SaxtonOnCars Celebrates 15 Years! It Started With Tesla

SaxtonOnCars started 15 years ago in 2009 shortly after I left my assignment with Edmunds.com creating daily new vehicle content for their predictive tool, Car Stock Exchange. My coverage of the auto industry really began as a sportscaster in the mid-70s commentating on stock car racing and demolition derbies on CKVU-TV in Vancouver, and reporting on all levels of auto racing. When I made the shift to financial newscasting at Financial News Network (FNN), I was tapped to host their weekly primetime program AutoTrends and be involved in live collector car auction broadcasts (years before Speed Channel launched). The drive continued at KWHY-22 "The Business Channel" in Los Angeles with my CarBiz segments interviewing automotive executives. My automotive mic was on cruise control at KFWB News980 and Bloomberg Radio where the Motor Press Guild (MPG) Batchelor Awards recognized my radio coverage of the auto industry. Then to Edmunds.com and now SaxtonOnCars with an accompanying YouTube Channel. The ride continues - thank you for your support. 

My first article was on the Tesla Model S in November 2009 (above) after seeing Elon's Roadsters being driven at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for the first time (below). And, that amazing story has reached historical proportions as we all know.

Test Drive: 2024 Toyota Sienna XSE Hybrid Minivan

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, now in its fourth-generation and third year as an all-hybrid model delivers 245 total system horsepower from a 189 horsepower 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder16-valve Dual Overhead engine and a 134 kW (180 horsepower) electric motor.

Richard Saxton reviews the Toyota Sienna XSE 7 Passenger hybrid minivan on a 375 mile city/highway test drive around Vancouver and to the Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort.

Click to watch video. 

Test Drive: 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige

The all-new 5th generation 2023 Kia Sportage subcompact SUV, which hit the roads in Spring 2022, has many driver assisted features and a slightly more powerful new 187 horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It's 7.1 inches longer than previous generation on a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. This 353 mile test drive, mainly on the highway, delivered 24MPG. This top-of-the-line X-Pro Prestige AWD, with 1.5-inch increased ground clearance, is priced at $38,815 (including $1,215 freight and handling charge). It was very impressive and the Lane Keeping Assist worked as well as it did on the previous generation. Operating the climate controls on the same knobs as the audio system took some getting used to, otherwise, intuitive function management. 

Click here to view video. 

Carroll Shelby 1994 Interview

Carroll Shelby (1923-2012), automotive designer and race driver who was the 1959 winning driver of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and designer of Shelby GT350 and GT500 based on the Ford Mustang and 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger, to name a few. His incredible legacy was most recently in the feature film Ford vs. Ferrari and documentary Shelby American. Shelby sits down for a brief interview at the opening of the Petersen Automotive Museum in 1994. 

Click to play video.

Talking Cars on KFWB NewsTalk 980, Los Angeles

Money101 on KFWB NewsTalk980 - Bob McCormick and Richard Saxton.