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Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. It caters to drivers who don't have the time or desire for the details of buying a vehicle but need transportation. Car subscription services are ideal for drivers who wish to avoid the paperwork and permanency of owning a vehicle. Allen Witters, the CEO of T4L, headquartered in Naples, Fla., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Witters the new industry and the ideas behind the need for some to consider a car subscription. T4L membership prices range from about $600 to $2,270 per month for cars in the company's electric vehicle-only fleet. The fee is inclusive: insurance, taxes and registration to vehicle swap. Car Subscripti0n: All-In-On Transaction Full maintenance — tires, brakes, batteries, wiper blades, vehicle refresh and software updates, charging, roadside service support — are also provided as is priority concierge services. Prospective T4L car subscription members can build and request a vehicle. Once a vehicle has been configured and requested, a T4L concierge contacts every enrollee and provides membership, subscription, vehicle selection, deposit and delivery expectations. Vehicle delivery is expected within 90 days and all cars arrive fully charged and with a T4L new membership kit and a membership app. "As auto customers continue to explore the growing mobility market, service-related offerings are becoming more in demand," said Witters. "Our members will enjoy easier vehicle access, a better overall dollar value, a hassle-free transportation experience, and best-in-class customer service." The car subscription model has also been introduced in other regions of the country, some catering to higher-end vehicles, others to the expanding EV industry. Subscription car service companies are hoping for increased market shares, with consumers considering depreciation, dealer fees, interest rates, maintenance and other monetary and convenience factors. Auto subscriptions are not only all-inclusive, consumers using vehicles only when they need them is an environmentally savvy concept people embrace. "We believe this is priceless to someone who is passionate about electric vehicles," said Witters. "The trend is the result of consumers uncertain about a new purchase in uncertain times.” For more information, visit https://t4l.me. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT #122,

Turning age 66 doesn't have the same milestone traditions as ages 40, 50 and 65. But there are connections to the automotive world for me with double six on the horizon, including 50 years of driving. Driving the iconic Route 66 is a bucket list item for many travelers. I'd like to do that at age 66. And for those who acquired their first driver's license at age 16, a half-century of driving has likely provided plenty of opportunities for reflection. 50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host Bruce Aldrich and his father share a moment in the family's 1959 Volkswagen Bug. During the past half-century, the automotive industry has advanced with the acceleration of a Tesla. So my friend and co-host Bruce Aldrich and I decided the time was right. We discuss our respective pending 50 years of driving on Episode #157 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Elon Musk, the creator and eccentric owner of Tesla, has changed the automotive world with a quantum leap into the future of electric vehicles. How has the supercar changed the industry and its relationship with our world and its failing environment? Automotive technology has made cars safer with GPS navigation systems, back-up cameras and various driving warnings. But has technology overloaded? Autonomous driving and flying cars aren't too far in the future. Is it all good or a disaster waiting to happen? A lot more has also occurred. Consider: anti-lock braking systems (ABS), power steering, automated driving, navigation systems, infotainment centers were all developed in the past 50 years. Manual transmissions, once prominent, are larger gone. Taxis have given way to Uber and Lyft. Alternative fuels haven't yet grabbed the public. But gas-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars and trucks are at least in the public consciousness. Will the technology ever sway the public-at-large? 50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host James Raia in front of a 2011 Acura TSX wagon during the 2011 USA Pro Challenge pro bicycle race in Colorado. Fifty years of driving changes skill levels. Drivers develop habits — good and bad. Eventually, good abilities begin to slip. The latter is discouraging. Bruce and I and surely many others agree: Our reaction times are slower. Peripheral vision isn't as good as it once was. Night driving is increasingly difficult. 50 Years Of Driving: Tickets To Family History Bruce and I also discuss 50 years of driving in other areas — tickets to accidents, family history to unusual circumstances. It makes for a lively episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT #122, Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich, James Raia talk car stuff #7, Bruce Aldrich and his 1959 VW Bug #127, Hey, hey,

Aaron Gold is a veteran automobile writer who has contributed to many print and online publications. He's as enthusiastic about his work as anyone in the industry, and it shows in his articles and in conversation. A staff writer for Automobile, Gold is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the automotive industry with the journalist, with a particular interest in several of his recent articles. Automobile writer Aaron Gold discusses the Bricklin and many other Canadian cars on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Canada isn't an automotive powerhouse, but Gold recently wrote: "Who Knew Canadian Cars Were a Thing? Well, They Are." The article detailed Bricklin Motors to Conquest Vehicles, Felino to Magnum, Electra Meccanica to McLaughlin and several unique offerings. We hadn't heard of several of the vehicles, which made Gold's article all the more interesting. Aaron Gold: Automobile Writer Has Fun Gold recently wrote: "Far Out and Funky Forgotten Cars of the 1970s Worth Remembering" and "The All-New 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Releases You From Sorrow." Automobile was founded in 1986 with the working motto: "No Boring Cars." The publication ceased its print edition in early 2020, but the online edition remains true to the publication's mission. Among other recent articles, Gold's has written: "How I Met Your Mother: Chevrolet’s Bad-Ass Monte Carlo" and "Bugging Out: We Take a 1949 VW Beetle on a Fascinating 1949 Architectural Tour." And we couldn't help ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed talking about another article: "Far Out and Funky: 12 Forgotten Cars of the 1970s That Are Worth Remembering." Cars are serious business. But please join us for a light-hearted podcast episode with journalist Aaron Gold. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher

A new book, a speed record (not), new truck towing capacities, autonomous vehicles and the future of electric trucks. There's always a lot happening in the automotive industry, and periodically Bruce Aldrich I just talk about a lot on The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're are each other's guests this week to visit the above-mentioned news items. And it's the 155th episode of our slightly more than three-year-old, 30-minute broadcasts. First up this week is a new book by author Mike Mueller. It's The Complete Book of Corvette, a coffee table-sized book details all generations of the "America's Sports Car." The book is an all-encompassing volume showcasing more than 60 years of Corvette history. Created in cooperation with General Motors and illustrated with 500 color and black-and-white photos from GM’s exclusive Design and Media Archives, the book highlights the development, tech specs and visual prowess of the entire Corvette line. New Book Details Corvette History The book was released before the debut of the Corvette's eighth generation, mid-engined C8. Mueller's new book is an updated edition of his first Corvette title. But a third book may also be warranted detailing the 2020 model and its disruption of the industry. In this episode, Bruce and I also discuss: * The short-lived recent speed record of 331.15 mp set behind the wheels of the SSC Tuatara. Turns out the record wasn't accurate with eagle-eyed video watchers noticed some peculiarities. The record is no more; * A letter writer comment on a column I wrote recently, and he has plenty to say about the towing capacities of heavy trucks; * Autonomous cars are being tested in controlled circumstances in the streets of San Francisco; * Auto innovation usually seems like a great idea. How about a new solar-powered pickup truck bed liner? The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race Podcast #131: Greg Griffin Races A Ferrari, Builds Florida Homes David Letterman: Late Night Comedy, Sex and Race Cars

Todd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses his long-time appreciation for cars as well as his fund-raising efforts and a unique, moving experience he shared with those less fortunate. Todd Reiners has several vintage race cars including a 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 As a daily driver, Reiners negotiates Sacramento in a 1994 Honda Accord "with a dent." But it's Reiners' other vehicles he prefers to discuss. They include: * 1971 Detomaso Pantera, 351 CI Cleveland V8 Supercharged 600 HP; * 1972 Plymouth Barracuda, 383 CI V8; * 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 Chevy 305 Stock Block, Lucas McKay Injection 600 HP, 1200 pounds; * 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo, 2.3 4 Cylinder Lotus 910 285 HP; * 1984 Porsche Carrara, 3.2 Flat 6; * 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSI, 3.0 V8. Todd Reiners: Race Car Driver, Philanthropist About a decade ago, Reiners, the Executive director at HOPE, Inc., who also works for McKesson Corporation and The McClatchy Company, had a keen idea to incorporate his interest in racing with the desire to help the Sacramento community. Reiners wasn't particularly comfortable with the attention, but he agreed to let the Sacramento Bee write an article on his Formula 500 Grand Prix car and its unusual crew. Reiners trained some of his homeless friends to change tires, fuel the car the work on his pit crew during a race. The car was sponsored by Loaves & Fishes, the Sacramento area's largest homeless service provider. Several thousand dollars were raised for the sponsor. And as added karma for the day, Reiners won the race. Please join co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia as we interview Reiners about his amateur racing career, his enjoyment of working on his cars and his philanthropic interests. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race Podcast #131: Greg Griffin Races A Ferrrari, Builds Florida Homes David Letterman: Late Night Comedy, Sex and Race Cars

Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes' interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Beetle and Bus. Hayes is the author of numerous automotive books ranging in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen. His latest book is the just-released "Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter." Author Russell Hayes discusses the VW Beetle and Bug in a new coffee table-sized book. In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes is our guest on Episode #153 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with the author about VW's two most iconic vehicles, the first Beetles spearheaded by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1940s to the buses that became synonymous with a generation. VW History As Unusual As Any Carmaker As Hayes explains, no carmaker's history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie movement. More than 23 million VW Beetles have been manufactured since 1945. The book examines and celebrates all aspects of the vehicles and their more than 70 years as cultural symbols. Hayes looks back at the vehicles while focusing on the classic air-cooled VWs that ran into the late 1970s. He discusses, with accompanying photography, the Beetle and Bus at work and play. Plenty of cars and trucks having starring roles in film, but none likely as varied as VW, with its presence in films like The Love Bug, Little Miss Sunshine, Footloose, Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And there were roles in television shows like Lost and Once Upon a Time and on the covers of the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ album. Hayes covers all things VW and pop culture. He writes about the New Beetle and plans for the VW Buzz, a modern electric version of the iconic Microbus due in 2022. Please join us for an informative episode with the knowledgeable and funny author who knows Volkswagen as few others do. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio RELATED CONTENT VW Bug to Chevy Volt: Goodbye, Farewell VW Has New Van With Camper Slinkly  Episode 7: Bruce Aldrich And His '59 Bug

About halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco, travelers on Interstate 80 can visit an iconic brewery, renowned confectionery or an indoor-outdoor homage to military transportation within minutes. But a full day's visit to one or any combination of the attractions is warranted. The setting is a trio of museums all located within a few-mile radius on farmland off frontage roads in Fairfield, an agricultural hub in Solano County. The Anheuser-Busch facility doesn't have much in common with Jelly Belly or the American Armory Museum. But the latter two destinations share much. The American Armory Museum features one of Gen. Geroge Patton's Jeeps. All Images © Bruce Aldrich/2020 Geoff Lippman, the military museum's general manager and curator, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Lippman discusses the history of the museum, its ever-expanding collection of vehicles and military memorabilia from several countries and several wars with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia. The armory's history began in 2013 when Herman Rowland Sr., the former CEO of Jelly Belly, bought several military vehicles from the estate of armored vehicle collector Jacques Littlefield. The initial collection included an Israeli M-3 half-track, a self-propelled artillery piece and an M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier. Military museum has more than 60 vehicles Open to the public two years ago, the museum has guests ranging in age from primary grade school children to WWII veterans in their 90s. Many visitors find the roadside business by happenstance while driving along the Interstate. Positioned on eight acres and in a nearly 5,000-square-foot warehouse, the collection showcases about 60 vehicles and a vast collection of all things military — uniforms, flags, weapons, gear and soldier mannequins in full uniform. The vehicle collection, 90 percent of which is drivable, includes an Army Harley-Davidson from WWI and one of the Jeeps Gen. George Patton used in WWII. A British Scorpion and an M-60 Patton tank are also prominent. The collection includes donated pieces, items purchased and others on loan. Lippman wasn't in the military, but the former land developer and auto restorer in Florida has a vast knowledge of machinery and engines. He was hired by Rowland to repair the collector's original collection but then accepted his current position. He knows every vehicle intimately and works with numerous volunteers to get vehicles running properly. He also curates the facility. The museum's centerpiece is Patton's 1942 Command Jeep. The vehicle is accompanied by a display of Patton's history, including a video featuring Francis J. “Jeep” Sanza, Patton's driver. Sanza died two years ago in Napa. In addition to weekly outdoor church services, the museum hosts special events, including the Military Vehicle Demonstration Weekend, scheduled Oct. 10-11. Please join us in this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast as we travel to Fairfield for a tour of the American Armory Museum and a conversation with its general manager and curator. The American Armory Museum is located at 4144 Abernathy Rd., Fairfield, Ca., 94534. Tel. (707) 389-6846. Various membership levels are available. Admission: Adults $7; Children 11-under, $3; Military and Veterans with ID are free; Group & Membership rates available; Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a..m.-3 p.m. Donations are accepted. Volunteer opportunities are available; Website: americanarmorymuseum.org. RELATED CONTENT Auto World Museum: Fulton, Missouri Don Martine: Pacific Grove Inn Owner, MG Museum Curator Blackhawk Museum, Danville, California The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

The Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already collaborated on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We're now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. Bruce Aldrich (left) and James Raia interview Alex Guberman, an electric vehicle expert who has a vast following on the YouTube Channel, E For Electric, on The Weekly Driver Podcast To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six episodes. And among our combined 11 favorites, only one overlapped. We both selected artist Chris Miller. An article posted in the creative newsletter Atlas Obscura about Miller's first stone truck creation many years ago led to email contact and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: Bruce's top guests include: 5. #134, Chris Miller: Stone truck artist 4. #120, Author Patrick Foster: 80 years of Jeep 3. #114, Autonomous Racing, Indy Motor Speedway 2. #84, David Ankin: ToyMakerz TV Show 1. #58, Consumer Reports Reliability Survey Visit part 1 in our double episode when James reveals his top-5 podcast episodes. We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio

The Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already been working together on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We're now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview automotive guests every week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six episodes. And among our combined 11 favorites, only one overlapped. We both selected artist Chris Miller. An article posted in the creative newsletter Atlas Obscura about Miller's first stone truck creation many years ago led to email contact and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. Chris MIller's stone truck creation was among our favorite episodes of the first three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: My top guests include: 5. #134, Chris Miller: Stone truck artist (May 22, 2020) 4. #109, Joe Palmer, Sacramento, backyard vintage car owner (Oct. 27, 2019) 3. #105, Stuntman Robert Nagle talks about his work on Ford vs. Ferrari (Oct. 1, 2019) 2. #98, Mary McGee, pioneering female motorcycle racer (Aug. 14, 2019) 1. #22,  Alex Honnold, El Capitan free solo mountain climber, life in a van (Jan. 13, 2018) Visit part 2 in our double episode when Bruce Aldrich reveals his top-5 podcast episodes. We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

Ray Elliott, a tow truck driver in the south San Francisco Bay Area, has viewed the mistakes motorists make so often he started a website several years ago called Idiots on the Interstate (idiotsontheinterstate.com). The site is void of advanced graphics and is perhaps best described as primitive. But it's chock-full of information, videos and Elliott's opinions about the pathetic, often tragic and often preventable accidents and incidents he's witnessed throughout his long career. Ray Elliott, a tow truck driver in the south San Francisco Bay Area, discusses how the coronavirus has changed driving habits. Elliott has arrived on the scene of every kind of accident imaginable, sometimes before law enforcement personnel or first responders. He has seen fender benders and death, and he has saved lives and comforted many in need. Part of Elliott's introduction on his website, lets the reader quickly know what he's all about: "I have saved lives, fought fires, washed dishes, driven nails, and now I tow. If there is one thing I know, it’s towing. And you people can’t drive, so I have job security. That said, let’s get to what you should expect when you call for a tow truck. "Let me tell you what it’s like being a tow truck driver. I come to rescue you and your vehicle in any situation you can put your vehicle in. I have removed cars from places you can’t get a car into. I have seen cars on all four sides and front and end. Quite often, I arrive at the scene of an accident before the fire department. "I know all the streets in all the cities I work in. I know every short cut to get you where you need to take your car. I know most of the automotive shops in my area. I know we all make mistakes, myself included. I have set tow rates that I cannot bargain lower prices. "I know what your car needs. I have done this for a long time and have seen your situation more than once. My goal being there, at your aid, is not just to tow your car, but to make sure that you, being my customer, are also safe and off of the side of the road, and hopefully, driving away." Tow Truck Driver: Times Have Changed It's the reason Elliott is among our favorite guests on The Weekly Driver Podcast. On episode #148, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Elliott how the coronavirus has changed the driving landscape and his job as a tow truck driver. As many have likely noticed, fewer vehicles are on the highway. One major result — drivers are driving faster. And Elliott is busy. Elliott has written two essays for theweeklydriver.com: NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT and DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT Elliott was also our guest on Episode #60 in November 2018. He told us about the crappy engineering in cars, chastised the use of frontal airbags and his many experiences. He says want he wants without a filter. Join us for another lively episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

Driving across the United States in an electric vehicle takes planning and patience. For car owners driving an EV or considering a green car alternative, the challenge has been simplified. Electrify America recently announced the completion of the first of two cross-country routes. It allows EV drivers to travel from coast to coast using the largest open DC fast-charging network in the United States. Electrify America recently announced the completion of the first of two cross-country routes. It allows EV drivers to travel from coast to coast using the largest open DC fast-charging network in the United States. Rich Steinberg, Senior Director of Green Cities, Marketing and Communications for Electrify America, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Electrify America: Coast-to-Coast Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Steinberg the new route and the pending second route. We also discuss the overall EV industry, from new vehicles to charging stations to the public's awareness of the technology. And with a nod to our podcast's headquarters in Sacramento, we also discuss the capital city's status as the Green City/Electrify America national hub. The debuting route extends from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, DC. It spans 11 states and more than 2,700 miles utilizing Electrify America's open DC fast-charging network. It's called the Northern Route. The first cross-country route travels along Interstates 15 and 70, providing high-powered chargers with speeds up to 350kW. Electrify America charging stations are on average about 70 miles apart in metro areas and near highway routes located conveniently by shopping and dining amenities. The second route, expected to be completed by the end of summer, is the Southern Route. Electric vehicle travelers can cross the southern portion of the U.S., from Jacksonville to San Diego, on interstate highways starting near I-10 and finishing along I-8. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

Jim Brainard has a law degree, but he's spent the past quarter-century thinking about circles. It's a compliment, and it's likely the reason why Carmel, Indiana is internationally famous. The mayor of the 102,000-population city, located 23 miles northeast of the state's capital of Indianapolis, is the country's leading expert on the benefits of roundabouts. Mayor Jim Brainard of Carmel, Indiana believes in the benefits of roundabouts. Brainard, who has overseen the construction of 132 roundabouts in the 47-square-mile city, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Brainard about his roundabout advocacy and how Carmel has adapted to its world prominence. Brainard first became interested in roundabouts as a graduate student at Oxford University in England. The first modern roundabout, built in 1909, is located in Letchworth, England. Mayor Jim Brainard: Roundabouts Save Lives “Roundabouts have reduced traffic fatalities by 90 percent in Carmel,” said Brainard, who has traveled to many countries to study roundabouts. "The U.S. average fatality rate per 100,000 people is 14. It tends to be higher in suburban areas because the roads are built wider for faster speeds. Indianapolis has done a little bit better than normal—11.7 per 100,000. The average in Carmel is two.” By definition, a roundabout (also called a circle, traffic circle, road circle, rotary, rotunda or island) is a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island. The priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction. Brainard has been Carmel's mayor since 1996. In addition to the current roundabouts in the city, at least another seven more are planned. The mayor has also consulted with many cities around the country about the benefits of roundabouts. He often cites safety. "With cars moving at 10-15 mph, a pedestrian who gets hit has a much better chance of surviving than if someone blows through a light or a stop sign at 50,” he said. According to Brainard, a stoplight encourages drivers to increase their speed to get through an intersection. In a roundabout, he says drivers have to decrease their speed to 15 to 25 miles per hour. As a result, Brainard notes vehicle accidents involving occupant injuries requiring hospital visits have been reduced by more than 75 percent. Modern roundabouts became more popular in the United States in the 1990s, much in part to Brainard. About 5,000 roundabouts are located throughout the country. Carmel has the most of any city by several-fold. Not everyone is a believer. According to Wikipedia, the first modern roundabout in the United States was constructed in Summerlin, Nevada in 1990. It dismayed many residents, and a local news program reported, "Even police agree, roundabouts can be confusing at times." Eighty years earlier, architect John McLaren designed one of the first American roundabouts for both autos and streetcars (trams) in the Hatchett Residence Park. It's now named San Jose, California. In many European countries, roundabouts are the rule, not the exception. France, by its latest official government tally, has more than  50,000 roundabouts. The United Kingdom has about 25,000 roundabouts. During the podcast, Brainard also discusses the costs of making roundabouts, environmental aesthetics and the public's response to the city's reputation as the "Roundabout Capital of the World." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.

As if the pending Tesla Cybertruck hasn't received enough attention, leave it to company owner Elon Musk to generate more attention for the futuristic-looking machine. After announcing the electric-vehicle manufacturer's plans to build a new factory in Austin, Texas, Musk hinted at a few of his new truck's color choices. The possible options are as unique as the car. The Tesla Cybertruck may be offered with a rainbow exterior paint theme. Musk suggested a pure white option or a treatment to offer a rainbow option. If the Cybertruck in rainbow adornment is ever offered, it will likely be an aftermarket option, not a dealership choice. And it wouldn't the first rainbow-colored Tesla. Several models have received rainbow wraps in Tesla's support of various events. Tesla Cybertruck: Color me rainbow The rainbow option has also been presented on other supercars in recent years. But there wouldn't be any more polarizing vehicle on the road than a multi-colored Tesla Cybertruck. Musk doesn't do subtle well. So, while the rainbow the idea doesn't seem shocking for the Tesla Cybertruck, it still won't present the innovative new vehicle at its best. The new truck its described as “an all-electric, battery-powered, light commercial vehicle.” Three models have been announced, with range estimates of 250–500 miles and an estimated 0–60 mph time of 2.9–6.5 seconds, depending on the model. According to Tesla specs, the Cybertruck will be constructed “with cold-pressed, unpainted stainless steel.” It will have a towing capacity of as much as 14,000 pounds.

Jerry W. Cox has a stark warning for the driving public. He says 12 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads have defective Takata-made airbags that still have not been replaced. Cox, a former consultant for the now-defunct Japanese automotive parts company, discusses the details in his new book "Killer Airbags: The Deadly Secret Automakers Don’t Want You To Know." Now an automotive consultant, Cox is our guest on Episode #145 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Jerry W. Cox is the author of the new book, "Killer Airbags." Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Cox what he believes is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Killer Airbags details the events that led to the airbag scandal that rocked the automotive industry. Cox also criticizes a recent decision by the Trump Administration not to recall an additional 30 million newer-model cars with Takata airbags. Killer Airbags in 70 million vehicles Ammonium nitrate, the chemical used in the airbags made and installed in 70 million cars in 19 different models by Takata, exploded in the defective airbags and led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of serious injuries, Cox states. The airbags were eventually recalled in the largest consumer product ever, but 12 million cars still have these devices that still have not been replaced. Cox writes he warned the company to recall the devices completely in 2014, but it didn't listen. "Takata chose ammonium nitrate to inflate its airbags because it was vastly cheaper than more stable propellants,” Cox said. “They faked reports showing ammonium nitrate was suitable and lied about the danger until 2017 when the company was convicted of criminal fraud and went bankrupt.” In 2015, federal regulators gave Takata until the end of 2019 to prove these “desiccated” inflators safe or to recall the 30 million affected 2018 and later-model vehicles. Instead of seeking an independent assessment, the Trump Transportation Department secretly solicited an engineering study from the motor vehicle manufacturers who were responsible for paying for the recall. It decided in May 2020 not to recall those vehicles. "The Transportation Department never asked the Takata engineers who designed those inflators whether they are safe,” said Cox. “All of those experts insist the inflators eventually will turn into hand grenades and that nobody should be driving a car with ammonium nitrate in their airbags.” By that time, Cox hadn't been consulting with Takata for a few years. In 2016, Cox viewed a gruesome image of Joel Knight. As Cox details in the podcast, Knight was driving his pickup truck and hit a cow. It was a minor accident, but the Takata airbags deployed. The canister blew like a hand grenade sending a chunk of shrapnel the size of a hockey puck through the airbag and through Knight’s neck – killing him instantly. Cox said he then vowed to tell the inside story of how Knight and now at least 23 others have been killed and more than 300 have been injured by Takata airbags. The book details how Takata’s fraud scheme worked and exposes actions by current and former federal government officials that delayed and prevented safety recalls. "I feel I am morally obligated to write the book," said Cox, who further details the airbag issue on his website: www.killerairbags.com. The book is available on the author's website as well as on Amazon.com. Please join Bruce Aldrich and me as we hear from the author in a compelling episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Rolls-Royce has long represented elegance and sophistication in automobiles most often named after ghosts. There have been years of exception. Used Rolls-Royce models, particularly in the company's native England, were hard to sell for years. But now the bespoke machines are back in a big way. In 2019, Rolls-Royce sold more than 5,100 vehicles worldwide, the best annual sales volume in the company's 116-year history. The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020 Elizabeth Williams, the company's product communications manager, discusses the Rolls-Royce return to prominence on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Rolls-Royce has a 116-year legacy Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss all things Rolls-Royce with Williams — the legacy of the brand to the current lineup. The podcast episode seemed like a natural after my recent opportunity to review a 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith. The Wraith remains the company's high-performance model. It features a twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that produces 624 horsepower. It's the most powerful car the company has ever made. It weighs 5,380 pounds but has serious, controlled speed. Named after the Scottish word meaning the image of a ghost or spirit, The Wraith debuted in 2013 as a 2014 model. For 2020, The body style is a two-door, pillar-less coupe with iconic suicide doors. The door handles are likely the largest ever installed in a car. Their girth suggests they weigh more than a Chevy Spark. The Wraith's interior is an opulent living room where the old world meets modern, understated technology. The analog features are complemented by the digital age working in the background. Every surface has a unique texture and color. The stitching and hides are different. Rolls-Royce has all the top-scale necessities in the back, but it forgot a place for adult-sized legs, so the rear seats are only for the small A Rolls-Royce's performance is always at least equally matched by its beauty. The lines are a juxtaposition. Its battle-tank strength front flows into elegant curves at the rear of the beast. The Wraith offers a poised and unassuming in city driving — as if a Rolls-Royce can be understated. Feel the need to accelerate to merge into traffic at ease or maneuver around a pending situation, the Rolls' power prevails. Beyond the Wraith, Williams discusses the uniqueness of Rolls-Royce, including the new Black Bade trim. It's a $50,000 option — 21-inch carbon wheels to illuminate treadplates. Rolls-Royce extravagance also includes signature features, the shooting star headliner to its Teflon-coated hidden umbrella. Williams details who's buying the Wraith and its stature as a vehicle weighing more than 5,000 pounds, possessing 624 horsepower and with 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.4 seconds Please join for an episode full of facts and figures and the glorious history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

There's always news in the automotive world. Sometimes, The Weekly Driver Podcast doesn't schedule a guest so co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia can discuss a few topics, like cars that will no longer be manufactured and a 55-year-old Mustang selling for an eye-opening record. That's what we do in this episode. The Chevrolet Sonic and Honda Fit will no longer be manufactured after the cars' current editions. Bruce and I discuss why we say good riddance to the Sonic and a hearty farewell to the Fit. The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss it and several other topics like the recent sale of a 1965 Ford Mustang for a record price during this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. Mustang, Mustang. How about a Mustang? Who would have known, a Mustang selling for nearly $4 million? It's true. A 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R sold for a record $3.85 million The vehicle has a great heritage. It was once driven by Ken Miles of “Ford v Ferrari” fame. It sold at the recent Mecum Auctions event in Indianapolis. The sale marked the second record Mustang sale this year. In January, the long-lost 1968 Mustang featured in the Steve McQueen film “Bullitt” sold for $3.74 million. Bruce and I discuss that, too. This 1965 Ford Mustang sold recently for a record $3.85 million at Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis In this episode, we talk about the cancellation of all but one event of Monterey Auto Week. More than 30 events are held annually for about 10 days in August. The only event left is a 100-mile auto rally in Pacific Grove. The vehicles involved won't be on display as usual, but the yearly drive for charity will remain. And was there any bigger news recently than the return of the Ford Bronco? We've got that covered, too And lastly, Bruce and I chat about my recent review of a 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith. It's among the most opulent vehicles I've ever driven during my 16 years as a car reviewer. As always, The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio Editor's note: This post has been corrected. Chevrolet will discontinue the Sonic, not the Spark as previously written,  

Amir Daneshvar is accustomed to selling unique, high-end, modern-day cars — Audi to Porsche, BMW to Mercedes-Benz. But how about a 1958 Chevrolet Apache Fleetside? It's more unusual considering its appearance. It's an homage on wheels to the San Francisco Giants. The pickup truck was made for one of the team's "super fans." The year of the truck is the year the Giants relocated from New York to San Francisco. It has a 350 crate motor and a 700R4 transmission. A 1958 Chevy pickup truck in the SF Giants colors is for sale at Zen Auto Sales in Sacramento, California. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. Daneshvar is our guest on Episode #142 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visit with Daneshvar in his office at Zen Auto Sales in East Sacramento. The 1958 Chevrolet Apache Fleetside is parked outside, a few feet away. A one-of-a-kind 1958 pickup truck Apache was Chevrolet's terminology for the light-duty trucks of the so-called Task Force line. It was introduced as a replacement for the Advance Design line. The Apache was sold in the Fleetside configuration starting in 1958 and it's become an industry favorite for customization. The pickup truck's exterior paint is dominated by the team's primary colors, orange and black. The team logos on the pickup truck are original 1958 Giants decals. "We just call it a nice daily driver," said Daneshvar, who has owned Zen Auto Sales since June of 2006. "It's a vehicle somebody took the time to dedicate to the appreciation and his love of the team." "I guess with any of these vehicles you can pick it apart with a fine comb. But for the most part, anybody who likes to have a token of a sports team, this is a really nice example of it. We are pleased and honored to have it." Not all details of the pickup truck are known. It's had a few owners and on consignment by its current owner, Julio Peix. He owns Lefty's, a taproom and grill across the street from Zen Auto. Peix bought the vehicle years ago and had plans to use it in opening day parades for youth baseball teams. He tried make an arrangement with the Giants to use the vehicle for marketing or promotional events but that didn't happen. The Sacramento River Cats, the AAA affiliate of the Giants, weren't interested, either. Prix decided owning two food businesses in Sacramento took precedent and the vehicle is now on consignment. "It's not overdone like some trucks can be," said Daneshvar. "It's tastefully done. It's just a nice example for someone." "And I think when people buy these vehicles, they understand that they are not the comfort features of the vehicles you buy cars. But this one does have air conditioning, power steering and disc brakes on it." Daneshvar, a former pharmaceutical salesman whose father works in the same building space in a complementary business, is happy to discuss more details of the truck as well as the histories of his other vehicles. The price of the pickup truck isn't posted on the vehicle, a usual approach in the vintage car business. But the Zen Auto Sales' owner estimated its worth at approximately $22,000. For additional information, visit or contact Zeno Auto Sales: 5613 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819. Tel. (916) 743-1165; Email: Website: https://www.zenauto.biz. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

Nearly a quarter-century after it was last made, the new Ford Bronco makes its debut today (July 13) with as much anticipation as any new vehicle in recent memory. Often cited as the first Sport Utility Vehicle, the Bronco has a loyal following and its new edition is likely to continue the iconic vehicle's increasing legacy. The Ford Bronco debuted in 1966 and the 2021 edition was unveiled July 13, 2021. Brian Rabold, vice president of valuation services for Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss all things Ford Bronco. Ford Bronco: Its legacy contines Hagerty, the Michigan-based automotive lifestyle company, provides specialty insurance for collectible vehicles. The Bronco, in its various model years, generations and trims, has increased in value rapidly in recent years. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the history of the Bronco and Hagerty's insights into the vehicle's chronology and its re-emergence. According to Hagerty, consider some facts and figures: * the age of the average owner of Bronco owner is 54, seven years younger than the average collector car owner; * The first generation (’66-‘77 Broncos) are the most valuable at a median value at $50,600. The ’73-’77 Wagon 4x4 with the 302cid engine is the most valuable model with a median value of $60,200; * The highest sale for an unmodified Bronco at auction is $143,000 for a 1971 Bronco Stroppe Baja Edition. Rabold discusses all of the Bronco's attributes and he has an impressive knowledge of the vehicle's place in American automotive culture. He also gives us an opinion about one oddity of the debut of the new Bronco. Originally scheduled for July 9, the planned debut of the 2021 Ford Bronco coincided with the birthday of O.J. Simpson. Simpson, the former Heisman Trophy winner and National Football League star, was wanted in the slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. After Simpson failed to turn himself in, a national television audience of 95 million watched for hours as the drama unfolded of Simpson slowly being pursued on Los Angeles Freeways as the passenger in a 1993 white Bronco driven by his friend. Simpson was acquitted a year later in one of the most closely watched murder trials in American history. But the Bronco has since been associated with the bizarre day. Ford officials said it was “pure coincidence” when they announced the debut's original date. But Ford dropped the Bronco in 1996. Rabold said he "gives Ford the benefit of the doubt." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio  

Chuck Woodbury has traveled in his motorhome for as long as two years at a time. He recently returned to his Washington state home from a seven-month RV trip that began as an expected far shorter journey. It quickly changed. In February, the first outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, six miles from where Woodbury lives in Everett. At least 37 people died. The RV industry is changing quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. Early in their trip, Woodbury and his companion Gail Meyring heard the news from home and decided to remain on the road. Woodbury, the editor and publisher of RVTravel.com, is our guest on Episode #140 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The coronavirus has impacted the RV industry Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Woodbury how the coronavirus affected his journey. How did the virus affect various campgrounds and trailer parks in different states? Chuck Woodbury, Editor and Publisher of RVTravel.com, discusses the impact of the coronavirus on the RV industry. Woodbury, previously a guest on our podcast in episodes Nos. 25 and 104, also discusses the industry's boom. With restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores and airline travel all suffering during the virus, sales have escalated. For dubious reasons, the motorhome industry, which had tapered in recent years, is returning to a peak when about a half-million vehicles were sold per year. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, sales have increased by nearly 200 percent in the last year, via statistics provided by an industry association. The article's author, describing RVing, wrote: "Travelers carry their homes, complete with personally sanitized bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, with them in tortoise-like fashion." As an industry advocate with a critical eye on the lack of quality control in craftsmanship and repair, Woodbury also discusses the manufacturing component of the industry. Can the new demand be meet by consistency in the manufacture of new motorhomes? Or will quality control remain problematic? With more travelers on the road in RVs, can the repair industry work efficiently and with consistency in quality control? Woodbury gives his opinions on those topics and several others during our 30-minute conversation. He's concerned about how reservation systems will work? Will campgrounds and state parks experience overcrowding? In a recent issue of the RVTravel.com newsletter, Woodbury wrote in his Roadside Journal: "If this buying frenzy continues, I worry that there may often be times when there is no place to stay with an RV except on public lands or in Walmart parking lot. But that’s not part of the 'RV dream' for most of the newbies." "They are not campers in the sense of roasting marshmallows over the campfire, and most never dreamed that one day they could be so lucky to sit in their lawn chair in a Walmart parking lot and celebrate solar-heated asphalt." Please join Bruce and me as we talk with a preeminent industry expert about the current and potential future of RV travel. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio To listen to previous episodes of The Weekly Driver Podcast with Woodbury as our guest, visit: Episode #25: Website publisher shares RV horror stories on Facebook Episode #104: RV expert discusses the ever-changing industry

Kelsey Mays, senior consumer affairs and vehicle evaluations editor for Cars.com, knows what it means for the industry and consumers when a vehicle is made in America. It means a lot. According to research from Cars.com in its recently released 2020 American-Made Index (AMI), 70 percent of shoppers consider a car’s U.S. economic impact a significant or deciding factor in their vehicle purchase. Mays is our guest this week on Episode #139 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The 2020 Ford Ranger is the most American made vehicle in cars.com recently released 15th American Mage Index. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Mays the 15th AMI and how during the COVID-19 pandemic it has further impacted Americans’ desire to “buy local.” The survey found 37 percent of consumers report they are more likely to buy an American-made car due to the current health and economic crisis. Four percent said they were less likely. Additionally, 26 percent of those surveyed said “unpatriotic” to buy a non-American-made car. It's an increase of eight percent from 2019. 2020 Ford Rangers gets Cars.com top marks “This marks the 15th year we have released the American-Made Index, and for the first time, we are ranking a full, comprehensive list of qualifying American-made cars available in the U.S. Of some 350 cars on the market for 2020, 91 models qualified for our index,” said Mays. “The auto industry is highly globalized, but these 91 models bring jobs to America and investments to our local communities — a growing concern for Americans in the current climate.” For 2020, the No. 1 most American-made vehicle for is the Michigan-built Ford Ranger. The Jeep Cherokee, assembled in northern Illinois, is No. 2 in the survey. New entrant Tesla took three spots among the top 10. Cars.com’s American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing and transmission sourcing. The survey, conducted May 26-28, included more than 1,000 participants from an independent, third-party provider. With rising interest in buying American amid the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, cars.com has changed its methodology and expanded its rankings to all qualified cars built in the U.S. Here are the top 10 finishers on the 2020 Cars.com American-Made Index:   Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Plant Location(s) 1. Ford Ranger Wayne, Mich. 2. Jeep Cherokee Belvidere, Ill. 3. Tesla Model S Fremont, Calif. 4. Tesla Model 3 Fremont, Calif. 5. Honda Odyssey Lincoln, Ala. 6. Honda Ridgeline Lincoln, Ala. 7. Honda Passport Lincoln, Ala. 8. Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green, Ky. 9. Tesla Model X Fremont, Calif. 10. Chevrolet Colorado Wentzville, Mo. “Expanding the American-Made Index required significant updates to certain elements of our methodology, but the results accommodate a long-standing desire of AMI audiences: to see the full list,” Mays said. In total, the 2020 American-Made Index ranks cars from 13 automakers built in 14 states. Please join us for an informative episode as we chat the Mays about all things involving American-made cars and trucks. CARS is a leading digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry that connects car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share. For more information on the 2020 Cars.