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HomeDealer networks

Dealer networks

Letters to the Editor

Why General Motors didn’t realize that Oldsmobile was in trouble

November 27, 2023 Steve 19

Our “Story Ideas Bank” sometimes morphs into debates about specific historical events. George Denzinger recently weighed in on the death of Oldsmobile. This is a thoughtful analysis so I am elevating it to the front page. […]

Hyundai dealer at night
Quotes

Immigrant to US says buying a new car was very different back in Europe

November 13, 2023 Steve 2

“Buying a car was another big culture shock when moving to the US. I think people here just don’t realize how absurd this dealership stuff is. In Europe you test drive a car, then choose […]

1962 Plymouth
History

1962-64 Plymouth: The odd case of prescience interruptus

August 25, 2023 Steve 9

(EXPANDED FROM 8/28/2020) The 1962-64 Plymouth is one of the most prescient U.S. cars of the 1960s. Aside from the 1953 Plymouth, the 1962 redesign represented the first serious effort by a Big Three automaker […]

Drive-by musings
Quotes

Peter DeLorenzo: Dealer markups are killing auto industry’s credibility

February 17, 2022 Steve 0

“This Bush League Bullshit has been going on in the car business for so long that I can’t even remember when it wasn’t. But now? It’s ramped up to an entirely new level of blatant […]

2004 Mitsubishi Galant GTS
Letters to the Editor

Mitsubishi tanked in U.S. due to ‘epic’ mismanagement and lack of vision

January 31, 2022 Steve 4

George Denzinger recently wrote a lengthy — and quite nuanced — comment that I would like to highlight on the front page as a letter to the editor. His missive was in response to the […]

1960 Dodge Dart
Letters to the Editor

Chrysler’s dysfunctional dealer networks were rooted in early decisions

December 2, 2021 Steve 3

Geeber recently wrote one of the best overviews I have ever seen about why Chrysler’s dealer networks became so dysfunctional. His comment (below) was in response to, “Lynn Townsend failed to solve Chrysler’s warfare between […]

1967 Dodge Coronet 500
Letters to the Editor

Lynn Townsend failed to solve Chrysler’s warfare between divisions

November 23, 2021 Steve 4

Reader James E. Duvall offered a thoughtful take on our 1966-67 Chrysler B-Body story that deserves more prominence as a stand-alone letter. While I believe the Elwood Engel’s styling department was on-track and that Lynn […]

1959 and 1955 Studebaker rooflines
Fake Design

1959 Studebaker: Throwing the baby out with the bath water

September 10, 2021 Steve 14

(EXPANDED FROM 5/22/2015) The 1959 Studebaker Lark’s design was initially so successful that it was described by historian Robert Ebert as a “miracle” (2013, p. 55). Studebaker-Packard Corporation, which was on the verge of liquidating […]

2021 Bollinger B2 truck
Current Events

Automotive News’ report on EV startups has revealing gaps

August 18, 2021 Steve 0

Last week Automotive News acknowledged that “there has never been a better time for EV startups.” Even so, the trade journal couldn’t bring itself to fully explain why it has been “at least a century […]

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Our Sponsors

Automotive Views: Car buyer survey has shocking results

July 23, 2021 Steve 0

Posts pagination

« 1 2 3 »
  • 1954 Chevrolet was beginning of the end for GM’s brand hierarchy
    April 21, 2026 17
  • 1980 Pontiac Phoenix 5-door hatch
    Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s
    April 17, 2026 39
  • 1963 Ford Galaxie
    Might Detroit have embraced front-wheel drive earlier if McNamara had stayed at Ford?
    April 16, 2026 7
  • Cheap dealer car
    How much do Trump policies have to hurt auto industry before it supports Dems?
    April 14, 2026 19
  • 1975 Ford Thunderbird
    Ford design in the 1970s was a real step down from the previous decade
    April 10, 2026 24
  • 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
    The sad story about buying a 1981 Monte Carlo right out of college
    April 9, 2026 2
  • Why the 1968-69 Javelin was not Richard Teague’s best AMC sporty coupe
    April 6, 2026 9
  • Mitsubishi dealer in Spokane
    Indie Auto is moving — although you may barely notice
    April 8, 2026 4
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 136
Society of Automotive Historian award to Indie Auto

Recent Comments

  • Jeff Kennedy on Ford design in the 1970s was a real step down from the previous decade
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  • Steve on 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible didn’t catch on
  • Philco Ford on 1954 Chevrolet was beginning of the end for GM’s brand hierarchy
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  • Albert Fredrick Godwin on 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible didn’t catch on
  • Randerson on Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s
  • SCAMPMAN on Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s
  • SCAMPMAN on Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s
  • Terrance Smith on Even Motor Trend complained about the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado’s brakes
  • SCAMPMAN on 1954 Chevrolet was beginning of the end for GM’s brand hierarchy
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