The Drive with Alan Taylor Entertainment Right Now

Welcome to The Drive with Alan Taylor. His first contributor is BJ Killeen- Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason discusses the impact of tariffs on Chinese imports, with a focus on electric vehicles and semiconductors. President Biden’s decision to impose $18 billion worth of tariffs on imports from China, including electric vehicles, semiconductors, and medical products, has drawn attention. The tariffs are affecting major companies like Volvo, owned by the Chinese car manufacturer Geely, and specifically impacting Polestar, a brand under Volvo, which has exported 2200 cars. The broader impact on industries like solar panels and medical equipment, mostly made in China, is also significant, highlighting the substantial impact of Chinese imports on various industries, particularly the automotive sector.







In addition, mention was made of insurance companies no longer insuring certain Hyundai and Kia models due to a security issue. A TikTok video demonstrated how easy it was to break into and steal these cars because of a missing security feature. As a result, some insurance providers have stopped offering coverage for these models, although Hyundai and Kia have addressed the problem with a software-based fix. However, it was noted that some insurance companies, such as AAA and State Farm, are still not insuring the affected vehicles. BJ Killeen also had the opportunity to drive the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla, a hot hatchback designed for both track and everyday use, which comes in three trim levels: Core, Premium, and Circuit. This top-of-the-line Circuit Edition competes with the Volkswagen Golf R and the Honda Civic Type R, featuring a unique design and limited production.







Lauren Fix, Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, shared information on toxic chemicals in new cars, particularly the presence of flame retardants in car seat foam, with 99% of cars containing this toxic material. She emphasized the need to open car windows and park in the shade to reduce exposure to these chemicals. Lauren also mentioned the best and worst sports cars on her YouTube channel and other platforms, and discussed driving the Chevrolet Silverado EV RST and the Chevrolet Equinox V, both featuring exciting progress in the EV industry.







Josh Hancock, a Hollywood car consultant, expressed concerns about product placement in the movie “The Fall Guy,” particularly regarding the portrayal of a GMC truck and a Hummer EV. Additionally, he mentioned the slower than expected return of TV and film production in Hollywood, despite new sound stages being built in preparation for a comeback. Before leaving, he added that some early adopters are having second thoughts about the Cybertruck due to poor visibility caused by large A-pillars and sub A-pillars obstructing the view while driving.







Closing the show with Alan is 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. George drove the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Hybrid. It is the performance version of the GLC, which is the compact SUV in the Mercedes lineup. The GLC is popular for its refined and functional interior. The AMG GLC 43, being the speedier version of the GLC, is equipped with a turbocharged 2-liter engine and a mild hybrid assist, producing 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s fun to drive and has an athletic suspension, making it great for cornering without being punishing for everyday use. This well-rounded vehicle accelerates quickly, corners well, and is very comfortable on the highway, making it an excellent choice for various driving conditions. The AMG model starts at $65,000, and our model, with optional upgraded wheels and interior enhancements, amounts to about $72,000.

Welcome back as BJ Killeen – Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason.BJ Killeen has some exciting news in the world of automobiles. The Chevy Malibu will no longer be produced, and the 2025 Toyota Camry will be a hybrid. Toyota has decided to phase out gas engines, and the Camry will be exclusively a hybrid model from its ninth generation onwards. While the gas engine option will no longer be available, sticking to the hybrid model will likely keep the Camry successful. Sedans are becoming increasingly rare, and not everyone wants an SUV. So, there is still a demand for comfortable sedans that can get the job done. Additionally, the Camry’s appearance has been revitalized, and it now looks better than ever. It has a modern style, improved performance, and plenty of space. Fisker, the manufacturer of the Ocean SUV, is struggling financially. Production has been halted by Magna International, and it’s unlikely to resume anytime soon. The electric vehicle market is tough, and smaller companies like Fisker and Faraday Future are struggling to make a profit. Even Lucid Motors is facing significant losses. It’s a difficult industry, and we hope these companies can survive and thrive in the future.







Up next is Karl Brauer, an Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member, and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com. He talks about the new Dark Horse Mustang from Ford, featuring a naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 coyote engine that delivers 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. The car has undergone significant changes inside and out, resembling a Mercedes Benz with advanced performance on the road. The car weighs 3875 lbs and includes advanced technology like MagnaRide. Karl also shared a study from ISeeCars.com, stating that electric cars are the most expensive to own per 1000 miles driven per year, especially when driving less.







Next is Brian Moody – Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com. Brian Moody is back to discuss The Dark Horse, the appeal of the Mustang is that it’s an affordable performance car and Its Mustangs 60th Anniversary. Alan noticed silver being popular at this year’s auto shows. Brian shares how It’s interesting to see color trends in cars. For example, gray is becoming more popular, with 25% of SUVs sold now being gray. White used to be the most popular, but by 2023-2024, gray will be more popular. On the other hand, gold, beige, orange, and brown are less popular, usually accounting for about 0.5% of sales. If you have a unique color like orange on a Corvette, it may hold its value, but for more common cars, it may not add value and could take longer to sell. Brian and Alan discuss how important it is that you must like the interior of your car to enjoy the ride. Which bring the next discussion as to the best car interiors under 50k. Here are some top choices: Chevy Blazer, 2024 Genesis G70, GMC Acadia, Hyundai NFA, and Lincoln Nautilus. Car interiors have notably improved, with brands like Mazda, Lincoln, and Toyota offering luxurious options. While 50k may seem like a lot, features such as a sunroof and leather in a three-row SUV can easily reach that mark.







Closing the show is automotive journalist Steven Cole Smith who works with Haggerty and grassroots Motorsports about the upcoming NASCAR race at Darlington. He mentioned that the race is on Sunday at 3:00 PM Eastern Time and it’s called the Goodyear 400. Darlington is known for its throwback race, where teams use paint jobs that honor past drivers. We also discussed the challenges NASCAR is facing in attracting new fans, and Smith mentioned that other racing series like sports car racing may be growing more than NASCAR due to their appeal to a younger audience. At the Indy Motor Speedway,

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























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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