A Taste of China, Saleen S1, Autotrader, and C8 Corvette | #377

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #377

Alan just got back from his first ever trip to China to visit Steve Saleen’s new mega-factory, and his mind is blown! JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, chats about Alan’s trip to China, the Saleen S1, Steve Saleen, the premier of Quentin Tarrantio’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, and more! Next up, freelance automotive journalist, Mike Austin, discusses the new testing ground for Mercedes-Daimler’s self-parking garage, the upcoming electric Ford F-150, and the prevalence of green cars in China. Changing lanes, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, fills us in on the extravagant 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette reveal, its mind blowing pricing, and somewhat underwhelming specs. Brian also shares a few Autotrader lists, covering the most affordable mid-engine cars, lowest cost hybrid SUVs, and the most popular cars on Autotrader.com. Closing out the show, freelance journalist, Tom Wilson, chats with Alan about their trip to China, Steve Saleen’s 2.5 million square foot factory, and his first hand experience with the Saleen S1. Listen in to stay up to date with the automotive industry.

 

  • [00:00:00] Alan and Josh Talk China, GT, and Demon
  • [00:06:15] Steve Saleen S1, Mega Factory in China
  • [00:12:30] Alan’s Eye-Opening Trip to China
  • [00:19:51] Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Premier
  • [00:27:45] Mercedes Tests Self Parking Garage
  • [00:35:52] Electric Ford F-150, Green Cars in China
  • [00:42:12] Bombastic Chevrolet C8 Corvette Reveal
  • [00:48:37] 495 HP Mid-Engine Corvette – $60,000?!
  • [00:54:43] Affordable Mid-Engine Cars, Hybrid SUVs
  • [01:02:04] Most Popular Cars on Autotrader
  • [01:10:35] Steve Saleen’s 2.5 Million SqFt Factory
  • [01:18:05] The Saleen S1 is a Roomy Sports Car

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Geneva Motor Show, Auto News, Dodge Charger AWD, and Kia Imagine | #362

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #362

If there’s one thing that the Swiss people are known for, it’s having a lot of money! Which is why it is fitting that the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) would showcase some of the wackiest, most outlandish, and of course, ridiculously expensive concept cars on the planet. Reporting from Geneva, Switzerland, so we don’t have to, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, fills us in on some of the craziest concept cars he’s witnessed. It isn’t all highfalutin dream-cars in Geneva; the Mazda CX-30, Subaru e-Boxer engine, and Honda e Prototype have much more grounded philosophies in mind. Changing gears, Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, gives us his drive review of his new Ford GT (finally!), and discusses electric vehicles and the effects of trade tariffs on the automotive industry. Next, Co-founder of  CarTender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, makes a case for electric cars and showers praise upon the 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD. Closing the show, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, offers her opinion about some of the strange (and amazing) designs at the Geneva Motor Show. While the Hispano Suiza Carmen and Engler F.F. Super Quad may be goofier looking than Donald Duck’s best buddy, cars like the Bugatti La Voiture Noire and Kia Imagine are inspired and beautiful.

 

  • [00:00:00] Lancia Stratos and GFG Style Kangaroo
  • [00:06:27] Mazda CX30 and Honda e Prototype
  • [00:12:32] Subaru e-Boxer and Electric Vehicles
  • [00:19:53] Electric Vehicles Just Need Good Range
  • [00:28:24] Finally Behind the Wheel of the Ford GT
  • [00:35:54] Tariffs Causing a Ripple Effect
  • [00:42:15] Appeal of Formula E and EVs
  • [00:48:28] Electric Cars: Novelty or the Future?
  • [00:54:45] 2019 Dodge Charger All-Wheel Drive
  • [01:02:06] Horrible Designs from Geneva Motor Show
  • [01:12:39] La Voiture Noire and Mini Cooper Hybrid
  • [01:18:07] Kia Imagine and VW I.D. Buggy Concepts

 

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Formula E, Jaguar E-Pace, Manual Transmissions, and Trade Wars | #347

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #347

The auto industry is advancing at a rapid pace, implementing new safety and entertainment technologies and upgrading existing systems; but where the auto gods giveth, the auto gods taketh away. Is the phasing out of manual transmissions taking it too far? We’ll explore this topic throughout the show, but first President and CEO of Brembo North America, Dan Sandberg, discusses what makes Formula E unique. Then, freelance automotive journalist George Kennedy III offers a tire safety warning, previews his Boston Globe article about YouTube car restorer, Rich Rebuilds, and gives his drive impressions about the 2019 Jaguar E-PACE. Shifting gears, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, fills us in on the Galpin Auto Show, BMW’s discontinuation of their 3 Series manual options, and the reintroduced Ford Ranger’s specs, which seem to be missing a stick shift option. Next, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Karl Brauer, laments the decline of the manual transmission before sharing his test drive results for the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. With a 0-60 of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph, the GT stormed around the famous track at Circuit of the Americas, but is it worth a 6-figure sticker price? Changing lanes, freelance automotive journalist BJ Killeen discusses the most shocking deals and trends seen at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas – there were a lot of trucks and a Bentley that sold for $25,000!  Also, we touch on how tariffs are affecting the global automobile industry, specifically in China, where Jaguar Land Rover saw a 46% drop in sales. What do you think about the state of the industry and manual transmissions?

 

  • [00:00:00] Formula E and Brembo Brakes
  • [00:06:23] Don’t Neglect Your Tires
  • [00:12:30] Rich Rebuilds a Tesla Model S
  • [00:19:51] 2019 Jaguar E-PACE SE vs. I-PACE
  • [00:28:35] Galpin Auto Show
  • [00:35:52] Slow Death of the Manual Transmission
  • [00:42:12] Manual vs. Automatic Performance Test
  • [00:48:24] Dumbing Down Our Cars
  • [00:54:43] Automatic Sports Car Takeover
  • [01:02:04] Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
  • [01:10:26] Steal Deals at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas
  • [01:18:05] Trade Conflicts Always Hit Auto Industry

 

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Special Show from Cars at the Capital | #328

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #328

It’s been called ‘America’s smallest automobile museum’ and it sits in the middle of the National Mall for one month every year. Created in 2014, Cars at the Capital, organized by the Historic Vehicle Association, attracts approximately 500,000 viewers. A special car with historic value is placed in a gorgeous glass box for passersby to admire as they explore Washington DC. Partnered with the National Vehicle Register and the Library of Congress, Cars at the Capital was created to honor our automotive heritage. Our first interview is with the President of the Historic Vehicle Association, Mark Gessler, who details the event and introduces the 1968 Bullitt Mustang; Steve McQueen famously drove this vehicle 50 years ago in the popular blockbuster, ‘Bullitt‘. Next, we hear from Sean Kiernan, owner of the Bullitt, about the car’s exciting history. Then, since the event is also celebrating the 54th anniversary of the Mustang, we chat with Carl Widmann, Chief Product Engineer for the Ford Mustang, about the rich past of this nostalgic car. After that, Doug Clark and Tabetha Hammer of Hagerty Classic Cars sound off about their efforts to share automotive passion with future generations. Changing lanes, Kevin Marti, Founder of Marti Auto Works, describes how they work with Ford to create the ‘Marti Report‘.  Then, Paul Ianuario, Senior Advisor for the Historic Vehicle Association, explains how the glass display box was approved to be in the National Mall. Next, the owner of a 1918 Cadillac US1257X, Marc Lassen, discloses the exciting story of how he obtained this historic vehicle that was Rev. Dr. J.H. Denison’s car in WWI and once chauffeured President Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter-in-law. Lastly, we catch up with Shell’s Nancy Bruner and Mark Henry about their involvement with Cars at the Capital and why it is so important to them. Take a trip down memory lane for this special event broadcast.

 

  • [00:00:00] America’s Smallest Automobile Museum
  • [00:07:54] Ford Mustang Adorns National Mall
  • [00:12:31] 1968 ‘Bullitt’ Mustang’s History
  • [00:19:54] 54th Anniversary of Ford Mustang
  • [00:26:40] Assurance from Hagerty Classic Cars
  • [00:35:55] Hagerty’s Driving Experience
  • [00:42:16] China’s Love for the Bullitt Mustang
  • [00:48:31] Ford and the Marti Report
  • [00:54:47] Cars at the Capital
  • [01:02:08] 1918 Cadillac US1257X
  • [01:10:44] Diving Deep into History
  • [01:18:10] The Story of How America Became Mobile

 

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Live from the 2018 New York International Auto Show | #326

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #326

Broadcasting from the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), we get up to speed on the latest and greatest rides hitting the market. We begin the hour with Joy Falotico of the Lincoln Motor Company who discusses the sales of the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and introduces the gorgeous Lincoln Aviator. Next, Lincoln’s Robert Parker talks with us about the praises and special attention that their brand gets in China. Then, David Woodhouse shares the magic behind Lincoln’s guiding design principles. After that, we talk with MINI’s Andrew Cutler about the electrified classic MINI and their best-selling model, the Countryman. Then, Mark Dahncke of Audi sounds off about the Audi RS 5 Sportback and the popular Audi Q5. Next, Karl Brauer gushes over the roof-top party thrown by Kelley Blue Book, his favorite finds at NYIAS, and the technological shift that is happening in the automotive industry. Switching gears, Jamie Page Deaton of U.S. News & World Report Best Cars Rankings explains the pros and cons of some of the new rides on the showroom floor. Then, Lauren Fix of The Car Coach gives us her thoughts on the Volkswagen Tanoak pickup truck and the future of electric vehicles. Changing lanes, we chat with Michael Harley of Kelley Blue Book and Frank Wiseman of Porsche North America about Michael’s test drive in the snowy French Alps, and the Porsche Experience in LA. Our last guest of the show is Chris Duke of Motorz TV who explains GM’s BuyPower Card and over-air Marketplace. Alan ends the show with a preview of the cars he will be showing on ‘LIVE with Kelly and Ryan‘ during Auto Show Week (April 2-6, 2018). Join us now to fill your mind with automotive goodness.

 

  • [00:00:00] Lincoln Motors Keeps Awing Us
  • [00:05:48] China, Electric Motors, and Lincoln
  • [00:12:31] Aviator is Magically Designed
  • [00:19:54] A Classic MINI Goes Electric
  • [00:27:14] Audi RS 5 Sportback
  • [00:35:55] Treasures of NYIAS 2018
  • [00:42:16] Family Friendly Auto Design
  • [00:55:34] Porsche Stands the Test of Time
  • [01:03:28] General Motors’ BuyPower Card
  • [01:11:36] LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan

 

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BMW 5 Series, Roadie, and Daytona 500 | #323

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #323

The automotive industry is always keeping us on our toes and this week is no different. We begin the show with automotive journalist, George Kennedy, to hear about the Women’s Motormouth event at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. Plus, George reviews the BMW 5 series plug-in hybrid. Then, we chat with Marc Gorlin, Founder of Roadie, who explains their app which allows you to get paid to deliver items for other patrons. After that, we hear the latest on NASCAR from automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith. Last but not least, we catch up with technology expert, John Ellis, who talks about the value of automotive data tracking, and how we can prepare for the future of mobility. Join us now for more on the crazy car world.

  • [00:00:00] Women’s Motormouth
  • [00:05:22] Subaru Subscription
  • [00:12:30] BMW 5 Series Plug-In Hybrid
  • [00:19:53] Environmental Motoring
  • [00:27:18] Get Paid to Deliver
  • [00:35:55] Seven-Foot Jar Jar Binks
  • [00:42:15] Lowest Rated Daytona 500
  • [00:48:27] NASCAR Falls Short
  • [00:54:46] Continental Tire Issues
  • [01:02:08] Ferrari Portofino Drive
  • [01:10:54] Automotive Data Collection
  • [01:18:10] China’s Push to Electric

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