Posts by Chris Haak
2008 Scion xD Review
Toyota's Scion sub-brand has had some sales struggles lately (down 5.3% in June); many of its newest products (particularly the second-generation xB "box on wheels") have been...
Would Crushing Old Cars Improve the Environment?
By Chris Haak07.22.2008One way in which several state and provincial governments have attempted to improve air quality over the years has been to pass "clunker laws." They are all...
Mercedes-Benz Reveals New SL65 AMG Black Series
Rumors of the V12's demise have been greatly exaggerated.By Chris Haak07.11.2008Yesterday, Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off of its new performance flagship, the SL65 Black...
Toyota Significantly Changes US Production Plans
By Chris Haak07.10.2008In response to the dramatic - and many believe permanent - shift in consumer demand for new vehicles (abandoning large gas guzzlers in droves and lining up...
NHTSA Improves Crash-Test Program For 2010
By Chris Haak07.10.2008The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced this week that it is significantly changing the way that it crash-tests new vehicles...
2008 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Sedan Review
A few years ago, the major Japanese manufacturers hit the US market nearly simultaneously with new small car offerings that offered smaller engines, better fuel economy, and often...
2009 Model Year Preview Part 3 (N to V)
Note: Part 1 of this article, from A through F, can be found here. Part 2 of this article, from H through M, can be found here. In the previous two installments of this...
NHRA’s Quarter Mile is Now 1,000 Feet Instead of 1,320
By Chris Haak07.03.2008The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced late yesterday that in the wake of the recent tragic death of popular Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta on...
June Sales Results Are In – And They’re Ugly
By Chris Haak07.02.2008Yesterday, all of the major automakers reported their June sales results. The market was down 18.3% in June 2008 compared to June 2007. Unsurprisingly, they...
Chrysler Announces Plant Idling, Shift Elimination
By Chris Haak07.01.2008Chrysler LLC announced yesterday that it is indefinitely idling its St. Louis South Assembly Plant and eliminating the second shift at its St. Louis North...