PODCAST: A Stable Discussion of Toyota's Tilting Troubles and More

Lexus GX 460

Toyota was back in the news again this week after Consumer Reports gave its Lexus GX460 a "Do Not Buy" rating after the SUV nearly rolled over in tests. That kicked off another round of bad press and a NHTSA investigation.

Mathew took two test drives last week; piloting a Ford Edge and a GMC Terrain. Which one did he like better?
Audi showed off a new version of its once-gorgeous A8 L uber-sedan and it's not as lovely anymore.
Honda's coming EV-Neo scooter brings an electric vehicle to the mass market, while electric-car makers are looking for more subsidies to build up the infrastructure to support their products.
Finally, Ford is looking for good ideas on its Ford Story site, but are there royalties involved?

GetThisShowOnTheRoad April 16, 2010.mp3

Take This Podcast to Earth Day

It's Earth Day this week and we have a special green and gas free edition of the podcast.
Plus, no trees were cut down during this edition, which is important because it takes 240 trees to offset the emissions of one car, according to AutoBlogGreen, which has a bunch of other tidbits.

Saving trees is not something the U.S. government is always good at, but their plans to revamp the mileage ratings for electric and extended-range electric vehicles, like the coming Chevrolet Volt, may give consumers a better sense of their vehicles economy. GM may show a crossover version of the Beijing Auto Show later this week.
Also this week, the competition portion of the automotive X-Prize kicks off in Michigan with teams developing vehicles they hope will be capable of clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPG energy equivalent (MPGe). The Aptera is one of the most visually compelling designs in the competition.

Aptera is competing in the Xprize

That kind of efficiency won't be attainable by the Navy's ships, but they will be running on biofuels in a couple of years.
By that time, the hydrogen highway might be done. It already goes past David's house.
And in with a good news/bad news finish, Toyota agreed to pay the U.S. fine and recalled yet another vehicle, while Kia landed another vehicle on the top safety list.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad April 22nd, 2010.mp3

Just a Reminder - We're on iTunes

GetThisShowOnTheRoad - Download free podcast episodes by David Patton and Mathew Passy on iTunes.

GM = Godly Motors?

GM going to church to sell cars? — Autoblog

Maybe if dealerships were open on Sunday this wouldn't be necessary.

Matthew Broderick Says Ferrari From Ferris Bueller Was a Clunker

While Ferris Bueller thought the Ferrari he drove in the movie (owned by Cameron's dad) was "choice," this poorly written article on Yahoo! has actor Matthew Broderick dissing the actual vehicle that was used in the movie. It was a fake that is now up for auction.

Clever Auto Blog

Autoinsurance.org originally began as just a blog by Marcus Jain, a new car owner from Port Angeles, Washington who was trying to get for the first time and wanted to document everything he learned about finding a provider.

Now it's a clearinghouse for all kinds of info about cars, drivers and auto insurance. Nice job.

PODCAST: Supertasking Hooligans Podcast With Both Feet

Matt makes his way into the New York for the auto show, and doesn't spend $16.4 million on the trip, which is how much the NHTSA has fined Toyota because it "knowingly hid a dangerous defect." That will give ammo to the many lawsuits the car maker is facing for the unintended acceleration claims.
Edmunds.com is now offering $1 million to anyone who can recreate and explain the problems with Toyotas.
GM will expand the use of its brake override technology, leading us to discuss which foot you should be using to stop the car.
Are you a supertasker who can drive and talk on the cellphone, or more of a unitasker? Or just a bad driver all the time?
And latching on the the iPad news, Smart unveils an iPhone app and a clever person installs an iPad into the dash of a pickup.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad April 7, 2010.mp3

Porno for Patton

David Loves his minvans, so I immediately thought of him when i saw this Toyota Sienna display.

Yeah, mommy in this case is definitely David!

Pictures From NY Auto Show

So I stopped by the Auto Show at the Javitz Center in NYC. And no i was not assaulted on the way over as David's previous post would have you believe. Here are some of the shots I took while i was there. Nothing that you can't see on a million over blogs but just some things that caught my eye.

The Scion iQ. Small chance they might make this teenie tiny itsy bitsy lil vehicle.

An interior shot of the GMC Granite. Another concept that could go into production. I think this could be a very popular vehicle if they were to actually produce it.

GMC Terrain - Another interesting vehicle but i actually got inside it and its a really narrow vehicle. Another guy jumped in the passenger side and i felt like he was right on top of me. (save the "thats what she said.")

A 2011 Kia Sorrento. Great vehicle but it was one of the vehicles i thought i would get to drive at the auto show. Apparently all you get is to ride in it. Still great handling and nicely laid out interior.

The all electric Mini. Same as above, i convinced myself id be able to drive but I only got a chance to ride in one. (Not me in the vehicle above) Real quiet and real nice.

Nissan Juke - I told David i liked it in the podcast last week when we reviewed the Autoblog.com coverage of the auto show but had to snap a couple of pics of it and post it here. What can i say, I just like it.

The Chrysler Delta - Looks nice in person. This picture may not do it justice.

Chrysler 500 - I think it could do well.

Nissan Leaf - Just cause its there.

4 Shot, More Than 50 Arrested in Mayhem Related to N.Y. Auto Show

Four people were shot and dozens were arrested Monday in a mile-long stretch of Manhattan near Times Square in mayhem following the city's annual auto show, the NYTimes reported.

A group of teenagers and young adults ran amok, squaring off against one another and harassing pedestrians along a one-mile stretch of midtown near the Jacob A. Javits Center where the New York International Auto Show is held, police said.

Matt, you be careful out there.

PODCAST: March Sales, CAFE Standards Lead Us to Turn Over to a New Leaf

Lots of news this week, including our debut on iTunes.

Auto sales marched higher during March as car makers offered great deals.
Matt extends his lead in Fantasy Showroom.
It's going to be a tough road ahead as auto makers work to meet CAFE standards in 2016.
And electric vehicles may not be as big a help as they thought thanks to a new rule.
Nissan priced it's new Leaf and Matt is thinking about getting charged up.
Microsoft Hohm and Ford will collaborate on a system to optimize car charging.
And there were some interesting new vehicles on display at the N.Y. Auto Show, including some sexy Kias, wagons a go-ho and Nissan's goofy Juke.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad April 2, 2010.mp3