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Lightning Strikes Out

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Lightning Strikes Out
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This week we’re joined by special guest Harvey Briggs. Harvey and Sam review the vehicles they drove last week while transporting 20 dogs nearly 2,000 miles as part of Operation Frodo. Nicole had the Ford Maverick Lobo and Robbie rode the Verge TS electric motorcycle. GM has struck a deal with Apple to get the Apple Music app on its vehicle’s infotainment. Ford is scrapping major parts of its EV plans including cancelling the current Lightning and replacing it with a next-generation EREV. For 2026, the frunk is becoming an extra cost option on the Mach-E. Tim Kuniskis has confirmed that Ram’s new midsize pickup will be called Dakota and volume trims will be around $40,000. Some Arizona highways could soon lose their speed limits and more people are recognizing how dumb modern door handles are. Waymo’s robotaxis got frozen when San Francisco had a… Read More »Lightning Strikes Out

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

Charging The Charger

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Charging The Charger
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This weeks show is a bit different. Robbie is dealing with some family stuff, Nicole is at DisneyWorld wedding and Sam is headed to Omaha for Operation Frodo so no regular review section until next week. Instead, Sam and Robbie recorded a discussion on the death of Cruise and the future of automated driving. Sam also had a conversation with Chad Kirchner about our first drive experiences of the new Dodge Charger Daytona. Sam also interviewed Dodge CEO Matt McAlear and Charger chief engineer Audrey Moore. Links Sam’s initial review of the Dodge Charger Daytona The Kirchner Report RIP Cruise Operation Frodo 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

Just a Skosh More

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Just a Skosh More
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This week in the garage we’ve got the full spectrum of electrification from none to complete. Sam drove the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, Robbie drove the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid and Nicole had the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Nicole and Sam also both had the opportunity to drive the new 2024 Mazda CX-90 with both a turbocharged inline-cylinder mild hybrid and a new plug-in hybrid variant. Robbie and Nicole both got seat time in Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 electric sedan with a range of up to 361 miles. Finally GM, let the world know that its future EVs would be losing support for smartphone projection including Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Links GM Drops Smartphone Projection for EVs Mazda CX-90 first drive Robbie’s Hyundai Ioniq 6 first drive Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost… Read More »Just a Skosh More

What Is A BrightDrop?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
What Is A BrightDrop?
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Dan has another Ford SuperDuty pickup, this time the F-250 with the big 6.7-liter diesel and he is plotting how to pull out some concrete footings from his old deck. Rebecca goes old school (really old) with the aged Toyota Sequioa while Sam complains about the terrible infotainment display in the 2021 Nissan Rogue but likes the rest of it including the 90 deg opening rear doors. In the news, GM announced a new brand at the virtual CES with the introduction of BrightDrop. BrightDrop is dedicated to electric commercial vehicles starting with the EP1 electric pallet and the EV600 delivery van with the first 500 going to Fedex later this year. Fiat Chrysler and PSA finally closed on their merger to become Stellantis with a stock ticker that might cause some confusion for the Robin Hood gang (STLA). Mazda was late to the party… Read More »What Is A BrightDrop?

Episode #53 – CES, F-150 Diesel, GM Marketplace, NACTOY

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Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #53 - CES, F-150 Diesel, GM Marketplace, NACTOY
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This week Sam is just back from the giant Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. While at CES, he rode in an Aptiv autonomous vehicle and discusses that experience, along with a few other highlights. Dan haas been battle-testing a Hyundai Elantra GT during a stretch of brutal, fickle winter weather in Boston. Other topics include the officially-announced Ford F-150 Powerstroke Diesel, a field report on GM Marketplace, and a quick spin through our favorite nominees to win North American Car and Truck of the Year at the NAIAS in Detroit.   Links Automated Driving at CES is All About Business Models Ford at CES Ford F-150 Diesel General Motors Marketplace North American Car and Truck of the Year