We're Not Lying, This Automotive Podcast Is 'Focused' on Best-Selling Cars

Yet again there is debate about the top-selling car of the year for 2012: Is it the Ford Focus or the Toyota Corolla? We don't care but the debate is interesting.

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Both of those cars are fairly inexpensive to own and run, which is important because the AAA says that the cost of vehicle ownership is rising. Perhaps that is why most people want a better deal more than they want a good-looking car.

But as competition heats up, vehicle interiors are getting more important and Ward's Auto named its best looking interiors for 2013.

A future classic from China, the Wuling Sunshine 

Many classic SUVs have very spartan interiors, but that probably won't limit their appeal to vehicle collectors, who are predicted to take an interest in the segment.

In the future, cars might have motors in the wheels instead of under the hood.

It's not a lie that men more than occasionally bend the truth. Especially about car accidents and insurance.

Finally, Mathew admits that he is a steering-wheel drummer, and a company has introduced a gadget that we need to get him for his pending nuptials.

This Automotive Podcast Doesn't Need a Safety Alert Sound

We're all digital this week. Both in audio and in content because it's CES time. Auto makers and parts suppliers are rolling out new gadgets, apps and infotainment systems that a recent study predicts will be the differentiator for buyers over the next few years.

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Ford and GM are battling for wired drivers with new systems, while traffic data supplier Inrix is adding parking information to its offerings. Delphi is also readying a new system to bring smartphone connections to older vehicles.

Being informed about the consequences is part of an effort in Japan to get people to drive safely.

Buyers weren't informed about the vehicles on the worst-selling of 2012 list. No Chevrolet models on there, and the GM brand hopes its new tagline drives sales.

The NHTSA wants to add warning sounds to electric vehicles so they don't sneak up and surprise pedestrians.

Finally, Jerry Seinfeld is re-upping his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and while he is wealthier than many corporations, one driver tried to argue that the corporate papers in his passenger seat were enough to qualify him for the HOV lane.

We Aim to Be the **Dumpster of Automotive Podcasts

Auto makers and car dealers ended the year with a bang, as sales rose 9% compared with last year and 19% over November. The month capped a comeback year for the industry as sales hit 14.5 million and all the big companies posted significant percentage gains.

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For 2013, most of the industry expects strong gains in the U.S. helped by trucks, while Hyundai -- which has been rolling in the last few years -- sees weaker growth ahead.

Sandy cars spurred sales.
Image by Doug Kuntz via Autoblog

On car that had a great year -- the Chevrolet Volt, which had started slowly.

Moving on from car sales to other sales, Avis Budget bought Zipcar this week and it looks like a good deal for both sides.

CES is about to get rolling and cars and vehicle technology promises to be a big deal, with autonomous cars on the horizon from Audi and Toyota. Google and Kia got a head start by announcing a new deal to infuse Google into Kia's Uvo system.


**Dumpster is actually a genericized trademark for a type of mobile garbage bin (MGB)

This Automotive Podcast Goes One Louder -- To 2014

General Motors bought back a sizable chunk of the shares from the U.S. Treasury, continuing its rebound and allowing the auto maker's executives to once again ride on corporate jets.

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Toyota took another step to clear off its unintended acceleration issues by settling a class-action lawsuit for over $1.1 billion. That's pocket change for the Japanese company that is already predicting record sales for 2013. It will be among the many car makers that boost North American production through 2014.

In other auto business news, Suzuki is getting out of the U.S. market with a bang, with sales surging in the final months.

Questionable winter driving advice

Mazda is trying to one-up other brands by tagging its redesigned Mazda6 sedan as a 2014 model, but that is preventing dealers from actually selling the cars before 2013.

Auto-related fatalities rose a bit in 2012, but the numbers aren't really bad.

Men continue to pay more than women for auto insurance, but in Europe its now against the rules to use gender to determine rates.

Finally, here are some of the best new gadgets for cars this year and a prediction that Apple will get into the auto business in 2013.

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.

Seattle Auto Show: Gadgets, Joysticks and LEDs

My son and I checked out the Seattle Auto Show this week to see some of the new cars on the market. I'm going to do a series of posts with photos to capture some interesting trends, cool stuff or amusing decisions.

Our first episode is dedicated to the gadgets, joysticks and other high-tech features that can be found in cars and trucks on the market today:

I spent a long time playing with the gadgets in the Lexus CT200h F-Series, a sporty, small hatchback hybrid.

The Lexus CT 200h has a mouse/joystick to control
the infotainment system that is called
Lexus Remote Touch.

The screen in the
Lexus CT 200h
tilts and folds.

The Kia Optima is great looking inside and out, with a Saab-like dashboard
and lots of buttons on the steering wheel.
Also, two huge sunroofs. 

Volkswagen has this unique MDI socket
that requires a cable to work with either
iPods or USB devices. The cable appears
to be extremely expensive. A razzy for VW
on that one.

  

The Dodge Charger has a instrument panel with
an old school design and modern appearance.

The Dodge Charger has cup holders that can be
either heated or cooled. 

The Prius V -- the larger wagon-like model -- still sets
the standard for videogame-style controls.

The Jaguar XJ has a kick-plate in the front doorsill that is lighted
by a blue LED. The Hyundai Equus had the same thing.
Just so remember what kind of car you have. Of course,
the Hyundai's said Equus.

A Toll-Free Podcast About Our Love of Cars

Car sales remained strong in October, which Chrysler -- yes that Chrysler -- powering the continuing rebound. Jeep and the 200 sedan have been the surprising winners.

While sales are strong, it may be that America's love affair with the automobile may be over. We have a good discussion on whether this is true. What do you think?

More tolls in our future?

Those who love their cars the most often like to customize them. This week, most of the world's car customizers are in Las Vegas for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show.

Even the coolest cars are about getting places, and now that could get more expensive as more cities and states privatize roads, bridges and other infrastructure so that tolls can pay for them. In the past, we would have been against that but new technology means tolls are no longer roadblocks, so maybe having users pay for roads isn't a bad idea.

Finally, New Jersey is going to host a Formula One race in 2013 and we want seats!

P.S.:

• The Cloud may unclutter your dashboard.


• Radar detectors are getting a social network and apps.


• Gas pumps are filthy.

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This Podcast Is Driving Itself by Reading Our Minds

The U.S. auto market is back to a level playing field now that Toyota and Honda have almost overcome the inventory issues that hurt their sales. Meanwhile, buyers turned out during September, pushing sales up to recent highs and signaling that economic concerns might not dent sales in the coming months.
Many shoppers are those who need a car, as in their previous ride has worn out. And they are finding that used car prices are not friendly so they are taking the plunge into brand new cars and trucks.

Mind reading cars coming?

Luxury auto makers have seen strong sales in recent months as buyers choose the high-tech gadgets and more customer friendly shopping experience that the dealers and manufacturers have invested in.
GM has seen strong sales rebound. But it's stock is sliding, down 40% since it's IPO last year and the U.S. government, which has 500 million shares, is holding off selling for a while.
The investment might be a bit distracting but drivers aren't paying much attention. Nor are they heeding their own advice.
Perhaps it will get better when cars will be able to read our minds, which may be coming sooner than you would think.
Finally, we go to the police blotter with two stories about thievery, one a clever key switcheroo and the other a Facebook snafu.

Programming note: We thought the iPhone news was not worthy of a mention and check out this book excerpt of Bill Vlasic's "Once Upon a Car: The Fall and Resurrection of America’s Big Three Automakers — G.M., Ford and Chrysler.” We'll talk about it next week.

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Which Is More Dangerous: Facebook in the Car or Podcasting While Annoyed

Auto sales took a dip in May, and while this wan't surprising, the continuing tumbles by Toyota and Lexus are eyebrow raising.

In general, car makers are in better shape, and the government is going to get back almost all of the billions invested to keep the industry afloat. Some of that is coming from Fiat, which is buying the rest of the U.S. Treasury's stake in Chrysler for about $500 million to increase its ownership to more than half of the once-bankrupt auto maker.

Gas prices are probably going to keep rising in the coming years, but Ford's Alan Mulally wants to at least keep the government regulations consistant across the U.S. California is considering its own fuel-economy standards and that has auto makers concerned.

Distracted and Angry

Gadgets and online services are becoming more a part of people's lives, but U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is concerned about their presence in cars and trucks. He is continuing his efforts to link these new devices to distracted driving. Tell that the Ford, which is looking to extend Sync to offer health-monitoring services.

We have a feisty debate about distracted driving, which leads to a list of things that annoy us behind the wheel.

Finally, Obama's motorcade got stuck a few weeks back on a speed bump, but the Hot Wheels truck set a record distance with its jump this week.

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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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Gadget This Show on the Road

Are you worried that you'll lose your keys and get your car stolen? You should be. New research found that the key fob systems that broadcast their location to the car and automatically unlock the doors and allow the vehicle to start can be easily fooled.

Volvo doesn't even need a driver for their new caravan technology that allows multiple vehicles to track the leader through computers and sensors.

Designers are looking to maximize space without adding length, the NYTimes writes. That is good because we are spending more time in our cars or commuting.

This was a high-tech automotive gadget

That means we want better audio experiences and systems from JVC, Sony, Harmon and Oxygen Audio aim to integrate gadgets with vehicles.

Rental car companies are giving electric car drivers a break by not charging them money for turning in an uncharged battery. While Washington State is installing high-speed chargers on scenic byways as well as urban areas.

Finally, there are some opportunities at the bargain end of the collector car market as the fall auctions in Arizona kick off this week.

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It's the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl of Automotive Podcasts

While maybe not the Super Bowl of auto news, it was a big day for car sales, with the totals for 2010 coming in, plus December's strong monthly report. The big winners last year were GM and Hyundai, but as WSJ points out, the U.S. auto market is changing with feisty competition becoming the norm. The list of most popular car models was full of yawns.

The car market is a changing.

Toyota was the big loser for the year and in December as it lost share amid the recall scandals and failed to excite buyers with significant new models. Still, the company is betting big on the Prius brand becoming its anchor over the next decade.

Toyota is at CES this week and showed a rather uninspired infotainment device it will be rolling out over the next year called Entune.

GM is taking OnStar to Best Buy with a new mirror that can be installed as an aftermarket device on most vehicles but David thinks the hefty subscription fees will limit sales growth.

Finally, we share our PVIs from last week which included the ultimate failure by the luxobarge and a snOMG for the Tuscon.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, Jan 5, 2011.mp3

Caught Podcasting by the Red Light Camera

October auto sales gave most car companies something to smile about for a change with everyone from Buick to Jeep posting good gains. Except for Toyota which continues to suffer, though the comparison from last year was tough.

More bad news for Toyota, Car & Driver gave the auto maker a D+ for its overall design aesthetic. That was the lowest grade among all the major brands. No surprise, Ferrari got an A-, but would you give the same to GM. C&D did.

WiTricity and Delphi's wireless electric-car charger.

GM is getting ready for its stock offering, and the provisions of its bailout -- including no taxes -- are helping boost its overall valuation to nearly the same as Ford.

Voters in many towns, including Mukilteo, Wash., voted to limit red-light cameras. Many see them as tax-generation devices rather than safety systems.

Delphi and WiTricity are developing a wireless charging device for electric cars that could make it easier to get a charge.

Finally, in a further sign that cars are getting more like gadgets, the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will feature keynote speakers from both Ford and Audi.

• Check out Autoblog's SEMA coverage, the coming U.S. edition of Top Gear and the L.A. Auto Show.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad, November 5, 2010.mp3

Where You Live Determines What Car Features You Buy

Ford released sales data this week that highlights trends in the options car buyers select based on the area of the U.S.

The headline, and the most interesting tidbit: My neighbors in the Seattle area prefer cars with moonroofs and cooled seats.

I think there are two reasons for that:

Because it is generally cool here, I find that I rarely use the air conditioning but always open the roof if it isn't raining. And while it does rain often here, its rarely a steady rain.

Also, the tech boom has been good to this area and there are hundreds of thousands of people in the industry, most of whom are inclined to be techies in the rest of their lives. It makes sense then that they would prefer features like Ford's Sync.

What do you think? Do your local friends all have the same features in their cars?