Karl on Cars
Auto Shows
August 18, 2008
It's not every day you can see a Ferrari California Spyder leading a Cadillac V16 in a slow parade onto the 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Course, but the image above is just one of many great sights and sounds I experienced over the past three days.
The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was a celebration of cars from as far back as 1896, though most of the vehicles that caught my eye were from 1960 or newer. However, seeing several examples of the Cadillac V16 gave me a new appreciation for the brand's history. Would love to see GM's permier division produce a 16-cylinder engine for the 21st Century. Various economic and geopolitical issues suggest that's unlikely...
This was my third trip to the Pebble Beach Concours, and the first time I did the early-morning (5:30 a.m.) arrival to see the cars arrive in the morning (versus looking at them already parked on the fairway). Yeah, it's a brutal time to get up, but well worth it to see (and hear) the cars moving under their own power.
Beyond the Pebble Beach show I attended one auction and witnessed the widening chasm between what car sellers want and what car buyers will pay. The market for all but high-end, perfect, no-stories cars has shifted. The sooner the owners of cars not fitting that description face this reality the sooner they can realistically decide if it's time to sell or hold. Right now, they are wasting a lot of time and money putting cars on the block with fantasy-land reserves.
I also attended the Concorso Italiano at its new Marina Airport location. The short version? It was cold and windy and everyone hated it. I don't know where this show will happen next year, but it won't be at the Marina Airport.
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- Karl Brauer August 18, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Driving
- Technorati Tags:
- Monterey Historics, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
August 15, 2008
I'm one of the lucky ones. I get to spend the next three days wondering around picturesque Monterey Peninsula looking at exotic sports cars and vintage racing machines.
If you've never been to the Pebble Beach Concours or Monterey Historic Races you can still call yourself a "car guy" -- but your status remains provisional versus certified. Conversely, even if you have attended this long weekend of car-bauchery your car-guy status is by no means guaranteed. I've seen too many obvious posers at this event, as the wealthy-but-bored often have nothing better to do this time of year.
I've attended this event (series of events, really) two or three times, but I prefer to take a few years off between visits simply because the crush of crowds and traffic is beyond my annual tolerance level. It's sort of like a trip to Europe. Exciting and entertaining, but not something I want to experience every 12 months.
The above shot is from Concorso Italiano, which is a must-do event if you have even a molecule of Italian car passion. I'm always assured of getting my 275, Daytona and F40 fix addressed by walking Concorso's aisles, which is reason enough to attend.
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- Karl Brauer August 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Road Trips
- Technorati Tags:
- Concorso Italiano, Monterey Weekend, Pebble Beach
May 5, 2008
Every authentic automotive enthusiast has at least heard of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and/or Monterey Historics that happen each year in mid-August on the Monterey Peninsula. But if you've been following (and/or attending) those events for any length of time you know it's gotten a bit too big for its britches. What started as a pure car-guy weekend has, largely, become another corporate tool. For example, it's no longer the Monterey Historic Race event that it started out as in 1974, it's the ROLEX Monterey Historic Races presented by TOYOTA. And it doesn't just happen at Laguna Seca raceway, it happens at MAZDA RACEWAY, Laguna Seca.
The Pebble Beach Concours hasn't officially sold its name or location to a corporate entity since its 1950 genesis, but during the long weekend leading up to the Sunday car show just about every automotive-related company tries to get in on the action with sponsored events, vehicle introductions and general corporate posturing. If you can fight your way through the traffic, crowds and paid signage (much of it made up of clearly non car folks or subject matter) you might catch a glimpse of some of the best vehicles on the planet, both racing at LAGUNA SECA and displaying on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach golf course.
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- Karl Brauer May 5, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Motorcycles
April 8, 2008
Last Friday's blog entry discussed the crash-and-burn status of large truck and SUV sales. Basically, if it's big and it's truck-based, it ain't sellin' (with rare exception). At the same time, Ford's archaic Ranger is up for the year, and anecdotel evidence suggests new and used Rangers, along with older Toyota and Nissan compact trucks, are quite popular with truck buyers in 2008.
This is basically a repeat of what happned with American cars in the 1970s. For decades they'd grown larger and larger, then a fuel crisis hit and everyone (car buyers and car makers) stopped, took a critical look at the size of their vehicles, and basically said, "What the #@&* are we doing?! Nobody actually needs vehicles this big, we're just caught up in a 'Size Arms Race' with the rest of the industry. Now our vehicles are just stupid-big -- and they guzzle a lot of gas!"
This epiphany had every carmaker immediately downsizing their offerings as a result, and while cars have grown in recent years we've still never approached the behemoths being sold in 1974.
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- Karl Brauer April 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Dodge, Future Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
March 14, 2008
There's an undeniable trend that just keeps repeating this auto show season. It started in Tokyo last October, though at that show you expect to see a bizarre combination of performance (Nissan GT-R) and environmental responsibility (Honda Puyo). But the same themes have appeared at Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and Geneva.
You've got car companies committed to vehicles like the Dodge Challenger and and Corvette ZR-1 because they had their genesis back when fuel was $2 a gallon and the Prius was still a punchline in late night monologues. At the same time every automaker is scrambling to produce an earth-friendly, Al Gore-approved form of transportation as quickly as possible.
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- Karl Brauer March 14, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles
February 5, 2008
The 2008 Dodge Challenger stands poised to upstage the Chicago Auto Show this week, and as an avowed Mopar freak I should be fully enthralled by this car's return. Yup, I should be.
But I'm not. While I see the Challenger's return as an excellent opprotunity to cash in on Chrysler's muscle car heritage (and I love the production grille, fuel-filler door and other styling cues) I also see some major problems with the car's launch plan. As I stated last week in my Dodge Charger R/T post, the LX chassis is pretty hefty for a "sporty coupe" -- even one with a muscle car heritage. But there are additional issues that have me concerned, most of them centered around first impressions this car will make on potential buyers.
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- Karl Brauer February 5, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Dodge, Future Vehicles
January 21, 2008
Like many car guys, I spent a good chunk of this past weekend watching the annual Barrett-Jackson Car Auction. Every year this event takes place in Scottsdale, Arizona (though it will reportedly be moving to Las Vegas soon), and even if you have no interest in bidding on a vehicle it's worth watching to see some great iron. But after attending the event once in person, and watching it several times on T.V., I've learned a few things:
1. NEVER watch it live. The combination of commercials, obvious "filler" cars and endless self promotion make me wonder how anyone can watch it in real time. I consistently record it with my DVR and watch it after the live event ends -- rapidly blasting through the Bentleys with gold spoke wheels, "male enhancement" advertisements and belabored bidding practices.
2. IGNORE the prices. You've probably heard this before, but the prices at this auction simply don't represent reality. Many bidders rely more on ego than logic when deciding how much to spend, and the atmosphere inside the Barrett-Jackson circus tent not only encourages this behavior but depends on it.
And perhaps most importantly...
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- Karl Brauer January 21, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Auto Shows
January 16, 2008
There's driver distraction, and then there's driver distration. On one of my final cab rides in Detroit I saw this practice raised to a true art form.
My driver had a video screen mounted in the center-stack area (right below the radio/climate controls). When I sat down in the rear seat an episode of LOST was paused on this screen, but he hit the "PLAY" button as soon as we drove off. That's not all -- at every stoplight on Woodward Avenue the driver would flip on the dome light and read from a newspaper (ironically, he did not pause LOST during these reading sessions).
Of course he wasn't completely wreckless. Whenever the light turned green he dutifully put the paper down, turned off the dome light and began watching LOST again (with a litle focus left over for that whole driving thing).
I knew nobody would believe me, so I snapped the above photo, which is not posed or staged in any way, I assure you. We were simply waiting at a red light on northbound Woodward when I took this shot.
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- Karl Brauer January 16, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Driving
January 15, 2008
The most impressive (and seductive) technology statement at the show.
If anyone must offer a production V12 diesel engine, it's Audi.
Yet another diesel performance breakthrough. Last one in this story -- promise!
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- Karl Brauer January 15, 2008, 7:00 AM
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- Auto Shows
January 14, 2008
After the first day of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show I've seen Brian Adams sing next to Audis, Kim Cattrall driving a Mercedes-Benz, and professional basketball players shoot hoops over a Kia. But easily the most "wild" product unveil surrounded the 2009 Dodge Ram -- literally.
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- Karl Brauer January 14, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Dodge
December 27, 2007
Our 2008 Detroit Auto Show preview is up, and among the world premiers is the most powerful Corvette ever, the next-generation Ford F-150 and the first redesign of Honda's highly-successful Pilot. I'm intrigued by the powerful Corvette and Cadillac CTS-V that will debut in Detroit, but I'm more impressed by what appears to be a serious green showing by Chrysler. Despite its access to the same two-mode hybrid transmission that GM is using in the Tahoe, Chrysler has the farthest to go in achieving real-world fuel-mileage gains.
Of course it wouldn't be a modern auto show without a crossover or six. Beyond the Pilot you can expect to see the next Subaru Forester, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLK, the all-new Kia Borrego, the all-new Toyota Venza and the Land Rover LRX Concept.
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- Karl Brauer December 27, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
December 13, 2007
The first round of 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year votes are in...
Car Finalists:
1. Cadillac CTS 2. Chevrolet Malibu 3. Honda Accord
Truck Finalists:
1. Buick Enclave 2. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 3. Mazda CX-9
The final winnners will be announced the morning of January 13th as part of the kickoff for the 2008 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show). I just sent my second-round ballot in, so my part in voting for the car and truck winners is over. I won't know the results before that January 13th announcement, though obviously I know who I voted for.
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- Karl Brauer December 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Vehicle Awards
November 15, 2007
Well guys, I made it to both meals, despite the urge to simply kick it in the Lexus LS 600's massaging rear seat on the show floor instead. I must get more comfortable "fancy" shoes for these damn auto shows.
The Ed Peper/Chevrolet lunch was great. There were only about 12 journalists, so each writer had plenty of time to ask his questions. Here's what I learned:
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- Karl Brauer November 15, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
November 14, 2007
Alright guys, I've done this before and it's proven surprisingly successful, so I'm once again asking: Given the opportunity, what would say to the top guys at a major automaker?
Today I'll be having lunch with Ed Peper, General Manager of GM's Chevrolet division. I'll follow that up tonight by dining with BMW USA Chairman and CEO, Tom Purves.
I've got a few items to cover with these folks (listed below), but I'm always happy to hear more suggestions.
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- Karl Brauer November 14, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, BMW, Chevrolet, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles
November 13, 2007
Superb story from The Economist explaining the current challenges faced by Toyota, and how they may affect the brand's march toward world domination. Toyota was clearly on track to be the world's No. 1 automaker this year, but a (modestly) resurging GM (at least in sales) combined with a series of quality/reliability slips for Toyota has made this a bonafide horse race.
It's interesting to read about Toyota's struggle to rapidly increase production capacity while trying to maintain quality control. I give the company credit for doing as well as it has over the past 20 years, but it appears they've finally crossed some sort of "Quality vs. Quantity" line that even their stringent corporate philosophy can't overcome.
However, the most intriguing aspect of the article is the one we've already talked about on this blog: How can Toyota be the hero of environmentalists as it continues to roll out bigger, stronger and thirstier models? Obviously it can't, and the backlash (like most green backlashes these days) has grown from a low-frequency mumur to a high-pitched screech.
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- Karl Brauer November 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
November 12, 2007
Not every "show" in Hollywood is on hold during the writers' strike. This week we'll see a large roll-out of world debuts at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show -- further proof that moving the show date to mid-November has greatly enhanced the event's influence on the show schedule.
Like most shows these days, the bulk of the World "debuts" in Los Angeles will have already been seen in some form prior to their unveilings. We've already done a full road test on the 2008 Ford Bullitt Mustang. We've driven (and are about to publish the First Drive) on the 2008 Toyota Sequoia. And the photos and specs for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR are widely available.
However, despite these early releases, there remain several compelling unveilings in the next 72 hours.
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- Karl Brauer November 12, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
October 29, 2007
Back from a week in Tokyo (my first trip to that city and only my second time in Japan) and I feel like I've gained a bit of insight regarding the culture behind some of the most successful cars on the planet. If you've been to this country, and the Tokyo Auto Show, my observations will likely sound familiar.
1. Super Efficiency: Tokyo is a city of 12 million human beings. That's 50 percent more people than in New York City, but between the efficient layout, effective mass transit system and cultural vibe it doesn't feel overpopulated. I knew going in I'd face a massive wave of people. What I didn't know was that the "human management" (for lack of a better term) would keep me from feeling overwhelmed -- or even annoyed. America (and particularly Los Angeles) could learn a lot from our eastern brothers.
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- Karl Brauer October 29, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows
October 24, 2007
It's the first press day at the Tokyo Auto Show. Actually, by the time you're reading this it's probably well into the second press day in Japan. This is the first time I've been to the Tokyo Auto Show, though I was in Japan five years ago as part of the press introduction for Mazda's RX-8. That trip was based in Hiroshima, so I'm thrilled to be seeing another major city on this trip...
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- Karl Brauer October 24, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
September 12, 2007
Here's the follow-up to our look at Europe's future product as predicted by Automotive News. Yesterday we hit Alfa Romeo through Maybach, so today we'll start with Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz: Lots of activity for 2008, most of which we've already seen (SLR Roadster, S65, all-new C-Class, etc.). Next year we get the C63 (457hp), a CLK convertible, an E-Class update, an SLK restyle and an SL freshen. In 2009 we get a CLS freshen, an AMG E-Class, an S-Class convertible and -- believe it or not -- a small crossover called the GLK.
Mini: The Clubman just debuted in Frankfurt, and we'll see how the small-car brands fares with a larger model. The new John Cooper Works model looks cool (and makes 207 horsepower while weighing 66 pounds less) and the convertible gets a full redesign, to catch up with the coupe, for 2009.
Porsche: Both the Boxster and the Cayman get freshened next year, while the titanic 911 GT2 debuts with 530 turbo-charged horsepower. A full redesign of the Cayenne happens in 2009, while Porsche's first sedan, the Panamera, hits town in 2010 (and yes, the company will still have a "soul" -- along with a stronger bottom line).
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- Karl Brauer September 12, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Smart Car, Volkswagen, Volvo
September 11, 2007
In our ongoing series of future product plan coverage let's take a look at what will be coming across the Atlantic in the coming years. Glancing through the Automotive News analysis it would appear Europe's focus will be on crossovers, small cars and increased fuel efficiency. Who'd a thunk it? But a return of Alfa Romeo and a "cheap" Rolls Royce should keep things interesting. I'm only covering half of the European brands today because, well, there's a lot of them!
Alfa Romeo: After years of hints and innuendos it appears Alfa Romeo may really be coming to America in 2009. Look for the 8C Competizione (rear-drive coupe with 450hp V8), the 159 sedan (front- or all-wheel drive), the Brea (a 2+2 coupe) and the Spider (a two-seat convertible based off the Brea platform). Momma-mia!
Aston Martin: The DBS is debuting this week in Frankfurt, and it looks to be a worthy successor to the Vanquish. But the real test of Aston Martin's future will come with the launch of it high-end, high-performance sedan, the Rapide (in 2009). With new ownership and a new product direction the future could be very bright for this British brand.
Audi: The redesigned A4 is practically here, and the redesigned A6 follows next year. But the big news for 2009 is a sleek new A7 sedan that goes up against the CLS, plus not one but two new crossovers (one of which is the Q5, pictured). An A5 convertible and redesigned A8 round out the fun in 2010.
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- Karl Brauer September 11, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Aston Martin, Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Future Vehicles, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover
September 10, 2007
This week marks the 2007 edition of Frankfurt's bi-annual auto show. As the largest and most important show on "The Continent" Frankfurt never fails to impress with its array of high-powered, high-profile (and often high priced) Euro-toys. We've arleady got a lot of the show's coverage up (the magic of early press releases and no embargos), which means I've already picked some of the cars I'm most (and least) interested in seeing.
Audi RS6: Is there anything cooler than a V10, dry-sump 580 horsepower station wagon? Well, maybe if it has 20-inch wheels and carbon ceramic brakes, which are options on this Audi Avant. It's like we won't see the wagon version on this side of the Atlantic, which is sad (but what we deserve for being a bunch of hyper-SUV-obsessed yanks). Look for the sedan version next fall for around $90,000.
BMW 1 Series: There's no avoiding it. Every redesign of an iconic nameplate inevitably means more weight and less purity in terms of performance. The fix is to introduce new models that keep the original's mojo alive. Porsche did this recently with the Cayman (sorry 911), and BMW will perform a similar sleight of hand with the new 1 Series. Hmmm, the 335i's engine in a smaller, lighter package. The mind reels...
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- Karl Brauer September 10, 2007, 6:00 AM
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- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
April 4, 2007
When you have a vehicle as good as the G35 it can get somewhat precarious when "redesign time" rolls around. Honestly, if you can simply make everything a little bit better, without messing anything up, you're golden.
The
all-new G37 is golden (in a gray-ish, metallic sort of way). I just spoke with Simon Sproule, who works for Infiniti in Japan and drives a G35 as his personal car...
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- Karl Brauer April 4, 2007, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Infiniti
Chevrolet just officially unveiled its three Korean-designed concept cars at the New York Auto Show. All three are supposed to go after the growing small-car market, but only one can win the voting contest Chevy is having to see which model consumers like best.
None of them particulalry blew me away in terms of design, but I do like that the Beat is supposed to offer premium features like nav and upscale audio. I've said the U.S. market needs a "premium" and "cool" small car entry for years, and only Mini has answered my call (and been hugely successful, too)...
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- Karl Brauer April 4, 2007, 7:01 AM
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- Auto Shows, Chevrolet
I'm in New York for the Auto Show, and I'm looking through my pre-show information before all the official unveilings occur. Most of these cars will not be much of a surprise because, like every modern auto show, almost every "debut" has already been seen in one form or another (spy photo, "exclusive" early release photo, official hand out images, etc.). The shows have really become about seeing the cars in person, because that's the only aspect you don't get ahead of time.
Of all the "debuts" in the Big Apple I'm most intrigued by the Hyundai Genesis and the Infiniti G37 coupe, as both vehicles are key players in their respective automakers' future product plan. The first G35 essentially put Infiniti on the luxury car map five years ago, and the Genesis could represent a paradigm shift in Hyundai's image...
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- Karl Brauer April 4, 2007, 6:00 AM
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- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
March 28, 2007
Over two years after debuting the Fairlane concept Ford has decided to release a production version at the New York Auto Show next week. It will be called the "Flex" and have the same boxy profile and three-row seating, but apparently no suicide rear doors. I had dinner with J. Mays last year during the 2006 Detroit Auto Show...
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- Karl Brauer March 28, 2007, 7:03 AM
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- Auto Shows, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Future Vehicles
March 22, 2007
Remember when Lexus knocked all the traditional luxury brands on their ass in 1989 with a certain luxury sedan? The LS 400 offered a V8, rear-wheel drive and enough refinement and technology to put the Germans into systemic shock -- and that was before the car's price was announced. Lexus has been gumming up Germany's mojo ever since. Well, here's comes Hyundai with -- you guessed it -- a V8, rear-drive luxury sedan with the 5 Series and E-Class directly in its cross-hairs. Those of you who just scoffed better read that first sentence again...
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- Karl Brauer March 22, 2007, 7:05 AM
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- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles
March 7, 2007
One of the more exciting cars to debut at the Geneva Auto Show is the Mazda2. Why? After all, it's only got about 100 horsepower and, officially, it's not coming to America. However it will be the basis for a new Ford subcompact vehicle, likely to be called the Fiesta, and that version will be coming to America...
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- Karl Brauer March 7, 2007, 7:07 AM
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- Auto Shows, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Mazda
March 1, 2007
In less than a week the Dodge Demon Concept will "debut" at the Geneva Auto Show. I use the quotes because this car already debuted on Inside Line last week, so you can view a dozen photos and watch a video without waiting for the tarp to be pulled in Switzerland. In looking at the photos of the Demon I find myself hoping Dodge builds it, though the current DCX situation, with talk of Chrysler being sold, leaves me doubtful it will ever see the light of day. I'm not thrilled with the front grill (someone needs to tell Dodge that the gaping-hole-with-crossbar doesn't work on every type of car), but otherwise it looks very right...
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- Karl Brauer March 1, 2007, 7:01 AM
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- Auto Shows, Dodge, Future Vehicles
January 16, 2007
While Toyota is moving toward the title of "world's largest automaker" more quickly than many expected, China just leapfrogged Japan to become the world's second largest vehicle market. If you witnessed the Changfeng press conference at the Detroit Auto Show you might be wondering how all these cars are being sold (I know I am), but the bottom line is -- they are. China has become a major player in the global automotive marketplace, with 7.2 million units sold in 2006. Foreign automakers from Europe, Japan and the U.S...
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- Karl Brauer January 16, 2007, 8:02 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday
January 12, 2007
We just posted this image of the next Infiniti G35 coupe, which will debut at the New York auto show in April. You always have to take these "manufacturer sketches" with a five-pound bag of salt, but this thing looks su-weet! My first impression was "$30,000 Aston Martin" though on closer inspection I see some Hyundai Tiburon in the hood/headlights (a car that itself had plenty of Ferrari 456). Regardless, it looks good, and considering how aggressive the new Altima Coupe looks I guess Infiniti had no choice but to up their game with the next G coupe's design...
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- Karl Brauer January 12, 2007, 7:10 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Infiniti, Subaru
January 11, 2007
Among the many industry folks I saw at the Detroit Auto Show was one Wolfgang Durheimer, the Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Porsche. He actually took the time to have lunch with Scott Oldham and I (yes, we were pleasantly surprised too). Probably the biggest element I took away from this lunch was a clearer understanding of exactly why Porsches are such fabulous vehicles. Mr...
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- Karl Brauer January 11, 2007, 7:09 AM
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- Auto Shows, Porsche
January 9, 2007
As I prepare to board my flight back to Los Angeles I find myself pondering the winners and losers from the Detroit Auto Show:
1. Winner—GM the new CTS is beautiful, the Malibu looks like a substantial step forward and the Volt concept car tells a good story (could be a best-seller if GM can make it a reality). Oh, and a sweep of the North American Car & Truck of the Year awards for the Aura and Silverado didn't hurt, either.
2...
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- Karl Brauer January 9, 2007, 1:58 PM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Talk Back Tuesday
