Fear Factory covered Gary Newman's "Cars" in 1999. Taking it to #16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Gary Newman's original from 1979 made it to #9 on the Hot 100 and #56 on the Hot Dance Club Play charts.
Around 1996 Fear Factory began performing "Cars" as an encore. Once Newman caught wind of it his management contacted the band and arranged for Newman to record vocals for the song for the band's Obsolete album. He was also asked to perform a spoken word piece for the album.
The song is about how people use technology and material things to isolate themselves from human contact. Which is more relevant now than ever.
Newman says that he has a hard time connecting with people due to Asperger Syndrome, a mild form of Autism.
Fear Factory "Cars" 1999