Show notes
Honda introduced its 0 Series electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon prototypes—at CES, and our guest co-host for the week, Matt DeLorenzo was on hand to report on them. Set for production in 2026 at its Ohio EV Hub, these “shockingly” styled models showcase innovative features like Honda’s ASIMO OS, the company’s custom operating system offering personalized mobility and “seamless” over-the-air updates.
As DeLorenzo reports in this episode, the new production vehicles’ peas-in-a-pod" styling is attention-getting, to say the least. Embracing a "Thin, Light, and Wise" design theme, they deliver spacious, flexible interiors, advanced digital experiences, and expected Level 3 automated driving. Both concepts use a “system-on-chip” (SoC) developed in partnership with Renesas Electronics to unify vehicle systems, and they also feature steer-by-wire technology and ultra-personalized driving modes. We’ll have more details in this episode.
This week’s special guest is Paul Tyll, Director of Dodge Products — Musclecar. Host Jack had a chance to sit down for an in-depth interview with him during the recent introductory drive event for the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona. He knows more about that car than just about anyone, so tune in for that.
In this week’s road tests, DeLorenzo takes a long look at the Kia Sorento crossover SUV based on a road trip in the vehicle in and around Chicago. Halfway across the country, Nerad puts the appealing Mazda CX-50 small crossover through its paces on the pre-fire roads of Southern California. Each will have a full report on their respective test vehicle in this week’s show.
In the news, General Motors' head of design, Michael Simcoe, is retiring after 42 years at the company. We’ll discuss his legacy and what his departure might signal for the future of automotive design.
In the international intrigue department, it looks like Ford Motor Company might be at odds with the U.S. Department of Defense over its deal with a Chinese battery maker, and we’ll give you more on that.
BMW has also unveiled a radical new infotainment scheme that it will install in many of its upcoming vehicles, so we’ll tell you all about that.
Listener Question of the Week
Listener Asa from Oregon asks if we will ever see the battery breakthrough that experts keep talking about. Our experts will have an answer.
Matt DeLorenzo's Book
Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership.
Special Offer
Jack is now offering his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rule, for just $4.99, a $5.00 saving from its original published price of $9.99. Click here to buy from your favorite bookseller.
Brought to you by:
• DrivingToday.com
• Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance.
• EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark.
We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to America on the Road
03:01 CES Highlights: Honda's Electric Vehicles
06:27 Ford's Dilemma with Chinese Battery Maker
08:56 GM Design Changes: A New Era Ahead
11:10 BMW's Innovative Infotainment System
12:40 Road Test: Kia Sorento Review
18:18 Road Test: Mazda CX-50 Review
25:44 Dodge Charger Daytona: The Future of Muscle Cars
39:37 Listener Question: Should I Wait for EV Breakthrough?
Keywords
automotive news, automotive, electric vehicles, Honda 0 Concept, CES, Ford, GM, BMW, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-50 Turbo, Dodge Charger Daytona, EV battery
Summary
In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Matt DeLorenzo discuss the latest trends and developments in the automotive industry, including highlights from the Consumer Electronics Show, Ford's challenges with a Chinese battery maker, GM's design leadership transition, and BMW's new infotainment system. They also review the Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-50, and explore the future of electric vehicles with the Dodge Charger Daytona. The episode concludes with a listener question about waiting for battery breakthroughs in electric vehicles.
Takeaways
The automotive industry is experiencing rapid changes and innovations.
Honda is making a strong push to regain its competitive edge in EVs.
Ford faces challenges with its partnership with a Chinese battery maker.
GM's design leadership transition may influence future vehicle aesthetics.
BMW's new infotainment system is set to revolutionize user experience in cars.
The Kia Sorento offers a great balance of size and functionality for families.
Mazda's CX-50 is positioned as a sporty and premium compact SUV.
Dodge is making bold moves towards electric vehicles with the Charger Daytona.
Leasing an EV may be a smart choice for first-time buyers.
Incremental improvements in battery technology are expected, but no magic breakthroughs are imminent.• Nissan and Honda's collaboration is a strategic move to enhance their market positions.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
