THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!

Episode: Ferrari Stock Drops, Audi G Wagon Coming? Mercedes Copies Jaguar?

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Doug DeMuro
Co-hosts: Kenan, Filippo

Overview

This episode dives into the biggest recent stories from the automotive world: Ferrari’s stock troubles amidst changing electrification plans, Mercedes’ retro-futuristic concept causing Jaguar déjà vu, Toyota’s bold moves at the Tokyo Mobility Conference, Honda’s revival of the Prelude, the Chevy Bolt’s return, and wild speculation around an “Audi G Wagon.” The hosts also discuss the used car market, car shopping, recent car events, and answer listeners’ questions with their usual mix of car-nerd depth, banter, and sarcasm.

Key Discussion Points

1. Ferrari Stock Crash and Electrification Plans

(01:07–07:10)

• Disappointing Forecasts: Ferrari’s stock had its worst day since 2016. The panel discusses Ferrari’s announcement cutting anticipated sales growth and reducing electric vehicle (EV) projections for 2030 from 40% to 20%.
• Why Did the Stock Drop?
  • Filippo: “The market was not pleased because as part of that same 10 year plan they decreased their forecasted numbers.” (01:31)
  • Doug: “I think the two things are probably linked.” (01:50)
• Product Strategy Dilemmas:
  • Ferrari’s difficulty balancing its traditional experiential brand with required modernization.
  • Doug: “They had forecasted three years ago that 40% of their sales would be electric and now they're saying only 20% by 2030.” (03:01)
  • Filippo: “Although 20% of their sales will be electric by 2030 is still a pretty ambitious target given that they don't have a single electric model.” (05:03)
• Naming Woes: Jokes about “Ferrari Electrica,” and how Italian names don’t always translate glamorously.
  • Doug: “The Italians think, and correctly, that most words in their language sound amazing... But they can't always get away with it.” (04:15)
• Demand and Market Realities: Not all Ferraris are selling out; SF90 being the example where demand flagged, which “scares investors” (06:47).
• Quote: Doug: "If there's even a little bit of chink in the armor, that scares investors." (06:47)

2. Mercedes Vision Ioniq Concept: Jaguar Vibes or Art Deco?

(07:21–10:24)

• Jaguar Copycat Talk: Mercedes’ new concept references 1930s design but gives off strong Jaguar vibes.
  • Kenan: “They've kind of... taken the Jaguar approach to its design.” (07:21)
• Production Reality Check:
  • Doug: “The only thing I can promise you about this vehicle is that it will not under any circumstances in any way go into production even slightly resembling what this is.” (07:50)
  • Classic concept car letdown discussion.
• Design Details: The rear allegedly resembles a 300 SL Gullwing, there are wafer-thin solar panels, but the whole thing is “just cool as hell”—but unattainable.
• Jaguar vs. Mercedes Perceptions:
  • Doug: “We all made fun of Jaguar a year ago when they did this. And here's Mercedes-Benz doing Jaguar better.” (09:41)

3. Toyota at the Tokyo Mobility Conference: Concepts, Sub-brands, and More

(10:24–14:44)

• Expectations vs Reality: Everyone expected a supercar; instead, Toyota unveiled a wild minivan and a slew of other futuristic concepts.
  • Doug: “Instead they revealed the replacement to the Lexus LS... it's a six-wheeled minivan.” (10:56)
• Corolla and Ultra-Luxury Century Sub-brand:
  • Filippo: “Part of this announcement has Toyota creating a sub brand for Century... positioned above Lexus as their luxury—luxury trim.” (12:33)
  • Discuss potential for Toyota’s “Century” line to finally be offered outside Japan.
  • Doug: “I think the concept of a Century sub-brand is laughable outside Japan. My guess is... they would use it as a branding thing like Maybach.” (14:32)

4. Honda Prelude Returns: For Old Folks?

(15:56–20:19)

• Disappointment for Enthusiasts:
  • Doug: “Instead of giving us a Scion FRS competitor, rear wheel drive and fun, [the Prelude] is front wheel drive automatic hybrid... popular in Japan primarily with old people.” (17:00)
• Spec Details: 200hp hybrid, automatic only, estimated $40-$42k base price.
• Missed Opportunity:
  • Doug: "Honda's going to use this as an example of, 'Well, we tried to do what the enthusiasts wanted and it didn't work.' And it's like, 'Did you?'" (19:06)

5. Chevy Bolt EUV is Back

(21:02–23:47)

• Tax Credit Economics: The return of the Bolt is mainly because EV tax credits have dried up, making the Bolt’s price point newly attractive.
  • Doug: “It took like a four year hiatus and then they were like, all right, let's go.” (21:27)
• Nostalgia for Oddball EVs: Panel reminisces about the Spark EV, first-gen Leaf, and others.

6. Audi’s G Wagon Rival? The “Scout” Tie-in & Segment Strategy Discussion

(23:59–27:30)

• Hints of a G Wagon Competing Audi:
  • Filippo: “Somebody senior at Audi... said basically, stay tuned, we haven't forgotten about this. So we may see an off roader—Audi.” (24:06)
  • Likely based on the Volkswagen/Scout electric SUV platform.
• Q9 On the Way:
  • Doug: “Audi has done this amazing job of their SUVs... and now they're conceding and doing the same thing [as BMW and Mercedes].” (24:41)
• Doug's Praise for Audi's Bracketing Strategy:
  • “We’re going to give you GLS interior room, but at a GLE price with the Q7...” (24:41)
• Powertrains: Discussion about the wish for proper V8s in new SUVs.

7. Road Atlanta Event / Car Show Round-Up

(27:39–36:38)

• Filippo & Kenan at Petit Le Mans / Michelin Raceway: 14-hour “Cars & Coffee,” Cadillac wins the race, Aston Martin Valkyrie grabs first podium with an NA V12.
  • Filippo: “We had the longest ever cars in coffee. We had 50 plus cars... from 8am to 10pm.” (30:57)
  • Kenan: “My favorite one I met was a dog named Teddy—a golden retriever...” (34:29)
• Coolest Cars Spotted:
  • Mustang GTD, R34 GTR, Ed Bolian’s Veyron, rare Toyota Sports 800, built M3 sedans, etc.

8. Cannonball Run Stories

(37:02–41:42)

• Doug visits the Cannonball finish line (Portofino Hotel, Redondo Beach):
  • Doug: “I just happened to have a dinner there... what I really need to do is to take a picture at the finish line and send it to Ed Bolian.” (37:17)
• Serendipitous Encounter: Meets actual recent Cannonballers who did NY-to-LA in a Defender in 36 hours.
  • Doug: “And they had done it in a Defender... 36 is pretty legit to drive from New York to Los Angeles.” (38:43)

9. Car Shopping & Market Observations

(41:57–48:29)

• Kenan shopping for ~$20k fun car: Considers SL55, 987 Cayman, third-gen Viper, but also SL65 and CL65 discussion for more “go big” ideas.
  • Doug: “If you're in an SL65... this is the coolest damn car in the world. You don't want one of these?” (43:39)
• Wheel Wars: Spirited debate about the best factory Mercedes wheel of all time.

10. Market Report: Used Car Trends

(48:29–55:32)

• G63 AMG Holds Value: $51,000 for a 2015 G63 with 115k miles. “Not a lot of 2015 cars with 150,000 miles that would sell for $51,000 of any make and model.” (49:36)
• F10 M6 Value Dip: Clean examples selling in low $20,000s.
• Ferrari Purosangue Market: Not appreciating like “the most desirable Ferraris.” Fails to meet reserves; market normalizing.
  • Filippo: “They are not depreciating like the most desirable Ferraris.” (54:11)
  • Doug: “I have a suspicion that ... in a couple more years these are going to really, really start to see a bigger depreciation.” (55:03)

11. Listener Q&A Highlights

(55:32–end)

• Guest Co-hosts: Nick will be filling in on upcoming episodes.
  • Doug: “I can't make him permanent, but I can make him semi-permanent. You're going to have a November of Nick, Nickvember and also two weeks in October.” (57:24)
• Tall Driver Sports Cars: Doug hasn’t had fitment problems, except Ferrari Boxer and Saleen S7.
• Shared $250K Garage: Spirited debate—993 Turbo, 575M, 996 GT2 all considered.
• Emily’s M3 CRT “car history”: She only drives rare, NA-engined, special edition M3s (joke thread).
• Infiniti Brand Survival: “It’s impressive they have failed so spectacularly at building a luxury mainstream brand...” (65:46)
• Dream Guests: Filippo would want Ford’s Jim Farley or GM’s Mary Barra, but only if it’s the CEO.
• Best Police Pull-Over Stories: Window tint confusion, highway stops, and respectful officer–car enthusiast interactions.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car Memories: Doug recalls the thrill of working as a driver, favorite fleet cars being Maxima, G35, and Chrysler 300C.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ferrari’s EV Slowdown:
  “In other words, people don't want this crap. We'll see if they still want it when it's 20. Maybe it's going to be 10% or 3%.” — Doug, (05:10)

• On Mercedes’ Vision Ioniq Concept
  “The only thing I can promise you about this vehicle is that it will not under any circumstances in any way go into production even slightly resembling what this is.” — Doug, (07:50)

• On Toyota's Century Brand:
  “I think the concept of a Century sub brand is laughable outside Japan.” — Doug, (14:32)

• On Honda Prelude’s Audience:
  “It allows [old people] to be sporty without making any commitments that are required of an actual sporty vehicle.” — Doug, (17:09)

• On Used G63s:
  “There are not a lot of 2015 cars with 150,000 miles that would sell for $51,000 of any make and model.” — Doug, (49:36)

Fun, Sarcastic, & Human Moments

• Stubborn Car Shopping: Doug is besieged by listeners offering him “almost” the 993 Turbo he wants, leading to classic DeMuro-crankiness.
  “A dozen people have reached out with completely different things. A blue one, a euro, a black one. ... F off. I want an Arena Red 993 Twin Turbo USA car.” (28:28–28:47)

• Car Show Tales: The highlight for Kenan wasn’t a supercar, but a golden retriever named Teddy. "He came over and he sat on my foot and then he laid down. ... Teddy is a very good boy." — Kenan, (34:29)

• Wheel Design Wars
  Filippo: “I actively dislike them.”
  Kenan (horrified): “I will not have such slander thrown at this wheel. This is one of the all time great wheels, period.” (47:43–48:11)

• Advice for Tall Drivers:
  Doug: “I sit close. I'm like a race car driver. You ever see Mario Andretti? He doesn't, he's not doing one of these. Mario Andretti is up there.” (59:07–59:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ferrari Stock/EVs: 01:07–07:10
• Mercedes Vision Ioniq Concept: 07:21–10:24
• Toyota / Century / Corolla Concepts: 10:24–14:44
• Honda Prelude Returns: 15:56–20:19
• Chevy Bolt EUV Returns: 21:02–23:47
• Audi G Wagon/Scout/Q9: 23:59–27:30
• Road Atlanta Event: 27:39–36:38
• Cannonball Run stories: 37:02–41:42
• Car Shopping/Mercedes Wheel Fight: 41:57–48:29
• Market Report: 48:29–55:32
• Listener Questions: 55:32–end

Conclusion

A quintessential THIS CAR POD! episode—nerdy, opinionated, packed with deep industry insights, playful bickering, inside jokes, and rich car culture references. Whether you care about Ferrari’s future, want to hear about the wildest enthusiast cars, or simply enjoy the vibe, this episode’s a ride from start to finish.