AI Auto Podcast

In this episode we celebrate a major manufacturing milestone with Tom Donnelly, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations: the production of the one-millionth vehicle at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama.This achievement marks a significant chapter in Mazda’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and gives us a rare look at the people, technology, and innovation powering the company’s future.

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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Kruppa, Head of Headlight Development at Audi, to explore the groundbreaking Digital Matrix LED headlights making their U.S. debut on the all-new 2027 Audi Q9 flagship SUV.

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In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Hart, the producer behind the remarkable story of how the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 Plus is now powering the “loneliest house in the world” on the volcanic island of Elliðaey, Iceland. We explore the challenges of off-grid living in one of Earth’s most remote places and discuss how we might replicate that energy independence in our own (Not So) Tiny House in Malalcahuello, Chile. A journey across continents, powered by innovation—and the amazing people who made it possible.

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 In this episode we’re back in Miami meeting one of the very first owners of the 2027 Rivian R2. After a lifetime of gas-powered BMWs (four in a row), he made the jump to electric and now walks us through his decision process and, more importantly, what it’s actually like leasing and living with an EV day-to-day.

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We’re in New York City for the global premiere of the all-new Jaguar Type 01 — the boldest car Jaguar has ever built. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the UK on the brand-new Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), this four-door electric grand tourer is the most powerful, aerodynamic, and technologically advanced Jaguar in history.

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We’re live at Thunderhill Raceway Park with Vaughn Gittin Jr., founder and President of RTR (Ready to Rock Vehicles), as he reveals the full story behind the first-ever official Ford–RTR collaboration: the 2026 Ford Mustang RTR. From childhood dream to production reality, Vaughn breaks down how this special-edition American pony car came to life.

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In this episode, we’re at Sonoma Raceway, where we catch Ford Mustang Chief Engineer Carl Widmann on the Turn 11 Terrace. As the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse tears around the track during the hot-lap portion of its first-drive event, Widmann takes a moment to admire the newest chapter of America’s legendary pony car—the direct result of years of hard work. 

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In this episode, we sit down with the engineers, designers, and product planners who spent years developing the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid for the U.S. market. They walk us through the next-generation ultra-efficient e-POWER system and what it took to bring this model to production. We even got behind the wheel of a pre-production test mule before the real thing hits the road.

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In this episode of AI Auto Podcast, we sit down with Fred Weick, the new CEO of Autonomy, to discuss the company’s next chapter. Known for its focus on all-electric vehicle subscriptions, Autonomy is expanding beyond EVs by adding a lineup of popular gas-powered Ford vehicles to its flexible, month-to-month subscription platform. We discuss what’s driving the shift beyond EVs, how vehicle subscriptions are evolving, and what consumers can expect from a more flexible alternative to traditional car ownership.

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In this episode, I’m behind the wheel of the 2026 BYD Shark—the first plug-in hybrid 4x4 pickup available in Chile. Built on BYD’s Dual Mode Off-road platform, it pairs a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine with dual electric motors for a combined output of more than 430 horsepower. It’s capable, refined, and genuinely impressive. So here’s the big question: just how successful could this truck be if it ever made it to the U.S. market?
 

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In this episode, we travel to Mexico with Nissan CEO Iván Espinosa as he visits his native country for the first time since taking the top job. Under his leadership, Nissan has staged a remarkable turnaround—from the brink of bankruptcy to an operational profit of $488 million in Q1 2026 and a projected $1.2 billion for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Join us as we witness the pride and inspiration his return has sparked at the Aguascalientes plant.

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In this episode, recorded outside Seattle, Washington, we sit down with Travis Wattles, Director of Product Strategy at Mitsubishi Motors North America. He unpacks the company’s electrification strategy and explains how it’s giving Mitsubishi’s vehicles a competitive edge that stands out in today’s market.

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In this episode, we get an in-depth look at the updated Mitsubishi Outlander, featuring a new, highly advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain designed to improve performance, efficiency, and everyday usability. We also get behind the wheel of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross EV for our first test drive. With bold styling, electric performance, and technology that could shake up the competitive North American SUV market, Mitsubishi may have a genuine contender for North American SUV of the Year.

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The automotive industry is being hit from every direction: tariff wars, layoffs, bankruptcies, shrinking media, China's growing dominance, volatile fuel prices, the slow death of traditional auto shows and IA generated content. After 25 years in the business, we're asking a question we never thought we'd ask: Is it finally time to retire?

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For the first time in 25 years, I took an entire month off. No press launches. No test drives. No deadlines. At first it felt strange.Then it felt necessary. Spending July in Chile, working on the (Not So) Tiny House instead of chasing the next story, gave me actual space to think.Maybe it’s time to start talking seriously about retirement.

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In this episode we unpack why Polestar is leaving the U.S. market under new connected vehicle security rules, what the regulations mean for GM, Ford, and other automakers, and whether consumers should expect higher car prices. We also explore what makes a car "American" in 2026, why the Tesla Model 3 tops the American-Made Index, the truth about U.S.-built BMWs and Toyotas, and which new car we'd buy today.
 

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After months of conversations and analysis, one conclusion stands out: Traditional journalism is not perfectly independent, and creators and influencers are not automatically compromised. Most operate somewhere in the gray area between editorial integrity and industry access, balancing credibility with the need to earn a living.

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In this episode, we asked Grok to break down the third installment in our series on Automotive Media in 2026. The verdict? The industry has become a glorious, chaotic circus. On one side, traditional media still serves up 6,000-word suspension deep-dives they genuinely believe make for riveting reading. On the other hand, new media is yelling “THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!” while launching cars with aggressive RGB lighting and theatrical launch-control fireworks.

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In this special episode, we asked Grok to combine two of the most valuable topics from our 2026 Automotive Media series into one powerhouse episode. Discover the Top 10 Things Media Should Never Do on an Automotive Press Trip (2026 updated edition) and the Top 10 Things Automotive Journalists Hate at Press Events — now merged into a practical, no-nonsense survival guide for both sides of the table.

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Chris talks all things politics

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In this episode, we’re joined by Ford to explore the First-Ever Bronco Filson Edition — a powerful collaboration where Bronco’s Built Wild spirit meets Filson’s legendary Unfailing Goods. This is more than a special edition — it’s a celebration of rugged adventure and field-tested excellence.

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In this episode we experience an exclusive first drive of the all-new 2026 Bentley Continental GT S and Continental GTC S at a special charity event hosted by Bentley Palm Beach in partnership with Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

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In this episode from the 110th running of the Indy 500, we go behind the scenes with two of Chevrolet’s most passionate and knowledgeable professionals: Judith Dominick, Chevrolet Racing Trackside Communications Representative, and Cody Bulkley, Chevrolet Corvette Chassis Development Engineer. These are the people who make the magic happen — both on the racetrack and on the road.
 

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In this episode, we head to the legendary Road America race track during the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, where we get a private lesson from Bradley Pines, Chief Instructor at CGI MotorSports High Performance Driving Schools.

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In this episode, we’re in La Jolla, California for an exclusive test drive of the 2027 Lexus ES — now available as both a hybrid and full EV — plus our first look at the all-new three-row 100% electric TZ SUV. We sit down with Lexus marketing executive Sam Wintermyer to discuss why this electrification strategy is landing at exactly the right moment for the iconic Japanese luxury brand, balancing heritage, performance, and the evolving demands of luxury buyers.

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In this episode, we travel to Detroit for a special celebration between Ford and Carhartt — two iconic American brands shaped by generations of hard work on the same job sites. We take a closer look at the expanding partnership, including exclusive new merchandise and the upcoming 2027 Ford Super Duty Carhartt Special Edition truck, set to arrive later this year. 

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In this episode, we visit Hyundai Motor Group’s MetaPlant near Savannah, Georgia, for a closer look at the company’s forward-looking manufacturing and product strategy. Dan Hwang, Senior Manager of Advanced Vehicle Technology Planning, explains Hyundai’s commitment to offering a full spectrum of propulsion options—from internal combustion and hybrid to plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles—while also advancing toward fully autonomous mobility through its partnership with Waymo.

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In this episode we’re in Nashville for an exclusive first drive of the all-new 2027 Infiniti QX65, where we break down the SUV’s bold new direction, including the stunning Sunfire Red paint infused with real gold-coated glass flakes, a refined driving experience, and a tech-forward interior designed for comfort and connectivity.

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In this episode, we break down Nissan’s bold AI strategy unveiled during the Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life event. President and CEO Ivan Espinosa positions artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of Nissan’s short-, mid-, and long-term vision—but how realistic is that roadmap?

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In this episode, we sit down with Ray Shefska, co-founder of CarEdge, who brings decades of industry experience and deep data insights to the car-buying process. He breaks down the three most common mistakes consumers make when purchasing a new car—and shares a simple, practical solution to avoid them. We also explore how platforms like Amazon Autos are changing the game with transparent, no-haggle pricing, and what that means for today’s car buyers looking for the best deal.

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In this episode, we’re in New York visiting Tisha Johnson, Head of Design at Slate Auto, an emerging startup preparing to launch an affordable, ultra-versatile electric pickup. Tisha shares why this role represents her dream job, offering insight into Slate Auto’s design philosophy, the challenges of building a new automotive brand, and how innovation is shaping the future of electric vehicles.

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In this exciting episode we celebrate the 2026 BMW iX3’s massive double victory at the World Car Awards! Grok called it perfectly — predicting the iX3 would take home top honors, and it delivered exactly as forecasted. We break down why the iX3 swept the awards, what this means for BMW’s electric future, and how Grok’s AI-powered analysis continues to outperform traditional automotive predictions.

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In this special episode from the 2026 Miami Open, we sit down with Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America, to explore how Pirelli is bringing its world-class high-performance engineering from motorsports into elite tennis.

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In this episode, we consult Grok Ai for its bold predictions across all six categories of the 2026 World Car Awards, set to be revealed live at the New York International Auto Show. Grok sees the BMW iX3 pulling off a potential triple victory — dominating the overall World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and possibly influencing other categories.

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In this episode, we travel to southern Chile to meet Matt Barnett—an American adventurer from Petaluma, California—whose journey led him far beyond expectations. After discovering the natural beauty of Chile, Matt fell in love and chose to stay. Today, he’s the master baker in Curacautín, near the Corralco Ski Resort, where he has built a new life rooted in craft, community, and the landscapes of Patagonia.

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In this episode, we explore why this car collector draws the line at 1992—the turning point when Computer-Aided Design (CAD) transformed car design. As engineering shifted from hands-on craftsmanship to digital precision, did cars lose some of their analog soul?

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In this episode we sit down with Russell Wager, Vice President of Marketing at Kia America, who explains the strategy behind one of the industry’s most consistent success stories: the Kia Telluride. With the launch of its all-new second generation, the three-row SUV continues to deliver record-breaking sales and strong consumer demand.

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 In this episode, we’re in San Luis Obispo, California, test-driving the all-new 2026 Audi Q3. The latest generation raises the bar in the compact SUV segment with best-in-class performance, advanced technology, and a level of refinement that feels closer to Audi’s luxury flagships. We also explore why Audi is just as excited about the Q3’s potential as it is about the early momentum behind its new Formula 1 team.

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The Genesis Gives corporate social responsibility initiative from Genesis Motor America partnered with Breakthrough Miami to host a hands-on STEAM workshop for more than 40 students at Palmer Trinity School in Miami, where they explored design, engineering, and mobility concepts before presenting their own visions of future vehicles. 

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In this episode, we speak with Matt McAlear, CEO of Dodge, about the fully realized next-generation Dodge Charger lineup. He explains why the new Charger family makes more sense than ever, offering customers the choice between a 100% electric powertrain or the Hurricane inline-six gasoline engine, along with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. 2 or 4 doors and significantly improved technology. 

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