Wheel Bearings

Latest Episodes:

China, Brakes, Hybrids, Subscriptions Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

This week Nicole and Robbie are both travelling so we've got four interviews that Sam did in the last couple of weeks starting Magna International's head of e-Drive systems Mike Dowsett. Then there is Caroline Fallara and Mike Messina from high performance brake manufacturer Brembo. Sam also talks about China with industry expert Michael Dunne and finally Benjamin Maillard discusses Free2Move's new Car on Demand micro-lease program.

Links

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10 Years After Dieselgate Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, hosts Sam Abuelsamid and Nicole Wakelin discuss their recent experiences with the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition and the 2026 Genesis GV70. They delve into the performance, design, and driving experience of these vehicles, highlighting the Prius's hybrid technology and the Genesis's luxury features. The conversation also touches on insights from the Center for Automotive Research conference, Toyota's research on plug-in hybrid user behavior, and the automotive industry's shift back to physical controls in vehicles. Additionally, they review the latest IHS safety testing results for electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of safety ratings in the automotive market. In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of vehicle safety standards, highlighting how modern cars outperform older models despite mixed crash test results. They delve into Nissan's struggles with the Aria and organizational changes, while Hyundai outlines its ambitious 2030 vision. The conversation shifts to Honda's innovative use of software in racing, reflecting on the impact of Dieselgate on the diesel market. Volkswagen's price increases and Ford's new headquarters are also covered, concluding with Stellantis' advancements in battery technology.

Links

Toyota Research Shows How Behavioral Nudges can reduce emissions

Mercedes-Benz to bring back physical buttons

IIHS tests seven EVs

Nissan to close US, Brazil design studios

Nissan Ariya leaves for 2026

Hyundai 2030 roadmap

Honda Software Defined Race Cars

10 years after dieselgate

New vehicle registrations in Europe

VW to raise MY26 prices by 7%

Ford to move World HQ

$2000 Fiat 500e windshield

Stellantis IBIS battery

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**The Plural of Leaf is Leafs** Sep 14, 2025
Show notes

In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with the 2025 Volvo EX30, XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, and the 2026 Nissan Leaf. They explore the unique features, driving experiences, and challenges associated with each vehicle, including charging issues and pricing concerns. The conversation also delves into the broader context of the electric vehicle market, including consumer preferences and the impact of tariffs on pricing. In this episode, the hosts discuss various automotive topics, including the features and technology of the Nissan Leaf, the implications of Hyundai's new concept car, and the future of electric trucks from Stellantis. They also explore Ford's shift away from traditional cars, the potential for small affordable cars in Europe, and BMW's innovative designs. Additionally, they address safety concerns regarding motorized door handles, GM's automated delivery solutions, and hidden price increases in the automotive industry.
Sam also has a conversation with Trisha Jung about marketing the new Nissan Leaf.
**Links**
Sam's Review of the 2026 Nissan Leaf
Nicole on the new Leaf
Hyundai Concept 3
Ram 1500 REV Killed
New European Ford Focus CUV in 2027
EU considering its own Kei-class
BMW Z4 neue klasse
China may ban motorized door handles
Cruise, Brightdrop and Middle-mile Deliveries

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**Slate Duallie** Sep 07, 2025
Show notes

This week Nicole drove the Ford F-150 Tremor and Sam had the Lexus LC500 Convertible and the Cadillac Lyriq-V.
In the news, Honda has revealed more details on the upcoming 2026 Prelude coupe and a Minnesota driver gets a ticket for an excessively loud exhaust -- on his EV. At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, VW Group and BMW have revealed a bunch of new vehicles. Audi has the Concept C, an electric sports car coming in 2027 while VW has the ID Polo and ID Cross while Cupra has the Raval hot hatch. BMW is officially unveiled the new iX3 which is coming to America next year with 400 miles of range and starting at $60,000. Porsche is adding a hybrid to the 911 Turbo S and will offer wireless charging on the new Cayenne EV.
Links
Honda Prelude Debuts
Minnesota man gets ticket for loud exhaust on Charger EV
Audi Concept C
Audi Aiming for Chinese-style EV development time
BMW aiming for hydrogen X5 in 2028
BMW iX3
BMW and Qualcomm to offer Snapdragon Ride Pilot to other OEMs
Porsche 911 Turbo S goes hybrid
Cayenne EV to offer wireless charging
VW changes EV naming strategy
VW ID.Cross
Cupra Raval electric hot hatch
wireless charging

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Overlanding Minivan Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

This week Nicole has been driving the Acura ADX and Honda Passport while Sam had the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.

The US federal EV tax credits end on September 30, but you may still be able to take advantage of the credits even if you can't take delivery by that date. Ineos is cutting its prices by at least $7,900. Volvo has a new midsize crossover with over 100 miles of electric driving range according to the Chinese test cycle and GM is cutting production at its Detroit EV truck plant. Ram has begun shipping its new Ram 1500 Hemis and Chrysler has built a concept for an overlanding Pacifica. AMG sets a bunch of endurance records with its GT XX concept and Lucid is doing some updates to the Air and Gravity. Toyota is bringing its AI models to Hyundai's robots and Robbie visited Slate's future factory. We also have listener questions.

Links

EV Tax Credits after Sept 30

Ineos cuts prices

Volvo XC70

GM Cuts production at Factory Zero

Ram begins shipping Hemi Ram 1500

Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept

Concept AMG GT XX set records

Lucid 2026 updates

Toyota partners with Hyundai on robots

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The Benefit of Listening Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

This week, Robbie drives the new Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sam has the Acura ADX and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Nicole is traveling but she and Sam got together to discuss the 2026 Subaru Solterra and Sam has a conversation with Subaru carline planning manager Garrick Goh. We also have the low down on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee which is launching as a hybrid only and Ford Maverick prices continue to creep upward. The new Nissan Leaf will be the first EV in America with 300 miles of range for under $30,000 and Chargepoint now has Omniport retrofit kits available for its chargers. The US and EU will recognize each others automotive standards and Infiniti is bringing back the Q50 sedan with a manual gearbox and twin-turbo V6.Tensor Auto has come out of stealth with plans to sell a robocar to consumers but it's going to be real expensive and we answer a question about charging adapters for a reader.

Links

2026 Subaru Solterra

2026 Jeep Cherokee

Mavericks are getting expensive and cheaper

Nissan Prices new Leaf from $30k!

Chargepoint Omniport conversion kits available

US and EU to recognize each others standards

Infiniti to revive Q50 with Twin turbo V6 and and 6MT

Tensor wants to sell AVs to consumers

Tensor Auto

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

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Getting A Kick Out Of Kicks Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

This week Nicole has 2 "SUVs", the Nissan Kicks and Ford Expedition King Ranch while Sam discusses the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and Subaru Forester Hybrid.

Ford announced plans to build low cost EVs in Louisville Kentucky, Cadillac announced a new custom build program and we have a first look at the Hyundai Ioniq 2. At Monterey Car Week, debuts included the Acura RSX, the Lexus Sport Concept, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity, Karma Gyesera and Infiniti QX65 and QX80 concepts.

Links

Ford to build $30K electric pickup in Louisville

More thoughts on the Ford electric truck

Cadillac Elevated Velocity

Karma Gyesera

Infiniti QX65 Monograph

Infiniti QX80 concepts

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Companies Behaving Well and Badly Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

We're back from a mid-summer break. Sam has driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Lucid Air Grand Touring and Nicole had the 2026 Lincoln Navigator

Since we've been gone, we all drove the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Cupra gave up on entering the US market. Nicole has a Wagoneer S update. Sam wrote about Tesla's misbehavior in a recent trial. Jeep also had some news this week about going back and refreshes.The Las Vegas loop is apparently getting dumber and Ford has further delayed its next-gen full-size electric truck. Chevrolet has teased the new Bolt coming this fall and it will apparently use Chinese batteries for a couple of years as will BMW.

Links

Cadillac EVs to get Carplay -- down under only

Cupra US launch delayed

Automakers behaving badly

Nicole's latest Wagoneer S update

Jeep updates

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT

2026 Hyundai Palisade

LVCC Loop is getting dumber

2026 Chevy Bolt to use CATL batteries

Edmunds on new Bolt

Ford delays next large electric Truck/Van to 2028

BMW Might also have to use Chinese batteries

Remanufactured Batteries

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Midsummer 2025 Aug 03, 2025

Show notes

We're taking a break this week, but we'll all be back next week

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Airport Garage Towing Jul 27, 2025

Show notes

Robbie's dealing with a family emergency so Nicole tells us about her latest misadventure with her Jeep Wagoneer S as well as the Toyota Crown Signia. Sam had the Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade in invisible grey.

In the news, Lucid Air, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX get Supercharger support, but the Lucid is as slow as a Chevy Bolt. The Acura TLX is out of production but the new Honda Prelude gets a Civic Type-R suspension and someone paid $204K for an old Integra Type-R. After 250K miles a Mach-E still has 92% of its original battery capacity. Tesla owners should stay away from water if they want their warranties. Boston probably won't get robotaxis soon and our pals at TFL bought a first-generation Dodge Viper and it hasn't killed them -- yet.

Links

Lucid Air Gets Supercharger support -- sort of

Honda Prelude gets Type-R suspension

Acura TLX is Done

Honda/Acura gets Supercharger Access

Mach-E with 250K miles still has 92% battery capacity

Tesla Warranties and Water

$204K for an Integra?

Toyota to build next Supra in-house

No Waymos in Boston

Speed Kills Range

TFL Buys a 1st-gen Dodge Viper