James Raia

Articles by James Raia

So long, Toyota Prius C; It’s been a good eight years

The Toyota Prius c, introduced in December 2011 as the carmaker’s least expensive and smallest hybrid, will likely be retired with the introduction of the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid. According to a report on Motor1.com, the little hatchback will be outdone in its well-touted economy by the new Corolla. Available in the spring of 2019, the EPA has already released the mileage estimates for the new Corolla, 53 mpg in city driving, 52 mpg on the freeway. The Prius c is rated at 48 mpg in city driving, 42 mpg on the highway Fuel economy for the 2020 Corolla Hybrid is already available from the EPA. It gets 53 miles per gallon city and 52 mpg highway for a combined

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#74, National Transportation Safety Board Most Wanted

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:15 — 47.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began in 1966 and since 1990 it has announced a Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Its recently released list for 2019-2020 includes 46 recommendations. Bruce Landsberg, the board’s vice chairman, is our special guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Landsberg, the former president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, was confirmed last summer to his position as one of five board members of the independent investigative agency based in Washington, D.C. A former co-chairman of the runway safety program for the Federal Aviation Administration, Landsberg, will serve a five-year term. He

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#5 The Weekly Driver Podcast (Video): NTSB expert Bruce Landsberg

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began in 1966 and since 1990 it has announced a Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Its recently released list for 2019-2020 includes 46 recommendations. Bruce Landsberg, the board’s vice chairman, is our special guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. It’s our 74th audio episode and #5 in our news eries of audio/video podcasts. Landsberg, the former president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, was confirmed last summer to his position as one of five board members of the independent investigative agency based in Washington, D.C. A former co-chairman of the runway safety program for the Federal Aviation Administration, Landsberg, will serve a five-year term. He was nominated

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#4, The Weekly Driver Podcast (Video): Saving teen drivers’ lives

Bob Davis, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Driver Interactive, Inc., is the inventor of the produce, Driving Essentials XE. An interactive and engaging driver training simulation made specifically for QX, Davis provides a wealth of knowledge as our guest on The Weekly Podcast. The product teaches new, teenage drivers how to deal with dangerous situations without actually being in danger. The vast majority of all serious teen crashes are due to critical (and preventable) mistakes — lack of judgment, lack of experience and driving distracted. Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Davis the soon-to-be-available product and how believes teenaged drivers’ lives will be saved. With its 10-lesson course, the goal Driving Essentials XE is projected

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#73, Saving teenage drivers’ lives with Xbox Driving Essentials

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:33 — 35.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreDriving Essentials XE is an interactive and engaging driver training simulation made specifically for Xbox. It teaches new, teenage drivers how to deal with dangerous situations without actually being in danger. The vast majority of all serious teen crashes are due to critical (and preventable) mistakes — lack of judgment, lack of experience and driving distracted. Bob Davis, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Driver Interactive, Inc., the manufacturer of the new product, is our guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Davis the soon-to-be-available product and how believes teenaged drivers’ lives will be saved.

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2019 Chrysler Pacifica leader of a van pack of one

The Chrysler Pacifica is uniquely positioned. The manufacturer had difficulty deciding on its name and then placed the Pacifica in a one-vehicle segment. It’s the only electric van available. Introduced at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the Chrysler van’s sixth-generation debuted as the 2017 Pacifica. It was formerly the name of the manufacturer’s crossover SUV. It’s also the new designation for the former Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan in North American and the discontinued Chrysler/Lancia Voyager in European markets. The Pacifica is further unique since it’s offered with another first — a nine-speed automatic transmission. A continuously electrically variable transmission (EVT) is offered on the hybrid version. As a hybrid, the Pacifica is offered in Touring Plus, Touring

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#3, The Weekly Driver Podcast Video: ToyMakerz Season 3

Nearly every network now has an automotive reality show. At least one program, ToyMakerz, has a star who had no desire to be on television. Which is why, in part, the show is increasingly popular. The host is David Ankin, a former stuntman, motorcycle racer, fabricator and customizer, and former restaurant owner. He’s catapulted the small city of Reidsville, N.C., where his ToyMakers, Inc. company shop is located, into the national spotlight. The show follows Ankin and his team, including teenage son, as it builds a one-off custom vehicle or enhances an original car. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Ankin on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. “In the big scheme of things, I never wanted to

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#72 The Weekly Driver Podcast: David Ankin/ToyMakerz

More than 40 years ago, Top Gear debuted as a monthly, 30-minute magazine-style, automotive-related program on the British Broadcasting Corporation. It was based in Birmingham, England, and the initial episode’s topics included speed traps, fuel economy and strange road signs. A year later, the program expanded to a weekly format and it was broadcast for nearly a quarter century. Simultaneously, much has changed and not much has changed in automotive programming. Enthusiasts are still as passionate about cars and truck and driving. Speed, fuel usage and bizarre things on the road are all still topics for automotive reality television programs. Shows like the rekindled version of Top Gear, American Chopper and Monster Garage brought the concept to greater prominence in

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#2, The Weekly Driver Podcast video: how states’ driving rates

As a personal finance website, WalletHub covers a lot of territory, all revolving around consumer assistance. It features practical advice about automobiles to credit cards and insurance to real estate agents. It’s all about numbers, statistics and analysis. In the automotive field, WalletHub has a series of studies, the most recent on the 2019 Best & Worst Cities to Drive in. The numbers are revealing. WalletHub.com reports California is among the worst states to driven in. The website determined congestion costs the average driver in the United States more than $1,400 per year. The U.S. is ranked 10th in the world in road quality in the recently released study. The Weekly Driver Podcast is produced in Sacramento, so co-hosts Bruce

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#71 WalletHub’s best, worst cities, states to drive in

WalletHub.com does studies, and it does them well. It makes sense because it’s a personal finance website that relies on facts and figures and number crunching for consumers. In the automotive field, WalletHub has a series of studies, the most recent on the 2019 Best & Worst Cities to Drive in. The numbers are revealing. WalletHub determined that congestion costs the average driver in the United States more than $1,400 per year. The U.S. is ranked 10th in the world in road quality in the recently released study. The Weekly Driver Podcast is produced in Sacramento, so co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia were particularly interested in how California ranks in different areas. Consider California’s numbers (1=Best; 25=Ave.): • 42nd

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2019 Infiniti QX80 classy, rugged, versatile SUV

Now in its mid-teens, the Infiniti QX80 is a large luxury sport utility vehicle with three rows of seating and a dual personality. It has many creature comforts and plenty of driving nimbleness for a heavyweight people mover. But it also has ruggedness to spare. Formerly called the QX56, a reference to its 5.6-liter engine, the QX80 designation on recent years’ models corresponds to nothing more than a new name. By whatever name, the monster SUV holds the unique distinction for the upscale division of Nissan. It was the first Infiniti, which debuted in 1989, built in the United States. The 2019 edition features improvements, as have other recent years’ offerings. A vast upgrade was done inside and outside last

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#1 The Weekly Driver Podcast Video: Author John Lamm

Few journalists in the automotive industry have as much expertise as John Lamm. The long-time writer and photographer has interviewed and photographed many of the icons in the business. Lamm has worked for all of the major car magazines, and he’s the author of several books, including the recently released, Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars Of All Time. Sub-titled “The one-stop guide to world-class supercar and their battle for ultimate performance and supremacy,” Lamm’s coffee-table-sized volume is essential for anyone who admires, dreams of, or owns a supercar of their own. The veteran journalist is our guest on the debut video episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The audio-only version of the podcast is available in our podcast archives. Lamm’s

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#70, Journalist, photographer John Lamm’s new supercar book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:41 — 43.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJohn Lamm is a journalist and photographer who has worked for decades for many of the automotive industry’s most prestigious magazines. He’s also the author of several books, including the new release, Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars Of All Time. Sub-titled “The one-stop guide to world-class supercar and their battle for ultimate performance and supremacy,” Lamm’s coffee-table-sized volume is essential for anyone who admires, dreams of, or owns a supercar of their own. The veteran journalist is our guest on episode #70 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. It’s also our first episode on video. It will be posted separately. Lamm’s book is cleverly organized

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2019 Cadillac XT4 shines as best new compact SUV

Cadillac has diligently worked for many years to dismantle its reputation as a brand for older drivers. It didn’t help when its massive sedans were often status symbols rewarded as a bonus for successful salespeople in the cosmetic industry. Likewise, big, expensive and luxurious were once equated with better. But it’s no longer the manufacturer’s focus and nor is it true. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is the smallest SUV in the carmaker’s lineup. It’s another attempt to appeal to a younger audience whose only experience with Cadillac may have been their grandparents’ wheels. As a compact SUV, the XT4 joins a quickly expanding segment of entry-level luxury people movers. The industry trend continues with the refrain. It’s in with more

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#68, Driven to Drive, 2018 podcast year in review

Max Mack has owned his share of vehicles. Like other car enthusiasts, he appreciates fast cars and automobile history, and he likes to associate with like-minded individuals. It’s why the Sacramento businessman began Driven to Drive. Mack organizes social meet-ups among car enthusiasts and businesses around Northern California — wineries to urban locales. It a great way to mix and share automobiles stories and with support from regional businesses. Mack is our guest on episode #68 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Mack about his new business, his long-time interest in cars, membership in the organization and plans for Driven to Drive in 2019. Driven to Drive’s mission statement: “We love cars. We

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HERE, Amazon announce navigation collaboration

HERE Technologies has announced a new collaboration with Amazon. The companies will integrate Amazon Alexa and HERE navigation and location services. The combination of the voice-first interactions through Alexa with a leading in-car navigation solution makes it easy for automakers to deliver an intuitive, voice-first experience for users inside and outside the car.

Alexa will come pre-integrated within HERE Navigation On-Demand, the new one-stop solution for automakers to enable compelling, full-featured and always-fresh navigation experiences in their vehicles. Leveraging the Alexa Auto tools and APIs, HERE has built a voice-first car navigation experience that keeps users focused on the road while enabling Alexa to deliver personalized guidance when and where it’s needed most. 

HERE will also provide information from its location services

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