Historically, the steam engine is credited for being the main motivator for the industrialized world that has taken human kind to new greatness and understanding. Successful in powering locomotives for until many railway companies adapted to diesel-electric trains through the 1950s, steam power never achieved widespread acceptance among automotive customers. One of the potential [...]
Built as a personification of limitless automotive expression, the supercar is an alluring creation built to encapsulate the finest engineering and technology. Unsurprisingly assembled with literally gloved hands, an auto manufacturer’s supercar is often characterized by limited production numbers and a high price tag. A cost that would be considered extremely outrageous for the majority [...]
Sovereign debt issues, a downgrade in the United States’ credit rating, riots in London – the world’s problems are many. Despite economic headwinds though, global sales of automobiles are up strongly, from the top down. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are all beneficiaries of this, with impressive totals for July. The BMW Group has reported a [...]
Around 40 years ago or so, BMW came up with the novel idea of having noted painters have a go at their race cars, turning them into both works of art, and worthy competitors on the tracks of the world. And after all the dust of competitions passed, BMW then had some rather nice investments [...]
As indicated by recent news from the United States on an aggressive 54.5 mile per gallon fleet mandate for all car companies by 2025, the global push to lower fossil fuel consumption is very active. Opening the realm of what was once only dreams to automotive engineers, creations crafted to contend in the compliance [...]
If there’s anything I like more than cars, it’s movies about cars. I watched The Italian Job (2003) last night and this morning I woke up itching to see a few more good car flicks. So, I thought I would share some of my favorite ones with you. Here’s my top 20 (in no particular [...]
Brand dilution is rampant, and all around us. Increasingly lines are getting blurred between segments and individual automakers. Sometimes, it makes sense for a company to expand appeal. Other times, moves up and downmarket can dilute the very values that made a brand successful in the first place. Being all things to all people doesn’t [...]
“The Ultimate Driving Experience” has taken more forms than ever with a luxury car line-up composed of coupes, sedans, convertibles and crossover vehicles. Introduced by BMW in 2004, the 1 Series became the newest entry-level car for the Bavarian motor company. In the North American market, we are used to seeing the BMW 1 Series [...]