'Auto Trends' Celebrates 9 Years On The Air

 

Nine years ago this weekend Auto Trends with JeffCars.com drove onto the airwaves in Atlanta with a monthly program. Today the program is the only and the longest running weekly syndicated multicultural automotive radio program airing in North America. This expansion into North America is due to our partnership with HURVoices and SiriusXM, the largest audio entertainment group in the United Station. 

While it took nearly fifteen years to turn this dream into reality, getting the program on air, it's been a ride and grind we couldn't have imagined. When the high-energy multicultural program was launched, our focus then and now continues to center around pioneers, influencers and trendsetters in the industry. And just like founder John Johnson's Ebony magazine, our car-themed program was also created to share the stories of the voiceless.

'Auto Trends' Talks To A Former Professional Athlete Who Is Galvanizing Black Men Around Prostate Cancer

Kris Bennett is a national prostate cancer foot soldier. (photo credit: ZC)

 

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program in North America, is kicking off its 8th radio season, focusing on a life changing disease that has personally impacted the host of the program, Jeff Fortson, an 11-year prostate cancer survivor.  

With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Kris Bennett, a former professional athlete, joins us for a one-on-one conversation. At an early age, Bennett, who is currently working on his third master's degree, knew his skills would go beyond being a star on the court. While his dreams of balling in the NBA were dashed, Bennett knew he could exert the same physical energy and mental astuteness he exuded on the courts overseas, galvanizing Black men around health, more specifically prostate cancer.

'Auto Trends' Will Kick Off Our 8th Year With New Theme Music Selected By Grammy Nominated Gerald Albright

 

Eight years ago today, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com hit the airwaves in Atlanta, before expanding into other markets and joining SiriusXM. It's been a ride and a journey. We've had a chance to connect with some of the most influential voices of our time, highlighting their stories. And we feel honored that our guests have trusted us throughout the years to share their stories. As listeners know, we are more than just a car show. 

In preparations for the kickoff of our new season in September, we're changing our theme music. Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright personally selected our new theme song, Better Day Ahead. When the song debuted in 2021, it was number one on the Billboard jazz chart for four weeks. Albright, one of our favorite saxophonists, created the song at the height of the pandemic, when there was so much uncertainty. Being that our high-energy program centers around empowerment, education and inspiration, Albright's song is so appropriate. 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Experts Discuss Affordability, Infrastructure, Minority Communities and More on ‘Auto Trends’ (Two Shows)

With gas prices surging above $4 a gallon nationally, according to AAA, as a result of Russia invading Ukraine, it's no coincidence that there has been an uptick in consumers interest in fully electric vehicles (EV) or as the industry like to refer to as battery electric vehicles (BEV).

In a two-part radio conversation, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com talks with two leading EV experts for its first-ever, high-charged discussion concerning the current state of the EV market. Dr. Jeremy Michalek, who is a professor of mechanical engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, joins the show with extensive knowledge of the EV market. Michalek, who is one of the foremost EV authorities in academia, is also a co-founder of Carnegie's Vehicle Electrification Group. 

'Auto Trends' Kicks Off Black History Month with GPS Pioneer Dr. Gladys West

The Lt. Gov. of Virginia and Dr. Gladys West

In this day and time, where self-promotion is the name of the game, social media outlets and reality TV shows provide the perfect platform for those, with and without talent, yearning to be discovered.

However, every blue moon those not obsessed in living in this selfie generation manages to surface above the noise, even when they are not seeking attention. After years of quietly enjoying retirement, the world is just now discovering another ‘Hidden Figure.’

'Auto Trends' Airs 4th Annual Auto Show Preview (Two Shows)

 

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com kicks off its fourth annual virtual new car radio preview with two of the Motor City's trusted automotive gurus. Stephanie Brinley, a principal auto analyst, and Richard Truett, a seasoned automotive news reporter, will guide the two shows, while sharing their industry insights. Unlike the typical new car auto show, this virtual program will allow listeners to tune in via a number of media outlets over the next two weeks in a covid-free environment. 

Show 1 of 2 will air from Saturday, January 22 thru Thursday, January 27

Show 2 of 2 will air from Saturday, January 29 thru Thursday, February 3

To access the air dates and times to listen free via one of our FM radio outlets or SiriusXM, click here.

'Auto Trends' Talks To ALG Who Determines A Vehicle's Worth On The Used Car Market In 3 Years

Eric Lyman, the vice president of ALG, which was formerly known as Automotive Lease Guide, joins Auto Trends with JeffCars.com for the first time. ALG, which is literally the benchmark in terms of setting residual values for the industry, is a division of J.D. Power. 

With so much mystery behind the world of residuals, Lyman will be teaching a master class on how his company establishes for automakers, dealers and rental car companies what their vehicles will be worth in 3 years, when it's resold on the used car market. 

GDOL And Kia Georgia Will Host A Virtual Recruitment On November 18th

The Georgia Department of Labor will assist Kia Georgia, Inc. (West Point/Lagrange) to host a virtual recruitment (general information sessions or scheduled interviews) to fill approximately 550 Production Team Member positions on November 18, 2021 from 10 am until 12 pm and again from 2 pm until 4 pm. Applicants must be 18 years of age. A criminal background check will be conducted on applicants. Entry salary starts at $16.27 and will incrementally increase to $25.15 over a three-year period. Apply in advance to be considered for a scheduled virtual interview.

'Auto Trends' Talks Race, Gender And The Auto Industry With Three Automotive Professionals

 

In honor of Global Diversity Awareness Month, 'Auto Trends' holds its first ever round table discussion centered around race, gender and the auto industry. The conversation features three white collar automotive professionals, which also includes the host of the show. The conversation is frank, non scripted and authentic.  In fact, its so 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Volvo Is Recalling Approximately 260,000 Vehicles For Airbag Concerns

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000

Manufacturer Volvo Car USA, LLC

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 259,383

Cox Automotive’s Kayla Reynolds Talks About The State Of The Auto Industry On 'Auto Trends'

 

Kayla Reynolds, Cox Automotive’s manager of economics and industry intelligence, joins Auto Trends with JeffCars.com to discuss the current state of the automotive industry.

During the in-depth conversation, Reynolds focuses on the key indicators that are literally ‘driving’ the economy and causing new car prices to rise upwards of $3,000, since 2019. Moreover, for cash strapped consumers, who feel as though they are being priced out of the new car market, she explores the impact Covid-19 and other factors are having on the used car market.

'Auto Trends' Spotlights Four Black Men Ages 37 To 55 And Their Personal Journey With Prostate Cancer

Auto Trends with Jeff Cars.com kicks off its sixth season on the airways this weekend, discussing Black men and the silent disease known as prostate cancer. Being that September is officially deemed as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com is veering away from its normal automotive conversations to focus on the journey of four Black men, including the host, whom were all stricken with the disease well below the average age of 66.

'Auto Trends' Goes One-On-One With Author And Filmmaker Of New PBS Special 'Driving While Black' (REWIND)

 

In an exclusive two-part conversation with Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, curator, documentarian, professor and author Dr. Gretchen Sorin literally take us on a historical road trip, exploring the popular acronym DWB beyond the lens of racial profiling.  In her new book, Driving While Black, the effervescent Sorin shares how the car, which has served as the ultimate symbol of independence and possibility, played different roles for both the Black and White community.

We begin our talk during the period of 1930, which was also known as the Jim Crow Era, discussing everything from W. E. B. Dubose to Booker T. Washington to Albert Einstein to the cars that played a prominent role with Black vacationers, business travelers, entertainers, sports figures and Civil Rights activists. We also dissect the history behind the infamous Green Book travel guides, sharing a number of revealing findings. 

'Auto Trends' Talks To A Mother-Daughter Team Who Hold The Keys To Two Of Mercedes-Benz Black-Owned Dealerships (Two Shows)

                                               Grene Baranco (l) and Juanita Baranco (r) (photo credit: G&J)

With less than 6 percent of today’s nearly 17,000 new-vehicle dealerships being minority-owned, its literally like finding a needle in a haystack to come across a mother-daughter dealership team. More specifically, a mother-daughter squad who have a financial stake (and hold key positions) in 2 out of 7 of Mercedes-Benz’s black-owned dealerships. The family owned stores are located in Atlanta, Georgia and Covington, Louisiana.

According to the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), 95 percent of today’s minority owned dealerships are first-generation dealerships. However, when it comes to minority dealers, especially Black dealers, the numbers are grave. One means of creating general wealth is through owning dealerships. They are literally cash cows, if run properly. This prominent Atlanta family has made provisions to hand the keys off to one of their daughters, when the time becomes appropriate, as opposed to allowing the business to slip outside of their hands (into other communities).

Automotive Historian Keith Crain Talks To 'Auto Trends' In A Wide-Ranging Two-Part Conversation

 

In an exclusive two-part radio conversation, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com goes one-on-one talking to automotive historian Keith Crain.

 

Crain, who is the editor-in-chief of Automotive News, and is typically in the driver’s seat, as it relates to covering every nook and cranny of the industry, allows Auto Trends with JeffCars.com to switch seats with him. Crain’s magazine, Automotive News, is known as the Bible of the automotive industry. His magazine is to the auto industry what Billboard Magazine is to the music industry.

 

Cox Automotive Talks Average Transaction Prices And More On 'Auto Trends'

 

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

We go one on one with Mark Schimer, who is a Detroit-based director at Cox Automotive, talking about the day supply and the average transaction price consumers should expect to pay for many of today's vehicles. 

To tune in to SiriusXM and our FM radio outlets, click here.

'Auto Trends' Continues Financial Literacy Month Talking To Two Auto Analysts

 

To tune in to SiriusXM and our FM radio partners this weekend, click here.

‘Auto Trends’ Talks to the Founder of the Only Successful Black-Centric Car Magazine

 

After kicking off Black History Month honoring Carol H. Williams, the advertising goddess behind one of the most successful deodorant taglines in history, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com continues its celebration over the next two Saturdays, talking to Randi Payton.

Payton, who has been one of the leading automotive media advocates to help drive diversity in the automotive arena, launched the first and only Black-centric car magazine, African American On Wheels. After successfully launching his first car magazine in the mid-nineties, it didn’t take long before the multicultural media maven expanded his publishing portfolio to focus on both the Latino and the Asian communities.

 

‘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.

 

Former High-Achieving Black Global Car Designer Talks Steering Into His True Purpose With 'Auto Trends,' While In The Midst Of Covid-19

 

How many times have you thought about changing careers or jumping into the world of entrepreneurship, but self-doubt and fear kept you from shifting gears?

 

With America being in the throes of a pandemic, a recession and been forced to reckon with social, economic and racial justice from the African American community, Brian Peterson, who was a member of an elite club, as one of thirty Black car designers in the entire world, decided to listen to his ‘Father,’ as he finally drummed-up the nerve to step out on faith to pursue his purpose, which centers around the homeless, his love for people and using his God given artistic gift.