Car Stuff Podcast

In place of the traveling Jill, Tom is joined this week by Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed. Tom and Brendan open the show discussing updates to the 2027 Corvette, including a new base engine which lifts the cars top speed to 200 mph.

The hosts go on to discuss Volkswagen's sales and financial woes. Though relatively healthy here in the U.S., the German carmaker is feeling the impact of poor sales in Europe and in China. Volkswagen is looking to cut manufacturing capacity from about 12 million units to 9 million, but faces stiff push back from European labor unions.

In the second segment, Tom and Brendan welcome Bodie Grimm, host of the Kilowatt podcast. Bodie shares his insights into the EV market place, and looks ahead as carmakers struggle to sell electric vehicles in the U.S. and other markets. Bodie also shares a music listening suggestion for Tom.

In the last segment, Brendan is subjected to Tom's "Corvette!" quiz. Brendan also talks about shopping for a 3/4-ton truck with which to do some towing. Did Brendan make a truck purchase? Listen in for details.

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Jill and Tom open the show by acknowledging that the Subaru Outback, now less wagonlike, is reportedly selling well, despite the break with its design roots. Tom was worried it might not.

The hosts turn their attention to a series of spy photographs depicting what is claimed to be the Chrysler brand’s next products, the Airflow compact crossover, and the Arrow and Arrow Cross subcompact crossovers. Word has it the Airflow will arrive for the 2028 model year, and the Arrow and Arrow Cross shortly after that.

Tom turned the conversation to the bizarre news that Ferrari will offer a fake manual transmission in an upcoming version of the brand's 12Cylindri sports car. The 819-horsepower Ferrari will feature a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, but also include a gated chrome shifter and functional clutch pedal. No word yet as to how the system feels relative to a conventional manual shifter, but we do know that European-market prices start just under $700,000.

Tom changed topics and wondered aloud if part of what is driving new-car transaction prices higher is the increase in the number of hybrid vehicles being purchased in the U.S. Jill isn’t so sure.

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the compact Lexus IS sporty sedan.

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show. Sam shares his take on the demise of Polestar, what to expect from the USMCA negotiations, and what’s new at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Automobiles.

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Was it a Car Part” quiz.

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Jill and Tom open the show by discussing the shocking news that the Polestar brand will be leaving the U.S. at the end of this model. Tom questions why Polestar is not pushing back against this Commerce Department security decision.

Jill notes that as information regarding the all-new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup is released, GMC has begun sharing tidbits--mostly photography--of the redesigned Sierra 1500. These launches are hugely important to General Motors, as the two trucks combined account for roughly one third of the carmaker's annual revenue.

In the 2nd segment, Jill and Tom talk to Jimmy Douglas of Plug, an online remarketer of used EVs. Listen in to learn how dealers are acquiring inventory of late-model used electric vehicles, and why this might be a good time to sell your EV. Also, it turns out that Jimmy is a big fan of the Volkswagen VR6 engine discussed recently by Tom.

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Bogus Blue" quiz, and has time to review the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride 3-row crossover, which can now be had in hybrid form.

 

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Jill and Tom open a content-packed episode by welcoming the BMW M5 Touring to Tom's driveway. Expect to hear much more about this practical super-car in future episodes. Producer Margaret then shares details of her recent interview of Chicago-based radio reporter/journalist Jennifer Keiper, a peer of Jill's and Tom's. Jennifer lost her most recent position in the radio industry as CBS News wound down its broadcast operations. You can listen to that interview here.

Tom share a list of the countries in which the Car Stuff Podcast is most popular, and it's rather surprising.

Still in the first segment, Tom shares bad news for folks waiting to purchase a 2026 Toyota RAV4. The all-new compact crossover is in high-demand, and redesign rollover constraints have limited supply. Jill says the small crossover is worth the wait. The hosts also discuss slumping Lucid sales, and the most-popular model names of all time.

In the second segment, the hosts welcome Jeep Vice President of Design Vince Galante to the show. Vince walks Jill and Tom trough all of the news surrounding the return of the compact Cherokee crossover to the Jeep lineup. Listen in for details.

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Was it an Oldsmobile?" quiz, complete with a popular franchise-opportunity bonus question.

Jill also reviews the all-new Subaru Uncharted small crossover EV.

 

 

 

 

 

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Jill and Tom open the show sharing news of a massive Jeep recall. Jeep has issued a "park-outside" warning for owners of many late-model Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators. Listen in for details.

The hosts discuss Mitsubishi's new electric crossover, the Eclipse Sportback EV. Mitsubishi's first U.S.-market electric vehicle shares its basic architecture with the Nissan Leaf.

Jill reviews the Mercedes-Benz E 53 Hybrid wagon. One of a waning number of true station wagons still offered in the U.S., the E 53 serves up power and tech, though exclusive pricing will keep the car a rare sight on U.S. roads.

In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Automotive News' Larry Vellequette to the show. Larry talks about Toyota quality issues, the Gordie Howe Bridge, and surprisingly robust U.S. auto sales. Listen in for some great insights.

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Who is that Guy?" quiz. The hosts wrap up the show with a quick take on Ferrari's first-ever electric vehicle, the controversial Luce. Check out the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page for a picture of the Luce, and listen in for the price.

 

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