ass Americans into SUVs. They're in trouble because they suckered themselves into complacency. When America's automotive "needs" changed– a change that was entirely predictable– they weren't ready. Period. 

[I apologize for the fact that Justin seems genetically incapable of speaking up. I reckon he may just disappear some day. However, if you all clap, he may just come back. C'mon now boys and girls…] 

There is an argument to be made for car mags and websites accepting manufacturer-supplied long term test vehicles. But I'm not going to make it. If these consumer champions want insight into what it's like to live with a particular car on a day-to-day basis, they can either buy it their damn selves (like Consumer Reports) or ask one of the people who bought one. To my mind, freebie long-term test cars are evidence of collusion: a manufacturer's unspoken quid pro quo, just for being a friend of ours. There's no question that a week's access to a press car is one of the major perks of working as an automotive journalist– albeit a pleasure more-or-less denied TTAC scribes. (BTW: I'd like to see a writer convince an I.R.S. auditor that driving their family around in a long term test car is not a taxable perk.) But it's high time for Road and Track, Car and Driver, AutoWeek, Edmunds Inside Line and the rest to Just Say No to free long term test cars (a.k.a. "our fleet"). Their readers deserve a higher standard of journalism. As for those who claim our policies are self-serving sour grapes, I assure you that as long as I'm the publisher, TTAC will not be bought by any manufacturer, at any price.  

Frank Williams arrived at TTAC as a reader. He became a writer. Then an editor. Then Managing Editor. His tenure at the top has been a blessing, freeing me from the bonds of admin, buffering me from the buffoons who enter our little corner of cyberspace. At the same time, Frank's editorial contributions have been legion, from pithy blogs to in-depth statistical analysis. But more than that, Frank's been my constant companion and emotional support. As of September 1, Frank will be tapping computer keys on behalf of a Washington think tank. He's moving on to bigger, better-paying things. But I hope that Frank shares my belief that helping build and maintain TTAC's audience has been one of the best things he's ever done. While I welcome Justin as our new ME, I think our Best and Brightest will agree that Mr. Williams is an irreplaceable talent. His wit, wisdom and perspicacity will be missed. You know; later. For now, thanks for sorting out that Lego blog. You are one persistent son of a bitch. And for that, I'm truly thankful.  

In our ongoing campaign to put TTAC at the forefront of automotive journalism, we've decided to go behind the headlines, to provide the kind of insight and perspective that you can't get elsewhere, if only because no one else could be bothered. That's because we know many of our Best and Brightest are just as geeky and OCD as we are. More charitably, what miserly or environmentally conscious pistonhead wouldn't want to know about thermal seat management? After all, as the DOE discovered, if you use less AC, you save mpgs! In any case, here's my interview with Dan Coker, President and CEO of Amerigon, the world's premier supplier of heated and cooled seat technology. For those of you who aren't podcast-compatible, the bottom line: the cool-your-butt business is booming. Amerigon's up to $75m turnover this year. It's an American success story, human ingenuity at its finest, coming to a Sealy Posturpedic near you soon.  

As TTAC's Black Friday Redux coverage gathered pace, I paused to scan a USA Today profile of VW's new U.S. boss. If you don't read the article too closely, you'll think that Stefan Jacoby is ideally suited for the job of resurrecting VeeDub's American fortunes. Jacoby makes all the right noises: no wafty American style VW's, better quality products, my VW Beetle convertible got me laid when I was in college, etc. As a German who describes himself as a "non-German German," Jacoby invites some serious psychological analysis is clearly sensitive to the cross-cultural issues that doomed his predecessor. But it's what Jacoby doesn't say that's worrying. At no point does he acknowledge the complete and utter shafting U.S. VW dealers have given their customers. (Not all of them; yada, yada, yada.) While we dissect the dissolution of America's automakers, it's important to remember that the situation is even worse at the sharp end. Until VW– and everyone else in this biz– realizes that they've got to repair their dealer – customer relations, there will be little long term loyalty to be had. 

I've been exceptionally busy on the flame-suppression front. This week, I've removed dozens of offensive comments, and permanently banned more than a few unruly malcontents. I'm not surprised. It's a painful time for anyone who had faith in the domestic automakers. The bad news coming from Detroit is coming fast and it makes them furious. At us. But a lot of the boneless chickens we've identified here over the last four years– giving credit to anyone with a pulse, bad branding, lousy product decisions, and on and on– are coming home to roost. Truth to tell, it's a good time for TTAC. Our visitor numbers are up. Nothing rad. Just the same organic growth. Which is fine by me. It means we're building a solid base of readers who "get it." And to this group I promise more solid journalistic work like Samir Syed's excellent interview with CAW leader Buzz Hargrove. We're limited by finances, but wherever we can, we will break news. Meanwhile, we, like you, watch the scene with an increasing sense of foreboding. Through it all, we'll be here, telling the truth about cars. 

[New podcast inserted. Thanks for your patience.] 

I was delighted when I read CSJohnston's comment under the last Podcast intro. Responding to the question "What is a Ford?" he wrote "One could sum up Ford as 'honest.'" Well, exactly. Although plenty of members of our Best and Brightest have upbraided me for suggesting that car companies should not be devious, misleading or spin-obsessed, I am a firm believer that a business must earn its customers' trust. This they do by treating them with honesty, integrity and respect. When Chrysler installed Bob Nardelli at the head of Chrysler, I figured that was the end of that. Bob's cost-cutting at Home Depot was a cynical betrayal of his customers, who were left pressing buttons for attention, rather than turning to find a helpful staff member. By the same token, the chances of finding GM CEO Rick Wagoner alone and unannounced at a BPG dealer are only slightly higher than getting strike by lightning as you're fending off a shark whilst holding a winning lottery ticket. Ford CEO Alan Mulally strikes me as the most consumer-focused of the 2.8's helmsmen, but he's never said anything directly to Ford customers via the media. The truth will set you free, but first you've got to do the same. 

But we've got to do it soon. Justin takes his New York bar exam on Tuesday and Wednesday, and our resident new car guy is no John F. Kennedy Jr. Fortunately for TTAC, the chances that Justin will hang out his shingle are about as high as a basil smoker (true story). In this job, I read hundreds of comments, dozens of articles and at least one porn site's fiction section per day. I can tell when a writer knows how to winkle-out the salient fact or dramatic moment that makes the story compelling. ("The western end of the beach has a 'certain' reputation. Nearly two miles from the access road it is the place where people go who want real peace and quiet, without interruptions.") It's an instinctive skill that Justin brings to this job. A skill shared by Frank, Eddy, John, the rest of the TTAC writing team and, of course, Lyle Lovett. When I began this website, I never thought I'd be spending most of my day polishing other writers' prose. But I got tell you guys, my hat's off to you. It's a privilege. 

A few years ago, when my mother was car shopping for entry luxury sedans, I suggested she "just get an Infiniti G35x." I've never been wild about the G – especially when laden with AWD – but it had more power than any competitors at the time, offered the AWD, the all-important luxury badge, and it was the best price in the class. I cannot count the number of time when I've seen in car forums somewhere, a debate or discussion in which the G35 plays the role of spoiler. "Why get a BMW 328i with only 230 horsepower when you could get an Infiniti G35 for the same price with 300+?" Replace BMW 328i with Mercedes C300, or Audi A4, or Lexus IS. That being said, they moved about 5600 G35 and G37s in June, compared to over 9000 BMW 3-Series sold in the US that month. Then again, the BMW 3-Series has a cult following going back 30 years. While the Infiniti G35 wears the legendary Skyline name in Japan, 99.9% of car shopping Americans don't know that. (Ken Watanabe, Japanese movie star and costar in The Last Samurai, is featured in the ad above). The bottom line is: Infiniti figured out how to get to the bargain breaking point. By that, I mean the position at which they offer the best value in the class, but not so much value that their car is no longer desirable. 

At the risk of being sued by Julie Roehm, inventor of the Dodge brand's ill-fated lingerie bowl, the ex-auto exec strikes me as a bit of a bunny boiler. The above headline comes from an email exchange between Roehm and her then-subordinate (in the literal sense), executive Sean Womack. We are privy to its contents thanks to Roehm's lawsuit against her then-employer Wal-Mart. Which was eventually settled amicably (i.e. Wal-Mart, like Chrysler, paid her to go away.) I mention all this because the increasingly salacious Detroit News Business Insider informs us that Roehn's bad girl behavior has landed her a role on Mark Burnett's new reality show "Have You No God Damn Shame?" Just kidding. Obviously. The real name of the program is "Jingles." Even though it's stuck in development Hell (like I give a shit), the report tweaked my curiosity. When was the last time you heard an automotive brand jingle? I can't remember a memorable one……. lately. I think it's high time for a comeback. 

For the past six years or so, I steered clear of SUVs. A car guy bought cars. End of story. And now, suddenly, I want one. Not a cute ute or anything as sensible as a Honda Pilot, mind you (I'd rather ride a Vespa). But an authentic, gas-guzzling off roader: a Land Rover Discovery or whatever the stupid alphanumeric is for it now [LR3]. Or a Jeep Wrangler. I'd even go supervulgar and ride around in a Mercedes G500. Or a Toyota Land Cruiser, FJ Cruiser or Nissan Xterra. If a stick shift is available, even better. Not that I'd actually take my SUV off road. I just like the image. Is that so horrible? Does it really make me a bad person? I certainly hope so. 

Motown pundit Peter DeLorenzo frequently takes his hometown heroes to task for their insularity. It's more than a bit ironic; the self-styled Autoextremist steadfastly refuses to allow comments underneath his weekly rants. The columnist also backed out of simultaneous TTAC publication because he didn't want to respond to TTAC's Best and Brightest when they ripped his writing to shreds thoughtfully analyzed his insightful commentary. In e-pistle 454, DeLorenzo once again tries to play it both ways. On one hand, he validates the "perception gag" [sic]. You know; the deep psychological chasm between U.S. consumers' understanding of GM and Ford's products (ominously enough, Chrysler's been excluded) and the vehicles' "true" competitiveness with their transplanted rivals. Well, some of them. OK, the Chevy Mailbu. On the other hand, Sweet Pete eviscerates The Big 2.8 for their "indecision, non-decisions and monumentally bone-headed decisions." In sum, uber-mensch Bob Lutz and his pals tried hard to do/build the right thing. They got tripped-up by gas prices (in just three months!) and hamstrung by their handlers' stupidity. And who do you think you are criticizing Detroit, Jane you ignorant slut? Despite DeLorenzo's writing talent, it's clear the inside outsider is rhetorically conflicted. But at least DeLorenzo has doubts. Even now, deep into the last act of a Shakespearian tragedy, the same can not be said for the people who once paid his salary.