Walmart looks to the future, buys 4,500 Canoo vans

Walmart, the country’s largest retail began with founder Sam Walton driving often a 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck loaded with merchandise, has taken a giant leap of automotive faith. It has purchased 4,500 Canoo electronic Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles (LDV). The futuristic-looking van debuted as a concept vehicle in 2019 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will be used for delivery of the company’s online orders. Walmart First Canoo Fleet Buyer Walmart bought the vehicles, announced in 2021 with a starting price of $34,750, as part of its goal to eliminate emissions from its operations by 2040. The Canoo is

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Celebrity cars, big money in Monterey Auto Week

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Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula One world titlist, hasn’t been in public for nearly a decade. He suffered major head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013 and was placed into a medically induced coma. But Schumacher’s unmatched career legacy remains, in keen focus via his son Mick, a current F1 competitor. Among the cars the elder Schumacher drove is a Ferrari F300, Chassis No. 187. It was driven by the German champion in his four victories during his 1998 World Championship season. Equipped with a 3.0-liter V-10 engine, a maximum engine speed of 17,500 rpm and producing 800

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#235, TuneIn partners with Rivian as upstart EV’s ‘radio’

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:23 — 34.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJen Collins knows digital business partnerships from more than two decades of career experience, Fox Entertainment to the Los Angeles Times. In her current capacity, Collins is senior vice president of business development at TuneIn, the world’s leading live streaming audio service. Collins is our guest this week to discuss TuneIn’s new relationship with Rivian, the electric pickup truck and sport utility vehicle manufacturer. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Collins the TuneIn platform and its integration with the innovative manufacturer as

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Save Money By Doing Your Own Car Maintenance

Maintaining a car can be costly, particularly on older vehicles that often need more care. Further difficulty is keeping up with car maintenance considering other expenses such as fluctuating gas prices. But there are ways to save money, including your own maintenance. Making a car repair isn’t always  a realistic challenge unless you’re a professional mechanic. But many smaller tasks can be accomplished. Learn the Basics Nearly anyone can learn to carry out some basic car maintenance tasks even if you’re not a mechanic. Changing the oil or a fixin tire doesn’t require a mechanic and doesn’t require sophisticated skills.

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#234, Marc O’Dell answers your car questions 24/7

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:57 — 43.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMarc O’Dell is the expert you want to talk with when there’s an issue with your car. For the past two-plus years he’s worked as an auto expert for JustAnswer.com. The platform connects people with live doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, mechanics and other verified and vetted experts for real-time assistance, insight and answers to just about any question or problem. The service, available with different payment tiers, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. O’Dell, who has more than 25 years of

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#233, WeatherTech Raceway set for Monterey Auto Week

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:40 — 42.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a diverse annual motorsports calendar. It began this year in April with the Trans Am Superfest and continues through mid-October with the Velocity Invitational. Next month is the busiest time of the year with the iconic facility heavy into the mix of Monterey Auto Week. Barry Toepke, Director of Heritage Events & Public Relations at WeatherTech Raceway, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. A guest three times previously, Toepke shares with co-host Bruce Aldrich in

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5 Tips For Proper Truck Maintenance

Proper truck maintenance is essential for the reliability and longevity of your truck. It also helps avoid expensive repairs and accidents. And it can prevent you from getting stopped by law enforcement for a “fix-it ticket,” like having a broken taillight. It’s easy to take your truck for granted. It’s parked in the garage, driveway or on the street most of the time. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore its basic maintenance. Here are five tips for proper truck maintenance: Get Regular Tuneups To avoid breakdowns and costly repairs, regular checkups are essential. Engine problems are most common due

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2022 Ford Lightning bolts quickly into fame

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Not quite with the quickness of its name, the 2022 Ford Lightning arrived a year after it was announced. There was much fanfare, an avalanche of deposits and now there’s an estimated three-year backlog for delivery. First teased at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, Ford beat all the others — Tesla to GMC, Chevrolet to Rivian — to the streets to further add to manufacturer’s truck legacy. The industry’s best-seller for decades, hadn’t Ford already offered every conceivable truck necessary to maintain its sales advantage? The Lightning boldly adds to the mix. It’s a luxury-oriented, full-size electric pickup truck with

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#232, Cruise driverless ride share debuts in San Francisco

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:49 — 34.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAfter several years of negotiation and testing, Cruise was at the front of the autonomous line last week. It became the first driverless taxi service in San Francisco to charge for its services. The limited service area program features solo occupants getting rides in Chevrolet Bolts. The system is currently geofenced to the Northwest corner of the city of San Francisco, mostly residential areas in a grid of low-speed streets. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Jackie Shannon, Director of Product Management

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2022 Toyota Tundra improved but glory days long gone

The Toyota Tundra debuted in its third generation this year as among the most varied available pickup trucks but with a diminishing legacy. The Japanese manufacturer assembles the truck in San Antonio, Texas, a hub for ranchers and RVers and their utilitarian vehicles. Despite the substantial niche market, the Tundra is struggling. Nearly 197,000 sold in 2007, the full-size truck’s best year. Just under 82,000 were purchased in 2021. Serious competition from an omnipresent truck foursome remains, and the Tundra’s smaller, thriving pickup, the Tacoma, has thwarted the big truck’s sales. The Ford F-Series, Ram, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC are

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Volkswagen Amarok pickup truck on its way to USA — maybe

The Volkswagen Amarok, a mid-size pickup truck sold internationally since 2010 (but not in the United States) will be revealed July 7 for its potential availability in this country. Sharing a platform with the upcoming Ford Ranger, the Amarok has been “teased” recently on various automotive outlets as well as from the manufacturer. Its exterior includes newly styled headlights and a rugged-looking rear end. Volkswagen Amarok Set for US Sales? The truck’s highlights include a vertically-aligned 12-inch touchscreen display, the same as the Ranger’s touchscreen. the VW Amarok also appears to have toggle switches for the hazard lights, parking sensors,

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Toyota Tundra sales plummet, few changes planned for 2023

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The Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck had its peak annual sales 15 years ago when the 2007 year-end tally was just under 197,000. With increased competition, the truck’s selling success has never been anywhere close. Since 2018, sales of the Tundra have drastically dipped from 118,258 in 2018 to 81,959 in 2021. It was the poorest sales tally for the Tundra since 2009. In 2020, the Tundra was sharply criticized, including by U.S. News & Report. It wrote: “It’s been 13 years since this Toyota got a complete redesign. Most full-size rivals have more comfortable interiors, smoother rides, better composure,

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Electric vehicles aren’t new, just new again after 200 years

Approaching 200 years ago, a few smart, innovators with big dreams began experimenting with vehicles propelled by electricity, the original Electric Vehicles. Two Scotsmen respectively introduced an electric carriage and locomotive with galvanic cells with limited lives. The contraptions quickly gained notoriety. They were revolutionary for the early 1830s, but are best remembered as pre-historic precursors to the current electric vehicle surge. All major and niche car manufacturers — Chevrolet to Ford, Tesla to Lucid —have electric cars and trucks or are preparing an alternative fuel or electric vehicle. The automotive future is now, accelerated in California by Gov. Gavin

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2022 Lexus NX 350h: Improved SUV drives well, looks ugly

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The 2022 Lexus NX 350h is an automotive dichotomy. Now in its second generation and eight years removed from its debut, the futuristic-looking sport utility vehicle is categorized as a subcompact luxury crossover. The description is contradictory and inaccurate. Luxury in vehicles was once determined by spaciousness, top-end construction, top-line materials and a handsome, confident and powerful presence powering along the highway. The NX 350 is none of that. Lexus remains the luxury brand of Toyota. Its upscale offerings were vaulted to the top of the J.D Power & Associates in 1991, the car maker’s third model year. More than

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#231, Bruce’s RV update, new retro trailers, Cruise taxis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:31 — 47.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreNot too many days pass without the automobile, truck or RV industry abuzz. But it’s not always about Elon Musk, Tesla and the latest delay of his electric pickup truck. Sometimes, Bruce and I just have to get caught up in other auto news, and that’s what we do on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We cover several topics. Bruce and his wife Alene recently returned their fifth trip in their new fifth-wheel RV, a 29-foot Keystone Cougar, towed by their 2022

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2022 Toyota Highlander: maturing SUV remains worthy

The Toyota Highlander turned age 22 in 2022 and it retains its status as a respected midsize sport utility vehicle. Its consistency and versatility have provided long-haul clout. Last year, the Highlander had its best sales year since the three-row family hauler’s debut. Competition is healthy in the segment. The Highlander’s rivals include the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas. They’re all worthy, with individual strengths, all-wheel drive to the economy, determining factors. Now in the thick of its fourth generation, the Highlander is available in six trims, including the reviewed top-line Platinum

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