Podcast Summary: THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends! Episode: Incredible Sultan of Brunei Collection Photos Leaked! Doug's Jaguar Concept Take! Release Date: December 6, 2024

1. Jaguar Concept Car Discussion

[01:07 - 03:30]

The episode kicks off with Doug, Ken, and Filippo diving into the latest revelations about Jaguar's upcoming concept car, the Type 00. Ken introduces the topic by referencing their previous discussion on the unreleased Jaguar concept, highlighting its striking color options: Miami Pink, London Blue, and Parisian Gold.

• Ken: "They revealed the concept and here it is, the Type 00. Finished in Miami pink, London blue. And they do a third version in Parisian gold." [01:13]

Filippo admires the blue variant but notes its uniqueness:

• Filippo: "That blue. The least Londony blue I've ever seen." [01:26]

Doug shares his skepticism about concept cars, cautioning that production models often differ significantly from their prototypes:

• Doug: "I think it's cool as hell. However, the thing I've learned about concept cars is when they debut, they look like that. And when they go into production, they look like the Acura TLX." [01:55]

The trio debates the feasibility of the concept's features, such as the oversized 78-inch wheels and the absence of side mirrors, which Doug doubts would make it to a production model due to legal and practical constraints.

• Doug: "It would be cool as hell if they actually had the gravitas to make this car. And they're going to make a version of it and it's going to be so watered down that we're not even going to remember this concept." [02:22]

Ken expresses mixed feelings about the color palette and references Jaguar's brand struggles, while Filippo questions Jaguar's commitment to an electric vehicle (EV) strategy.

• Filippo: "Are they going all EV with that announced? It was assumed. But like, is this something they've said?" [02:37]

Doug remains optimistic about the concept's design but realistic about its production prospects, suggesting that the reality version will likely feature smaller wheels and more conventional styling.

2. Nissan's Financial Troubles

[05:43 - 10:27]

The conversation shifts to the alarming news about Nissan's financial health. The hosts discuss an image showing Nissan's declining lineup in a Southern California market, including models like the Leaf, Juke, Qashqai, Ariya, and the rarely heard Town Star.

• Doug: "Nissan didn't announce, but some Nissan executive in Japan announced that they're a year away from running out of money." [05:57]

Filippo puzzles over how Nissan is depleting resources despite minimal investment:

• Filippo: "They haven't developed a new. The Aria came out a couple of years ago and there's a new Murano. Coming out and a new Armada." [06:25]

Doug critiques Nissan's strategy of prioritizing short-term sales over long-term quality, contrasting it with competitors like Toyota and Honda who focus on reliability and innovation.

• Doug: "But Toyota and Honda aren't in this position. They went after quality. Nissan went after like short term sales numbers and gains." [07:26]

The hosts reflect nostalgically on Nissan's past innovations, lamenting the brand's decline and mismanagement. They touch upon the arrest of a key executive and the resultant turmoil within the company.

• Filippo: "Everything that we're getting from Jaguar and I respect Harry greatly. But let's get some reality from. Let's find out what the Tata group will accomplish." [05:16]

Ken and Doug discuss Nissan's overreliance on the US and Japanese markets and the lack of investment in new, exciting models, leading to their current financial predicament.

3. Carlos Tavares Resigns from Stellantis

[11:54 - 19:14]

The episode continues with breaking news about Carlos Tavares stepping down as CEO of Stellantis, marking another decline in the automotive giant's leadership.

• Filippo: "He has resigned, effective immediately, from being the CEO of Stellantis." [11:56]

The hosts delve into Stellantis' brand portfolio, listing brands like Jeep, Fiat, Dodge, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, and Maserati, and discuss the challenges the conglomerate faces amid industry consolidation.

• Doug: "Stellantis is funny. They got good products, but it is going to be a tough road." [13:36]

Filippo highlights the reliance on high-margin vehicles like trucks and SUVs that fueled Stellantis' profits during the COVID-19 pandemic but poses sustainability questions as the market evolves.

• Filippo: "So profits were great because the only inventory they had in the US was high priced, high margin." [13:17]

Doug criticizes Stellantis for overproducing vehicles and having a poor reputation for quality, signaling a difficult future despite having strong products like the Grand Cherokee and Ram.

• Doug: "They have a poor reputation for quality and they went too hard on electric. And so this is the situation." [18:58]

4. Leaked Photos of the Sultan of Brunei's Car Collection

[19:01 - 26:35]

The highlight of the episode revolves around the recently leaked photos of Sultan Jeffrey of Brunei's astonishing car collection, reportedly totaling around 7,000 vehicles.

• Doug: "We calculated he bought 7,000 cars for the collection." [19:59]

Filippo amazes at the scale and exclusivity, noting that many of these cars are one-offs commissioned from prestigious manufacturers like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Bugatti.

• Filippo: "These were all mostly quite special." [20:22]

Ken and Doug express their astonishment at the maintenance and organization of such a vast collection, discussing the challenges in accessing and preserving these vehicles. They also touch upon the historical context of Prince Jeffrey's financial extravagance, which had significant impacts on luxury car brands.

• Ken: "There's a great Instagram account. I think it's several." [22:32]

Doug laments the potential missed opportunity for car enthusiasts to view this collection, speculating that the royal family may be embarrassed by the display.

• Doug: "I would give anything to jump in there and see the damn cars." [24:12]

The discussion includes specific models from the collection, such as the multicolored EB110 and night-vision-equipped vehicles, emphasizing their uniqueness and the immense value they represent.

• Doug: "They got six McLaren F1s... In them, in and of themselves, that's $150 million in cars right there." [25:30]

Filippo and Ken reflect on the impracticality and opulence of maintaining such a collection, agreeing that it's a display far beyond typical automotive passion.

5. Gold-Plated Cybertruck Auction for Charity

[32:30 - 35:50]

In a lighter segment, Filippo introduces a unique charity auction featuring a gold-plated Cybertruck. This extravagant vehicle, originally owned by prominent YouTubers like MKBHD and Stradman, has been converted with actual gold plating and is now up for auction to benefit Jerry Rigging's wheelchair creation project.

• Filippo: "It's actual gold plating. It's not wrapped plating." [32:39]

Doug and Ken discuss the aesthetic and practical aspects of the gold-plated modification, noting the authenticity of the gold over mere wraps.

• Doug: "It's real gold." [33:38]

The Cybertruck's transformation has garnered attention from various automotive influencers, making it a sought-after item for charity enthusiasts and collectors alike.

6. Market Report: BMW i8 and Porsche Targa

[48:29 - 59:32]

The Market Report segment delves into the depreciation trends of luxury and performance vehicles, focusing on the BMW i8 and Porsche Targa models.

• Doug: "BMW i8's are getting cheap now." [48:39]

Filippo highlights surprising sales prices for models like the 996 Targa and 997 Targa, noting how certain Porsche variants command significant premiums despite mixed reviews.

• Filippo: "It's so notable how much of a premium they command." [51:36]

Doug reminisces about his time at Porsche and critiques the design choices that may have contributed to the Targa's lukewarm reception.

• Doug: "I still did a video review of this car. They are. The general populace is not particularly supportive of the i8." [49:25]

Ken and Filippo discuss the practical aspects of owning these models, including maintenance concerns and the allure of their unique styling amidst market shifts.

• Ken: "I have to tell you about this game changing product." [no timestamp but contextually aligned]

7. Talk Cars: Personal Vehicle Experiences

[32:30 - 58:38]

In the "Talk Cars" segment, the hosts share their personal experiences and preferences regarding their vehicles. Ken shares his love for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, highlighting its comfort, performance, and reliability.

• Ken: "It's a good choice. Generally, to have both is the correct decision." [35:04]

Filippo discusses his desire for quirky cars like the C7 Corvette and the 997.2 Porsche 911, while Doug emphasizes the importance of choosing a daily driver that balances performance with practicality.

• Doug: "Everyone should get a Cayenne." [34:22]

The conversation also touches on recent challenges the hosts faced, such as driving the Cayenne in various conditions and the reception they received from the automotive community.

8. Listener Q&A

[61:25 - 73:52]

The final segment features a lively Q&A where listeners pose intriguing questions to the hosts. Key topics include:

• Uniform Daily Driver Choice: Listeners ask what single vehicle the hosts would choose if they had to agree on one. The discussion leans towards German luxury SUVs like the Mercedes E450 Altercation.

  • Filippo: "If they mean for this series, the kayak." [61:53]
  • Ken: "I love the 450." [61:56]

• Disdain for Certain Cars: A question about cars the hosts would refuse to drive despite being offered for free. The Hellcat emerges as a contentious choice due to its stigma and association with aggressive driving.

  • Ken: "Hellscats... People do burnouts everywhere and they're irritating to most people." [71:12]
  • Doug: "I would drive a Hellcat in spite of the stigma." [71:40]

• Expectations for Guest Appearances: Listeners inquire about appearances on other popular podcasts like Joe Rogan's. The hosts humorously decline, emphasizing their unique position in the automotive podcast space.

  • Doug: "We don't need no Joe Rogan stuff up in here." [67:12]

Throughout the Q&A, the hosts maintain a playful banter, offering candid insights into their automotive preferences and the perceptions surrounding various car models.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ken [01:13]: "They revealed the concept and here it is, the Type 00. Finished in Miami pink, London blue. And they do a third version in Parisian gold."

• Filippo [01:26]: "That blue. The least Londony blue I've ever seen."

• Doug [01:55]: "I think it's cool as hell. However, the thing I've learned about concept cars is when they debut, they look like that. And when they go into production, they look like the Acura TLX."

• Doug [05:57]: "Nissan didn't announce, but some Nissan executive in Japan announced that they're a year away from running out of money."

• Filippo [11:56]: "He has resigned, effective immediately, from being the CEO of Stellantis."

• Doug [19:59]: "We calculated he bought 7,000 cars for the collection."

• Filippo [32:39]: "It's actual gold plating. It's not wrapped plating."

• Ken [35:04]: "Generally, to have both is the correct decision."

• Doug [49:25]: "They are. The general populace is not particularly supportive of the i8."

• Ken [61:56]: "I love the 450."

• Doug [71:40]: "I would drive a Hellcat in spite of the stigma."

Conclusion

In this episode of THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends, the hosts navigate a spectrum of automotive topics, from the allure and skepticism surrounding Jaguar's new concept car to the troubling financial insights about Nissan and leadership changes at Stellantis. The leaked photos of the Sultan of Brunei's opulent car collection provide a captivating glimpse into extreme automotive luxury, while lighter segments like the gold-plated Cybertruck auction and personal vehicle discussions add variety to the conversation. The Market Report and Listener Q&A segments further enrich the episode, offering both analytical depth and interactive engagement with their audience. This comprehensive discussion not only informs but also entertains, making it a must-listen for automotive enthusiasts.