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HomeTesla

Tesla

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 […]

2024 Tesla Cybertruck
Media Analysis

Automotive News gets surprisingly negative on Tesla Cybertruck

January 16, 2025 Steve 2

Automotive News isn’t noted for tough-minded journalism, so I was surprised by the negative tone of a recent Tesla Cybertruck story. It started with the provocative headline: “Cyberflop? Tesla discounts Cybertruck as demand cools for […]

2023 Tesla Cybertruck
Current Events

What happens when an alpha male test drives a Tesla Cybertruck

July 12, 2024 Steve 1

What happens when an avowed alpha male rents a Tesla Cybertruck for the day? I would invite you to find out, because Drew Magary’s (2024) story in SFGate strikes me as quite funny — and […]

Rivian charging
Current Events

Can Rivian survive long enough to launch a less-expensive SUV?

February 23, 2024 Steve 2

On March 7 Rivian is expected to unveil a smaller and cheaper sport-utility vehicle called the R2 to compete against the Tesla Model Y. Although such a move could be crucial to boosting the fledgling […]

2023 Tesla Cybertruck
Design Notes

Is Tesla Cybertruck a brilliant breakthrough or a gimmick?

December 6, 2023 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 3/12/2021) When Tesla’s Cybertruck was unveiled a few years ago, Electrek commentator Benjamin Winters (2021) dismissed the design as “objectively bad.” When he received pushback, Winters countered by arguing that “I’m an industrial […]

Ford Mustang fake logo
Auto Paedia

Brand management: The tail that now wags U.S. auto industry

November 28, 2023 Steve 7

(UPDATED FROM 8/21/2020) Peter DeLorenzo (2018) has argued that brand management “is now the Number 1 priority in this business.” The reason is that a “democratization of technology and luxury” has leveled the playing field. […]

Highway 101 sign
Current Events

Recent sales figures show how different the West Coast is from rest of nation

June 21, 2023 Steve 0

I have lived almost all of my life on the West Coast so occasionally have to remind myself that it can be meaningfully different than the rest of the country when it comes to automotive […]

2020 Chevrolet Bolt
Current Events

Gallup finds attitudes toward EVs vary sharply by party and age

May 9, 2023 Steve 5

A recent Gallup poll found Americans deeply divided in their interest in owning an electric vehicle. Party identification was far and away the biggest differentiator, followed by age. In addition, respondents living in the west […]

Tesla Model 3 rear quarter
Letters to the Editor

Tesla is losing altitude partly because its cars are not competitive

December 28, 2022 Steve 5

In theory, I don’t mind discussing U.S. politics at Indie Auto. In practice, that seems to be increasingly hard to do because of partisan polarization. What could be a nuanced give-and-take can all too quickly […]

Tesla Model 3
Current Events

Can Elon Musk survive at Tesla in the wake of his Twitter disaster?

December 23, 2022 Steve 0

(UPDATED FROM 12/19/2022) The plummeting price of Tesla stock this week has given more potency to the question: Can Elon Musk maintain his leadership role at the automaker? Or has he so damaged his own […]

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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