Episodes

  • Jaguar Gives Up, Driving the New Acura MDX, Cars.com's American Made Index
    Jul 15 2024

    Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. The conversation opened with a summary of cars being dropped by Jaguar and Nissan in the near future. Effective almost immediately, Jaguar is dropping all but one model from its lineup. Listen in for the full list. Likewise, Nissan is dropping two of its three remaining U.S.-market sedans beginning next year.

    In other news, the hosts discussed IONNA--the carmaker-backed charging network with stations going live later this year—and the addition of Toyota to the roster car companies supporting the program. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the updated-for-2025 Acura MDX premium midsize crossover.

    In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Patrick Masterson of Cars.com to the show. Patrick walked the hosts through Car’s 2024 American Made Index. This list is—again—full of surprises. How American is the new car you’re looking at? Listen in for details.

    In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Is it a Chrysler” quiz.

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    55 mins
  • EV Sales Improve, All about the Toyota Crown Signia, Driving the Lexus UX
    Jul 8 2024

    Jill and Tom opened the episode discussing the “Velocity Package” available for the Cadillac Lyriq. Available as an over-the-air software update (no dealer visit required), the package increases power and performance for $1200. Is it worth the money? Listen in.

    The hosts discussed the new, lower, price of a Fisker Ocean—just approved by a bankruptcy court. Second-quarter sales figures are coming in, and Jill and Tom shared a few highlights, including disappointing Jeep numbers, and surprisingly strong EV figures.

    In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Toyota Product-Education Specialist Thomas Sondej to the show. Thomas updated the crew on the all-new Toyota Crown Signia, a wagon-like variant of the Crown sedan being added to the brand lineup for 2025. Per Thomas, the Crown Signia is due in showrooms shortly.

    In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Which Weighs More?” quiz. The Hosts wrapped up the show chatting about Jill’s seat time in the freshened-for-2025 Lexus UX, the most-affordable vehicle in the luxury brand’s lineup.

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    55 mins
  • Volvo XC60 Recharge, Tesla Sales Still Falling, Chinese Car Companies to Watch
    Jul 1 2024

    Jill and Tom are in-studio this week for a far-reaching number of topics. Tom quickly updated everyone on the CDk Global/dealership-hacking crisis, which will reportedly be resolved later this week. The hosts briefly discussed Tesla’s second quarter of disappointing sales, this while overall EV sales are projected to rise.

    Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom chatted about the Rivian/Volkswagen deal, which sees Rivian infused with a quick $1 billion—with the promise of additional funding at later dates—and VW gaining access to Rivian’s EV software architecture.

    In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam updated the hosts on several of the most-prominent—and most threatening to Western automakers—Chinese carmakers.

    Sam’s tutorial included makers BYD, Chery, Geely, and Great Wall. Sam warns that Western carmakers dismiss these up-and-coming global players at their own risk.

    In the last segment, Jill is subject to a spelling quiz, tasked with spelling model names including Avanti, Reatta, and Ciera.

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    55 mins
  • Dealer Hacking Nightmare, New Camry, Off-Roading in Luxury
    Jun 25 2024

    Jill and Tom are both in studio today. The hosts began the program discussing the week’s big news, a malicious attack on the network of CDK Global, a dealership-services company which provides critical software support for roughly half of the nation’s 30,000 new-car dealers. Down since last week, CDK has not, as of this recording, made public an estimated restoration time/date for the network.

    Jill shared her impressions of the new-for-2025 Toyota Camry. The nation’s best-selling sedan features a number of surprises, including an all-hybrid powertrain lineup.

    Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom discussed a potential consumer worry point: COVID Cars. Cars which were built during the auto-industry COVID slowdown were often assembled minus key features, this to maintain production during the epidemic-related microchip shortage. Some of those cars are now returning to market, and may be missing certain equipment--which may affect value and desirability. How can consumers protect themselves? Listen in.

    In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by freelance auto journalist and industry expert Ed Piotrowski. Ed spent some time behind wheel recently of some very-expensive, but surprisingly capable, luxury crossovers and SUVs. Listen in to get Ed’s take on the vehicles, and the expanding movement to offer off-road-ready variants of popular midsize crossovers.

    Ed joined Jill for this week’s “More Fake Trim Levels” quiz. Both contestants did well, but only one won.

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    56 mins
  • Chevy Equinox EV, History of American Motors, New Discontinued-Models List
    Jun 17 2024

    Jill is back in studio this week, and recounted for Tom her recent travels and product evaluations. Tom went on to share what he has learned from a series of brief conversations with Amazon delivery drivers who have spent time with the Rivian EDV electric van; the feedback is interesting.

    Still in the first segment, the hosts discussed Jeep’s recently announced $25,000 electric vehicle. To be called Renegade, the subcompact electric crossover is due to arrive for the 2027 model year. Jill then shared her impressions of the all-new Chevrolet Equinox EV compact electric crossover. Jill’s take is mostly positive, though she has serious concerns regarding connectivity. Listen in to hear Jill discuss her issues. The Equinox EV starts at less than $30,000 once the federal tax credit is applied.

    In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Joe Ligo, producer of The last Independent Automaker, a documentary about carmaker American Motors. Joe walked the hosts through the formation and early days of American Motors, as well as the maker’s decision to produce its lineup of Eagle AWD vehicles. Listen in for details regarding the documentary’s release day.

    In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Under $60,000?” quiz, featuring a bonus question about the Jackson Five. The hosts then quickly shared a list of a dozen cars that will soon be discontinued.

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    54 mins
  • Renting an EV, Virginia Backs Down, Why the Charging Infrastructure Program is Moving so Slowly
    Jun 10 2024

    Larry Nutson of The Auto Channel sits in for Jill this week. Larry and Tom opened the show discussing one of Tom’s random X/Twitter polls, which included the option of owning a Fisker ocean. Listen in for details.

    Among the many first-segment topics covered by the hosts, Larry talked about renting an electric vehicle, a process he found generally pleasant and uneventful. Larry and Tom also discussed a recent decision by the Governor of the State of Virginia to back out of its agreement with the State of California to enact and maintain the latter state’s zero-emissions vehicle rules and adoption targets.

    In the second segment, Larry shares an update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI), enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Responding to critics’ complaints that the EV charging-infrastructure program is moving too slowly, Larry broke down the process by which individual states must develop plans and obtain federal approval to access funding.

    In the last segment, Larry is subjected to Tom’s “Men of the Auto Industry” quiz. Do you know what the “P” in Walter P. Chrysler stands for?

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    53 mins
  • Welcome Kia EV9, Long-Term Tesla Model Y, Why Dealers Haven't Embraced Electric Vehicles
    Jun 3 2024

    In for Jill this week is long-time friend of the Show Damon Bell of Cars.com. Damon and Tom opened the show talking about Car.com's long-term Tesla Model Y, and its replacement in the Cars fleet, the all-new 3-row Kia EV9 electric crossover. While the Model Y was generally reliable, small glitches compromised its overall appeal to the Cars staff; listen in for more details. As for the Kia, Damon is so far impressed. Cars will publish regular updates of the EV9's performance and utility. (Visit the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page for a link.)

    In the second segment, the hosts welcome CDK Global Director of Content Marketing Dave Thomas. Dave shared insights into dealer attitudes toward electric vehicles and EV marketing, and their optimism--or lack thereof--regarding the near- and mid-term success of carmaker EV programs.

    In the last segment Damon is subject to Tom's "Is it a Lexus?" Quiz.



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    54 mins
  • $10,000 Electric Vehicles, Genesis GV80, American Readiness to Buy Chinese Cars
    May 27 2024

    Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. The conversation started with a brief acknowledgment of the IRS-approved federal mileage reimbursement rate. Is it still the same as the cost of a first-class stamp?

    The hosts went on to discuss the hyper-affordable Chinese-built BYD Seagull, a $10,000 electric car that could be on a journey to the American market. Jill and Tom also went on to discuss the current new-vehicle redesign cadence, which has grown very long for some vehicles, including the Toyota 4Runner. Jill also shared her take on the Genesis GV80 premium midsize crossover.

    In the second segment the hosts welcome Ed Kim, President and Chief Analyst at AutoPacific. Ed shared the results of a study recently conducted by his firm regarding American consumer attitudes towards Chinese vehicles. The results are surprising.

    In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Fake Option Package” quiz.

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    56 mins