Q. I read that Dyson Ltd., the British maker of high-end vacuum cleaners and household appliances, plans to build electric cars in Singapore to compete against Tesla and major automakers. I say it’s a long way from vacuum cleaners and household appliances to cars. What say you? — J.C. (via Internet) 

A. Dyson has a good reputation for being innovative. It said said a car making facility would be built by 2020 and that its vehicles would go on sale in 2021. But don’t hold your breath. It’s an awful long way from Dyson’s vacuum cleaners and such appliances as its fans and hand dryers to mass produced electric cars—or conventional cars. Large high-tech American companies working on electric car and advanced vehicle systems say they will leave the actual automaking process to established vehicle producers. 



Q. While Tesla is struggling financially, it still makes some pretty good cars. But I’ve read that it isn’t as advanced a car builder as many may think it is and that much of Tesla’s “magic” comes from dynamic Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Your thoughts? — D.M. (via Internet)

A. Munroe & Associates, a consulting company, says Tesla, despite its futuristic reputation, is somewhat behind the times when it comes to producing cars, according to an article in the October 22 issue of trade publication Automotive News. “They’re just learning all the old mistakes everyone else made years ago,” Sandy Munroe, founder of Monroe & Associates, is quoted in the article as saying. For instance, Monroe says the rear wheel well on the Tesla Model 3 features nine pieces of metal riveted, sealed or welded together, while the General Motors’ Chevrolet Bolt electric model uses one stamped piece of steel. 



Q. Do you think that Ford Motor’s continuing stream of poor financial results will cause it to trim its high dividend? — J.J. (via Internet)

A. Ford, which pays a hefty dividend, recently reported slightly improved third quarter results but has been losing money in major markets such as China, Europe and South America. Many feel it’s too vague about future plans, and it has announced that it’s dropping all car models in America, except for its iconic Mustang, which is not a particularly high-volume model. I suspect that Henry Ford I is rolling over in his grave. 

Q. I’ve practically given up on the major American car buff magazines such as Road & Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Automobile. For the most part, they feature terribly expensive cars I could never afford, let alone insure or drive daily. These magazines seem most happy with the ones that do 0-60 m.p.h. in about 3 seconds—or less. Where can a driver legally use such performance? Also, these magazine often test cars on race tracks, which are not natural driving environments for most folks. — E.N. (via Internet)

A. A former publisher of Road & Track magazine once told me with a laugh that R&T and other auto buff magazines are “just dream books” for young drivers. Several Detroit auto engineers have referred to such magazines as “comic books.” Actually, I subscribe to all of these publications because I must keep up with everything going on in the auto world. I bought my first copy of Road & Track in 1955 as a young man and also Sports Cars Illustrated before it was renamed Car and Driver.




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