“Minivans Are Just Not Cool!” According to Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab, the financial and investment company, ran a contest called “Oh Chuck! I Blew My Cash.”  It asked people to tell Charles Schwab the most ridiculous items or products they have blown money on.  The company released this promotional “Minivan” video on Youtube to promote the contest.

It shows a women telling Chuck about how she came to buy a $20,000 minivan.  She meet a guy, things were going really well, so he proposed!  Of course he did what most guys would do at the site of a minivan… bolt!  Chuck precedes to tell Carrie about what would have been better options for that money (I mean he is Charles Schwab) and says, “Minivans are just not cool!”

The story sounds so ridiculous, but it raises an important automotive question.  What does this say about Minivans?  Are they just so uncool that not even a billionaire financial adviser and successful entrepreneur like Charles Schwab can recommend buying one?  Are minivans a signal in our culture and society the we are in fact “not cool” anymore?  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

If this story is true, I think Carrie should have win the contest! 🙂

Videos from my Visit to Rocky Mountain National Park

For those that follow my blog closely you probably remember my epic roadtrip from Irvine, CA to Baltimore, MD.  On my roadtrip I saw a lot of really cool places, people, and things.  One of the highlights of the roadtrip was my visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado.  A truly beautiful place!

Even though I took a lot of pictures at the Rocky Mountain National Park, some of which you can see here, I finally uploaded videos I took during my visit last summer!

All the videos were taken driving up Trail Ridge Road and as I took in all the sights, sounds, and views of the stunning park.  Getting higher gave you a better view and experience of the nature and surroundings.  Of course driving up the narrow roads with 300 foot drops off the side can be a little nerve-racking.  It was fun as well though!  I highly recommend you go visit if you ever get a chance.

Took me long enough and hopefully I will get around to uploading more pictures and videos I that have languished on my laptop for a long time.  Watch the videos below at least and let me know what you think!

Tori Praver Creates the Greatest Racetrack in History

I hope everyone is enjoying Valentine's Day.  I am sure most people are enjoying roses, chocolates, cards, e-cards, and… well doing you know what!

If you didn't know the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition went on sale today.  The stunning Kate Upton made the cover.

Another stunning model, among many, in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is Tori Praver.  Her curvaceous body will make men go crazy.  Lexus has smartly capitalized on this in a very interesting way for the ad campaign for the all-new 2013 GS sedan.

In a new Youtube video Lexus features the TORI 500, showcasing a real racetrack that was inspired by the design of Tori Praver's body.  Supermodels curves are finally being put to good use.

The video shows the process of taking the pictures and making the racetrack.  Two professional race-car drivers are tasked with going around the track, in a Lexus GS of course.  They compete for a special prize, a victory lap with Tori Praver.  Winning feels great, but driving on the racetrack inspired by a supermodel with the supermodel riding shotgun, priceless!

The luxury car company also has four-page spread in the latest issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine.  As we all know guys from 13-113 go bonkers for this magazine.  Since it features some of the world's most beautiful women.

Lexus, this is genius!  Actually I would say that the Tori Praver inspired racetrack is the greatest racetrack designed in history. Please give us more supermodel racetracks!

If you want to drive the track, you can with a Tori 500 game for the iPhone.

 

I was on WYPR with John Davis of MotorWeek!

Yesterday I called into WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks because John Davis of MotorWeek was on the program.  I got to ask John Davis a question which was, “What advice would you have for a young automotive journalist like myself?”  His advice was to get into doing other forms of media like podcasting and making videos of myself talking about cars.  He said automotive websites are always on the lookout for new versatile talent and that's what they like to see.  He thought I was on the right track with what I was doing though.  That felt good.  He feels I was on the right track with my blogging and writing.  I am glad I got the opportunity to talk with him.  Someday I hope to be on MotorWeek!

 

 

Bridgestone Launches New Website for Teen Drivers

Bridgestone has a new website for teen drivers, Teensdrivesmart.com. The focus is to educate by providing a comprehensive resource for young drivers. Resources are provided in the form of useful information, fun video games, informative videos, and a blog. However the site is not just for teenagers as there are great resources for parents and teachers as well.

Sometimes it can be hard for parents to think of the right things to say to the newly minted drivers in the family. The website helps with tips and advice. They have driving contracts for parents and teens. Fill these out and discuss the rules and limits when using the family vehicles. This is something a certain writer would definitely approve of… of course not when he was learning to drive.

The site has another great feature – teaching tools. Most schools don't offer driver ed's. But teachers and students do still talk about driving, and the site offers driving-focused lesson plans that teachers can use in high school and even middle school. The lessons can be easily integrated into instruction for many different subjects. If you are a teacher, check it out. Consider how to teach your students safe driving habits. Talking about driving should be a priority. This can save lives.

“With the website we provide all the information to make smart decisions. There are more distractions than ever,” says Angela Patterson Sikes, who manages teen driver safety initiatives for Bridgestone. Texting; cell phones; music: other teens – are all potential co-pilots with teen drivers, and all can be lethal. Sikes, who also writes for the site's “Driver's Seat Blog,” says the site offers tips on how teens (and adults) can handle those distractions.

“Teenagers are new drivers which is a great opportunity to learn good habits.” says Sikes. “We think safety is everyone's responsibility. We try to involve parents and teachers to get out the message.”

The blog, which encourages reader comments and an open forum, gives out this information in a conversational manner. Four young women are the primary contributors who connect to teens on their level, without talking down to them. “We want to put a face on the lessons we are trying to teach,” Sikes says.

The website is gaining traction. Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, recently contributed with video messages chatting about the site.

If you sign-up to receive the newsletter you could win a $100 gas card. Check back for more information, contests, and great advice on teen driving.