Wheel Bearings

This week Jill has been driving the Lexus RX500h, Robbie had the Cadillac Optiq-V and Sam had time with the Volvo EX30 and Infiniti QX65.

Sam and Jill both went to Huntsville Alabama to see the 1 millionth vehicle(s) off the line at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant and see how the joint venture company is supporting local education. Sam also had a conversation with Mazda NA CEO Tom Donnelly. Mazda has also killed off the CX-70 nameplate and the SkyActiv-X engine. Toyota's got a next generation hybrid system coming, GM is going to put hybrids in its 3-row crossovers and Ford is making parts for the Fathom and adding bidirectional charging. Used EV prices are up 10% compared to a year ago and someone is selling a first generation Toyota Rav4 EV. Don't buy engine parts from Temu and you probably shouldn't put a Flock-O-Matic on your car either.

Links

Thanks A Million: Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Celebrates One Millionth Vehicle by Giving Back to Community - Oct 28, 2026

Mazda Is Quietly Killing Off Its Biggest Engine Experiment in the Mazda3 - Autoblog

Toyota develops next-generation hybrid for future multi-pathway vehicle platforms

GM Finally Announces Hybrid Plans | GreenCars

Home Backup Power Gets a Lot More Affordable with the Ford Fathom | GreenCars

Ford Produces More Than 5,000 Unicastings for Fathom Electric Truck – and Counting

2027 Mazda CX-90: Pricing and Packaging - Oct 27, 2026

Used EVs Are Getting More Expensive While Selling Faster Than Gas Cars - iSeeCars.com

Ancient Toyota RAV4 EV for Sale Still Has the Factory Battery

Rivian’s ‘Boring’ Commercial Van Is Turning Into A Secret Weapon

/VW’s EV Factory Is Now Taking Cars Apart. There’s Money In It

YouTuber Invents Device That Hides License Plates From Flock Cameras - Jalopnik

Buying Temu Small-Block Chevy Heads Is an Even Worse Idea Than You Thought

VW Suspends ID.Golf EV Development Amid Financial Pressures: Report

Check out KUIU workwear at KUIU.com and use Code: KUIUFREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $125

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Jill put a bunch of miles on the Toyota GR Corolla and a few on the Rivian R2. Stephanie Brinley joined us this week and drove the new Audi A6 and the Lexus IS 350 F-Sport. Sam drove the Toyota Rav4 Woodland PHEV

Links

Inside GM's Plan for Its Next-Gen EVs | GreenCars

Meet Mustang Mach-E Trail: Made for the Road to Adventure

2027 SUBARU OUTBACK DELIVERS AFFORDABILITY WITH NEW PRICING, NEW OUTBACK ENTRY-LEVEL MODEL STARTING AT $32,995 MSRP

Subaru Shares Details of Its New In-House EV PlatformThis Chevy Bolt Has 470,000 Miles. Here’s How Much A New Battery Was

The young Americans choosing Y2K cars over shiny new SUVs: ‘I get so much crap from people’ | US news | The Guardian

Audi makes long-term commitment to America, announces mega US production site in Georgia | Releases | Official Media Site NEWSROOM

Nissan Kicks joins ranks of IIHS award winners

Feds want robotaxis to signal ‘I’m driving’ with cyan-colored lights | The Verge

Toyota’s Newest GR Racing Prototype Sure Looks Like the Next-Gen MR2

Hey! Pay Attention! Drivers Find Multitasking Tough When Using Touchscreens, Says Study - Jalopnik

Jill's Youtube Channel

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Jill has been driving Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid but it came without a charging cord so she couldn't plug it in. She also took a flight in the HondaJet Elite. Back in 2018, Rebecca and Sam also got to try out the original HondaJet https://youtu.be/gvM2bo5k2Xo?si=OI7wOOkewWuQdcsE. Sam drove the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and the Subaru Trailseeker.

We've got news from Paris, crashing and hopping Teslas, a new Porsche, Acura's upcoming SUVs, new winter tires and listener email.

Links

Acura Shares Business Roadmap: Includes Three New Models Beginning with Adventure-Ready SUV in 2028

Porsche Mission S: the essence of the sports car reinterpreted

Tesla driver says he was asleep and using FSD when he crashed into highway patrol cars | The Verge

The incredible flying Tesla Roadster is just for show | The Verge

How Did the Tesla Roadster Fly? Here's How It Works

Tesla pauses Model 3 orders in Canada amid China EV quota

New Winter Tire Throwdown: Blizzak IcePeak vs Continental VikingContact 8 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow+ - YouTube

These Are the Hottest Cars and Concepts of the 2026 Paris Auto Show—and Why They Matter

Hello Toronto! Waymo is En Route

The Fix For Plug-In Hybrids That Don't Get Plugged In? Smaller Gas Tanks, New Report Argues

We Spied The Facelifted Santa Fe That Will Be Hyundai's First Range-Extender Hybrid - Jalopnik

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Sam has been driving the Kia K5 GT-Line, Jill had the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and Robbie had the Subaru Trailseeker and Ford Expedition.

This week Jaguar unveiled its first new product in a decade, BMW has killed what was once a top-selling 3 series, a Chinese SUV is the UK's top-seller. Canada has a cheap Model 3, EVs are still selling in Europe, electrified models are now the global majority, watch your dog in your Rivian and the VW ID Tiguan gets buttons.

Sam had a conversation with John Possumato, CEO of DriveItAway and Free2Move's head of mobility Benjamin Maillard about the new vehicle rent-to-own service. It certainly provides flexibility for those in need of transportation, but it's probably not the best value in the world for a new or used vehicle.

Links

BMW Just Quietly Killed Its Most Important Diesel Car - The Autopian

This Chinese SUV Was The UK's Best Selling Car Last Month

How Brexit Led To China Selling Nearly 1-In-4 New Cars In Britain - The Autopian

Canada Gets A $29,500 Tesla Model 3 With Ventilated Seats But There's A Catch - The Autopian

Europeans Still Love Their EVs - Jalopnik

Gas Cars’ Dominance Is Fading: Global Sales Fall Below 50% For The First Time Since The 1920s

JAGUAR TYPE 01

Rivian R2 owners can now put a live pet cam on their phone's lockscreen - Engadget

BMW Group in the U.S. Survey Finds Americans Want More EV Range Than They Need Day to Day.

A Volkswagen bestseller goes electric: World premiere of the new ID. Tiguan

DriveItAway

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This week our new co-host Jill Ciminillo joins the show and she's been driving the Ford Ranger. Sam had the new 2026 Mazda CX-5.

Our whole team converged on New York for the debut of the new Hyundai Tucson and Sam had a conversation with Eric Wood, head of product experience about the new Pleos Connect infotainment system and Gleo AI voice assistant.

Links

EVgo Announces Next-Generation Charging System Capable of 750kW

LEXUS FULL-LINE PRICING

Lexus TZ Sharply Undercuts Luxury Rivals With a $65K Starting Price - Autoblog

2027 Hyundai Tucson First Look: What Changes for Hyundai’s Best-Selling SUV? | GreenCars

GM Really Isn't Going To Build That Many Chevy Bolts: Report

How the EV Business Case Shifted Away From the Chevy Bolt

Ultium Cells to bring LMR prismatic battery cell production to Tennessee for future GM EVs

Final Technical Support Document | NHTSA

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

‘Cannot Give Up’: Hyundai’s R&D Boss On The Solid-State Battery Bet

Nissan Is Targeting a Stacked Hybrid Lineup in the U.S. by 2030

The new BMW 3 Series.Returning to the Stage — How Rallying Is Our Road Car Future

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This week Robbie is driving the BMW M3 Competition and Sam has the Toyota bZ XLE Plus

Links

The Board of Volvo Cars appoints Klaus Zellmer as President and CEO

VEHICLE CARGO SPACE ACCESS PROVIDING METHOD

Ford Patents reveal new clues for Fathom!

Can the 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV Keep Up With a V8 Jeep Wrangler 392 in a Drag Race?

Electric future, established name: The new ID. Tiguan premieres in October | Releases

2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 Full Pricing Uncovered

How recycled minerals from GM EV batteries are helping power new ones

GM raises the bar for Heavy-Duty power, capability and control headlined by all-new Duramax 8.3L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine-

Ford Mustang manual may outlive the V8

BYD’s $10,000 EV Is Getting A Huge Upgrade, With 5-Minute Charging

Dodge's Fire-Preventing Ejecting Battery Patent Is American Individualism At Its Finest - Jalopnik

Everybody Hates China’s Hilariously Bad Battery Ejector Idea

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This week Robbie has been driving the Kia Telluride hybrid and the GMC Sierra EV while Sam had the very impression new Kia Seltos.

In the news, VW showed a new EV concept and a lot of people misread the press release. Ford is again refreshing the F-150 and adding hands-free towing capability to BlueCruise. Volvo has upgraded the XC90 and XC60 PHEVs with double the electric range. GM dropped details on the new V8s in the 2027 trucks and the updated user interface. Robotaxis without controls make problems for first responders and Sam and Robbie visit a magnet factory.

Links

Mission Efficiency - Volkswagen presents the world’s most efficient near-production electric car

How Did Everyone Get This Wrong? VW's New 'Mission Efficiency' Doesn't Get 900 Miles Of Range Out Of A Small Battery - The Autopian

TTD September 15, 2026 - Ford Adds Hands-Free Towing to 2027 F-150You Asked, We Listened: BlueCruise Hands-Free Towing Is Coming

Volvo Cars unveils America's longest electric range plug-in hybrids: the new XC60 and XC90

GM Thinks Truck Buyers Want A Bunch Of Screens For Some Reason - The Autopian

Tesla Cybercab's Touchscreen Is Already Proving To Be A Problem For First Responders - Jalopnik

Magnetics | MP Materials

GM’s legendary Small Block V8 enters its next generation with more power and capability

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Sam shares his thoughts on the Dodge Charger Six Pack Scat Pack and Robbie teases the Kia Telluride hybrid and talks about e-bikes.

Honda adds more ground clearance to the Passport Trailsport, Audi fully reveals the new A2 e-tron, Volvo refreshes the XC40 and Range Rover launches an EV. Arbe gets a first production contract for its imaging radar. Donald Trump wants Chinese automakers to build cars in America, but the Senate has opposite ideas. Stellantis wants to sell its Brampton assembly plant and Xiaomi has a new EREV SUV with a popup roof. VW is looking at body-on-frame trucks and utilities for the US and Horse Powertrain opens a Detroit office. Finally, Sam sees the Kindred Bronco EV and we answer listener questions.

Links

Honda Passport Reaches New Heights: 2027 Passport TrailSport Gets New Lifted Suspension, Tougher Styling and More Features

Audi A2 e-tron: Rethinking efficiency

Significant safety, tech, and design updates to Volvo Cars’ new XC40 subcompact SUV

RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC: A NEW ERA FOR THE ORIGINAL LUXURY SUV

Hirain and Arbe Selected by One of the World's Largest Automotive Groups for Level 3 Program Across Multiple Brands

Trump says he would allow Chinese automakers to build cars in US

S.4429 - Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 119th Congress (2025-2026)

Stellantis has potential deal to sell Brampton plant, frustrating Unifor

Volkswagen Eyes F-150 and Wrangler Territory to Revive U.S. Sales - Autoblog

Xiaomi SkyNomad N90

Maker of a 1,527-HP EV Introduces an SUV With a Pop-Up Roof Cabin - Autoblog

Horse Powertrain expands global capability with new North America office

Discover Kindred EV Bronco

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This week Robbie finally gets his hands on the new Honda Prelude and Sam drives the Land Rover Discovery.

Links

Nissan and Honda Conclude Joint Development Agreement to Standardize ECUs and Software for Next-Generation SDVs

The Isuzu V8-Powered Chevy Feretta Was GM's Forbidden Camaro-Killer

New Ford Mustang Fox Body: ‘80s Icon Reborn! | 4K - YouTube

Classic Fox Body Ford Mustang

The World’s EV Capital Doesn’t Need Fast Chargers Everywhere

Hyundai Dealer Set EV Charging Rates That Led to a $418 Bill - Autoblog

Scout Motors Reveals Two Distinct Expressions of the Scout® Traveler™ SUV

Mitsubishi Motors Unveils the All-New Pajero Cross-Country SUV

Ford Wants To Sell 100,000 Fathom Electric Pickups In Year One. That’s A Huge Goal

Hyundai's Latest Cost-Cutting Trick Is To Remove The Instrument Cluster - Autoblog

Claims of Savings From Gutting Fuel Economy Rules Are a Lie

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This week Robbie has the GMC Hummer EV SUV and Sam has the Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige.

In the news, Hyundai announces at its investor day that the Santa Fe will be its first EREV and Lincoln is bringing the Corsair back as a hybrid from China. Rivian R1s are getting a software update Honda is waiting to see what happens with US trade decisions before it finallizes plans for another factory. The Ford Maverick is getting both cheaper and more expensive and Nevada is getting up to 8,000 robotaxis.

McDonalds won't serve a Benz patent motorwagen in the drive through and Aptera gets independent testing of its solar charging capability. Waking up from the Dreame Dream.

Links

Hyundai Motor Company Charts Profit-Driven Growth Roadmap at 2026 CEO Investor Day

More for Every Drive: Inside the 2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid

Rivian EVs Are Getting A Software Update That Makes It Easier To Dodge The Cops

Honda's Next U.S. Factory Could Hinge On USMCA - Jalopnik

Jeep Is Returning to China to Build Electric SUVs for the World - Autoblog

2027 Ford Maverick EcoBoost Prices Cut By Up To $4,270 - CarsDirect

Dreame’s dream of a rocket-powered car is dead | The Verge

Toyota Celica set to be revived as AWD hybrid | Autocar

New 2028 Lotus Esprit to offer V6 in addition to hybrid V8 | Autocar

Aptera's Solar-Powered EV Can Go 47 Miles On Sun Power Alone—In Theory

BMW Just Hit 2 Million EVs Sold, And The iX3 Is Carrying The Team

Does Ultra-Fast Charging Ruin An EV Battery? BYD Did It 350 Times In 9 Days To Find Out

No Food for You: McDonalds REJECTS the World's Oldest Car

Tesla, Uber, and Waymo all get the OK to operate thousands of robotaxis in Nevada

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This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Craig Cole who has his own thoughts on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Robbie tells us about hauling band gear in the new Subaru Outback and Sam pontificates on the BMW XM.

In the news, why are some automakers using NACS only for DC charging with a J1772 port of AC? Chinese regulators are forcing a recall of millions of cars with manual door latch backups that are too hard to find. Cadillac's midsize crossover finally gets a PHEV, but only in China for now. A recent rash of thefts from cars has Sam thinking about Faraday bags for key fobs. The next Mini cooper might ditch front wheel drive for the first time ever. Genesis launches a new 3-row electric SUV, the GV90 and puts a hybrid into the GV80 while Hyundai shows a new Tucson. Jalopnik highlights some of the wild machines created by George Barris and now you can protect the tax dollars you paid by putting a Flock Sock on a camera to keep the UV rays away.

Links

GreenCars Review of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

\New Bad Trend: NACS Ports That Can Only DC Fast Charge - YouTube

Chinese Regulators Recall Millions Of EVs Because Their Mechanical Door Handles Are Too Hard To Find

Cadillac Launches XT5 PHEV in China

What Is a Faraday Bag and Do You Need One? | Carwow

Get a Faraday Bag

Why the Next MINI Cooper Might Ditch Front-Wheel Drive

A NEW ICON’S ARRIVAL, GENESIS UNVEILS GV90 FLAGSHIP SUV

Genesis Reveals Details on the Upcoming GV80 Hybrid’s Powertrain

10 George Barris Custom-Built Cars Every Gearhead Should Know - Jalopnik

Hot Album Drops Tied to Fatal Crash Rate Increases: Study

2027 Hyundai Tucson First Look: Bigger, Boxier, Bolder

3D-Printed Flock Sock Covers Flock Cameras To, Uh, Protect Them From UV Rays - Jalopnik

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This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Perry Stern. Perry has two cars to compare that are basically the same, the Lamborghini Revuelto and Chevrolet Bolt. Sam had the new Subaru Outback and Robbie drove the Dodge Charger R/T SixPack.

Sam and Perry also drove the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, mild hybrid and Eclipse Sportback. Kia has dropped price and range details for the EV3, GM cancelled the battery venture with Samsung, and is expanding its charging network with EVGo. Who buys Mansory cars? There's some new stuff from Acura, Cadillac and McLaren from Monterey car week. Also rich guys spent insane amounts of money at the Monterey auctions. The Ford Fathom is going to longer than we thought and Sam talks with Travis Wattles and Kevin Sittner from Mitsubishi.

Links

All-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport revealed with head-turning design, rewarding features, and smarter tech

The 2027 Kia EV3 Is Almost Here—With 280 Miles Of Range For The AWD Models

2027 Kia EV3 Starts At Just $31,385, And The Model With 321 Miles Of Range Is $36,485 - Jalopnik

GM Walks Away From $3.5B Battery Factory, Leaving Samsung SDI In Full Control

Mansory Turned the Ford GT Into a $1.8 Million Supercar Nobody Asked For - Autoblog

Ford Fathom on Track: Universal EV Production System Comes to Life at LAP

Acura NEXERA Vision Debuts at Monterey Car Week, Redefining the Future of Acura Design

Introducing the McL 6GT - YouTube

McLaren McL 6GT: The new realisation of Bruce McLaren’s supercar dream

Race Bred, Street Cred: The Two Pedigrees of the Mustang Dark Horse SC

Cadillac unveils V-ONE concept

GM and EVGo open new Flagship Charging Station

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This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Stephanie Brinley. Stephanie drove the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Lexus ES350e, Robbie had the Subaru Uncharted and Sam had the Jeep Cherokee

Sam also had a conversation with Dodge CEO Matt McAlear about the new new Super Bee and what's happening with the brand.

Links

A2 e-tron sets new efficiency benchmark at Audi

Electric Ford Fathom to Be Priced From $29,945 | GreenCars

The 'Freedom Car' Aims The Right Idea At The Wrong Villain

Mercedes Boss Says The Auto Industry Went 'Too Far' With Removing Buttons

Grenading Ford 1.0-Liter Engines Pose 'Unreasonable Risk To Motor Vehicle Safety,' NHTSA Probe Finds - Jalopnik

EVgo SuperchargersDodge Charger Super Bee

Stellantis ARDC

SRT eBoost Air

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Has A Range Problem. Smaller Wheels Helped A Lot

GM, Chinese automaker extend joint venture for 20 years despite geopolitical tensions with U.S.

Get the Lectron Vortex Plus

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It's just Sam and Robbie this week and Robbie has the BMW M5 Touring while Sam drove the Rivian R1T Quad.

Audi took the wraps off its new Q9 three-row SUV this week while Mercedes-Benz went for the opposite end of the scale with the new GLA crossover. Zoox got a NHTSA waiver for its robotaxi and the feds are finally going to start working on AV regulations. Nissan and Honda are expected to partner on next-generation software platforms. If a bill in congress goes through, Mercedes-Benz could get booted from the US market and Jim Farley expects the Chinese to be here within a decade anyway. BYD is launching its new Racco Kei EV in Japan and NHTSA may also try to make door handles safer. Walmart is pushing ahead with deployment of its charging network while Florida wants to use EV charging funds to build infrastructure for eVTOL air taxis.

Links

The 2027 Audi Q9 Is the Largest Model In Automaker’s History and Its New Flagship

Shaq’s One-Off Electric Coupe Just Turned Up In A Salvage Yard - Autoblog

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA

Zoox granted first-ever NHTSA commercial exemption for purpose-built robotaxi

Honda and Nissan to jointly develop next-generation car operating system - The Japan Times

Walmart Is The Future Of EV Charging In America - The Autopian

Ford’s Jim Farley Warns Staff Chinese Cars Could Hit America Within 5-10 Years | Carscoops

Under pressure over China backers, Mercedes CEO pledges to defend U.S. business

Aurora reports Q2 results, details per-mile pricing - FreightWaves

BYD launches the 'world's first' SDV kei EV, starting at just $13,000

It Was a Trap? Electronic Car Door Handles May Finally Get Safer

Florida Got $200 Million For EV Chargers. It Wants To Spend It On Air Taxis Instead

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This week Sam had nothing scheduled so he drove his 1990 Miata around. Robbie joined in a bit late to tell us about the Lucid Gravity and Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige while Nicole shared some thoughts on driving her spouse's Wrangler PHEV.

Jalopnik provided a reader listicle on concepts that didn't translate well to production. Recurrent provided some data on rising prices of used EVs. Ford invited us out to Michigan Speedway to sample some products from its custom garage and see the new Bronco Desert Rising Edition. Ford also announced a partnership with GenerLink to make connecting an F-150 to the house for power backup easier. Ford is also going to be the first automaker to use Apple Maps in its upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform. Stellantis is adopting Mobileye's REM maps to enhance its ADAS systems and Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua is retiring. Honda teased the next-gen Ridgeline that is still 2 years away and has stopped producing the Civic Si and Integra A-Spec with manual transmissions. We also have some listener emails.

Finally we end the episode with some sad news, but don't worry, the show is going on.

Links

These Concept Cars Spawned The Most Disappointing Production Vehicles - Jalopnik

These Are The 5 Best Used EV Deals For Range: Study

Used EV values climbing

Apple Maps to Power the Navigation Experience for the Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Platform

Ditch the Extension Cord Spaghetti: An Easier, More Affordable Way to Power Your Home

Mobileye to Supply Cloud-Enhanced ADAS for Select Future Stellantis Vehicles

Some People Love DIY Customization. Ford Built a Shortcut for Everyone Else

How Utah's Desert Landscape Inspired New, Bold Ford Bronco Design

Mobileye announces planned leadership transition

Honda Confirms Third-Generation Ridgeline Midsize Pickup with More Rugged Design, Arriving Within Two Years

Honda Civic Si And Manual Acura Integra Are Going To Die, But Only For A Little While - Jalopnik

Hyundai’s 2027 Kona Shows Boxy Exterior Look, New Cockpit Design in Fresh Renderings - autoevolution

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This week Robbie has been driving the Ford Mustang Mach-e GT and Sam had the Ford F-150 Lariat PowerBoost Hybrid

There's lots of news including a Ford patent that could immobilize cars, a proposal for a VW Thing revival as an EREV and an Abarth version of the Fiat Topolino. A wagon version of the Polestar 4 has been spotted testing with a rear window and Volvo is planning to bring sedans and wagons back to the US. Horse has a range extender system with an axial flux motor and VW is considering building its China developed EVs in Germany.

Sam drove the Rivian R2 and got a demo of the new interface from Wassym Bensaid. The Nissan Altima is dead in America and the Gordie Howe bridge is finally opening but Dongfeng EVs may not be allowed to cross it. GM is offering a discount to its customers for using the Ionna charging network and we have a bunch of listener mail.

Links

Ford Can Now Stop Some Vehicles Starting, Even With The Key - Autoblog

How I'd Redeem Volkswagen With A Revived, Range-Extended Type 181 'Thing' - The Autopian

Abarth May Turn Fiat’s Tiny Topolino Into A 25-MPH Hot Rod - Autoblog

First look: Polestar 4 SUV breaks cover ahead of September debut | Autocar

New range-extender hybrid uses supercar tech for efficiency boost | Autocar

Volkswagen could build its Chinese saloons and SUVs in Europe | Autocar

Volvo Could Bring An Electric Sedan And Wagon To U.S. By 2028: Report

This Class-Action Lawsuit May Decide If an Automaker Owes You a Tariff Refund

The Nissan Altima, Once Inescapable, Is Finally Dead

Trump's 'Much Better Deal' For Gordie Howe Bridge Isn't Much Better, But At Least It Has An Opening Date - Jalopnik

Dongfeng Wants To Sell These Two EVs In Canada Next Year For Less Than $25,000 USD - Jalopnik

General Motors EV drivers can now charge at over 120 IONNA locations nationwide

Flock Says Its Cameras Worked 'Correctly' When Police Tracked and Ambushed Me for No Reason

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This week Robbie was driving the Chevy Trax and Sam had the Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD and Subaru Uncharted GT.

In the news we discuss our friend Joel getting tracked by flock for an allegedly stolen license plate on a press car. We also have longer loans, right to repair, testing driver response time with touch screens, AVs and first responders, the Fiat Topolino, new EU safety rules, an electric hot hatch from MG, and a proposal to require multiple sensor types for AVs in New Jersey.

Links

How Flock Cameras Wrongly Tracked Me For Days over ‘Stolen’ Plates and Sent Police After Me

Almost A Quarter Of New Car Buyers Got 7-Year Loans Last Quarter - Jalopnik

Touchscreens in cars are moving in the wrong direction | Vi Bilägare

Farmers Finally Get a John Deere Right to Repair Agreement That Doesn’t Screw Them Over

NHTSA calls out autonomous cars for interfering with first responders - Engadget

America’s cheapest new EV is smaller than a ping-pong table and tops out at 19mph | The Verge

Safer cars, safer roads: New rules take effect - European Commission

This New MG Concept Car That Recalls The Old MGB GT May Be Part Of A Coming Wave Of Hatchbacks - The Autopian

New Lexus LFA aims to win over EV sceptics with V10 feel | Autocar

The robotaxi law that could ban Tesla | The Verge

New Jersey could ban Tesla’s Robotaxi with one line about sensors

DeFlock

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Sam and Robbie both had the Ford Explorer Tremor this week and Nicole rounded out the Ford fest with the F-350 King Ranch PowerStroke duallie.

Diesel cars are fading away in Europe and BMW has launched the next-generation X5 including an all electric iX5. California is bringing back some EV incentives for first-time buyers and the Kia Niro is going hybrid only for 2027. Thieves have been stealing truckloads of batteries from a Tesla factory and Ferrari is bringing back a simulated manual transmission.

Sam also has a conversation with Christopher Maiwald, CEO and Founder of charger manufacturer Lectron.

Links

Diesel's demise nears as Volkswagen axes diesel Golf after 50 years | Autocar

Why Ford's 3.0L Power Stroke Diesel Died An Ignoble Death - Jalopnik

New California Incentive Gives Some First-Time EV Buyers $3,500 Instant Discount - Jalopnik

Our Readers Came Up With These Honest Auto Company Slogans - Jalopnik

The New BMW X5 and iX5.

UPCOMING 2027 KIA NIRO SHARPENS ITS HYBRID CROSSOVER FORMULA WITH REFRESHED STYLING AND EXPANDED TECHNOLOGY

Someone Keeps Stealing Entire Truckloads Of Tesla Batteries

Polestar Is Offering Up to $25,000 Off Its 3 and 4 EVs

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale Might Just Save The Manual Transmission With A Modified DCT - The Autopian

Toyota Announces $3.6B Expansion, 2,000 New Jobs at its San Antonio Plant

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This week Nicole shares her adventure of trying to get a test drive in a BMW, and testing the Subaru Crosstrek hybrid and Ford Maverick hybrid. Robbie went on an adventure in the new Subaru Outback and Sam did truck stuff with the Ford Maverick Lobo.

In the news, Jeep teased the new Cherokee Trailhawk, a Toyota engineer said he's like a Rav4 Ute, and we discuss bad old car ads. IIHS crashed old and new Blazers, Polestar pulled out of the US market, Honda is bringing back the Element, our pal Andre tries a restomoded 23-window VW bus and we look at the new Hyundai Elantra. We also spend a lot of time discussing Slate.

Links

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Thrill To Four Dull Commercials For Dazzlingly Boring '70s And '80s Cars! - The Autopianngly-boring-70s-and-80s-cars/

Toyota RAV4 ute market would be 'quite appealing', says top engineer

2026 vs. 1996 Chevrolet Blazer IIHS crash test

Polestar strengthens its focus on Europe following decision under the U.S. Connected Vehicle Rule

Honda Element Returning in 2029

U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) | JD Power

Is This EV-Converted Volkswagen Microbus Brilliant or Blasphemy?

Vintage Vehicles | Modern Classic Cars | Kindred Motorworks

Next-generation Hyundai Elantra brings striking new look | Autocar

GMC introduces the most advanced, luxurious, and powerful Sierra 1500 ever

Study: People Wanted Tech-Savvy Cars, And Now They Can't Afford Them

Everyone Loves The Slate Truck. I'm Not Ready To Celebrate Yet

We Ride Along in Slate's $25,000 Electric Pickup - Mobility Engineering Technology

We Ride Along in Slate's $25,000 Electric Pickup

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This week Sam drove the Polestar 4 and Kia Sportage Hybrid. Robbie had the Sportage plug-in hybriid and Nicole had the Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss.

The Porsche Taycan is looking its wagon variants in America and gaining fake shifting. Chevrolet is redesigning the Silverado for 2027 with bigger V8s. Electrify America has opened a new 20 bay charging station in Santa Barbara. The Jeep Recon's range is even worse than anticipated and the Chevy Bolt has no battery reserve. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N has beat the Lexus LFA's Ring time. Carvana is now selling new vehicles and GM's battery boss isn't confident in solid state cells.

Links

Porsche is enhancing the driving experience of all Taycan models

Chevrolet Introduces the Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500, the Most Powerful and Advanced Silverado Everen/2026/jun/0516-chevrolet-next-generation-2027-silverado.html

Electrify America Opens New EV Fast Charging Station in Santa Barbara, California

The 2026 Jeep Recon’s EPA Rating Confirms It’s An Energy Guzzler

Hyundai’s Electric Sedan Just Beat The Lexus LFA Around The Nürburgring - Autoblog

Rivian faces a class action lawsuit over self-driving in its early vehicles - Engadget

The New Chevy Bolt Was Driven Until It Died. Here’s What Its Battery Buffer Looks Like

Carvana Quietly Bought Several Stellantis Dealerships And Now Sells New Cars Too - Jalopnik

Here's Where GM Will Install New Sodium-Ion Batteries | Podcast

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