Tesla debuting three new retail stores to unveil Model S

Tesla Motors, which next year will introduce Tesla Model S, the newest offering from the California-based, high-end electric sports car manufacturer, is opening three more retail stores in North America. Tesla Bellevue Square at the plush shopping center in Bellevue, Washington, opens today (November 5, 2011). It will be followed by Tesla store opening in Chicago's Oakbrook Center (Nov. 12) and a store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California (Nov. 19). The Bellevue Square store will feature a display of a Model S Beta prototype and drivetrain components. All of the new stores, like the current Tesla sales areas,

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Tesla delivers new Model S with high hopes for luxury electric sedan

The Tesla Model S, which the controversial carmaker calls "the world's first premium electric sedan," has arrived to its initial customers with a starting price of just under $50,000 after federal tax incentives. The "affordable" sedan is about half the price of its older, svelte sibling, the two-door Roadster. With its vast array of options, the new Tesla's price can reach nearly $100,000. "It's certainly not mass market by General Motors or Toyota standards," Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs told NPR Morning Edition co-host Renee Montagne. "Tesla says they're going to make 5,000 of these this year, and then increase

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Jay Leno continues green car passion, test drives Tesla Model S

Jay Leno likes all kinds of cars and motorcycles. He likes performance and practicality, history and craftsmanship. And Leno also adapted early to the hybrid and electric car industry. He has an ancient steam engine machine, a 1909 Baker Electric and one of the first of the first generation of Honda Insights. It’s of little surprise, therefore, that Leno has taken a keen interest in Tesla. Leno describes Tesla as an electric car that doesn’t look like an electric car. The original Tesla Roadster, Leno, says debuted “loosely based on a Lotus.” The Tesla Model S, the comedian notes, takes

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Tesla gets another (obvious) honor: quickest electric car

The Tesla Model S and Chevy Volt have little in common beyond their respective segment shares in the electric vehicle industry. The Volt is a wise choice in the entry-level electric car segment. It may the slowest among the top-17 electric vehicles in the standard 0-60 mph acceleration test. But it offers a good balance between performance, comfort and price. The Tesla Model S is a wise choice in the high-end electric segment. It’s the fastest vehicle currently available in the mainstream automobile market and it’s among the fastest cars, electric or gas, street legal or not. Motor Trend recently

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Tesla Model S sets record as best-testing car in history

Consumer Reports has announced what other automotive publications have also determined in other models of the high-end Tesla. The electric vehicle has tested better than any car in history of the magazine’s respected ratings systems. Specifically, the all-wheel drive the 2015 Model S P85D sedan tallied 103 points in the magazine’s system that by definition doesn’t surpass 100 points. Consumer Reports’ staff reported: “The P85D is brutally quick, with instant acceleration. The car’s thrust is forceful and immediate. Its near-instant g-forces can otherwise be achieved only by leaping off a building—literally.” “That this electric car accelerates from 0 to 60

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Tesla woes continue with production shortfall

Tesla has had its second disappointment in a week. The luxury electric carmaker has fallen short of shipment targets for the second straight quarter, raising further questions of the manufacturer’s ability to meet production demands of its pending Model 3. The carmaker said it shipped 14,370 cars in the second quarter. It missed its target of 17,000. The shortcoming also put Tesla’s claim of delivering 80,000-90,000 cars this year in jeopardy. Further, the announced delivery date of late November 2016 for the affordable Model 3 has now also been questioned. About 400,000 wannabe be buyers of the new vehicle have

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Tired Truckers: The Importance of Keeping America’s Backbone Safe

Truckers are undoubtedly America’s underappreciated backbone. They single-handedly help to keep the supply chain moving. Even though their jobs are vital for society, there is a major concern when it comes to their position: fatigue. Their long hours and far distances required can make it difficult for them to stay awake while on the job. Driver fatigue is the state of physical and mental exhaustion that is usually caused by long periods of driving without the opportunity to rest. This can cause danger to themselves, and others on the road. Throughout this guide, we will look into the issue of

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2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante honors owner icon

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Englishman David Brown was a machinist’s apprentice and he was knighted. He raced motorcycles, built tractors, played polo and bred racehorses. He also bought Aston Martin in 1947 and thus began the British automaker’s use of the initials “DB” on its vehicles. Brown died 30 years ago, around the same time of year this year the periodically struggling niche manufacturer unveiled the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante. The industrialist orchestrated models through the James Bond movie heydays when the sports car’s image was at its apex. It’s also had its share of automotive doldrums when the company’s debts ballooned and

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New, sportier 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid shines in crowded segment

Introduced in 1976 as a three-door hatchback, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid moves the iconic vehicle closer to its 50th birthday as among the automotive industry’s most reliable cars. It’s been the country’s top-selling signature family sedan for decades. The 2023 Honda Accord marks the debut of the car’s 11th generation. It’s also the start of the fourth generation for the Accord Hybrid, and it’s three inches longer than the previous model. The new length means more back-seat legroom and it’s part of the car’s substantial overhaul. Cargo space is also a strength for the sedan at 16.7 cubic feet.

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General Motors recalls 2012 Sonics for missing parts

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It’s small compared to massive recent numbers, but General Motors is recalling more than 4,000 Chevrolet Sonics because of missing brake pads. It’s the auto industry’s first recall of the pending new year. According to GM, some Sonics could be missing an inner or outer brake pad, resulting in longer braking distances. No crashes or injuries have been reported. The recall involves 4,296 Sonics (2012 models) sold in the United States and manufactured in the assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich. It makes Sonics for U.S. and Canadian markets. Dealers will inspect front brakes on Sonics for missing inner or

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2023 LEXUS IS 500 F SPORT DEFINES SPORT SEDAN’S VERSATILITY

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Now in its second year, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is a manufacturer outlier. The luxury brand extension of Toyota is geared toward upscale interiors and comfort on the open road. The 2023 edition of the V8 sedan is more focused on performance while maintaining the Lexus reputation. Without much change from its debut offering, the 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport is available in Base and Premium trims. The Launch Edition is gone. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 472 horsepower engine, the small luxury sedan’s engine ia paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has Sport

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A family remembrance: driving with Tony Bennett

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Our family left Ridgewood, N.J. for Walnut Creek, Ca., in 1961. The former had snow and woods to explore, the latter walnut tree orchards and dry rolling hills, a youngster’s paradise. We moved because my father accepted an opportunity to open a San Francisco office of a New York-based insurance company. Tony Bennett seemed like family we never met. My grandfather immigrated from Sicily and lived from my earliest memories with my grandmother, in Queens, N.Y, Bennett’s birthplace. They raised three children, including my father, Anthony, who was almost always called Tony but also Sonny by relatives. They’re all now

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#267, The Voice: John Kraman talks Mecum Auctions, Monterey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:23 — 67.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJohn Kraman knows the car auction business as well as a broadcaster. He’s the senior member of the Mecum Auctions team and the only announcer who’s been on all 16 years of the country’s largest automobile auctions broadcast. He’s our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. With broadcast colleagues and varied responsibility crew, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Kraman the auction’s participation Aug. 17-19 in Monterey Auto Week. Mecum is the only daytime auction during what is now nearly

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5 Tips On How Maintain And Protect Your Car

A car is often a must-have possession and it often doesn’t come cheap. If you own the vehicle you need and may have always wanted, it’s also wise to protect your car. Safeguarding a car can occur in many forms, from protecting it against the elements, theft, accidents and other issues. Overall, if a vehicle is taken care of, the more reliable it will be and the less likely it will be stolen or vandalized. Here are several ways you can protect your car: Basic Car Safety Be vigilant against potential theft. Always lock your car or truck when it’s

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Readers Write: A love affair with Tony Bennett

As it turns out, Tony Bennett’s music influenced a lot of people. It’s an obvious statement, of course. But what is surprising is how many remembrances of the recently deceased entertainer are similar. Shortly after Bennett died, I wrote an essay and posted it to TheWeeklyDriver.com. The article also appeared on Aug. 7 in the print editions of the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times, daily newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area owned by Bay Area News Group. The article resonated with readers, many of who expressed their memories and compliments via email. To further celebrate Bennett’s life

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What to do when your car won’t start

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as when a car won’t start. Whether you have one or more cars, it’s inconvenient when a vehicle doesn’t start. And it seems it often occurs when at the most inappropriate time — an important meeting or taking children to school. Dealing with a car that won’t start is best to resolve quickly. Here are some top tips to deal with a car that won’t start: Identify The Problem What seems to be the issue with the car itself? Typically, there might be something that indicates where the problem is, and it’s usually a dashboard

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