July 4, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
125: New mini rides from BMW and Mazda?
Has the U.S. auto industry finally hit bottom? U.S. will get a new small SUV from BMW--and perhaps a new mini Miata. Plus, we take you for a ride in a really nice car that could be so much better.
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SHOW NOTES
The BMW X1 will come to the U.S., slotted beneath the X3 as a utility stablemate to the 1 Series.
(Credit: BMW of North America)• How Toyota's geared CVT works -- see an animation
• Fiat's 500 will come to the U.S., but not stablemates
• See BMW's new fuel, weather and stocks screen
Brian Cooley is an editor at large who keeps his fingers on the pulse of consumers' attitudes toward tech. His specialty is CNET Car Tech videos, but, frankly, most people have seen him on the TVs at Costco (or in one of his '60s Fords or Fiats).
Brian Cooley has a fleet of late '60s cars so he's well aware that great motoring exists happily in the absence of silicon--car technology only impresses him when it's great.
Wayne Cunningham On the cutting edge of tech coverage, Wayne began his journalism career writing about the Web in 1995. Although he has covered many areas of technology, he considers the Car Tech beat the best yet.
Antuan Goodwin gained most of his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway. From drivetrain tech and performance to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
