An Automotive Podcast Pining for Hatchbacks

Apparently, we can predict the future, and it's looking bright. In this podcast episode we discuss:

The Shanghai Motor show had some radical concepts and interesting new vehicles, most of which will never make it to the U.S. market.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

While David would like a hatchback version of the Dodge Dart (and Chevrolet Cruze) that won't be happening -- at least in the U.S.

Toyota mixes wacky with practical, especially in its concept cars. The Me.We design mixes both, and we like it -- even if it also mixes in some other designs.

Toyota's Me.We concept

Podcasting With Automobilistic Undertones

You think traffic is bad on your commute. Try sitting in traffic for 10 days. That's what is happening in China where road construction has created a 60-mile back-up, made-up mostly of trucks. In some cases, the trucks are moving a half-mile per day.

On the road in China, but not moving.

That could drive someone to drink. But hopefully not driving. Sadly, a new study from NHTSA found that 8% of Americans admit to drinking and driving at least once in the past year. That's about 17 million drivers. A quarter of all respondents say they have gotten behind the wheel within two hours of having one or more alcoholic beverages.


Labor Day is coming. Don't drink and drive.


Especially if you paid over a $1 million for your car, which more than two dozen bidders did at the recent auctions during the automotive "holy week" surrounding the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Well-heeled car collectors chose to invest in rare and perfect vehicles rather than the stock market. But that rush of buyers isn't going to trickle down to lowly Mustangs and Camaros from the '60s.


Speaking of more modest wheels, Nissan is rolling out its new Juke tiny CUV in a month, and its polarizing styling make help trick American car buyers into small hatchbacks. That's basically what the Juke and the coming Mini Countryman are, even if they resemble SUVs.


On the assembly line, Ford is using Wi-Fi to customize vehicles and may explore using the same technology to allow owners to customize the options they want, at least in the infotainment area.

Finally, Garmin is on the hot seat with battery problems in several of its GPS devices. They are recalling over a million units, some of which were installed by manufacturers.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, August 27, 2010.mp3