Eric and Daryl sit down a few weeks before Santa comes to visit to chat it up. We share some nice chunky beers and talk about the normal gambit of Preshow material.

The opening of a Raising Cane’s restaurant in the Peoria area stirs some ire in both of your hosts. Eric tries to decide whether leaving Spotify is worth it for world peace. Daryl cannot find a decent floor jack, and Eric wonders if those old cars are just too big for Harbor Freight tools.

We set the Patreon/ITunes Premium to “free” for a month since Eric is still a slacker, and we will be sharing this episode with everyone in the spirit of Christmas Cheer.

Thanks again for all the support in 2025 and into 2026. Car culture and car news are our favorite things to talk about… Glad to have you along for the ride!

Eric and Daryl

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/107_Christmas_25_preshow.mp3

The post Episode 107 Preshow – Christmas 2025 appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_106.mp3

Episode 106

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is talking 5th gen mods and SCC 2025

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• A Chinese Range Rover Knock-off… Knocks On “Heaven’s Gate”
• AI Wrote our intros
• The USA makes a better robot than Russia… so, we have that going for us.

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches. 

 Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

SPOTIFY COMMENTS and polls – New got some!

Check us out on YouTube, before we are banned for copyright!  

Sponsors

• Fort’s Toyota of Pekin, find them at http://www.toyota-pekin.com

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters. 

Welcome new members!  I need to do the rundown with the magic mirror-like romper room!

Itunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

On this show we will spend a bunch of time talking to Jacob and learning about his 2024 5th Gen 4Runner build along with the annual Southern Cruiser Crawl trip he and Eric took this past October.

NEWS:

Chinese Car Attempts To Drive
Up ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ Crashes Through Guardrail

Source: Newsweek
Chinese Range Rover’ SUV Dragon Challenge Failed – Chery Icar 03 (Chery Fulwin X3L )

A Chinese automaker has issued an apology after a publicity stunt staged on China’s Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park went badly wrong.

Chery Automobile, one of the largest automakers in the Far East, was filming a video for its new Fengyun X3L SUV on November 12 when disaster struck.

The plan was for the company’s new SUV to be filmed ascending Tianmen Mountain’s famous 999 steps up to the natural arch known as Heaven’s Gate, located in Zhangjiajie, Central China’s Hunan Province.

Known to many as the “Stairway to Heaven,” in 2018 the steps had served as the setting for a similar stunt staged by fellow car manufacturer Range Rover to promote its Range Rover Sport range.

Whereas the Range Rover Sport successfully surmounted the steps, thought to be just 30 centimeters [12 inches] wide and on a gradient in excess of 60 degrees, the Fengyun X3L struggled with the ascent, ultimately losing momentum and rolling back down the hill.

A video, posted to X by @CollinRugg, captures what happened next, with a yellow version of Chery Automobile’s new SUV shown crashing into a protective guardrail, causing damage to the iconic tourist spot and shocking bystanders in the process.

National:

New Fear Unlocked: Windshield Washer Fluid & Legionella Bacteria

https://respiratory-therapy.com/disorders-diseases/infectious-diseases/other-infections/windshield-washer-fluid-may-be-source-of-legionnaires-disease/ 

Windshield washer fluid may contain bacteria that cause the deadly form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease, according to researchers who say the study is the first to detect high levels of Legionella in automobiles or aerosolized by washer fluid spray.

Legionella bacteria, which are naturally occurring and typically found in water, are transmitted to people through mist or vapor from water containing the bacteria. For example, air conditioners and hot tubs can be sources of infection. The bacteria do not spread from person to person.

Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria don’t become ill, but some develop Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a milder illness similar to the flu.

Researchers found Legionella bacteria in the windshield washer fluid of 75% of school buses they tested in one central Arizona school district. The investigators also discovered that Legionella bacteria can grow in windshield washer fluid and maintain stable populations in the fluid for up to 14 months.

“Washer fluid spray can release potentially dangerous numbers of these bacteria into the air. These results suggest that automobiles may serve as a source of transmission for Legionella infections,” study author Otto Schwake, a doctoral student at Arizona State University, said in a society news release.

Moment of Musk:

Are we past the 3rd rail phase with this guy?

Elon Musk says Tesla’s Optimus will have superhuman surgical skills

Technologie

By Jessica Hagen 

During a talk with Ron Baron, founder of asset management firm Baron Capital, Elon Musk said Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, will one day perform surgeries with better precision than a human. 

“Imagine a world where everyone has access to the best surgeons, literally everyone,” Musk said. 

“Optimus will have the level of precision that is frankly superhuman and will be able to do medical procedures, very sophisticated medical procedures, any medical procedure, perhaps things that really humans can’t even do because they’re too difficult, and that will be available to anyone.”

Musk stated that people often talk about eliminating poverty and providing great medical care but never actually have a solution.

“Money doesn’t solve it, because there are only so many, there’s a very limited number of great doctors and surgeons. They don’t grow on trees. But now they will get built in factories,” Musk said. 

Currently, there is no medical version of Optimus, and the robot is still in the early stages of development.

THE LARGER TREND

Musk stated during Tesla’s Q3 2025 earnings call that he foresees the robot being “the biggest product of all time” and eventually making enormous strides in healthcare. 

“It won’t even seem like a robot. It will seem like a person in a robot suit. It will seem so real that you’ll need to poke it, I think, to believe that it is actually a robot,” Musk said. 

Meanwhile in Russia…

Russia ‘Human’ Robot Falls on Stage During Debut

updated

Nov 14, 2025 at 05:04 AM EST

Novosiltsev Artur/Moskva Agency

By Jesus Mesa

Politics Reporter

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

Russia’s first humanoid robot with artificial intelligence fell on stage during its official debut at a technology event in Moscow on November 10, prompting staff to cover the machine from public view while attempting to fix the malfunction.

The robot, named AIdol, was introduced by developers as an advanced example of anthropomorphic robotics built largely from domestic components. As the robot was being led on stage by two staff members to the soundtrack from the film Rocky, it lost balance and fell, leaving several pieces behind on the stage.

Video footage of the incident, shared by independent Russian outlets, shows staff rushing to hide the robot behind a screen as it was being dragged off the

Cars of the Weak  

Eric: 

This interior is insane…  And I have to ask… Whats the point?  

The “W” platform (is that right?)  that spawned a series of 80’s and 90’s benzes that looked like stacking dolls still does not look very collectable to me.  Am I alone on this?  

Daryl: 1991 Mercedes 300e Sedan
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FotHtJ56i/

1991 Mercedes 300e runs and drives nice ,recent front springs ,the rods ,bilstiens front shocks.  139k automatic, IL title. Includes an extra set of Blizzak snow tires and winter wheels.  

Jacob:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bd3vobekM/ 

Hi, here I got is a 1985 Toyota 4runner best year for the first gen 4runner has the 22re with solid front axles. It has 46k original miles lowest mileage one I seen so far it’s in really great shape everything works how it should! If interested inbox me please don’t waste my time if you don’t have the money or want to lowball me don’t bother inboxing me or you will get blocked thanks for looking. Trades are welcome but have to be the same value or cash on top!

 

 

 

The post Episode 106 – 5th Gen 4Runner Mods and SCC 2025 with Jacob appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_105_Final.mp3

Welcome to the automotive podcast that does not pay the average price for their cars…

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• Everyone wants record high returns… But how about record high car prices?
• How about record amounts of upside-down cars?
• Canada’s loss is our gain. More jobs at Stellantis in Illinois

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches. 

 Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

SPOTIFY COMMENTS and polls – We have some comments!

Check us out on YouTube, before we are banned for copyright!  

Sponsors

• Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters.

Itunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

Projects

Eric: 

SCC Roundup – Jake’s show coming up. Jake got a scratch.

Celica redo… leaking since service.  Distrubugtor

Daryl:

Tundra brakes

Cadillac compression test

Garage cleaning and paring down. Aanco stuff added.

NEWS:

EDMUNDS:

Underwater and Sinking Deeper: The Average Amount Owed on Upside-Down Auto Loans Climbed to an All-Time High of $6,905, According to Edmunds

Analysts say a record nearly 1 in 4 vehicle trade-ins toward new-car purchases with negative equity carried more than $10,000 in debt

SANTA MONICA, CA — October 15, 2025 — More Americans are finding themselves upside down on their car loans, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. Q3 2025 data from Edmunds1 shows that a growing share of owners are trading in vehicles worth less than what they owe — and the debt they are rolling forward is only growing:

• More than one in four new vehicle trade-ins are underwater, a four-year high. 28.1% of trade-ins toward new-car purchases had negative equity, up from 26.6% in Q2 2025 and 24.2% in Q1 2025. This is the highest share Edmunds has on record since Q1 2021, when 31.9% of new-car trade-ins were upside down.
• Americans with upside-down car loans owe more than ever. The average amount owed on upside-down loans hit a record $6,905 in Q3, edging past the previous high of $6,880 set in Q1 2025.
• Nearly one in three underwater car owners owe between $5,000 and $10,000 in debt — a new record high. 32.9% of negative-equity trade-ins fell into this range in Q3, up from 32.6% in Q2 and continuing a steady climb since last year.
• A record share of underwater car loans are carrying five-figure debt. Nearly one in four (24.7%) trade-ins with negative equity carried more than $10,000 in debt in Q3, surpassing the previous high of 24.6% set in Q4 2024. Another 8.3% of trade-ins with negative equity carried more than $15,000 in debt, up from 7.7% in Q2 2025.

New Research Confirms: Major North American Auto Shows Drive Consumer Behavior and New Vehicle Sales

New York International Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, Canadian International AutoShow

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an era dominated by digital and social media marketing, new research released today by Clarify Group shows that the in-person, immersive experience of attending an Auto Show in the United States and Canada continues to play a critical role in the new-vehicle purchase journey for consumers — and has a measurable impact on consumer buying decisions.

Clarify Group Inc., a leading automotive research and insights firm, conducts research on behalf of the three largest Auto Shows in North America: the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Canadian International AutoShow (Toronto) and the New York International Auto Show. As the new Auto Show season approaches — with Los Angeles opening Nov. 21, Toronto on Feb. 13, 2026, and New York on April 3, 2026 — Clarify is releasing highlights from the most recent studies conducted across the three shows, representing the voices of nearly 9,000 visitors.

These findings offer important insights for vehicle manufacturers, marketers and retailers about consumer intent and behavior.  The research underscores the importance of Auto Show participation for OEMs and the risks created for any brands that choose not to participate.

Key Findings (across all three shows unless otherwise stated)

• 40% of Auto Show visitors intend to buy or lease a new vehicle within the next 12 months

• Auto Show visitors are 2.9 times more likely than the average consumer to purchase or lease a new vehicle within the next year

• 68% of Auto Show visitors are in the market to buy within 24 months
• Gen Z visitors are the most enthusiastic promoters among all age groups—they are 1.5 times more likely than average to recommend the Auto Show to friends and family, challenging the perception that Gen Z consumers prefer only digital engagement with brands

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TSkMc84EDB8LyRevvyt5D_OaN6o0ErOmwhNG4cTotAw/present?slide=id.g27081fa77aa_0_14

Average Price For A New Car Hits $50,000 For First Time Ever

BY RYAN ERIK KING jalopnik

If you have been wandering the lots of your local car dealerships and thought that prices were rising, you would be correct. Kelley Blue Book reported on Monday that the average price paid for a new car surpassed $50,000 for the first time ever in the U.S., reaching $50,080. The record highlights how lower-income buyers are being pushed out of the new car market. In a broader view, economists are concerned about the increasing delinquency rate for subprime auto loans.

Data shows that the new car market is being propped up by luxury vehicles and high-end EV sales. According to Kelley Blue Book, over 60 models with a selling price over $75,000 and 94,000 units sold accounted for 7.4% of total sales across the industry. It’s a significant increase from 6% reported in September last year. Erin Keating, a Cox Automotive executive analyst, said:

“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that. While there are many affordable options out there, many price-conscious buyers are choosing to stay on the sidelines or cruising in the used-vehicle market.”

Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/1996924/average-new-car-price-hits-50000-dollars-first-time-ever/

Stellantis to Invest $13 Billion to Grow in the United States

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan – Stellantis announced today plans to invest $13 billion over the next four years to grow its business in the critical United States market and to increase its domestic manufacturing footprint. The investment is the largest in the Company’s 100-year U.S. history and will support the introduction of five new vehicles across the brand portfolio in key segments; production of the all-new four-cylinder engine; and the addition of more than 5,000 jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

The new investment will further expand Stellantis’ already significant U.S. footprint, increasing annual finished vehicle production by 50% over current levels. The new product launches will be in addition to a regular cadence of 19 refreshed products across all U.S. assembly plants and updated powertrains planned through 2029.

“This investment in the U.S. – the single largest in the Company’s history – will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and North America COO. “As we begin our next 100 years, we are putting the customer at the center of our strategy, expanding our vehicle offerings and giving them the freedom to choose the products they want and love.”

“Accelerating growth in the U.S. has been a top priority since my first day. Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S. — it makes us stronger everywhere,” Filosa said.

Plant Investment Details(1)

The $13 billion investment plan includes research and development and supplier costs to execute the Company’s full product strategy over the next four years as well as investments in its manufacturing operations. The details of the plant-specific investments follow: 

Illinois

Stellantis intends to invest more than $600 million to reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant to expand production of the Jeep® Cherokee and Jeep Compass for the U.S. market. With an initial production launch expected in 2027, these actions are anticipated to create around 3,300 new jobs.

Tesla Is Sued by Families Who Say Faulty Doors Led to Two Deaths

Two Californians were trapped in a burning Cybertruck because electronic doors made it difficult for them to get out or be rescued, lawsuits claim.

Tesla pioneered the use of car doors that open or shut with the push of a button.

Credit…

Karsten Moran for The New York Times

By Jack Ewing

Reporting from Piedmont, Calif.

Oct. 2, 2025

The parents of two college students killed in a car crash last year in California claimed in lawsuits filed Thursday that the design of the doors in the company’s Cybertruck pickup made it nearly impossible for their children to escape the burning vehicle.

The suits, filed in a California court by the families of Krysta Tsukahara, 19, and Jack Nelson, 20, underline longstanding questions about how the doors in many Teslas work, which is the focus of an investigation begun in September by federal auto safety regulators. The lawsuits are another setback for the Cybertruck, which has sold poorly and been recalled eight times since last year.

Tesla pioneered car doors that open or shut with the push of a button. Several other automakers have imitated that design, usually on electric models. Electronic doors give cars a high-tech aura and may modestly reduce wind resistance because their exterior handles typically do not protrude from the door.

The automaker’s door latches rely on a 12-volt battery that is separate from the high-voltage battery that drives the vehicle’s electric motor. If the power is cut off by a crash, the electronic door mechanism may not work.

Super Car News Search

Cars of the Weak  

Eric:  Its been a while…  BAT, Premium listing

1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible

This 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S is one of 521 convertibles built during three years of production and is said to have remained with its original owner until 1985. 

After undergoing a refurbishment, chassis 1478 is said to have been used for participation in various tours in Europe before being purchased by its current owner in 2015 and imported to the US. The car subsequently underwent a restoration by Vantage Motors of Stamford, Connecticut, between 2019 and 2022 that included stripping and repainting the body in red, a re-trim of the interior in black leather, and overhauls of the running gear. 

Power is provided by a 2,451cc V6 that breathes through a single Weber carburetor and is paired with a replacement four-speed manual transaxle. Additional equipment includes sliding-pillar front suspension, a De Dion rear axle, an electric cooling fan, an electric fuel pump, and a black convertible top. 

This B24S is now offered on dealer consignment in San Diego, California, with ASI and ACI certification, over $332k in invoices from the 2019-2022 project, an owner’s manual, a service manual, a jack, and Connecticut registration.

OVER 300K in receipts… Current bid 200k with 3 hours left.  Reserve not met at 216,000.  Yowza!

Oh, and this…  17K for a tacoma regular cab… With an automatic trans?!?!?!  WTH?  https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-toyota-tacoma-93/

Daryl: 1967 Chevy Camaro RS Coupe

Time Remaining: 22 hours58 minutes
Start Time:8/20/2025 7:00:00 PM
End Time:10/17/2025 6:00:00 PM
Bid Count:81
Current High Bidder:5207
Starting Bid:$1.00
Bid Increment:$100.00
Current Bid:$6,100.00

VIN: 124377N180521. Odometer shows 37,449 miles. Engine is a 327 and it’s free, transmission condition unknown. Vehicle has not ran for some time. Tire size 205/75R14, two tires are cracked and two need replaced. Interior is in rough shape. Body is fairly straight but there are several rust spots and pain chips. Rust is the worst by the rear tires. 

The post Episode 105 – High Car Prices, Low Equity and we have sound effects appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_104_Final.mp3

Welcome to the automotive podcast does not pay subscriptions for performance 

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• Toyota MAY come back with a Supra?  Would you like that in V6 or V8?
• How Smart is it to bring back Smart to the USA?
• How much would you pay for more horsepower?  Like…  how much monthly…  On your credit card?  

Sponsors

• Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters.

Welcome new members!  I need to do the rundown with the magic mirror-like romper room!

Itunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

NEW SEGMENT!  Cruise or Choose?  It’s like “Would You Rather”… But with cars.  Tell us what you think.

NEWS:

The Toyota Supra May Come Back With a Lot More Power: Report

A new Supra could get over 500 horsepower from a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, according to a new report.

ROBB REPORT

The fifth-generation Toyota Supra is, in large part, a BMW, but that didn’t make its comeback any less special for its fans, who are legion. The fifth-generation Supra is also in the midst of an extended goodbye, though it might be coming back in a radically different form, with even more power, according to a new report.

The report, from the Japanese publication Best Car Web, makes a number of startling claims, starting with the Supra, which will allegedly come back with over 500 horsepower. The new car won’t be supplied by a BMW-made six-cylinder, but instead will be a four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. That would be an increase of over 118 horsepower from the fifth-generation car’s current output. Best Car Web says the electric motor will be behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats.

Smart Will Return To The Segment It Created In 2026 By Brett T. Evans 

Despite being synonymous for parking-friendly city cars with just two seats and a one-box shape, the current Smart lineup looks a lot less distinctive these days – a sea of compact crossovers with rounded styling and Mercedes-esque headlights. That may change in late 2026 when the company introduces the #2, which, as its name suggests, is a modern remake of the original CityCoupe (later remaned fortwo). The pocket-sized #2 will also be an EV, taking advantage of a new Smart platform designed for “ultra-compact vehicles.”

VW introduces monthly subscription to increase car power

Liv McMahon | BBC

German car making giant Volkswagen (VW) has introduced a subscription for UK customers wanting to increase the power of some of its electric cars. Those who buy an eligible car in its ID.3 range can choose to pay extra if they want to unlock the full power of the engine inside the vehicle.

VW says the “optional power upgrade” will cost £16.50 per month or £165 annually – or people can choose to pay £649 for a lifetime subscription. The firm said it was “offering customers choice” with the feature.

Auto Express, who first reported the story, said a lifetime subscription would be for the car rather than the individual – meaning the upgrade would remain on the car if it was sold on. A VW spokesperson told the BBC they believed giving people the option to purchase more power for their car is “nothing new”.

“Historically many petrol and diesel vehicles have been offered with engines of the same size, but with the possibility of choosing one with more potency,” they said.

A Small Toyota Truck For $30K? Believe It.

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are about to get some competition.

Miguel Cortina Writer Avarvarii Aug 19, 2025

What It Is: Toyota will launch a small pickup truck to compete directly with the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. The yet-to-be-named truck will slot under the Tacoma and serve as the company’s entry-level pickup. With the Maverick’s popularity, Toyota has watched the segment grow—and it’s a segment it doesn’t compete in but would like to. Cooper Ericksen, Toyota Motor North America’s head of planning and strategy, told MotorTrend the automaker is building the truck. “Decisions have been made,” he said. “The question is when we can slot it in. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ at this point.”

Rivian to Resume Construction of $5B Georgia EV Plant in 2026 (Engineering News Record)

Electric vehicle maker Rivian is preparing to resume work on its paused $5-billion manufacturing plant in Social Circle, Ga., according to the company.

The manufacturer scheduled a ceremonial groundbreaking for September and is on track to begin construction next year, company representative Peebles Squire says. The startup will still use its originally selected contractor, Clayco, for the job.

The plan calls for a 16-million-sq-ft manufacturing plant on an 1,800-acre campus. It will be built in two phases, each adding production capacity for 200,000 vehicles, Squire says. 

CARS OF THE WEAK

Eric:  1999 Toyota camroad motorhome 4wd

$29,000

Offers always accepted. Located in Indianapolis. 1999 Toyota Camroad  4WD with front locking hubs. Park it anywhere with this size. Clean Indiana title. 2.8 Liter 3L Diesel Engine. Naturally aspirated, ultra reliable, runs forever and ever. The same engine used in the Toyota Hilux. 85,000 Original Miles, 4Sp. Automatic Transmission with overdrive. Runs perfect. No leaks of any kind.

Runs… Perfect…  They always do in the ads!

Daryl:

1970 Popcorn Wagon – $5,500

1970 popcorn wagon take it to any festival and start making money.

The post Episode 104 – More Power, Smart Cars and Popcorn appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tw103.mp3

Welcome to the automotive podcast that wasn’t invited to the opening of the Tesla restaurant.  

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• What makes your supercar super?
• Have you picked out your Faraday Face?
• Rivian is bringing more jobs to Central Illinois.  

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches. 

Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

Check us out on YouTube, before we are banned for copyright!  

Sponsor:

• Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters. 

Itunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

Projects:

Eric: 

• Needed more RUSTBUSTERS.com parts for the chainsaw truck.  
• Aiden lost AC in the 1997  Celica
• SCCA in Mossville.
• Camping trip to Utah
• ROAR

Daryl: 

• Solara starter
• Smoke machine fun
• Got a new shop vac. 
• Incredible 80’s Car Museum in Dwight

NEWS:

Report: Nissan Closing Two More Production Plants By 2027

The two plants produce vehicles for the U.S., but Nissan gave no indication on the future of those products.

Justin BannerWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerManufacturerPhotographerJul 21, 2025

With Nissan in dire straits, the Japanese brand has been reaching for every avenue to save itself through the “Re:Nissan” initiative. Recently, word came down on July 15 that its Oppama plant in Kanagawa, Japan, would shut down and production there would move to Kyushu (in Fukuoka, Japan) by early 2027. Now, a new report suggests is that two of Nissan’s Mexico plants will shutter in the same timeframe with no word on where the vehicles built there will be assembled in the future.

Faraday Future’s New FX Super One Luxury Van Has a Funky F.A.C.E.

AI-enhanced interactive LED grille aside, can this jumbo luxury people mover make a dent in a market where full-size SUVs rule?

Mike Floyd July 17, 2025  Motortrend

We’re at Faraday Future’s Southern California headquarters getting our first look at its upcoming new vehicle, when we walk around to the front of the car. The LED grille is flashing and pulsing through images and video like a Times Square billboard. That’s the point: The F.A.C.E. of the FX Super One is designed to draw attention. It got ours.

F.A.C.E. stands for Front AI Communication Ecosystem, and like everything else in this era, it has an artificial-intelligence component to it, because of course it does. Imagine you have your Super One parked outside at a sporting event, and you program your F.A.C.E. to promote a product you have. People could potentially interact with said product placement and get answers. Or you can just goof off and have it show photos of you in a Speedo, or your dog or cat in a cute outfit. Oh, the possibilities. (To be clear, it has to be parked to show anything interactive.)

It’s a neat party trick, but chances are most of the folks who end up buying a Super One—which Faraday is rolling out as part of the company’s new Faraday X subbrand strategy (think Lexus versus Toyota)—when it goes on sale sometime early in 2026 as the vanguard model of a planned product blitz over the next 24 months won’t opt for the fancy digital mug.

What will they get as a whole? A huge, luxurious minivan (Faraday prefers MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle) with a passel of unique options, a suite of AI-enhanced software and technologies that help power it and its systems, and two all-wheel-drive powertrains from which to choose, one all electric and one Faraday calls an AI Hybrid Extended Range (AIHER). Right now, it’s sort of an answer to a question that not a lot of Americans in the market for big people movers are asking. But Faraday hopes it will find a niche.

Local:

AutoCanada Inc. has firmed up agreements to sell 13 of its 17 new-vehicle franchises in the United States

as it prepares to exit the American market and refocus on Canada. The deals with several unnamed buyers are worth Cdn $82.7 million (US $60.3 million), including real estate, the company said July 16. They include Chevrolet of Palatine, Crystal Lake Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Hyundai of Palatine, North City Honda, as well as two multi-franchise locations: Autohaus of Peoria, consisting of Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen stores; and Bloomington Automall with Audi, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru and Volkswagen locations.

Source: Automotive News Canada

New Rivian supplier ‘Adient’ set to bring dozens of jobs to Town of Normal

By Imani McClay  NEWS 25

Published: Jul. 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM CDT|Updated: Jul. 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM CDT

NORMAL (25News Now) – Dozens of full-time jobs are headed to McLean County as a new supplier for Rivian gets ready to plant their roots in Normal.

Gov. JB Pritzker, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Adient, the new supplier, made the announcement Monday.

Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, will establish a facility in Normal to assemble front and back seat components for the EV company. The supplier plans to make a capital investment of more than $8 million, creating about 75 new full-time jobs.

Nik Duffle, the Town of Normal’s director of economic development, said this will have a huge economic impact.

“Being a job provider and a capital investor in the community will just continue to provide support and stability for the local economy,” said Duffle.

Adient will repurpose an existing 85,000 square foot warehouse south of College Avenue, adjacent to Rivian’s plant.

As part of the State’s incentive package, Adient received a reimagining energy and vehicles Illinois’s tax credit for their investment and job creation.

Super Car News Search

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/horsepower-matter-electrification-changing/story?id=123959938

What makes a supercar “super”? Is it horsepower, 0-60 mph records or the gratification of rowing your own gears?

Moment of Musk:   Listen to the preshow!!!

Eric:  

Its a Bugatti…  Or it’s something else.  Whatever it is, it’s fun and I would drive it a few times.

Daryl:

1970 Mercury Cougar Convertible
https://www.volocars.com/auto-sales/vehicles/18859/1970-mercury-cougar 

 

The post Episode 103 – Faraday Face appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_102_Full.mp3

Welcome to the automotive podcast that singing the blues in our Little Deuce Coupes.  (R.I.P. Brian Wilson)

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• Suzuki Jimnys are sold out for the next 3 1/2 years, but not here in the US
• Volvo has a museum. Who wants to go?
• Lordstown Motors: You thought they were gone, but they still find a way onto this episode

Our Sponsors

As always, we’d like to give special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin 

In addition to the fine folks at Fort’s, our Patreon supporters help keeping the wrenches flying. Thank you!

Episode Highlights

Suzuki News

Suzuki’s Jimny 5-door is so popular in Japan that they’ve suspended orders after just four days, creating a 3.5-year backlog with 50,000 orders and only 1,200 units per month production capacity.

Volvo News

We explore the newly opened World of Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, celebrating the Swedish automaker’s 100-year history, and discuss GM’s massive $4 billion investment to move production from Mexico back to US plants, including the shuttered Orion Assembly facility.

Car Culture

In tribute to the late Brian Wilson, we dive into how the Beach Boys shaped American car culture with classics like “Little Deuce Coupe” and “409,” plus Wilson’s surprising hit about a Honda scooter that introduced Americans to the Japanese brand.

Projects

• Eric recalls his recent Iceland trip with Angela that involved driving on lava rock in a stripped-down Suzuki Jimny SUV
  • He also prepares for some frame repairs on “Little Mule”, his 1996 Toyota Tacoma, using parts from Rustbuster.com
• Daryl explains why he enjoys a Sunday drive in his trouble-free ’55 Plymouth
  • He also considers thinning his car collection

Cars of the Weak

Eric

1995 right-hand-drive Suzuki Jimny – $15,995
Source:  AutoTrader

You might say Eric was smitten by the Suzuki after he and Mrs. Stahl traveled across Iceland in one. Sure, it’s lacking a few creature comforts. Maybe the crash rating isn’t spectacular. And no, you can’t buy a new one here in the United States. That’s why he found a USED Japanese-market import to call his own.

He also found something that may replace “Little Mule” one far-off day. It rhymes with Mahindra.

Daryl

2023 Lordstown Endurance EV Truck – $32,000 
Source: Facebook Marketplace

What’s this? Why, it’s a barely-used 2023 Lordstown Endurance EV truck, of course. We’ve talked about Lordstown Motors quite a bit over the years but never actually seen one in the wild until now.

It’s hard to believe these didn’t take off.

Maybe that’s a good thing?

Get in Touch

Got something that really grinds your gears? Let us know at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

The post Episode 102 – Beach Party Iceland appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW101_FINAL.mp3

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is starting with a new SLATE…  Get it?

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• SLATE is the rage.  Do you know about this cheap EV truck?
• GM recalls half a million vehicles, and says it’s not related to the other possible recall. They think. 
• 100 episodes?  What about 100 kids?  Its time for a new Moment of Musk.

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches. 

Sponsors

• Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

• Papermapsandcoffee on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/papermaps.and.coffee/

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters.

patreon.com/throwinwrenches

Welcome new members!  I need to do the rundown with the magic mirror-like romper room!

iTunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

Thanks for listening.   Thanks for sharing.  Thanks for commenting.  THANKS FOR REVIEWING!!!!   

Projects

Eric: 

• MOORE EXPO
• New 4Runner was pimped

Daryl:

• Took the ‘55 Plymouth out for a great tour to Pontiac, IL and she didn’t miss a beat.
  Fury dash lights – Or – How to cut your hands and arms on thin sheet metal

NEWS:

World:

Tariffs Tariffs Tariffs.  We are not going to get into it.  Mostly because this show could be 2 weeks old by the time you hear it, and he could change his mind again.  The Foxconn story intrigues me…  

As Deals and Tariffs Loom, Foxconn Sees U.S. Production Power in Former GM Factory

Front and center at the Foxconn booth here sits a midsize crossover with supersize ambitions. If all goes to plan, the Model C all-electric utility could help catapult the Taiwanese electronics giant into the U.S. market as one of its newest automotive players. Foxconn, best known as the world’s largest contract manufacturer of iPhones, plans to start shipping the Model C to a customer across the Pacific by the end of the year. And if the Trump administration’s tariffs prove too thorny for long-term exports from Foxconn’s factory in Taiwan, Foxconn has a formidable Plan B.The company is rapidly refurbishing a former General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, as a U.S. production hub. The plant, which has capacity for hundreds of thousands of vehicles when fully tooled, could be pumping out vehicles as early as next year.

Source: Automotive News

Excessive Tech on display at the shanghai auto show

Imagine vehicles with holographic instrument panels floating in thin air; cars with see-through doors that allow drivers to see nearby pedestrians and cyclists more easily; biometric health monitoring using facial recognition and various health metrics; and less-costly massaging car seats. This is a small sample of the diverse technologies French auto supplier Forvia is showcasing at the Shanghai auto show beginning April 24.

Source: WardsAuto

National:

GM 6.2L V8 L87 Engine Recall Unrelated To Valve Lifter Issues Source: GM Authority

General Motors recently announced a wide-ranging safety recall involving the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, affecting nearly 600,000 vehicles in the United States. While the recall addresses two potentially serious mechanical defects that can lead to engine failure and a loss of propulsion, GM has confirmed that the recall is not related to the well-documented valve lifter problems experienced by some owners.

The recall identifies two specific manufacturing defects at the supplier level, namely potential contamination leading to rod bearing damage, and crankshafts that were either improperly finished or otherwise out-of-spec.

As covered previously, the new L87 engine recall impacts a wide array of full-size GM vehicles, including GM trucks and SUVs built between the 2021 and 2024 model years. In total, 597,630 units are impacted in the U.S.,with global recall figures approaching 721,000 units.

Used Vehicle Prices & Availability
Used-vehicle prices are on the rise as U.S. trade tariffs disrupt the overall automotive market. Prices increased in April at almost double the normal spring rate, according to vehicle data provider Carfax, which said used-vehicle sales more than doubled year-over-year. Used prices rose nationally and in all segments, Carfax found. Pickup trucks and luxury SUVs saw the biggest price increases in April, surging $660 and $600 on Carfax’s website, respectively, according to its data.

Source: Auto Dealer Today

Dealers should prepare for a shortage of affordable vehicles and manage inventory carefully as the impact of tariffs begins to hit new-car supply, David Greene, principal, industry and marketplace analytics at Cars.com, tells WardsAuto. Two learnings emerge from the Cars Commerce Q1 2025 Auto Market Review: “The most affordable vehicles come from our neighbors to the north and the south, and those are going to be under the most (price) pressure,” Greene says.

Source: WardsAuto

Volkswagen Keeps 2025 GTI for the U.S. After Deleting Standard Golf

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI continues its legacy as a quintessential hot hatch, blending performance, practicality and the best modern tech that the Volkswagen Group could muster for the enthusiast crowd. While the GTI, introduced 50 years ago in Germany, retains the core elements that have made it a favorite among devotees the world over, the 2025 model introduces several updates and changes that enhance its appeal. Under the hood, the U.S.-spec 2025 GTI maintains the turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 delivering 241 hp and 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque. This engine is exclusively paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, as the manual option has been discontinued for this model year. Oh, the pain.

Source: WardsAuto

Slate Auto Unveils Refreshingly Simple And Small Two-Seat Electric Truck Designed To Be Customized, Starting Under $27,500 – Jalopnik

After a brief but very buzzy teaser campaign, Jeff Bezos–backed startup Slate Auto just revealed its electric pickup at an event in Long Beach, California. The extremely simple, refreshingly small truck is designed to be a blank slate for owners to easily customize how they want — hence the Slate name — with a wide variety of more than 100 accessories available at launch. You’ll even be able to transform the two-seat truck into a five-seat SUV, and the rear-wheel-drive Slate will have a range of up to 240 miles. Slate says the truck will proudly be made in the U.S. “as part of a commitment to re-industrializing America,” and it’ll cost less than $20,000 with federal incentives factored in when it starts production late next year….

Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/1843154/slate-auto-electric-truck-suv-customizable-design-specs-details/

The press conference was terrible, which is refreshing. These people looked like deer in the headlights when it came to a TED talk. It was much better than I could do, so kudos to them for even standing up there and getting uncomfortable.  

Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto announces factory location for its $25,000 electric truck

By Benjamin Zhang

Personalized Slate EV pickups at its reveal event this month. Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Slate

Apr 29, 2025, 3:40 PM CT

• Slate Auto said it would assemble its $25,000 EV in Warsaw, Indiana.
• The 1.4 million-square-foot facility was occupied by a printing company until 2023.
• Slate says it expects to make its first customer deliveries near the end of 2026.

Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos-backed EV startup, confirmed to Business Insider on Tuesday that its $25,000 electric pickup would be assembled at a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana.

New bill would require speed-limiting tech on cars of frequent speeders  By WNYT

A new bill could limit how fast delinquent drivers can go in New York state.

The Stop Super Speeders Act would require speed-limiting devices on cars that get six or more red light tickets in a year, or any drivers who get more than 11 points on their license in a two-year span.

Those devices would prevent cars from going more than five miles per hour over the speed limit.

Three states have already passed similar legislation, and the National Safety Transportation Board has even recommended the policy.

Car Subscription Features Raise Your Risk of Government Surveillance, Police Records Show

Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features.

Automakers are increasingly pushing consumers to accept monthly and annual fees to unlock preinstalled safety and performance features, from hands-free driving systems and heated seats to cameras that can automatically record accident situations. But the additional levels of internet connectivity this subscription model requires can increase drivers’ exposure to government surveillance and the likelihood of being caught up in police investigations.

A cache of more than two dozen police records recently reviewed by WIRED show US law enforcement agencies regularly trained on how to take advantage of “connected cars,” with subscription-based features drastically increasing the amount of data that can be accessed during investigations. The records make clear that law enforcement’s knowledge of the surveillance far exceeds that of the public and reveal how corporate policies and technologies—not the law—determine driver privacy.

“Each manufacturer has their whole protocol on how the operating system in the vehicle utilizes telematics, mobile Wi-Fi, et cetera,” one law enforcement officer noted in a presentation prepared by the California State Highway Patrol (CHP) and reviewed by WIRED. The presentation, while undated, contains statistics on connected cars for the year 2024. “If the vehicle has an active subscription,” they add, “it does create more data.”

Local: 

Stellantis to Build New Truck in Idled Belvidere Plant  Jan. 22, 2025.  The recommitments follow a threatened national strike by the UAW. 

Tariffs or Not, Reopen Is Still On Schedule For 2027

Despite all the chaos surrounding the auto industry lately—tariff battles, production pauses, temporary layoffs—Stellantis says it’s still full speed ahead on reopening its Belvidere Assembly Plant in 2027.

That’s straight from the company, which told the Chicago Sun-Times this week that nothing has changed regarding the timeline agreed upon in last year’s UAW contract.

“The launch timing for the plant has not changed,” said Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson. “We’ll honor the timing indicated in the 2023 [UAW] Collective Bargaining Agreement, so still expecting to launch in 2027.”

Moment of Musk:

Atlantic Writer Speculates Elon Musk Could Have ‘100 or More’ Children: ‘Definitely More Than 14’

“Sanity” podcast co-host Alisyn Camerota says “there’s something very dystopian” about the billionaire’s family planning

Stephanie Kaloi  April 26, 2025 @ 10:23 AM

Elon Musk is known to have at least 14 children, but the real number could be much higher than that, The Atlantic’s Elizabeth Bruenig told Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs on the “Sanity” podcast in an interview 

“I believe he has 14 known children, but people who spoke to the Wall Street Journal for their exposé on his childbearing habits suggested the number is much higher,” she said. “I have heard people estimate [it] at 100 or more.” Bruenig is the author of the piece “The Harem of Elon Musk.”

Camerota jumped in and added that “the reason we don’t know about “all these other children and women is because he makes his baby mamas sign NDAs and he’s very lawyered up and he’s litigious and he does suit them if they speak” — and Musk pays the mothers of his children a lot of money to stay silent.

St. Clair reportedly received $15 million and a $ 100,000-a-month living stipend to keep news of the birth of the pair’s baby quiet, Bruenig added.

Cars of the Weak  

Eric:

*** CARFAX GAURANTEED! 75 SERVICE RECORDS! LEATHER! COLD AC! FLORIDA VEHICLE! WARRANTY AVAILABLE! *** Reliability and performance come together with dependability and style in this 2002 Lexus IS300 sedan. This example is extremely clean inside and out and very well maintained by it’s previous owner with 75 documented service records. Equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine, Remote Entry, Power Windows, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Leather, Moonroof, Cruise Control, Dual Power Seats, Climate Control, Rear AC, Traction Control, 17 inch Alloys with Like New Tires. Only $9,995 Cash!

236,160 Miles

Daryl:

1948 Kaiser Custom – $8950
Source: Facebook Marketplace

Original 6 cylinder flathead motor – 3 speed manual transmission with overdrive – original interior.

Located in Emden, IL

 

The post Episode 101 – A New Slate appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is celebrating 100 episodes!

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• We have some special guests
• You’ve heard their names for 100 episodes…  now, meet the Throwin’ Wrenches better halves.
• God help us!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_100_final.mp3

Yes, you read that correctly. After 100 episodes of automotive news, project car disasters, and countless hours in the garage, we decided to celebrate our centennial episode of “Throwin’ Wrenches” in style—by inviting the real MVPs onto the show.

Angela Stahl and Sarah Scott join us for a candid conversation about what it’s really like to be married to car enthusiasts who can’t seem to stop bringing home “just one more car” or participating in “just one more road rally.” From their favorite automotive picks to eye-rolling stories about our respective histories of vehicular obsessions, this episode pulls back the curtain on the home lives of your podcast hosts.

Highlights

• Angela and Sarah reveal their actual favorite cars (not just the ones they tolerate in the driveway.)
• Behind-the-scenes stories from car adventures that we’ve never shared on air
• The wives’ unfiltered take on living with perpetual internet orders
• Global listener feedback with fantastic suggestions for future segments

We’re incredibly grateful to Angela and Sarah for their good humor, patience, and unwavering support as we’ve built this podcast from the ground-up over the years. Their willingness to put up with oil-stained laundry, parts on the kitchen table, and “quick trips” to car shows that turn into weekend adventures deserves more thanks than we can express.

We would also like to thank our listeners and Patreon family for the continued support. We love hearing from you, and apprecaite all you’ve done to help us keep things rolling down the highway.

Here’s to the next 100 episodes!

Listen to the full episode now on your favorite podcast platform.

The post EP 100: Our Better Halves Take the Wheel appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

(With a title like that, you probably expect that we are looking for money!!!  No.  We are very thrifty and can still push out shows on a budget!)

Yes, a new show IS coming soon… But first, we need your input!  Help us make episode 100! Daryl and Eric will record episode 100 next week, but in the meantime, enjoy this “Call-In” show format as we beg our listeners to participate.

Oh, and we talk about movies and falling down holes of YouTube watching. It’s a preshow and a plea show all in one.

Thanks for being the best listeners in the business. But, please accept this invitation to participate.  Please send us some comments or feedback about our last 100 eps.

What did you love? What sucked? Best Guest? Most awkward moment with a guest? Best segment? What segment should we bring back? D0 you have a Car of the Weak picked out and want to share? Did we have a terrible Car of the Weak at some point, and you want to vent?

We need to hear it! Send an email to [email protected] and we WILL be reading it on the air!

Eric and Daryl

http://throwinwrenches.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TW-100-PLEA-SHOW.mp3

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Welcome to the automotive podcast that knows Cars and Coffee

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tw_99.mp3

This week, we’re shifting gears to spotlight the community builders who make Central Illinois car culture thrive!  We welcome Preston Lutton and Jacob Walker, the driving forces behind Cental Illinois Cars & Coffee.

Welcome Preston Lutton and Jacob Walker!

We discuss their passion for bringing car enthusiasts together and the effort that goes into each monthly meetup. We also hear about their personal journeys and get an exclusive preview of what’s coming for Cars & Coffee in 2025.

Eric also takes us on a surprising detour through Mexico’s streets, where Chinese automotive brands like Chery, VinFast, and BYD are making unexpected inroads, while Daryl updates us on his ongoing adventures with his Plymouth Fury, and Cadillac projects, and how a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 slipped through his hands.

Whether you’re a regular at Cars & Coffee events or curious about joining the community, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who turn a simple concept—cars and coffee—into unforgettable gatherings.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Our Sponsors

Special thanks to our sponsor, Fort’s Toyota for their ongoing support of this show.

 

 

The post Episode 99 – Central Illinois Cars & Coffee appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/TW_98.mp3

 

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is sending you an audio Valentine.

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

• Love is in the air, unless you drive a Nissan.

• Mazda has a record year.

• Got cargo?  Rivian has you covered!

Thanks for listening. To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

Sponsors

Special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin for their ongoing support of our podcast. If you’re in the market for a new or used Toyota, or service, please give them a try!

We’d also like to thank our dedicated Patreon supporters and iTunes Premium supporters for helping to make this program possible.

World News

Nissan to Reject Honda Deal to Create World’s No. 3 Automaker

Source: Wall Street Journal

Nissan’s board has determined that Honda’s terms for a combination of the two automakers are unacceptable, people familiar with the matter said, endangering a merger plan designed to shore up Nissan’s faltering business. In a statement, Nissan said no decision had been reached but one option under discussion was scrapping its December agreement with Honda to aim for a merger. Both automakers said talks were continuing and they aimed to announce their direction in mid-February.  

Source: The Wall Street Journal

National News

US Moves to Repeal Biden Administration Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards

Source: Reuters

 New U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed an order on Tuesday directing U.S. regulators to rescind landmark fuel economy standards issued under President Joe Biden that aimed to drastically reduce fuel use for cars and trucks.

In a memo, Duffy directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reconsider the 2022 model year through 2031 model years for cars and trucks.

The agency in June said it would hike Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements to about 50.4 miles per gallon (4.67 liters per 100 km) by 2031 from 39.1 mpg currently for light-duty vehicles.

Duffy, who took office late Tuesday, also directed NHTSA to reconsider rules for heavy duty pickup trucks and vans through 2035.

“Artificially high fuel economy standards designed to meet non-statutory policy goals, such as those NHTSA has promulgated in recent years, impose large costs that render many vehicle models unaffordable for the average American family,” Duffy’s memo said. “They also put coercive pressure on automakers to phase out production of various models of popular (internal combustion engine) vehicles.”

Mazda Achieved Record Growth Last Year with Fewer Dealers

Source: Automotive News

Increased throughput across Mazda’s dealer network helped the Japanese automaker achieve its highest sales in nearly four decades. “Mazda is focused on pushing more sales through the current dealerships rather than trying to add on more dealers for growth,” Rob Sickel, chairman of the Mazda National Dealer Advisory Council, told Automotive News after the automaker held a virtual franchise meeting on Jan. 30. Mazda has 545 dealers in its network. In 2024, they sold an average of 669 vehicles, up from 625 in 2023. Sickel said 21 Mazda dealers topped sales of 2,000 vehicles last year.

Those Super Bowl Ads Won’t Pay For Themselves:
Insurance Rates Are Up!

Source:Auto Dealer Today

Car insurance rates are expected to continue to rise this year, though at a slower pace. Rates climbed 15% across the country last year and have jumped a cumulative 42% since 2022, according to insurance comparison-shopping website Insurify. 

Insurify forecasts a 5% rate increase this year to a national average full-coverage rate of $2,435 by year-end.

 

South Carolina Blocks Scout Motors’ Direct Sales Despite $1.3B Incentive

Source: CBT News

Despite South Carolina granting Scout Motors $1.3 billion in incentives to build its $2 billion EV plant in Blythewood, state residents won’t be able to buy the company’s vehicles when they hit the market in 2027. Due to state laws prohibiting direct sales, even the 4,000 workers employed at the facility will have to go out of state to purchase a Scout EV.

Scout, owned by Volkswagen, has opted for a direct-to-consumer sales model, similar to Tesla and Lucid, aiming to provide a more transparent and cost-effective buying process. However, South Carolina is among the nearly 20 states that mandate vehicles to be sold exclusively through dealerships. Other states with similar restrictions include Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Kansas, while North Carolina allows direct sales.

Just So Everyone’s Clear: Scout And Rivian Are Not The Same

Source: InsideEVs.com

What an age of miracles we find ourselves in. The internet is the greatest tool for disseminating information that humanity has ever created, but it also allows anybody to just instantly broadcast whatever is on their mind at any given moment, regardless of how true it is or not. That does lead to the occasional bit of misinformation that news outlets like InsideEVs must correct.

Since the recent debut of two new electric concepts from Scout Motors, the American truck and SUV brand revived by the Volkswagen Group, we have noticed more than a few comparisons drawn to another EV truck company: Rivian.

The comparisons are fair; Scout’s two concept vehicles bear a strong resemblance to Rivian’s first two vehicles, the R1T truck and R1S SUV. And the lines between the two brands are further blurred by the fact that the Volkswagen Group and Rivian have recently started working together.
<snip>

While Scout and Rivian have similar designs and will probably compete for the same customer, and Scout will use the new electrical architecture that VW is co-developing with Rivian, the two vehicles and brands are not the same. They do not use the same platform, are built (or rather, will be built) in different places and should have considerably different price tags.

Auto Industry Bracing for Further Disruption in 2025, Experts Say

Source: Detroit Free Press

Tariff threats, affordability issues and electric vehicle adoption hurdles are among the many dark storm clouds blocking projections of the 2025 auto industry landscape. 

Analysts, experts and professionals from the auto industry spoke out about their concerns Wednesday at the 31st Annual Automotive Symposium hosted at the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on Wednesday.

Some key takeaways from the event include: 

• Affordability remains a key concern, particularly as the average monthly payment for vehicles ticked up above $750, mostly from interest. 
• The proliferation of Chinese vehicle brands — such as BYD Auto — may depend more on federal policy decisions than consumer demand.
• U.S. light vehicle sales and production are still recovering from COVID-19 disruption.

Kristin Dziczek, policy adviser for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, told guests and assorted news media that everything is changing when it comes to the auto industry — the vehicles sold and what fuels them; the infrastructure needed to support those new fuel sources; the technologies those products use; and how automakers produce them. The potential for disruption is absolute, but really, what else is new?

“What never changes is people need a car,” Dziczek said. “The U.S. is a large country.”

Local News

Photo Credit: Rivian

You Can Buy Rivian’s Van, But Don’t Come A Knockin’ On RIVN, Analyst Warns

Source: Investor’s Business Daily

Rivian (RIVN) has made its all-electric commercial van available for sale to the general public after years of it being only available to Amazon.com (AMZN).

Late Wednesday, the EV startup officially made the Rivian commercial van available with a starting price of $79,900 with deliveries slated to begin in April 2025. There are two variants, a 500 series and a 700 series, with both getting around 160 miles of range.

Rivian signed an agreement with Amazon in 2019 to design and develop electric commercial delivery vans and has prioritized production for Amazon since then. The online marketplace ordered 100,000 of Rivian’s electric vans and said in December 2024 it had 20,000 Rivian electric vans in its delivery fleet.

Amazon currently has a 15.6% stake in Rivian, according to FactSet. However, Amazon is also looking elsewhere to electrify its fleet.

However, Rivian in November 2023 amended its agreement with Amazon to allow the EV startup to sell commercial vans to any other commercial customers. At the end of the third-quarter, Rivian said it expected Amazon to increase its delivery order of vans in Q4 and announced it had launched the Rivian Commercial Van platform for the commercial market.

Meanwhile, Bernstein on Jan. 28 initiated coverage of Rivian with an underperform rating and a 6.10 price target, 52% below the current trading level.

The firm believes Rivian has built a brand based on adventure and has the resources to scale it, but it faces slower market growth, rising competition and limits to the segments its brand can address.

Bernstein analysts wrote that Rivian can succeed in its plan to reach more than 500,000 units by 2030, but that financial success for shareholders is not a given and that Rivian’s breakeven is “years away” and the company is facing “mounting risks.”

The Ferrari Blacklist: What It Is And How To Avoid Getting Your Name On It  

Source: CarBuzz

You’ve probably heard of the so-called Ferrari blacklist, which is essentially a list of individuals the Italian automaker won’t sell cars to. Why does the list even exist? Well, Ferrari and its Prancing Horse logo have a carefully curated reputation, and it remains one of the most exclusive brands out there.

You may argue that a car company has no right to tell you what to do with an expensive car you paid for, but it works. Ferrari is one of the most valuable car brands in the world, and most of its vehicles can be found in the garages of any avid car collector. You may own the car, but Ferrari owns the brand, and it will go to great lengths to protect it from people like Justin Bieber.

Cars of the Weak  

 

Eric: 1969 Fiat Classic 500 – $16,250

(Best Write-up Award-Winner) 

Features

• Driven 4,000 miles
• Manual transmission
• Exterior color: Red · Interior color: Black
• Fuel type: Petrol

Seller’s Description:

Divorced? Single? Lonely? Confidence taken a hit? 

Never fear, help is here! Cancel that Bumble account, put away those ED pills and grab this once-in-a blue-moon opportunity for permanent MoJo.

In fact, once finished digesting this advert, I suggest hitting a furniture store and acquiring a new bed. You can transport it home in your size-substitution pickup and prepare to embrace your new life.

Here in sunny Broad Ripple (46220), I offer you this fine 1969 Classic Fiat 500. Imported by myself from Naples (Italy, not Florida), this has been my (occasional) daily driver, and I am hoarse from shouting ‘I have a girlfriend’.

Powered by an eager 495cc, delivered to the rear (12”) wheel via an agricultural (it’s a 1969) 4 speed gearbox, fun and attention are a guarantee.

Proud in Ferrari Red with a black interior, the bodywork is in perfect shape. Drives as smooth as your new girlfriends panties.

Like a clown looking for a circus, I have decided, reluctantly to part with it.

If it is listed, it is available. ‘Is it available?’ will be ignored. 

Low ballers will be forwarded to the MOJO Gods and you will forever sleep alone

Daryl: 1957 Oldsmobile 88 Hardtop – $17,900

Source: ClassicCars.com/

Seller’s Description

The 88 is a full-size car that Oldsmobile produced from 1949 until 1999 and was an image leader for GM when first introduced. It was one of the best performing vehicles on the market at the time due to its relatively small sized, lightweight, high compression V8 engine whose performance enabled the Olds 88 to be considered the first muscle car by some even though the title is disputed.

Specific to the 1957 model year is the Golden Rocket 88 whose only badging was 88’s under each taillight. It was equipped with a 371ci Rocket V8 rated at 277hp. Styling highlights were more evolutionary than radical, with a three-piece rear window design marketed as the “Twin-Strut Rear Window.” This particular example is a two-family car that the original owner traded for a new vehicle in 1977. The original owner left his name & number for the 2nd owner and they became life-long family friends shortly after.

In the early 80’s the 2nd owner repainted it in its original color of Banff Blue. The 2nd owner sold it back to the original owner (and his son) in 1987. The original owner gifted the car to his son in 2016 and his son has been the sole owner since. At just over 100,000 miles the current owner had the original Rocket V8 and 4 speed Jetaway auto transmission rebuilt and both run incredibly.

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We’re close to our 100th episode, so stay tuned for a special celebration.

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