Cars

From Opera to Editor: Meredith Conrow's Journey

Meredith Conrow's life path is a fascinating tapestry woven with diverse passions, from operatic stages to the meticulous world of copy editing. Her journey exemplifies how varied interests and dedication can converge into a unique and impactful career. A dedicated family woman, marathon runner, and now an indispensable part of Car and Driver's editorial team, Conrow's story highlights the unexpected routes one can take to professional fulfillment, all while traversing thousands of miles both on the road and on foot.

Recently, Meredith Conrow made a significant vehicle change, trading in her trusty Honda Odyssey, which had accumulated over 150,000 miles, for a new Hyundai Elantra. These considerable miles on the Odyssey weren't solely from daily family errands but largely due to her family's love for extensive road trips. Conrow proudly states that her children have visited all 48 contiguous states, embracing the philosophy that "the fun is in the journey." This adventurous spirit is a hallmark of her life.

Conrow's professional trajectory to becoming a language expert at Car and Driver was anything but conventional. She initially pursued a bachelor's degree in music, specializing in vocal performance, followed by a graduate degree in church history. It was during her graduate studies that she discovered her knack for linguistic precision, earning money by correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation in fellow students' thesis papers. This experience introduced her to the Chicago Manual of Style, a foundational guide for many publications, including Car and Driver, ensuring consistency and correctness in written content. She spent 15 years as a freelance copy editor, perfecting her craft.

Beyond her editorial achievements and extensive travels, Conrow is also an accomplished long-distance runner. She has participated in 14 half marathons and one full marathon, demonstrating a disciplined and calm mindset. This attribute is particularly valuable in her current role, where she meticulously scrutinizes and processes a continuous stream of text under demanding deadlines. Her colleagues jokingly anticipate her breaking into an aria from "La Traviata" between reviewing manuscripts, a testament to her unique and well-rounded background.

Meredith Conrow's narrative is a compelling blend of academic pursuit, artistic expression, physical endurance, and professional excellence. Her transition from a classically trained opera singer and historian to a renowned copy editor at a prominent automotive publication underscores the power of adaptability and passion. Her dedication to precision in language, combined with her adventurous spirit on the road and in marathons, paints a picture of a truly remarkable individual whose journey continues to inspire.

Walmart Slashes Price of Electric Scooter Bike by 77%, Shoppers Rave

Walmart has dramatically reduced the price of a popular electric scooter bike, making a hybrid personal transportation solution significantly more accessible. This innovative two-wheeler, which combines the best aspects of electric bicycles and scooters, is now available at an unprecedented discount, drawing widespread acclaim from consumers.

Walmart's Unbeatable Offer: Skeri 350W Electric Scooter Bike Now 77% Off

In a move that has captured the attention of eco-conscious commuters and tech enthusiasts alike, Walmart has announced a staggering price reduction on the Skeri 350W Electric Scooter Bike. Originally priced at $900, this versatile electric vehicle is now available for just $210, marking a 77% discount. This flash sale, effective as of July 10, 2026, presents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a convenient and efficient mode of transport.

The Skeri 350W Electric Scooter Bike is designed to bridge the gap between traditional electric bikes and scooters. While electric bikes are typically favored for their powerful motors and extended range, and scooters for their agility and compact size, this hybrid model integrates the advantages of both. It features a comfortable seat and an advanced suspension system, including a front suspension fork, dual rear spring shocks, and seat suspension, ensuring a remarkably smooth ride. Its 12-inch thick tires further contribute to ride comfort, effectively absorbing road imperfections.

Weighing only 39 pounds and designed to fold down compactly, the Skeri scooter bike offers unparalleled portability, making it easy to store in a car trunk or carry when necessary. Equipped with a 7.8Ah battery, it provides a travel range of 12 to 15 miles on a single charge. The 350W motor allows it to reach speeds of up to 20 mph, making it ideal for urban commuting and short-distance travel. Additional features include a practical rear storage basket, an LED headlight for improved visibility, rear reflectors, an integrated horn, and an LED battery display to keep riders informed of their power levels.

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One delighted shopper commented, “the speed and battery life are a major hit,” adding that they “absolutely love” the product. Other users have praised its user-friendly design, noting that it is “very easy to handle and assemble” and highlights its “bright headlight” and overall ease of portability.

This substantial discount transforms a previously high-end item into an affordable option for a broader audience, solidifying its appeal as a smart purchase for anyone seeking a comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable way to navigate their daily routines.

This announcement from Walmart underscores a broader trend towards making sustainable and convenient personal mobility solutions more accessible to the public. The significant price cut on the Skeri 350W Electric Scooter Bike not only offers a fantastic deal but also encourages more individuals to consider electric micromobility options. This could lead to reduced traffic congestion and a lower carbon footprint in urban areas, fostering a cleaner and more efficient future for personal transportation. It's an opportunity for consumers to embrace innovation without breaking the bank, ultimately benefiting both their wallets and the environment.

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Lexus IS Sedan Achieves Remarkable Sales Surge Amidst Brand's Shifting Focus

Lexus recently marked its most successful June in history, driven by a surprising surge in sales for its IS sedan. While the luxury automaker witnessed a 3.9 percent overall growth, reaching 29,166 units sold, its sedan and coupe segment experienced a 27.2 percent decline, moving only 3,367 vehicles. This broader trend saw models like the ES and LS face significant drops in sales, with the ES falling by 89.3 percent as it approaches a redesign, and the flagship LS seeing a 98.5 percent decrease. The RC coupe also neared discontinuation, with a mere three units sold during the month. However, the IS model presented a striking contrast to this downturn, demonstrating exceptional resilience and a strong market presence.

The remarkable performance of the IS sedan stands out as a critical point of interest. Despite Lexus's strategic shift towards electrification and SUVs, the enduring appeal of the IS, an older platform with a conventional powertrain, poses an intriguing dilemma. The brand's future appears to be firmly rooted in hybrid and electric vehicles, which accounted for nearly 40 percent of its June sales. Yet, the IS's success indicates a significant demand for traditional gasoline-powered luxury sport sedans. This creates a compelling tension for Lexus, as it navigates the balance between modern automotive trends and the continued popularity of its long-standing models.

Lexus IS Model Defies Market Trends with Stellar June Performance

In a period where many luxury sedans are struggling, the Lexus IS recorded an impressive 120.5 percent sales jump in June compared to the previous year, with 2,888 units sold. This robust performance pushed its year-to-date sales to 14,071 units, marking a 42.7 percent increase. The IS now dominates Lexus's sedan and coupe sales, accounting for approximately 86 percent of all units moved in this category and outselling its closest competitor by nearly a 9-to-1 margin. This unexpected surge highlights the model's unique position and strong consumer demand within the luxury automotive segment, distinguishing it from other vehicles in the Lexus lineup.

Despite its recent facelift, which introduced minor aesthetic updates such as a sharper front end, dual 12.3-inch displays, and enhanced steering and throttle response, the Lexus IS retains a platform dating back to 2013. The updated model also saw an approximate $5,000 price increase, placing its starting price at $46,795, a figure comparable to competitors like the BMW 3 Series. The discontinuation of the entry-level turbo-four IS 300 and the high-performance V8 IS 500 has streamlined the lineup to a single naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, available in IS 350 F Sport Design and F Sport trims. The continued success of the IS is largely attributed to its scarcity in a market increasingly dominated by turbocharged, hybrid, and electric alternatives, catering to enthusiasts seeking a traditional rear-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated luxury sport sedan experience.

The Strategic Crossroads: Lexus's Future Amidst IS Sedan's Success

While the Lexus RX SUV continues to be the brand's primary sales driver, moving 9,836 units in June, the unexpected success of the IS sedan plays a crucial role in maintaining the brand's presence in the passenger car market. This resurgence is particularly significant given Lexus's broader commitment to electrification, with nearly 40 percent of its monthly sales comprising electrified models. The IS, with its pure-gas, aging platform, stands as a counter-narrative to this forward-looking strategy, appealing to a niche but dedicated customer base that values its traditional automotive characteristics. This dichotomy underscores an evolving challenge for Lexus as it balances innovation with the enduring appeal of its classic offerings.

The impressive sales momentum of the IS sedan presents a compelling strategic question for Lexus. Its success stems from offering a classic combination of a naturally aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive, and a non-hybrid powertrain, a configuration that has largely disappeared from the luxury sport sedan segment. This "scarcity sells" phenomenon has allowed the IS to thrive, despite its dated platform and the brand's overall pivot towards advanced, eco-friendly technologies. As Lexus continues to invest heavily in hybrids and electric vehicles, the sustained popularity of the IS forces a reevaluation of how long the automaker will continue to support a platform from 2013, highlighting a potential tension between its long-term vision and immediate market opportunities.

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