• Abandoned History: OBD-II and the Standardization of Our Troubles (Part III)

    Abandoned History: OBD-II and the Standardization of Our Troubles (Part III)
    The era eventuallydeemed OBD-I was a difficult one for consumers and independent mechanics alike. Between about 1981 and 1995, manufacturers created their own proprietary vehicle data connections, diagnostic tools, code parameters, DTC numbering, and display methodologies. It created a tangled web that was a relative nightmare for anyone without access to an OEM diagnostic computer. Paper clips in hand, Americans dealt with the system until standardization was forced upon the industry by Califor
  • Question of the Day: Are You Still in the Market?

    Question of the Day: Are You Still in the Market?
    Through much of the first half of this year, new vehicle sales were down. Used car sales took up some of the slack, but the market is now changing.  With the average transaction price for a new vehicle sitting adjacent to all-time highs and now used car prices rising to near record levels, something’s got to change. In spite of all this upward spiking, analysts and auto executives were predicting good things for the second half of the year. Typically, when new car prices jump, b
  • Trump Mocks EV Drivers in Vegas Speech, Calls Range Anxiety a "Disease"

    Trump Mocks EV Drivers in Vegas Speech, Calls Range Anxiety a "Disease"
    President Donald Trump took his ongoing campaign against electric vehicles a step further during a speech at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas, taking direct aim at EV drivers themselves.Addressing supporters on the administration’s economic agenda, Trump characterized the habit of monitoring battery depletion on long journeys as a mental condition. "You're driving along in an electric car, they have a disease, you know, it's a disease," Trump said. He went on to describe motorists
  • Japanese Automakers Still Recovering From Earthquake

    Japanese Automakers Still Recovering From Earthquake
    Japanese automakers were forced to suspend operations due to the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that rattled Kyushu Island last week. While most have since resumed operations, some part suppliers are still struggling. This is assumed to further hamper production, with some brands acknowledging that they cannot yet confirm a full recovery.
    Southern Japan sustained severe damage July 28 due to the quake. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi all confirmed they suspended production to cope with the situa
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  • ZEV mandate review imminent: government mulls softer sales targets

    ZEV mandate review imminent: government mulls softer sales targets
    Review will look to soften EV sales targets from 2027-2035 as industry argues they are not achievableThe government is set to launch a review that will consider whether to soften the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets for electric car sales from 2027-2035.
    To be launched imminently, the review is set to last six weeks. It will look to consult with car makers, wider industry and other stakeholders to reduce the proportion of EV sales that car makers need to make between 2027 an
  • Opinion: BMW's in-car Spiderman ad is a step too far

    Opinion: BMW's in-car Spiderman ad is a step too far
    The German firm claims the new Spiderman video it's showing in peoples' cars isn't an ad. It plainly isOh, for pity's sake, do we really have to be talking about this again? I'm afraid we must, because those who own relevant BMW models are talking about it and, largely, they are not happy.
    It seems BMW has sponsored a new superhero movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in which you will see product-placed iX3s and 5 Serieses, as is the modern film way.
    And if you own a modern BMW, there's a chance t
  • Why the CUPRA Raval is perfect for urban families

    Why the CUPRA Raval is perfect for urban families
    A car that looks this good, goes this hard and thrills this much shouldn't be a sensible choice for city life. And yet…There is a persistent assumption that choosing a car for the city – for tight streets, school runs, packed car parks, long weeks of short trips – requires a degree of resignation. You accept something smaller, duller and less exciting than the car you actually want, in exchange for the dimensions and dependability that urban family life demands. The new CUPRA
  • The Smart car returns: new #2 revealed ahead of October debut

    The Smart car returns: new #2 revealed ahead of October debut
    Smart returns to its city car roots with tiny new #2, due next year as UK's smallest electric carThe production-ready design of the new Smart #2 – an electric successor to the famed Fortwo – has been uncovered ahead of its official unveiling in October.
    The #2 marks Smart’s return to city cars after spending several years launching a range of electric crossovers – which includes the #5, its biggest model yet.
    It's due to be revealed in full at the Pari
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  • Mazda 6e road test: Looks the part, but is it 'Mazda' enough?

    Mazda 6e road test: Looks the part, but is it 'Mazda' enough?
    Mazda enlists Chinese help to finally build a long-range EV – can it take the fight to Tesla?This week’s road test subject may feel like the kind of car that exemplifies 2026. Because even when you think you’re about to read about a familiar family saloon whose provenance can be depended on, what is lying in wait might in fact be another Chinese-built newcomer.The new electric Mazda 6e proves as much. And the next couple of thousand words should help to answer whether the car&