Bloomberg Intelligence Auto Analyst Talks To 'Auto Trends' (Video Included)

 

Bloomberg Intelligence's Kevin Tynan, a senior auto analyst, shares his insights about the current trends in the auto industry related to new and used car prices, leasing, vehicle affordability, interest rates, the Inflation Reduction Act, the economy, TikTok in cars and more. 

The radio program will air from Saturday, April 22 thru Thursday, April 27. To tune in to the program, click here. 

J.D. Power Talks To 'Auto Trends' About Their Latest EV Studies: Home Charging Satisfaction To Dealership Service Experience

 

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com kicks off the month of April, focusing on the ever-growing EV market with two industry gurus from J.D. Power. 

Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice, and Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail, join the show to discuss the latest findings regarding the overall ownership experience, the dealership service experience and home charging satisfaction with zero emission vehicles. This insightful conversation will provide non EV owners a heads up on what's in store as they consider transitioning to an EV.  As of the 2022 calendar year, 6 percent of new vehicles registered in the U.S. were EVs.

'Auto Trends' Talks One-On-One With One Of The Leading Black Voices In The EV Battery Lane

 

While the world is familiar with Elon Musk and his line of mass produced, all-electric Teslas that achieves just over 200 miles on a battery charge, Denise Gray, who's a much quieter player in the hybrid and electric battery field, is one of the pioneers revolutionizing the industry, too.

Gray and her team are directly responsible for designing and developing battery packs to fuel, no pun intended, such vehicles as GM's new Tesla fighter, the mass-produced Chevy Bolt. Like the California built Teslas, the all-electric Bolt also has a driving range that surpasses 200 miles on a full battery charge. Conversely, unlike the pricey Teslas, the Bolt is currently one of a handful affordable EV alternatives on the market today to Musk’s luxury electric vehicles.

Its Shop Time Mondays: General Motors, Ram And Subaru Are Recalling Approximately 2.2 Million Vehicles

Tailgate May Open While Driving

An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V904000

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Components STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected 1,234,657

The Battle Of The Three Row Crossovers: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse High Country AWD Vs Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD

                                                               Chevy Traverse                                                                     

                                                                Hyundai Palisade

Highlight: Both models are only available with a 6-cylinder engine.

Test Vehicles MSRP:

Chevy Traverse:   $54,745

Hyundai Palisade: $52,395 

Seating Capacity:

Chevy Traverse: 7 with the standard bucket seats 

Hyundai Palisade: 7 with the standard bucket seats

The Pros And Cons: EV Buyers, Minorities And Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (Vehicles Eligible Included)

With the passage of Biden's game changing Inflation Reduction Act, this is expected to charge up the electric vehicle sales in both the new and used car segments.

Up until recently, Tesla, Toyota and General Motors customers were no longer eligible for upwards of $7,500 in tax credits toward the purchase of a new vehicle. Being that those automakers were early adopters of the electric vehicle movement and met the government requirement of selling 200,000 cars, this placed both their customers and the automakers at a disadvantage. 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Over 850,000 Teslas Being Recalled For Safety Concerns

1. Seat Belt Chime May Not Activate/FMVSS 208

The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V045000

Manufacturer Tesla, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS

Potential Number of Units Affected 817,143

Its Shop Time Mondays: Acura And Honda Are Recalling Over 628,000 Vehicles

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V215000

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 628,124

‘Auto Trends’ To Air A Traditional 2021 Auto Show Preview On SiriusXM And Other Outlets

 

While Covid-19 might have put the brakes on Detroit, Chicago and New York from kicking off the auto show season, where the automakers unveil their latest concept cars and fancy new rides, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com is keeping the show on the road.

This year the syndicated multicultural automotive show, which includes one-on-one conversations with many of today’s industry pioneers and trendsetters, is bringing the auto show circuit to the airwaves virtually by way of the radio. Enthusiasts and car buyers alike can still get the latest insights on what’s new in 2021 and beyond, but without the risk of being in a super spreader environment.

 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford Is Recalling Over 620,000 2020 Models

 Distorted or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111

Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components VISIBILITY

Potential Number of Units Affected 620,246

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate: The Korean Brand’s Entry-Level Compact Crossover

Highlight: The Kona is available in all-electric configuration.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $28,980 (Base model: $20,840)

Seating Capacity: 4 (super tight fit in the back seat)

Standard Safety Features:  ABS; airbags; a tire pressure monitoring system; automatic headlights; a blind spot driver’s mirror; a downhill brake control; a hillstart assist control; a forward collision assist system; a lane keep assist system; a backup camera; a remote keyless entry system; stability control system; a traction control system; and a compact spare tire

2020 Volvo Previews With The Brand's U. S. Head of Design And Product Pricing Strategist (Video Walkaround with the Editor)

2020 Kia Telluride SX AWD: The Brand’s First Full-Size, 8-Passenger SUV/Crossover

Highlight: The Telluride has a built-in camera in the instrument gauge aiding the driver, when making both left and right turns. It serves as an additional means to avoid blind spots and clipping curbs.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $46,860 (Base Model: $32,735)

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8

All-New Detroit Auto Show Debuts: Ram Heavy Duty Trucks, Kia Telluride & Ford Explorer

Ram introduced new heavy duty trucks. Ram claims this is the most capable truck in its class, with the ability to tow up to 35,100 lbs. The Ram also outhauls every pickup available -- with a 1,000 lb ft of torque. The trucks should mirror the light duty truck in terms of ride and handling capabilities.

The Kia Telluride, with its three rows, becomes the brand's largest SUV/crossover. The big body vehicle will built in the U.S. and be available in early spring.

Ford has repositioned its Explorer to ride on a rear-wheel drive platform. This adds to the styling and  the added towing capabilities that escapes most of today's front wheel drive crossovers. 

A One-One-One Rewind With The Pioneering Black Car Designer Whom Was Rejected By All Of The Major Design Schools

While most designers of his era got their formal training at the mainstream design schools, this was not the case for our guest. During the 60s, he was rejected by every general population design school he applied to. However, this did not keep Ed Welburn, who went on to become the highest ranking Black global auto executive and car designer in the industry, from pursing his dream. Howard University, a HBCU, was the only school that accepted him. Not only did they  accept him, the HBCU literally designed, no pun intended, a special program specifically for the gifted artist. While attending Howard University some of Welburn's now famous classmates happened to be Roberta Flack,

2018 BMW X2 28i AWD: The Brand’s Newest Hatchback-Like Crossover

Highlight: There is a feature in the feature that alerts the driver if it’s time for a break or rest, with suggested locations.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $50,920 (Base Model: $37,395)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; hill descent control; a rearview camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a rain-sensing windshield wiper system 

Standard Features: 18-inch wheels; run flat tires; 8-speed automatic transmission; an auto start/stop gas saving feature; power front seats w/a memory driver’s setting; a leather sport steering wheel; pseudo leather seats; an automatic climate control system; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and a power tailgate; a height adjustable front armrest; and a rear center armrest

Latest 90-Day Quality Study Released By Guru JD Power

If you're concerned about new vehicle quality scores, take a moment to analyze the latest new vehicle study of 2018 vehicles and how they were rated by owners during their first 90 days of ownership. Fiat, Tesla and Alfa Romeo are not included in the sample size due to the small number of sales reported.

2017 Detroit Auto Show Debuts: Chevy, Infiniti And Honda

The 2018 Chevy Traverse, the brand's three-row crossover, takes styling cues from its SUV sibling, the Tahoe.  

Infiniti's QX50 Concept drops the station wagon platform and now wears the same face or grille as the Q50, the brand's midsize car.

Infiniti's QX50 Concept drops the station wagon platform and now wears the same face or grille as the Q50, the brand's midsize car.

Honda's 2018 Odyssey took styling cues from the current generation Honda Pilot. The vehicle offers a new seating package and an all-new 10-speed transmission.

Latest IIHS Study: Most Small Crossovers Perform Poorly On Headlight Study

Not a single small SUV out of 21 tested earns a good rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's headlight evaluations, and only four are available with acceptable-rated headlights.

2014 Experian Study: Credit Scores Tend To Drive What Consumers Buy

Lexus RX350 owners tend to have an average credit score of 775.

Top 5 Models	Average Vantage (Credit)Score
Lexus	RX350	775
Acura	RDX	765
Subaru	Outback	762
Acura	MDX	761
Subaru	Forester	755
Bottom 5 Models
Nissan	Versa	657
Kia	Rio	656
Chrysler	200	651
Kia	Forte	650
Dodge	Avenger	619

Its no secret that for those financing a vehicle, one's credit score tends to determine what consumers drive and buy. A recently released study from Experian, the Atlanta-based credit reporting agency, revealed there is a direct correlation between the average credit scores and the vehicles consumers buy. Consumers with highest on average credit scores top five new-vehicle purchases in 2013 were the Lexus RX350, the Acura RDX, the Subaru Outback, the Acura MDX and the Subaru Forester. In most cases, this should also equate to lower interest rates, too, which in term means lower monthly payments.