2018 J.D. Power Consumer Studies, Auto News, and Test Drives | #343
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | #343
The auto industry is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. First, J.D. Power Vice President of Global Automotive, Dave Sargent, reports on the results of their 2018 US APEAL Study, which found automakers to be doing a tremendous job of delivering to customer expectations. Also, find out which technology advances in cars today have people jumping for joy, and which are making people pull their hair out. Then, Automotive Journalist featured on Automobilemag.com, Steven Cole Smith, fills us in on the North American Car of the Year nominees, North American International Auto Show updates, his trek up the Rubicon Trail in a Jeep, and NASCAR news. Steven also chats with Alan about the 2019 Infiniti QX50, the access economy, and Parachut.co. Next, after a couple of weeks of intensive traveling, Alan and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, catch up and discuss Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, golf, auto manufacturer luxury channels, and the 2018 Mazda CX-9. BJ got a chance to sit behind the wheel of the new CX-9, and found many things impressive, but was struggling to notice anything that separated it from the pack. Similarly, Alan drove the Mercedes-Benz C 350e and thought it was a very nice car, but it just didn’t fit him. Last, Autotrader.com Executive Editor, Brian Moody, extols the 2019 GMC Sierra, saying it’s the best full-size pickup there is, with the only caveat being that no truck on the market can match RAM’s interiors. The 2019 GMC Sierra has video camera mirrors, a carbon fiber insert for the bed, looks that can kill, and a truly reinvented tailgate. Its tailgate is like something out of transformers, with the ability to fold into several different configurations. Also, Brian fills us in on the insanely depreciated used electric car market. Some amazing cars at a fraction of their ‘new’ sticker price include various models of BMW i3 for $20,000, previous generation Nissan Leaf and Fiat 500e for $10,000, and even Tesla Model S for $30,000. Tune in for more.
- [00:00:00] Customers Demand, Manufacturers Deliver
- [00:06:34] Technology Usage in Vehicles Quantified
- [00:12:30] North American Car of the Year 2018
- [00:19:51] 2019 Infiniti QX50
- [00:29:05] The Rise of the Access Economy
- [00:35:51] Rubicon Trail and NASCAR News
- [00:42:12] Golf Is Fun, but It’s Great to Be Home
- [00:48:16] Missed Beats of the 2018 Mazda CX-9
- [00:54:43] Mazda CX-9 – Stuck Between Two Segments
- [01:02:04] Mercedes-Benz C 350e, It Doesn’t Fit Me
- [01:09:24] 2019 GMC Sierra: Best Truck Ever?
- [01:18:05] Used Electric Car Deals on Autotrader