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Who Will Win The Electric Truck Battle?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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.

wheelbearings episode 179 live screenshot with guests. photos of hyundai sonata n-line, gmc canyon at4, kia k5 ex, and henry gomez of the brief brothers podcast

What’s in your garage?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
What's in your garage?
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This week, we recorded a live episode on Zoom with some listeners. Sam shares his take on the 2021 Kia K5 EX while Rebecca rhaspodizes about its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Sonata N-Line. Both are powered by turbocharged 4-cylinders but one has way more power. Dan had 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 and the review devolves into a discussion of the true merits of midsize pickup trucks. Then our listener guests Dave, Ben and Pasha share what they have in their garages with some surprises. They also provide some constructive suggestions before we answer a listener email about Tesla’s pushback on recalling 158,000 cars to replace the media control unit. We wrap up with Dan’s interview with ad executive Henry Louis Gomez of Zubi Advertising and the Brief Brothers podcast about car marketing. Patreon supporters already got the interview separately earlier this week. For early access… Read More »What’s in your garage?

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

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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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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

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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

Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #097 - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
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This week our intrepid trio has been tackling everything from mainstream to super-luxury. Rebecca went to rainy Palm Springs to sample the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and more from BMW before returning home to the 2019 Kia Forte. In between, Sam had the 2019 Mazda CX-9 and Dan drove the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus which leads into a discussion of who is doing luxury right. In the news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fudged the numbers to show Tesla Autopilot was safer than it really was. Jaguar Land Rover debuts a new inline-six gas engine with mild hybrid capability and that leads to a response to a listener question on V6 vs I6. Finally, Dan and Sam talk with Ford Super Duty chief engineer Mike Pruitt about the new 2020 heavy duty pickups and the new 7.3-liter V8. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop… Read More »Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Episode #087 – Carlos In The Clink, Driving In Winter and Charging Follies

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #087 - Carlos In The Clink, Driving In Winter and Charging Follies
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This week Sam drives the new Volkswagen Jetta and Dan spends time with the Acura RDX and VW Golf Sportwagen. Out in the real world, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Chairman of Nissan is arrested for alleged financial malfeasance and the future of the Alliance is in doubt. With snow and ice now on the road, it’s time again to think about winter tires. Land Rover unveils the second-generation Evoque with electrified powertrains and Tesla owners are experiencing Supercharger issues. Sam also interviews Pete Rander and Brett Browning of Argo AI. Links Carlos Ghosn Arrested Winter Tires 2020 Land Rover Evoque Supercharging issues 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 #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording
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This week, Sam and Dan are both commuting, Dan from his office near Boston and Sam heading back to SFO from the Verge Transport Conference in Oakland. Sam is on his second consecutive battery electric car, driving the 2018 BMW i3S after leaving the Hyundai Ioniq Electric behind in Detroit. Meanwhile Dan joins the party from the 2019 Lexus LS500 after transitioning from the 2019 Subaru Forester. In the news, the guys discuss the latest assessment from Munro and Associates about how Tesla is building the Model 3 and Dan opines on advertising changes at Ford. At the end of the show we add the keynote that Sam delivered recently to the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Impact event. Links The Tesla Model 3 is too complicated for its own good Another Tesla manufacturing chief leaves Sam’s keynote at the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber… Read More »Episode #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording

Episode #078 – Refreshed Jeep, Affordable Car and Some Unaffordable EVs

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #078 - Refreshed Jeep, Affordable Car and Some Unaffordable EVs
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            This week Dan records his end of the show from the new Kia Rio which proves an affordable new car doesn’t have to be cheap junk. Sam is at home after having driven the 2019 Jeep Cherokee and the 48V mild hybrid Ram 1500. The guys discuss the wisdom of Jaguar building electric restomod E-types, Audi’s new Pebble Beach electric supercar concept and whether Elon Musk has outlived his usefulness to Tesla Links First Drive of the 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque Jaguar commits to building electric E-Types Audi PB18 e-Tron concept   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 #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #069 - VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble
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We missed last week for reasons we don’t need to get into (OK, it was Dan’s fault) but Sam drove the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas while Dan had the new Jeep Wrangler. Sam went to the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally at Road America where he went for a ride in the Ford GT and drove a whole bunch of other cars and utilities. He came to the conclusion that for those that actually want to have fun driving, the VW GTI is a better choice than the Golf R. Finally, Tesla continues to have quality issues and Elon Musk goes on the attack against anyone that stoops to criticize and his most trollish followers pile on. Links A lap in the Ford GT VW Tiguan review VW Atlas review Edmunds Tesla Model 3 Long Term update What It’s Like When Elon Musk’s Twitter… Read More »Episode #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble