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 21 min

Following Fedex

This week Robbie has been driving the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Sam talks about the Cadillac Escalade IQ.We discuss the effect of speed on efficiency. BMW revealed a concept version of the upcoming electric M3. Audi showed the new Q7, the Nuvolari supercar and matrix LED lights for the new Q9. Genesis has a Magma GT3 sportscar coming. Mitsubishi has a rebadged Leaf and Subaru has 3 new manual transmission models. GM hosted a battery event in San Francisco and Dodge has a new fragrance for dads.LinksTTD June 12, 2026 - Operation Frodo EV 2026Design meets Performance: The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – World premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.GENESIS UNVEILS MAGMA GT3 CONCEPT AND OUTLINES NEXT-DECADE VISION AT 24 HOURS OF LE MANS DEBUTMitsubishi Motors to Debut New Electric Vehicle in North America, Vehicle to be Named “Eclipse Sportback”2027 Audi Q7Audi Nuvolari ConceptAn Audi-first for the US: Adaptive Lighting with Digital Matrix LED headlights arrive on the all-new Q9 flagship SUVSubaru Teases Three New Manual Models for 2027, Including New WRX STIDodge Charger Fragrance: One Spray Will Have Dad Firing on All CylindersGM Empower 2026: Scaling the future of electrification, batteries, and energyHow Redwood Materials Prioritizes SafetyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 19 min

Live From Nebraska

This week Robbie and Sam are on the road as part of Operation Frodo Electric 2026, transporting rescue dogs from the midwest to the Pacific Northwest in a fleet of EVs and they recorded live from a Kia EV9 somewhere on I-80 in Nebraska.This week Robbie drove the Kia K4 hatchback and Sam had the Honda Prelude.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 13 min

How We Cruise

This week Nicole drove the new Subaru Outback Wilderness, Robbie had the Mercedes-Benz EQS 400 SUV and Sam had the Kia EV9.In the news, GM opened a new Pasadena design studio and showed off a couple of GMC Hummer concepts. Waymo is having some challenges with its Robotaxis while Zoox is making improvements. Slate will announce final pricing in a few weeks and Mitsubishi is partnering with Nissan for a new truck for North America. Honda is pausing production of the Ridgeline and Ford is decontenting the Bronco Sport and planning to revive the Escape as an EV. Mercedes could get barred from the US market if a new bill becomes law and Volvo gets approvals to keep selling its vehicles. Nicole went to see a crash test at IIHS.LinksGM officially opens new Advanced Design Pasadena Studio, reveals GMC HUMMER X truck and SUV conceptsViewer video shows Waymo stuck in floodwaters as flash flood warning hits Atlanta - YouTubeSame Driver, new vehicle: Welcoming our first riders trips in the OjaiLas Vegas Zoox May 2026Slate AutoMitsubishi's Getting Serious About Trucks in North America Again: TDSProduction of Honda Ridgeline Pausing Through 20282026 Ford Bronco Sport First Look: A Lot Less Stuff, But at Least It’s CheaperMercedes-Benz may be shut out of U.S. market under bill aimed at Chinese automaker ownershipVolvo Cars receives a specific authorization in the United States under the ICTS Connected Vehicles RuleFord Escape Revival Set For 2029 On Universal EV PlatformTesting The Hansshow Tesla Supercharger Extension Cable Didn't Turn Out As ExpectedWatching the Mazda CX-5 IIHS Crash Test Changed My View on Safety1959 Chevrolet Bel Air vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu IIHS crash testAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 18 min

Selling To Little Old Ladies

This week Nicole was driving the 2026 Subaru Solterra and Sam had the Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid.In recent days, both AMG and Ferrari have revealed new four-door GT models with over 1,000-hp electric propulsion and the response has been very different between the two. Stellantis had their big investor day last week and announced a bunch of new products and Sam got to try out a couple of European models and see a bunch of secret stuff. Citroen is also bringing back the 2CV. Rich Rebuilds bought an $800 Audi A8 with slight corrosion issue.Watch out for AI images for ride share damage and whatever you do don't buy a Lordstown Endurance.LinksThe 777 HP 2027 Ram Rumble Bee is The Most Powerful Muscle Truck Ever!2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Recreates Signature V8 Thrills-signature-v8-thrills/AMG Goes Electric with the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door CoupeGrande Panda | FIAT | Stellantis MediaStellantis Announces FaSTLAne 2030A State Trooper Sold Me This $87,000 Luxury Car for $800ITS OFFICIALLY 😵 - YouTubeCitroën Is Bringing Back The 2CV Because EVs Got Too ExpensiveRideshare Passenger Got A Damage Bill — Then Noticed The Photo Had An AI Logo [Roundup] - View from the WingI Bought the Ultra-Rare Electric Truck You've Never Heard OfLandX Motors2028 Ferrari Luce First Look: Ferrari’s First EV Revealed—So Long, Comfort ZoneAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 33 min

Lots of Honda Hybrids

Nicole is back from Disney World and she caught lots of fish. Robbie got to drive the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Sam had the latest Nissan Sentra. Robbie and his wife also got a great deal buying a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 to replace the one that is ending its lease shortly which means he probably won't be getting the new 2027 VW ID Buzz Tourer. Honda had their annual business briefing where they made a big commitment to hybrids and showed prototypes of the new Accord and RDX. Tesla is testing supercharger waiting lists and Chrysler might be planning a sub-$30k car. Toyota is planning a new factory in Texas and also selling a driver ed special Corolla in Japan with no radio and a manual gearbox. Volvo wants to fill its South Carolina factory and will build cars for whoever needs capacity. BMW showed two wild concepts Concorso d"Eleganza. LinksThe VW ID Buzz Took a Year Off and Came Back With a MattressHonda Previews Hybrid Sedan Prototype During Global Honda Business BriefingAcura Previews Hybrid SUV Prototype During Global Honda Business BriefingSummary of 2026 Honda Business BriefingLotus unveils Focus 2030: Reinforcing brand DNA with all-new hybrid-V8 supercarBMW of North America Introduces Preferred Pricing at IONNA Charging Network.Tesla Is Now Testing A Virtual Waitlist For SuperchargersChrysler Showed Dealers A Sub-$30,000 Compact Resurrecting The Pronto Name From Great '90s Plymouth Concepts - JalopnikAfter 60 Years Of Corollas, Toyota Again Makes A Basic Manual Version With No Radio - The AutopianVolvo Is Opening its US Factory to Other BrandsAlleged Toyota Service Bulletin Warns of Looming Motor Oil ShortageBMW Motorrad presents the „BMW Motorrad Vision K18“ at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.VISION BMW ALPINA: SPEED, REFINED.‘Project Orca’: Toyota looks to Texas for new $2 billion U.S. assembly plant, filing showsJeep 4xe Fire: Insurance Denied! Now What?This Wood-Clad, Talking 1983 Chrysler LeBaron Was WAY Ahead of Its Time!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 54 min

Driving Old Cars

Nicole is spending mothers day at Disney World so our friend Stephanie Brinley has stepped in again. Steph drove the Volvo EX30 and Hyundai Tucson PHEV. Robbie drove the oldest car any of us has ever been in (or on) the Benz Patent Motorwagen and Sam had the new Nissan Leaf. Sam and Stephanie both got to visit the Ford EV Development Center in Long Beach, home of the skunk works. VW has launched the ID Era 9X, a very impressive 3-row EREV built only for China. Lexus announced the new TZ 3-row electric crossover. BMW announced pricing and range for the US spec iX3 and the addition of a pre-chamber ignition system for its six-cylinder engines. The Japanese and Chinese are developing a new joint charging connector called ChaoJi. Ford unveiled a new Carhatt edition Super Duty truck and Nicole went to see it and spoke with designers Steve Gilmore and Bhavna Mistry from Ford and Ben Ewey from Carhatt. LinksSomebody Put 223,000 Miles on a 3-Year Toyota Camry Lease and Walked AwayFord's Secret California Outpost Where It's Rethinking Its EV StrategyFord's Next Model T: Inside the UEV ProgramVolkswagen ID. Era 9X Is On Another Planet From Any Other VW Sold! You Have To See ThisALL-ELECTRIC THREE-ROW LUXURY: THE ALL-NEW 2027 LEXUS TZ2027 Ford Super Duty Carhartt Package: Built to Take the Same Abuse as Your CarharttChaoJi StandardBMW M Ignite technology: Innovative new technology for all six-cylinder in-line engines from BMW M.BMW Officially Announces Pricing and Range for 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 51 min

Powdered Sugar Everywhere

Nicole has returned from the Big Easy after driving the Acura MDX and eating beignets with too much powdered sugar (is there such a thing as too much?). She also drove the Infiniti QX65, Dodge Charger R/T and Kia Sportage. Sam had the Toyota Corolla FX and Robbie rented a Kia Carnival for a mini vacation.Fiat inexplicably raises the price of the 500e by $5,000 while Motor Trend drives a $10,000 Chinese EV that doesn't suck. The US spec BMW iX3 is projected to get 434 miles on a charge. The New York State Police are using new Mustang GTs to catch speeders. Dreame has created a ridiculous EV with solid rocket boosters. Lynk&Co has shown off a gorgeous electric GT coupe. Tesla is again shipping Chinese built EVs to Canada and Cadillac is building a very limited run of F1 edition CT5-V Blackwings.Links2027 Infiniti QX65 Review: Tennessee-Built Luxury SUV Offers Refined RideIs the 2026 Acura MDX Type S Worth It? | NewsNationFiat Raises 500e Price by $5,000 With Almost Nothing New - Autoblog2027 BMW iX3 Range Quietly Jumps To 434 Miles In The U.S.480-HP Ford Mustang GT Joins Police to Crack Down on Speeders - AutoblogWe Sent An Engineer To Check Out A Chinese Household-Appliance Company’s EV Rocket Car That Promises 0-60 in 0.9 Seconds. Here's What He Found - The AutopianThis Chinese EV Coupe Wouldn't Look Out Of Place In MonacoTesla starts selling Chinese-made Model 3s in Canada at the EV's lowest price ever - EngadgetI Just Drove a $10,000 Chinese EV. No, It Didn’t SuckBlackwing hits the track: Introducing the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1® Collector SeriesSierra Meadows CabinsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 52 min

Too Many Brands

This week Nicole is off in New Orleans with Acura so our buddy John Voelcker is sitting in. He's been driving a bunch of stuff including the Ford Maverick hybrid, Porsche Taycan, Cadillac Escalade IQ, Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Trailseeker. Robbie drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Sam had the Lexus GX550 Overtrail.At Milan Design Week, Hyundai unveiled its new Ioniq 3 compact and Kia showed off the Vision Meta Turismo. Hyundai also showed off the new Ioniq V in Beijing. GM has paused development of a next set of electric full-size trucks and Rivian has launched production of the R2. Stellantis now has pet accessories under the Mopaw brand looks likely to focus on just four main brands going forward.LinksNew Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks | Auto ExpressStellantis Introduces MopawKia Presents Vision Meta Turismo at Milan Design Week, Redefining the Grand Tourer for the Digital AgeFirst Production Rivian R2 Drives Off The Line Just Days After A Tornado Hit The Factory - JalopnikGM Is Reportedly Delaying New Full-Size Electric Trucks As It Pivots Back To Gas-Powered Trucks And Hybrids - The AutopianHyundai Motor Reaffirms China Commitment at Auto China 2026, Unveils IONIQ V as First Step in New Product Offensive - ReleasesExclusive: Stellantis to focus funding on core car brands as CEO drives turnaround, sources say | ReutersAutomakers Pull Back on EVsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 15 min

All The Switches

After last week's travel challenges, Robbie and Nicole are back. Nicole has driven the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Honda Pilot Elite while Sam had the Mazda MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary Edition.Robbie tells us about the new Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS and we discuss the company's new drive by wire system. GM is apparently going to build a new Buick sedan as well as a new Camaro. Nissan has a new electric Juke for the rest of the world and Porsche has a convertible 911 GT3 S/C with a manual transmission. Uber is pouring $10 billion into robotaxis. VW has a revamped with ID3 Neo with all the switches. Doug Field is leaving Ford and that might signal the end of the Model E division as it basically gets rolled back into the main Ford. Ford's cancelled 3-row electric crossover has been visible on Field's linkedin page for at least a year. Honda is killing it's e:Ny1 in the UK and the Ontario government and Unifor have rejected Stellantis' plan to assembly Leap Motor knockdown kits in Canada. The NTSB has issued its report on a pair of fatal BlueCruise crashes. Nicole interviews Mazda director of safety strategy and communications Jennifer Morrison and Lucid head of Air and Gravity product Rob Whitley.LinksMercedes-Benz GLE and GLSMercedes-benz steer by wireGM preps new Buick sedan alongside redesigned Cadillac CT5, Chevrolet Camaro, source saysThe First Electric Nissan Juke Is A Radical DepartureThe 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Is a Manual, Drop-Top Salute to the NA Flat-SixUber eyes $10B robotaxi investment: Financial Times | Smart Cities DiveWorld premiere of the ID.3 Neo: new name, new design, new interior and new technologies | Volkswagen NewsroomDoug Field leaves and Ford ReorgsHonda e:Ny1 Withdrawn from Sale in U.K. — DefinitelyNotAGuruStellantis Brampton plant plans stall after Leapmotor kit cars pitch rejectedFord's Never-Seen, Canceled Moonshot EV Has Been Hiding in Plain Sight Online for a Yearlain-sight-online-for-a-yearhttps://www.gminsidenews.com/threads/ford-aeros-photos-cancelled-3-row-ev.311092/?post_id=7445625&utm_click_loc=title&utm_source=threadloom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ed1081&utm_content=iss445&utm_campaign=ed1081&utm_content=iss445&utm_medium=email&utm_source=threadloom#post-7445625NTSB Finds Automation Overreliance Contributed to Two Fatal Ford BlueCruise CrashesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 hr 6 min

Going Rogue

Robbie and Nicole both ran into travel delays today so Chad Kirchner is jumping in. Sam makes the case for buying an Acura Integra A-Spec over the ADX.Nissan has revealed its next-generation Rogue and teased the upcoming XTerra. Kia is laying out its plans through 2030 including a midsize pickup with hybrid and EREV drivetrains and more EVs. Hyundai is launching an Ioniq sub-brand in China. BYD wants 20 dealers in Canada by the end of this year and is planning to install 300 1,500-kW charging stations in the UK in the next 12 months. VW has ended production of the ID4 in Chatanooga and the Scout Traveler and Terra might be delayed. Listener Michael Burns jumps in from the Discord to tell us about his recent car shopping experience and we have Nicole's interview with Nissan CMO Allyson Witherspoon from the NY Auto Show.Chad's Star Trek podcastGreyhound NationLinks2026 Kia CEO Investor Day: Kia to Drive Exponential Growth and Manufacturing Innovation by Expanding Its Full Electrified Vehicle Lineup and Strengthening Future Business CapabilitiesNext-Gen Toyota GR86 Set for Hybrid Era Without Losing Its Soul - AutoblogBYD confirms UK's fastest EV chargers: 1500kW network detailed | AutocarVolkswagen Updates Chattanooga Production Strategy | ReleasesScout's Terra Pickup May Not Arrive Until 2030: ReportBYD to open 20 Canada stores, eyes local EV factory - Automotive NewsHyundai Motor Company Launches IONIQ Lineup Brand in China with the Premiere of Two New Concept Cars - ReleasesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy