#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

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 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. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the

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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

The 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, reached in Australia via Skype, the premise of the 10-part podcast, which debuted in February. It’s

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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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Groupe 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 and trends. He explains that after China, the United States is the world’s second-largest car market.

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Trends Now Affecting Auto Transport Industry

SPONSORED CONTENT As technology evolves and the economy constantly fluctuates, so does the auto transport industry. When car shipping changes as the result of things economy or technology, shipping rates get directly impacted. If you plan on shipping a car, understanding these trends and changes can help you better understand and predict possible future rate changes. Capacity Crunch – Capacity crunch is an auto industry freight term referencing to diminishing capacity for shipping. Realistically, this is being caused because there is a lack of people entering the freight industry. So, when people retire or leave the industry and don’t get

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2019 Lexus LS 500 commands the open road in style

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Like naval fleets, automobile manufacturers have flagships. Commanding officers, weaponry or distinguished flags aren’t involved. Still, carmakers’ highest-profile vehicles are their proudest presentations. Luxury brands thrive on their top-line offerings, which for the upscale division of Toyota is the Lexus LS 500. Redesigned inside and outside last year, the 2019 LS 500 retains the full-size luxury sedan‘s finer attributes. Its uber-quiet ride is complemented by its interior designer’s best traditional touches. Technology is top-shelf. Well-heeled German brands Audi, BMW Mercedes-Benz and Swedish rival Volvo all attract high praise for their handsome, forward-thinking exteriors designs. But with the South Korean-made Genesis,

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Kaiyun Motors offers new, cheap EV pickup for $8,950

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Cheap new vehicles aren’t a new phenomenon in certain countries. But so far it’s only been wishful thinking for a few niche manufacturers in the United States — until now. Kaiyun Motors will soon arrive. It will soon introduce the Pickman, an all-electric pickup in the U.S. It has a base price of $8,950. The price was listed mistakingly listed previously at $5,700, but it was for a non-street legal version of the truck not available in the U.S. The Pickman has a 5.5 horsepower engine and a top speed of 35 miles per hour. It’s classified as a low-speed

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Toyota Sequoia tops vehicles achieving 200,000 miles

Which cars are proven to last the longest for their drivers? It’s a question the website iSeeCars.com wanted answered. Analyzing more than 13.8 million vehicles, the online automotive search engine and research website determined the Toyota Sequoia tops the list, with 7.4 percent of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles. The average among major manufacturers is 0.8 percent. Here are the top 14 vehicles with the highest percentage of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles: 1. Toyota Sequoia, 7.4 percent; 2. Chevrolet Suburban, 5.0; 3. Ford Expedition, 5.0; 4. GMC Yukon XL, 4.0; 5. Toyota 4Runner, 3.9; 6.

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Bugatti debuts most costly new car; sold for $18.9 million

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Bugatti has never made a subtle car. Now, even by the elite manufacturer’s standards, the French carmaker has outdone itself. During this year Geneva Motor Show, the one-of-a-kind La Voiture Noire was unveiled. It’s touted as the most expensive new car of all time with a price of $18.9 million. Inspired by the Type 57 SC Atlantic, the La Voiture Noire references Bugatti’s heritage in its design. Constructed from carbon fiber and coiffed in a deep black finish, the one-off hypercar was handcrafted. It has a 16-cylinder, 1,479 horsepower, 1,180 lb-ft of torque, a top speed of 261 mph and

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#7 The Weekly Driver Podcast (video): Electric vehicle guru

Alex Guberman is as prolific and passionate as anyone in the electric vehicle industry. He has a vast following on YouTube to prove it. A recent transplant from the Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, California, Guberman publishes and narrates E For Electric on YouTube. Now driving his third Tesla, Guberman produces three videos per day for his channel. He breaks electric vehicle news. He discusses trends in the industry. And he provides strong opinions. A new business friend, Guberman is our guest on the new episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and

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