Car Stuff Podcast

Tom opened the show with an apology for two mistakes he’s made in the past couple of weeks. Listen in for the corrections. Jill and Tom went on to share a tariff update, as well news regarding one of the strangest recalls…ever. So, what’s wrong with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s back seat? Listen in for details.  Still in the first segment, Jill shares her take on the updated-for-2026 Genesis GV70 sma...

Jill and Tom opened the show noting that of all the car brands affected by the trade tariffs, Buick and Volvo are in a particularly tough spot. Listen in to hear why. Tom made note of all the EV fast charging news of late, and suggests that listeners not get too excited by the hype. Per Tom, the nation's current electric grid will not be easily tapped for additional power, regardless of how quickl...

Join Tom and guest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed for this year’s Consumer Guide Best Buy episode of the Car Stuff Podcast.  Tom and Brendan run down the list of 37 vehicles in 16 classes, each of which deserves a place on your new-car shopping list. If you are currently shopping for a new car, you need to listen to this episode.  Following the Best Buy discussion, Brendan shared big news...

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about Jill’s recent move. Good news, she’s now closer to the studio. Tom went on to discuss British sports-car maker/engineering firm Lotus, which has been owned by a number of carmakers over the years. It appears that Lotus is again up for sale.  The hosts also discussed a new round of Tesla Cybertruck price cuts, and the brand’s sales share in California, one...

Jill opened the show talking about her new Rebelle Rally team. Listen in for details. Tom shared some information about a not-for-profit organization that packages sundry products for patients undergoing Chemotherapy. The packages include items to help recipients deal with chemo side effects, including loss of taste, dry skin, and dehydration. You can check out Lemons of Love at lemonsoflove.org ....

Jill and Tom opened the show addressing the industry confusion brought on by the recent implementation of federal import tariffs. Tom ran down a list of known carmaker reactions to the regulations.  Tom followed up the tariff talk with a brief review of the 2025 BMW M35i Grand Coupe, which he described as “delightful,” but noted several tech glitches which cut into the fun.   Still in the second s...

The hosts opened the show by discussion Rivian’s “micromobility” operation, which was recently spun off from the parent company. "ALSO," as the new concern is called, is headquartered in California, and will focus on designing and building e-bikes, scooters, and other small electric vehicles.  Tom also briefly addressed the tariff situation, which is likely to become much bigger news in the next d...

This week the show opened with Tom quickly covering numerous news stories, including the likely demise of Cadillac’s last sedans, General Motors buying electric vans from Hyundai, and Cummins building a high-torque gasoline alternative to its medium-duty B6.7 diesel engines.  Jill and Tom also briefly discussed the rumored production by Foxconn of electric vehicles in the U.S., most likely for Mit...

Tom opened up the show by admitting he has—again—forgotten his notes. Not to worry, as the conversation quickly turned to Tesla’s marketplace woes, including declining U.S. sales, and reports of a Cybertruck “stop sale,” ordered by the company, coming as a result of body parts falling off of the truck at speed.  Jill reviewed the 2025 Toyota Sienna minivan, which has been freshened for the model y...

Jill and Tom open the show covering a few news stories. First, Toyota is claiming it will have a solid-state EV battery in a production vehicle around 2030. Could be big news in regard to EV price and range. Listen in for details. The hosts went on to discuss Mercedes-Benz’s new turquoise marker- and tail lights. Why are they doing this? Listen in.  Still in the first segment, Jill shared details...

The show opened with Tom running down a list of news items, including new information about the coming Kia K4 small/affordable EV, Moody’s downgrade of Nissan’s credit worthiness, and an update on slowing Tesla sales. Jill and Tom also corrected themselves on a pair of issues: Tom forgot that the current-generation Explorer is based on rear-wheel-drive architecture (episode 262), and Jill suggesti...

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing Renault technology which promises to significantly reduce the time it takes to extinguish an EV fire. The hosts also discussed the Lexus decision to drop the sporty RC coupe from the luxury brand’s lineup. Tom followed this discussion up with one of his “X” polls, this time he asked users of the platform to pick the cooler marque: Bentley or Rolls-Royce. Lis...

Jill and Tom opened the show covering a number of news items. First, Mini is dropping the “Cooper” tag from its model names moving forwarding—this is good news for editors everywhere. Plus, one industry supplier is developing “heel” airbags. Listen in to learn what that’s all about. And, Hyundai luxury brand Genesis is close to introducing a line-topping large crossover dubbed GV90. The big Genesi...

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an “insertion” into the podcast schedule. A 5-minute “bonus episode” was posted between the last full episode (259) and today’s show (261). That bonus episode includes Tom’s test drive with Robert Colangelo (Green Sense Show) of the 2025 Toyota Camry, which is now hybrid only.  Still in the first segment, the hosts discussed the discontinuation of a popular...

 In this special crossover episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Tom rides along with Robert Colangelo of the Green Sense Show to experience the redesigned 2025 Toyota Camry. Robert and Tom share their impressions of the likable hybrid, and take note of a few drawbacks in the process. All this after lunch at Chicago's legendary Superdawg Drive-in .  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ad...

The hosts opened the show by acknowledging the birthday of one of the program’s most-loyal fans, Tom’s mom. Tom briefly noted the new administration’s enactment of tariffs on both Canada and Mexico. Tom shared his concern that any long-term disruption of regular free trade between North American nations would critically wound the American auto industry.  Tom talked briefly about his time in the 20...

The hosts opened the show discussing an article recently posted by Tom called, The Cybertruck is a Flop . Though the article covers the failures of the Tesla pickup truck from a number of angles, Tom primarily discussed the slow-selling vehicle’s financial impact on Tesla’s future.  Still in the first segment, the hosts covered news of a potentially huge recall which would affect all of General Mo...

Tom opened the show by acknowledging Jill’s birthday. Per Jill, she is 39 years old. Again. Jill and Tom welcomed Jennifer Morand of the Chicago Auto Show for a preview of the event which opens February 8. Jennifer shared several highlights of this year’s show, including craft-beer night, the Family Zone, plus Ford, Jeep, and EV tracks, and a number of debut models, including a couple of all-new C...

Jill and Tom opened the show recapping the North American Car of the Year winning vehicles. Awards were presented in the car, utility, and truck categories. The conversation turned to a number of news stories, including Afeela’s decision to distribute vehicles in the U.S. outside the traditional dealership system. Afeela is a joint venture between Honda and Sony, which is schedule to begin selling...

For the first show of 2025, Jill and Tom opened the conversation discussing a few news item, including a New York City plan to curb midday traffic by instituting a “congestion fee” toll on drivers entering parts of Manhattan. The hosts also discussed Tesla 2024 global sales—which were down—and the demise of a diesel option in General Motor’s half-ton trucks and SUVs.  Still in the first segment, J...

Jill and Tom open the show discussing Tom's troubling Diet Pepsi habit, rolling into a discussion of EV startup companies that may or not be on the edge of collapse. Sadly, EV commercial-vehicle startup Canoo--which had been processing a large van order for Walmart--has slipped into receivership. Is Rivian next? Listen in.  Next Tom gripes about his Bluetooth issues, which seem to border on the pa...

Jill and Tom opened the show by addressing the bombshell announcement that Honda and Nissan are merging. The hosts share their thoughts on one of the largest corporate mergers in automotive history.  Also discussed was Ram’s decision to delay launching the all-electric Ram REV pickup, and push up introduction of the Ramcharger extended-range electric truck. The Ramcharger operates on electric powe...

Jill and Tom opened the show noting that legendary Car and Driver / Automobile Magazine writer Jean Jennings had died. Formerly Jean Lindamood, she had, per Tom, helped define the tone and personality of Car and Driver at a time when the magazine was most influential.  Tom went on to question the profile of a LinkedIn user who self describes as, “Gen Z Career Coach, Content Creator, and TikTok Con...

 Jill and Tom opened this week’s show hitting briefly on a number of topics, including melting EV charging adapters, Jaguar’s perplexing marketing reboot, the electric Dodge Charger Daytona, the high-mileage Ram 1500 HFE, and the consolidation of Infiniti and Nissan dealer stores.  Still in the first segment, Jill recapped her time in the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric minivan. Jill found mu...

Jill and Tom opened the show noting that Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stepped down from his position over the weekend. The surprise move sent company stock down steeply early Monday. The hosts also discussed one of Tom’s X polls, this one ranking the most prestigious car brands. Listen in for details.  Still in the first segment, Jill shared her review of the 2025.5 (yes, 2025.5) Volvo XC90 midsi...