Wheel Bearings

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Wheel Bearings is a podcast about cars and transportation hosted by Sam Abuelsamid, Nicole Wakelin and Roberto Baldwin

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1 hr 47 min

Will Chinese Cars Be Made In America

Sam shares his thoughts on the Dodge Charger Six Pack Scat Pack and Robbie teases the Kia Telluride hybrid and talks about e-bikes. Honda adds more ground clearance to the Passport Trailsport, Audi fully reveals the new A2 e-tron, Volvo refreshes the XC40 and Range Rover launches an EV. Arbe gets a first production contract for its imaging radar. Donald Trump wants Chinese automakers to build cars in America, but the Senate has opposite ideas. Stellantis wants to sell its Brampton assembly plant and Xiaomi has a new EREV SUV with a popup roof. VW is looking at body-on-frame trucks and utilities for the US and Horse Powertrain opens a Detroit office. Finally, Sam sees the Kindred Bronco EV and we answer listener questions. Links Honda Passport Reaches New Heights: 2027 Passport TrailSport Gets New Lifted Suspension, Tougher Styling and More Features Audi A2 e-tron: Rethinking efficiency Significant safety, tech, and design updates to Volvo Cars’ new XC40 subcompact SUV RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC: A NEW ERA FOR THE ORIGINAL LUXURY SUV Hirain and Arbe Selected by One of the World's Largest Automotive Groups for Level 3 Program Across Multiple Brands Trump says he would allow Chinese automakers to build cars in US S.4429 - Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 119th Congress (2025-2026) Stellantis has potential deal to sell Brampton plant, frustrating Unifor Volkswagen Eyes F-150 and Wrangler Territory to Revive U.S. Sales - Autoblog Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 Maker of a 1,527-HP EV Introduces an SUV With a Pop-Up Roof Cabin - Autoblog Horse Powertrain expands global capability with new North America office Discover Kindred EV Bronco Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 27 min

Can They Sell 100K

This week Robbie finally gets his hands on the new Honda Prelude and Sam drives the Land Rover Discovery. Links Nissan and Honda Conclude Joint Development Agreement to Standardize ECUs and Software for Next-Generation SDVs The Isuzu V8-Powered Chevy Feretta Was GM's Forbidden Camaro-Killer New Ford Mustang Fox Body: ‘80s Icon Reborn! | 4K - YouTube Classic Fox Body Ford Mustang The World’s EV Capital Doesn’t Need Fast Chargers Everywhere Hyundai Dealer Set EV Charging Rates That Led to a $418 Bill - Autoblog Scout Motors Reveals Two Distinct Expressions of the Scout® Traveler™ SUV Mitsubishi Motors Unveils the All-New Pajero Cross-Country SUV Ford Wants To Sell 100,000 Fathom Electric Pickups In Year One. That’s A Huge Goal Hyundai's Latest Cost-Cutting Trick Is To Remove The Instrument Cluster - Autoblog Claims of Savings From Gutting Fuel Economy Rules Are a Lie Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 53 min

It's A Lot

This week Robbie has the GMC Hummer EV SUV and Sam has the Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige. In the news, Hyundai announces at its investor day that the Santa Fe will be its first EREV and Lincoln is bringing the Corsair back as a hybrid from China. Rivian R1s are getting a software update Honda is waiting to see what happens with US trade decisions before it finallizes plans for another factory. The Ford Maverick is getting both cheaper and more expensive and Nevada is getting up to 8,000 robotaxis. McDonalds won't serve a Benz patent motorwagen in the drive through and Aptera gets independent testing of its solar charging capability. Waking up from the Dreame Dream. Links Hyundai Motor Company Charts Profit-Driven Growth Roadmap at 2026 CEO Investor Day More for Every Drive: Inside the 2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid Rivian EVs Are Getting A Software Update That Makes It Easier To Dodge The Cops Honda's Next U.S. Factory Could Hinge On USMCA - Jalopnik Jeep Is Returning to China to Build Electric SUVs for the World - Autoblog 2027 Ford Maverick EcoBoost Prices Cut By Up To $4,270 - CarsDirect Dreame’s dream of a rocket-powered car is dead | The Verge Toyota Celica set to be revived as AWD hybrid | Autocar New 2028 Lotus Esprit to offer V6 in addition to hybrid V8 | Autocar Aptera's Solar-Powered EV Can Go 47 Miles On Sun Power Alone—In Theory BMW Just Hit 2 Million EVs Sold, And The iX3 Is Carrying The Team Does Ultra-Fast Charging Ruin An EV Battery? BYD Did It 350 Times In 9 Days To Find Out No Food for You: McDonalds REJECTS the World's Oldest Car Tesla, Uber, and Waymo all get the OK to operate thousands of robotaxis in Nevada Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 48 min

The Outbackier Subaru

This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Craig Cole who has his own thoughts on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Robbie tells us about hauling band gear in the new Subaru Outback and Sam pontificates on the BMW XM. In the news, why are some automakers using NACS only for DC charging with a J1772 port of AC? Chinese regulators are forcing a recall of millions of cars with manual door latch backups that are too hard to find. Cadillac's midsize crossover finally gets a PHEV, but only in China for now. A recent rash of thefts from cars has Sam thinking about Faraday bags for key fobs. The next Mini cooper might ditch front wheel drive for the first time ever. Genesis launches a new 3-row electric SUV, the GV90 and puts a hybrid into the GV80 while Hyundai shows a new Tucson. Jalopnik highlights some of the wild machines created by George Barris and now you can protect the tax dollars you paid by putting a Flock Sock on a camera to keep the UV rays away. Links GreenCars Review of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV \ New Bad Trend: NACS Ports That Can Only DC Fast Charge - YouTube Chinese Regulators Recall Millions Of EVs Because Their Mechanical Door Handles Are Too Hard To Find Cadillac Launches XT5 PHEV in China What Is a Faraday Bag and Do You Need One? | Carwow Get a Faraday Bag Why the Next MINI Cooper Might Ditch Front-Wheel Drive A NEW ICON’S ARRIVAL, GENESIS UNVEILS GV90 FLAGSHIP SUV Genesis Reveals Details on the Upcoming GV80 Hybrid’s Powertrain 10 George Barris Custom-Built Cars Every Gearhead Should Know - Jalopnik Hot Album Drops Tied to Fatal Crash Rate Increases: Study 2027 Hyundai Tucson First Look: Bigger, Boxier, Bolder 3D-Printed Flock Sock Covers Flock Cameras To, Uh, Protect Them From UV Rays - Jalopnik Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 14 min

People With Too Much Money

This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Perry Stern. Perry has two cars to compare that are basically the same, the Lamborghini Revuelto and Chevrolet Bolt. Sam had the new Subaru Outback and Robbie drove the Dodge Charger R/T SixPack. Sam and Perry also drove the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, mild hybrid and Eclipse Sportback. Kia has dropped price and range details for the EV3, GM cancelled the battery venture with Samsung, and is expanding its charging network with EVGo. Who buys Mansory cars? There's some new stuff from Acura, Cadillac and McLaren from Monterey car week. Also rich guys spent insane amounts of money at the Monterey auctions. The Ford Fathom is going to longer than we thought and Sam talks with Travis Wattles and Kevin Sittner from Mitsubishi. Links All-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport revealed with head-turning design, rewarding features, and smarter tech The 2027 Kia EV3 Is Almost Here—With 280 Miles Of Range For The AWD Models 2027 Kia EV3 Starts At Just $31,385, And The Model With 321 Miles Of Range Is $36,485 - Jalopnik GM Walks Away From $3.5B Battery Factory, Leaving Samsung SDI In Full Control Mansory Turned the Ford GT Into a $1.8 Million Supercar Nobody Asked For - Autoblog Ford Fathom on Track: Universal EV Production System Comes to Life at LAP Acura NEXERA Vision Debuts at Monterey Car Week, Redefining the Future of Acura Design Introducing the McL 6GT - YouTube McLaren McL 6GT: The new realisation of Bruce McLaren’s supercar dream Race Bred, Street Cred: The Two Pedigrees of the Mustang Dark Horse SC Cadillac unveils V-ONE concept GM and EVGo open new Flagship Charging Station Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 17 min

Can You Fathom It

This week Robbie and Sam are joined by Stephanie Brinley. Stephanie drove the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Lexus ES350e, Robbie had the Subaru Uncharted and Sam had the Jeep Cherokee Sam also had a conversation with Dodge CEO Matt McAlear about the new new Super Bee and what's happening with the brand. Links A2 e-tron sets new efficiency benchmark at Audi Electric Ford Fathom to Be Priced From $29,945 | GreenCars The 'Freedom Car' Aims The Right Idea At The Wrong Villain Mercedes Boss Says The Auto Industry Went 'Too Far' With Removing Buttons Grenading Ford 1.0-Liter Engines Pose 'Unreasonable Risk To Motor Vehicle Safety,' NHTSA Probe Finds - Jalopnik EVgo Superchargers Dodge Charger Super Bee Stellantis ARDC SRT eBoost Air The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Has A Range Problem. Smaller Wheels Helped A Lot GM, Chinese automaker extend joint venture for 20 years despite geopolitical tensions with U.S. Get the Lectron Vortex Plus Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 41 min

It's Fantaaastically Expensive

It's just Sam and Robbie this week and Robbie has the BMW M5 Touring while Sam drove the Rivian R1T Quad. Audi took the wraps off its new Q9 three-row SUV this week while Mercedes-Benz went for the opposite end of the scale with the new GLA crossover. Zoox got a NHTSA waiver for its robotaxi and the feds are finally going to start working on AV regulations. Nissan and Honda are expected to partner on next-generation software platforms. If a bill in congress goes through, Mercedes-Benz could get booted from the US market and Jim Farley expects the Chinese to be here within a decade anyway. BYD is launching its new Racco Kei EV in Japan and NHTSA may also try to make door handles safer. Walmart is pushing ahead with deployment of its charging network while Florida wants to use EV charging funds to build infrastructure for eVTOL air taxis. Links The 2027 Audi Q9 Is the Largest Model In Automaker’s History and Its New Flagship Shaq’s One-Off Electric Coupe Just Turned Up In A Salvage Yard - Autoblog 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA Zoox granted first-ever NHTSA commercial exemption for purpose-built robotaxi Honda and Nissan to jointly develop next-generation car operating system - The Japan Times Walmart Is The Future Of EV Charging In America - The Autopian Ford’s Jim Farley Warns Staff Chinese Cars Could Hit America Within 5-10 Years | Carscoops Under pressure over China backers, Mercedes CEO pledges to defend U.S. business Aurora reports Q2 results, details per-mile pricing - FreightWaves BYD launches the 'world's first' SDV kei EV, starting at just $13,000 It Was a Trap? Electronic Car Door Handles May Finally Get Safer Florida Got $200 Million For EV Chargers. It Wants To Spend It On Air Taxis Instead Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 43 min

Bye-Bye Nicole

This week Sam had nothing scheduled so he drove his 1990 Miata around. Robbie joined in a bit late to tell us about the Lucid Gravity and Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige while Nicole shared some thoughts on driving her spouse's Wrangler PHEV. Jalopnik provided a reader listicle on concepts that didn't translate well to production. Recurrent provided some data on rising prices of used EVs. Ford invited us out to Michigan Speedway to sample some products from its custom garage and see the new Bronco Desert Rising Edition. Ford also announced a partnership with GenerLink to make connecting an F-150 to the house for power backup easier. Ford is also going to be the first automaker to use Apple Maps in its upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform. Stellantis is adopting Mobileye's REM maps to enhance its ADAS systems and Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua is retiring. Honda teased the next-gen Ridgeline that is still 2 years away and has stopped producing the Civic Si and Integra A-Spec with manual transmissions. We also have some listener emails. Finally we end the episode with some sad news, but don't worry, the show is going on. Links These Concept Cars Spawned The Most Disappointing Production Vehicles - Jalopnik These Are The 5 Best Used EV Deals For Range: Study Used EV values climbing Apple Maps to Power the Navigation Experience for the Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Platform Ditch the Extension Cord Spaghetti: An Easier, More Affordable Way to Power Your Home Mobileye to Supply Cloud-Enhanced ADAS for Select Future Stellantis Vehicles Some People Love DIY Customization. Ford Built a Shortcut for Everyone Else How Utah's Desert Landscape Inspired New, Bold Ford Bronco Design Mobileye announces planned leadership transition Honda Confirms Third-Generation Ridgeline Midsize Pickup with More Rugged Design, Arriving Within Two Years Honda Civic Si And Manual Acura Integra Are Going To Die, But Only For A Little While - Jalopnik Hyundai’s 2027 Kona Shows Boxy Exterior Look, New Cockpit Design in Fresh Renderings - autoevolution Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 24 min

What Is A Moonroof

This week Robbie has been driving the Ford Mustang Mach-e GT and Sam had the Ford F-150 Lariat PowerBoost Hybrid There's lots of news including a Ford patent that could immobilize cars, a proposal for a VW Thing revival as an EREV and an Abarth version of the Fiat Topolino. A wagon version of the Polestar 4 has been spotted testing with a rear window and Volvo is planning to bring sedans and wagons back to the US. Horse has a range extender system with an axial flux motor and VW is considering building its China developed EVs in Germany. Sam drove the Rivian R2 and got a demo of the new interface from Wassym Bensaid. The Nissan Altima is dead in America and the Gordie Howe bridge is finally opening but Dongfeng EVs may not be allowed to cross it. GM is offering a discount to its customers for using the Ionna charging network and we have a bunch of listener mail. Links Ford Can Now Stop Some Vehicles Starting, Even With The Key - Autoblog How I'd Redeem Volkswagen With A Revived, Range-Extended Type 181 'Thing' - The Autopian Abarth May Turn Fiat’s Tiny Topolino Into A 25-MPH Hot Rod - Autoblog First look: Polestar 4 SUV breaks cover ahead of September debut | Autocar New range-extender hybrid uses supercar tech for efficiency boost | Autocar Volkswagen could build its Chinese saloons and SUVs in Europe | Autocar Volvo Could Bring An Electric Sedan And Wagon To U.S. By 2028: Report This Class-Action Lawsuit May Decide If an Automaker Owes You a Tariff Refund The Nissan Altima, Once Inescapable, Is Finally Dead Trump's 'Much Better Deal' For Gordie Howe Bridge Isn't Much Better, But At Least It Has An Opening Date - Jalopnik Dongfeng Wants To Sell These Two EVs In Canada Next Year For Less Than $25,000 USD - Jalopnik General Motors EV drivers can now charge at over 120 IONNA locations nationwide Flock Says Its Cameras Worked 'Correctly' When Police Tracked and Ambushed Me for No Reason Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 39 min

Tracked By Flock

This week Robbie was driving the Chevy Trax and Sam had the Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD and Subaru Uncharted GT. In the news we discuss our friend Joel getting tracked by flock for an allegedly stolen license plate on a press car. We also have longer loans, right to repair, testing driver response time with touch screens, AVs and first responders, the Fiat Topolino, new EU safety rules, an electric hot hatch from MG, and a proposal to require multiple sensor types for AVs in New Jersey. Links How Flock Cameras Wrongly Tracked Me For Days over ‘Stolen’ Plates and Sent Police After Me Almost A Quarter Of New Car Buyers Got 7-Year Loans Last Quarter - Jalopnik Touchscreens in cars are moving in the wrong direction | Vi Bilägare Farmers Finally Get a John Deere Right to Repair Agreement That Doesn’t Screw Them Over NHTSA calls out autonomous cars for interfering with first responders - Engadget America’s cheapest new EV is smaller than a ping-pong table and tops out at 19mph | The Verge Safer cars, safer roads: New rules take effect - European Commission This New MG Concept Car That Recalls The Old MGB GT May Be Part Of A Coming Wave Of Hatchbacks - The Autopian New Lexus LFA aims to win over EV sceptics with V10 feel | Autocar The robotaxi law that could ban Tesla | The Verge New Jersey could ban Tesla’s Robotaxi with one line about sensors DeFlock Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy