Robert Duffer, Senior Editor

Robert Duffer is an award-winning writer, editor, and automotive journalist covering the industry since 2013. He earned an MFA in Writing from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Economics & Business Administration from Illinois State University. As the Senior Editor for The Car Connection and contributing editor for Motor Authority and Green Car Reports, he’s interviewed the executives and investigated the trends reshaping the automotive industry’s transformation into electric mobility. Previously, Duffer served as a Senior Journalist and Digital News Editor at the Chicago Tribune for seven years in another industry in transition, reporting on and editing automotive content for a digital and print audience that was syndicated to more than 140 news outlets via the Tribune Content Agency newswire. His syndicated auto review column was distributed nationally and digitized globally, and he oversaw a team of freelancers consisting of North American Car and Truck of the Year jurists and collaborated with Pulitzer-winning photographers, copy editors, and page designers in running the print and digital versions of the automotive vertical. As a freelancer, Duffer wrote about cars for outlets such as Forbes.com, Cars.com, US News Autos, among others, and covered the cultural arts and contributed essays in outlets ranging from the Chicago Tribune and TimeOut Chicago to the New York Times and National Public Radio. Beyond journalism and editing, Duffer wrote stories and essays anthologized in books such as “The Way We Sleep” and “Daddy Cool,” published novel excerpts in a range of journals, and won the One Book One Chicago flash fiction contest sponsored by the Chicago Public Library in October 2011. He’s written ad copy, edited a range of copy from gift guides to award-winning student anthologies, and is versed in both the Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style. Duffer has also moderated and served on many panels, ranging from the Clean Cities Coalition to the Chicago Auto Show. He’s a frequent guest on podcast and radio shows, ranging from WGN Radio to Chicago Drives Electric and many others. As President of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, Duffer led a volunteer organization consisting of more than 250 members in 25 states and two countries by organizing three tentpole driving events in the country and wrangling affiliates and automaker representatives to grow MAMA into the premier automotive media association in the country. Duffer's extensive industry experience, combined with his educational background and diverse writing portfolio, make him a trusted voice in the automotive realm. His contributions to The Car Connection and other notable publications continue to shape the conversation around cars and driving. Connect with Duffer on social media and stay up-to-date with his latest insights and automotive adventures.

Articles

Duffer: Kids ruin Porsches Robert Duffer March 27, 2020

Kids ruin Porsches.

This realization hit home not long after we struggled to fit a second hockey bag in the cargo area of the 2020 Porsche Macan S. It wasn’t so much that my daughter’s...
“Faster”: How author Neal Bascomb wrote the underdog racing story of the century
We interview Neal Bascomb, author of "Faster," which tells the story of a Jewish driver who took on the Nazi machine backed by an American woman.
Robert Duffer March 23, 2020

First drive review: 2020 Audi S4 outruns expectations
A lonely stretch of Southern California desert is where we drive the updated 2020 Audi S4 to see if the sport sedan is still sharp, but also more comfortable now.
Robert Duffer February 29, 2020
2021 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2020 Lincoln Navigator: How the full-size SUVs compare
The two mega-sized luxury SUVs will compete for buyers looking for maximum comfort and maximum space.
Robert Duffer February 10, 2020
2007 Nissan Frontier with one million miles is in it for the long haul
Brian Murphy's Frontier still looks good after covering more than a million miles—in year-round Chicago delivery duty.
Robert Duffer February 5, 2020
First drive review: The 2020 BMW M8 may be a large coupe, but it cooks
The 2020 BMW M8 can handle whatever you throw at it.
Robert Duffer January 22, 2020
Tesla vehicles scrutinized for sudden acceleration defect Robert Duffer January 17, 2020

Some Tesla vehicles may accelerate unintentionally and crash, according to a petition filed to NHTSA on behalf of consumers, Reuters reported Friday. The petition says an estimated 500,000 Tesla...

First drive review: 2020 BMW M340i refuses to compromise
The 2020 BMW M340i balances track capability with everyday comfort in a sport sedan package that says you've arrived.
Robert Duffer January 9, 2020
First drive review: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i keeps the Sunday drive alive
The 2020 BMW Z4 M40i captivates from behind the wheel and for onlookers, too.
Robert Duffer January 7, 2020
Duffer: The time is right for the 2022 Cadillac El DeBarj
With Cadillac changing its naming conventions when it releases its electric vehicles, we surmise a good name would be the 2022 Cadillac El DeBarj.
Robert Duffer December 13, 2019
More powerful Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge dark modes the luxury SUV
The high-dollar Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge costs more than $384,000 and is darker than newsroom humor.
Robert Duffer November 7, 2019
UAW strikes against GM for higher wages despite union controversy
The United Automobile Workers union are on strike for higher wages from General Motors
Robert Duffer September 16, 2019

Officers weigh in on 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Robert Duffer June 26, 2019

The face of law enforcement will be greener this year. The Ford Police Interceptor Utility can be equipped with a hybrid powertrain that is at least 40 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing...
Slug bug is still a hit: The game outlasts the Volkswagen Beetle that inspired it
The childhood game punch buggy is shadenfraude with wheels. It's unknown when the game started, but printed evidence goes back to 1964 and the game will outlast Volkswagen's iconic Beetle.
Robert Duffer May 9, 2019

Robert Duffer, Senior Editor

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