Robert Duffer, Senior Editor

Robert Duffer is an award-winning writer, editor, teacher, automotive journalist and the Senior Editor for The Car Connection. As the former autos editor for the Chicago Tribune, Duffer reported on stories of national and local significance, and his syndicated auto review column appeared in hundreds of publications in print and online. He has written for Forbes.com, Cars.com, US News Autos and other publications, ranging from the New York Times to Canadian Builders Quarterly. A master’s graduate of Columbia College Chicago and Skip Barber Racing School, Duffer believes in the Oxford comma, electrified powertrains, and the minivan as the greatest utility vehicle. His most enduring automotive lesson was imparted by his father, who would speed up to nice cars and say, "Don't look. Don't give the jerk the satisfaction." The elder Duffer is the jerk driving the ‘68 Mustang convertible. Duffer is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association.

Articles

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe likens the R1T to Rocky Road ice cream Robert Duffer October 6, 2021

A line of pickup trucks leads to a makeshift camp of a rehabbed motel in the shadow of Breckenridge ski resort in Colorado. Up here at 9,600 feet, pickup trucks not only outnumber mountain peaks,...
How to buy an R1T: Rivian adds Membership to the Tesla model
Like Tesla, Rivian has no franchised dealerships. But Chief Growth Officer Jiten Behl thinks of the ownership experience a bit differently.
Robert Duffer October 1, 2021

First drive review: 2022 Rivian R1T shines as the North Star of utility vehicles
While we didn’t test the R1T’s 314-mile range, its combination of on-road and off-road performance plus off-the-grid sensibilities is unprecedented.
Robert Duffer September 28, 2021
GM recalls Chevy Bolt again, Aston Martin plans EV sports car, US makes most EV batteries: Today’s Car News
A daily roundup of EV news that covers the good, the bad, and the exciting.
Robert Duffer July 23, 2021
Electric payload: These 5 trucks will change America
A set of fully electric pickups arriving in the next few years will wage a quiet coup over the V-8 truck status quo in America.
Robert Duffer February 4, 2020
Petition alleges widespread unintended acceleration in Tesla vehicles
NHTSA has said that it will investigate claims of unintended acceleration that extend to the Tesla Model 3, Model X, and Model X.
Robert Duffer January 17, 2020
Why Norway leads the world in electric vehicle adoption Robert Duffer May 20, 2019

Norway has only 5.26 million people—about half the size of Los Angeles County in population, and with only about 35 percent of LA's vehicles on its roads. But there's one measure in which...