LA Auto Show, Kia Stinger, and 2018 Jeep Wrangler

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #314

Alan is back from his insane month of traveling; we catch up with some of our favorite contributors. We begin the hour with JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, who shares his experience at the LA Auto Show, and discusses Nissan’s involvement with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Next, automotive journalist BJ Killen joins in on the fun to chat about the CES, North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and the merging of the technology and the automotive industries. Then, BJ talks about the exciting new KIA Stinger, a car which marks Kia’s shift in the market from economy to luxury. Changing lanes, Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, reviews the Black Label Lincoln Navigator, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, and explains yearly sales as we creep into 2018. Get up to speed with us before the new year rolls in.

[00:00:00] Back After a Month of Traveling
[00:06:13] Nissan and Star Wars: The Last Jedi
[00:12:30] Lincoln Unveils the 2019 Nautilus
[00:19:53] Automotive Industry Transforms to Mobility
[00:26:40] Tesla Electric Semi-Trucks Are Coming
[00:35:55] Bollinger B1 Lights Up Lobby of LA Auto Show
[00:42:15] Kia Stinger: Quality High Performance
[00:48:39] A Tremendous Departure from Cheap
[00:54:46] Ford Takes on Pick-up Truck Market
[01:02:08] Lincoln Reestablishes Itself as Luxury
[01:11:17] Hurricanes Save 2017 Auto Sales
[01:18:09] Iconic Jeep Wrangler Redesign Rocks

Discover more about segments and guests below…

[00:00:00] Back After a Month of Traveling

Alan returns to the mic after his month of traveling joined by Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock of JoshCAR. Alan discusses his quick stop over at the LA Auto Show where he held a symposium with James Bell of Kia, Mike Spagnola of SEMA, and more. Josh and Alan also talk about KIA’s climb to the top of the performance market. Join us now for more on Alan’s travels.

[00:06:13] Nissan and Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Last year, Nissan released the Rogue in-line with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and tied their marketing in with the premier. The involvement with this epic series continues; Josh Hancock of JoshCAR discusses Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in which the tie-in with Lucas Films may be one of the largest the industry has ever seen. Nissan had a great display at the LA Auto Show and chose to extend the theme across their new model line. Josh also tells us about Steve Saleen’s newest supercar, the Saleen 1 (S1), which was built on the Lotus chassis. Learn more now.

[00:12:30] Lincoln Unveils the 2019 Nautilus

This year at the LA Auto Show, Lincoln unveiled their revamped, renamed MKX, the 2019 Nautilus. Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock of JoshCAR, chats with us about this exciting reintroduction and which was unveiled at the Dream Hotel in Los Angeles. The Ford Motor Company has also decided to ditch the confusing alpha-numeric nomenclature of their rides and bring back names that will stick in our minds. Originally, many OEMs decided to switch to the previous naming system because it translated well in other countries, but the numerous models became confusing for consumers. Hear more about Lincoln’s choice to change their naming style.

[00:19:53] Automotive Industry Transforms to Mobility

We are still in the early days of the automotive technology rush. The LA Auto Show is showcasing the bleeding edge of innovation at Automobility LA (formerly press days). The North American International Auto Show is even following suit by calling their press days Automobili-D. JoshCAR’s Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, and automotive journalist BJ Killeen discuss the momentous shift and how it will impact consumers. Learn more about emerging vehicle technology.

[00:26:40] Tesla Electric Semi-Trucks Are Coming

Are long-haul trucks becoming a thing of the past? The world has been hearing about the Tesla Semi for some time now and they are finally on their way. In fact, Josh Hancock of JoshCAR, discusses a rumor that many large companies, such as J.B. Hunt and Walmart, have already reserved their fleet orders. BJ Killeen jumps in to share some of her concerns about this new truck introduction, including its 400-mile range limit and the potential cost of the battery itself. BJ also voices her concern over the fact that the Tesla Model 3 has not even been delivered yet. Is Tesla the future for truckers or are they over-selling themselves?

[00:35:55] Bollinger B1 Lights Up Lobby of LA Auto Show

Earlier this year, the Bollinger B1 was announced as “The World’s First All-electric, All-Wheel Drive, Off/On Road Sport Utility Truck.” The LA Auto Show was the home for this one-of-a-kind ride’s first public show appearance. Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock of JoshCAR, hints that he has some involvement with this vehicle for an undisclosed project that is still embargoed at this time. Jay Leno was able to film with it, so we should be able to catch drive impressions soon on his show, Jay Leno’s Garage. Also, automotive journalist BJ Killeen shares her excitement over the North American International Auto Show which may be displaying Chevrolet’s mid-engine Corvette for the first time. Explore more about the Bollinger B1.

[00:42:15] Kia Stinger: Quality High Performance

At the end of the day, automotive journalist are the influencers of the car buying community; backing a vehicle means they really believe in it. Alan and BJ Killeen share why they have no problem endorsing the Kia Stinger. BJ raves that this is the finest car that Kia has ever produced and its arguably one of the nicest sports coupes on the road. Engineered with experience by BMW’s former head of the M Performance division, Albert Berman, the Stinger has true gran turismo styling. This ride is both family friendly and oozing performance capability. A twin-turbo V6 gives you all the power needed to meet your speed desires, and the Brembo brakes slow you down when it’s time to take the kids to school. The Kia Stinger has landed a place in journalists’ hearts already.

[00:48:39] A Tremendous Departure from Cheap

Kia has always been known for inexpensive, entry-level cars that will get you where you need to go without the extra frill. Well, things have changed in a big way and we chat with automotive journalist BJ Killeen about Kia’s newest release. The Stinger is making waves in the sedan category, and while it’s not meant to be a full-fledged sportscar it’s incredibly exciting to drive. Add Porsche AudiThe designers even chose to put a 15 speaker Harman Kardon audio system that allows you to rock out while you cruise in this gorgeous machine. Learn why Kia is playing with the big boys now.

[00:54:46] Ford Takes on Pick-up Truck Market

Pick-up trucks are becoming more and more popular with every kind of driver. Ford has gone out of their way to claim almost 1/3 of the truck market with their innovative ideas. Their aluminum body with an aluminum bed has become the talk of the town, and has buyers scrambling for the insanely popular F-150. GM tried to combat this popularity by sticking with all steel but they’ve started exploring aluminum or carbon fiber beds. Aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber – which gets your vote?

[01:02:08] Lincoln Reestablishes Itself as Luxury

Lincoln has produced gorgeous cars since 1917 but this manufacturer has had waining consumer support in recent years. Coming back strong with the 2018 Black Label Lincoln Navigator, available for $98,000, they are ready to dazzle the masses. Yes, we know that obtaining glamour comes with a hefty price, but this SUV is extremely well executed and worth the cash. As you approach the new Navigator, you are gripped by the “Lincoln Embrace” as you feast your eyes on the masterfully articulated design language. This 3.5L V6 pushes out 450-HP and drives confidently and quickly. Learn more about this ride that will ensnare your senses.

[01:11:17] Hurricanes Save 2017 Auto Sales

This year auto sales were falling short from previous years, and dealers began to worry about the excess of outgoing models that would be left in stock. Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, describes with us about how the devastating hurricanes actually helped save car sales for 2017. After the storms in September, many cars were totaled from the floods and debris; when the insurance checks started coming in, the new cars started rolling out. Buyers will still be able to find good deals on the 2017 models, but it will be a little tighter than it would have been prior to the hurricanes. Are you in the market for a new ride?

[01:18:09] Iconic Jeep Wrangler Redesign Rocks

The Jeep Wrangler has been a staple of the 4×4 community since the 80s. Recently, Jeep decided to take loyal customer feedback and revamp this iconic ride. Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, explains that from a distance, this ride looks like the one we’ve always known and loved, but almost every aspect has been rethought. A longer wheelbase with a slightly wider track makes this car more stable and much roomier than before. You no longer have to compromise daily driving comfort for off-road capability, the steering and ride feel have improved immensely. They have introduced two new drive trains that are far more capable than previous models, adjusting for rock crawling or cruising down the highway. Is it time to hit the back roads with Jeep?

Explore More with Helpful Links:

Contributor: Josh Hancock | Hollywood Car Consultant, JoshCAR
Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist
Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Kelley Blue Book
Website: LA Auto Show 2017
Website: Automobility LA
Website: Automobili-D
Vehicle Mention: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus
Vehicle Mention: Tesla Semi
Vehicle Mention: 2018 Kia Stinger
Vehicle Mention: 2018 Black Label Lincoln Navigator
Vehicle Mention: 2018 Platinum Edition Ford Expedition
Vehicle Mention: 2018 Jeep Wrangler

Episode Credits:

Program Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Production Assistant: Joanne Bolden
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Jess Baumgardner

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

Josh Hancock | Hollywood Car Consultant, JoshCAR

Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer

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About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.