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HomePeter DeLorenzo

Peter DeLorenzo

2026 Toyota Highlander
Design Notes

Yes, but WHY do today’s automobiles look so similar?

July 2, 2026 Steve 10

(UPDATED FROM 7/26/2021) A few years ago Peter DeLorenzo (2021) argued that the auto industry had “reached the nadir of design. And it isn’t pretty.” The big reason why: Cars look so blandly similar that […]

2026 Dodge Charger
Current Events

Will automakers address affordability crisis or hit gas pedal after deregulation?

December 29, 2025 Steve 18

Peter DeLorenzo’s (2025) year-end review of the auto industry emphasized the “ugly reality that new cars, trucks and SUVs are just too damn expensive.” In response to critics arguing that he has offered no solutions, […]

2024 Seattle Auto Show
Current Events

Automotive News and Peter DeLorenzo haven’t a clue about how to stop tariffs

September 29, 2025 Steve 6

Automotive News (2025) recently insisted that a projected price tag of $188 billion over three years for tariffs “is too big to bear” — but hasn’t a clue about how to stop them. That estimate […]

Mercedes-Benz 300TD wagon
Design Notes

Mercedes-Benz W123: Back when form really did follow function

July 2, 2025 Steve 4

(EXPANDED FROM 5/26/2023) A comment by Fratzog spurred me to expand on this story about the Mercedes-Benz W123, which to my mind is the brand’s most iconic model. I get that this may be a […]

Automotive News April 28, 2025
Media Analysis

Automotive News declared war on Trump tariffs but only brought a squirt gun

May 13, 2025 Steve 3

Automotive News’ April 28 front page reminded me of a daily newspaper announcing the start of a war. Rather than the usual assortment of product launches and resume-polishing profiles of auto executives, the industry journal […]

2026 Slate Truck
Current Events

Can the Slate Truck find a large-enough market to be profitable?

May 2, 2025 Steve 5

Some auto analysts have recently stated that the Slate Truck could plausibly have a shot at carving out a decent market. For example, Automotive News reporter Laurence Iliff (2025) quoted AutoPacific analyst Robby DeGraff as […]

2025 Ford Maverick
Current Events

Why are auto industry and media so surprised by Trump’s tariffs?

March 3, 2025 Steve 5

It’s been fascinating to watch the auto industry and media react to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. To the degree that this topic has broken through the usual phantasmagoria of new-product launches and nostalgic musings about […]

Chrysler dealer at night
Quotes

Peter DeLorenzo dunks on car dealers’ short-sighted greed

February 8, 2025 Steve 10

Peter DeLorenzo is back from a break in writing his column . . . and is in a foul mood. He is particularly critical of dealers being “insanely” optimistic in the wake of the Trump […]

Satire

Jaguar Type 00’s design masterfully cures Great Britain’s ‘industrial disease’

December 9, 2024 Steve 5

Jaguar has been heavily criticized for a rebranding effort that has culminated in the unveiling of the Type 00 concept car. While I get that complainers will complain, somebody needs to cut through the noise […]

Chevrolet Malibu
Current Events

GM’s discontinuing of the Chevrolet Malibu is criticized as short sighted

May 15, 2024 Steve 22

Fast Company’s David Zipper (2024) took General Motors to task for announcing that General Motors would discontinue the Chevrolet Malibu in November. With the long-running nameplate’s demise, GM will no longer sell an affordable sedan […]

Posts pagination

1 2 3 »
  • 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
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