Daniel Patrascu
18,688 ARTICLES
Personal motto:
"I truly believe men and fish can coexist peacefully" – George W. Bush
Following several years off the grid, Daniel is back at autoevolution, and seeing how the great crisis of the past decade made the auto industry boring, he grew bored with it too, so he slowly shifted his focus to custom cars, custom motorcycles, and other weird stuff. He also loves ranting about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
During his time at autoevolution, Daniel put his name on more news articles, coverstories, auto guides, reviews, and editorials than we care count. To slow him down a bit, he was given more responsibilities not long ago, so he is now also in charge with coordinating the editorial team on autoevolution.com.
Long time ago, Daniel also translated Arthur C. Clarke’s novel “The Fountains of Paradise” to Romanian for Paladin Publishing.
Think Brings the Largest EV Fleet to Copenhagen
7 Dec 2009, 11:56 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Taking advantage of the United Nations Climate Change Conference's (COP15) debut in Copenhagen today, Norwegian EV manufacturer Think announced it will showcase the largest fleet of EVs in the city. No less than 15 Think City cars will be ...
Increased Fuel Taxes, EVs' Best Chance
7 Dec 2009, 11:22 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / What just about everyone out there thought about in their minds was put into words at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show by GM's Bob Lutz. Speaking at a conference at the event, the now advisor for the American manufacturer said that, in order for...
Audi R8 Spyder, Drawn Up 3 Years Ago
7 Dec 2009, 10:32 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Audi's designer Achim Badstubner admitted to GoAuto at the Los Angeles Auto Show that both body versions of the Audi R8 were ready, in drawing, at about the same time, but the Spyder was delayed because "it was clear that we needed a litt...
2010 Le Mans Series Calendar Announced
7 Dec 2009, 10:08 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Organizers of the Le Mans Series announced over the weekend the official calendar for the 2010 season, a season which comes with five races and a few novelties. The 8-hour opening race will be held on the Castellet circuit, in between April 9 and ...
Tesla Offers Test Drives During COP15 Conference
7 Dec 2009, 09:47 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / As one of the most environmentally conscious car manufacturers out there (given the nature of their products), Tesla Motors announced it will allow those interested, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, to test...
Volvo Sees Geely as a Good Choice
7 Dec 2009, 09:18 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Although for some, placing Volvo, the epitome of safety in vehicles, into Chinese hands would be the human equivalent of a suicide, Volvo Australia's managing director, Alan Desselss, believes it is a good idea and compares Volvo's situat...
Tiger Woods' Crashed Escalade, Registered to GM
7 Dec 2009, 08:31 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / The minor, yet so prime-time worthy crash in which golf champion Tiger Woods was involved in the end of November still has some unanswered questions. Although nothing really spectacular happened to neither Woods nor his car, the fact that the golf-...
Dealers Skeptical about Review Talks
7 Dec 2009, 08:04 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / After late last week both GM and Chrysler announced the end of settlement talks with their terminated dealers, those finding themselves in this situation now fear that the so-called review process is nothing more than a self-fulfilling process thro...
NASCAR Drivers to Race in 24 Hours of Dubai
7 Dec 2009, 07:28 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / One of the first racing events to take place in 2010, the 24 Hours of Dubai, to be held at the Dubai Autodrome in between January 14-16, will witness the presence of NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose. The Australian will partner within the AF Corse ...
Daimler Pays Settlement to AEG Shareholders
6 Dec 2009, 21:06 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Following a ruling of the higher regional court in Frankfurt am Main in mid-November, German group Daimler agreed to pay an increased settlement and compensation to former AEG shareholders. The court’s verdict forces Daimler to change the ...
Juan Montoya's No. 42 Team Wins 2009 Mechanix Award
6 Dec 2009, 13:52 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / As the 2009 season ended, NASCAR is punching the numbers and tries to decide who, or what, was the best in their respective fields. When it comes to the best pit crew, NASCAR decided to hand over the award for most valuable pit crew to Juan Montoy...
Tim Booth Gets Home Depot NMPA Humanitarian Award
6 Dec 2009, 13:23 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Michigan International Speedway's (MIS) director Tim Booth received the 2009 Home Depot NMPA humanitarian award yesterday in Las Vegas, during the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother awards. Booth managed to beat NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Greg...
Coca Cola, First to Win NASCAR Marketing Award Twice
6 Dec 2009, 13:21 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / For the second time since the introduction of the NASCAR Marketing Achievement award back in 1998, Coca Cola managed to get the prize once again, following a season during which it has established partnerships with 15 race tracks and 12 drivers, i...
Spyker Confirms Interest in Saab
4 Dec 2009, 17:14 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Following the rumors which surfaced yesterday and which claimed that Dutch sports car maker Spyker is eyeing a possible bid for Swedish car maker Saab, the Dutch have confirmed the story in a brief statement. "In response to market enquiri...
GM Official Management Changes
4 Dec 2009, 14:52 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / After a full day of rumors and hints, American manufacturer GM and its chairman/CEO, Ed Whitacre, announced the management changes GM will see as a result of Fritz Henderson's departure earlier this week. According to the new management sc...
Lutz to Be Appointed Senior Adviser
4 Dec 2009, 14:35 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Ever since yesterday, a shy rumor began snowballing on the Internet, as the infamous inside sources began hinting that Bob Lutz, GM's current vice president for marketing, may be appointed as GM's new CEO. Since yesterday, that snowball b...
Advance Auto Parts Becomes Monster Jam Title Sponsor
4 Dec 2009, 13:53 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / Aftermarket do-it-yourself supplier Advance Auto Parts (AAP) announced today it signed a multiyear agreement with Monster Jam and, in addition, it will become the official sponsor of the Grinder, the newest monster truck to join the pack. &ldqu...
BMW to Attend COP15 Conference in Copenhagen
4 Dec 2009, 11:00 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / German carmaker BMW announced today it will take a more active role in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, starting with December 7. Aside from providing vehicles to transport the dignitaries which will ...
Ford to Introduce Remote Start, Heated Steering Wheel
4 Dec 2009, 10:39 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / With winter already here, American carmakers are scrambling to make their vehicles as user-friendly as possible during the cold days ahead. After earlier today we told you about Chevrolet's $300 remote start option, it is time to take a look a...
Chevrolet Introduces Remote Start
4 Dec 2009, 10:02 UTC · By: Daniel Patrascu / If you grown tired of having to freeze your a** off in your own car, during those cold, dark winter mornings, than this is just the thing. GM's Chevrolet announced today that, for $300 or less, you could start the car by remote, while your sti...