Developing a Seamless and Safe Connected Car Podcast

Cars are getting more connected, though drivers may be feeling less connected with their cars. David had a chance to listen to some industry luminaries discuss where they see things going for radios, data and distracted driving at the Connected Car Conference.

One thing that leaves many drivers disconnected is getting their car stolen, and vehicle thefts are on the uptick across the U.S., but particularly in agricultural areas.

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Jalopnik's map of the top selling new car by state.

Another dissatisfying experience is being had by folks related to their car insurance, which may relate to the amount of advertising that they are getting exposed to.

July 4th is the deadliest day for drivers in the U.S., and we explore the connection between hot dogs, apple pie, beer, fireworks and driving.

Many people will be driving to and from their 4th of July picnics and barbecues in a new Ford 150, according to this map created by Jalopnik. And the F-150 also took the top spot among American-made cars from Toyota's Camry.

That could change in the coming years as Tesla finds more support and success in change the way that people buy -- auto makers sell -- vehicles.

We Didn't Reinvent the Wheel With This Car Podcast

While we love to talk about auto sales, this podcast starts out with a look at auto production, which is going to hit a 10-year high in 2013.

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And both auto makers and dealers need to move some metal to keep those factories humming, so they are looking at new ways to advertise. That could have a big impact because they are the largest spenders for advertising.

Perhaps some of that advertising money might go to Tred, a Seattle start-up that will deliver a car to your door for a test drive -- for a fee to both the tester and the dealer.

That might not be as innovative an idea as this effort -- which looks successful on the video below -- to reinvent the wheel.

This Podcast Hopes 'Autodrive' Comes With Wireless Electric Cars

We continue our focus on electric cars and autonomous vehicles.

With the tax breaks and fuel savings, some electric car owners are finding their costs going down to zero.

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Tesla paid back its loan as it's stock soars and is started to battle state legislators -- and dealer lobbyists -- as it seeks to expand its network of retail outlets.

Wireless charging could help expand demand for electric vehicles.

A global study found that a majority of drivers are ready for vehicles that can drive themselves. Surprisingly, so are we as well as a group of legislators, but the benefits have to be explained better.

This Automotive Podcast Won't Try and Sell You the Undercoating

The car buying process remains one of the most painful parts of owning a vehicle, but new efforts by dealers could improve that, even if the laws governing the industry are extremely antiquated.

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But in China, an airline is looking to sell cars to travelers, during flights. That won't fly with a growing number of owners who are hanging on to their vehicles for a long, long time -- out of love.

One market that has engendered loyalty has been the small-pickup market, though most auto makers have abandoned the segment. Now they are looking to get back in. One way to make those vehicles more appealing might be to put diesel engines, which ExxonMobile predicts will be the dominant fuel in only seven years.

How long?

Meanwhile, electric and hybrid vehicle sales continue to grow, but the environmental impact is probably more significant than most people think.

Sensors are increasingly moving into vehicles and assessing and communicating with drivers. One company -- Automatic -- has a low-cost gadget to add that functionality to most modern cars.

Commuting time is one metric that potential home owners should consider and a new site provides a realistic look to shoppers.

Finally, Jeff Gordon gives a car dealer a scare, and we debate whether its real.

This Podcast Doesn't Charge for Carry-Ons or Pets

September is the last month of the model year for most auto makers and sales continued their strong showing, though the comparable numbers from last year were more normal so the gains didn't look as big.

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Poodle on the grill (Photo: East Providence Animal Control Center)

Mathew helped boost those sales by hitting the dealer to upgrade his Hyundai. He had a better experience than this man, who got a deal on a new car that the dealer called criminal.

Hopefully, license-plate readers don't lead to more unjust arrests. Though erratic driving might be caused by satellite navigation according to a new study.

We take to the air this week to report on loose seats on some American Airlines flights. And Spirit is now charging for carry-on bags.

So when you need to carry stuff use a van. But don't expect to get a new full-size American van because they are going away. Good riddance. Another thing going away that we won't miss: bench seats. The Chevrolet Impala will lose the option for bench.

Finally, a poodle got a wild ride in the grill of a Toyota -- and survived. See the photo.

We're Not Distracted Enough to Stop Podcasting About Driving

Car sales are rebounding this year, and that might be because there are more dealers. After a long slide, the number of dealers in the U.S. increased in 2011.

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Why would you skip this moment?

That might be a short trend because more buyers are skipping the test drive when buying a car.

BMW tweaked its sales in July using a questionable demo sales plan.

Other luxury cars didn't do well in a new IIHS crash test called the small overlap test.

Perhaps the new Porsche Panamera wagon will be designed to do better in the test, and look better.

One young man's horrible texting accident has turned him around. On the same topic, AT&T is launching an big campaign to fight teen texting and driving.

Finally, the smart folks a Rutgers University have come up with a way to determine where the phone is in the car to activate the distracted-driving prevention features.

Podcasting Like We're Inside the Comedians Camaro

Car sales for June were strong and leasing has been making a comeback with buyers, dealers and auto makers as values help drive down the cost compared with purchasing.

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Batmobile documentary

One company that isn't offering many deals is Hyundai, which is just about turning buyers away because they are limiting production.

The Volt may have had a slow start in the market, but it's catching on, with nearly 100 million miles driven by all Volts almost two-thirds are battery powered.

Technology is catching up with dealers as well, as one Audi shop putting in a fancy immersive system to drive sales. Drivers are also getting better gizmos, with a new device from Parrot that promises to be an in-car concierge.

OnStar is now helping RelayRides, a car-sharing service, make it easier to offer it's service. It's just one example of how location-based technology and apps are improving transportation.

The cure for car apathy among kids? Lego cars.

Finally, two new car-related shows: A Batmobile documentary and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, look interesting.

It's Halftime for This Podcast

Coming in a bit late, but we take a deep look at car sales for January, including hybrid and diesel sales. Also, Chevrolet is cannibalizing sales of their fancy Volt with the more pedestrian Cruze subcompact.

Dealers are all about sales and the brands they like the most are Hyundai, Subaru and Lexus. We discuss why these brands made it to the top of the list and why dealers are bullish about sales this year.

Fisker is another brand that is struggling, and may be on the ropes.

This week Nissan, Hyundai and Kia were showing off some compelling new vehicles at the Chicago auto show.

While those cars are appealing, David is less impressed with all the new designs coming out of Formula 1 teams. While they are technologically advanced, they are also ugly.

The Super Bowl is the place where auto makers make big bets and we discuss the best and worst of the ads. Did Chrysler hit or miss with "Halftime in America?"

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Loyally Raising the Podcast Standards

Loyalty is vital to auto makers success and Hyundai, which as we have discussed, continues to roll, with the highest retention rate for its owners.

Owners have also been more loyal to their vehicles, driving up the average age of cars and trucks on the road to a record 10.8 years old.

Get away from Prius camper.

One reason that could be so high is that people are driving less due to the stumbling economy and perhaps higher gas prices.

But higher gas prices and and the increase in CAFE standards coming in 13 years will probably cost drivers more, at least initially, but could save money in the longer run. Dealers are very concerned. Are you?

Speaking of concerned, Detroit is a place where you need to be concerned about the safety of your car, but police aren't increasing the patrols, they are just banning parking on the street.

Finally, need to get away. How about a Prius camper? It's hideous.

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Rebounding Auto Dealers Get Fancy for Car Shoppers

A dealer shows off. From Seattle Times

Auto makers are finally stable after the Detroit brand brush with death and the recent rebound in car and truck sales, and most dealers can afford to spend a little money to spruce up the showroom. So they're adding leather chairs, rich oak walls, theatrical lighting — even hair salons.


Is a fancier dealer going to ultimately improve the shopping experience or is it more about price, salepeople and negotiation -- and the actual vehicles they sell?

This Podcast Can't Drive Itself

Toyota has been pounded by bad luck and bad decisions in recent years.
First came a surge by Korean car companies, then a wave a revitalized competition as Ford and GM got back on their feet, followed by a questionable problem with runaway cars, trailed by an increased in the value of the yen, and then a crushing natural disaster. All this showed up in the Japanese car maker's profit report this week, which was down 77% and could be a sign Toyota will lose its crown as the world's largest auto maker.

Even Japanese buyers are turning away from brands, with foreign nameplates showing a sizable jump in recent months, and even one sale of a Pontiac.

In the city of San Francisco, no demand for domestic nameplates has led to the closure of all GM, Ford and Chrysler dealers, but import brand dealers are doing fine.

GM is doing fine elsewhere, and will spend $2 billion upgrading its plants in the coming years to add new capacity and technology.

Porsche is spending money on real estate, but staying in Atlanta.

Kia is on a roll and expects to gain market share across the globe, and a strong showing in a recent Consumer Reports test will probably help its cause with U.S. buyers.

Electric-car range anxiety is something that drivers will have to overcome to foster wider adoption, and now Google is offering an API to help track commuting and offer alternative times and routes. Ford will adopt it.

Finally, Google is also pushing driverless cars, especially in Nevada. We debate the need for cars without drivers and if you have thoughts tweet us at #driverlesscarYayorNay.

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Car Prices in U.S. Get Bumped Up by Effects of Japanese Quake

It's spring and typically one of the busiest times for car shopping. But potential car, truck and SUV buyers -- particularly those heading into showrooms of Japanese makes like Mazda, Honda and Toyota will encounter higher vehicle prices. Some auto makers are running their vehicle production at only half of normal levels.

Mazda dealers, like Foothills in Spokane, Wa., are
charging higher prices these days. 

The price increases, typically $100-$400, aren't limited to cars made at Japanese plants that were affected by the massive earthquake last month. Ford announced a 0.4% price increase earlier this month. Toyota is raising prices about 2% on nearly all models May 1, and GM will likely announce a small increase in the price of most of its cars and trucks on Monday.

The increasing globalization of the industry means that parts come from all over the world and even vehicles made in U.S. factories have been affected by the plants shutdowns in Japan. Last month, Ford suspended building Tuxedo Black vehicles due to the quake.

Most of the price increases are hitting small cars build in Japan, and those are the vehicles that may be in highest demand during this spring shopping season. The average price of gasoline is now above $4 per gallon in five states, and it could rise to that level in New York and Washington, D.C., this weekend. That is driving sales of smaller, more efficient vehicles.

Dealing With Speedy "i"s

Dealers are rebounding after their numbers were slashed by the auto companies. Fewer dealers means more profits for those still around. But Ford continues its roll and now has more dealers than GM's Chevrolet brand for the first time in a long time.

GMC's Granite concept has suicide doors

Do you speed? Well, CNBC has a list of the top 10 cities for speed traps, so don't move to these places, most of which are in Texas. But if you do, and get nabbed, one enterprising tech geek has a story of how he thwarted a ticket using a GPS app that records the details of his travels.

That was smart, and several cities in Spain are hoping to make their parking spaces just as smart so that drivers can be alerted to available spaces.

BMW is planning a smarter, more eco-friendly brand, and rolled out the "i" for the name. Toyota added an "i" to Prius to create Prii, the plural of its popular hybrid brand.

Finally, GMC is planning to make its funky Granite compact city vehicle, complete with rear-hinged doors.

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