LA Auto Show back after two Covid-19 delays

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The LA Auto Show has a unique position in the automotive industry. It’s the yearly first major industry show to view new cars, trucks and occasionally motorhomes. It’s always held in November, except for when it was supposed to be held this spring. LA Auto Show: Back A Year Later But the coronavirus has altered the show again. After being rescheduled from last November to May, the pending spring dates have also been scrapped for a return to November. With a two-day Auto Mobility media event as its preamble, the public show is scheduled Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles

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Mystery wreck of Tiger Woods? 2021 Genesis GV80

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Genesis sedans have received many awards in their short tenure, including Car of the Year by well-respected automotive publications. But the luxury carmaker’s newest vehicle, the GV80 sport utility vehicle, is now in a spotlight it didn’t want. Early helicopter video of the solo-vehicle car crash involving Tigers Woods showed Genesis signage on the side door of a wrecked sport utility vehicle. The logo read: “Genesis Invitational,” but the vehicle was unknown to many observers. The wreck was a 2021 Genesis GV80. The midsize SUV debut last November as the fourth vehicle in the upscale manufacturer’s lineup. The SUV is

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Tiger Woods update: long rehab, no criminal charges

Tiger Woods may or may not play competitive golf again. But while the golfer recovers from his car accident injuries he now knows two things: He’s lucky to alive and he won’t face criminal charges. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced at a news conference the occasion was “purely an accident.” Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where Woods was treated after his one-car crash in described “comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones,” adding that trauma to the muscle and soft tissue of Woods’ leg

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New car-buying tips to reduce buyers’ stress

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Purchasing a new car can be an exciting milestone in anyone’s life. Unfortunately, it can also be stressful if you don’t have the best car-buying tips for the best way to approach the purchase and financing. As a new driver, buying a new car may not be the only worry on your mind. Finding affordable insurance for your vehicle is paramount. Research the best deals using online comparison sites. It can save a lot of money. When searching for your new car, you should also ensure it’s fit for your intended purpose. Whether you’re searching for a reliable

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Tiger Woods injured in third car accident in 12 years

Tiger Woods sustained multiple leg injuries early February 23 when he was involved in a single-car accident in Los Angeles County. The accident continued the golf icon’s years of misfortune while driving. After removing Woods from his vehicle with the “jaws of life,” the golfer was taken by ambulance to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. “On February 23, 2021, at approximately 7:12 AM, LASD responded to a single-vehicle roll-over traffic collision on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes,” a police spokesperson reported. Tiger Woods traveling solo “The vehicle was traveling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard, at Blackhorse Road,

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#171, Liz Carmichael: car fraud, transgender, anti-hero

“The Lady and the Dale” tells the little-known story of Liz Carmichael in the 1970s. Carmichael rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle while being responsible for one of the biggest auto scams in history. Nick Cammilleri, the creator, writer, director and co-producer of the four-part docu-series now showing on HBO Max, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Cammilleri about his 10-year project making the series, his relationship with Carmichael’s family and the twists and turns of the film’s unique circumstances. Born Geraldine Elizabeth

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2021 Hyundai Sonata: epic return of a sports sedan

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Pity the poor sedan. Once the go-to vehicle style for well-built, dependable and comfortable transportation, sales of the former family favorite have been decimated by sales SUVs and pickup trucks. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line presents a strong case for reconsidering a sedan. Key Takeaways N Line rescues the sedan from SUV dominance: With 290 hp and a 5.4-second 0-60 time, the Sonata N Line makes a compelling case for reconsidering sedans in an SUV-obsessed market. Dual-clutch eight-speed sharpens the driving experience: The 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with a DCT delivers the sporty response that the N Line badge

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2021 Dodge Durango: No wonder it’s called a Hellcat

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Production has started on the beast of all sport utility vehicles, the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. The most powerful SUV ever made, the limited edition (2,000 units) features its share of high-performance. The Hellcat delivers 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With its optional Tow N Go Package, the full-size, three-row SUV has a towing capability of 8,700 pounds. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine has a towing capability of 6,200 pounds. Perhaps the Hellcat’s most impressive statistics, it accelerates from 0 to 60

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Truck accidents more frequent, labor stats reveal

Road travelers likely know it all too well. Truck accidents happen. The increase was small in 2019 from 2018 in some areas and it was substantially higher in another segment of the trucking industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 843 trucker deaths in 2019, the most recent statistics available, and a 1.4 percent increase. The highest yearly death tally (880) occurred in 2014. Including professional drivers of light-duty trucks, the industry suffered 1,005 fatal occupational injuries last year. It’s the highest since the agency started tracking the category in 2003. Truck accidents happen; other jobs more

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Wisconsin pickup truck driver plunges 70 feet, lives (video)

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How scary is winter driving? A melting snowbank and freezing conditions on Wisconsin on a freeway ramp could have cost a pickup truck driver his life. A camera operated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation captured the truck’s crash film, just after the driver, Richard Lee Oliver, lost control. The dramatic footage also documented a miracle. The red pickup truck plunged 70 feet after plowing into the snowbank and tumbling over the barrier. Pickup truck driver loses control Two drivers came to the man’s aid following the wreck on west I-94 just east of Interstate 41 in the Zoo Interchange.

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Can pickup trucks possibly get any more popular?

Despite business doldrums because of the coronavirus pandemic, manufacturers of pickup trucks continue to try to outdo each other, including Nissan. For the first time since 2005, the 2022 Nissan Frontier will be a new design for the mid-size pickup truck. Offered in S, SV, Pro-4X, and Pro-X, the 2022 Frontier will come with a 310 horsepower, 3.8-liter V6. It will be propelled by a nine-speed automatic transmission in rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel drive. With the start of the truck’s third generation, the 2022 Nissan Frontier will have a new exterior and interior and new suspension. The powertrain that debuted in

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2021 Volvo top-line V90 wagon honors icons

Someday soon as an homage to the not-too-long-ago automotive history, a manufacturer will introduce a vehicle called a station wagon. A good choice would be next year’s Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design. The 2021 editions, like other carmakers’ choices in recent years, are called wagons. It’s as if the “station” designation is an insult. The original classification derived from families carrying their heavy trundle suitcases to train stations. The long wagons, precursors to sport utility vehicles, became station wagons. Beauties they were, with three rows of seating, lots of interior and exterior wood and comfort to spare. Road trips were

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Self-driving cars are among us but drivers beware

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Self-Driving Cars Self-driving cars are the biggest advancing development in the auto industry. Tesla brought the technology to the mainstream market, offering cars that can drive themselves while the driver just sits behind the wheel. The ideas of a self-driving car and its the technology began with several manufacturers offering self-parking technology. Self-driving technology is exciting, but as it advances, a few misconceptions have circulated. Here are several things you absolutely can’t do behind the wheel of a self-driving car (and some permissible conditions): Sleeping Some people think self-driving cars are great as they allow people to take

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Accidents will happen: What you should know

Few people will go their entire lives and never get into a car accident. Different types of accidents are caused by different sets of circumstances. Although not all accidents can be avoided, knowing where and when you’re more likely to have a crash can help you lessen your chances of being involved in one. Head-On Collision Fortunately, head-on collisions are the rarest form of accident. Head-ons can also be difficult to assign who is at fault. So having car accident lawyers you can turn to will really come in handy in this case. They are more likely to happen in

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#170, WeatherTech Raceway ready for racing

Just like any business relying on visitors, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had it tough during 2020. Events were rescheduled and canceled. But management did its best to offer recreation opportunities when it could. One unheralded but important track use is the facility’s access to non-competitive racing clubs and performance driving programs. Members rent or bring their vehicle to the racetrack and experience the famous layout. Barry Toepke, the director of heritage racing at the WeatherTech Raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Toepke the upcoming 2021 season

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#169, Hagerty expert talks strong new 2021 auctions

Auto auctions are back! Live, that is. Online auctions have continued during the pandemic, but January sales are a key indicator for collector car sales. And what a January it was. Brian Rabold, Vice President of Valuation Services at Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the new year, the return of live auctions and some of the surprising prices paid for vehicles. According to Hagerty, January 2021 auto auctions generated $181.9 million. The impressive tally doesn’t include sales from the launch of the Barrett-Jackson

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