Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Truth About Cars founder Robert Farago leaves the building]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-truth-about-cars-founder-robert-farago-leaves-the-building/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-truth-about-cars-founder-robert-farago-leaves-the-building/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/the-truth-about-cars-founder-robert-farago-leaves-the-building/#commentsFiled under:

We've known for two months this day was coming, yet it's still something of a shock. Robert Farago, the one man wrecking crew of an editor-in-chief over at The Truth About Cars, has hung up his gloves. Why a shock? Love him or loathe him, Farago has been a mega-influence in the autoblogosphere (and, in auto journalism as a whole, it must be said) for nearly a decade. In many ways he's been the devil (or angel) on all of our shoulders reminding us not to enjoy that perfectly cooked, medium rare New York strip and spareribs paired with a very fine French wine too much while on press trips. In the end, it's all about the truth of the car.

As we've mentioned, Farago was an early Autoblog writer, albeit very briefly. He also wrote for Jalopnik.com back in the day. In fact, Farago invented the three-part car review format they employed up until yesterday. Moreover, through relentless browbeating, haranguing and sheer chutzpah, Farago finally got Edmunds Inside Line to tack a "This was a manufacturer sponsored press event" disclaimer onto the end of their reviews (though Edmunds disputes this). Then of course, there's this. And while over the years there has been some friendly (and totally unfriendly) friction between TTAC and Autoblog, Farago gave at least one of us our start in this crazy, dirty and frankly weird biz. And when the going gets weird, you know what the weird do. Make the jump to read this author's personal, Not-Safe-For-Work Farago recollections (WARNING: Explicit language).

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Continue reading The Truth About Cars founder Robert Farago leaves the building

The Truth About Cars founder Robert Farago leaves the building originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FaragoRobert FaragoRobertFaragoThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTTACWed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Robert Farago leaving The Truth About Cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/breaking-robert-farago-leaving-the-truth-about-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/breaking-robert-farago-leaving-the-truth-about-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/breaking-robert-farago-leaving-the-truth-about-cars/#commentsFiled under:

Robert Farago, the equal parts eloquent and bellicose editor of The Truth About Cars (TTAC) and former blogger for Autoblog and Jalopnik, will be leaving in 60 days. Details are just beginning to trickle in, but so far we know this: TTAC was recently purchased by a company called VerticalScope. Farago has been pushing for an increased editorial budget ever since TTAC's former owner (Name Media) slashed the editorial budget by 80% in late 2008 before eventually slashing it by 100% by March of this year (meaning TTAC's writers haven't been paid since then), prompting the site's sale to VerticalScope.

According to our source, the lack of an editorial budget caused Farago's departure. "RF's been getting burned out for a while, but what brought this to a head yesterday was the issue of getting pay for the writers. He pushed for it and all they offered was a pittance, not even enough to pay $10 per article at the rate we publish stuff. He pushed harder, and they refused to budge." So he quit, leaving Edward Niedermeyer in charge of TTAC. Our source continues, "Now [VerticalScope says they will] provide a decent editorial budget -- using the money they were paying [Farago]. TTAC's writers will be paid once again, but they'll use RF's former salary to cover it."

We spoke with Farago and he said the following, "I sincerely hope VerticalScope will maintain the integrity of the TTAC brand. I wish Edward Niedermeyer all the best. I will say that we've proven our point - General Motors went belly up." As for the future, Farago says he will be launching a non-automotive website, but gave no further details.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

BREAKING: Robert Farago leaving The Truth About Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingFaragoRobert FaragoRobertFaragoThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTTACFri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rest in Peace: TTAC's Glenn Swanson]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/rest-in-peace-ttacs-glenn-swanson/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/rest-in-peace-ttacs-glenn-swanson/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/rest-in-peace-ttacs-glenn-swanson/#comments
Photo: bikertect

The community of auto writers and bloggers is a small one, and over time, chances are you'll run into just about everyone doing this thing we do at one point or another. We never had the good fortune to cross paths with The Truth About Cars' Glenn Swanson, and sadly, that opportunity has been taken from us for good. Mr. Swanson, who had been diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, passed away this weekend. You can read his entertaining and engaging work at TTAC by clicking this search link. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Swanson's family, friends, and colleagues.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Rest in Peace: TTAC's Glenn Swanson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Glenn SwansoinGlennSwansoinThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTTACSun, 03 Aug 2008 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[TTAC accepting "Ten Worst Automobiles Today" submissions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/ttac-accepting-ten-worst-automobiles-today-submissions/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/ttac-accepting-ten-worst-automobiles-today-submissions/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/16/ttac-accepting-ten-worst-automobiles-today-submissions/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're getting to that time of the year where every publication on the face of the earth is declaring their car, truck, SUV, hybrid, and unicycle of the year. MotorTrend has already found the CX9 so exciting that the venerable tree killer is ready to throw a trophy Mazda's way. Then there are the lists... the 10 best lists that features the same vehicles every year.

The Truth About Cars is making another list, but they're taking a different spin on the top-ten list de jour. They want you to tell them what you think are the ten worst cars on the road for sale in the US. The Ten Worst Automobiles Today awards, or TWAT, takes the worst of the worst seriously. The all new 2008 Accord and CTS are probably safe, but something tells us the Chrysler Aspen may make its way back into the bottom 10. The TTAC writing team will take the 20 best nominations, and unleash them on their readership to vote on the final 10. Submissions for the TWAT list will be accepted through October 22, and the top 20 survey will hit the web on the 29th. For more rules, or to make a submission, click on the 'Read' link below.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

TTAC accepting "Ten Worst Automobiles Today" submissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ten Worst Automobiles TodayTenWorstAutomobilesTodayThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTWATTue, 16 Oct 2007 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[TTAC hands out TWAT awards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/ttac-hands-out-twat-awards/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/ttac-hands-out-twat-awards/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/08/ttac-hands-out-twat-awards/#commentsFiled under: ,



The votes are in, the judges have, uh, judged and it's official: Democrats control the House.

No, wait. Wrong election. The Truth About Cars readers and staff have chosen the 2006 winners (losers?) of The Worst Automobile Today award.

For those with stomachs too queasy or hearts too weak to read criticism of the domestic auto industry, we recommend you find something else to read. Those TTAC folks get kinda brutal.

Just to keep you in suspense, the list of TWAT winners, with excerpts of TTAC's witty criticism, is after the jump.

Continue reading TTAC hands out TWAT awards

TTAC hands out TWAT awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Buick RendezvousBuickRendezvousChevroletChevrolet AveoChevrolet UplanderChevroletAveoChevroletUplanderChrysler AspenChryslerAspenHummer H2HummerH2Jeep CompassJeepCompassLincoln Mark LtLincolnMarkLtMonte CarloMonteCarloRendezvousSaab 9-7XSaab9-7xSubaru B9 TribecaSubaruB9TribecaThe Truth About CarsThe Worst Automobile TodayTheTruthAboutCarsTheWorstAutomobileTodayTTACTWATUplanderWed, 08 Nov 2006 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Vote for TTAC's Ten Worst Autos Today]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/vote-for-ttacs-worst-auto-today/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/vote-for-ttacs-worst-auto-today/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/vote-for-ttacs-worst-auto-today/#commentsFiled under:



Voting is open for The Truth About Cars' first ever Ten Worst Automobiles Today (or TWAT) award that we told you about earlier in the month. The initial list of more than 120 reader nominations contained predictable TWAT-eligible autos like GM's ancient minivans, uh, sorry, Crossover Sport Van, a couple of Saturns, several DaimlerChryslers, and a few Korean models. Some vehicles that were nominated but didn't make the list included highly-respected vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Pontiac Solstice, Ford Focus and Honda Fit.

Using a highly refined proprietary system, TTAC staffers trimmed the candidates to 20. Voting for the Ten Worst Automobiles Today is now open until Wednesday. See the 20 TWAT candidates after the jump.

Continue reading Vote for TTAC's Ten Worst Autos Today

Vote for TTAC's Ten Worst Autos Today originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AspenAveoBuick RendezvousBuickRendezvousCobaltCrossfireDaimlerChryslerEscaladeFord RangerFordRangerHummerHummer H2HummerH2ImpalaInfinitiInfiniti QX56InfinitiQx56Jaguar X-typeJaguarX-typejeepJeep Commanderjeep compassJeepCommanderJeepCompassLincoln Mark LTLincoln NavigatorLincolnMarkLtLincolnNavigatorMazda B-SeriesMazdaB-seriesMonte CarloMonteCarloSaab 9-7xSaab9-7xSubaru B9 TribecaSubaru Bajasubaru TribecaSubaruB9TribecaSubaruBajaSubaruTribecaTen Worst Automobiles TodayTenWorstAutomobilesTodayThe Truth About CarsThe Truth About Cars TWATTheTruthAboutCarsTheTruthAboutCarsTwatTTACTWATUplanderSun, 29 Oct 2006 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[TTAC launches Ten Worst Automobiles Today Award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ttac-launches-ten-worst-automobiles-today-award/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ttac-launches-ten-worst-automobiles-today-award/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ttac-launches-ten-worst-automobiles-today-award/#commentsFiled under:



Feeling that Car Of The Year awards were becoming nothing more than a reassuring pat on the back from magazines to their advertisers, The Truth About Cars felt like somebody should have the balls to issue a "worst car of the year" list, as well. And they decided they were just as qualified as the next blog to undertake such an endeavor.

So TTAC announced that it will be dis-honoring the "Ten Worst Automobiles Today" with the first annual TWAT awards. Recognizing this was a democracy (OK, a representative republic), they are seeking input for nominees. A rather lengthy list of rules can be found by clicking the read link, but here is a short summary.

Nominees must have been for sale in the U.S. some time between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006. Badge-engineered siblings can be jointly nominated for a TWAT "if they all suck equally." The TTAC staff will pick 20 finalists from the nominees, "taking into consideration the number of nominations received, how well the nominations were justified, our personal opinions of the vehicles in question and how much we've had to smoke or drink beforehand." Readers will then vote on the top 20 to help determine the TWATs.

Pointers are even offered for helping identify areas of wretchedness, should you be at a loss. Ugliness, poor design, poor build quality, lack of sophistication or ability in the mechanicals, and poorly executed badge engineering are all suggested starting points. So, being the socially responsible group we are, we encourage you to get out and vote.

[Source: TTAC]

TTAC launches Ten Worst Automobiles Today Award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Car Of The YearCarOfTheYearcompetitionTen Worst Automobiles TodayTenWorstAutomobilesTodayThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTTACTWATvotingTue, 17 Oct 2006 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford gets a Death Watch - TTAC thinks time is ticking]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/ttac-hands-death-watch-for-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/ttac-hands-death-watch-for-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/ttac-hands-death-watch-for-ford/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Truth About Car (TTAC)'s "Death Watch" series, whose sole occupant was General Motors, now welcomes Ford Motor Co. into its billowing folds.

TTAC's Matthew Neundorf, armed with blunt facts and near-razor wit, lays bare the automaker's litany of problems: the recent $254 million loss; a drop in sales of the popular F-150 Series; and the company's inexplicable cancellation of its big people movers like the Lincoln Town Car when, to quote Neundorf, '...the American market is flooding with SUV refugees...' And while he acknowledges the Blue Oval's Mexican-built triplets (aka Fusion/Milan/Zephyr) are doing well sales-wise, their contributions are just too late. He views the possible sale of Jaguar as a necessary amputation pruning, as well.

Thumbs up or thumbs down to Neundorf's first Death Watch? Write your decision in comments.

Related:
Jaguar could be in the sights of accelerated Way Forward plan
BREAKING: Ford doubles Q2 loss
Volvo's profitablity waning

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Ford gets a Death Watch - TTAC thinks time is ticking originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Death WatchMatthew NeundorfMatthewNeundorfThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsFri, 04 Aug 2006 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's bankruptcy = Ford's biggest nightmare?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/05/gms-bankruptcy-fords-biggest-nightmare/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/05/gms-bankruptcy-fords-biggest-nightmare/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/05/gms-bankruptcy-fords-biggest-nightmare/#commentsFiled under:

Robert Farago of TheTruthAboutCars.com (TTAC) has checked in with General Motors Death Watch 60, in which he discusses how General Motors' possible filing for bankruptcy would adversely affect the Ford Motor Company, as the two automakers utilize many of the same suppliers. After systematically discussing GM's numerous problems (product, the UAW, leadership, etc.), Farago concludes bankruptcy would lead to the emergence of a leaner, more competitive GM... a conclusion he views as not lost on the Ford Motor Company in light of their recent dealings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

[Source: TheTruthAboutCars.com]

GM's bankruptcy = Ford's biggest nightmare? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BankruptcyFordGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMGM DeathwatchGmDeathwatchRobert FaragoRobertFaragoThe Truth About CarsTheTruthAboutCarsTTACSun, 05 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST