AI Auto Podcast

In this episode we talk to the Director of e-mobility at Volkswagen of America, who just completed a drive across the U.S. last week with the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 EV. Starting in New York City mid-March, Krause led a small team across the States on a predominantly southern route, wrapping up the drive on schedule in 18 days in Sacramento, California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...

In this episode we talk about the April's Fool Day “Voltswagen” joke, which created a wave of negative reactions across the entire automotive industry due to the German manufacturer’s deceptive (and not remotely funny) marketing efforts to push its electric cars. We also review the list of finalists for the 2021 World Car of the Year Awards and analyze the start of the Formula 1 season with specia...

In this episode we talk to special guest Anton Wahlman from SeekingAlpha.com about the good and bad trends during the first 3 months of 2021, in particular with Tesla. We also celebrate Lauren´s invention to close Women's History Month and go on a boat ride in the Everglades National Park with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander and Eclipse Cross. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswiz...

In this episode we interview Paul Walser, the new Chairman at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) about the challenges created by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the new way consumers shop online for everything. We also celebrate the 1st. anniversary of the new era at RECARO Automotive and find out what you should be aware of if you need to transport your car across the street or across t...

In this episode, we talk to Richard Hollingsworth, Lexus´ Product Marketing Sr. Analyst about the 2022 IS 500 sedan, which will hit the US market this fall, and Toyota´s Vice President of Vehicle Marketing and Communications, Michael Tripp, who explains the brand’s strategy for the electrification of its model line up. Javier Mota Digital Automotive Journalist - NACTOY Juror Listen to the Total Sc...

José Muñoz, Hyundai Motor Company’s Global Chief Operating Officer, headlines this week at Total Car Score. Mr. Muñoz provides world-exclusive news about Hyundai’s future product plans, including the long-awaited launch of the automaker’s first U.S.-market pickup truck, the next Hyundai to receive the brand’s performance “N” treatment, and how the automaker managed to actually grow sales during a...

In this episode we interview Wendy Orthman, Infiniti´s Global Communications Manager about living and working under lock down in Yokohama for the past year. We also take a look at the new car reveals of the week — Kia Carnival, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

In this episode we discuss the recent announcements from different manufacturers about going 100% electric as soon as 2025 and the political-economical consequences for all drivers. We also give our first Total Car Score to the 2021 Genesis GV80 and interview Hein Schafer, Volkswagen´s SVP Product & Strategy in North America to get an update from the German brand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

In this episode Lauren, Karl and Javier go international, stopping in Ingolstadt, Germany for the reveal of the new 2022 Audi e-tron GT, Detroit for an interview with Cadillac´s Super Cruise engineer, and Torino, Italy to speak with Alfa Romeo´s designer Alessandro Maccolini, about the Passione he leverages when designing for the Italian brand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads...

On this episode we celebrate Lauren´s birthday with a "virtual gift" of the new Ford F-150 Raptor, the Cadillac Blackwing series and a "trip" to Japan with Nissan´s Product Communications Director, Dan Passe, to talk about the new Pathfinder SUV and Frontier pickup truck. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

In this episode of Total Car Score we discuss Tesla as a profitable car maker — after 18 years. We also do a deep dive into the Acura brand and its all-new 2022 MDX with Acura’s Vice Price and Brand Officer, Jon Ikeda. We close the show with a discussion of the Rolex 24 at Daytona and an interview with Aston Martin’s Nathan Hoyt on the British brand’s racing effort and its ongoing partnership with...

This week on Total Car Score we discuss Karl’s adventures when buying a 1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula in Iowa and driving it back to California. Then Lauren interviews David Magers, the CEO of Mecum Auctions, to get his take on how the pandemic has impacted Mecum and the car auction industry. Finally, all three hosts speak to Carl Pulley from American Honda about Honda’s newest products, including...

It’s a Car, Truck and SUV of the Year theme at Total Car Score this week. With the Hyundai Elantra, Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang Mach-E winning the 2021 awards the hosts welcome key Ford and Hyundai executives to discuss how these models won and what the future holds for these brands. Karl also introduces the all-new, ad-free automotive website he’s been working on for several months, and which lau...

In this segment, the hosts analyze the new-vehicle sales numbers from 2020, which were not as bad as many predicted at the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We also take a final look at the candidates for the 2021 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year, along with what new cars are coming in the first months of the New Year. Lauren is enjoying the Florida winter with the 2021...

We kick off 2021 with a special Total Car Score podcast. Joining the regular crew of Lauren, Javier and Karl are three industry heavy hitters. They include Anton Wahlman — an experienced auto and technology analyst with regular columns in Seeking Alpha, Michael Harley — former editor in chief of Kelley Blue Book and an experienced premium and performance car expert, and Paul Brian, who managed the...

In this episode we examine the list of finalists for the 2021 Northamerican Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year and offer predictions for the winners in each category. Lauren interviews Scott Trainor of USA Motor Jobs to give the audience ideas about new jobs in the automotive industry. Javier talks about the future of auto insurance and Karl is just happy that 2020 is finally over! Hosted...

This week’s Total Car Score episode is a deep dive on Volvo, including an interview with Volvo’s National Media Relations Manager, Russell Datz. We talk to Russell about Volvo’s history of safety — they invented the seat belts we all wear today. We also discuss Volvo’s future as an increasingly tech-savvy automaker while continuing to leverage tech to remain a leader in safety. We also touch on Vo...

This week’s episode features an interview with James Bell, the Director of Corporate Communications at Kia Motors America. James has a long history in the automotive industry, including stints at General Motors, Kelley Blue Book and Intellichoice, before joining Kia. He speaks with Javier, Lauren and Karl about the challenges of launching new vehicles during a global pandemic, and how Kia will inc...

Our final debate before the vote for the 2021 NACTOY Awards and it seems we like ... This week’s Total Car Score hosts discuss the upcoming North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year voting, with each of them identifying their personal predictions for which vehicles will win.  This includes a deep dive into the all-new 2021 Ford F-150, the Land Rover Defender, Ram TRX and Mustang Mach-E.  O...

In this week’s episode the hosts discuss what they’re thankful for, both in terms of the overall auto industry along with which specific model, from automotive history, each host is most thankful for. Javier, Karl and Lauren also analyze the recent Consumer Reports vehicle rankings, noting Mazda’s first-ever number one placement.  The show ends with an interview with Erich Heuschele, Dodge/SRT Dri...

This week’s Total Car Score episode looks at the ongoing challenge of launching all-new vehicles like the Honda Civic and Subaru BRZ during a global pandemic. Karl discusses his 1,000-mile road trip in a 150,000-mile Chevrolet Malibu. Lauren laments life in a locked-down New York, and Javier celebrates his opportunity to drive the all-new Ford F-150 and Chrysler Pacifica — because they may be the...

We start with a discussion of the ongoing challenges around selling cars amid a global pandemic, continue with a discussion of what a (possible) Biden administration means to the car industry, and finish with a Q&A with Olabisi Boyle, Vice President, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. There’s a lot happening at Hyundai right now, and Olabisi provides a deep dive o...

In this episode the hosts discuss the cancellation of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and the Consumers Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Karl shares his first true experience with the 2020 Land Rover Defender; Lauren had fun with the 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Javier set up the 2020 Audi RS7 as Christmas decorations on his driveway. Finally, Laure...

This Total Car Score episode features the concept of “killer cars” — or cars engineered to take on, or even eliminate, an existing, successful model. The three hosts discuss the new GMC Hummer as a challenger to Tesla and the history of luxury sedans trying to take on the BMW 3 Series. There’s also a deep-dive into the challenge of driving a car at a race track, with each of the hosts sharing pers...

This week’s episode looks at the revival of the Hummer brand as a premium, high-tech, pure electric vehicle. With over 1,000 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time in 3 seconds, the new Hummer will be one of the most capable trucks available when it arrives in 2022. The hosts discuss another high-performance truck that’s hitting showrooms much sooner — the 700-horsepower 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. Finally, Javi...