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The dust seems to be settling in the automotive industry, and Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, is getting more cars to test drive! There are still issues, but BJ discusses how the car markets are returning to normal, gives us info on the new Mercedes-Maybach S650, and reviews the new Hyundai Venue.  Up next, Cartender Co-founder, and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, tells us about Upshift, the advantage of online car magazines, and the amazing capabilities of the Ford F-350 Platinum. Then, we chat with Consignment Director of Mecum Auctions, Inc., Frank Mecum, about the triumphant return of Mecum Collector Car Auctions this June. Don’t miss out on some once in a lifetime auctions this June 17-20th, and June 26th-30th. Learn more at Mecum.com. Closing out the show, Our Auto Expert, Mike Caudill, fills us in on some of the insane car deals that are available right now, the booming RV industry, and projects he’s involved in that raise money and show respect to our military service members and first responders.

·[00:00:00] Car Markets are Returning to Normal

·[00:06:19] BJ Killeen Road Tests the Hyundai Venue

·[00:12:30] Mercedes Releases New Maybach S650

·[00:19:51] Upshift and Online Car Magazines

·[00:28:41] Ford F-350 Is the Cheat Code to Camping

·[00:35:53] The F-350’s Towing Capabilities

·[00:42:13] Mecum Auctions Returns This Month!

·[00:48:30] Bid Online, In Person, or On the Phone!

·[00:54:45] A Shelby Auction for the History Books

·[01:02:05] Beards, TV, and Crazy Car Deals!

·[01:10:05] RV Industry is BOOMING Despite Pandemic

·[01:18:06] Respecting Our Brave People in Uniform

[00:00:00] Car Markets are Returning to Normal

After the COVID-19 pandemic economic backlash hit banks, car dealerships started offering unbelievable deals on financing for vehicles, like 0% interest for seven years! Now is the time to buy, but hurry! If you were looking for a car, it’s your last chance to get a great deal before they disappear. Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, says some of these financing deals last longer than the cars themselves. Will you jump on a deal before the time is up?

[00:06:19] BJ Killeen Road Tests the Hyundai Venue

Hyundai has seven sport utility vehicles in their lineup. That’s a lot! This week Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, shares her experience with the Hyundai Venue. Made for a very specific market, the Venue starts at $18,500 and comes with a lot of standard features. It has a new 1.6L engine from Hyundai that puts out 120 HP and 113 lb-ft of torque. The Venue’s CVT (continuously variable transmission) helps it achieve a fairly good 32 mpg highway. This compact SUV is not very quick, but it does well enough for the price. Another complaint BJ had was that it felt restless on the highway, easily straying from the line she was driving on. Tune in to learn more about this great family vehicle.

[00:12:30] Mercedes Releases New Maybach S650

Daimler AG recently released the new Mercedes-Maybach S650 and it is the definition of ultra-luxury. With a 6L V12 twin turbo engine pumping out 621 HP and 738 ft-lbs of torque, the Mercedes-Maybach S650 is no slouch on performance. The v12 has two turbos strapped to it and is hand built. The S650 may be a luxury vehicle but it doesn’t slouch it does 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, gives us more details on the Maybach, and tells us how auto manufacturers, like Kia and Subaru, are resorting to releasing their cars through online events due to the pandemic.

[00:19:51] Upshift and Online Car Magazines

Cartender Co-founder, and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, tells us about Upshift, a digital publication from the Larz Anderson Museum. Paper magazines are a mile wide and an inch deep, but a digital magazine can be an inch wide and a mile deep. Online magazines can give you a lot more information and have hyperlinks to videos or pictures so you can learn more about the car that you are reading about. About a year ago, the Larz Anderson Museum approached George and said they wanted to do something low cost, so they made a digital publication that has the look and feel of a normal magazine but is still interactive. What do you think of digital magazines? 

[00:28:41] Ford F-350 Is the Cheat Code to Camping

Cartender Co-founder, and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, is here this week to talk to us about the 2020 Ford F-350 Platinum, a huge diesel truck that can do pretty much anything. It’s not for everyone, though, as it is very expensive; but if you can get your hands on one of these, it’s the ultimate cheat code for camping. The Ford F-350 is so big you can pretty much put anything you want in the bed, and the truck has a power outlet, making camping almost TOO comfortable.

[00:35:53] The F-350’s Towing Capabilities 

Okay, so the Ford F-350 Platinum is a BIG truck, but what else does it have going on? Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, explains that this truck has a 6.7L V8 diesel engine paired with a 10-speed transmission, and in certain configurations it has a towing capacity of 32,000 lb!  The transmission sometimes floats around trying to find a gear, but most of the time it works very well. Starting at $67,000 and going up to about $80,000 is a big ask for most people, but with the 0% financing for 84 months that manufacturers are offering this could be a great time to buy one. 

[00:42:13] Mecum Auctions Returns This Month!

We’ve all been holed up in our homes waiting for the all clear, so just when are we going to be able to get back to our car shows and auctions?! Well, the wait is finally over, as Frank Mecum, Consignment Director of Mecum Auctions, Inc., is here to tell us about their upcoming auctions! Check out over 600 collector and antique tractors and trucks in Davenport, Iowa on June 17th through the 20th, and over 100 cars and 5000 pieces of automotive art from June 26th through the 30th in Jefferson, North Carolina. Frank assures us that while they’re ready and raring to go, they will still be following CDC guidelines to ensure everyone remains as safe as possible throughout the events. 

[00:48:30] Bid Online, In Person, or On the Phone!

There is a lot of pent up demand for awesome cars, and Mecum Classic Car Auctions is here to deliver. Consignment Director of Mecum Auctions, Inc., Frank Mecum, tells us about the Eddie Vannoy collection that will be auctioned off between June 26th and June 30th. There will be over 100 muscle cars, 50’s convertibles, and modern muscle up for auction, including over 5000 pieces of automotive art. Can’t make it to the auction in person? No problem! Frank fills us in on how you can register to bid online, or even over the phone, at Mecum.com.

[00:54:45] A Shelby Auction for the History Books

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and everything shut down, Mecum Collector Car Auctions vowed to hold their Dana Mecum’s 33rd Original Spring Classic auction in even bigger and better fashion than ever. Consignment Director of Mecum Auctions, Inc., Frank Mecum, describes the massive eight day event and what you will be able to find there. With over 2,500 cars set to cross the auction block, including the John Atzbach Shelby collection, and 15,000 pieces of Shelby themed memorabilia, this will be a once in a lifetime auction for enthusiasts. Don’t miss out!

[01:02:05] Beards, TV, and Crazy Car Deals!

It seems our resident shaven man and bearded car guy have switched places! Alan is sporting a full beard, while Our Auto Expert, Mike Caudill, has shaved his down, but don’t worry, it’s coming back. We catch up with how Mike has been faring with his TV career with Our Auto Expert over the past few months, and get into some news. The automotive market has definitely taken a hit over the past 90 days, but nowhere near the 80% overall dive some were predicting. But if there is one thing that is true, it’s that this is a time to buy with deals like 0% interest over 84 months, or thousands of dollars in instant cash back, and deferred payments. Tune in to learn more. 

[01:10:05] RV Industry is BOOMING Despite Pandemic

Alan just recently sold his 2014 Itasca Navion IQ RV to a friend across the country, and they’re now driving it back home and enjoying the sights along the way. That really is the allure of the RV industry, get out and see the world around you. Our Auto Expert, Mike Caudill, gives us some astounding numbers for this year’s RV industry. Last year, 26 million people went camping in some form or another, from tents up to RVs; but this year 46 million Americans will go RV camping, with a whopping 26% of those being millennials! Also, the rental RV industry has seen a 300% increase, and the state with the most RVers was California. Tune in to learn more about the state of RVing in America. 

[01:18:06] Respecting Our Brave People in Uniform

Not everyone gets a chance to serve in the military like their fathers and grandfathers before them. Our Auto Expert, Mike Caudill, regrets this at times as well, but he learned from his father that it would be best to enter the private sector and do something else good for people with his life. That’s why he’s partnered with Nexen Tire and the Purple Heart Foundation to build cars, recognize purple heart recipients, veterans, and members of the military while raising money for a variety of veterans foundations. Mike also expresses his undying support for our first responders.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist, Voice of Reason

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

·Special Guest: Frank Mecum | Consignment Director, Mecum Auctions, Inc.

·Special Guest: Mike Caudill | Our Auto Expert

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry 
Copy Editor: Caleb Hayward
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Special Guest: Frank Mecum
Special Guest: Mike Caudill

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.