Jill and Tom open this week’s show acknowledging that Vietnamese EV startup VinFast is likely to cease U.S. operations in the very near future. The hosts also note that another EV startup, Bollinger Motors, has called it quits.  Tom discusses his time in the Jeep Wrangler, this example powered by the available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, instead of the popular 3.6-liter V6. Tom prefers the smaller engine. Listen in to hear why.  The hosts also discuss an apparent social-media wav...

Car Stuff Podcast

Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo

Failing EV Startups, Redesigned Kia Seltos, Chicago Auto Show News

DEC 15, 202555 MIN
Car Stuff Podcast

Failing EV Startups, Redesigned Kia Seltos, Chicago Auto Show News

DEC 15, 202555 MIN

Description

Jill and Tom open this week’s show acknowledging that Vietnamese EV startup VinFast is likely to cease U.S. operations in the very near future. The hosts also note that another EV startup, Bollinger Motors, has called it quits. Tom discusses his time in the Jeep Wrangler, this example powered by the available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, instead of the popular 3.6-liter V6. Tom prefers the smaller engine. Listen in to hear why. The hosts also discuss an apparent social-media wave of dislike for the Wagoneer S, Jeep's first U.S.-market all-electric model. Tom’s review of the Wagoneer S posts shortly. Still in the first segment, Jill discusses the redesigned Kia Seltos small crossover, due out soon as a 2027 model. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Chicago Auto Show Communications Director Jim OBrill to the show. Jim talks about the changing nature of the major auto shows, and what’s on tap for this year’s Chicago show. In the last segment, Jill and Jim are subjected to Tom’s “$25,000?” quiz--which includes a question about Wendy's in Japan. Jim also discusses his show, Drive Chicago, which airs every Saturday morning in Chicago, and can be heard later as a podcast.