The car market is doing better than the mood of the country, and that contradiction is exactly where we start. We talk with Jack Nerad from America on the Road about what he’s seeing up close, from California fuel prices to the real-world demand that keeps new vehicles moving even when the media drumbeat says the economy is falling apart.

Jack shares highlights from a trip to Georgia to see Hyundai and Kia production firsthand, including how fast modern plants build vehicles and why early all-EV plans are getting rebalanced toward hybrids and other powertrains people will actually buy. We also unpack what those massive lots full of finished cars say about scale, logistics, and where the US auto industry is placing its bets.

From there, we get practical for shoppers: the frustration of browsing a mountain of used listings (hello, Jeep Grand Cherokee), why prices can feel random, and where genuine value still exists in 2020s car buying. The Chevy Trax gets a surprising nod as a legit under-$30K option that doesn’t feel cheap. And yes, we go straight at the engine debate, from turbo lag and downsized powertrains to Stellantis signaling a return to more horsepower and the enduring appeal of a normally aspirated American V8. We wrap with Jack’s take on the Volvo XC60, quick racing calendar notes, auto history, and a wild Audi Nuvolari supercar headline.

If you enjoyed the ride, subscribe, share the episode with a fellow car nerd, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.

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