THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!
Episode 75: Forbidden European Cars Come To US, Rolls-Royce In A Pool, and A New Speed Record!
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Doug DeMuro
Co-hosts: Filippo & Kenan
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Doug DeMuro, Filippo, and Kenan navigate the week's buzziest automotive stories: the possibility of forbidden European cars reaching the U.S. market (thanks to trade negotiations), a BYD electric hypercar smashing the EV top speed record, rumors of a Mercedes/BMW engine partnership, a flamboyant Rolls-Royce-in-a-pool photo op, and Porsche management drama. The hosts also share personal car updates, provide market analysis on enthusiast vehicles, and answer audience questions with their signature humor and expertise.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. EU-US Trade Negotiations: European Cars in America?
[00:27–04:47]
- Background: Trade talks are underway concerning the high tariffs on European auto imports imposed during the Trump administration (25% on vehicles).
- Rumored Breakthrough: A draft line could allow mutual acceptance of US/EU safety and emissions standards, potentially opening the door for European cars to be sold in the U.S. without re-engineering.
- Doug: "If no other good comes out of the tariff thing...if they harmonized regulations...it would be so great for so many people." [01:02]
- Filippo: "There's a lot of cars that don't come to the US from Europe because they don't want to have to meet all of the U.S. safety standards." [01:17]
- Challenges Remain: The agreement is far from certain, would not be retroactive, and state-by-state dealer laws complicate any sales gains.
- Funny Aside: Doug on mall car dealerships and paying for premium parking, "I did that, but I charged it to the company." [03:46]
2. US CAFE Standards Rollbacks – Winners and Losers
[05:51–08:21]
- Stellantis' Relief: Trump administration’s rollback means automakers like Stellantis avoid huge fines for missing fuel economy rules—$773.5M in past fines are now off the table.
- Rivian’s Grievance: As a strict EV-maker, Rivian would lose out on selling emissions credits to companies like Stellantis.
- Doug: "So Rivian is upset because Stellantis was going to be their customer." [07:49]
- Impact: Credit sales were a significant revenue stream for Tesla/Rivian, now evaporating—"The credit thing is a big deal." [08:14]
- Political Whiplash: The regulatory climate could change again after the next election; unpredictability rules.
3. BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition Sets EV Speed Record
[08:44–12:52]
- Record Run: The Chinese BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition hit 293.54 mph, setting a new EV top speed record.
- Sheer Power: Boasts an absurd 2,959 hp—1,672 more than its already ridiculous base model.
- Hosts’ Reactions:
- Doug: “Is it depressing for us that...the fastest car in the world [used to be] McLaren F1...now it’s the BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition?” [09:27]
- Kenan: "It feels hollow to me somehow." [09:53]
- Filippo: Marvels at the horsepower delta vs. past supercars.
- Discussion: How the top-speed game has shifted from legendary exotic brands to tech-packed EVs; nostalgia for the simpler times of F1/Veyron domination.
4. Mercedes & BMW: Possible Engine Collaboration
[13:06–16:00]
- Rumored Deal: Mercedes may source small, efficient engines from BMW for specific models (e.g., CLA, GLA), as both automakers push into electrification.
- Historically Bitter Rivals: The collaboration is surprising but makes sense for economies of scale and regulatory pressure.
- Doug: "This is why I'm absolutely convinced that the supercars of today are going to be considered rare by the standards of the future." [15:30]
- Kenan: “It's been turned upside down.” [16:00]
- Fun Jabs: Kenan jokes Mercedes “just wanted to add rod bearing problems to their list of issues.” [13:24]
5. McLaren Collection Sell-Off
[17:41–21:11]
- Tom Hartley Jr.’s McLaren Trove: Every special McLaren, mostly orange, including the prized F1, sold as a batch to one buyer.
- Market Musings: Noting an uptick in “blue chip” collector car trading; family inherits and immediately flips the collection.
- Doug: Wonders if Hartley regrets renting a racetrack for photos: “The things just sold like that.” [19:28]
- Filippo: “Most of them were never driven...17 of 19.” [20:28]
6. Porsche CEO Drama & Falling Profits
[21:13–23:42]
- Leadership Reshuffling: CEO Oliver Blume, currently leading both Porsche and Volkswagen, may be replaced for a Porsche-only role.
- Financial Struggles: Porsche’s profits reportedly down 90% in Q2; stock has dropped 45% since 2022.
- Chinese Market Woes: Poor EV sales (Macan, Taycan) and Chinese market weakness bite hard.
- Doug tells the story: Of Peter Schutz, American Porsche CEO who famously “drew the 911 model line into the future” to save it—“He walks up, picks up a marker...draws it off the wall, off the board and onto his wall in his office and continues the 911.” [24:11]
7. Rolls-Royce in a Pool: A 100-Year Celebration
[25:31–27:47]
- Publicity Stunt: Rolls-Royce commemorates 100 years of the Phantom by placing one in a swimming pool, echoing drug-fueled rock star antics (Keith Moon reference).
- Practical Details: It was a pre-production car destined for destruction, set on a platform, and (allegedly) open for people to swim around.
- Skepticism: “All look like AI to me...the people look photoshopped.” [27:03]
- Doug: “Look at that. Look into that.” [26:37]
Talk Cars Segment
8. Personal Car Updates
[28:06–35:47]
- Doug: Took his Toyota Sequoia in for free ToyotaCare service, sparking a (humorous) debate about how many free services actually come with ownership—“I think you only get two oil changes within that first couple years.” [29:43]
- Filippo: Raves about high-tech window tint (“XPEL”) and its effectiveness on his GTI, especially for Arizona trips—“It does a stunningly good job.” [33:44]
- Kenan: Expresses car-buying paralysis (spoiler: he still hasn’t bought a new car), discusses lease deals for new EVs.
- Philosophy: The hosts muse on the irrationality of car upgrades, depreciation, and the frustration of negotiations at car dealers.
9. Subscription Services for Car Features
[36:33–39:56]
- Debate on subscriptions for features such as increased horsepower; Doug draws parallels to paying more for slightly different models (Lexus IS 250 vs. IS 350), questioning why buyers balk at monthly subs but accept “paywalls” on upgrades at time of purchase.
- Kenan: “I agree with the people. I hate the idea.”
- Filippo: “Every 911 that's not a special one has the same three-liter twin-turbo engine.”
- They note the difference between upfront vs. recurring charges is largely psychological.
10. Honda’s Conservative Direction
[40:10–48:07]
- Doug laments Honda's lost adventurousness: "Honda is so afraid. They're so terrified to do anything." [40:45]
- Missed Opportunities: Despite having offroad cred and a power-sports background, Honda hasn't pursued a body-on-frame SUV or true pickup, ceding huge sales to 4Runner, Tacoma, Bronco, etc.
- Filippo: Pushes back--developing such a platform is expensive. Doug: “The best time to plant a tree is yesterday. The second best time is today.” [46:26]
- Consensus: Honda is risk averse, and that’s a shame, given what could be.
11. Chicago Porsche Event & Cars and Bids Events
[50:07–53:07]
- Kenan recaps a Cars and Bids appearance at a major Porsche event in Chicago—“Porsches absolutely everywhere...even a 917 (wrap).” [50:46]
- Encourages fans to check the events tab on the Cars and Bids website.
Market Report
[54:08–62:34]
12. Affordable Vintage Performance
- Lotus Europa: Sold for $8,500, astounds hosts.
- Filippo: "There are old cars that feel really exotic and special...that are very accessible from a cost of entry perspective." [54:43]
- Miata Market: Low-mile NAs still approach $16,000; rougher examples have cooled but best ones still command real money.
- NSX Watch: Surging, even high-mileage examples (“floor for NSXs is remarkable”). [59:47]
Audience Questions & Memorable Moments
13. Q&A Highlights
[62:34–86:20]
- Cybertruck SUV Success? The consensus: Ugly, but it could do well if it addressed family-vehicle needs (third row, enclosed cargo). [63:04–64:44]
- Will Kenan Buy a Car? Running joke—he says he will, never does. “All the cars I want are $120,000...I just don't want to spend that.”
- Car Hype vs. Reality: Vehicles that fail to live up to automotive “hive mind” hype—E39 M5, Ferrari 355, 250 GTO cited as examples.
- Filippo: "Expectations are the killer of joy." [73:19]
- Why Isn't the Miata Everyone's Only Car? It's small, impractical for daily use, but still a “best driver’s car.”
- How Does Doug Write Listings Diplomatically?
- He reviews every “Doug’s Take,” but believes in the market: "At the right number, the market decides that's what it's worth." [77:04]
- Would Doug List His Exotics No Reserve? Unambiguously yes.
- Financing Doug’s Cars: Used to finance, now often pays cash due to high interest rates.
- Carrera GT Exhausts: Loves the stock sound; too many aftermarket exhausts are obnoxiously loud for daily use.
- Hosts’ Automotive Career Journeys:
- Filippo: Transitioned from education data to car auctions, now combines data analysis with car enthusiasm.
- Kenan: Started at an exotic dealership in Cleveland, met Doug, became Cars and Bids' first employee.
- Doug: Famous YouTuber turned auction entrepreneur.
Best Quotes & Moments
Doug: "This is why I'm always saying we have to continue advancing on EVs. We will not succeed by just selling the Ram 3500 Dually. We make EVs that jump with 3,000 horsepower and can do 300 miles an hour." [11:50]
Doug: "When I was a child, all these automakers seemed like such adversaries... Maybe the multinationals are just kind of doing their thing and we're all fighting the fight on the streets." [14:34]
Filippo: "Expectations are the killer of joy." [73:19]
Doug (about Porsche CEO): "It's surprising the Germans would allow things to get to this point. However, I've learned with the Germans, when they find somebody they believe is competent, they put enormous amounts of pressure on that individual to deliver." [23:20]
Doug (regarding Honda): "Honda is so afraid. They're so terrified to do anything." [40:45]
Kenan: "It feels hollow to me somehow." [09:53] (on new EV hypercar top-speed glory)
Notable Timestamps
- EU/US Tariff Talks: [00:27–04:47]
- CAFE Standards Rollback: [05:51–08:21]
- BYD EV Speed Record: [08:44–12:52]
- Mercedes/BMW Engine Rumor: [13:06–16:00]
- McLaren Collection Sale: [17:41–21:11]
- Porsche CEO Rumors & Financial Woes: [21:13–23:42]
- Rolls-Royce Pool: [25:31–27:47]
- Doug's Sequoia Service: [28:06–29:49]
- Filippo’s XPEL Tint Experience: [32:48–34:55]
- Subscription Services Rant: [36:33–39:56]
- Honda Rant: [40:10–48:07]
- Cars and Bids Events: [50:07–53:07]
- Market Report (Lotus/Miata/NSX): [54:08–62:34]
- Audience Q&A: [62:34–86:20]
Tone & Style
The episode is energetic, humorous, and occasionally self-deprecating in the classic DeMuro-and-friends style. There’s an equal mix of deep industry insight and friendly banter, backed by a shared love for both quirky and mainstream cars. The hosts maintain an encouraging tone toward enthusiasts of all stripes, with a healthy dose of skepticism (especially regarding automaker marketing claims and current industry trends).