The Drive with Alan Taylor

Revolution is underway as technology revolutionizes the way we live our daily lives. From robotic kitchens to autonomous driving, the advancements in technology are changing the way we communicate, work, and play. It’s an exciting time to be alive, and every day, we witness new innovations that make our lives easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. We must embrace these changes and learn to adapt to them because the future is now and technology is leading the way.

Alan welcomes Scott Bocarnick is a Policy and Executive Communications Specialist at Consumer Technology Association. CES is a trade show where over 130,000 attendees gather to explore the latest technological developments in different industries. A.I. technology is being used in vehicles to scan for dangers, slow down cars, and provide alerts. Innovations such as A.R. windshields, gaming vests that deliver pain, and self-driven tractors are being introduced. Companies such as L’Oreal is launching “Beauty Tech,” which includes an infrared light blow dryer and an A.I. that adjusts makeup colors to suit one’s face. In terms of start-ups, Eureka Park showcases innovative products such as a rolling robotic ramen kitchen. Technology is on the move!

Coming up next at the CES, Alan interviews Stefano Genco – the Global Head of Super Audio and Nuance Audio at EssilorLuxottica. EssilorLuxottica is well-known for its brands, Ray-Ban and Oakley, and has created a pair of glasses that come with integrated unit solutions for mild to moderate hearing loss. Around 1.2 billion people have mild to moderate hearing loss, and these glasses are designed to recover missed conversations caused by ambient noises or hearing problems. They are lightweight, stylish, and cost a fraction of the price of traditional hearing aids. Stefano is utilizing glasses with built-in technology that enables recording and video capturing, music playback, texting, and conversations with A.I. Furthermore, these glasses can connect to the internet, allowing for internet browsing on the go.

Next is Chris Sheldrick is the co-founder of What3Words, a company that has developed a location precision technology capable of mapping the entire world using 3-meter squares. Each square has been assigned a unique combination of 3 words, making it easier to share your exact location, particularly in emergency situations.

Let’s talk about tractors! Alan is joined by Troy Aberle, a former salesman for John Deere, to discuss the autonomous tractor currently being showcased. Troy explains that equipment has had to become larger and more capable of performing various tasks due to the challenges faced by the agriculture industry, such as labor and safety standards, performance and profitability, and accommodating high land prices and input costs. All these factors have contributed to John Deere’s current position in the market. Alan asks Troy what stands out the most regarding all this new technology. Troy replies, “Making people’s lives easier.”

Up next is Luke Aberle is a YouTube influencer who tests products and provides feedback from a kid’s perspective. He has been doing it since he was nine. When asked about his first impression of CES, he said that it was incredible to see major companies innovating and creating a better lifestyle and experience for the average consumers. The AI side of things, from agriculture to coffee-making and autonomous driving, excites him the most so far.

Joining Alan next is, Sterling Pratz is the Chief Executive Officer at Car IQ. It’s a company developing innovative technology allowing users to make purchases through their vehicle for in-car entertainment options. The technology also enables the car to connect with merchants and pay for services like fuel, EV charging, or even invoices at brick and mortar stores without requiring a credit card. This technology creates a one-touch payment experience for drivers and helps create an identity for their vehicles.

BJ Killeen – an automotive journalist and the Voice of Reason – joined Alan in wrapping up the show. They shared their thoughts on the highlights of the 2024 CES event, where technology once again proved its mind-boggling capabilities. One notable innovation is Amazon’s partnership with a car manufacturer that offers language technology to explain all the features of the car, similar to a virtual user manual. Alan was impressed by a flying car, while BJ was fascinated by the Xpeng AeroHT eVTOL, a flying supercar that doubles as a personal transport vehicle and offers an extended range for electric vehicles. They also discussed the “See Beyond Tires” from GoodYear, which provides drivers with real-time information about their tires, the road conditions, and the need for air, among other things. LG and Amazon are also making strides in the car in...

Joining Alan today is Karl Brauer, an Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, board member, and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com. The good news is that the strike is over, and workers will now receive a 25% pay raise, lots of incentives, reduced time for tier advancements, and access to working in the battery plants. However, Toyota sales are not going well, as EV cars are taking longer to sell. Elon Musk started dropping prices, forcing other players to lower theirs. This strategy of “pulling sales forward” is like taking three months of organic purchasing and crunching them all in two weeks by lowering the price, but it can result in not having anything to sell for the next two months. Significant cuts in the production of new plants to produce batteries and cars have also been made.

The latest study from iSeeCars is about “Retained Value,” which essentially means what a car is worth five years later. The average car retains around 61.2% of its value, which is excellent for consumers. To see the complete list of top 25 cars that retain their value, (see link below). The top 10 cars that hold their value the most are Porsche 911, Porsche 718, Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler & Unlimited, Honda Civic, Subaru BRZ, Chevrolet Camaro, Toyota CHR, Subaru Crosstrek, and Toyota Corolla Sedan. On the other hand, the top 10 cars that didn’t hold their value so well are all luxury cars, namely Maserati Quattroporte, BMW 7 series, Maserati Ghibli, BMW 5 Series Sedan Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade ESV, BMW X5, Infiniti QX80, Maserati Levante, Jaguar XF, and Audi A7.

Alan talks about his GT 500 Mustang that he purchased and inquires about the 2024 Mustang. It turns out that it’s not all new, as they’ve only tweaked the suspension while using the same platform. Karl drove the six-cylinder convertible Mustang, which had a nice drive with 315 horsepower. He enjoyed driving it as it was nicely equipped.

Coming up next is George Kennedy III, the co-founder of Cartender.com and Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He is a contributor to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and also writes for The Drive. In a recent segment, George and Alan discussed the 2024 Audi RS E-Tron-GT, a sharp-looking, sharp-handling performance electric car that is hotter than hot.

The standard GT is priced around $105K, and the cost is naturally higher based on performance. Alan mentioned that with the Dodge Demon 170, which has 1020 horsepower and good fuel economy, the internal combustion engine has reached its limit. George was impressed by the presence of the Audi car, which is a blast to drive. It is a top-of-the-line car with 637 horsepower, 4-wheel steering, and can go from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds.

George also drove the 2024 Honda Civic Type R, which he found fantastic. It is more focused, with a turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 315 horsepower and a 6-speed manual transmission. It is a refined yet punchy daily driver, and a reliable vehicle that comes with a factory-backed warranty.

Lauren Fix, Editor-in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, discusses a concerning issue about the amount of data that cars are collecting about their drivers. According to her, car manufacturers such as Nissan and Kia have been collecting personal information, including sexual activity, politics, race, and religion, and selling it to third parties. Even when you plug your phone into your car, they collect data from it. Mozilla Foundation is one of the organizations responsible for this. Lauren also sheds light on the 2026 kill switch mandate, where cars will scan drivers’ eyes or as you push the start button detect if they have consumed alcohol or any other substance, that could impair their driving. If any impairment is detected, the car will not start, or it will pull over and shut off. Lauren also talks about California’s attempt to eliminate gas-powered vehicles through the CARS Act (Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act), which has caused outrage among the people. Lauren advises everyone to contact their Senators and local representatives to express their concerns about the government’s intervention in private industry.

[00:00:00] – Contributor Karl Brauer
[00:07:04] – Strike is Over
[00:13:01] – Pulling Sales Forward
[00:20:51] – Top 10 Vehicles That Retain Their Value After Five Years
[00:29:44] – Top 10 Vehicles That Lose Their Value After Five Years
[00:37:22] – 2024 Mustang GT 500
[00:43:42] – Contributor George Kennedy III
[00:50:43] – 2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT
[00:56:42] – 2024 Honda Civic Type R
[01:04:32]