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There’s a lot out see and a lot to learn about this automotive industry we love so much at CES 2020. First, Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, discuss one of the biggest reveals at CES 2020, Toyota’s ‘Woven City’ project. It’s interesting for us to note how many car companies are dipping their toes in every day tech, and how many tech companies are delving into the automotive world. Take the Sony VISION-S, for example. Yep, that’s right, Sony put out a concept car packed with their electronic equipment; but is this just a marketing ploy for their existing lines of products, or a shot across the bow for the automotive industry? Next, Karl and BJ chat about the Hyundai S-A1 Air Taxi they’ve developed in partnership with Uber. BJ barely trusts her Uber driver to navigate busy streets in a car, much less whisk her away in a mini-helicopter. Then, Karl and BJ give us their thoughts on the new Ford Mustang Mach-E, the spread of electrification of vehicles, the trend of luxury brand SUVs, and Carlos Ghosn’ upcoming press conference detailing his experiences in Japan. Tune in for this info-packed episode.

·[00:00:00] Toyota Reveals Woven City at CES 2020
·[00:06:16] Car and Tech Worlds Turned Upside Down
·[00:12:33] Sony VISION-S, Hyundai/Uber Air Taxi
·[00:19:54] Ford Mach-E/ Spread of Electrification
·[00:28:44] Does Ford Mustang Mach-E Mark a Trend?
·[00:35:55] Carlos Ghosn Press Conference Soon!

[00:00:00] Toyota Reveals Woven City at CES 2020

Have you ever felt that the way we lay out cities is old and outdated? Well, Toyota thinks so too and is addressing this issue head-on. Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, describe Toyota’s new vision – the ‘Woven City’ – in which the three types of traffic generally found on one road are split into three separate roads. There is also a large amount of interconnectability as one one would expect from a city of the future. Tune in to learn more about Toyota’s new Woven City.  

[00:06:16] Car and Tech Worlds Turned Upside Down

Are the lines between ‘tech’ company and ‘automotive’ company almost fully blurred? This year, at CES 2020, Sony unveiled a car – the VISION-S. It still remains to be seen if this is just a marketing tool for all of the technology that Sony produces that goes into cars, or if it’s a shot across the bow at the established automakers. Executive Producer of Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, discuss the likelihood of Sony turning the VISION-S into an actual production car, and come to the realization that, more and more, the roles of tech and automotive companies in the automotive space are being flipped on their heads. Does it seem odd to you that Toyota is building a connected city, and Sony built a car? Let us know in the comments. 

[00:12:33] Sony VISION-S, Hyundai/Uber Air Taxi

We ponder whether the Sony VISION-S is just a marketing ploy, or what lengths they’d have to go to to actually put a car on the market. Is it possible for the tech giant? Or is it just a shot across the bow of automakers to make them stand up and pay attention to the automotive technology they have on display? Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, and Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, give their take on the Sony VISION-S, and discuss the Hyundai S-A1 Air Taxi they’ve developed in partnership with Uber. That leads us to one very important question: Do you really trust your Uber driver to fly you around in a personal helicopter? 

[00:19:54] Ford Mach-E/ Spread of Electrification

Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, got to sit in the new Ford Mustang Mach-E on the floor of CES 2020 and he was highly impressed! He didn’t get to drive it, as it was on a platform on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center, but he did get to check out the interior. With plenty of space to stretch out, a traditional instrument cluster working in conjunction with today’s standardly large infotainment screen, the Mustang Mach-E is a natural evolution of the brand. It’s getting harder and harder for Alan, a full-blown combustion engine guy, to deny the awesomeness of electric vehicles. In other news, FCA and Jeep have announced a new hybridized Jeep, which the crew thinks is an amazing idea! Tune in to catch more of our thoughts on the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the spread of electrification. 

[00:28:44] Does Ford Mustang Mach-E Mark a Trend?

As people complain about the controversy of Ford attaching the Mustang name to the Mach-E, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, Karl Brauer, and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, say that’s probably the point. Controversial press is always good, as convention wisdom goes. The Ford Mustang Mach-E represents the next step in their move to get away from producing traditional ‘cars’, with its crossover-like body, and performance statistics. Indeed, the SUV market is taking over, as we can see with the success of vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne, Jaguar I-Pace, and more. Will we see a more SUV-shaped Corvette or Camaro at some point in the future? Let us know what you think in the comments. 

[00:35:55] Carlos Ghosn Press Conference Soon!

As you’ve likely heard by now, ex-Nissan exec, Carlos Ghosn, escaped captivity in Japan and claims innocence of all charges and is set to give a press conference during the week of CES 2020. Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, chat about the unfair imprisonment of Carlos Ghosn, how he escaped, and whether or not they believe the charges levied against him seem credible. Tune in for more. 

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist

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

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Karl Brauer

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

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