Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Over the past 113 years, GMC has learned a thing or two about trucks and truck owners. The manufacturer has incorporated a lot of its knowledge into its online Canyon Experience.
What do you picture when you think of the Hummer H1? You might envision a vehicle with a massive, powerful engine and dimensions the size of an office building. Humorist and automotive writer Doug DeMuro will correct your eyesight.
It’s amazing what great things can be done with a modestly priced item. Entire symphonies can be written with a disposable pen. A lifelong love can start over two plates of store-bought pasta. In the case of the Chevrolet Silverado you see here, insanely low quarter mile times are possible using a $40 boost controller.
Somewhere at General Motors, champagne is being poured right now as part of a celebration. Thanks to GM-lovers such as yourselves, “total [year-over-year] sales of trucks, including pickups, vans and SUVs, were up 14 percent” across Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac in March, according to GM.
If you’re anything like me, when you think of an institution, you picture a building that’s been standing for decades. You don’t usually imagine a vehicle. Since 1908, General Motors has produced both kinds of institutions – the Arlington Assembly Plant and the Chevrolet Suburban, in particular.
