Welcome to Indie Auto!
This is a journal of opinion that offers an independent look at the automobile’s past, present and future.
My primary focus is on the United States. I strive to present an honest and thoughtful analysis that steers clear of boosterism — and the incestuous relationships between all too many auto media outlets and the industry.
Lately I have been posting five or six new or updated pieces each week, usually Monday through Friday (with a few exceptions, such as winter holidays). This is a solo operation that I do in my spare time, so that frequency could change.
You can keep up with our shenanigans by subscribing to a free e-newsletter that is sent out each Friday. You can also receive an email notification whenever a comment is posted by filling out the form at the bottom of any page with a comment thread.
Indie Auto also has a Facebook page that posts our stories as well as links to interesting content from around the Internet.
How to comment on stories
You can comment on those posts that include a comment box at the bottom of the page. First-time comments must be approved. Before you begin to comment, please check out our guidelines (go here).
To summarize: We strive to cultivate discussions that are civil, thoughtful and free of pom-pom waving. Critique is a key part of what we do. If you are sensitive to criticism of specific cars, automakers or whatever else, we may not be your cup of tea.
You can comment on Indie Auto’s Facebook page, but you are encouraged to instead do so on the website, which has a much larger number of readers. As the editor/publisher I don’t typically respond to Facebook comments.
Indie Auto’s goal: A car blog for intelligent people
The Internet is awash in automotive media, yet it tends to have a bland sameness. The standard formula for success is a 24/7 barrage of car porn, guy talk and news McNuggets. All that sound and fury is primarily designed to entertain rather than inform — and intellectually challenge — readers.
In contrast, Indie Auto attempts to be a car blog for intelligent people. For example, one of my major goals is to present both the detailed industry knowledge of a car buff and the analytical depth of an auto history scholar (go here for further discussion).
Indie Auto often points out factual errors that have been repeated over and over. These errors may mask a “groupthink” that can constrain our understanding of automotive history as well as the technology’s role in society.
This is not to suggest that I am immune from contributing my own errors and misinterpretations (let me know when you think I do). Despite the limitations that I bring to this endeavor, which are discussed below, I hope Indie Auto helps to expand the conversation in productive ways.
How my background informs Indie Auto
I produce Indie Auto in a suburb near Seattle, Washington. This is a retirement project done in partnership with my inner 10 year old.
The content you read is informed by my background. I have not worked in and around the auto industry. There is no telltale grease lodged in the corners of my fingernails. Nor do I possess the engineering chops to describe the intricacies of a famous engine.
However, as a kid I was obsessed with becoming a car designer. In addition to drawing cars, I pored over auto production tables and wrote ad copy. Sometimes I penned smart-ass letters to Car and Driver that were never sent.
As life would have it, I ended up going into journalism and policy research. Along the way I earned a doctorate in public affairs.
This eclectic background can give Indie Auto a split personality. The policy analyst in me weighs in on serious topics. Meanwhile, my inner child has a little fun by including offbeat photography, satirical stories and fake advertising (go here and here). That’s right: Instead of selling your eyeballs to real advertisers, Indie Auto posts fake ads that offer wry social commentary.
Opinions may be strong but grounded in facts
Despite my background as a journalist, Indie Auto does not attempt to offer “just-the-facts” reporting. But even though this is a journal of opinion, I strive to be reality based. Posts will tend to include more data and use a more scholarly citation method than is typically found on automotive blogs.
Historical pieces often present counterfactuals — alternative ways history could have played out — that may include fake car designs photoshopped by my inner 10 year old. Some auto historians may find this approach overly speculative, but I think it can help us to become more aware of the assumptions that may constrain the ways we view the past.
I attempt to offer a fresh perspective on well-worn topics rather than to repeat what you could find in better auto history books, magazines and websites. That said, I also try to avoid being contrary for its own sake.
A cross between a blog and a magazine
As is typical for a blog, new stories first appear at the top of the front page and drift downward as others are posted. However, like a magazine, indepth pieces may stay on the front page for longer periods of time.
Indie Auto’s front page typically includes a mix of new and reposted older articles. The latter are almost always updated, expanded or improved.
Consider the historical articles to be living documents. One advantage a website has over books and printed magazines is that its content can be continuously improved in response to reader feedback and new information I come across. This is a key part of Indie Auto’s journalistic approach.
Instead of rushing to keep up with events 24/7, I am more interested in taking a step back and asking: What will be important in the long run? This approach is grounded in the “slow news” movement, which emphasizes thoughtfulness over speed (Gillmor, 2009).
Can I repost one of your articles?
Maybe — if you ask first. Go here for more specifics, but know that all text and images are copyrighted by me unless otherwise designated. You are encouraged to use the ideas presented here as long as you properly attribute them. Links are always appreciated, as are Facebook likes, hallway referrals and financial donations.
This is a not-for-profit initiative. Material is presented on this website solely for historical research and educational purposes. Check out our privacy policy here.
Thank you for stopping by. Make yourself comfortable and take a look around. You can get a better sense of the breadth of Indie Auto’s content by exploring the menu bar at the top of the page. And do feel free to let me know your reactions.
— Steve Salmi
RE:SOURCES
- Gillmor, Dan; 2009. “Toward a Slow-News Movement.” Mediactive. Posted Nov. 9.