#12, Experts discuss GIG car’s Sacramento debut (video)

Tony Bizjak, the long-time transportation writer of the Sacramento Bee, is the first of our two guests on Episode #83 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, video edition. Our second guest is Mike Blasky, the Media Relations Specialist of AAA for Northern California, Nevada and Utah. He’s based in Walnut Creek, California. Bizjak recently wrote an article and was the driver in the publication’s online video about GIG. It’s the new on-demand one-way rental car service available in Sacramento and other select cities. GIG (Get In, Go) is working in conjunction with AAA on the project. GIG relies on the Toyota

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#83 GIG one-way rental car debuts in Sacramento

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:05 — 55.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTony Bizjak, the long-time transportation writer for the Sacramento Bee, recently wrote an article and was the driver in the publication’s online video about GIG. It’s the new on-demand, one-way rental car service available in Sacramento and other select cities. Bizjak is the first of our two guests on Episode #83 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Our second guest is Mike Blasky, the Media Relations Specialist of AAA for Northern California, Nevada and Utah. He’s based in Walnut Creek, California. GIG (Get In, Go)

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#11, Libby Edelman writes on women loving cars (video)

Libby Edelman spent years raising a family, living in several locations around the United States and working as a fashion editor for national magazines. She also spent a lot of time thinking about women who love their cars, a curiosity prompted by a headline in The National Enquirer. While waiting in line at a grocery store one day, Edelman read in the supermarket tabloid about a woman who loved her car so much, she was buried with it. The result, while less bizarre but equally dramatic, is the new book Lovin’ My Car: Women in the Driver’s Seat. Edelman is

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#81 Author Libby Edelman on women who love cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:01 — 42.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreLibby Edelman spent years raising a family, living in several locations around the United States and working as a fashion editor for national magazines. She also spent a lot of time thinking about women who love their cars, a curiosity prompted by a headline in The National Enquirer. While waiting in line at a grocery store one day, Edelman read in the supermarket tabloid about a woman who loved her car so much, she was buried with it. The result, while less bizarre but

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2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: raving beauty with faults

Organizers of the Tour of Italy introduced the Stelvio Pass into the country’s most celebrated bike race 66 years ago. It rises above 9,000 feet and includes a few dozen hairpin turns on narrow roads. Alfa Romeo has branded its first compact sport utility vehicle with the same name. The Stelvio route in the Ortler Alps near the Swiss border has been canceled several times because of inclement weather. Many cyclists have successfully negotiated the rugged trek, others have failed because of mechanical failures in the nasty elements. As such, the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a rugged legacy to

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Dave Ankin, guru of ToyMakerz, shares his passion for cars

By David Ankin I first felt “the itch” when I was a kid, growing up in the heart of motor country in Indiana and Michigan. Watching my dad, a skilled car fabricator nicknamed “The Iron Man” for his impressive metalworking skills, I yearned to build my own custom rides. And so I learned to tinker and create my first custom Toyz! I’d modify my bike — once I extended the front fork by hammering together two regular bike forks — my first Chopper! The funny thing is, even though my father is a welder, it didn’t occur to me to ask

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#10, Toyota Camry, Elon Musk, WeatherTech (Video)

There’s never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues in episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. As an weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the

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#80, Elon Musk, Toyota Camry and WeatherTech Raceway

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:41 — 49.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThere’s never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation.  Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues on Episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. As a weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry.

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2019 Mazda CX-9: versatile SUV with sedan tendencies

The Mazda CX-9 debuted in 2006 as a versatile, well-equipped addition to the fraternity of family haulers. The first generation endured for nine years in the ever-expanding segment of urban taxis. The 2019 edition is the second generation’s fourth year. Tweaks have been added each year as SUVs become increasingly attractive to large clans and families of one. New this year for CX-9: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a retuned suspension and a surround-view parking camera. Mazda’s largest vehicle remains available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature trims. All choices present Mazda at its best, including the base model.

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#79 Autonomous future featured at GPU Technology Conference

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:54 — 34.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe huge truck cab couldn’t have been any more conspicuous. It dominated the back of the main showroom at the recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California, and attracted plenty of attention. The all-electric prototype from TuSimple is aimed at providing cheaper, more-efficient long-hauling trucking. TuSimple, with offices in China and the United States, is among numerous startups working to automate parts of the long-haul trucking and parcel delivery industries. As part of the technology, semi-trucks would be allowed to operate beyond the

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Peugeot prepping for US return, details remain secret

What styles, when they will arrive and how they will be sold are all unknown. What’s certain is Peugeot will be re-introduced to the North American market within a few years. It’s been absent for nearly three decades. Groupe PSA, the multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, announced its intentions in late February. Larry Dominique, President and CEO, PSA North America, Inc., was a recent guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. It’s the broadcast I co-host with Bruce Aldrich and available on all major podcast platforms. Dominique cited facts, figures

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#9 The next billion cars? Futurist Mark Pesce explains (video)

In the next 15 years, one billion cars will be made, and futurist Mark Pesce is here to explain the madness. What are the pending expectations and what experiences will they provide for a completly ransformed automotive industry? It’s the focus of a new podcast series called The Next Billion Cars with Pesce as the host. He’s our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Pesce, reached in Australia via Skype, the premise of the 10-part podcast, which debuted in February. It’s produced with innovator Sally Domingue, a Wheels Car

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#78 Futurist Mark Pesce discusses the next billion cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:39 — 38.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe automotive industry manufactures two cars a second. Never have so many had access to motorized transportation. In the next 15 years — the time it will take to build the next billion cars — the automobile expectations and the experience they provide will transform completely. It’s the focus of a new podcast series called The Next Billion Cars, hosted by futurist Mark Pesce. He’s our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Pesce,

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2019 Toyota Camry: top sedan gets better in soft market

For nearly 20 years, the Toyota Camry has been the country’s top-selling sedan. But for the past several years including 2018, there’s been a caveat to the numbers. And it hasn’t been good. Despite the debut of the enduring sedan’s eighth generation, Camry sales were down 11.3 percent last year from 2017. Toyota and other top sedan-makers continue to ponder the public’s mass exit from sedans toward the versatile range of sport utility vehicles and trucks. Ford and Chevrolet have abandoned their midsize segments. Statistically, the Toyota Camry was at its peak for four straight years beginning in 2012 with

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#8, The Weekly Driver Podcast (video): Peugeot set for U.S. return

A date and what models will be offered haven’t been announced. But Peugeot will soon return to the North American market. Groupe PSA is the multinational parent company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands, maded the announcement in late February. Larry Dominique, President and CEO, PSA North America, Inc., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Dominique reasons for the iconic vehicle’s return after nearly a three-decade absence. Dominique cites facts and figures and industry and trends. He

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#77, Peugeot president discusses iconic car’s return

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:24 — 32.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreGroupe PSA is the multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands. In late February, the French company announced it will soon re-introduce Peugeot to the North American market. Larry Dominique, President and CEO, PSA North America, Inc., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Dominique reasons for the iconic vehicle’s return after nearly a three-decade absence. Dominique cites facts and figures and industry

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