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One rite of spring is getting the sports model onto the road for a joyride. Another is the opening of Major League Baseball camps where the crack of bat on ball makes sweet music to so many. This week we were able to combine the two as we road tested the 2025 Honda Civic Si, one of our favorite performance sedans, in and around the Spring Training sites of several Major League Baseball teams near Phoenix.
Of course, as Host Jack Nerad rediscoveed, the Honda Civic Si offers a great deal for enthusiast drivers to like, starting with its 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and — even more to the point — its slick-shifting, rev-matching six-speed manual transmission. Nerad will offer a full report.
Across the country, Co-Host Chris Teague and his family tested the mettle of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV. While Honda and Toyota have been the dominant players in this segmentfor decades, the recently revised Tucson gives those brands a strong run for their money. Both Teague and Nerad, who also tested the Tucson recently, will offer their views on this impressive player.
Our special guest this week is Sam Fiorani, vice president of global forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions and a very knowledgeable industry observer. With the car industry in a state of confusion based on tariff talk, changing regulations and the potential elimination of electric-vehicle subsidies, our interview with Fiorani will help bring what you need to know into sharp focus.
In the new this week, we will attempt to answer a big question looming over the industry: will Stellantis get rid of Chrysler or Dodge? The global automaker has a new chairman, and reports are he is eyeing streamlining its operations, and that might put laggard brands into the dustbin of history. We’ll have the details.
Electric vehicle owners were more satisfied with their vehicles in 2024 than they were in 2023, but J.D. Power reports there are warning signs on the horizon. We’ll have our comments on that along with more specifics.
Another big question this week is can state DMVs take a page from the DOGE playbook to streamline and modernize their operations? Ending long lines and customer frustration seems like an impossible dream to most of us, but a new report suggests that is possible, and we’ll tell you more.
And there is new controversy surrounding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Tesla. Chris and Jack will have their individual takes on that coming up.
Jack Nerad’s newest book
Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price.
Matt DeLorenzo’s Book
Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo’s terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad’s Guide to EV Ownership.
Brought to you by:
• DrivingToday.com
• Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance.
• EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and Dance in the Dark
We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we’ll like you forever.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com
Keywords
Stellantis, electric vehicles, Hyundai Tucson, Honda Civic Si, NHTSA, Tesla, DMV efficiency, automotive news, car reviews, safety technologies
Summary
In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest developments in the automotive industry, including the challenges faced by Stellantis brands, insights into the electric vehicle market, and the inefficiencies of DMVs. They also review the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and the Honda Civic Si, highlighting their features and performance. The episode concludes with a listener question about which new safety technologies are worth the investment.
Takeaways
Stellantis is looking to streamline operations and improve brand fortunes.
Dodge and Chrysler face uncertain futures with limited vehicle offerings.
EV market share is forecasted to remain flat, raising concerns about future growth.
Battery electric vehicle owners show high loyalty despite market uncertainties.
DMVs are often inefficient, prompting calls for modernization.
NHTSA cuts raise questions about oversight of autonomous vehicle investigations.
The Hyundai Tucson offers a comfortable ride with good tech for its price.
The Honda Civic Si is praised for its fun driving experience and practicality.
Safety technologies like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are valuable.
Listener engagement is encouraged with questions about automotive safety features.
Titles
Stellantis: Navigating Brand Challenges
The Future of Electric Vehicles
Sound Bites
“None of the brands are going anywhere.”
“DMVs are often very slow and inefficient.”
“The optics of this are way bad.”
“The Tucson is a great family hauler.”
“The Civic Si is peak Honda.”
Chapters
00:00 Are We About To See Dodge Go to the Last Round-up?
03.00 Stellantis and Brand Fortunes
05:54 Electric Vehicle Market Insights
09:30 DMV Efficiency and Government Bureaucracy
10:54 NHTSA Cuts and Tesla Controversy
12:40 2025 Hyundai Tucson Review
18:43 2025 Honda Civic Si Review
25:35 Sam Fiorani, Auto Forecast Solutions, Interview
39:47 Listener Question on Safety Technologies
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