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HomeU.S. auto industry decline

U.S. auto industry decline

History

When should U.S. automakers have begun producing a domestic subcompact?

August 1, 2024 Steve 41

We’ve had a robust discussion about when American automakers should have begun producing a domestic subcompact in the comment thread of “Aaron Severson’s Ford Cardinal story challenges auto history field.” I would like to bring […]

Media Analysis

Aaron Severson’s Ford Cardinal story challenges auto history field

July 26, 2024 Steve 9

A few days ago Aaron Severson (2024) posted an epic story about the aborted Ford Cardinal. His 22,000-word piece deepens the dialogue about this important car. In a moment we will debate some of his […]

1970 Toyota Corolla
Data Dive

Data on imports sheds light on their dramatic gains from 1964-80

July 10, 2024 Steve 4

A recent post on Ate Up With Motor’s Patreon page discusses the rise of the imports in the United States. Aaron Severson (2024) draws upon data he dug up from a report by the U.S. […]

1971 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight
Links

Oldsmobile’s John Beltz sounded like a rather cautious GM executive

May 29, 2024 Steve 9

John Beltz has been pointed to as one of the more forward-looking General Motors’ executives of the early-70s, but he came across as rather cautious in a lengthy Motor Trend (1970) interview. He was the […]

1980 Buick Skylark
Links

New Yorker story shows difficulties of an outsider reporting on auto industry

April 25, 2024 Steve 5

Industry coverage by journalists from outside the automotive media can be a mixed bag. They are less likely to succumb to the groupthink that can undercut reporting from the likes of Automotive News or a […]

1970 Dodge Challenger fake image
Ad Nauseam

The bogus ad Roger slipped into his drawer and forgot for a number of years

March 22, 2024 Steve 2

Roger Sizemore had the feeling that Chrysler was going in the wrong direction. The product planners talked excitedly about selling at least 200,000 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Challengers annually. Yet the all-new 1970 pony cars […]

Olympia Ford dealer
Data Dive

U.S. car dealer networks have changed over the last 70 years

March 21, 2024 Steve 6

Recently published figures from Automotive News suggest that the dealership networks for U.S. automakers have changed dramatically since the early-1960s. For one thing, the Big Three’s total number of franchises — 19,249 as of January […]

1972 Ford Thunderbird
Ad Nauseam

How do you sell a Thunderbird that lost its Thunderbirdness?

January 31, 2024 Steve 8

Henry Goverti was a huge fan of the Thunderbird. He had owned three of them — and still drove a 1966 convertible to work in the summer. It had a certain flair that epitomized the […]

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and drivetrain
Design Notes

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado: Just another shiny thing from General Motors

January 19, 2024 Steve 20

(EXPANDED FROM 6/18/2021) In selecting the 1966 Oldmobile Toronado as its Car of the Year, Motor Trend (2005) took out its pom-poms and gushed that “never in the 14-year history of this award has the […]

Letters to the Editor

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

November 27, 2023 Steve 20

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. […]

Posts pagination

« 1 2 3 4 … 6 »
  • 2006-7 Dodge Charger
    2006-2010 Dodge Charger: A cartoonish attempt at rip-roaring nostalgia
    June 5, 2026 6
  • 1950 Nash Rambler hood ornament
    Speedreaders.info is a rare source of book reviews, but quality varies
    June 3, 2026 0
  • 1958 Lincoln
    1958-60 Lincoln: Failing to beat GM at its own game
    June 2, 2026 16
  • 1957 Nash Ambassador
    Three videos: The death of car culture, rich people’s cars and the 1957 Nash
    May 29, 2026 6
  • 1963 Mercury Marauder
    1963 Mercury Marauder: Ford tries to do a premium-priced car on the cheap
    May 27, 2026 11
  • Did 1964 Ramblers share more parts between size classes than competitors?
    May 26, 2026 1
  • Patrick Foster shows how International Harvester failed to adapt
    May 13, 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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