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Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief

Fred Meier

Former D.C. Bureau Chief Fred Meier, who lives every day with Washington gridlock, has an un-American love of small wagons and hatchbacks.

Articles by Fred Meier

BMW today unveiled a design concept for an energetic new version of its 
 Z4 roadster at the posh Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Mazda has added about 80,000 and a new model year to its list of recalled 
 vehicles to get permanent Takata airbag inflator replacements.
A mild hybrid four-cylinder model is back for the Buick LaCrosse as the 
 new 
 base powertrain for 2018 models going on sale this fall.
Hyundai's base Elantra GT with stick shift will start at $20,235. The new GT 
 Sport version with turbocharged engine will start at $24,135.
Nissan says the next generation of its dedicated battery-electric car's 
 aerodynamic winglike shape will cut drag to extend the car's range.
Dodge's 475-horsepower, three-row Durango SRT SUV that can haul up to 
 8,700 pounds will start at $64,090 with destination.
Toyota released a concept vehicle teaser today that is truly a tease: just a 
 photo of a tire for its FT-4X Concept
Nissan unveiled Midnight Edition blacked-out appearance packages for six 
 of its top-selling 2017 models on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show.
The Honda Accord hybrid and Kia Optima plug-in hybrid offer similar 
 features with a smaller carbon footprint but have distinct differences.
Mazda has redesigned the CX-5 for 2017, and our First Drive found at least 
 five reasons it should be on your compact SUV shopping list.