Autoblog’s 10 most-read articles of 2021

2021 is the auto industry’s one-year roller coaster ride, with electrification topping every automaker’s to-do list as vicious parts and labor shortages threaten to make Global production shut down. But the world still turns, agency (and the squirrels) keep misbehaving, and people find new and ridiculous reasons to steal catalytic converters. All is well here in Autoblog’s The most read stories of 2021.

ten: V8 days are numbered, says Dodge

As Stellantis announced its massive global electrification strategy in EV Day presentation in July, it came into being after constant reminders that customers still wanted big, hungry V8s.

9: Used car values ​​continue to increase, but not uniformly

Covid-related supply shortages have forced new car buyers to buy used cars instead, but not all old car is increasing in value at the same rate. Some, like Mercedes G-Class, is skyrocketing. Why?

8: These cars and trucks are more likely to travel 100,000 miles or more

Well, if you’re having a hard time shopping for a used one, you might as well be looking for something that will last a long time, right? These cars and vans should go the distance while you wait out the market. Who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love?

7: Court: Chalked tire violates Michigan woman’s rights to 14 parking tickets

A Fourth Amendment argument bailed a Michigan woman out of more than a dozen parking tickets. Will this ruling survive possible legal challenges?

6: Tesla leads, Infiniti excels in Consumer Reports’ 2021 brand satisfaction survey

The cult of Tesla Still going strong, but America has some more reasons to be proud of this year Consumer Reports 2021 Brand Satisfaction Survey. Here’s a hint: The first Japanese automaker to appear in No. 5.

5: All US state license plates ranked from best to Michigan

Some standard US license plates are very elegant and attractive. Some are as sad as a cloudy Midwest winter. Does your state offer something hot at no extra cost, or are you stuck in a state with miserable card choices? We have rated them all.

4: Ford’s long-lost ‘Big Red’ turbine pickup is back

‘This is the season for the big, red, flying things. This truck won’t catch air (at least it shouldn’t), but with its turbojet prototype engine, you’d be forgiven for assuming it can. Lost for many years, Ford’s The rediscovered “Big Red” turbine truck is quite a sight to behold.

3: Squirrel keeps 42 gallons of walnuts in a Chevrolet Avalanche

Ahh, the squirrels. Mouse with better PR, right? And the concern for individual readiness, apparently, since this industrious creature (or group of creatures) has managed to store a large number of walnuts inside a Chevrolet Avalanche. If you’re a fan of finding helpful pets, consider some of the fluffy rodent companions. Obviously they are very good at it.

2: Drug cravings made from catalytic converters alarm the capital of the Congo

Yes, everyone is doing push-ups catalytic conversion waste. It sounds like crazy.

This story is an even wilder ride than it describes. A service technician took a customer’s C8 Escort ship for a test drive after diagnosing what appears to be a looseness related problem spark plug connect, and end up engaging in some heck of a game with a charging dock were recorded on a Corvette performance data logger. Professor! Do not worry; this one has a happy ending.