Afleveringen
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In this final episode of "Live from AutoTech Detroit," Gulnaaz Afzal, Senior Autonomy Systems Integration Engineer at Rivian, joined me to talk about what it really takes to get from cool AV demos to safe, scalable, production-ready autonomy. While playing Pong on the worldâs smallest Atari (yes, really), Gulnaaz explains why reliability beats raw capability, why âproduction readyâ is usually misunderstood, and how silent sensor degradation can turn into a sixâmonth forensic nightmare if youâre not paying attention. Gulnaaz also explains why higher levels of autonomy does not equal âI get to scroll my phone now,â how true production readiness means designing for aging sensors, messy environments, and constant software updates, why the last 10% is less about flashy AI and more about catching subtle failures early. If you care about ADAS, autonomy levels, fleet uptime, and honest storytelling about where the autonomous vehicle industry actually is, this oneâs a three-course meal. Donât miss it!
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Watch on YouTube: "Playing Pong on the World's Smallest Atari"
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Jason Marks, CEO of Telo Trucks, joins the show to unpack why the MT1 is essentially a Toyota Tacoma in a Mini Cooper footprint and why that matters for cities, fleets, and the future of EV pickups. We get into the real pain points of driving and parking trucks in dense urban cores, how Japanese Kei trucks inspired Teloâs size, and why half of their paid reservations are from commercial customers who are desperate for something smaller, safer, and smarter. Jason also explains how starting from a blank sheet of paper, plus years in automotive safety and his coâfounderâs battery chops, led to a physics-first approach: engineering a 5âstar crash structure in just 14 inches of front crush, then backing into the entire vehicle layout. He also reveals how feedback from his 5,000+ Discord community pushed Telo to an 800âvolt-capable split pack, aiming to take full advantage of highâpower DC fast chargers. Then, we close with his spiciest take on whatâs fundamentally broken about todayâs full-size EV pickups: the runaway weight spiral thatâs killing efficiency, jacking up costs, and eroding Americaâs global competitiveness. Donât sleep on this episode!
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Learn more about Telo Trucks
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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We accidentally got our schedules crossed⊠and ended up with one of the spiciest short episodes of the season. Recorded live on the expo floor at AutoTech Detroit, this rapid-fire convo with Steve Bell, Chief Analyst Automotive Connectivity at Omdia is basically a masterclass crammed into a coffee break. In roughly 8 minutes, Steve explains why working in the auto industry in 2026 feels a lot like being there in 1908, how the hardware game is rapidly becoming a software game, and why EVs and first-principles engineering have completely blown up the old rulebook. He breaks down the ticking time bomb of software âveneersâ on legacy vehicle architectures and what happens when cellular networks sunset while hundreds of millions of cars still depend on over-the-air (OTA) updates. Steve also lays out how this shift from hardware to software is set to reshape the industrial economy for the next 50 years. Itâs punchy, itâs nerdy, and itâs a wake-up call. Perfect if you want big picture clarity on where automotive is headed and you only have a few minutes to listen!
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This episode is sponsored by AutoTech by Informa. AutoTech is the annual gathering point for more than 3,000 automotive industry leaders who come together for three days of immersive B2B networking, meaningful connections, and high-impact discussions. Guided by an Industry Advisory Board, the program features carefully curated sessions that tackle real-world challenges and spark breakthrough innovation. Dedicated to advancing the AutoTech ecosystem, the event also offers exclusive matchmaking services and dynamic exhibitions and showcases, giving attendees direct access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Learn more at autotechevents.com
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Connect with Steve Bell on LinkedIn
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The EV market isnât collapsing, itâs recalibrating. In this episode, Iâm live at AutoTech Detroit while Lindsay VanHulle, Deputy Editor at Automotive News, calls in remotely to break down why this so-called "EV retreat" is actually a strategic pivot. Lindsay digs into how the end of the $7,500 tax credit scrambled U.S. EV demand, why automakers are reshuffling their lineups instead of abandoning EVs, and how Ford and GM are using profitable trucks and SUVs to bankroll an electric future. Youâll also hear how hybrids and more affordable midsize EVs are becoming the real volume play, why Toyotaâs âslow and steadyâ approach suddenly looks (good?), and what the next wave of EVs could bring with better batteries, lower costs, and cars actually built for how people drive in the real world. Hit play if you want the real story on where EVs go next, beyond the headlines and comment-section hot takes.
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Read Lindsay's full article in Automotive News: Why some automakers are launching new EVs in 2026 as others pull back
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Heated seat subscriptions (aka âtoasty bunsâ), the Little Tikes EV charging station and a Cary Grantâlevel Bear photoshoot? Yes, this episode covers ALL the important topics in automotive. Recorded live at AutoTech Detroit, Edward Wilford, Senior Research Director at Omdia Automotive is my guest today to talk about the leap from software defined vehicles (SDV) to AI-defined vehicles (AIDV), and why some automakers are sprinting while others are still tying their shoes. Youâll hear whoâs winning at SDV and AIDV and why Mercedes-Benz just snagged AI Automaker of the Year, a clear, human explanation of SDV vs AIDV, and the business logic behind subscriptions from seat heaters to features you didnât know youâd pay for. Edward also explains how AI can manage range, charging, and comfort based on your real-life habits, why mapping companies may become the most powerful players you never see on the window sticker, and how automakers are split between âeverything-in-the-car OSâ and bring-your-own-smartphone minimalism. Press play if youâre wondering where the brains of your next car are headed, and who actually makes money on this shi---- shift. Donât miss the video for this one, linked below!
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YouTube video for this episode: "Rapid Fire Questions with Edward"
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Automotive News Europe: Automakers face unbridgeable gap as AI-defined vehicles expose software readiness divide
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This episode is sponsored by AutoTech by Informa. AutoTech is the annual gathering point for more than 3,000 automotive industry leaders who come together for three days of immersive B2B networking, meaningful connections, and high-impact discussions. Guided by an Industry Advisory Board, the program features carefully curated sessions that tackle real-world challenges and spark breakthrough innovation. Dedicated to advancing the AutoTech ecosystem, the event also offers exclusive matchmaking services and dynamic exhibitions and showcases, giving attendees direct access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Learn more at autotechevents.com
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Connect with Edward on LinkedIn
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Whatâs worse: hitting a speed bump with a full cup of coffee⊠or signing up for a $1,000/month car payment? Both are bad, but that $1K car note stings a whole lot more. Good thing weâve got Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian Automotive, back on the show today to help us make sense of it all. Maybe not the coffee part but definitely the finance part! In this episode, Melinda and I break down Experian's latest State of the Automotive Finance Market report for Q1 2026. We get into why nearly 1 in 5 new vehicle loans now come with a $1,000+ monthly payment, and why 74% of those big payments arenât for luxury badges but for CUVs, SUVs, and especially pickup trucks. We talk about how over a third of new loans now stretch past six years and what that does to your equity when you go back to the dealership, plus how average loan amounts have climbed more than $2,150 year over year and how destination fees and bigger vehicles have pushed payments higher. Then we run an EV vs. hybrid reality check and dig into why EV financing dropped from nearly 11% to just over 6% of new vehicle financing, how tax credits fueled the EV surge and what happened when that boost faded, why hybrids are on fire while BEVs decelerate, and why non-luxury EVs can still deliver some of the lowest monthly payments on the market.
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đ Want the full story in data form? We pulled the highlights, but youâll want the details:
Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market Report: Q1 2026Experian Automotive's exclusive quarterly report on the latest trends and analysis of the U.S. automotive finance market, presented by Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian.
This quarterâs report highlights several key trends shaping the automotive finance landscape:
Used financing share increased while overall volumes declined.Growth shifted toward non-prime segments.Banks and finance companies continued gaining share.Loan amounts, payments, and terms increased.Leasing declined year-over-year.Refinance activity grew, with average monthly savings.Delinquencies remained elevated.Download here
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Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data
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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here
https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone
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Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn
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What do a Jenga tower, seamless tolling, and a sub 5-second 0â60 Volvo have in common? ApparentlyâŠa lot. In this episode, I sat down with Jim Nichols, VP, Head of Product Technology and Consumer Offer at Volvo Cars, live from AutoTech for a fast-paced convo that stacks real world insights you wonât hear anywhere else. Youâll hear, âJenga with Jim:â a rapid-fire warmup game where we find out his first car, his favorite Volvo, and the best career advice heâs ever gotten, why the new Volvo EX60 is âa fantastic vehicle that happens to be an EVâ and how itâs lining up against the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y. We also talked about how Volvo is using software to shave charging time from ~18 minutes down to 16 minutes (10â80% SOC) without changing the hardware, the story behind the discontinuation of the EX30 in the U.S. and a sneak peek at Tollsy; the tolling solution that ditches windshield transmitters, taps into the carâs telematics, and somehow makes tolling agencies, automakers, and drivers all happy at the same time. Hit play and find out why the EX60 might be Volvoâs most impressive flex yet!
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Watch the "Jenga with Jim" segment on YouTube
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China is quickly becoming the auto industryâs final boss, and Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, is here to explain why everyone else in the world is still trying to play catch up. In this episode, we break down: The Trump-Xi Summit which had a huge red carpet but tiny outcomes for autos, BYDâs global glowâup: from âcheap and cheerfulâ to Daniel Craig, a black lab puppy, and Godâs Eye ADAS. Even James Bond now drives a BYD. And then we visit the whimsical (and totally fictional) "Joint Venture Land" with Stellantis and Dongfeng. Michael calls it a one-way ticket into oblivion, "sleeping in the same bed, dreaming different dreams." And finally, your brain might explode when you hear this one but: no, youâre not getting a $10K BYD in the U.S. because China wants European style profits, not bargain bin margins. If you think this is just about cheap Chinese EVs, think again. This is a geopolitical street fight and Joint Venture Land might be the scariest theme park of 2026. Don't miss this episode!
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Join me LIVE at AutoTech Detroit on June 3rd and 4th for even more great conversations with the best minds in automotive.
Oh, and did I mention I'm bringing EV4E merch?!
Go here to register and use code "EVS20" for 20% off your registration at checkout:
https://autotechevents.com/home/passes-prices/
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"Everything Is Changing" Denza commercial featuring Daniel Craig
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Connect with Michael Dunne on X | LinkedIn | Substack
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Is this an EV story, a China story, or an âAmerica forgot how to build affordable carsâ story? My guest today, Patrick George, Detroit Bureau Chief at The Wall Street Journal says itâs all of the above. On this episode, Patrick unpacks the latest twists and turns in the EV arms race, the China factor, and why US automakers are stuck selling $70k trucks while BYD is out here dropping tech-packed EVs for the price of a used Corolla. From El Paso, Texas as Americaâs unofficial Chinese EV showroom to Volkswagen handing its EV homework to Chinese partners, Patrick pulls back the curtain on what's actually happening and why. Youâll hear how Chinese automakers have mastered EVs using the Westâs own playbook and then leveled it up, why US policy âwhiplashâ has automakers whipsawed between EV mandates and gas-powered reality, what everyday buyers really want (hint: not a $50k ârough draftâ EV) and why $20k Chinese EVs are the elephant at the border. If you work in auto and think you âkind ofâ understand whatâs happeningâŠyou probably donât. This episode is your wake-up call.
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Read the full WSJ article by Ryan Felton here, "The U.S. Wants to Ban Chinaâs High-Tech Cars, but Theyâre Already Here in El Paso"
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/chinese-cars-byd-geely-u-s-mexico-be0dea28?st=S1KY5S&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
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Car shoppers are now voiceâdictating their way to dealerships at 10pm from the couch. If your AI bouncer is guarding bad data, youâre losing deals before they ever hit your showroom. In this episode, Iâm at the Used Car Summit in Miami with Experian Automotiveâs Michael Kraut, VP of Advertising Data Solutions and Kirsten Von Busch, Director of Product Marketing to talk about how voice search and AI are now becoming the new âbouncer at the doorâ for dealers. This time, we dug into: why half-baked inventory listings are a fast track to losing AIâdriven shoppers, how Experianâs new agentic AI, âVinny,â helps consumers decode vehicle history reports without feeling dumb, whether dealers should optimize for AI answers, SEO, or both and if voiceâfirst shoppers might actually be better, more informed leads. If AI is the new front door to your dealership then this episode is your reminder: if the dataâs wrong, the deal is gone! Also, be sure to listen until the end to hear our "Yes / No paddle game" where Michael and Kirsten answer a set of rapid fire questions that'll make you wanna check your ChatGPT history (like right now).
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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here
https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone
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Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn
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Before you buy a used EV, donât trust, âit charges fineâ as an answer. Scott Lear, President of Battery4Life, joined me in Miami at the Used Car Summit last month to unpack the realities of used EV ownership and why your battery is the single most important part of the deal. Scott explains how Battery4Life flips traditional service contracts on their head with VIN-specific coverage and lifetime protection on both the high-voltage pack and 12V battery. Youâll also hear why battery degradation rarely happens âslowly and gently,â what the infamous Tesla âred screen of deathâ really means for your wallet, and how Scottâs team uses state-of-health reports and cell balance data to decide which batteries theyâll cover for life. He also shares a simple, practical checklist for anyone considering a used EV, plus a candid story about how a bad Level 2 charger install nearly âblew upâ a customerâs car. Whether youâre an auto exec, dealer, or first-time EV shopper, this episode will help you buy smarter, protect your battery, and avoid any surprises down the road!
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This episode is sponsored by Battery4Life (B4L). For the first time in battery retailing, B4L offers automotive dealerships and other organizations the ability to sell a lifetime battery contract to consumers. Coverage is available on Gas, Hybrid and Electric vehicles for life. Dealers: learn more at https://www.1battery4life.com/
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Connect with Scott Lear on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]
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Friend of the show Elizabeth Krear, President & CEO of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), is back again (for a third time!) to unpack why working in the auto industry in 2026 feels a lot like joining the circus, plus a smorgasbord of other hot topics. In this episode, Elizabeth and I cover how tariffs and a reshuffled USMCA landscape are squeezing margins for automakers, the reality behind why âcars are so expensive nowâ vs. what prices look like in real 10âyear dollars, the rise of the Kâshaped auto economy (SUVs and trucks for the haves and shrinking options for entryâlevel buyers), why hybrids are having a slowâburn glowâup while full BEVs settle into a 5â6% groove, and finally, how Chinaâs EV machine and North American policy choices are one big competitive showdown. Plus, Elizabeth previews CARâs Management Briefing Seminars where the industry will dig deep into affordability, the EV transition, China, supplyâchain resilience, and policy. If youâve ever wondered how tariffs, geopolitics, and battery materials end up in your monthly payment, this oneâs for you.
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CAR Management Briefing Seminars | June 15-16, 2026 | American Center for Mobility & Marriot Eagle Crest Resort | Ypsilanti, MI
For over six decades, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) has hosted the industryâs most essential retreat. In 2026, experience a reimagined, two-day experience where policy, technology, and economic innovation intersect.
Learn more here: https://www.cargroup.org/mbs/
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Three usedâEV pros walk into an industry conference⊠and immediately start competing on whoâs seen the most insane battery quote. In today's episode, live from the Used Car Summit in Miami, we've got a fun episode for you with Chip Geppi, Owner of Hybrid and Electric Car Sales in Nashville, Scott Lear, Founder of Battery4Life, and Gary Pretzfeld Co-Owner of AutoTrust USA in Hollywood, Florida. During this episode you'll hear a range (forgive the pun) of stories starting with a $43,000 Nissan Leaf undercarriage disaster, a flooded Tesla battery pack and a McLaren EV that needed engineers flown in from Europe. We also talked about how customer questions have evolved because range anxiety is out, but battery longevity and reliability are in. Chip explains why EVâfocused dealers talk stateâofâhealth, not just EPA range, and how battery warranties can be a sales superpower, boosting used EV sales by ~10% and giving buyers the one thing they actually want, peace of mind. Gary also shares some real world buyer stories featuring a Vermont Tesla owner furious she couldnât get home, until basic math, freezing temps, and preconditioning explained everything. If youâve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of the used EV market and how much a bad day with a battery can actually cost, this episode is your frontârow seat.
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This episode is sponsored by Battery4Life (B4L). For the first time in battery retailing, B4L offers automotive dealerships and other organizations the ability to sell a lifetime battery contract to consumers. Coverage is available on Gas, Hybrid and Electric vehicles for life. Dealers: learn more at https://www.1battery4life.com/
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Connect with Scott Lear on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]
Connect with Chip Geppi on LinkedIn
Connect with Gary Pretzfeld on LinkedIn
________________________________
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Live from the Used Car Summit in Miami, Kirsten Von Busch, Director of Product Marketing at Experian Automotive, is back on the show today to unpack whatâs really happening on Americaâs roads (and in consumersâ heads). More specifically, we're taking a close look at how evolving consumer behavior and market trends are influencing new and used vehicle buying in the U.S. with Experianâs Q4 2025 Automotive Consumer Trends Report as our guide. SUVs are still the undisputed heavyweight champions, now grabbing over 60% of new retail sales, while traditional cars quietly lose ground. On the electrification front, the headlines may scream âEV slowdown,â but the data says otherwise: Tesla still ties for fourth overall, and the real surprise hero is the Toyota Camry Hybrid, now the top dog in electrified registrations over the last 12 months. Alternative fuel vehicles have climbed to nearly 39% of new retail registrations, as shoppers juggle gas-price pain, range anxiety, and total cost of ownership. On the marketing side, itâs a generational split-screen: Boomers buying new cars want you in their inbox while Gen Z used-car shoppers live on mobile, online, and new media like voice AI. Kirstenâs message to dealers: âKnow your buyer, know what you're selling.â A used EV shopper in LA is not the same as a used truck shopper in Texas. Segment, model, and geography all demand tailored targeting. And last but not least, this episode wraps with an aggressive âYes, No" paddle game that was interrupted by the conference xylophone and somehow covers if Bear needs a sibling and whether or not millennials over-index for used cars. Don't miss this trends report episode with Experian because this one feels more like a Miami joyride instead of homework.
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This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more here
https://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone
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Here's the link to Experianâs Q4 2025 Automotive Consumer Trends Report
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Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn
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If you like your auto news with a side of legal intrigue, this oneâs for you. Today, Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) is back on the show *again* to talk lawsuits, EV reversals, and why Scoutâs reservation list might be more complicated than it looks. First up, a federal court allows CNCDAâs lawsuit move forward, challenging Scoutâs direct-to-consumer reservation model and pushing for sales through franchise dealers instead. Scoutâs first vehicles are now pushed to 2028, but tens of thousands of consumers have already put down deposits for vehicles that arenât here yet and might not be sold the way the law intended. Next, Sony Honda Mobility rethinks its electrification strategy, putting the brakes on the infamous Afeela while CNCDAâs lawsuit is still active. And finally, we discussed how Rivian successfully negotiated with dealers to withdraw opposition in Washington. Brian breaks down why some states let Tesla and Rivian sell directly while others donât, and why dealers say the 125-year-old franchise system still protects local jobs, service, and competition. Ready for more? Press play for a continuation of all the legal drama in the EV world.
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Bear wants you to support his snack addiction, I mean, this show.
Shop all merch here!
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Christian Spencer, Senior Manager of Marketability at Nissan Technical Center North America joins the show today to tell us exactly what happens when you mash up EV-style performance with hybrid convenience. Nissan calls it eâPOWER, and the all-new 2027 Rogue Hybrid is bringing it to U.S. roads later this year. Driven exclusively by dual electric motors (eliminating the need for a transmission) the gasoline engine serves as a generator and provides convenient refueling. Press play on this episode to get the inside scoop on how the Rogue Hybrid delivers instant, shift-free acceleration with no transmission, why the gas engine is basically just the batteryâs personal assistant, the quiet, refined, EV-like drive, and how it stacks up against hybrid heavyweights like Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRâV. If you love new product reveals and the feeling of your hair getting blown back on acceleration, this oneâs for you.
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What is Nissan e-POWER? While most hybrid-electric vehicles in the U.S. use a parallel hybrid system, Nissan e-POWER is a next-generation series hybrid. That means two electric motors power the wheels directly, delivering instantaneous torque and quick, smooth acceleration. Meanwhile, a gasoline engine serves as a generator for the battery and motors, providing the convenient refueling that customers equate with internal-combustion vehicles. Drivers refuel just like a typical gas-powered car, there is no plug. In city and suburban driving, the gasoline engine runs infrequently, because speeds are lower and battery demand is modest. On highways or under heavy load, the engine runs more often to maintain battery charge and supply sustained electrical power. The lithium-ion battery stores energy captured through regenerative braking and from the engine, which is connected to a generator instead of a transmission. The third-generation hybrid system in the all-new Rogue, tuned for the North American market, can effectively meet the demands of a wide variety of driving environments.
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Learn more about Nissan's Third Generation of e-POWER here.
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY/ARCHIVE/E_POWER_GEN3/
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Shop all EV4E merch here!
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Connect with Elena:
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Working in the auto industry in 2026 is either âa marathonâ or âlike fracturing a couple ribsâ and this episode lives right at that intersection of never ending hustle and pain tolerance. Jimmy Douglas, CEO of Plug, a used EV marketplace built exclusively for electric vehicles and John Possumato CEO of DriveItAway, join the show today to talk about the coming tidal wave of offâlease EVs (about 1.1 million over the next three years) and why it's the buying opportunity of the decade. With gas prices going off the rails, consumers are finally doing the math: itâs not just about the monthly car payment, itâs about the monthly fuel bill, and EVs are suddenly looking... good? We unpacked why used EVs are the best arbitrage on the planet: often 40â50% depreciated while barely 10% into their useful life, how flexible leases are pulling people with shaky credit and no down payment into reliable transportation, instead of dumping them into 200,000 mile gas beaters, the huge gap between dealers who actively lean into EVs (28âday turns, healthy margins, happy customers) and those who get one on trade every few months and let it collect dust while sales staff canât explain regenerative braking and how OEMs like Tesla and others have built powerful preâowned pipelines and reconditioning networks behind the scenes. Bottom line: used EVs arenât a consolation prize. Theyâre the cheat code for dealers, for consumers, and for an industry trying to survive the most chaotic, opportunityâpacked decade itâs ever seen.
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This episode is sponsored by DriveItAway. If youâre a franchise dealer, you can now launch a profitable (and scalable) micro-lease to own program with zero upfront costs, to transform your unsold inventory into monthly revenue, effortlessly. And if you want to support DriveItAwayâs mission directly, check out their stock on the OTC markets, "DWAY." Learn more at driveitway.com/dealers
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Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn
Connect with John on LinkedIn
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Connect with Elena:
https://evs4everyone.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/
Let's talk on X:
https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone
Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/
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Elon Musk has apparently decided that building cars and rockets wasnât enough, so now heâs launching Terrafab, a trillionâwatt chip factory that has ambitions of powering both Teslas and the galaxy. About 20% of this computing power will stay on Earth for cars, robots, and ground AI, and the other 80% is basically going to outer space. Skepticism levels: very high. Meanwhile, Fordâs BlueOval plant in Kentucky is now getting $2 billion more to pivot to energy storage. GM, LG, are all following suit. U.S. battery demand for storage hits 41% this year (up from 26% two years ago) and global market projected to double+ to $172 billion by 2030. Energy storage really is THAT girl because apparently ChatGPT and friends are really thirsty for electrons. On top of that, Congress is floating a new federal EV fee $250 a year for EVs, $100 for hybrids because EVs arenât paying gas taxes. How can we go from EV incentives to EV penalties in record time? It's baffling. Then thereâs the ongoing robotaxi battle royale. Last week it was announced that Uber is investing $1.2 billion in Rivian for exclusive autonomous R2 robotaxis over five years. Itâs autonomy meets distribution, and everyoneâs picking a tribe. Who do you think will survive? PS - thank you for being here, it means the world!
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Bear wants you to support his snack addiction, I mean, this show.
Shop all merch here!
https://evs4everyone-shop.fourthwall.com
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Catch me at The Used Car Summit in Miami on April 14th
The New Used-Car Profit Stack: Retail, Remarketing, and the Next Wave of Inventory Strategy
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Connect with Elena:
https://evs4everyone.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/
Let's talk on X:
https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone
Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/
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Dealer franchise law is front and center in today's episode with Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) where we talked about the latest lawsuits involving Sony Honda's Afeela and VW's Scout Motors, how Californiaâs franchise statutes really work, and why every OEM and dealer should be paying close attention. For example, whatâs really at stake if automakers start cherryâpicking which cars go through dealers and which go direct? We also take a slight detour into the wild world of hiring a carâbuying ânegotiatorâ with services like Delivrd. Is it innovation, or just oldâschool brokering with better branding and a TikTok following? Brian breaks down where California law draws the line, why disclosure matters, and how dealers can stay on the right side of the rules while still serving their customers. Don't miss Brian's straight talk on the franchise system amid EV shifts and direct-sales experiments. If you're in autos, EVs, or just hate bad car deals, this one's a must-listen.
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Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
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Bear wants you to support his snack addiction, I mean, this show.
Shop all merch here!
https://evs4everyone-shop.fourthwall.com
__________________________
Connect with Elena:
https://evs4everyone.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/
Let's talk on X:
https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone
Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/
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Covering the automotive industry these days often feels like trying to hit a moving target blindfolded or playing an endless round of Whack-a-Mole. Yet somehow, amid all the chaos, flip-flopping policies, and doom scrolling, EV owners are happier than they've ever been. Shocked? Yeah, me too. That's why I'm happy to welcome back Brent Gruber, Executive Director of the EV Practice at JD Power, to talk about the 2026 Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study. He breaks down exactly why satisfaction has hit an all-time high heading into 2026: massive leaps in battery tech, far more accurate range estimates, and finally (yes, finally!) better public charging availability and reliability. We also unpack the satisfaction gap between premium and mass-market EVs, and the eye-popping stat that 96% of current EV owners would happily jump back into another one despite all the noise about slowing sales. Plus, Brent explains how the incoming flood of used and off-lease EVs is about to make electric driving way more affordable.
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The Tom Selleck meme mentioned at 13:25
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EV Owner Satisfaction Climbs to New High Amid Sales Slump, JD Power Finds
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-electric-vehicle-experience-evx-ownership-study
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Connect with Brett Gruber on LinkedIn
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Connect with Elena:
https://evs4everyone.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/
Let's talk on X:
https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone
Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/
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