Karl Brauer - Automotive Analyst, Forbes Auto Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com starts the show with Alan this…
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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.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | #343
The auto industry is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. First, J.D. Power Vice President of Global Automotive, Dave Sargent, reports on the results of their 2018 US APEAL Study, which found automakers to be doing a tremendous job of delivering to customer expectations. Also, find out which technology advances in cars today have people jumping for joy, and which are making people pull their hair out. Then, Automotive Journalist featured on Automobilemag.com, Steven Cole Smith, fills us in on the North American Car of the Year nominees, North American International Auto Show updates, his trek up the Rubicon Trail in a Jeep, and NASCAR news. Steven also chats with Alan about the 2019 Infiniti QX50, the access economy, and Parachut.co. Next, after a couple of weeks of intensive traveling, Alan and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, catch up and discuss Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, golf, auto manufacturer luxury channels, and the 2018 Mazda CX-9. BJ got a chance to sit behind the wheel of the new CX-9, and found many things impressive, but was struggling to notice anything that separated it from the pack. Similarly, Alan drove the Mercedes-Benz C 350e and thought it was a very nice car, but it just didn’t fit him. Last, Autotrader.com Executive Editor, Brian Moody, extols the 2019 GMC Sierra, saying it’s the best full-size pickup there is, with the only caveat being that no truck on the market can match RAM’s interiors. The 2019 GMC Sierra has video camera mirrors, a carbon fiber insert for the bed, looks that can kill, and a truly reinvented tailgate. Its tailgate is like something out of transformers, with the ability to fold into several different configurations. Also, Brian fills us in on the insanely depreciated used electric car market. Some amazing cars at a fraction of their ‘new’ sticker price include various models of BMW i3 for $20,000, previous generation Nissan Leaf and Fiat 500e for $10,000, and even Tesla Model S for $30,000. Tune in for more.