Car Stuff Podcast

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by sharing their test-drive impressions of the Chevrolet C8 Corvette. Matt Edmonds, Executive Vice President at The Tire Rack, joins us for a talk about buying tires online, what to look for when tire shopping, and The Tire Rack's extensive tire-testing processes. Tom has a groan-worthy quiz on car/movie-title puns for Damon...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with our test-drive review of the redesigned-for-2021 GMC Yukon--specifically, the top-of-the-line Denali model. Dave Sloan, President of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and General Manager of the Chicago Auto Show, calls in to give us the scoop on the 2021 Chicago Auto Show and the 2020 USO Barbecue for the Troops f...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by talking about Nissan's just-unveiled Z Proto concept vehicle, which heralds the forthcoming introduction of a new-generation production Z sports car. Yuval Steiman, Director of Product Strategy for Hyundai Motor America, joins us to fill us in on the details of Hyundai's IONIQ electric-vehicle sub-brand. Tom has a base-pri...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by talking about General Motors' plan to team up with upstart automaker Nikola to build the Nikola Badger electric pickup truck. We also discuss Cadillac Live, an online showroom that provides personal guided tours of Cadillac's current products. Enrique Ramirez, Director of Business Services at the famous Road America race c...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing Jeep's revival of its Grand Wagoneer name on an all-new premium large SUV. Sam Fiorani, Vice President of Global Vehicle Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, joins us to talk about the GM and Honda's recently announced partnership, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept vehicle, and the proper way to make a PB&J...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing the recent unveiling of the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, a ultra-performance off-road pickup truck with a 702-hp supercharged Hemi V8 engine. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the October 2020 issue, including a profile on GM designer John Schinella...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing Hyundai's launch of IONIQ, its dedicated EV brand. We also discuss our test-drive experiences with the new-for-2020 Cadillac CT4 compact sport sedan. Tim Esterdahl, founder and executive editor of Pickup Truck + SUV Talk, joins us to chat about vehicle reliability and innovative features. Tom has a quiz for...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by talking about Cadillac being on the cusp of charging a subscription fee for its Super Cruise  hands-free-driving system. We also discuss Ford Motor Company's recently announced CEO switch, as Jim Farley steps in to take the the reins from Jim Hackett. Buick Marketing Manager Rob Peterson, joins us to talk about the 202...

Host Tom Appel and co-host Jill Ciminillo (Damon Bell is out this week) start off the show by discussing Consumer Reports' and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's list of safe and reliable vehicles for teenage drivers. We also share our test-drive experiences with the relaunched-for-2021 Toyota Venza midsize SUV, which now comes exclusively as a hybrid. Pete Milo, Chief Engineer of the Je...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing Mercedes-Benz's reported plans to drop seven of its car models. We also share our test-drive experiences with Lexus's new-for-2021 LC 500 Convertible. Kelsey Mays, Senior Consumer Affairs Editor at Cars.com, joins us to talk about Cars.com's 2020 American-Made Index, a ranking of the most American-made vehic...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing Honda's discontinuation of its Fit subcompact hatchback, Civic coupe, and the manual transmission in the Accord. We also share our test-drive experiences with the "last of a breed" 2020 Volkswagen Golf TSI. Bill Haggerty, Chairman of the Chicago Auto Show, joins us to talk about buying a car in the COVID-19...

With host Tom Appel off this week, co-hosts Damon Bell and Jill Ciminillo start off the show by discussing the highly anticipated and long-awaited reveal of the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport. Jeanette Casselano, Director of External Communications for the American Automobile Association (AAA), joins us to talk about AAA's summer-travel forecast report, how to get your vehicle ready for a road...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing Kia's recently revealed 2021 K5 midsize sedan, and Mazda's updates to the Mazda 3 compact sedan and hatchback for 2021. Julie Blackley, Communications Manager for iSeeCars.com, joins us to talk about iSeeCars's recent analysis of used-car sales in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the interesting data p...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start off the show by discussing Ford's recent unveiling of the redesigned 2021 F-150 pickup and the truck's many new features. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel joins us to chat about the great features in the August 2020 issue, includin...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing JD Power's recently announced results of its Initial Quality Study, as well as Mitsubishi's plans to scale back its presence in "megamarkets" including the United States. Larry Nutson, Executive Producer and Chicago Bureau Chief at The Auto Channel, joins us to talk about his summer road trip in the 2020 Cadilla...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the just-revealed 2021 Lexus IS and Nissan Rogue. Next, we talk about Volkswagen's new-for-2020 Atlas Cross Sport SUV. Jeff Miller, Super Cruise Program Engineering Manager at General Motors, calls in to fill us in on Cadillac's latest enhancements to its Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. Tom has a "w...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Acura's redesigned-for 2021 TLX midsize sedan. Next, we talk about Mini's newest foray into pure-electric vehicles: the 2020 Mini Cooper SE. John Kraman, Lead TV Commentator/Analyst for Mecum Auctions, calls in to give us the scoop on Mecum's upcoming events, trends in the collector-vehicle market, and how Mecum...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Nissan's plans to revamp its Infiniti luxury division as part of the company's broader restructuring process. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with BMW's 8-Series family of cars. Kelsey Mays, Senior Consumer Affairs Editor at Cars.com, calls in to discuss the current state of self-driving vehicles...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the 2020 Nissan Frontier compact pickup--in particular, Nissan's strategy of putting an all-new V6 engine the current-generation Frontier in advance of introducing the all-new Frontier in the near future. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk compact SUV. Ian Hardie,...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Toyota's recent online unveiling of the 2021 Sienna minivan and Venza midsize SUV--both of which come standard with a hybrid powertrain. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the redesigned-for-2020 Nissan Sentra compact car. Carl Zipfel, Design Manager of GM's Advanced Truck Studio, calls in to fi...

Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has forced auto dealers to streamline the new-vehicle-purchase process--something of a silver lining for consumers. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the redesigned-for-2020 BMW X6, a "fastback coupe" midsize crossover SUV. Kirk Bell, Senior Editor of Motor Authority, calls in to cha...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing Ram Trucks' recent application to trademark the name "Dakota," which has fueled speculation about a new Ram midsize pickup. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks. Robert Colangelo, founder of Green Sense Farms, calls in to discuss...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing GM's recently announced plans to discontinue its Maven car-sharing services. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the 2020 Genesis G90 luxury sedan. Brian Spohn, Vehicle Electrification Manager for FCA North America, calls in to discuss Fiat Chrysler's various electrification initiatives, includin...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show by discussing the as-yet-unofficial details of the next-generation Mazda 6 sedan, as well as the reportedly expanded partnership between Mazda and Toyota. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the new 2021 Kia Seltos subcompact SUV. Paul Strauss, publisher of the popular websites The Awesomer, Technabob, and...

Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the worrisome increase in speeding and reckless driving incidents, now that many American highways have very little traffic as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns. Next, we talk about our test-drive experiences with the extra-large 2020 Infiniti QX80 SUV. Mike Levine, North American Product Communications Manager for...