AI Auto Podcast

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...

This week’s Total Car Score podcast looks as Corvette production problems, with the hosts discussing additional production delays for the 2020 C8 Corvette, as well as reports of shattering wheels on the previous-generation C7 Corvette. Lauren, Javier and Karl also note the slow return of automotive media events as 2020 winds down. Javier partied with other journalists in Miami for the debut of the...

This week’s episode is dedicated to John Lamm, a talented and widely-respected journalist within the automotive community. Javier, Lauren and Karl discuss John’s long and impressive history as a writer and photographer for a wide array of automotive publications.  The three hosts also review the 2021 candidates for North American Car, Utility Vehicle and Truck of the Year semifinalists. This episo...

The premier episode of Total Car Score introduces the three hosts, Lauren Fix, Javier Mota and Karl Brauer, as they discuss industry challenges during the pandemic, the launch of new models like the Genesis G80, the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Bronco, and California’s 2035 EV mandate. The hosts also discuss recent test cars they’ve experienced in the process of identifying the 2021 North American...

In this episode Javier, Karl and Lauren discuss the latest efforts to make electric cars go mainstream, the pandemic´s impact on auto shows and the challenges manufacturers face when engineering “that new car smell” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, the Total Car Score crew discuss future performance upgrades for the Bronco, Raptor and Wrangler, the pros and cons of electric cars, smart tips on buying or leasing, and what they think of the new 2021 Kia K5, Nissan Sentra and Polestar 2. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode Karl, Lauren and Javier talk about missing their favorite events like Pebble Beach Car Week and Javier´´ annual ski trip to Chile. Karl talks about the socially-distanced 2021 Honda Odyssey in California, Lauren gives her review on the 2021 Genesis G80 and Genesis GV80. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p...

Total Car Score’s premier episode provides a background on each of the hosts, Karl Brauer, Lauren Fix and Javier Mota. The three automotive veterans discuss the all-new 2021 Ford Bronco, Cadillac’s current challenges, medical concerns around EVs, and the stylish new Lexus LC 500 convertible Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use o...

Javier, Karl and Lauren ask “how many pure electric brands do we need”, before discussing the new Volvo V60, Lexus LC 500 and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. They close with a look at increasing hurdles when getting older performance cars to pass California’s emissions test. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...

The Total Car Score podcast, hosted by three automotive industry veterans with over 60 years combined experience, covers a wide range of automotive topics, including new car reviews, shopping guidance, buying advice and news stories impacting the automotive marketplace. Karl Brauer has served as the Editor in Chief at Edmunds.com and Executive Publisher of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. He’s reg...