Like Tesla, This Podcast Brand Is Practically Fully Charged

In this episode of the GTSOTR podcast:

Fiat is rounding up finding to buy the rest of Chrysler it doesn't own, but we think they will keep all the brand names intact.

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Rear-facing seats in a Tesla

Subaru is doing such a great job designing and selling cars which Americans want that it's running out of them.

We look at three automotive brands that could disappear in the very near future.

Tesla is brand on the rise and with its new supercharging stations, it's getting more practical. But we didn't realize just how practical the Model S it is.

The NHTSA is publishing some new regulations with the hopes of bringing some order to the autonomous vehicle development.

A Car Podcast About a Pickup in Pickup Sales That's Worth a Share

It's our favorite time of the month:

April was not as rosy for car sales as previous months, but the auto market is still on firm footing. That was helped a resurgence in truck sales, thanks to a recovering housing market in the U.S.

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After 20 years of declining market share, the three U.S. auto makers: GM, Chrysler and Ford, saw an overall uptick in their market share, just over 1%, to 45.6%

That market share growth has helped Chrysler return to profitability, but profits slipped a bit in the first quarter. Mazda returned to profitability last year, but the North America market continues to drag the company.

Finally, the Nissan Leaf saw sales charge past the Chevrolet Volt and diesel vehicles are drawing a larger share of the market.

Chrysler and other U.S. auto makers have seen truck sales rebound.

Storming Into Auto Sales After a Week of Commuting Chaos

Hurricane Sandy pounded the East Coast this week and it has major effects on people's vehicles and car sales. Some Fiskers were victims of the storm.

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Sandy sinks cars.

Car sales didn't get dented by Sandy the storm, but things are returning to more normalized rates after a strong burst in the first half of the year. But the vehicular destruction caused by the East Coast storm could give November auto sales a modest bump.

Ford posted strong profits and said Alan Mullaly will stay on for another two years and pushed Mark Fields closer to the incumbent role.

GM profits continued to be weighed down by losses in Europe, which are pushing $20 billion over the last 13 years.

Chrysler -- once the industry zombie -- continues to come back, posting strong profits to go along with strong sales this year.

Hyundai and Kia hit a modest bump in their road when the EPA found the Korean car makers miss overstated the fuel economy of 900,000 vehicles sold in the United States over the last two years. They say it was an accident and will reimburse drivers.

But poor reliability ratings continue to dog Chrysler according to Consumer Reports. Japanese brands remain the most reliable and the top 10 most reliable cars is not a surprising lists.

Finally, truck drivers are in demand.

And the Aluminum Medal for Automotive Podcasts Goes to ...

What's the story with car sales? Well, it depends on what you read. WSJ says U.S. auto makers struggled against the resurgent Japanese brands that suffered with inventory issues last July. Autoblog says that most car makers did fine when you consider there were two fewer selling days this year. GM may be boosting sales with subprime loans.

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Smart and Mini had strong months, probably because gas prices remained high, and that could also be helping Volkswagen sell so many diesels.

In whatever the Italian word for irony is: Chrysler is now helping push Fiat -- which bought it at it's nadir two years ago -- to a profit.

Gas prices remain high.

Consumers remain frustrated with gas mileage numbers and now Hyundai is getting sued for it's Elantra 40-mpg claims.

Fuel taxes are always a sticky subject, but San Francisco is considering an even more absurd tax plan that would require them to track how much people drive.

The folks who drive lightly used luxury cars should consider trading them in right now to get the best value.

Farmers are finding that genetically modified crops are creating problems for their farm equipment tires.

Perhaps GM can use it's experimental pedestrian detection technology to avoid pointy stalks.

Apparently, child-detection systems for harried parents aren't as effective as NHTSA would like. Or at all.

Finally, when you think of Winter Olympics you think of Russia, but how about road rage? Or wheeled bobsleds.

Car Sales, Car Sales, Car Sales

Since we podcasted last night just before car sales, I wanted to provide a quick update before the next time David and I take to the mic. So sing it now everyone, 'Car Sales, Car Sales, Car Sales.' I know its just not as good.

Anyway, in the midst of some pretty terrible economic news out today, including the employment report and subsequent market drop, the auto industry released some fairly encouraging figures for May.

Auto sales for the month of May rose 26% year over year to 1.3 million cars and trucks and the AP is reporting that this is the best May for auto sales since 2008. The annualized rate dipped a bit to the lowest figure since December coming in at 13.8 million units, but LMC Automotive, according to the AP, still raised its yearly forecast to 14.5 million units, up from 14.3. Not too shabby.

It appears that pent up demand, combined with some newer models, more credit availability and the drop in fuel prices are helping to keep car sales going. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if this months dismal jobs report and drop in the stock market along with fears sorrounding Europe don't limit sales just a bit next month.

Looking at some the specific automakers, Chrysler continues to make up ground gaining 30% over last year, Ford and GM each put up gains of just over 10%.

But leading the gains were Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda, gaining 87% and 48% respectively. As David and I had discussed last month, last May was when supplies of Japanese cars starting to dry up as a result of the Earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Now that they are getting back to full speed it looks like all systems go for them again.

Since I am sitting on a train and dont have full access to the usual reports that we reference I won't get too specific beyond that. David and I will try and do a brief podcast update either over the weekend or early next week with a more in depth look at the auto sales for May. Plus of course, the home made jingle.

Have a good weekend.

Source - AP (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5goSTfKkWFw3BgMnKuKABpkhh1OJA?docId=531f7d434f3341aa82b326605fce2a8f)

Where Is the Car Czar to Convert This Podcast to a Plug-in Hybrid?

The vacant role of auto czar got axed by the federal government in last week's budget deal that kept the government running. That means the TARP administrators will be watching over tax payers' investment in GM and Chrysler.

But Chrysler is doing much better, so much so that Fiat raised its stake to 30% after several performance indicators were reached.

Not David, not Mathew, Not driving

Performance isn't a big part of the push to hybrids and plug-in electrics, but there are cost savings. One start-up -- ALTe Powertrain Technologies -- is developing a plug-in powertrain that can be used to replace gasoline and diesel motors in trucks.

One issue with electric vehicles is the need to have a special, more powerful source to charge them. Leviton has developed a new portable charger that can take a regular electrical socket and make it more powerful.

That might not help some Nissan Leaf owners who are complaining that their cars won't start -- or is it turn on?

Mercedes has always been a technological leader and Mathew was blown away by these five innovations from the German luxury car maker.

Hot Wheels has been ramping up its marketing machine lately and will attempt the world's longest jump at the Indy 500 in May.

Finally, check out Rookies to Racers, a reality show on Discovery and Science channels for some interesting racing.

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GTSOTR REVIEW - Dodge Charger Vehicle App

Dodge Charger vehicle info iPhone application - AppStoreHQ

During last week's podcast we mentioned that Dodge had put its owner's manual into an iPhone app. Right after the show I downloaded the app to my now 16gb ipod touch 3G and "tested" it out over the weekend.

While I don't think that Dodge has done anything revolutionary in putting their owner's manual into an app (see what Hyundai did) it is a nice step in the right direction. You have quick access to the most popular and important features, along with safety tips and directions for most of the stuff that you can take care of on your own without having to call AAA. Having the quick searchable access, vibrant photos and helpful videos all on your phone/tab/device is a great and helpful feature that I expect all automakers to embrace in the next couple of years.

This one is very basic but it still beats getting the owners manual case out of my door, then actually grabbing the manual from the case, watching all of the over stuff that is in the case fall out, checking the table of contents and finding the page with your problem and/or question.

Even if you don't own a Dodge Charger, it may be worth to take a look at this app and see if this is something you want for your vehicle. It would definitely clear up some space on my driver's side door which is currently overflowing with my manual and all of the extra stuff that I will probably never use.

Safely Podcasting With Fewer Deaths and Recycled Parts

The holidays are upon us and that means people are hitting road. Please stay safe out there, and the IIHS just came out with the list of 66 cars that you will be the safest in. No big surprises except for the fact that only one minivan is on the list.

Driving deaths have decreased in recent years and while safer cars are part of the reason, WSJ's Joe White point out that many factors are behind increased safety numbers.

Fewer people on the road is one of the reasons for fewer deaths, and it is contributing to lower gasoline usage in the U.S. That trend is likely to continue and fossil fuel usage is expected to continue to decline.

GM will make Volt parts out of oil booms

Hybrids and electric cars are fostering that trend, and the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle, is just reaching the driveways and garages of the first buyers. Fox Business decided to use one of these initial buyers as a tee for a feisty discussion about unions and electric-vehicle incentives. You stay classy Fox.

Speaking of classy, Toyota got hit with yet another set of fines by the government, boosting its overall tab to about $49 million. A record fine for any car maker.

On the other end of the spectrum, Chevrolet is going to make some auto parts out of the oil-soaking booms used to clean up the BP oil spill in the gulf, proving that you can grind up just about anything and recycle it.

Ford is doing a little recycling with the Explorer name, introducing a new design that is more fuel efficient and more refined. But will it be enough to bring back buyers to big SUVs? Probably not.

Finally, Chrysler is refreshing its high-style 300 sedan for the Detroit auto show. Photos were released this week of the new design, which is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. What do you think?

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, December 22, 2010.mp3

Perhaps Mr. Goodwrench Can Join Our Podcast in His Retirement

The reigning fuel-economy champion Toyota Prius will keep its spot atop the ranking for 2011 - for now. The electric cars from GM and Nissan aren't on the list.

GM has returned to the skies in private jets. This time with approval from the government -- of course it stands to benefit. Also, GM is considering retiring the Goodwrench brand. Was it still working? The General may revive its performance brand but can it back it up with some products?

Morgan's Three Wheeler

Chrysler posted a smaller loss, only $82 million, but raised its outlook. As it works to redesign its lineup, things are looking better for the Italian-American brand. The Chrysler 200 is set to hit the streets as the first of these new-ish models.

Morgan, the venerable British maker of modern vehicular antiques, is bring back a storied three-wheeled design that is more than 50 years old and dates back to 1909. Is it cool?

Car racing season is wrapping up with just a couple more races left in Nascar and F1.

Finally, bringing back up a painful discussion from last week, a new red-light camera has the potential to violate your privacy in even more ways. And give you a ticket.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, November 9, 2010.mp3

[PODCAST] Flops, Fast Fill-Ups, Frankfurt and F-ups

David Patton and Mathew Passy discuss Ford's Facebook Flop, the diesel advocate Audi unveils electric car, MIT looks for 10 minute charger, Chrysler saves trees with DVD manuals, Frankfurt auto wrap up and Jim Press needs a bonus

GetThisShowOnTheRoad Sept 22, 2009.mp3

Links from tonight's podcast
Facebook Flop
Audi E-Tron
E-Tron on PS3
MIT Quick Charge Challenge
Jim Press Needs a Bonus