Quote: “Auto experts say old-line companies risk becoming obsolete if they don’t learn how to make appealing, profitable electric vehicles, which most executives expect to eventually replace cars that run on gasoline despite the Trump’s administration efforts to promote fossil fuels. Improvements in electric vehicle technology mean that, within a few years, they will be cheaper to buy and will charge in 15 minutes or less.” (NYTimes gift article)

Apropos of which, the best podcast yet on why we all dread the experience of buying a car. (Spoiler: It helps the dealer make more money.) Maybe it would be a good thing if all American car manufacturers went broke so they’d have to start over with a business model that was just a tad more fair to the consumer. (Planet Money Podcast transcript)

The Buick Roadmaster, the most popular car in 1952, the year I was born. You could launch an F-15 off that hood. Click here to find the most popular car of your birth year. (Reader’s Digest)

Quote for the day

[The US] Losing to Europe is like Nascar losing to the Soap Box Derby. —WSJ Editorial Board

Outro…

Chatter Lagniappe Sunday buying a car EVs planet money podcast Why is Europe Beating the FDA?