Coventry University in England offers an MA in Automotive Journalism. Is there anything similar in the U.S? Or a scholarship like the 1500 pounds, trophy and internship presented annually by that country’s Guild of Motoring Writers?
The Consumer Federation of America contends there are serious specific and analytical errors in the recently mandated new fuel economy standards. Contact: Jack Gillis, CFA, 202-737-0766 or jack@jagillis.com. . . . J.D. Power’s 2008 Manufacturer’s Web Site Evaluation survey of consumers put Kia ahead of BMW, Lexus and Ford. . . . Bridgestone Firestone is taking its “Drive and Learn Classroom Behind The Wheel” to 15 markets this summer. Contact Susan Sizemore for a complete schedule and information at sizemoresusa@bfusa.com.
The Trader Media Group in England is re-launching its Top Marques magazine and website this month. . . . VAuto is helping car dealers keep pace with the rapidly changing auto market by providing continual updates on how days supply and gasoline prices affect the market price of new cars on their lots. For more information contact: jcabadas@usautocom.com.
Writing in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ed Wallace notes that the widely reported departure of 10 million cars from our roads when gasoline hits $7.00 a gallon does not predict what this drop in users and a concomitant price motivated reduction in use by those cars that remain on the road will mean for the per barrel price of oil.
Michael Karesh’s www.TrueDelta.com web site provides three very handy measures for buyers in the market for a car or truck or journalists impatient with screen or press kit hopping: an easy to use side-by side, feature-by-feature cost comparison of models, actual user experience with respect to repairs and their miles per gallon. The last two depend on the reports of the steadily growing number of TrueDelta site members. Check the www.truedelta.com website or contact: michael@truedelta.com.
Source Interlink has combined its Modified Mustangs and Mustang and Ford magazines in a new monthly titled: Modified Mustangs and Fords with Mark Houlahan as editor. . . . Mazda’s SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Series will have all eight races broadcast in an expanded 60-minute package by DIRECTV and DISH Network. They also will be seen on regional outlets.
A check on Michael Hollander’s progress since AWCom’s report of the serious ailment he contracted a few decades ago while in the U.S, Navy brought this encouraging report: “I’m still on long-term disability, battling the mesothelioma. The good news is that we have the fluid under control. …The bad news is that I’m still quite tired. I’m happy to chat with anyone and the pain is under control.” He can be reached at: racing@motorsportsforum.com.