Podcast Summary: THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!

Episode Title: Bugatti Reclaims the Speed World Record, and a Bad 2025 for Electric Pickups!

Release Date: January 3, 2025

In this compelling episode of "THIS CAR POD!" hosted by Doug DeMuro alongside Kenneth and Filippo, the trio navigates through a spectrum of automotive topics ranging from tragic incidents involving electric pickups to the evolving landscape of manual transmissions and Bugatti’s latest speed feats. The hosts blend news analysis, personal anecdotes, and audience interactions to deliver a rich and engaging discussion tailored for car enthusiasts.

1. Tragic Incidents Involving Electric Pickups

The podcast kicks off with a somber reflection on two recent tragic events where electric pickup trucks were used in violent incidents. In New Orleans, an electric pickup drove through a crowd, causing multiple fatalities, while an explosion outside a Las Vegas casino was similarly linked to a rented electric pickup (00:07 - 02:17). Filippo highlights the unusual nature of these vehicles in such contexts:

Filippo [00:44]: "But obviously odd to see these trucks in those back-to-back news stories."

Kenneth adds intrigue by questioning whether the silent operation and heavy build of electric pickups like the Lightning played a role in their selection for these crimes (01:08):

Kenneth [00:44]: "The silence is an interesting point. Yeah. I wonder if that played into the idea there."

Doug concurs, noting the unexpected involvement of rented electric pickups:

Doug [01:41]: "And tragic, certainly. Of course, both of them. The lightning is about 1,000 to 2,000 pounds heavier than an F150..."

The discussion underscores concerns about the accessibility and characteristics of electric pickups that make them suitable for misuse.

2. Decline of Manual Transmissions in 2025

Transitioning to industry trends, the hosts delve into the diminishing presence of manual transmissions in new vehicles. As of 2025, only 27 models offer manual transmissions, a slight decrease from the previous year (02:24 - 04:04). Filippo emphasizes that manual transmissions have become a niche feature predominantly found in performance cars:

Filippo [03:07]: "The manual has become, in the US Anyway, solely the purview of performance cars..."

Doug and Kenneth discuss the rare models still offering manuals, citing examples like the Nissan Versa and Mazda 3, and highlight the shift towards dual-clutch systems (03:16 - 06:00). Filippo reflects on the nostalgic decline:

Filippo [04:02]: "They were cheaper to manufacture, they were more fuel efficient, and so automakers would get higher EPA ratings with them."

The hosts agree that the shift is driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, making manuals increasingly rare outside performance segments.

3. Potential Honda-Nissan Merger and Foreign Takeover Concerns

A significant portion of the episode addresses the looming potential merger between Honda and Nissan, coupled with concerns over non-Japanese manufacturers, specifically Foxconn, attempting to acquire Nissan (06:42 - 10:06). Filippo and Kenneth explore the implications of such a merger on the automotive landscape:

Filippo [07:58]: "Honda is obviously in a much better situation. Nissan is kind of a disastrous company."

Kenneth raises the issue of governmental pressure and strategic decisions driving the merger, echoing fears of loss of Japanese automotive heritage (07:46):

Kenneth [07:44]: "There's a lot of pressure to do it."

Doug draws parallels with historical mergers like Daimler-Chrysler, predicting similar turbulence and brand identity shifts:

Doug [09:27]: "Nothing wrong with fear, right."

The discussion highlights the precarious balance between strategic consolidation and preserving brand integrity within the Japanese automotive industry.

4. Bugatti Mistral Sets New Speed Record

One of the episode’s highlights is Bugatti’s unveiling of the Mistral, the final car built on the Chiron platform, which set a new world record as the fastest production convertible, reaching 282 mph (11:48 - 15:00). The hosts scrutinize the feasibility and engineering marvel of achieving such speeds with an open-top design:

Kenneth [12:06]: "So the Mistral has set a new record. It is the world's fastest production convertible."

Filippo muses on the aerodynamic challenges and the practicality of maintaining high speeds without a fixed roof:

Filippo [13:58]: "And you gotta presume they do it with the roof off."

Doug questions the significance of the convertible aspect in setting the record, while Kenneth compares it to traditional coupe-convertibles like the Corvette:

Doug [16:03]: "What it is convertible, it doesn’t feel that notable."

The hosts acknowledge Bugatti's achievement but also contextualize it within the broader evolution of high-performance sports cars.

5. Lamborghini Benchmarks the Hyundai Ioniq 5N

The conversation shifts to Lamborghini’s recent benchmarking activities, where they evaluated the Hyundai Ioniq 5N among other vehicles (17:05 - 20:18). The hosts commend the Ioniq 5N for its innovative electric shifting mechanics, considering it a potential game-changer for performance electric vehicles:

Filippo [17:54]: "This car made it fun in a way that I'm glad someone is paying attention to."

Kenneth shares his enthusiasm after driving the Ioniq 5N, highlighting its spirited performance and potential influence on future EV designs:

Kenneth [18:37]: "I was, I felt surprisingly optimistic about the future of what electric car."

The discussion underscores the possibility of electric vehicles merging performance with driving enjoyment, invigorating the segment with new technological integrations.

6. Personal Anecdotes: New Car Cameras and Holiday Drives

Filippo shares a personal story about being the first to drive the new Camry camera, fostering a sense of ownership and pride (20:42 - 24:04):

Filippo [20:57]: "I have feelings about the new camera. The new camera came out for the five model year."

Doug recounts his extensive holiday drive of over 2,200 miles, detailing family gatherings, meal preparations, and a minor car incident involving a taillight and bumper damage (23:40 - 26:55):

Doug [23:35]: "I drove over 2000 miles. 2200 miles."

The hosts blend humor with personal experiences, offering listeners relatable content amidst the more technical discussions.

7. Market Report: NAS Defenders and Tesla Roadster

In the Market Report segment, the hosts analyze shifting market dynamics affecting specific car models:

a. NAS Defenders Dropping in Value:

Filippo explains the decline in value of NAS-defended Land Rovers due to the lifting of the 25-year import rule, allowing a surge of European Defenders into the U.S. market (36:53 - 40:31). This influx has saturated the market, driving prices down and reducing the exclusivity that initially made NAS Defenders desirable.

Filippo [37:06]: "This was one of them. Miracle of the manual coupes were special."

b. Tesla Roadster Price Drop:

The Tesla Roadster, once a coveted collector’s item, has seen its prices plummet from around $80,000 to approximately $50,000, reflecting broader trends in EV market saturation and shifting collector interests (37:06 - 43:37).

Filippo [43:38]: "I think this car is still special."

The hosts debate whether this depreciation marks a temporary shift or a permanent trend in the value of early-generation electric supercars.

8. Audience Q&A: Engaging with Listeners

The Q&A section addresses various listener-submitted questions, providing deeper insights into both the hosts' perspectives and broader automotive topics:

a. Deleting the "Rich Parents" Video:

Filippo explains his decision to remove a video addressing criticisms about his success being attributed to wealthy parents. He emphasizes his focus on creating content for genuine car enthusiasts rather than engaging in online drama (48:00 - 50:00):

Filippo [49:40]: "I just don't like do the YouTube drama thing."

b. Defining Automotive Decades:

The hosts debate what defines different decades in automotive history, particularly focusing on the 2000s and their significance as the "60s of our generation" due to the rise of mid-engine designs and dual-clutch transmissions (50:03 - 60:30).

Filippo [52:10]: "The dual clutch showed up, and Porsche was like, why would we make manuals anymore?"

c. Production Runs and Enthusiast Appeal:

Discussion centers on how the size of a car’s production run affects its desirability. The hosts agree that extremely limited runs can become exclusive brag pieces, while overly abundant runs dilute a car’s special status (60:02 - 60:30):

Filippo [59:58]: "Maybe the Shiron I don't think is noise. The new Countach is noise."

d. Unlimited Funds for a Car-Related YouTube Channel:

Filippo envisions creating an ultimate car-focused YouTube channel with unlimited funding, featuring wild road trips and extreme challenges akin to an over-the-top version of "Top Gear" (60:48 - 63:56):

Filippo [61:09]: "It would be like Top Gear but on steroids."

e. Depreciation of 3-Year-Old EVs:

The hosts warn listeners about the steep depreciation of certain electric vehicles, using examples like the Nissan Leaf, which Filippo suggests could become worth as little as $3,000 after three years (63:07 - 65:30):

Filippo [64:29]: "A used Leaf can't be more than a $3,000."

f. Why Doug Stopped Reviewing Houses:

Filippo humorously addresses why Doug has ceased reviewing houses, attributing it to the logistical challenges and his preference for focusing solely on cars (65:30 - 71:28):

Filippo [65:44]: "The answer is because of travel. I can get them here."

9. Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

As the episode winds down, the hosts reflect on the depth and breadth of their discussions. Filippo jestingly mentions plans to sell his current car, while Kenneth shares his automotive resolutions, aiming to purchase a Cayenne Turbo and manage his spending on his M5 (71:08 - 71:28). Doug contemplates upcoming episodes, hinting at detailed discussions on car repairs and maintenance.

Final remarks highlight the episode's comprehensive coverage and the hosts' commitment to delivering insightful automotive content:

Filippo [71:21]: "Thank you all for watching. We went a little long but it's been a while."

Key Takeaways:

• Electric Pickups in Crises: The involvement of electric pickups in tragic incidents raises questions about their accessibility and the unique traits that make them susceptible to misuse.

• Manual Transmission's Waning Presence: Manual transmissions are rapidly becoming rare, confined mostly to performance models as automakers prioritize efficiency and advanced transmission technologies.

• Industry Consolidations and Concerns: The potential Honda-Nissan merger, influenced by foreign acquisition interests, underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining automotive brand integrity amidst globalization pressures.

• Bugatti's Speed Milestone: Bugatti's Mistral sets a new benchmark as the fastest production convertible, highlighting the advancing engineering feats in high-performance sports cars.

• Innovations in Performance EVs: Lamborghini’s benchmarking of the Hyundai Ioniq 5N signals promising developments in making electric vehicles both high-performing and enjoyable to drive.

• Market Dynamics and Depreciation: The depreciation trends of NAS Defenders and Tesla Roadsters illustrate shifting market values influenced by import regulations and evolving collector interests.

• Audience-Centric Content Creation: The hosts emphasize their commitment to serving authentic car enthusiasts, steering clear of online drama to maintain a focused and dedicated viewership.

This episode of "THIS CAR POD!" offers a thorough exploration of current automotive trends, personal insights, and interactive discussions, making it an invaluable listen for car enthusiasts eager to stay informed and engaged with the latest in the industry.