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Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok

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Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok
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This week in the garage, Roberto has the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Sam is driving the one of the last traditional full-size sedans in America, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and Nicole is in the improved and refreshed 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. In the news, while Robbie was in Europe, he also got to try out the new Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot system, a level 3 conditional automation system that let’s you go hands off and eyes off, but you can’t take a nap yet. Stateside, Sam tried out a prototype of the updated 2022 GMC Sierra with Super Cruise that let’s you go hands-free while towing a trailer but you have to keep eyes on the road. In the world of truly self-driving cars, Argo AI is teaming up with Lyft to deploy robotaxis in Austin and Miami. Links Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot 2022 GMC Sierra Super Cruise… Read More »Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok

Who Will Win The Electric Truck Battle?

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Who Will Win The Electric Truck Battle?
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This week, the Volkswagen Passat leaves Rebecca a little bored, while the Ford F-150 King Ranch Hybrid powered smiles from Sam, and Dan made an Ikea run with the ideal vehicle: the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite.

We talk about interest in electrified pickups, Jaguar and Ford commiting to EVs in Europe, and the mailbag updates us on listener Mach-E buying experiences and we got some feedback about our bad attitudes, too. Speaking of bad attitudes, Rebecca is trying to buy a car and getting the run-around, instead.

The True Successor To The F1

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The True Successor To The F1
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This week it’s just Rebecca and Sam as Dan tries to finish some projects running behind schedule. Rebecca shares her experience with the Kia Seltos and explains why you should get keyless entry if you can. Meanwhile Sam has been driving the BMW X3 xDrive30e, aka the smaller plug-in hybrid SUV from Munich (via Spartanburg). There was lots of news this week as Ford announced another changing of the guard as Jim Farley prepares to succeed Jim Hackett as CEO. Cadillac finally had the delayed public introduction of the Lyriq electric crossover, but it’s still going to be two years before you can buy one. Hyundai has decided to replace the current Ioniq with a whole sub-brand of Ioniq electric vehicles. Finally, Sam shares some history with his first exposure to the legendary McLaren F1 before our team discusses it’s true succcessor, the Gordon Murray… Read More »The True Successor To The F1

Ep. 128 – Bryan Salesky

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Ep. 128 - Bryan Salesky
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This time around, the whole crew is on the call to talk with Bryan Salesky, CEO and co-founder of Argo AI. Argo is the company developing the production automated driving system for Ford and VW and Bryan shares his thoughts on testing AVs in multiple cities, lidar, HD Maps and much more. Links Argo AI Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Ep. 127 – Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands

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Ep. 127 - Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands
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For this special episode Sam sat down with Jim Farley, Ford’s president, new businesses, technology & strategy to talk about has been learned about mobility services, automated driving and brands. Links Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #107 – Ford throws money at Rivian, we’ve driven lots of cars, Tesla mobility day

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Episode #107 - Ford throws money at Rivian, we've driven lots of cars, Tesla mobility day
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The gang are all back in their respective homes this week as we catch up on a couple of weeks of driving. Sam has had the 2019 Cadillac XT4 and Ford Edge Titanium. Rebecca had the BMW i3 Rex and Lexus NX300 while Dan had the latest Lincoln Navigator and Lexus ES350. Links Ford invests in Rivian Tesla’s bad week Gluing cars together Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

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Episode #099 - Live From The Sub-Continent
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This week, location and schedule constraints meant that the show was recorded in two parts. Sam talked with Rebecca while she was on vacation in India and then picked up later with Dan back in his native time zone. Sam drove the Hyundai Kona Electric and Rebecca describes transportation in India. Tesla made some news just hours before recording by finally releasing the mythical $35,000 model 3 and simultaneously announcing the closure of almost all of its stores. Being in India gives Rebecca some insight into why Ford’s adoption of What3Words is meaningful. Meanwhile back in New England, Dan has been driving the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SE and pondering the big Detroit plant investment announcement that Fiat Chrysler made this week. Dan and Sam also dive into the new Polestar 2 and we get an update on US availability of the Volkswagen Arteon. For automotive… Read More »Episode #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

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Episode #098 - Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
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This week we’re talking luxury as Rebecca drives the Maserati Levante, Dan has the Mercedes-Benz E450 and Sam relaxes in the Kia K900. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Anton Piech, son of Ferdinand and great grandson of Ferdinand Porsche launches his own car company with an electric sports car. Ford has more trouble with emissions and fuel economy testing, Elon Musk proves again that he shouldn’t have a twitter account as Tesla General Counsel bails after less than two months at the company and IIHS tests pedestrian detection and braking systems. A reminder not to rely too much on technology to save you. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop their skills in AI and working with Nvidia processors we have a 20% discount code for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference Silicon Valley. Check out the sessions at https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/gtc/topics/automotive-and-transportation/ and use the promo code MCXNAVIGANT when… Read More »Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

Episode #088 – Plugged In At The LA Auto Show

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Episode #088 - Plugged In At The LA Auto Show
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The American automotive market is more about trucks and utilities than ever before. Sam and Dan look at a couple of bookends with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and Ford EcoSport. GM CEO Mary Barra makes the tough call to end production at five factories. Meanwhile at the 2018 LA Auto Show, there was lots of new product many of them with plugs. Some highlights include the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, 2020 Mazda3, 2020 Porsche 911, Audi e-Tron GT concept and the new Kia Soul with a battery that should go 250 miles or so. Links Episode #011 – Sam talks with Delphi’s Jim Zizelman about dynamic skip fire as used in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Lincoln Aviator Audi e-Tron GT Porsche 911 Kia Soul Sam talks about GM closing plants on the radio All-weather tires   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you… Read More »Episode #088 – Plugged In At The LA Auto Show

Episode #085 – What is a Utility Vehicle Anyway?

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Episode #085 - What is a Utility Vehicle Anyway?
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After a week off, we have an extended length show to make up for it. Dan drives a very expensive Ford F-150 and a sportier Acura MDX A-Spec. Sam goes from the not really a crossover Toyota C-HR to the ginormous Genesis G90. Then we dive into some discussion of sales and earnings, GM’s call for a national EV mandate in response to Trump administration moves to freeze fuel economy standards and cost cutting moves while profits are still reasonably healthy.  We also discuss Consumer Reports reliability data and answer listener questions including the Hyundai pickup truck. Links Toyota C-HR  GM Calls for a national EV mandate GM offers buyouts and cuts spending Consumer Reports reliability survey Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join… Read More »Episode #085 – What is a Utility Vehicle Anyway?