North American Car and Truck of the Year, RAM TRX, Nikola GM Merger

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Joining us today is Karl Brauer, Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor and North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member. Karl and Alan talk about the Nikola Motors deal with GM and the possibility of an electric-powered long haul truck. They talk about the canceled auto shows and upcoming shows being so close together that they wonder if there will be enough new inventory to display throughout them to bring the journalists in. Alan shares his love for the much anticipated RAM TRX and his personal purchases of them. They discuss the TRX as well as the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept car. Karl shares that the North American Car and Truck of the Year has a new SUV category and there are a lot of SUV names coming up in this year’s voting selection. Next up we talk with Mike Meredith, Senior Editor for AutoNXT, about the 2021 Mercedes Benz S-Class and all of the upgrades it boasts. Alan shares his experience with the 2020 C63 S Coupe and all of its extras. They chat about the used car market boom and how difficult it is to keep up with inventory demands right now. Closing out the show with us is Steven Cole Smith, Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine and Grassroots Motorsports. Steven and Alan discuss how the coronavirus is keeping drivers from making it to the races and how it is putting entire crews out of work. They also discuss Bubba Wallace leaving Richard Petty Motorsports and Kyle Larson wanting to race again after being kicked out. Next, Steven and Alan talk about IMSA State of the Union Address, adding a 5th class, and their new schedule. Lastly, they share about the Indy car races being rescheduled and the upcoming NASCAR race at Richmond. Tune in to stay up to date on the automotive world.

·[00:00:00] North American Car and Truck of the Year, Nikola Motora and General Motors

·[00:06:41] Nikola Long Haul Electric Truck possibly coming soon

·[00:12:31] Auto Shows in the Covid-19 era, RAM TRX is coming

·[00:19:52] RAM TRX Info and Spec’s, Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept

·[00:29:35] North American Car and Truck of the Year Semifinalist Voting in Progress

·[00:35:53] SUV now its Own Category for Vehicle of the Year

·[00:42:13] Mercedes Benz 2021 S-Class and the 2020 C63 S Coupe AMG

·[00:49:14] C63 S Coupe AMG Equipment and Practicality

·[00:54:43] GT 500 Test Drive, Used Car Market is Booming

·[01:02:02] Autoweek Report about NHRA, Coronavirus Effects Racers and their Crews

·[01:11:27] Bubba Wallace Leaving Richard Petty Motorsports, Kyle Larson Wants to Return to Racing

·[01:18:01] IMSA State of the Union Address, New Schedule and Adding 5th Class, Indy is Rescheduling some Races, NASCAR in Richmond

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: Karl Brauer | Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member

·Contributor: Steven Cole Smith | Automotive Journalist, Autoweek / Automobile Magazine / Grassroots Motorsports

Vehicles Discussed: Nikola Electric Long Haul Truck, RAM TRX, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Mercedes Benz S-Class and C63 S Coupe AMG, GT 500

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Dave Milligan
Contributor: Karl Brauer
Contributor: Steven Cole Smith
Special Guest: Mike Meredith

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

***

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.

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.