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Kicking off the show we chat with Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, about the new 2020 Subaru Outback, the power and love of Subaru products and their marketing campaign, and Carlos Ghosn’s Jason Bourne-esque escape from Japan. Then, we catch up with Cartender Co-Founder and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, who recently drove the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD; find out why this truck is a beast, even with a few design issues holding it back. Next up, Leake Classic Car Auction General Manager, Gary Bennett, tells us about a new auction in the Leake lineup, after new management purchased the company, and gives us the history of the company dating back to 1964. Changing gears, Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, details the escape of Carlos Ghosn from an apparent unjust imprisonment in Japan, tells us about electric vehicles outselling manual transmission sales, and gives us the numbers for 2019 automotive sales. Switching lanes, Founder of Travelocity and Author of “Disruption OFF”, Terry Jones, explains how Elon Musk and Henry Ford were actually very similar characters and compares and contrasts his reasons for loving his Ford Model A and Tesla Model X.

·[00:00:00] All New 2020 Subaru Outback is Awesome
·[00:06:22] Love Really Does Make A Subaru, A Subaru
·[00:12:30] Carlos Ghosn Goes Bourne, Escapes Japan
·[00:19:51] 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a BEAST
·[00:28:00] Small Gripes with 2020 Chevy Silverado
·[00:35:53] Shop Smart for 2020 Chevy Silverado!
·[00:42:14] Leake Classic Car Inaugural Auction
·[00:48:33] History of Leake Collector Car Auction
·[00:54:45] Carlos Ghosn Escapes, Manual Sales Die
·[01:02:05] Elon Musk and Henry Ford Were Similar
·[01:10:32] Ford Model A Vs. Tesla Model X
·[01:18:07] 2019 – Autosales Over 17 Million Again!

[00:00:00] All New 2020 Subaru Outback is Awesome

It’s a new year and time for new automotive reviews. Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, got to drive the new 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT and it is awesome! With 2.4L Boxer engine, 260 HP, 277 ft-lb of torque, and featuring like power liftgate, and of course – AWD, this vehicle is an amazing buy for most buyers. Tune in to find out more about this smart, dependable crossover.

[00:06:22] Love Really Does Make A Subaru, A Subaru

Why does Subaru have such a loyal following? It probably has something to do with their no-fuss, no-nonsense approach to marketing and making cars. Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, discusses how Subaru has a reputation of making reliable, sturdy, comfortable, utilitarian vehicles, and how their ad campaigns help them come across as relatable and down to Earth. From commercials featuring lovable dogs, to life stories playing out in 30 seconds, driving home the fact that your next Subaru purchase could be with you for a long time, Subaru’s marketing department really gets it. Love truly is a key ingredient in making Subaru the company they are today. 

[00:12:30] Carlos Ghosn Goes Bourne, Escapes Japan

Like something out of a Jasn Bourne movie, Carlos Ghosn smuggled himself out of Japanese custody and into his home country of Lebanon. If you haven’t been paying attention to the news over the last year or so, Carlos Ghosn, form CEO of Nissan, has been detained in Japan among allegations of misrepresenting his salary and using company assets for personal purposes. Chances of a fair trial seeming slim-to-none, Ghosn supposedly stuffed himself into a musical instrument box during a private ensemble performance at his house. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for interviews with the automotive titan detailing his escape and where he plans to go from here. 

[00:19:51] 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a BEAST

If you’re doing some hefty towing, or some hardy working and you’re looking for the perfect truck, we might have a great suggestion for you. Alan and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, both test drove the new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab Dually and it is an absolute beast! 900+ ft-lbs of torque shove a massive amount through to the wheels and its Allison diesel engine is one of the most responsive Alan has ever driven. Tune in to find out more.

[00:28:00] Small Gripes with 2020 Chevy Silverado

No vehicle is perfect, and while there is a ton to love about the new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, it fell short of other trucks in its category in a few places for Alan. First off, the dash and instrument cluster was underwhelming for Alan, as he prefers the huge infotainment screen in the new RAM 3500s. Cartender Co-Founder, George Kennedy III, makes the case for a functional, if less stylish dashboard. While it may not be the prettiest, a functional dash is more important than a flashy one. Where this truck loses points with George is its exterior styling, as Chevy has seemingly ‘jumped the shark’ and opted for a more Camaro-like headlight profile among other choices. Tune in to get their full thoughts.

[00:35:53] Shop Smart for 2020 Chevy Silverado!

In this day and age there is no excuse for overpaying on a vehicle, no matter how new it is! Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, and Alan warn us to shop around when looking for our next purchase; know how to bend interest rates, and leverage loan terms or company write-offs to spring for that next feature. For example, if you just need a barebones work truck, the $34,100 base model of the 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD will get the job done, but if you want to spring for all the bells and whistles, you could be looking at the high $50,000 range. Adding in the Allison diesel engine could further compound the cost of this vehicle up to $71,000. Do your research, learn about the deals and financing options that exist, and get the truck of your dreams. Tune in to learn more. 

[00:42:14] Leake Classic Car Inaugural Auction

A new collector car auction is coming to Scottsdale, Arizona, and it has access to 3.9 million active bidders around the world! General Manager, Gary Bennett, gives us the details on the Leake Collector Car Auction, owned and operated by the Ritchie Bros, and some of the amazing cars that will be auctioned off January 15-19th, 2020. Keep your eyes out for Alan’s 2020 Toyota GR Supra, and John Staluppi’s entire classic car collection. Tune in to learn more!

[00:48:33] History of Leake Collector Car Auction

In 1964, Jimmy Leake, Sr. became one of the first people ever to host a collector car auction. In 2020, the rich heritage and legacy of the Leake Collector Car Auction is setting up shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, with over 700 cars to be auctioned off over four days. General Manager, Gary Bennett, details the history of Leake Collector Car Auction and the Ritchie Bros choice purchase the company. We also hear about a one in a million coincidence, and learn why Gary Bennette isn’t a fan of cars like the 1992 BMW 3 Series 4-Door at collector car auctions (but he loves the car everywhere else!) Tune in to learn more.

[00:54:45] Carlos Ghosn Escapes, Manual Sales Die

Imagine, the latest action/suspense blockbuster thriller’s plot – a businessman is held in custody in Japan for months, but takes the first opportunity to smuggle himself out of the country in a musical instrument box. Oh, no wait that actually happened… Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer details the Hollywood-like tale of Carlos Ghosn and his great escape. Changing lanes, Karl informs us on the accelerated death of the manual transmission as manual sales drop below electric vehicles. Can you drive a stick shift, and what do you think of the dying interest in a three-pedal car?

[01:02:05] Elon Musk and Henry Ford Were Similar

Who is quoted saying this: “More than a theory of business, a theory that looks forward to making this world a better place in which to live”, Henry Ford or Elon Musk? How about this one: “Stockholders are parasites.” If those two quotes were hard to place off the top of your head, there is good reason for that; Elon Musk and Henry Ford were very similar businessmen. Founder of Travelocity and Author of “Disruption OFF”, Terry Jones, recently wrote an article comparing the two visionaries and makes some interesting points when comparing the two titanic personalities and their accomplishments. Are you an Elon Musk or Henry Ford fan?

[01:10:32] Ford Model A Vs. Tesla Model X

The Ford Model A and the Tesla Model X, two vehicles separated by almost a century, serve the same farfegnugen for Travelocity Founder, Terry Jones. Hear the tale of Terry’s attachment to the Ford Model A fostered in his early youth at a boy’s summer camp where a robust Model A served as reliable transportation. We also learn about some of the awesome features of the Tesla Model X, and some of the down sides. Which Model suits you best?

[01:18:07] 2019 – Autosales Over 17 Million Again!

In 2019 we finally hit a landmark crossing of paths between the sales of electric vehicles and manual transmissions. Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, explains how the manual transmission has now begun to sell less than electric vehicles, and also details the auto market’s ability to barely reach the 17 million total sales goal again for 2019! Tune in to hear Karl’s predictions for 2020.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist

·Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender | Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus/ Boston Globe/ U.S. News & World Report

·Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Autotrader/ Kelley Blue Book/ Dealer.com

·Special Guest: Gary Bennett | General Manager, Leake Collector Car Auction

·Special Guest: Terry Jones | Founder, Travelocity | Author, “Disruption OFF”

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Contributor: Karl Brauer
Special Guest: Gary Bennett 
Special Guest: Terry Jones

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.