Monthly Archives: February 2014


The techniques to design cars have changed a lot, but some old-school methods still…

The techniques to design cars have changed a lot, but some old-school methods still work wonders

Old fashioned clay and tape still play a big part in developing the shape of cars like the new +Ford Motor Company  #Mustang  ?

The Language of Tape Design
A look at the age-old technique of using full scale clay models and tape in the automotive design process


Pop culture icons come together as +Stern Pinball, Inc. and +Ford Motor Company show…

Pop culture icons come together as +Stern Pinball, Inc. and +Ford Motor Company show off new  #Mustang  themed games

Stern is unveiling the first of three pinball games paying tribute to 50 years of Mustang at the Chicago Auto Show this week. Game designer George Gomez talks about his passion for Mustang and how he incorporated it into the new games. 

http://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2014/02/04/american-pop-culture-icons-converge-as-stern-pinball-announces-t.html?


While there is no shortage of visual effects in the Need for Speed, there's plenty…

While there is no shortage of visual effects in the Need for Speed, there's plenty of on the road footage too

Despite the fact that most of the cars seen on screen in the movie are not the real thing (including the McLaren P1 and Koenigsegg) you still need powerful cars carrying the cameras to shoot this running footage. The NFS crew used a supercharged Ford Mustang, a Mercedes-Benz ML and an Audi A6 for this duty.?


Former +Mercedes-Benz USA PR honcho Geoff Day share's his thoughts on supplying…

Former +Mercedes-Benz USA PR honcho Geoff Day share's his thoughts on supplying cars to celebrities

Day speaks from experience in this column, having been involved in having Sex and the City star stand alongside Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche at the Detroit Auto Show a few years ago along with other other stunts. 

To me seeing cars and celebs in these environments does more to turn me away rather than toward the car. Audi has long been particularly egregious in this regard although many companies have been guilty. 

If celebs buy the cars with their own dollars, promote it. If you have to pay them to sit in your car forget it. ?

Automakers need to stop stalking celebrities
Have automakers been giving celebrities too many free wheels?


With age comes experience and hopefully some wisdom, but it also means physical …

With age comes experience and hopefully some wisdom, but it also means physical aging

It's natural that as we get older, we slow down, some more than others. Our vision, our reflexes and our minds just don't operate the way they did when we were young. Many seniors remain spritely and active well into their 80s and beyond. But many others just don't have the physical or mental capacity to safely operate a motor vehicle.

By no means should we arbitrarily take away driver's licenses beyond a certain age and I hate to see people lose an important part of their ability to live independently. However, being on the road has a potential impact on the lives of many more people than the individuals behind the wheel and just as we shouldn't allow children or drunks to drive, a senior that isn't able to adequately react to the myriad events that can occur while driving should not be behind the wheel.

Ontario is implementing a new evaluation system for drivers over the age of 80 that focuses on safety. Those that have adequate vision and reflexes can continue driving, Those that can't will lose their license. 

Frankly I think we should be doing driving evaluations probably every 10 years throughout life to verify you can do it safely, but that's not likely to happen. This is a good first step. ?

New test coming soon for elderly Ontario drivers
The new evaluation includes a vision assessment, in-class group education and a review of their record for drivers over 80, writes Lorraine Sommerfeld