The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado was a radical departure and a testament to the brand’s long-time technical excellence at the time. Here’s a look back at what became the first front-wheel-drive car from a U.S. automaker in decades.
History
Headlight News for The Week of 9-30 – 2024 – Struggling Stellantis – Carlos Ghosn Remember Him? – Review Jeep Rubicon Final Edition – This Week in Automotive History
In this week’s episode of the Headlight.News podcast we talk about Stellantis’s ongoing struggles as well as Carlos Ghosn emerging from the shadows to contend with more legal issues. We also review the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Final Edition and take a look at This Week in Automotive History.
The Past Lane: A Revolutionary Small Car Turns 65
The Mini Cooper is a true icon of the automotive industry, sporting a powertrain that revolutionized car design and engineering. It’s about to celebrate its 65th anniversary and in this week’s Past Lane we look at how this improbable vehicle came to be.
Chrysler Descendant Wants to Keep Brands All in the Family
Since the formation of Stellantis a few years ago, speculation about what will happen with the low-selling, but still-iconic Chrysler brand has run rampant. Officials, led by CEO Carlos Tavares, assured there were plans for Chrysler. However, time has passed with just one product left, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and now someone wants to resurrect the brand: Walter P. Chrysler’s great-grandson. Find out more at Headlight.News.
THE PAST LANE: CHRYSLER’S ATTEMPT TO REGAIN PRESTIGE
A once well-respected marque, the fate of Chrysler is increasingly in doubt. Last month, Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis — the Euro-American automaker formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA — warned that some of its 14 brands could be abandoned if they don’t start delivering better sales and earnings. Chrysler is widely believed to be one of the most vulnerable divisions. But that’s really nothing new.
A Woodward Dream Cruise Retrospective
It’s hard to ignore the guttural roar of a classic muscle car. Now, multiply that by several thousand. That’s what we can expect on Woodward Ave., the main drag bisecting Detroit and its northern suburbs as the annual Woodward Dream Cruise gets underway. Mother Nature isn’t being very kind, heavy storms expected to put a damper on a gathering that, in good years, will bring out as many as 60,000 muscle cars, hot rods, sports cars and other cruisers – with more than 1 million folks lining the 16-mile route. That seems like a good excuse to look back at my favorite shots from the past three decades.
Fisker’s Woes Continue – Rivian Gets a Bailout – Everyone Is Going Hybrid – JD Power IQS Study – Mercedes CLE Review – This Week In Automotive History
This week's edition of the Headlight.News podcast focuses on Fisker's ongoing woes while rival EV maker Rivian got a bailout from Volkswagen. We also talk about the recent surge in hybrid models, the J.D Power IQS study, and even go for a spin in the 2024 Mercedes CLE...
Fisker Goes Bust – Elon Musk Gets $56 Billion Payout – Bugatti Goes Hybrid – Bronco Everglades Review – This Week In Automotive History and More in This Week’s Headlight.News Podcast
This week's edition of the Headlight.News podcast focuses on Elon Musk getting his revised $56 billion dollar pay package and EV automaker Fisker going bust. We also talk about Bugatti going hybrid with the all-new Tourbillion and we review the 2024 Ford Bronco...
The Past Lane: A Taxi Cab With A Checkered Past
Checker Cab left an enduring legacy in automotive history but what made the company such a unique enigma in the world of public transportation?
May Car Sales – Who Gets The Most Speeding Tickets – Ford’s Big News – Toyota Crown Signia Review – This Week in Automotive History Top This Week’s Headlight.News Podcast
Headlight News for the Week of 6-10-24 – May Auto Sales – Who Gets The Most Speeding Tickets – Ford’s Big News – Toyota Crown Signia Review – and This Week in Automotive History
From Ruin Porn to Automotive Technology Hub: Michigan Central Station Reborn
It didn’t take long for the old depot to fall into ruin after the last Amtrak train departed on January 6, 1988, becoming the iconic symbol of Detroit’s decline. But later today, a sold-out ceremony will mark its rebirth as part of a nearly $1 billion project launched by Ford Motor Co. Michigan Central Station has become the centerpiece of a new campus focused on the development of advanced automotive technologies.
The Past Lane: Porsche Builds A Sedan – In 1952
Known as the Porsche 542, it almost became Studebaker’s newest model.