The Drive with Alan Taylor Entertainment Right Now

BJ Killeen – Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason starts the show with a lil bit of news. The Automakers are losing money on electric vehicles due to the expensive research and development and lack of demand from consumers. The government’s demands for additional features are also adding to the cost of vehicles. As a result, sales numbers for many manufacturers have been down recently.







George Kennedy III, a co-founder of Cartender.com and Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association, test drove the 2024 Nissan Altima SL trim and found it affordable, comfortable, and reliable with decent power. The car boasts a 182 horsepower 4-cylinder engine and can deliver nearly 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The BMW X2 subcompact crossover, on the other hand, impressed George with its interior refinement and advanced technology, despite its higher price tag and less cargo space than its predecessor, the X1.







Up next is Lauren Fix is the Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports. The UAW is expanding its reach to the South and unionizing non-union plants, including Volkswagen, with the help of government and Democrat senators. This move threatens to increase the cost of cars and lead to job cuts as companies automate and move factories to non-union locations. The government wants to control the auto industry, but this has happened before in the UK and resulted in automakers being sold to companies in other countries. Jennifer Granholm, the energy secretary, admires the Chinese industry and plans to follow their lead, but this could lead to higher car prices and poor treatment of workers. Lauren recently participated in the International Female Ride Day on May 4th. Can-Am invited her to test drive their new three-wheeled motorcycles, the Spider F3 and the Breaker. They drove from San Diego to Julian, which was a great experience for Lauren as an avid motorcyclist. Riding a three-wheeled motorcycle is a comfortable option for those who lack experience on two wheels. Lauren test-drove the entry-level Riker, which has a Rotax engine, and later, the luxurious Spider, which had all the safety features and luxurious amenities one could want.







Closing the show with us today is Brian Moody-Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com. According to Brian, the best time to buy a car is at the end of a period – the end of the month, quarter, or year. During these times, dealerships may have more room to offer discounts. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has introduced a new safety standard that requires all passenger cars and trucks in the US to have automatic braking as a standard feature by September 2029. This move is expected to reduce accidents and save lives. However, there are concerns that adding new requirements to cars may increase costs and pressure consumers.















[00:00:00] – Contributor BJ Killeen[00:06:43] – Government Demands[00:13:00] – Hydrogen Is The Answer[00:20:51] – Contributor George Kennedy III[00:29:42] – 2024 Nissan Ultima[00:37:22] – 2024 BMW X2 sub compact[00:44:12] – Contributor Lauren Fix[00:50:48] – Government Controlled Industry[00:57:10] – International Female Ride Day[01:05:02] – Contributor Brian Moody[01:16:39] – Automatic Brake System[01:21:32] – Best Time To Buy A Car







CREDITS







Host: Alan TaylorProducer: Dave MilliganCopy Editor: Colleen Mahi















Contributor: BJ Killeen







Contributor: George Kennedy III







Contributor: Lauren Fix







Contributor: Brian Moody























EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

Imagine cruising down the street in a classic 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with a 350 cubic inches two-barrel engine, looking as good as the day it rolled out of the factory. That’s exactly what Hollywood Car Consultant Josh Hancock is proud to present. With 127,000 miles on the odometer, this car still runs like a dream and is in top-notch condition. But Josh isn’t the only one with exciting news – Alan recently acquired a 1975 MG Midget, a barn find with only 23,000 miles on the clock!







Josh Carr, the mastermind behind matching cars with characters in films and TV, might be facing a slower Hollywood due to COVID and streaming services cutting back. However, Georgia and New Mexico are taking advantage of tax credits, making it more affordable to shoot there. Josh is famous for aging cars on set to fit the time period accurately, and with the rise of more affordable CGI, it’s a wonder how this will change the industry.







Karl Brauer – Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com shares that according to a recent study by iseecars.com, used cars are selling faster than new cars. Hybrid cars like the Ford Maverick and the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser are selling like crazy. Gas-guzzlers are slower to sell. The study suggests that people are not buying new cars as much as they used to. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid is an ideal choice for SUV and truck enthusiasts who want to drive off-road without feeling like they’re on a rocky ride. The 2024 McLaren 750 S is unequivocally the best performance car you can buy right now. It outperforms its predecessor and rivals, and gives you the confidence to drive it harder knowing it’s talking to you.







Up next is BJ Killeen – Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason.  BJ shares with us that Ford’s Chairman Bill Ford expressed his frustration with the fluctuating policies of the US government regarding the automotive industry. Ford is committed to scaling up its EV business, but the company lost $4.7 billion on its EV business last year, which is not sustainable. Even companies like Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, which have been switching to EVs, are also losing money. VinFast, a Vietnamese automobile manufacturer, attempted to enter the EV market but received negative reviews, and the majority of their sales are to companies owned by the billionaire owner. On the other hand, Ford released a 60th-anniversary package for the Mustang GT premium trim and unveiled the Shelby super snake version of the Mustang. They also opened the application process for the Mustang GT D, starting at around $325,000.







Bringing in the rear is Brian Moody – Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com. Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive. If you’re looking for the cheapest hybrid cars in 2024 that can help you save money, then you may want to check out this list. Let’s start with the Toyota Rav 4 hybrid, which is number 10 on the list. Number 9 is Hyundai, while number 8 is the Kia Sportage. Toyota Camry hybrid is at number 7, and the Toyota Corolla cross hybrid is at number 6. The Toyota Prius is at number 5, while the Kia Niro hybrid is at number 4. The Hyundai Elantra hydra is at number 3, and the Ford maverick hybrid is at number 2. Finally, the 2024 Toyota Corolla hybrid tops the list at number 1. You can find this list at autotrader.com/best-cars. Brian also been driving the Kia Telluride for 2024 which







is a highly sought after three-row SUV with a refreshed design. It has a nice interior, blue accents, and a great driving experience. It costs around $50,000, which is similar to other three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

Beginning our show is George Kennedy III – is a co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive. George is driving the new 2024 Jeep 4xE, a plug-in hybrid with 375 horsepower and 470 LB feet of torque. The electric boost allows for low-speed cruising on the trail using the electric power. The four by E Wrangler plug in hybrid is expensive but has great fuel efficiency, towing capacity, and power outlets. It allows owners to test out electric driving and become familiar with the charging process. This can make it easier for them to transition to an electric vehicle in the future. George also was impressed with the 2024 Honda Ridgeline comes with a V6 3.5 liter 280 horsepower powertrain, which is the same as the one used in almost all vehicles in the Honda lineup. This engine has enough power to handle towing and is well-paired with the chassis. It is great to have a V6 engine in a vehicle this size, as a turbo 4 might struggle without the perfect transmission tuning. The starting price of the Honda Ridgeline is around $38,000, which is slightly higher than the average for small trucks, but this vehicle stands apart from the rest.







Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com, explains that a software-defined vehicle is a car that can add new features or functionality through software updates without additional hardware upgrades. IBM is one of the companies leading the way in this field. Building a software-defined vehicle requires creating an infrastructure that includes cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data interactions with the car. Without the software or the operating system in place, the car won’t work. In other news, General Motors is one of the companies in the running to build the lunar terrain vehicle as the US plans to return to the moon by 2030. The new Hummer electric vehicle may have solar panels, and GM’s altium platform may play a part in this. The recent New York auto show showcased some interesting new car concepts, including the new Nissan Kicks and the new Genesis concept car. Brian compared Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90 and concluded that Mazda CX-90 is impressive overall in terms of ride handling, interior materials, exterior look, color choices, and technology. Both cars start under $40,000, and the Mazda CX-90 has a straight six engine and all-wheel drive as standard, which is quite impressive.







In a recent interview with automotive journalist Steven Cole Smith, it was revealed that the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is set to make a return. Although it has not been officially confirmed by Chevrolet, it is expected to arrive this summer with around 850 horsepower. This is set to make it the fastest Corvette until the rumored Zora arrives, which is rumored to have a whopping 1000 horsepower. The Zora has not been officially confirmed by Chevrolet, but there is a lot of speculation surrounding its release. Steven  discusses the upcoming Long Beach Grand Prix race and notes that there won’t be any Corvette racing, as the GT Daytona cars with non-professional drivers are on the lineup. The aim is to keep the field small because the track is tight, with a length of barely a mile and a half. Stephen also mentions that a total of 27 cars will be racing, including prototypes and various sports cars. The Martinsville race, a NASCAR event held on a small track in Virginia, has a history of nearly 50 years. Another popular NASCAR event is the Talladega race. Recently, Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports were recognized for their victory at this race four decades ago, which helped establish their reputation. At the time, Hendrick had no sponsorship and only one race left to prove himself. Against all odds, his team emerged victorious, earning him a $50,

Lauren Fix shared her experience with Alan Taylor at the New York International Auto Show and made it clear that people should not be forced to buy electric cars. She believes that electric vehicles are not practical for everyone as they take a long time to charge, and fast chargers are limited, causing inconvenience. Lauren recommends leasing hybrids as they are becoming more efficient and warns about the costly problems that arise with cars over three years old. She suggests that the government’s goal of having 100% electric vehicles on the road by 2032 is not realistic, and people should not be misled by it.







Karl Brauer is an automotive industry analyst, Forbes Autos contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, board member, and executive analyst for ISeeCars.com.  is up next, as he drove the 2024 Lexus IS 500 has a V8 engine, which is rare for its category. It’s an emotional, emoting exhaust system V8 compact luxury sedan and a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C Class. The car has 472 horsepower and 395 lbs-ft torque, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. A study by ISEECARS.com identified one-year-old cars with the biggest and smallest savings from new. The study found that cars lose approximately 40% of their value in the first three years. However, buying a one-year-old car with 13,000 miles on it can save you up to 48% off the new car price. The study shows that the Mercedes-Benz EQ S lost 47.8% of its value after one year, making it the car with the biggest savings.







At the New York Auto Show, George Kennedy III, co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive and Alan admired the 2025 Mustang GTD, a supercar with a powerful 800 horsepower engine and advanced features usually found in high-end cars. George also highlighted the Corvette E Ray, a hybrid Corvette with electric power in the front wheels, and enjoyed the modified vehicles showcased downstairs. Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia had significant exhibitions at the show, with Genesis showcasing their Berlinetta concept and the magma line. George is currently test driving the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric Sedan, which has won multiple awards and boasts a sleek design, spacious back seat area, an impressive range of up to 361 miles, and fast-charging capabilities.







At the New York Auto Show, Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader and KBB, was impressed by the Genesis brand showcased by Hyundai Motor Group. He believes Genesis has the best overall lineup in the auto industry, with sharp-looking cars that are receiving positive feedback. The show featured a mix of impressive concept cars and other innovative vehicles, including gas, hybrid, and electric cars. Autotrader has Raptor trucks for sale, but they can be costly. A used car study by Kelley Blue Book found that listing prices are down by 3% compared to last year, with 2.27 million unsold used cars across the country, and used cars priced above $35,000 are selling the fastest.















[00:00:00] – Contributor Lauren Fix[00:07:20] – Hybrid vs. Plug-In[00:13:00] – Infotainment System and Beyond[00:20:51] – Contributor Karl Brauer[00:30:58] – ISeeCars.com Study[00:37:22] – Car Art with Ted7[00:44:11] – Contributor George Kennedy[00:51:13] – New York Auto Show[00:57:12] – Hyundai Ioniq 6[01:05:02] – Contributor Brian Moody[01:14:43] – Raptors for Sale[01:21:32] – Listing Prices Down







CREDITS







Host: Alan TaylorProducer: Dave MilliganCopy Editor: Colleen Mahi















Contributor: Lauren Fix







Contributor: Karl Brauer

Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com shared some good news on the show. According to Cox Automotive, new vehicle affordability is at its best in 31 months. The typical payment has decreased by 0.7% for February, and the new average monthly payment for a new car is $744, down from $749 in January. Brian test drove the BMW XM, a fast and aggressive plug-in hybrid SUV that provides an immersive driving experience. The Mustang Dark Horse costs $58,000, but its performance and style are unmatched.







Steven Cole Smith from Car Coach Reports discussed the 12 hours of Sebring IMSA race where Acura and Cadillac teams won. Goodyear tires wore out quickly at the Bristol race as the track was converted from dirt to concrete. Responsibility is unclear. Circuit of the Americas race is expected to be exciting. Steven test-drove a Mercedes AMG EQE SUV with 677 horsepower and 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, but it required frequent charging.







Lauren Fix, Editor-in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, discusses vegan leather, which is a popular trend but not always eco-friendly. Real leather is longer-lasting and biodegradable. A proposed bill in New York requires truth in advertising for car interiors. Car insurance rates are increasing due to black boxes in cars that record driving habits, determining rates based on credit score and driving behavior. It’s important to be aware of this and how it may impact insurance rates.







Special Guest, Ray Evernham, NASCAR Hall of Fame Member, veteran in the automotive racing industry, has a new book out called “Trophies and Scars”. In it, he shares his journey from a young boy knocking around the Jersey Shore to working with some of the biggest names in Motorsports history. Over 50 years, Ray has been involved in many different things and considers himself the “Forrest Gump of Motorsports”. He hopes to entertain and educate readers by sharing how he handled both his failures and victories, acknowledging that scars sometimes come with the trophies.







BJ Killeen – Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist is here to drop some quick automotive news.  “EV automakers lose $6,000 on every vehicle sold. Boston Consulting Group found that EV drivers want a 20-minute charge time, 350-mile range, and under $50,000. Hertz rental cars lost $350 million due to EV investment. Tesla stock is at $138, down from $335. Car insurance costs are up 21% this year, with the average person paying $2,500 per year. The average price of a new car is $47,000. Sticker shock is killing buyers.”







[00:00:00] – Contributor Brian Moody[00:06:10] – BMW XM[00:13:00] – Mustang Dark Horse[00:20:51] – Contributor Steven Cole Smith [00:30:57] – Dirt to Concrete[00:37:22] – Mercedes AMG EQE SUV[00:44:12] – Contributor Lauren Fix[00:51:02] – Vegan Leather[00:57:13] – Black Boxes[01:05:03] – Special Guest  Ray Evernham[01:16:02] – Contributor Alan Taylor[01:21:33] – Contributor BJ Killeen







CREDITS







Host: Alan TaylorProducer: Dave MilliganCopy Editor: Colleen Mahi















Contributor: Brian Moody







Contributor: Steven Cole Smith







Contributor: Lauren Fix







Contributor/Host: Alan Taylor







Contributor: BJ Killeen







Special Guest: Ray Evernham















EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:









* Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com. Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive

Alan and Karl, Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, and board member and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com, are both proud owners of the 2023 Dodge Demon 170, discussed how some automakers are hesitant about electric cars and are now going back to building hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Companies like GM, Porsche, and Hertz are struggling with the shift to electric cars, but Honda has recently unveiled their new electric vehicle called the Prologue. However, Honda is in their universe, where they do things the way they want to, moving away from their core strength of building fantastic engines. Karl shares the latest study on the best-used cars for the money. The study analyzed the amount you pay for a car, whether new or used and how much lifespan the car has left. The study found that despite the rise in prices for new and used cars over the last five years, plenty of cars are available in the $20,000 range with more than 100,000 miles of life left. The top 5 cars in the study, ranked by the price per 10,000 miles of lifespan, are Chevrolet Trax, Honda Fit, Honda Insight, Buick Encore, and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. You can find the complete study on iseecars.com.







Contributor George Kennedy III, the co-founder of Cartender.com and VP of the New England Motor Press Association, talked with Alan about Honda’s first high volume all-electric vehicle, the Honda Prologue. The car is based on the Altium architecture and the BEV3 platform developed by General Motors, and the platform is shared with the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyric. The Honda Prologue features a new interior design which uses both Honda and GM parts, and it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in their infotainment system. This partnership with General Motors allows Honda to enter the electric vehicle market at a lower cost. George Kennedy reviewed the 2024 Acura TLX type S, a mid-size luxury sedan that offers great acceleration and handling. It has a twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 355 horsepower and a super-handling all-wheel-drive system that works well in all conditions. The car is comfortable enough to drive in traffic and has a healthy dose of athleticism. “George, what are your final thoughts on the Honda/Acura TL Type S? In my opinion, the TLX Type S is an incredibly well-built car. This is one of the reasons why Acura is known for being a premium vehicle brand. The Type S is not only athletic and exciting but also reliable. Honda is also doing more than just relying on its reputation for reliability. Another area worth mentioning is their technology. The ELS stereo system is phenomenal.”







Lauren Fix from CarCoachReports.com is calling from the Chicago International Auto Show. The 2025 Ford Explorer was shown, and they canceled the hybrid engine. Instead, they’re focusing on EcoBoost engines that consumers prefer. The new Explorer has a larger screen, includes the Copilot 360, and has an impressive interior.







Lauren Fix from CarCoachReports.com makes a quick pit stop to call us from the Chicago International Auto Show. The 2025 Ford Explorer was shown, and they canceled the hybrid engine. Instead, they’re focusing on EcoBoost engines that consumers prefer. The new Explorer has a larger screen, includes the Copilot 360, and has an impressive interior.  Lauren shared a little news that California is proposing a bill to limit the speed of new cars to 10 mph over the speed limit, which has caused controversy. The auto industry is not happy about this proposal, as it could pose a danger to drivers.







Brian Moody, the Executive Editor of AutoTrader.com and KBB.com, is attending the Chicago International Auto Show. According to him, the Tesla Cybertruck is bigger and more significant than expected,