Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join Jill and Tom as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

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Episode: 227

Broadcast date: July 1, 2024

Guest: Sam Fiorani

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Volvo XC60 Recharge, Tesla Sales Still Falling, Chinese Car Companies to Watch

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Jill and Tom are in-studio this week for a far-reaching number of topics. Tom quickly updated everyone on the CDk Global/dealership-hacking crisis, which will reportedly be resolved later this week. The hosts briefly discussed Tesla’s second quarter of disappointing sales, this while overall EV sales are projected to rise.

Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom chatted about the Rivian/Volkswagen deal, which sees Rivian infused with a quick $1 billion—with the promise of additional funding at later dates—and VW gaining access to Rivian’s EV software architecture.

In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam updated the hosts on several of the most-prominent—and most threatening to Western automakers—Chinese carmakers.

Sam’s tutorial included makers BYD, Chery, Geely, and Great Wall. Sam warns that Western carmakers dismiss these up-and-coming global players at their own risk.

In the last segment, Jill is subject to a spelling quiz, tasked with spelling model names including Avanti, Reatta, and Ciera.