Podcast appearances and mentions of matt delorenzo

Remember when car guys road tested cars? With the current crossover SUV craze in full swing, those days seem to be over, and who are we to say it's a bad thing. In this week's episode of *America on the Road*, host Jack Nerad and co-host Chris Teague take the wheels of two five-seat SUVs: the all-new and mass-market-priced 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and the premium-oriented 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium. Chevrolet's 2025 Equinox enters its fourth generation with a tasteful redesign, both inside and out. Under the hood, it offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive models are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while all-wheel-drive versions feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. The interior shows it modernity, boasting an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Google . It also offers something the battery-electric version of the Equinox doesn't, and we'll tell you what that is, along with our overall review of the attractive SUV, in our road test segment. With a starting price around $28,600, the Equinox might well grab your attention. But how does it compare to the leaders in the compact SUV segment? We'll offer our opinions. While co-host Chris Teague was putting the Chevy Equinox to the test, host Jack Nerad was piloting a fascinating newcomer— the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium. A reasonably new Mazda nameplate, the CX-70 is a midsize SUV that doesn't shy away from performance. Equipped with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine delivering 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, it offers a spirited driving experience. At least as spirited a a midsize crossover is likely to be. The handsome SUV features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, standard all-wheel drive, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Inside, the CX-70 impresses with red Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. Additional amenities include a panoramic sunroof, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and a comprehensive suite of safety features. Priced at $52,450, it positions itself as a high-value alternative to European luxury SUVs. But it does have a foible or two, which we'll describe in the road test segment. In the News Ram 1500 Express Returns: Ram announces the 2026 Ram 1500 Express, a value-focused pickup starting at $44,495, featuring bold styling and a choice between a 305-hp V6 or a 420-hp turbocharged I-6 engine. Mercedes-Benz Expands U.S. Production: Mercedes-Benz plans to produce a new vehicle at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant by 2027, aligning with its strategy to localize production amid rising U.S. tariffs. Congress Challenges California's Gasoline Vehicle Ban: The U.S. House of Representatives votes to repeal California's ban on gasoline car sales, sparking debates on consumer choice, environmental impact, and economic implications. Ford Cancels $10 Billion Software Initiative: Ford abruptly ends its ambitious FNV4 software project after significant investment, raising questions about the company's future in vehicle software development. Special Guest In this week's interview segment,Tyson Jominy, Vice President of Data and Analytics at J.D. Power, joins the show to discuss the impact of tariffs on the automotive industry and offers insights for consumers planning to purchase a vehicle this year. Thanks for joing America on the Road* for your weekly dose of expert reviews, industry news, and valuable insights to keep you informed on the latest in the automotive world. Plenty of show this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book H...

In this episode, host Jack Nerad and guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo take listeners behind the wheels of two high-end 2025 SUVs—the all-new 2025 Lincoln Navigator and the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T. Both vehicles demonstrate clearly that today's automakers are pulling out all the stops in the quest to entice luxury SUV buyers. First up is Matt DeLorenzo's review of the 2025 Lincoln Navigator, which continues to push boundaries in the full-size luxury SUV segment. The heavily revised Navigator retains its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, now offering slightly more power and improved fuel efficiency. Key updates for 2025 include enhanced ActiveGlide hands-free driving capability, a larger infotainment system, and upgraded interior materials across all trims. With its spacious third row, extensive safety tech, and traditional American luxury cues, the Navigator gains even more credentials as a top-tier choice for families who prioritize comfort and prestige. While Matt DeLorenzo was attending the Navigator launch, host Jack Nerad was conducting a thorough test drive of one of the most likable luxury SUVs on the market, the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Prestige. This midsize luxury SUV cuts through the prestige vehicle clutter with its refined ride, upscale cabin, and contemporary technology. It features a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, advanced suspension, and a 27-inch OLED display that integrates navigation and instrumentation. Its Nappa leather upholstery, suede headliner, and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system highlight its luxury credentials. Does it have an Achilles' heel or two? Matt and Jack will offer their opinions. The news segment leads with the public debut of the Slate Truck, a battery-electric, back-to-basics compact pickup from Michigan-based startup Slate Auto. Designed with simplicity and affordability in mind, it launches with a base price under $27,000—potentially under $20,000 after incentives—and that's just one of its eye-popping attributes. Another? Owners can retrofit it into a small SUV using a modular rear-seat kit. The minimalist design and customization-first philosophy are drawing attention, but questions remain about performance, durability, and market viability. Do American buyers want a vehicle with cloth seats and crank windows? Also in the news, there's been a shift in the U.S. auto tariff landscape. New adjustments to President Trump's 25% import duties aim to ease pressure on automakers and encourage domestic manufacturing at the same time. Matt and Jack detail how automakers might leverage unused American factory capacity and what the changes could mean for production strategy and the price you might pay at your local dealer. Other segments of this week's show highlight Toyota's rollout of hydrogen-powered Class 8 trucks and its more efficient Gen 3 fuel cell system, along with timely safety reminders about preventing heatstroke deaths among children and pets as summer approaches. Plenty of show this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com

The 2025 Lucid Gravity marks a major step for Lucid Motors as it enters the hotly competitive luxury electric SUV market. With a bold aerodynamic design, three-row practicality, and up to 828 horsepower, the Gravity aims to combine performance and family-friendly utility in a premium package. By doing so, it seeks to upset the luxury SUV applecart as it rockets to the top of the pack. This past week, host Jack Nerad was one of a select few journalists to drive and road test the Gravity for the first time. During his stint behind the wheel, he sampled the Gravity's dynamic split personality. At once, it is a highly competent performance vehicle and a fully utilitarian SUV that can tow, haul and convey seven adults at a rate few are accustomed to. Powered by dual motors producing up to 828 horsepower and 909 lb-ft of torque, the Gravity can accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds. Its air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and adjustable ride height make it a surprisingly agile and adaptable vehicle, particularly given its 6,048-pound curb weight, while a Terrain Mode and 6,000-pound towing capacity further expand its versatility. But is it a vehicle you'd want to live with day-to-day, given the elevated level of several of its rivals? Nerad will offer his views. In our other road test, co-host Chris Teague takes one of the nation's most popular plug-in hybrid vehicles through its paces as winter turns to spring in Maine. As unlikely as it might seem, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is among the best sellers among the much-misunderstood roster of PHEVs. Its credentials are strong, but, again, is it a wise choice given its premium price over other Wranglers? Teague and Nerad will weigh in. When it comes to family vehicles, the Hyundai Palisade has gained a reputation as a thinking person's choice. Now, Hyundai has just introduced the all-new 2026 version, and Nerad went behind the scenes for an exclusive interview with Hyundai Product Planning Manager Melvyn Bautista to take a deep dive into the vehicle. It is both Easter week and New York Auto Show week, so we have a lot of news from each. Easter in Moab, Utah, is one of the biggest off-road gatherings of the year, and Jeep and Ford are there showing off concept vehicles. We have the details. Several new models have been introduced in and around the New York show, and we'll tell you about cool vehicles from Kia, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Audi in this episode. Used car buyers might be in for a price shock in the next few weeks, and it has nothing to do with tariffs. We'll tell you more and, of course, we'll have the latest auto tariff news for you too. Austin Nerad 2007-2025Our beloved dog, Austin, went to heaven this week. We miss him so.   Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Chapters 00:00 What's Up and Personal Reflections 02:58 Jeep, Ford Concepts from Moab 05:50 Kia's New Models at the New York Show 07:40 Toyota GR Models and Special Editions 08:52 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon 10:06 Audi A6 Sedan Launch 11:07 Used Car Market Trends & Tariffs 12:52 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Review 18:16 2025 Lucid Gravity Review 26:00 2026 Hyundai Palisade SUV Interview 40:00 Farewell Austin Nerad/Check Engine Light Keywords automotive news, Jeep, New York Auto Show, Kia, Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, used cars, electric vehicles, Hyundai Summary

The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona and the 2025 Polestar 3 Launch Edition are two of the quickest vehicles we've ever road-tested. Their sizzling 0-60-mile-per-hour times might also set your hair on fire. Yet, as quick as those two battery-electrics and as technologically savvy as they are, they are very different. That's what co-host Matt DeLorenzo and host Jack Nerad discovered as they tested the two vehicles this week. The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona is a bold, all-electric muscle car featuring a sleek, aerodynamic design and cutting-edge technology. Built on Dodge's new STLA Large platform, it delivers up to 670 horsepower in its top performance trim, which allows the Daytona to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just about 3 seconds. That heart-stopping go-power places it among the quickest modern performance cars. Its most controversial feature is the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust that delivers ersatz muscle car sounds, which thrilled one of our hosts and turned off the other. The 2025 Polestar 3 Launch Edition aims to redefine the luxury electric SUV with its minimalist Scandinavian styling, 489 horsepower, 620 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive. Despite weighing over 5,000 pounds, it manages a brisk 0–60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds, helped by active air suspension and torque vectoring. Inside, it offers premium touches like ventilated Nappa leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and a slick Android Automotive OS with Google built-in. But is its reliance on the large 14.5-inch touchscreen for most functions distracting? Is its $88,100 price with options just too high? And will it be the victim of Chinese tariffs? Matt and Jack will have the answers. We have two great guests for you this week. Danielle Livingston is a marketing expert, and Jake Robin is a product expert on the brand-new Toyota 4Runner. Jack Nerad had a chance to chat with them recently about that very cool new SUV, so we're sure you'll enjoy what they have to say. We have an EV expert with us this week, so it's appropriate that we look at the current state of EVs in the United States and where the market might be headed. J.D. Power's E-Vision report is the source of our conversation starters. Of course, tariffs in the auto industry continue to grab headlines. Again this week, with veteran industry reporter Matt DeLorenzo aboard, we'll tell you what is real and what is hype and give you thoughts on how you should proceed if you're planning to buy a car. So we have tons of show for you this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 Introduction to America on the Road 03:04 Current State of Electric Vehicles 05:56 Market Trends and Consumer Considerations 08:50 Political Influences on EV Adoption 9:28 Impact of Tariffs on the Auto Industry 13:00 Road Testing 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona 18:35 Road Testing 2025 Polestar 3 Launch Edition 26:07 Interview 2025 Toyota 4Runner Product Experts 40:00 Listener Question: EVs vs.

This week co-host Chris Teague and host Jack Nerad were up to their eyeballs in modern luxury. Teague had the honor of testing the newest model from the prestigious Genesis brand, while Nerad took the wheel of the performance version of the brand's dedicated battery-electric SUV. Both were equipped with the top-rated powertrains in each model's lineup, and both provided impressive eye candy both inside and out. The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Chris tested features a high-performance powertrain—a "twin-charged" V6 engine with both a turbocharger and an “electric supercharger,” delivering 409 horsepower. Inside, it swaps the standard GV80's three-row layout for a sportier two-row cabin, highlighted by a sweeping 27.0-inch digital display and racy design touches like a flat-bottomed steering wheel and metal-accented pedals. Nerad tested the 2025 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD, a small, battery-electric SUV built for enthusiasts, featuring dual motors that produce up to 429 horsepower—or 483 horsepower in Boost Mode. Powered by a 77.4 kWh battery and riding on Hyundai's E-GMP platform, it pairs sharp performance with high-end comfort, offering Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, Bang & Olufsen audio, and cutting-edge tech like facial recognition and fingerprint authentication. With sleek touches like 21-inch wheels and a Vision Roof, it delivers both dynamic driving and premium convenience in a zero-emissions package. But at $72,000 as-tested is it a smart luxury-vehicle buy? Jack and Chris will offer their opinions. We have a primo guest this week. Bob Broderdorf is the chief executive officer of the Jeep brand and he has also served in top positions with Ram and Dodge. With the American car market in turmoil recently, he will describe how the legendary Jeep brand is making its way forward. We think you'll enjoy the discussion he had with host Jack Nerad. In the news this week, Nissan has announced some new products for North America as it tries to shore up its position here in the United States. We'll have details. Hyundai has just announced that it is making a huge investment in U.S. manufacturing and parts operations, and it includes the establishment of new plant that is likely the first in decades. We'll have more on that. Porsche is upping its tech game, perhaps in response to the BMW announcement we told you about last week. And Toyota has announced a new racing series that might get Chris into the cockpit on the race course. We'll tell you all about that coming up. So we have a lot of show for you this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Spring Travel Plans 03:02 Nissan's New Products and Challenges 05:40 Hyundai's Major Investment in U.S. Manufacturing 08:21 Porsche's Tech Enhancements 10:13 Toyota's New Racing Series 12:46 Road Test: Genesis GV80 Coupe 17:57 Road Test: Genesis GV60 Performance 25:49 Interview with Bob Roterdorf, CEO of Jeep

They call it “False Spring” in Maine. The weather warms up, and the result is acres and acres of mud everywhere. While it's not good for many outdoor activities, it is made-to-order for all-terrain vehicle testing. That's exactly what co-host Chris Teague did with the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. One of several Tacoma variants, the TRD Off-Road is equipped with monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks that facilitate extended wheel travel and offer greater heat dissipation, properties that are useful when splashing through the mud. One question many ask about the new Tacoma revolves around the new powertrain. Does the turbo-four adequately replace the tried-and-true V6? Chris Teague will answer that question and many others in his comprehensive review. At the other end of the country, Host Jack Nerad didn't have mud to deal with. Instead, his major obstacle was the heavy traffic around Phonix as snowbirds from the Midwest and West locked to baseball's Spring Training. Nerad's ride for this second stint in Arizona this spring was the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, the performance version of the popular compact sedan. With 228 horsepower under the hood and a six-speed manual shift lever in his right hand, Nerad and his wife, Sandi, made their way to a pair of exhibition baseball games while simultaneously putting the Jetta GLI through its paces. He'll have a complete report. This week, we have a terrific guest for you. Jason Norton is the director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power and an expert on vehicle dependability. In his exclusive interview with Host Jack Nerad, he'll offer the details of the recently released 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. If you're looking for a dependable vehicle — and who isn't? — you'll want to hear what he has to say. In the news this week, we'll answer the important question: Is this a good time to buy a new car? New data gives us some hints on that, and we'll give you the details in this episode. On the tech front, General Motors and NVIDIA have teamed up for a couple of big new initiatives involving artificial intelligence — one obvious and one not nearly as obvious. We'll tell you about both. Embattled Tesla Motors, the recent victim of multiple acts of arson and vandalism, has gotten a green light on a phase of its robotaxi initiative, and we'll have more on that. California EV drivers could lose a special perk by the end of the year, and we'll tell you what it is and why it may go bye-bye coming up. So we have a lot of show for you this week Stay with us. We'll be right back. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 America on the Road This Week 02:59 AI Innovations in the Automotive Industry 05:25 General Motors & NVIDIA Team Up 07:53 Tesla's RoboTaxi Initiative 09:51 California's EV Carpool Access Changes 12:45 Road Test: 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road 18:45 Road Test: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 25:41 Jason Norton, J.D.

America on the Road Host Jack Nerad has a new favorite car. The 2025 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered has all the things an auto journalist wants in a vehicle — high horsepower, exhilarating performance, sharp handling, impressive tech, great looks, superior comfort — and it's a STATION WAGON. Ding! Ding! Ding! This high-performance luxury wagon blends power, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology in a package that will surprise — or maybe shock — sports car drivers who try to take it on. Designed for those who appreciate versatility without compromising performance, this Eurostyle station wagon offers an engaging driving experience with a refined interior and advanced safety features. As Nerad says, “I just plain like it.” And he'll have all the details on why — starting with its 455 velvety horsepower — coming up. In our other road test this week, guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo details his weeklong stint in the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. With a combined 192 horsepower on tap and 47 mpg fuel economy, the Sonata Hybrid is right in the wheelhouse of the guy who runs tightwadgarage.com. Matt and Jack will have more on this often-overlooked, high-value midsize sedan in this episode. We have a terrific guest for you this week. Dave Buchko is a senior product communications specialist at Lucid Motors and an expert on the EV brand's new Gravity SUV. Jack Nerad caught up with him at the recent Chicago auto show, and we think you'll enjoy the in-depth discussion of the new battery-electric SUV and its unique features. In the news this week, say hello at in-car AI. BMW is about to introduce new models with Superbrains. We'll tell you what that means and more coming up. Kia has revealed details on its upcoming EV4 battery-electric hatchback, and we'll share them with you. Say it isn't so, but a rumor is flying through the industry that Volvo will quit making station wagons. But we'll tell you what is most likely to happen coming up. And in the most under-reported story of the year, the United Auto Workers has fully endorsed the Trump Administration's suggested tariffs. We'll tell you more and give our reactions. As always, a lot to talk about this week. We thank you for joining us. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com               Chapters 00:00 Introduction to this week's Automotive Innovations 02:56 BMW's Superbrains: The Future of AI in Cars 05:46 Kia's EV4: Affordable Electric Vehicles 09:11 UAW and Tariffs: Industry Reactions 12:04 Volvo's Future: The Station Wagon Debate 12:55 2025 Hyundai Sonata Road Test 18:00 2025 Volvo V60 RoadTest 26:00 Lucid Motors Gravity- David Buchko Interview 30:00 Listener Question: Getting Best Fuel Economy Insights Keywords automotive news, electric vehicles, AI in cars, BMW Superbrains, Kia EV4, UAW tariffs, Volvo wagons, Hyundai Sonata, Lucid Motors, fuel economy tips Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo discuss the latest trends in the automotive industry...

Ram has unveiled the 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups, offering exceptional capability, enhanced towing features, and cutting-edge technology. Our special guest this week, Ram Product Communications specialist Nick Kappa, will tell us all about the new trucks. The heavy haulers feature a powerful Cummins 6.7-liter inline-six turbo diesel engine or a 6.4-liter gas-fueled HEMI V-8. The 2025 Ram 2500 offers improved 0 to 60 mph and quarter-mile times, delivering quicker, more responsive performance. The pickups also feature an advanced Uconnect 5 system with a 14.5-inch screen, a segment-first 10.25-inch passenger screen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror, and dual wireless phone charging pad. The pair also include an on-board power inverter, adaptive cruise control, ParkSense front/rear park assist, drowsy driver detection, traffic sign recognition, and active lane management. Kappa will deliver additional details and also preview the Ramcharger electrified pickup that is also on the way. In our road tests this week, Host Jack Nerad takes us behind the wheel of the 2025 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT Handling with the Black Line Special Edition Package. A luxury sedan with elegant styling, advanced technology, and driving dynamics, the ES 350 test vehicle featured exclusive F SPORT Handling tuning, a premium interior, and advanced safety technologies. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 302 horsepower, is at the heart of the model. Nerad and co-host Chris Teague will answer the big question: does the F Sport Handling Black Line Special edition deliver performance to match its looks? Across the country, Teague road tests another version of one of our favorite vehicles of the past year or two — the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. The top-of-the-line midsize SUV has every whistle and bell one could imagine. Is it worth the added coin to buy it versus a mid-range Santa Fe? We'll let you know. In the news this week, the move to self-driving cars continues as Uber and Waymo bring a new driverless taxi service to Austin, Texas, right in Tesla's backyard. We'll have more details and our reaction. Speaking of Tesla, we've heard reports that Tesla is getting some blowback as the result of Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts in the federal government, but is the so-called “Tesla Takedown” real? And who is behind these reports? We help provide some clarity. In a mirror to the cost-cutting of the U.S. government, Mercedes-Benz has indicated it is now scaling back based on the increased competition it is encountering around the world. We'll give you details. Motor Trend has put together a list of the quickest electric cars it has tested, and we'll have that for you, along with our thoughts on these crazy-fast EVs. As always, a lot to talk about this week. We thank you for joining us. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com            

One rite of spring is getting the sports model onto the road for a joyride. Another is the opening of Major League Baseball camps where the crack of bat on ball makes sweet music to so many. This week we were able to combine the two as we road tested the 2025 Honda Civic Si, one of our favorite performance sedans, in and around the Spring Training sites of several Major League Baseball teams near Phoenix.  Of course, as Host Jack Nerad rediscoveed, the Honda Civic Si offers a great deal for enthusiast drivers to like, starting with its 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and — even more to the point — its slick-shifting, rev-matching six-speed manual transmission. Nerad will offer a full report. Across the country, Co-Host Chris Teague and his family tested the mettle of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. While Honda and Toyota have been the dominant players in this segmentfor decades, the recently revised Tucson gives those brands a strong run for their money. Both Teague and Nerad, who also tested the Tucson recently, will offer their views on this impressive player.  Our special guest this week is Sam Fiorani, vice president of global forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions and a very knowledgeable industry observer.  With the car industry in a state of confusion based on tariff talk, changing regulations and the potential elimination of electric-vehicle subsidies, our interview with Fiorani will help bring what you need to know into sharp focus. In the new this week, we will attempt to answer a big question looming over the industry: will Stellantis get rid of Chrysler or Dodge? The global automaker has a new chairman, and reports are he is eyeing streamlining its operations, and that might put laggard brands into the dustbin of history. We'll have the details. Electric vehicle owners were more satisfied with their vehicles in 2024 than they were in 2023, but J.D. Power reports there are warning signs on the horizon. We'll have our comments on that along with more specifics. Another big question this week is can state DMVs take a page from the DOGE playbook to streamline and modernize their operations? Ending long lines and customer frustration seems like an impossible dream to most of us, but a new report suggests that is possible, and we'll tell you more.  And there is new controversy surrounding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Tesla. Chris and Jack will have their individual takes on that coming up.  Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Keywords Stellantis, electric vehicles, Hyundai Tucson, Honda Civic Si, NHTSA, Tesla, DMV efficiency, automotive news, car reviews, safety technologies Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest developments in the automotive industry, including the challenges faced by Stellantis brands, insights into the electric vehicle market, and the inefficiencies of DMVs.

While new circumstances might spell difficulties for the makers of electric vehicles, Hyundai is charging ahead with new variants of its popular Ioniq 5. Accompanying a 2025 model-year refresh, the newest of the variants is the Ioniq 5 XRT, an off-road take on the platform. It includes standard all-wheel-drive, increased ride height, all-terrain tires and tow hooks. To describe it for us we have Mike Evanoff, a senior product planner and expert on the vehicle. Host Jack Nerad just caught up with him at a Hyundai-sponsored event in and around Palm Springs, California, and we have that interview for you. This week our road tests include thorough evaluations of the 2025 Polestar 3 battery-electric crossover and the 2025 Toyota Corolla FX. Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo, author of How To Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV ownership, applied his special expertise to a review of the Polestar 3. Also in this episode, Host Jack Nerad describes his experiences during a week at the wheel of the new Corolla FX trim. In the news this week, Chevrolet has unveiled a startlingly new ultra-high performance prototype based loosely on a production EV. It might end up being a racecar in a series that would feature several similar EVs. We'll have the details. There's more tariff talk this week as the Trump Administration signals that it is looking at “reciprocal tariffs” on automobiles and other products. We can give some clarity on what has become an emotional issue. In light of changing regulations — and changing market conditions — Ford has decided to delay the launch of its next-generation F-150 pickup. And a troubled electric vehicle maker has entered into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We'll tell you which one and what its future might hold coming up. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Keywords Electric Vehicles, NASCAR, Tariffs, Ford F-150, Nikola, Polestar 3, Toyota Corolla, Emissions Regulations, Automotive Industry Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo discuss the latest developments in electric vehicles, including the introduction of the Blazer EVR NASCAR prototype and the implications of electric performance in racing. They delve into the impact of tariffs on the automotive industry, particularly regarding Ford's F-150 and the recent bankruptcy of Nikola. The hosts also review the Polestar 3 and Toyota Corolla, highlighting their features and performance. Finally, they address a listener question about how upcoming emissions regulations may affect car prices. Takeaways • The Blazer EVR NASCAR prototype showcases the potential for electric vehicles in racing. • Electric vehicles are seen as a way to help consumers accept EV technology. • Tariffs on imported vehicles could lead to higher prices for consumers. • Ford's delay of the F-150 reflects economic uncertainties in the market. • Nikola's bankruptcy highlights the challenges in the hydrogen fuel cell market.

Ford has introduced the Mustang GTD Spirit of America, a tribute to the iconic American car that has been part of American culture since 1965. This week, we have an exclusive interview with an expert on the car. We caught up with Brandon Turkus, Ford's Enthusiast Vehicles Communications Manager, at the Chicago Auto Show for the inside scoop on the vehicle Ford calls the fastest production Mustang ever built. The model honors the American spirit of ingenuity and perseverance, as well as the 60 years of Mustang achievement.   The Mustang GTD Spirit of America features exposed carbon fiber aerodynamic elements and unique exterior trims. The all-new 2025 Mustang GTD sets a new performance bar with 815 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque, and a top speed of 202 miles per hour. And that's only the beginning of the story. We'll have much more in this episode. In the news this week, a reliable report says Chevrolet plans to drop one of its conventionally powered SUVs from the U.S. market after this model year while emphasizing the battery-electric version. We'll tell you which one and the surprising place where the gas model will continue to be sold. Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will launch its robotaxi service much earlier than expected, and we'll have details on that. A new electric vehicle charging network has just gone into business, just as automakers call for the resumption of work on the federally sponsored EV charging infrastructure, which has built a paltry number of charging stations so far. You might be sick of tariff talk, but the Administration has announced tariffs on steel and aluminum that could have an impact on what you pay for your next car. We'll have our thoughts. On the road test front, Host Jack Nerad will put the 2025 Mazda3 through its paces. His test car was equipped with an increasingly rare piece of kit — a six-speed manual transmission, and Nerad will tell how he liked the car on a 500-mile round trip to the Central California coast. Meanwhile, on the other coast, Co-Host Chris Teague road-tested the all-new version of the Nissan Kicks small crossover SUV, and he'll have his report. Listener Question of the Week "I'm looking to buy a used car. What signs indicate that it's in good mechanical shape?" Izzy, Tyler, Texas Special Offer Extended One More Week Jack is now offering his suspense novel, Dance in the Dark, for just $.99, a $9.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com           Keywords automotive news, electric vehicles, Tesla, Chevrolet, Nissan Kicks, Mazda 3, Mustang GTD, EV charging, tariffs, car reviews Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest developments in the automotive industry, including Chevrolet's decision to discontinue a gasoline-powered SUV, Tesla's upcoming RoboTaxi service, and the launch of a new EV charging network. They also delve into the implications of recent tariffs on steel and aluminum, review the 2025 Nissan Kicks and Mazda 3, and interview Brandon Tarkus about the Mustang GTD supercar. The episode concludes with listener questions about buying used ca...

Off-road vehicles are rolling off assembly lines in record numbers, and this week, we take long looks at two of the top new entrants in the high-stakes segment. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT 2.5T AWD was a finalist in the North American Utility of the Year competition, and Host Jack Nerad took a long second look at it this week. Powered by a robust 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, the XRT test vehicle had the looks of a genuine all-terrain vehicle. It also offers superior versatility. Its seven-passenger cabin includes flexible three-row seating and voluminous cargo space. On the tech front, it features dual 12.3-inch infotainment and driver information displays, Bluetooth hands-free technology, wireless phone charging capabilities, and an impressive array of advanced driver assistance systems. Potential buyers probably have several questions about the Santa Fe XRT: How is the third-row seating? Does the base engine have enough power? How does it perform on and off the road? We'll answer all of those and more soon. Our special guest, Toyota's Warren Chou, is the expert on the other all-terrain vehicle we are looking into this week. He is chief engineer of the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Jack Nerad sat down with him for a detailed discussion about the new SUV at a recent Toyota-sponsored event, and we're sure you'll be interested in what he has to say. We expect you will also be interested in what Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo has to say about the 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. A longtime auto expert and the author of How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car, Matt knows everything there is to know about plug-in vehicles. He will have a comprehensive report on the CX-90 plug-in hybrid for you. There is plenty of important news to chew on this week: • Potential new tariffs have the auto industry up in arms, but it might be a tempest in a teapot. • General Motors has reasserted its commitment to electrified vehicles, and it has announced new initiatives to incorporate EVs into consumers' homes. • The Scout brand is coming back but now it is engaged in a controversy with the state where it will build its vehicles about selling them there. • Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram, is undergoing a major organizational change, and that could mean less expensive vehicles in your future. Listener Question of the Week “I heard a rumor that the government is planning to end the $7500 tax credit on electric vehicle purchases? Is that true? How likely is that to happen, and what should I do?” Leonard, Towson, Maryland Last Week of Special Offer Jack is now offering his suspense novel, Dance in the Dark, for just $.99, a $9.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Keywords automotive, electric vehicles, tariffs, General Motors, Mazda, Hyundai, Toyota, Stellantis, Scout, EV tax credits Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo discuss the latest developments in the automotive industry, including the potential impact of new tariffs,

Few off-roaders have the pedigree of the Toyota 4Runner, so when Toyota had us to be among the first to drive it on- and off-road, we jumped at the chance. The sixth-generation 4Runner will be available in nine different grades, including the first-ever Trailhunter and Platinum trims, and host Jack Nerad just drove virtually all of them in an event held outside San Diego, California. The vehicle is based on Toyota's tough TNGA-F global platform, which also supports the Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser, and Sequoia. It includes a three-row, seven-passenger version, improved safety and infotainment features, and two new engine/drivetrain options. Prices range from $40,770 for the SR5 trim level to $66,900 for the TRD Pro I-Force Max hybrid. Nerad's road test this week takes a close look at an important trim — the TRD Off-Road Premium equipped with the iForce Max hybrid powertrain. The price as-tested for the vehicle was $59,420, and we'll have all the details for you in this episode. Across the country, Co-Host Chris Teague got behind the wheel of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse with the Z71 package. Those who have spent a lot of time in the midsize Chevy crossover SUV see it as a good suburban grocery-getter and child transporter. But in Z71 trim, does it have the chops to become a genuine off-roader? Teague and Nerad will offer their opinions. This week we have a terrific guest for you. Alison Rahm is Chief Engineer on the all-new Jeep Wagoneer S, the brand's first battery-electric vehicle. Jack Nerad had a chance to sit down with her recently to discuss all the details regarding this exciting new vehicle in the midst of driving it himself. She shared the entire philosophy behind the groundbreaking vehicle, and we're sure you'll enjoy what she has to say. In this week's news segment, there are breaking stories that will change the trajectory of the auto industry and affect what vehicles might eventually land in your driveway. The new Administration is studying a rollback in fuel economy standards for new vehicles, and that might prove to be make-or-break for many of the world's car companies. We'll have the details. The proposed merger of Honda and Nissan has run into a roadblock. We'll tell which company is balking at the move and why coming up. Cadillac has introduced its first battery-electric V- performance model, and we'll have all the details. And Honda and Acura have announced a recall of many of its largest SUVs, and we'll tell you about that. Listener Question of the Week "How do different tire types affect fuel efficiency and handling?" Wilson, Omaha, Nebraska Special Offer Jack is now offering his suspense novel, Dance in the Dark, for just $.99, a $9.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com              

A performance crossover might not be everyone's can of Red Bull. Some might suggest a performance CUV is akin to the world's tallest midget, but this week co-host Chris Teague took the wheel of the hot-to-trot AMG GLC 43 in the teeth of yet another frigid Maine winter, and he's ready to report on his finding in this edition on of America on the Road. Meanwhile, the figurative elephant in the room is the arrival of 47th President Donald Trump and his sweeping executive orders that include a radical — and some might add welcome — change in America's automotive emissions and fuel economy regulations. With the stroke of a Sharpie, the once-and-current President rescinded rules that essentially forced carmakers to build and, more importantly, sell electric vehicles. The result of this and the new Administration's accompanying energy policy promise to significantly change how the auto industry operates and — more importantly — what you'll be able to buy. We'll have the details. We'll also have an exclusive interview with Dodge Brand CEO Matt McAlrear, just as his brand is introducing its first battery-electric vehicle, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona. Host Jack Nerad recently talked with McAlear at length about the future of the beloved Dodge brand, and we'll have that discussion for you. Jack Nerad's road test this week examines the Mazda CX-70 PHEV, its latest crossover SUV entrant, this one in plug-in hybrid form. The vehicle bears striking similarities to the well-regarded Mazda CX-90, and Nerad will break down the pluses and minuses in his report. In the news, Chevrolet has announced a recall of its recently launched Equinox EV, and we'll have the details on that. The widespread fires near Los Angeles have had a devastating effect on the collector car hobby, too. We'll tell you all about that, too, soon. Listener Question of the Week "How can I tell if my car needs a new battery or just a charge?" Sonny, Joliet, Illinois Special Offer Jack is now offering his suspense novel, Dance in the Dark, for just $.99, a $9.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com               Chapters 00:00 Introduction to America on the Road 02:53 Impact of New Automotive Regulations 09:53 Chevrolet Equinox EV Recall 10:39 Devastating Fires and Collector Car Losses 12:50 Review of the Mercedes AMG GLC 43 18:11 Exploring the Mazda CX-70 PHEV 25:00 Dodge's Transition to Electric Vehicles 39:00 Listener Question: Car Battery Troubles Keywords automotive news, electric vehicles, Chevrolet Equinox EV, collector cars, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, Dodge, car battery Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest developments in the automotive industry, including significant regulatory changes under the new administration, the recall of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the impact of devastating fires on collector cars. They also review the Mercedes AMG GLC 43 and the Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and explore Dodge's transition to electric vehicles. The episode concludes with a listener question about car battery maintenance. Takeaways

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid has been named North American Car of the Year, and nobody knows more about the car and process than NACTOY jurors Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo, who host and co-host this week's show. They'll take you behind the scenes to discuss not only the winning vehicle but also the procedures that resulted in the choice of Honda's highly popular compact car. At the same time, Nerad and DeLorenzo will offer long looks at the winners of the North American Utility of the Year and North American Truck of the Year — the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the 2025 Ford Ranger. You'll hear commentary on these vehicles you won't get anywhere else. In our interview segment this week, you'll also hear a discussion you won't hear anywhere else. Russell Wager, Kia America's vice president of marketing, is our guest. Jack Nerad sat down with him to talk about the opportunities and challenges presented as the country transitions from the Biden years to the Trump era. Speaking of Biden, as one of his last acts in office, he and his Administration essentially banned Chinese-built cars from entering the U.S. market and, at the same time, banned vehicles with Chinese technology and hardware. We'll discuss the ramifications of that coming up. In our road test segment, guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo will detail the special virtues of the 2025 Infiniti QX55, and Jack Nerad will provide an in-depth report on the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric — a vehicle that might be the best value among battery-electric vehicles right now. Listener Question of the Week “It seems like electric cars are more expensive than gasoline vehicles, but some people tell me that you can quickly make up the difference because they cost much less to own and operate. Is that true or are folks just blowing smoke?” Rudy, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Special Offer Jack is now offering his suspense novel, Dance in the Dark, for just $.99, a $9.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Show 03:00 North American Car of the Year Discussion 09:16 Banning Chinese Vehicles: National Security Concerns 10:25 Honda's Aggressive Strategy in the Market 11:10 Matt's Book on Affordable Electric Vehicles 12:48 Road Test: 2025 Infiniti QX55 Review 17:00 Road Test: 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric Review 25:55 Exclusive Interview: Kia Marketing VP Russell Wager 39:30 Listener Question: Cost of Electric Vehicles vs Gasoline Vehicles Keywords automotive, electric vehicles, North American Car of the Year, Honda, Chinese vehicles, 2025 Infiniti QX55, 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric, car reviews, automotive news, EV ownership Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo discuss various automotive topics, including the North American Car of the Year awards, the implications of the Biden administration's ban on Chinese-built vehicles, Honda's renewed market strategies, and insights from Matt's book on affordable electric vehicles. They also review the Infiniti QX55 and the Hyundai Kona Electric, highlighting their features and market positioning.

Honda introduced its 0 Series electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon prototypes—at CES, and our guest co-host for the week, Matt DeLorenzo was on hand to report on them. Set for production in 2026 at its Ohio EV Hub, these “shockingly” styled models showcase innovative features like Honda's ASIMO OS, the company's custom operating system offering personalized mobility and “seamless” over-the-air updates. As DeLorenzo reports in this episode, the new production vehicles' peas-in-a-pod" styling is attention-getting, to say the least. Embracing a "Thin, Light, and Wise" design theme, they deliver spacious, flexible interiors, advanced digital experiences, and expected Level 3 automated driving. Both concepts use a “system-on-chip” (SoC) developed in partnership with Renesas Electronics to unify vehicle systems, and they also feature steer-by-wire technology and ultra-personalized driving modes. We'll have more details in this episode. This week's special guest is Paul Tyll, Director of Dodge Products — Musclecar. Host Jack had a chance to sit down for an in-depth interview with him during the recent introductory drive event for the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona. He knows more about that car than just about anyone, so tune in for that. In this week's road tests, DeLorenzo takes a long look at the Kia Sorento crossover SUV based on a road trip in the vehicle in and around Chicago. Halfway across the country, Nerad puts the appealing Mazda CX-50 small crossover through its paces on the pre-fire roads of Southern California. Each will have a full report on their respective test vehicle in this week's show. In the news, General Motors' head of design, Michael Simcoe, is retiring after 42 years at the company. We'll discuss his legacy and what his departure might signal for the future of automotive design. In the international intrigue department, it looks like Ford Motor Company might be at odds with the U.S. Department of Defense over its deal with a Chinese battery maker, and we'll give you more on that. BMW has also unveiled a radical new infotainment scheme that it will install in many of its upcoming vehicles, so we'll tell you all about that. Listener Question of the Week Listener Asa from Oregon asks if we will ever see the battery breakthrough that experts keep talking about.  Our experts will have an answer. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Special Offer Jack is now offering his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rule, for just $4.99, a $5.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from your favorite bookseller. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 Introduction to America on the Road 03:01 CES Highlights: Honda's Electric Vehicles 06:27 Ford's Dilemma with Chinese Battery Maker 08:56 GM Design Changes: A New Era Ahead 11:10 BMW's Innovative Infotainment System 12:40 Road Test: Kia Sorento Review 18:18 Road Test: Mazda CX-50 Review 25:44 Dodge Charger Daytona: The Future of Muscle Cars 39:37 Listener Question: Should I Wait for EV Breakthrough? Keywords automotive news, automotive, electric vehicles, Honda 0 Concept, CES, Ford, GM, BMW, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-50 Turbo, Dodge Charger Daytona, EV battery

Driving from Dallas to Oxford, Mississippi, and back over the course of a three-day weekend sounds like a daunting proposition for a lot of people. After all, Dallas is 530 miles from Oxford, so the journey entails a lot of driving. But there is reason behind our madness. Our future son-in-law went to Ole Miss, and he and my daughter asked us to join them to make the trip to see the Rebels play Oklahoma. How could you turn that down? The good news is we found the perfect vehicle for the trip — the 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite minivan. Intelligently upgraded for the new model year, the Odyssey proved to be the ideal vehicle for our, well, odyssey. Of course, it. It wasn't enough to drive directly from Ft. Worth to Oxford, Mississippi — 500 miles as the crow flies. No, with the Odyssey's newly revised infotainment system to guide us, we decided to take a side trip to visit Hot Springs National Park, one of the few national parks in the middle of a city. Then we pointed the Odyssey's attractive nose to Grenada, Mississippi, because getting rooms in Oxford on football weekends involves mortgaging your home or selling an offspring. The Odyssey's long-standing reputation as a reliable, spacious transporter proved invaluable. With five travelers aboard, we appreciated the roomy interior that can accommodate as many as eight and the adaptable seating. Honda's Magic Slide seats and the fold-flat third row offered versatility, making cargo management easy, even with tons of luggage and snacks aboard. The Odyssey's V-6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and efficient performance, providing plenty of power for passing on the rural two-lanes we often found ourselves on. Notable tech features like a rear-seat entertainment system, cabin camera, and PA system kept everyone comfortable and connected. In short, the Odyssey slayed as a cross-country family cruiser, and Host Jack Nerad will tell you more in this episode. This week, our special guest is also our guest host. A few days ago, Matt DeLorenzo and host Jack Nerad traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the annual North American Car of the Year test session. After driving about a dozen car of the year contenders each, they sat down to talk about what they had learned and what vehicles impressed them. In this episode, Matt Delorenzo will also review one of the North American Truck of the Year semi-finalists, the 2025 Ford Ranger with its new 2.7-liter turbocharged engine. In the news, the Biden Administration's proposed ban on cars and trucks that include Chinese technology is facing big-time blowback from several sources, including the Mexican government. One auto brand says the ban will eliminate it completely from the U.S. market, including the vehicles it builds in Carolina. We'll have more on that. Speaking of the Chinese, Volkswagen is having big troubles in Europe and worldwide with many of its issues caused by new Chinese competition. We'll tell you how that might sort out and what it could mean here in America. Meanwhile Toyota is ramping up its EV efforts with a new deal with Suzuki Motors, one of several efforts it is making on the EV front. Toyota has also unveiled its 2025 GR Corolla, and we'll have details on that coming up. So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

The King of the Hill Corvette is making a comeback, and we have the specifications, the hype and our comments on what the newest and hottest version of “America's Sports Car” means to you and to General Motors. The just-released specs on the new 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 are mind-boggling. Tucked behind the driver and passenger is the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer, and it's housed in an iconic design that has the goods to challenge the world's best supercars. Former Road & Track Editor Matt DeLorenzo and former Motor Trend Editor Jack Nerad, who is, of course, the host of America on the Road and owner of a classic Corvette, will give their thoughts on what promises to be a landmark vehicle. While some observers suggest that we have enough crossover SUVs already, Toyota obviously doesn't think so. To prove the point, the brand recently introduced the first-ever 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, and it's set to arrive in dealerships virtually as you read this. The brand is taking an upscale approach with its new toy. Available in XLE and Limited trims, the Crown Signia is equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System and all-wheel drive. With a four-cylinder engine doing the heavy lifting, the hybrid system delivers a net output of 240 horsepower and achieves an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined rating. The Crown Signia's handsome exterior boasts a stylish and sleek monochromatic grille and the option for 21-inch wheels. Inside, the premium cabin offers seating for five and a fold-flat second row. Passengers can enjoy a quiet ride with standard leather-trimmed seating, soft-touch materials, and the option of a panoramic glass roof. The likable new model is also equipped with a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 advanced driver assistance system array. Of course, all this sounds as appealing as a hot fudge sundae topped with real whipped cream, but how does it drive? Guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo will tell us in his portion of the road test segment. In the other half, host Jack Nerad will describe his weeklong encounter with Volvo's newest version of its C40 Recharge battery-electric crossover coupe. The big news is the Single Motor version of the Volvo C40 Recharge that Nerad tested. It's the first rear-drive Volvo in years, and it makes the handsome C40 Recharge a much more competitive player in the cutthroat BEV crossover market. This week, our special guest is Frank Hanley, head of automotive benchmarking at J.D. Power. If you want to know which vehicles are most loved by their owners—something that most of us would really like to know—he's the man to tell you. We'll have the results of J.D. Power's annual APEAL study and Hanley's analysis coming up in our interview segment. If you haven't noticed, new and used cars have rocketed up in price over the past five years, and now Cars.com details that trajectory in a new study. We'll have our take on what the trend means to you. Tesla is in the news again —isn't it always? — as it recalls more than 1.8 million vehicles for a safety problem. We'll tell you what the issue is this time and share our reactions. And there's a battle brewing over automatic emergency braking. We'll tell you who the combatants are and what is likely to happen next. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner is the last of its generation, and all indications are it is going to be missed. This week, Host Jack Nerad got a special chance to say goodbye to the old and respected warrior as he took the wheel for the last time before an all-new 2025 model-year 4Runner arrives. While many are excited about the new 4Runner and its equally new turbocharged powerplant, a similar number seem wistful about the passing of the current generation SUV, which has proven itself tough as a month-old bag of jerky. Some of its toughness stems from its venerable normally aspirated V6 engine, which just seems to keep ticking and ticking no matter how old or what obstacles are thrown in its way. Nerad will tell us more about his last hurrah with the 4Runner in this episode. In our other road test this week, Co-Host Chris Teague will put the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek through its paces. While not as fully off-road capable as the 4Runner, it boasts some impressive off-road chops of its own. And despite its new body, it remains powered by the latest version of Subaru's famed boxer engines, another powerplant that has more than proven its worth. Teague will tell us more in the road test segment. This week our special guest is Matt DeLorenzo, author of How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car, a Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. An auto expert par excellence, DeLorenzo has been on the show several times before, and he always has an insightful point of view on individual cars and the car industry as a whole. Now, as electric vehicle sales have hit a lull, we'll talk with him about what is likely to end up in your driveway going forward. Will we have an all-electric future as so many have predicted? Or is an industry reset occurring before our eyes? DeLorenzo will give us his well-informed opinions. In the news this week, Jeep has confirmed it will re-launch its Renegade as a battery-electric vehicle for the 2027 model year. And it will have a base price of less than $25,000. We'll tell you more about Jeep's aggressive EV plans. Speaking of EVs, Tesla's Elon Musk will get his $56 billion pay package after all, at least if Tesla Motors' shareholders get their way. Musk has big plans for his Texas-based car company going forward, and we'll have more on that continuing saga. Another continuing saga isn't going nearly as well. Fisker Motors, an EV start-up helmed by car designer turned entrepreneur Henrik Fisker, has officially filed for bankruptcy. If everybody had an Ocean across the USA, then things would be different. But it looks like they won't. In more positive news, BMW has just pulled the curtain away from its all-new 2025 X3 small SUV. We'll have the details and our reactions to its new look. All that and more coming up this week on America on the Road. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

The 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country isn't a startling new development. It doesn't feature a groundbreaking engine or stunning piece of safety equipment. But in a month when snow, ice, and other inclement weather can occur almost anywhere, it is a very nice old friend to have around. In this episode of America on the Road, Host, Jack Nerad roadtests the V90 Cross Country in most of the weather conditions that February in Southern California can throw at a vehicle — including a blinding snowstorm. How did the hearty Swedish station wagon fare? He will have his report coming up. Our guest co-host this week is veteran author and auto journalist Matt DeLorenzo, who is subbing for Chris Teague. Matt is the author of How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership and a car expert par excellence. An always affable co-host, he will reveal his take on the 2024 Mazda CX-90 three-row sport utility vehicle. Its predecessor, the CX-9, had great road presence and a premium look, but the knock on it was it was too small. Does the CX-90 suffer the same twist of fate? DeLorenzo will have the answer. If you get in an accident these days, you might want to smile because you could be on candid camera. In this area of cheap electronics and frequent litigation, dash cams are all the (road) rage, and we'll tell you all about it. Meanwhile, we are ready for our closeup, Mr. DeMille. In other news, the results of the Super Bowl car commercials are in, and we'll tell you which were the winners and which were the losers. While we won't talk to Taylor Swift, we will have an interview with a car company executive very close to the Big Game action. Our special guest is Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. He was just honored as MediaPost's 2023 Automotive Marketer of the Year. And we had a chance to sit down with him at the Chicago Auto Show to discuss where Kia has been and where it's going. We think you'll enjoy our conversation. All that and more are coming up on America on the Road. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, YourTestDriver.com, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

In this special direct from North American Car of the Year testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Host Jack Nerad and frequent Guest Host Matt DeLorenzo discuss the many candidates for three of the most prestigious honors in autodom. Nerad is currently vice president of the North American Car of the Year jury. DeLorenzo has served on the jury for decades. Each year, the 50-member jury composed of renowned industry experts evaluates all the new-to-the-market vehicles to determine which deserve the title North American Car of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, and North American Utility of the Year. As part of a rigorous test schedule, the jury convenes in Michigan near the Motor City of Detroit to drive and evaluate the contenders for the honors in each of the categories. The competition is stiff, and the potential for disagreements is many. With electrics, hybrids, and conventionally powered vehicles in each category, the jurors get a chance to weigh the positives and negatives in real-world driving. The car of the year field includes mainstream cars like the Honda Accord and exotic newcomers like the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. The truck field includes stalwarts like the Ford SuperDuty and new-tech wonders like the Chevrolet Silverado EV. The utility group includes conventional SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander, plus dedicated electric vehicles like the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX30. The following is a complete list of the 2024 North American Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, and Utility of the Year semi-finalists that Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo will discuss in this week's hour-long special on the competition. Join us for our show later this month, when we'll reveal the finalists. 2024 North American Car of the Year Semi-Finalists BMW 5 Series BMW i5 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Ford Mustang Honda Accord Hyundai Ioniq 6 Subaru Impreza Toyota Crown Toyota GR Corolla Toyota Prius/Prius Prime 2024 North American Truck of the Year Semi-Finalists Chevrolet Colorado Chevrolet Silverado EV Ford Super Duty GMC Canyon 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Semi-Finalists Chevrolet Blazer EV Dodge Hornet Genesis Electrified GV70 Honda Pilot Hyundai Kona Kia EV9 Mazda CX90 Toyota Grand Highlander Volvo EX30 America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, YourTestDriver.com, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

The Kia EV9 is an important step in the effort to move electric vehicles from the status symbols of the rich to everyday vehicles for mainstream Americans. And what could be more mainstream American than a three-row SUV? That's the market the Kia EV9 is trying to crack as the first non-luxury battery-electric dedicated three-row SUV to hit the American marketplace. It brings plenty of positives to its effort — expressive exterior design, roomy cabin, advanced driver assistance features, and several configurations. As guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo discovered, the Kia EV9 is also rewarding to drive. The GT-Line version of the EV9 has 379 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Its 0-to-60 mph acceleration time is under five seconds. For those who like road trips as we do, the EV9 offers up to 300 miles on a charge in the long-range version of the Light trim. Kia says that with the use of ultrafast recharging on high-speed DC chargers, the EV9 can go from 10 to 80 percent state of charge in under 25 minutes. We'll have more information on the 2024 Kia EV9 in the road test segment. Host Jack Nerad details the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid Nightshade Edition in his portion of this week's road tests. The Camry Hybrid Nightshade isn't a sports car or even a sports sedan, but, as Nerad found out, it has a lot of fun-to-drive attributes, including good initial acceleration. Add its driving dynamics to a comfortable cabin and 50+ mpg fuel economy, and you have a real bargain. Speaking of real bargains, the Hyundai Kona has made a name for itself as a strong SUV value. Now, there's an all-new version of the vehicle, and this week's special guest will tell us all about it. Ricky Lao is the director of product planning for Hyundai Motor America, and we'll get his behind-the-scenes insight into the 2024 Kona. In the news this week, the United States is heavily divided over many issues, and to that list, we can now add electric cars. Some states are moving forward quickly with the new EV technology, while others are taking the opposite stance. Details on where your state stands on EVs coming up. A world-famous sports car manufacturer is gearing up to become a mainstream brand. We'll tell you which brand that is and how they plan to gain your attention coming up. And an executive for a major global automaker says batteries will have to change drastically before we see widespread electric car adoption. We'll tell you how he thinks they must change in this segment, along with our comments. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, YourTestDriver.com, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com

Jealously guarding its position as the maker of the bestselling pickup model in the United States, Ford develops and offers the Ford F-150 in a wide variety of work truck, personal-use, and off-road versions. One of our all-around favorites is the 2023 Ford F-150 Tremor, a vehicle we tested this week. To build it, Ford engineers started with the fully boxed steel frame, aluminum alloy body, and varied powertrains of the standard F-150 and modified it to give it more appeal to off-road enthusiasts. At the same time, they retained the everyday usefulness of the truck and made sure the price wasn't out of reach. Ford has offered the F-150 Tremor package since the current-generation F-150 was introduced for the 2021 model year. A big addition this year is the new availability of the brand's veteran 5.0-liter V8 engine, now offered as an alternative to the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. That was the configuration of the F-150 Tremor that Host Jack Nerad got a chance to test in the silt and sand of the desert outside Indio, California. He'll have a full report. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Edition is the subject of guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo's road test this week. The Jetta has always been an appealing compact sedan, but in this era of soulless electric vehicles, it might be more appealing than ever. Both Matt and Jack will detail their thoughts on the car in this episode. Volkswagen is also the lead news story this week as the brand introduced the U.S. version of its much anticipated VW ID.Buzz, the spiritual successor to the legendary VW Microbus. The unveiling took place in Huntington Beach, California, as a bow to the Microbus's surfer heritage. We'll tell you all about it and have some personal reminiscences about our own experiences in Volkswagen buses from the way-back machine. Our special guest this week is Toyota product expert Thomas Sondej. He recently sat down with Host Jack Nerad for an in-depth interview on the all-new 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid and the hybrid version of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross small crossover utility. If you expect the price of electric vehicles to come down to the level of conventional gasoline vehicles soon — well, don't hold your breath. The chief executive of a major global automaker says it's going to take a while, and we'll tell you much more as we recap the week's top automotive stories. In the true crime files automotive edition this week, a French lawyer says he's about to file criminal charges against a major automaker over faulty engines. And two other big car companies — one based in the U.S. — have just been required to pay major fines for violating fuel economy regulations. All that and answers to your automotive question coming up this week on America on the Road. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, YourTestDriver.com, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com    

The Corolla Cross is a low-priced, high-value crossover SUV, a vehicle type American consumers just can't seem to get enough of. In little more than a year on the market, it has already become a giant hit. The addition of a hybrid-powered version tops the model line with a model that isn't just efficient — it's engaging. More horsepower and a sport-tuned suspension will do that. The 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid delivers better acceleration than the conventional Corolla Cross, and Toyota emphasizes that added sportiness in the way it decks it out. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is available as an S, SE, or XSE, the brand's sport-oriented grades. In addition to its taut suspension, even the base S features LED headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and smart key access. The SE adds privacy glass, roof rails, paddle shifters, blind spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. The XSE is the sportiest and most luxurious Corolla Cross Hybrid with 18-inch alloy wheels, premium LED lighting front and rear, leatherette seat coverings, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. Host Jack Nerad had the chance to drive several Corolla Cross Hybrid variants at a recent driving event in Southern California, and he'll have a full report. Also in the road test segment, guest host Matt DeLorenzo was behind the wheel of the battery-electric Volkswagen ID.4. The ID.4 brings European driving dynamics to the BEV crossover segment, and Matt DeLorenzo, author of How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car, will share his thoughts. In the news, Tesla has cut the prices on some of its models for the sixth time this year. We'll tell you what's behind these unusual price changes and give you our comments coming up later in this segment. Also in the news this week, the other shoe dropped on federal electric-vehicle tax credits, and there are big winners and big losers. A number of well-known brands are crying this week. We'll give you the details plus our commentary on the multi-billion dollar decision a little later. On new-car front, Buick revealed the 2024 Envista, a vehicle it claims, offers the cargo space and utility of an SUV, packaged in the sleek proportions typically found in a sedan. Not only that, but it's darn good-looking. We'll give you the details and our reactions coming up. We have a terrific guest for you this week. Ted West is a veteran auto journalist and author of one of the best motor racing novels ever, a book called Closing Speed. He is also one of the reasons Host Jack Nerad got into the business of reviewing cars in the first place. We will bring you their conversation and much more in this episode of America on the Road.

TOPIC: EV Tansition; PANEL: Greg Migliore, Autoblog; Chris Paukert, Edmunds.com; Matt DeLorenzo, Veteran Auto Writer; Gary Vasilash, on Automotive

What happens when an automaker puts a 472-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 into a subcompact sedan? That's what America on the Road Co-Host Chris Teague got to discover as he road-tested the 2023 Cadillac CT-4 V Blackwing this week. While the rear-drive rocket is not necessarily suited to battle the rigors of a harsh Maine winter, those are the conditions that the feisty Caddy found itself in. With magnetic ride control, competition-tuned suspension, and Brembo brakes, the CT-4 V Blackwing might seem better suited to a pristine race track than snow-covered rural lanes, but we'll get a full report from Chris Teague. Meanwhile, across the country in Southern California, Host Jack Nerad had the pleasant task of driving and reviewing the most recent Mazda MX-5 Miata, a Club RF with the Brembo Recaro package. The Miata is one of those cars that has taken on a life of its own. But is a two-seat sports car like the Miata still relevant in a market that is turning its head toward battery-electric drive? We'll give your our opinions in this episode. Our guest this week is auto expert Matt DeLorenzo, the author of the new book How To Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership and a longtime industry observer. He and Jack Nerad will discuss the new vehicles just unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show and assess their implications for the industry going forward. In the news, a just-released study shows that the move to vehicle electrification faces more hurdles than many imagine. We'll have the details on what the study found coming up later in this segment. And in a related story, it appears the predicted transition to EVs now hinges on made-in-America batteries and on raw materials mined and processed in America. But there's a big hitch in that scenario, and we'll tell you what that is coming up. Also in the news, Elon Musk and Tesla got good news in the resolution of one court case this week. And then he and his company got more good news from the U.S. Treasury Department. We'll have the details for you on that and so much more in this episode of “America on the Road.” Host Jack R. Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, is a crime thriller now available in Kindle and paperback from Amazon.  

Joining Jo today is an automotive industry legend, Matt DeLorenzo. Matt has a new book out which is titled How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Matt and Jo discuss this new book, how Matt got involved in the EV space and the price parody for electric vehicles. Next, Matt shares why he believes buyers need to shift their expectations when thinking about purchasing EVs. Lastly, Matt and Jo lay out the practicality of owning an EV, and how to make it fit into your day-to-day life. ----FOLLOW:InstagramTwitterFacebookWebsite-----PRODUCED BY:Lagos Creative

The Acura Integra is back and in many ways better than ever. And we test the performance-oriented A-Spec version in this episode of “America on the Road.” The Integra was a mainstay of the Acura lineup from the day the brand was introduced in 1986 until the Integra was discontinued 20 years later. Now, as Acura turns its back on its alpha naming system, the Integra has returned as a five-door hatchback with driving enjoyment as its key calling card. In A-Spec form, the 2023 Acura Integra features its first-ever turbocharged engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, and the availability of a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching capability. Of course, there is plenty of tech as well, like the 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and the adaptive damper suspension system. And the Integra A-Spec looks the part with stainless steel pedals, red gauge needles and contrast stitching on the steering wheel, console, shift boot plus a leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob. In the news segment, we examine the contention that electric cars will be less trouble-prone and need less service than conventional gasoline cars. Many pundits have made that claim, but a new study from Consumer Reports says quite the opposite is true. We'll have our thoughts on all that coming up. Also in the news, is there a “Silent Majority” of top car company execs that believes that pursuing electric vehicles to the exclusion of conventional vehicles is a giant mistake? One prominent global executive certainly thinks so, and in this edition, we'll tell you who that is and why he believes it. Our guest host, EV expert Matt DeLorenzo, will weigh in on that as well. DeLorenzo is the author of the new book How To Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership and a longtime industry observer. In a special segment this week, he and AOTR Host Jack Nerad will take a long look at the assertion by some climatologists that the accelerating move to electric vehicles is not the right solution to climate issues. In fact it could be a multi-trillion-dollar mistake. Nerad is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles in addition to his latest novel, Dance in the Dark. In the road test segment, Matt DeLorenzo will detail his recent experiences in one of the biggest “sleeper values” on the sedan market today — the Volkswagen Arteon. The highly styled and well-equipped Arteon deserves more attention than it has received, and we'll tell you why.  

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R offers a wealth of good stuff: 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission, adaptive-damping suspension, a giant display screen, and impressive driver assistance technology. With a starting MSRP of $44,740, it is an amazing performance bargain. But at the same time, one of our testers asks the question, “Is it too smart for its own good?” While there is no doubt that the Golf R delivers more than enough performance per dollar spent, the interface between the car and its driver might blunt some of its goodness. Depending upon your point of view, the car's systems could require the driver to make too many choices. And those choices must be made through a touchscreen display that isn't all that easy to use, especially at speed. Guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo, author of How To Buy an Affordable Electric Car, and Host Jack Nerad will explore that in this episode. We'll also explore the all-new 2023 Kia Sportage compact utility. Jack Nerad and his wife had the opportunity to test all aspects of the Sportage HEV (hybrid) on a recent tour of Central and Southern California that took them from the SouthBay of Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast and then to the desert east of Palm Springs. It was a revealing drive, and Nerad tells all about it in this show. In the news this week, an all-new, upcoming version of one of the seminal SUVs has just been revealed. The International Scout has achieved legendary acclaim (and it is also the vehicle driven by the hero in Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark.) Now Volkswagen has purchased the rights to the Scout name, and it will begin selling off-road-ready battery-electric SUVs under that brand starting in 2026. We'll tell you what we think about the whole thing coming up. And despite rosy predictions, this year has been an extremely tough one for electric vehicle start-up manufacturers. Rivian, Lucid, Lordstown, and Canoo are among the EV makers suffering big losses as they try to reach profitability. We'll give you the gory details a little later in the show.

The EV rush, like pretty much everything with the Energy Transition right now, is in demand yet the consistent knock against the cars themselves is the hefty price tag that's attached to so many of the new electric car models. Enter the Tightwad. In today's episode, we welcome the Author of ‘How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car : A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership,' Matt Delorenzo. Now, Delorenzo is a self-described tightwad so frugalists can relax for a bit, but not only he is economically meticulous, he also happens to be one of the most prolific automotive scribes of his generation as he's written about cars for the last 45 years. Delorenzo noticed a huge gap in the amount of and accessibility to quality EV information, but more importantly, Delorenzo, who lives in EV-friendly California, also surmised there was no one covering where to find inexpensive electric cars - or asking the bigger question - Do they exist? And boy do they. Delorenzo takes prospective EV buyers - for a ride - to not only educate them on what inexpensive EVs exist, but shares the ins and outs of the EVs when it comes to range, options, city v. highway driving, the used car market and we talk Tax Credits of course. It's an EV Buying 101 course that breaks down the EV segment better than anyone. For more on the book please go here and for more on Matt, click here.

“America on the Road” hits the highway to the Midwest in this edition. Over the course of just a couple of days at the wheel of a new Mazda CX-9 Signature, our intrepid crew set down in Kansas City, Missouri. The goals were multi-fold: attend a Kansas City Royals baseball game at Kaufman Stadium, sample the legendary Z-Man sandwich at Joe's Kansas City Barbecue, tour KC's now-revived Union Station, and witness a country concert featuring Thomas Rhett, Conner Smith, and Parker McCollum. Almost too much good stuff for a 48-hour visit. The challenging itinerary included a drive from Kansas City to Columbia, Missouri, in time to see the concert held on the campus of the University of Missouri. On the face of it, that's not too hard. But we left KC after touring all the major sites in that city hoping to have enough leeway to get prime Midwest steaks at CC's Broiler in Columbia. Oh, and then we had to drive back the 120 miles to KC after the concert before getting some scant minutes of sleep. Just to increase the degree of difficulty, the state of Missouri decided to shut down all the northbound lanes of Interstate 70 between the two cities in the middle of that dark and rainy night. The good news is the Mazda CX-9, one of our favorite crossovers, took it all in stride. All four of our AOTR crew arrived at each destination fresh, relaxed, and ready to devour another mammoth meal. In addition to full road trip coverage, this week we have the details on the just-announced all-new Maserati GranTurismo, and it is one hot car. It comes with not one but instead two very innovative powertrains — a 550-hp twin-turbo gasoline engine and a 760-hp all-wheel-drive electric. The car keeps its classic proportions, but it is obvious that the very best of Italian design and technology has been brought to bear. In an era when so many cars are “international,” the Maserati Gran Turismo wears its Italian heritage on its sleeve. And speaking of Italian heritage, our guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo is also our special guest this week. He is the author of the just-published book How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Certainly, the heat has been growing under the EV movement lately, but is there more smoke than fire? DeLorenzo and host Jack Nerad will sort out the situation in the interview segment. Our guest isn't just a renowned auto expert, but he has also walked the walk by buying his own affordable electric car. And he will detail what the future for battery-electric vehicles will hold. All that and a look at auto sales coming up in this episode of “America on the Road.”  

Lexus executives readily acknowledge that the Lexus RX “is the franchise.” Both Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo and Hot Jack Nerad were among the first journalists to test the all-new 2023 Lexus RX. The model comes in a variety of versions including gasoline, hybrid, and “performance hybrid.” If the last of those seems like an oxymoron to you, we can assure you after our drives that it isn't. And we'll have a lively discussion about all the new RX models in this episode of “America on the Road.” But that isn't the only important crossover SUV we examine this week. Host Jack Nerad recently traveled to North Carolina for a first drive of the heavily revised 2023 Hyundai Palisade, and he came back with an interview with an expert on the vehicle — Hyundai product planner Melvyn Bautista. The interview will provide rare insight into the changes the Palisade has for 2023. In the news, the state of California gathered big-time headlines by banning the sale of gasoline cars after 2035. But while that was the headline, the state's action has more immediate effects that are even more concerning. Matt Delorenzo, who is the author of How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership, and Jack Nerad, who is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hybrids and Alternative Fuel Vehicles, will offer their analysis of the California's move. Will the edict actually go into effect? They'll offer their thoughts on that, too. Also in the news, a major carmaker has just started to build electric vehicles at an American factory. We'll tell you all about that and how it fits — or doesn't fit — into the new green vehicle push contained in the recent Inflation Act. Does the new legislation damage chances for the adoption of EVs? In the road test segment, Jack Nerad will review the 2022 Lincoln Navigator, the full-size luxury SUV that competes with the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator is so stuffed with tech that it is hard to discuss anything else about it, but Nerad will offer his well-rounded look at the big Lincoln. All that and more is coming up in this episode of “America on the Road.”

GUESTS: Michelle Krebs, Cox Automotive, Matt Delorenzo, Veteran Auto Writer PANEL: Gary Vasilash, on Automotive; John McElroy, Autoline.tv

WLS News Anchor Rob Martier, DriveChicago.com General Manager Mark Bilek and Chicago Auto Show Marketing Director Jim OBrill are reviewing the Lexus LX, explaining EV tax credits with Paul Eisenstein, and sharing how to buy an affordable EV with Matt DeLorenzo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you struggling to find an affordable electric vehicle? You are not alone. The average price of a new electric vehicle sold in America in 2022 is a stunning $66,000. That's more than a house in Detroit or Topeka. But if you look long and hard enough, you can still tease out some bargains. So says Matt DeLorenzo, author of a timely and practical new book called How to Buy An Affordable Electric Vehicle. DeLorenzo parks a small electric car in the driveway that cost him less than $20,000 after incentives. How did he do it? #WinningInAsia / #ZozoGo https://twitter.com/Dunne_ZoZoGo https://www.instagram.com/zo.zo.go/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dunne-a696901a/

Ford has increased the price of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck right after we gave it a strong review in last week's show. Is there a connection? We'll have details on that coming up. Also in the auto news this week, there is more intrigue in the Board room at Volkswagen, and Congress has just passed the Inflation Act with the promise it will promote green energy. But some experts insist it will hurt the sale of electric cars not help them. We'll have commentary on that from the Chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association. He doesn't hold back. In the road test segment Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo will tell about his recent road trip in a 2022 Ford Expedition Stealth Edition. How did the massive vehicle fare in the tight confines of Chicago traffic? Matt will give us the lowdown as he speaks with us from Asheville, North Carolina. Also in the road test segment Host Jack Nerad will put the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport under the microscope. The TRD Sport is one of the latest variants of the venerable 4Runner, which has become a legend in off-road circles. For. The on-road-oriented TRD Sport, Nerad had a different test in mind. And he'll share it with you in this episode. Our special guest this week is Laura Thornton, Director of OnStar Marketing at General Motors. OnStar has a new initiative that will extend its reach far beyond General Motors vehicles, and we'll get the details from her about that exciting new development. Matt DeLorenzo has a new book — How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership — now available from Amazon. We'll tap into his expert advice in our listener question segment. All that and more coming up in this episode of America on the Road.

How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership by Matt Matt DeLorenzo. Matt has driven just about every car on the planet, but apparently he is cheap (like I have been accused of) but wanted to go electric. Check out the interview and his new book

How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership by Matt Matt DeLorenzo. Matt has driven just about every car on the planet, but apparently he is cheap (like I have been accused of) but wanted to go electric. Check out the interview and his new book

How To Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership by Matt Matt DeLorenzo. Matt has driven just about every car on the planet, but apparently he is cheap (like I have been accused of) but wanted to go electric. Check out the interview and his new book

Lexus has some important new vehicles coming this year, including an all-new 2023 Lexus RZ 450e crossover utility. And our special guest will share his thoughts about where the brand is going. Andrew Gilleland, Lexus Group VP, sat down for an exclusive interview with Host Jack Nerad recently, and the exec had interesting things to say about the luxury brand's future in the “electrified era.” Guest Co-Host Matt DeLorenzo joins us this week as Co-Host Chris Teague takes a break. Matt is the author of the new book How to Buy An Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership, and he and Jack Nerad will discuss the important questions facing potential first-time EV buyers. In the road test segment, Matt DeLorenzo will profile the all-new 2023 Toyota bZ4X battery-electric crossover. Matt had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of Toyota's first nationally marketed EV at the recent Motor Press Guild Drive Day 2022 event. And Host Jack Nerad drove the bZ4X at the Toyota HQ Confidential event in Texas. Also in the road test segment, Jack Nerad will give his initial impressions of the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 off-road specialty pickup. Jack got the chance to drive the impressive vehicle at MPG Drive Day, and he'll tell you all about how it fared on the event's very challenging off-road course. In the news, car sales were down precipitously in the second quarter while at the same time finding a new car to buy continues to be difficult for consumers. We'll have the details and our reactions to that coming up. Meanwhile, a new study of the industry gives rosy predictions about the future of electric vehicles. But is the study right? We'll give you details on the study and share our opinions about the optimistic predictions for electric vehicle adoption. Are they real or just wishful thinking? We'll let you know. All that and much more coming up in this episode of America on the Road.

Jack Nerad has spent decades in the automotive industry as a journalist, author, and communicator. His past positions include Editor of Motor Trend magazine, the Editor of Automotive Age, and the Director of Publications at J.D. Power and Associates. In addition to writing countless articles, features, and road tests, he has authored several books over the years, including his newly published book, The GR Factor.Jack also hosts his own podcast, America on the Road.  Matt DeLorenzo is an author specializing in writing car reviews, news, and car buying advice. With over 40 years of experience as an automotive journalist, he has worked as a Senior Editor at Automotive News, Autoweek, and Road & Track. A founding organizer and member of the North American Car of the Year Jury, DeLorenzo has also authorized seven books on models ranging from Corvette to Dodge, and an overview of legendary American automobiles. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how vehicles in an auto show are judged? Ever wondered how winning such an award impacts car dealers, manufacturers—and sales volume? Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo are jurors at the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY) and know exactly what to look out for when judging vehicles. They test the vehicles, write articles and reviews about them, and know which features are important in cars. In this week's episode of the Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with automotive journalists Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo to talk about working for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY) and serving in its jury. Jack and Matt talk about the history of the organization, how they judge vehicles, and what makes the 2021 award-winning vehicles great cars.

Even before a great many of us were working remotely, connectivity has been and will always be a key component of successful safety programs and healthy safety cultures. Open communication, engagement from employees and management, and effective change management all depend on connectivity, and technology can help facilitate all of these factors on which effective EHS management depends. On today’s podcast, we’re chatting with two experts, Chris Borneo of MSA Safety and Matt DeLorenzo of Safety io, who can guide us through the practicalities of connectivity, the technology involved, and how it can serve to create better workplace safety programs.

Mike and I had a chance to have a nice chat with Matt DeLorenzo of ADK-Outdoors. Being a guide, Matt shares his wealth of knowledge on chasing birds with his French Brittany and fly fishing in the Adirondacks. we really enjoyed having him on!

Read today’s show notes on https://www.evnewsdaily.com   Well good morning, good afternoon and good evening, wherever you are in the world, hello and welcome to the Sunday 12th August edition of EV News Daily. It’s Martyn Lee here with the news you need to know about electric cars and the move towards sustainable transport.   Patreon First Fantastic Fifty! I'm going to put a page up online with a special thanks. So who will be next. I'm lucky to be adding Patrons every day, whether it's a dollar or $5 or £10, the next fifty supporters will get us to the Hot 100.   FORMULA E SAY 'NO WAY' TO ELECTRIC FORMULA 1 SERIES Jalopnik: "Ross Brawn said recently F1 could go all-electric within 10 years. But Formula E would like F1 to step off, because it apparently can’t try that until 2039." "I think Formula 1 will evolve in the direction that has the right balance of sport, relevance, and engagement with the fans," stated Brawn in a video on F1 Fan Voice. "If in five years' time or ten years' time there is a need, desire, or wish to have a different type of power unit in Formula 1, then we will do it. There is nothing to stop us having electric Formula 1 cars in the future." Here’s what Agag said, from Autosport: “So the earliest Formula 1 could go electric is 2039, if we don’t renew our agreement with the FIA then, but I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t renew for longer. If they want to talk to me then of course that’s a different question - I’m always open to talk to people. But without talking to me there is no way they can do anything fully electric.” The Drive: "There is no reason Formula 1 cannot take full advantage of rapidly-maturing electric propulsion technology and showy, traditional internal combustion to attain the better attributes of each style of powertrain."   http://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22792/formula-1-open-to-going-electric-but-formula-e-would-protest   NISSAN SOLD OVER 4,000 LEAFS IN EUROPE IN JULY "Sales of the Nissan LEAF in Europe increased in July to over 4,000 copies, which is the second best monthly result ever, after the 6,503 sold in March." according to InsideEVs: "European consumers really like the new LEAF, as sales in Europe are higher than sales of the LEAF in Japan, U.S. and Canada combined (3,607). Similar situation was noted in June. Preliminary data suggests that in July Nissan sold no less than 7,631 LEAFs worldwide (probably more after including smaller markets)."   https://insideevs.com/nissan-sold-over-4000-leafs-europe-july/   TESLA'S COMPETITORS: THE BIG TSUNAMI OF EV MODELS TO COME UNTIL 2022 DriveMag: "- Jaguar I-Pace is set up to be a direct alternative for Tesla's Model X and will begin selling towards the end of 2018, with prices starting at 10% less than the Model X" "- Audi e-Tron Sportback is an SUV that also attacks Tesla's Model X. It will be revealed in production guise at the end of 2018 and start selling in 2019" "- Porsche Taycan is directly targeting the Model S and will come to the market in late 2019. It's probably the most important competitor Tesla will have for its flagship in the next three years." "- BMW i4 sedan will join the Germans' electric lineup in 2020, and will be based on a completely different platform than the current BMW EVs, also targeting the Model 3. This platform will spawn other EVs at a pace after 2020." "- Mercedes-Benz EQC. Expected to launch in 2019, it has everything Daimler could bring as technology to mark its serious entry in the EV segment." "- Mercedes-Benz EQA will be launched somewhere in 2020, up against the Model 3" "- Polestar 2 EV will make its appearance at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and should reach the showrooms in late 2019 at a price starting around $40,000" "But can Tesla first ramp up its production to at least 1,000,000 units by 2022 and then to 2,000,000 by 2025? Difficult to say. It certainly declared it wants to reach 500,000 units per year at its Shanghai factory by 2022. "   IT TURNS OUT TESLAS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEAL Every stolen Tesla since 2011 has been recovered — all except 3. Quentin Fottrell for the New York Post says: "Tesla’s remote software updates have aimed to keep pace with its increasingly prolific production line. It’s no mean feat to get a stolen Tesla across state lines or even spirit it out of the country" especially if you try to stop at a Supercharger, that would give away your location immediately. “The actual ability to get into a Tesla would be somewhat difficult as you’d have to hack your way in,” says Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. “Most of the top 10 stolen vehicles in the US tend to be mass-market models. They’re primarily stolen for body parts and airbags, and anything thieves can sell to service shops.”   https://nypost.com/2018/08/10/it-turns-out-teslas-are-nearly-impossible-to-steal/   FARADAY FUTURE FF 91 VIRTUAL TOUR Digital trends: "Faraday wants to remind everyone of what they’ve been waiting for. So it launched a “3D Tour” feature on its website that lets customers take a virtual walk around the FF 91." "The FF 91 sports a massive 130-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and at the car’s CES 2017 unveiling, Faraday said the pack would provide 378 miles of range on a charge. The powertrain consists of three electric motors producing a combined 1,050 horsepower."   https://3d.ff.com/us/   AUDI DENVER WANT YOUR e-tron PREORDERS "Meet the new Audi e-tron®, the first-ever purely electric Audi vehicle that will change the way you take on everyday drives around Colorado and beyond. You can reserve a new Audi e-tron® starting this September at our Audi dealership near Denver, CO, so contact Audi Denver now to learn more about the Audi e-tron® release date, price and more!"   https://www.audidenver.com/pre-order-a-new-audi-e-tron--near-denver-.htm   TESLA RECRUITS BRITISH DESIGNER FROM VOLVO John McIlroy for AutoExpress: "Tesla has secured the services of the young British designer behind the radical looks of the Volvo XC40, Auto Express can reveal." "Auto Express understands that Kettle started work as a senior designer with Tesla a few weeks ago - part of a team which ultimately reports into the American company’s design director, former Mazda man Franz Von Holzhausen. The move is a bold one for both parties; Tesla is likely to be hard at work on the next generation of its Model S (introduced back in 2012), as well as the smaller, more affordable model that the company’s boss Elon Musk has promised to deliver within the next five years.   GEELY INVESTIGATING £1.5 BILLION INVESTMENT INTO LOTUS "Giant Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely is considering a £1.5 billion cash injection into Lotus, according to a report by financial broadcaster Bloomberg. It comes after Geely took a majority stakeholding in Lotus last September, adding it to a growing number of automotive brands under the Chinese manufacturing giant’s umbrella." according to Jordan Katsianis, www.evo.co.uk: "Geely has plenty of experience in reinvigorating established European brands, being sole owners Volvo and its impressive rise from a niche quasi-premium brand to one that can easily be mentioned in the same breath as Mercedes, BMW and Audi."   You can listen to all previous 208 episodes of this podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube, TuneIn, Stitcher, and the blog https://www.evnewsdaily.com/ – remember to subscribe, which means you don’t have to think about downloading the show each day, plus you get it first and free and automatically. It would mean a lot if you could take 2mins to leave a quick review on whichever platform you download the podcast. And if you have an Amazon Echo, download our Alexa Skill, search for EV News Daily and add it as a flash briefing. Come and say hi on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter just search EV News Daily, have a wonderful day, and I'll catch you tomorrow.   CONNECT WITH ME! EVne.ws/itunes EVne.ws/tunein EVne.ws/googleplay EVne.ws/stitcher EVne.ws/youtube EVne.ws/iheart EVne.ws/blog EVne.ws/patreon

It’s award time again and Autoline has the scoop on the biggest prize for automakers each year: the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Joining NACTOY founding member John McElroy on the car panel are fellow jurors Larry Webster from Road and Track along with Matt DeLorenzo of Kelly Blue Book.

It’s award time again and Autoline has the scoop on the biggest prize for automakers each year: the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Joining NACTOY founding member John McElroy on the car panel are fellow jurors Larry Webster from Road and Track along with Matt DeLorenzo of Kelly Blue Book.

UP FOR DISCUSSION:- VW of America sacks its president, Jonathan Browning- NACTOY jurors debate car and truck of the year- GM pulls Chevy out of Europe, appoints a new CEO, shuts down Holden and a whole lot moreAll that and more with John McElroy, Autoline.tv; Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist; Matt DeLorenzo, KBB; and Gary Vasilash, Automotive Design and Production

UP FOR DISCUSSION:- Is the Porsche Macan a Crossover Too Far?- Chevrolet Colorado gets GM back into the midsize pickup market- Mercedes presents what could be the "most hideous" concept of the LA Auto Show- Kia's K900 represents a bold attempt to elevate the bargain brandSPECIAL GUEST: Bruce Meyer, Owner, Beverly Hills Garage- Among all the hot rods, classic cars, and motorcycles (not to mention a boat) what's the real gem in his collection?All that and more with John McElroy, Autoline.tv; Jack Nerad, Kelley Blue Book; Matt DeLorenzo, Robb Report

And now for something completely different. This week John McElroy comes to you from the Pacific time zone in the great city of Los Angeles. Autoline is out west this week covering the L.A. Auto Show, and we're getting together with some of our left coast colleagues to do an AAH from the land of CARB and some really out-of-control cars. We'll be joined by Chelsea Sexton, EV enthusiast, Matt DeLorenzo from Road and Track and Charlie Vogelheim of Intellichoice. Of course, the group will be discussing the major news out of this week's show and much more.