This week Nicole has been tackling the notoriously smooth New England pavement in the Hyundai Ioniq 5N while Robbie had the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV and Sam trecked across Michigan in the Mini Countryman SE ALL4.This week Sam visited two plants for the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries, Ford's BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, MI and the LG Energy Solution plant in Holland, MI. Ford revealed the new Explorer Tremor and AMG has a concept for its upcoming EV, the GT XX. Tesla sort of launched its robotaxis and Mazda launched the 6e sedan in Europe. Nicole and Sam drove the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport, Nissan has launched its next-generation e-Power system in the Qashqi in Europe and it's coming to the Rogue in 2026. Cadillac is already making notable upgrades to the Optiq for model year 2026. Sam also has conversations with Ford's Lisa Drake and Honda's Jonathan Yu.LinksFord BlueOval Battery ParkFord Explorer TremorCONCEPT AMG GT XXLG Energy Solution Holland PlantTesla Robotaxi launch failMazda 6eHonda CR-V TrailsportNissan Qashqi e-Power2026 Cadillac Optiq upgradesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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2:11:48
How Many Tasks
Robbie has family commitments today so Perry Stern is sitting in with Nicole and Sam. Perry's been driving the McLaren 750S in Volcano Yellow and Cadillac Escalade. Nicole had the new gas powered Chevy Equinox and Sam had the new 2025 Mini Cooper S 4-door.In the news we discuss Audi's latest attempt to reinvent the steering wheel stalk and BMW's new flax fiber composites. Most of China's auto plants are barely producing any vehicles and Congress is trying to gut fuel economy, emissions standards and kill any incentive for EVs. Hyundai and Toyota think 60 miles of range is enough for a plug-in hybrid. Stellantis is testing Fiat 500e's with swappable battery modules. Changes to the national electrical code could kill DIY EV charger installs. Ram cranks up the powertrain warranty and Honda launches an electric delivery vehicle for Europe.LinksAudi Q3 reinvents the stalkBMW creates plant fiber compositesChina auto plants average 49% utilzationCongessional majority aiming to gut emissions, CAFE, IRAHyundai/Toyota pausing race for ultra long range PHEVsStellantis testing battery swap 500e with AmpleElectric code change could ban DIY charger installsRam launches 10year/100K mile warrantyHonda launches Fastport eQuad prototypeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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1:56:12
Leafs Not Leaves
In the news, Nissan finally completely redesigns the Nissan Leaf after 15 years. The Corvette reaches its pinnacle, but it's not called Zora. GM is spending $4 billion move vehicle assembly from Mexico to the US. BMW and AAA have dueling EV consumer surveys. The Mustang GTD costs nearly twice as much as a ZR1 and the Republican war on EVs continues.Links2026 Nissan LeafGM spends $4B to shift production from Mexico to USCorvette ZR1XNHTSA to Streamline AV Exemption ProcessBMW EV surveyAAA EV surveyMustang GTD Costs Nearly Double Corvette ZR1Trump Revokes California Emissions Waiver, Stellantis Still on the hook for EVsBudget bill could prevent states from regulating AVsCheck out Sam's 2-minute daily podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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1:57:46
What Kind of Pie?
Nicole is back and to tell us what sorts of pies she shared with her husband at the Julian Pie Company last week and talk about the Kia K4 that turned up in her driveway for the third time as well as the Toyota 4Runner. Robbie did some G-Turns in the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology. Sam had the Nissan Murano Platinum and Honda Passport Trailsport.Porsche has built a road legal version of the 963 race car for Roger Penske and Tim Kuniskis has restored the Hemi V8 to its rightful place in the Ram 1500. China is playing trade hardball with rare earth magnets. Edmunds finally sold their Fisker Ocean and lost a fortune on it. The data proves it, interesting car colors are better than boring monochromatic colors. Cadillac has announced a faster Optiq-V with a NACS charging port and Ford has created an FX package for Mustang Fox body fans. Finally, Nicole and Sam chat with Mike Tripp, group vice president of marketing for Toyota brand.LinksPorsche Builds Road-legal 963Ram Brings Back the HemiRare Earth magnets could halt auto productionEdmunds Finally Unloads its Fisker OceanBest Colors to Reduce DepreciationCadillac Optiq-V2026 Ford Mustang FX PackageMike TrippAI RevolutionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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1:57:53
Stopping Beating The Horse
Nicole is trekking to the Julian Pie Company with her husband so it's mostly just Robbie and Sam. Robbie gives a preview of the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and Sam reviews the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Platinum.In the news, Stellantis picks Antonio Fillosa as its new CEO and cancels a smart cockpit deal with Amazon. The Dodge Durango is back for another year with Hellcat power and we get our first look at the new Jeep Cherokee. Tesla FSD still doesn't stop for school buses. SAE has published an update to the J3400 standard for NACS charging connectors to enable higher speeds and GM may be producing LFP cells with LG and Samsung in the US. Nicole and Sam pre-recorded a review of the 2026 Toyota bZ and Sam interviews chief engineer Daisuke Ido. Nicole has a conversation with Mike Pennington, Director - Global Training, Event Marketing & Consumer Relations at Meguiar's all about car care.LinksNo More Manual VersasAmazon and Stellantis kill Smart Cockpit dealAntonio Filosa Gets the Top Job at StellantisFirst 2026 Jeep Cherokee imagesTesla FSD still doesn't stop for school buses1 year only Durango Hellcat returns for year 5SAE J3400/2 brings faster charging for NACSNicole on the 2026 Toyota bZSam's Thoughts on the Toyota bZGM may produce LFP cells with LG and SamsungAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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