Infiltrating the Auto Show II

04/26/22 • 54 min

1 Listener

The New York International Auto Show was back and bigger than ever... and so were the cars. Our intrepid correspondents Sarah and Doug braved the crowds and sensory overload to hear straight from auto industry reps about the giant SUVs and muscle cars that will be prowling cities and suburban parking lots in the coming years. From the "menacing" and "in your face" Ford Bronco Raptor to the 800-horsepower Dodge Charger, what do the people who sell these vehicles to the public have to say when confronted with questions about safety? Plus, with e-bikes and scooters ascendant, will they one day take the auto out of the Auto Show?

This episode was sponsored by our friends at Cleverhood rain gear and Radpower Bikes.

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Aaron infiltrated the 2019 New York International Auto Show in Episode 17.

How big is the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor? "The Raptor is a lane-filling 9.8 inches wider than the base Bronco," according to Kelly Bluebook. Plus, it's so tall that even the fenders "will be shadiing cars in the lanes beside you."

A Dodge Charger driver in Las Vegas killed nine people ranging in age from 5 to 59. Seven were from the same family. The driver was said to have been going more than 100 mph when he ran a red light...

...and that's just one of many horribly violent crashes involving Dodge Chargers and Challengers whose drivers, perhaps taking the brand's marketing to heart, apparently think they "rule the road."

Meanwhile, e-bikes were kind of a big deal at this year's Auto Show. (Canary Media)

Pick up official War on Cars merch at our store.

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This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio and edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Our logo was designed by Dani Finkel of Crucial D Designs.

TheWarOnCars.org

This episode was sponsored by our friends at Cleverhood rain gear and Radpower Bikes.

Become a Patreon supporter of The War on Cars for fun rewards and exclusive ad-free bonus content.

Aaron infiltrated the 2019 New York International Auto Show in Episode 17.

...and that's just one of many horribly violent crashes involving Dodge Chargers and Challengers whose drivers, perhaps taking the brand's marketing to heart, apparently think they "rule the road."

Meanwhile, e-bikes were kind of a big deal at this year's Auto Show. (Canary Media)

Pick up official War on Cars merch at our store.

Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts. It helps people find us!

TheWarOnCars.org

Previous Episode

They Paved r/place and Put Up a Parking Lot

From the joy of the "Just a Minute" campaign in San Francisco to the members of a colorfully named subreddit creating a digital parking lot, there's a lot of news in The War on Cars. We hear from listeners around the country and across the Atlantic. Is it possible to be more chill about people riding the wrong way in a bike lane? Should public transit be free? Why is it so hard to find a good bicycle with all the accessories you need for regular transportation? Plus, quick dispatches from the hosts' trips to car-dependent parts of the United States.

Lear about what makes a good, walkable city from author and urban planner Jeff Speck at the Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education, June 13 & 14.

This episode is sponsored by Cleverhood. Receive 20% off anything in the Cleverhood store with coupon code HAPPYCOMMUTE now through the end of April.

Support The War on Cars on Patreon and receive exclusive access to ad-free bonus content.

LINKS:

An anti-car subreddit took over a digital canvas and put up a digital parking lot. (Washington Post)

San Francisco's "Just a Minute" campaign places cyclist safety over driver convenience. (Stephen Braitsch on Twitter)

If you live near Somerville, MA and need a great bike for regular transportation, check out Bicycle Belle.

The fundamental problems with free transit. (Alex Schieferdecker)

Results from Boston's experiment with free bus fares are mixed. (Boston Globe and WGBH)

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Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts. It helps people find us!

TheWarOnCars.org

Next Episode

Two Wheels Good with Jody Rosen

According to Jody Rosen, a contributing writer for The New York Times, we live on a bicycle planet. Across the world, more people use bicycles — for transportation, recreation, and their livelihood — than any other vehicle. In his new book, Two Wheel Goods: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle, Rosen attempts to "de-quaintify" the bike, from its invention in 1817 to its current status as a virtuous machine that can save cities and the environment. Spanning centuries and hopping continents, Two Wheels Good weaves connections between various bike booms and asks readers to consider an expansive and inclusive definition of "bicycle culture." Plus, was there really a War on Horses? This episode is sponsored by Radpower Bikes and Cleverhood. Receive 20% off in the Cleverhood store using the coupon code mentioned in the episode.

***Support The War on Cars on Patreon and receive exclusive access to ad-free bonus content.***

LINKS:

Buy Two Wheels Good and books by other podcast guests at Bookshop.org.

Follow Jody Rosen on Twitter.

Read Sidewalks by Valeria Luiselli, which contiains the essay Manifesto a Velo Jody mentions in the episode.

Pick up official War on Cars merch at our store.

Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts. It helps people find us!

This episode was recorded by Walter Nordquist at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. It was edited by Doug Gordon. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Our logo was designed by Dani Finkel of Crucial D Designs.

TheWarOnCars.org