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Can’t Share Non-Existent Profits

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Can't Share Non-Existent Profits
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Even as a non-fan of minivans, Nicole found some beauty in the latest Toyota Sienna with a hybrid system and all-wheel-drive, plus 18 cup-holders for all her diet Cokes. Sam drove the Volvo XC90 B6 and really enjoyed the new Kia K4 hatchback. The EPA published its latest annual Automotive Trends Report and US automakers still lag far behind the rest of the industry in fuel economy — really far behind! Range Rover is preparing an electric replacement for the Velar and it looks like it will adopt a fastback profile. Toyota teased its new 2027 World Rally Championship machine and it might be a preview of a new Celica. The next Nissan Pathfinder might be two very different vehicles. Stellantis’ huge 2025 losses mean no profit sharing checks this year. Researchers have found new ways to fool automated driving systems. Ford is reportedly developing… Read More »Can’t Share Non-Existent Profits

Going Autonomous

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Going Autonomous
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Nicole is finally back and while she was away she drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel wagon and since she returned she’s been driving the Acura Integra A-Spec. Robbie shares his thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid. Sam had the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender X. In the news, Kia has revealed the redesigned second generation Seltos, and Mazda has revealed some of the tech in the 2026 CX-5. Nissan has decided to partner with Wayve to bring hands-off/eyes-off driving to its future versions of ProPilot while Rivian is doing it all in-house. Meanwhile in Texas, Aurora has joined Kodiak in hauling fracking sand with driverless trucks. Ford’s ADHD approach to electric vehicles brings it to partner with Renault of affordable EVs and splitting up its battery joint-venture with SK On. Subaru brings an affordable price point to its new Uncharted… Read More »Going Autonomous

Eyes Off

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Eyes Off
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This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There’s a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota Rav4 in hybrid and PHEV form. Toyota is launching a new baby Land Cruiser FJ and Rivian has laid off 4% of its staff. Infiniti is launching one new model every year for the next four years and the Nissan Sakura gets an extendable solar panel. Links 2026 Jeep Grand CherokeeScout may delay EV for EREVPrague lamp post charging2026 Toyota Rav4 first driveGM ForwardToyota Land Cruiser FJRivian lays off 4%, RJ takes over marketingInfiniti to launch 4 vehicles in 4 years, sedan in 2028Nissan Sakura solar extenderEV Theft rates Wheel Bearings… Read More »Eyes Off

Losing Your Soul

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Losing Your Soul
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Summary In this episode, Robbie and Sam discuss various automotive topics, including a review of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, the luxurious Genesis G80, and the unfortunate discontinuation of the Kia Soul. They also touch on Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV, Audi’s future design concepts, and Stellantis’s innovative approach to infotainment systems. There are significant updates to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, including its rebranding and pricing strategy aimed at competing in the mainstream SUV market. They also delve into the Chevrolet Bolt’s return, highlighting its improved features and competitive pricing. The conversation shifts to the growing EV market, with insights on sales trends and the importance of charging infrastructure. Additionally, the hosts address the decline of fuel cell technology in favor of electric vehicles, and they respond to listener questions regarding automotive safety and reliability. Links Kia Drops SoulRivian R2 Launching in 1H 20262026 Audi A4… Read More »Losing Your Soul

No Pop Ups!

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
No Pop Ups!
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This week all three of our crew were in Palm Springs at various times to drive a new car that we’ll discuss next week. We did however discuss the Temu mid-century modern hotel with Ritz-Carlton prices that we stayed at. At home Sam drove the Toyota Crown Signia and Nicole had the Subaru Solterra. Volvo announced a Cross Country edition of the EX30 this week. Sam took his wife to Palm Springs and rented a Polestar2 from Hertz and charged it at the Rivian outpost near Joshua Tree. Honda and Nissan called off their engagement and Honda announced pricing for the new Passport. Some Jeep owners reported pop up ads for extended warranties. Continental is adding aero-dimples to some tires. The Toyota Tacoma is getting recalled for trapping off-road mud and damaging the brakes. Sam and Jonathan supercharged a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and we… Read More »No Pop Ups!

What Is All-New?

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Wheel Bearings
What Is All-New?
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Nicole’s Saturday morning flight home from Venice was cancelled so she’ll be back next week. In the meantime, Chad Kirchner joins us to talk about what’s going on. Robbie has been driving the GMC Hummer EV SUV and Sam had the Mazda CX-70 and a weekend with the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. In the news, Mazda has launched a new electric sedan in China that goes for just under $23,000 but we can’t have it. Lots of charging news this week with Enel X Way shutting down it’s US operations, but Ford is offering EV buyers free chargers and installation. Ionna has started construction on its first charging station with just 29,990 chargers to go. Ford had cut pricing on BlueCruise and launched a somewhat-new Expedition. Our pals at TFL finally got FSD Supervised on their Cybertruck and Toyota pushed back the launch of their 3-row… Read More »What Is All-New?

It Hears Me

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
It Hears Me
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Robbie is back from Germany and Korea but he can’t talk about that stuff yet. Nicole drives the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV and Sam has better luck with the voice interface on the 2023 Lexus RX500h. Stellantis has launched a new compact pickup called the Ram Rampage in Brazil and while they haven’t yet announced anything, it could be coming to America. The Kia Stinger has sadly left us too early, but an electric replacement may be on the way. As Rivian joins GM and Ford in switching from CCS to NACS charging connectors, Texas and Washington are mandating that any publicly funded chargers include the Tesla-developed connector. Rivian also bought and is integrating A Better Route Planner and Sam gets a first opportunity to drive the Chevrolet Silverado EV work truck. Links Ram RampageKia Stinger EV replacementTexas to mandate NACS charge connectorsRivian acquires ABRPChevrolet Silverado… Read More »It Hears Me

Teslas Can’t See Aircraft

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Teslas Can't See Aircraft
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This week, Robbie has been testing out the Audi Q5 Sportback, Nicole continues Hyundai-Fest with the new Tucson N-Line and Sam drives the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Sam also got a Kia EV6 for an EV road trip to Wisconsin. In the news we discuss why it’s not ok that Tesla FSD can’t recognize airplanes. NHTSA finally has an administrator after 5 years without one. Rivian loses its manufacturing boss while getting a new COO. BBS introduces new universal fit wheels and the Fisker Pear is coming to Lordstown, Ohio. Links Tesla Crashes into Cirrus jet Teslas can’t see aircraft Steven Cliff confirmed as new NHTSA administrator Rivian mfg chief leaves, new COO incoming BBS CI-R universal wheel Fisker Pear coming in 2024, under $29,900 Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of… Read More »Teslas Can’t See Aircraft

The Scout Lives

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Scout Lives
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This week Nicole has two quite different machines to discuss, the updated, extended range Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge and the Mazda3 Turbo. Roberto has the BMW M240i that hearkens back to the classic E36 3 Series and Sam has a reprise of the Ford F-150 Platinum hybrid. Sam also got to spend a couple of quality hours blasting around in the new 2023 Nissan Z. In the news, Lordstown has completed the sale of its factory to Foxconn, but there is far from a guarantee that the Endurance will ever get to full production. Motor Trend gets some very disappointing charging results from the new Toyota bZ4X AWD. With the post-IPO lockup expired, Ford has sold off two large tranches of its Rivian stock on the way to what will likely be a full divestment in time. Finally, Volkswagen announced that it will revive the… Read More »The Scout Lives

Gliding Actively Sometimes

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Gliding Actively Sometimes
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Unfortunately, Roberto woke up today with a massive migraine so it’s just Nicole and Sam this week. Nicole has been driving the refreshed 2022 Acura RDX A-Spec, while Sam has been shuttling around in the 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph. The embargo has lifted on drive impressions of the updated 2022 Lincoln Navigator, the first model in the lineup with hands-free driving assist and we have some thoughts. Sam also had a conversation with Mike Sprague, North America director for Lincoln about the brand and where it goes in the future. Mike’s boss, Jim Farley, made a big announcement about reorganizing Ford and we talk about how that might affect dealers and customers. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares laid out a vision for the company through 2030 and showed off first renders of the upcoming 2023 Jeep EV and 2024 Ram 1500 EV. Polestar revealed a stunning… Read More »Gliding Actively Sometimes