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HomeMedia Analysis

Media Analysis

Society of Automotive Historians forum
Media Analysis

SAH shows difficulties of creating a discussion board

August 28, 2020 Steve 0

In June the Society of Automotive Historians launched a discussion board (go here). This is a valuable new service — particularly during a pandemic. Rubén Verdés (2020) welcomed readers by saying, “I look forward to reading […]

Media Analysis

Should auto history websites only say nice things?

July 31, 2020 Steve 1

(UPDATED FROM 7/31/2020) A few years ago Curbside Classic commentator Team Obsolete complained that stories written by Paul Niedermeyer “drift over like a cold dark cloud, displacing people’s sunny enthusiasm and dumps freezing rain and […]

Automotive News shows its bias
Media Analysis

Automotive News enables denialism and conspiracies about COVID-19

July 3, 2020 Steve 0

Automotive News‘ comment sections enable denialism and conspiracies about COVID-19. This is unfortunate because the trade journal has otherwise offered good coverage of the pandemic. For example, Automotive News recently posted a poignant story about […]

Media Analysis

Wheel spinning happens when car buffs and scholarly historians don’t collaborate

April 1, 2020 Steve 0

Car buffs and academics may as well live on different planets when it comes to writing automotive history. Yet they need each other to counterbalance their weaknesses. That’s my takeaway from John A. Heitmann’s essay […]

Media Analysis

Robert McNamara was involved in the Ford Mustang?

February 5, 2020 Steve 0

Retired Ford engineer Ben J. Smith said that he “wrote some very very strong letters to the product planning people and to Bob McNamara” when his manually-retractable roof design for the original Ford Mustang was rejected. […]

Media Analysis

The Truth About Cars should not enable violent talk

August 29, 2019 Steve 0

I recently came across Jack Baruth’s (2013) announcement of a new set of editorial policies at The Truth About Cars after editor Bartel Schmitt departed. One of the new policies was that there “will be […]

Mass transit in Portland, Oregon
Media Analysis

The Truth About Cars falsely stokes fears of private car ban

August 23, 2019 Steve 0

The headline was about as alarmist as you can get for an auto enthusiast website: “UK Parliament Committee Wants to Ban All Private Cars and Trucks by 2050.” Writer Ronnie Schreiber (2019) then proceeded to […]

Kestner homestead hay cutter seat
Media Analysis

Commentators agree Keith Crain doesn’t ‘get it’

March 20, 2019 Steve 0

An overwhelming majority of commentators took Keith Crain (2019) to task for a recent Automotive News column where he questioned the viability of a rapid shift to electric vehicles. “The horse farriers of the 19th […]

Automotive News tends to emphasize access journalism
Media Analysis

Retiring editor does the old soft-shoe routine

March 5, 2019 Steve 0

Richard A. Johnson (2019) recently offered wry reflections about his 35 years at Automotive News. It’s a fitting coda for a longtime reporter and editor of a trade journal that covers such a powerful and […]

Monkey seeing some evil
Media Analysis

All-time best climate change coverage by auto media?

December 1, 2018 Steve 0

A notable exception to the automotive media’s lack of attention to climate change was a package of stories Automotive News published in 2007. No, not last month or last year — a decade ago. Let’s […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 10 11 12 13 »
  • 1965 Studebaker Cruiser proposal
    Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
    July 17, 2026 8
  • 1956 Lincoln
    The 1956 Lincoln’s styling proved to be a one-year wonder
    July 17, 2026 18
  • 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
    1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
    July 14, 2026 6
  • 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
    Did GM go too far in downsizing the 1986 Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado?
    July 10, 2026 16
  • J. 'Kelly' Flory Jr.
    J. ‘Kelly’ Flory Jr.’s American Cars series is pricey but valuable
    July 10, 2026 4
  • 1968 Pontiac Firebird green convertible
    1967-72 Pontiac Firebird shows limits of ad illustrations
    July 7, 2026 10
  • Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
    June 25, 2026 5
  • Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s
    May 2, 2026 1
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 141
Society of Automotive Historian award to Indie Auto

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