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Episode #114 – Managing Brands

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #114 - Managing Brands
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Dan is back and talking about the BMW X2 M35i that he used to shuttle his kids around on a family trip. Rebecca goes beyond the infotainment of the Lexus RC350 F-Sport and Sam swaps a Rav4 with flaky bluetooth for a Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. In the news, the crew discusses GPS spoofing and high-definition maps. Rebecca and Sam went to the Fiat Chrysler What’s New event and talked with Transmission and powertrain head Jeff Lux about electrification and brand management. Speaking of electrification, the new Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid with a front-wheel-drive electric mode. Links Ferrari SF90 Stradale hybrid modes 2020 Chrysler Voyager 2020 Dodge Charger Widebody GPS Spoofing HD Maps for Mobility 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… Read More »Episode #114 – Managing Brands

Episode #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #112 - Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids
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This week Rebecca and Sam had very different hybrid experiences on opposite coasts. Rebecca has been enjoying the thrill of the Acura NSX while Sam got to sample the 2020 Ford Explorer. They also both to sample the third generation Kia Soul in faux crossover flavor and find it continues to be a favorite small car. Meanwhile Dan has been getting around in the latest Nissan Altima. GM is reportedly considering reviving the once gas guzzling Hummer brand to build EVs. Aurora Innovation is shifting alliances and taking on new partners to develop automated driving systems and Mazda is eschewing touchscreens, something two-thirds of trio wholeheartedly approve of. Links Electric Hummers? Aurora’s new partners No more Mazda touchscreens 2020 Kia Soul Review 2020 Ford Explorer First Drive Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward… Read More »Episode #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids

Episode #111 – Changing Perceptions

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #111 - Changing Perceptions
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This week, Dan has been driving the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet. Sam drove the refreshed 2019 Hyundai Tucson before heading off to Manhattan to ride subways. Rebecca has been driving the Cadillac Escalade around southern California. From there we dive into the failed Fiat Chrysler and Renault merger and where it might go next including hooking up with Volkswagen. Finally, VW launches a new ad campaign that apologizes for diesel as they shift to electric vehicles. Links Volkswagen “Hello Light” ad campaign Fiat Chrysler and Renault Merger Off Davey Johnson Missing 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. 110 – Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 110 - Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers
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This week the crew drives a bunch of different flavors utility vehicles and a convertible. Rebecca and Dan both sampled the new Kia Telluride. Dan also tried a blend of old and new school with the Mercedes-Benz G550. Sam’s utilities were both electrified with the Lexus UX250h F-Sport giving way to the new Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid. In the news our intrepid trio talks about the prospects for a merger of FCA and Renault, the impact of new potential tariffs on the auto industry and new “sport” sedans from Cadillac. Rebecca also discusses her time at the Heels and Wheels event in California. Finally, Sam made a video answering questions about autonomous vehicle technology. Links Lexus UX250h Review FCA-Renault Merger 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Sam’s autonomous vehicles explainer Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Ep. 110 – Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers

Episode #109 – Screaming Fords and Electric Audis

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #109 – Screaming Fords and Electric Audis
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The crew is back with the Chevy Blazer, Ford Ranger and Mazda Miata RF. Sam has been driving the Audi E-Tron Quattro in northern California. Amy Marentic talks Ford Icons, Mazda is bringing back inline sixes and GM Cruise gets more cash. Links Driving the 2019 Ford Shelby GT350 Mazda Inline Six-Cylinders GM Cruise Investment 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 #108 – Who’s To Blame?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #108 - Who's To Blame?
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On this week’s edition we learn that Dan doesn’t like convertibles after driving the BMW M850i. Rebecca has a noisy seat in the Nissan Maxima and thinks the Hyundai Tucson is a great value. Sam finds that the Ford Ranger rides a lot better with 600 lbs of dirt in the back and the interior materials don’t feel up to snuff for the price of the Lariat. In the news, with Ford finally connecting its vehicles, it’s starting to roll out new services that leverage the connectivity. We also discuss who’s to blame when a driver that knows Tesla Autopilot misbehaves, continues to use it and ends up dead. Links Ford adds new services enabled by connectivity The Problem With Blaming Tesla For Walter Huang’s Death Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the… Read More »Episode #108 – Who’s To Blame?

Episode #105 – Sometimes Tilting At Windmills Pays Off

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #105 - Sometimes Tilting At Windmills Pays Off
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This week Sam and Rebecca both discuss their experience with the Nissan Murano. Rebecca has also been in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV while Dan drives the Honda Pilot. In the news, four decades of tilting at mid-engine wind mills finally pays off for Don Sherman as GM confirms the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette will debut on July 18, 2019. Tesla really doesn’t want to sell any $35,000 Model 3s and the gang discuss the challenges of updating a 50 year old airplane for the 21st century. Links The mid-engine Corvette is almost here and here Please, please don’t buy a cheap Tesla Model 3 Updating the 50 year old Boeing 737 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 #101 – We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #101 - We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges
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The whole crew is back in the same time zone this week as Rebecca shares her thoughts on the new Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, Sam drives the refreshed 2019 Nissan Maxima and Dan plays with the Ford F-150 Raptor. The mythical mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette has been Don Sherman’s personal unicorn for nearly 50 years and the first prototypes go back even farther than that. It now seems closer than ever and yet still so far away and we discuss why. Cadillac is adopting a new badging scheme similar to what Audi launched in Europe a couple of years ago and no seems to be happy about it. We discuss whether to just dispense with the badges entirely. Meanwhile Rivian seems to be developer a modular bed system for its upcoming electric pickup truck. Links Cadillac’s new badges Audi updates is nomenclature Rivian goes modular Corvette’s twisting… Read More »Episode #101 – We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges

Episode #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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