'Auto Trends' Women's History Month Spotlight: African American Travel And The Road To Civil Rights (Two Shows)

 

As we kickoff Women's History Month, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program in North America, is reaching into our archives re-airing a 2020 conversation centered around cars, travel, Civil Rights and American history. In light of the current state of the world, it seems fitting that we revisit history, seeing the climate the Black community encountered before gaining many of the civil liberties most of us have taken for granted. 

In an exclusive two-part conversation with Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, curator, documentarian, professor and author Dr. Gretchen Sorin literally take us on a historical road trip, exploring the popular acronym DWB beyond the lens of racial profiling. In her book, Driving While Black: African American Travel And The Road To Civil Rights, the effervescent Sorin shares how the car, which has served as the ultimate symbol of independence and possibility, played different roles for both the Black and white community.

JeffCars.com's Holiday Road Trip Prep List

Many Americans are hitting the road this holiday season., especially since Covid has seemingly subsided and airfare prices are up 40 percent, when compared to last year.

Before hitting the road, we recommend the following:

Have you had your vehicle serviced? Did you check your tire pressure, add windshield wiper fluid and/or change your wiper blades? Do you have a working spare or a tire repair kit?

Is your insurance premium updated? Keep a copy of your insurance card and registration papers with you.

2022 Infiniti QX80 4WD: The Brand’s Flagship Vehicle Enhances Tech Features

Highlight:  The current generation QX80 has been around since 2013.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $87,985 (Base Model Luxe RWD: $72,495)

Seating Capacity: 6 to 8

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; traction control system; an electronic blindspot system; a lane departure warning system; a distance control assist system; a hill start assist system; a trailer sway system; back up camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

'Auto Trends' Goes One-On-One With Author And Filmmaker Of New PBS Special 'Driving While Black' (REWIND)

 

In an exclusive two-part conversation with Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, curator, documentarian, professor and author Dr. Gretchen Sorin literally take us on a historical road trip, exploring the popular acronym DWB beyond the lens of racial profiling.  In her new book, Driving While Black, the effervescent Sorin shares how the car, which has served as the ultimate symbol of independence and possibility, played different roles for both the Black and White community.

We begin our talk during the period of 1930, which was also known as the Jim Crow Era, discussing everything from W. E. B. Dubose to Booker T. Washington to Albert Einstein to the cars that played a prominent role with Black vacationers, business travelers, entertainers, sports figures and Civil Rights activists. We also dissect the history behind the infamous Green Book travel guides, sharing a number of revealing findings. 

2021 Lexus NX 300 F Sport AWD: The Luxury Brand’s Entry-Level Performance Compact Crossover

  

Highlight: The NX is based off of the hot-selling Toyota RAV4.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $51,785 (Base NX Model: $38,635)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a tire pressure monitoring system; lane tracing assist system; a road sign assist; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; a back up camera; automatic high beam headlights; traction control system; and an electronic blind spot monitor; first aid kit; and vehicle stability control

Standard Equipment (NX): 17-inch wheels; front wheel drive; a 6-speed automatic transmission; three driving modes; an all-speed radar cruise control system; a smart access entry system; push button ignition system; power folding outside mirrors; automatic headlights; keyless entry access; roof rails; carpeted floor mats; power front seats; rear center armrest with dual cupholders; tonneau cover; a dual zone ventilation system; Siri eyes free mode; and Amazon Alexa compatibility 

2021 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD: The Brand's Three-Row Flagship Crossover

Highlight: The Highlander is available as a hybrid and a gasoline model.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $43,625 (Base MSRP: $35,785)

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; all-wheel drive a vehicle stability system; a traction control system; hill start assistance; a pre collision braking system with pedestrian detection system; a lane departure alert system with steering assist; a lane tracing assist system; automatic high beams; a radar activated cruise control system; a road side assist system; a temporary spare tire; back up camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (L): 18-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; driving modes: eco, normal and sport; a fuel-efficient stop/start system; front grille in material black with silver paint surround; electronic parking brakes; rear liftgate windshield defogger; privacy rear glass; rear spoiler; a three-zone a/c system; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; 8 cup holders, 4 bottle holders; dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors; cloth seats; an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system; a power driver’s seat; bench second row seats; fold flat third row seats; 6 tie-down cargo hooks; a driver speak easy microphone; keyless front door entry system; color-keyed heated power outside mirrors; backup camera washer; and 8 passenger seating area

'Auto Trends' Is Discussing PBS' 'Driving While Black' Special With The Filmmaker (Show 2 of 2)

To hear the one-on-one conversation with the filmmaker ..... listen to SiriusXM and/or several of our free FM online outlets, click here.

Show One Airs - Saturday, October 3 - Wednesday, October 7

Show Two Airs - Saturday, October 10 - Wednesday, October 14

2020 Volvo Previews With The Brand's U. S. Head of Design And Product Pricing Strategist (Video Walkaround with the Editor)

The Battle Of The Flagship American Luxury Cars: 2018 Cadillac CT6 Premium RWD Vs. 2018 Lincoln Continental FWD

Highlights: Both the CT6 and the Continental are the last two American-built and designed flagship cars. Our CT6 was equipped with Cadillac’s SuperCruise system.

Cadillac CT6 AWD MSRP: $81,990 (Base Price: $55,090)

Lincoln Continental FWD MSRP: $81,620 (Base Price: $46,155)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features:

Cadillac: airbags; ABS; a rear view camera; OnStar safety system; teen driver’s safety package; daytime running lights; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; a compact spare tire; a road emergency tool kit; and a front and rear parking assist system

Lincoln: airbags; ABS: an automatic dimming driver’s side mirror; heated mirrors; a front and rear parking assist sensor; a tire pressure monitoring system; a rear view camera; a forward sensing braking system; a hill start assist sensor; a reverse sensing system; an integrated blind spot mirror system; and a spare tire