BJ Killeen – Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason starts the show with a lil bit of news. The Automakers are losing money on electric vehicles due to the expensive research and development and lack of demand from consumers. The government’s demands for additional features are also adding to the cost of vehicles. As a result, sales numbers for many manufacturers have been down recently.

George Kennedy III, a co-founder of Cartender.com and Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association, test drove the 2024 Nissan Altima SL trim and found it affordable, comfortable, and reliable with decent power. The car boasts a 182 horsepower 4-cylinder engine and can deliver nearly 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The BMW X2 subcompact crossover, on the other hand, impressed George with its interior refinement and advanced technology, despite its higher price tag and less cargo space than its predecessor, the X1.

Up next is Lauren Fix is the Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports. The UAW is expanding its reach to the South and unionizing non-union plants, including Volkswagen, with the help of government and Democrat senators. This move threatens to increase the cost of cars and lead to job cuts as companies automate and move factories to non-union locations. The government wants to control the auto industry, but this has happened before in the UK and resulted in automakers being sold to companies in other countries. Jennifer Granholm, the energy secretary, admires the Chinese industry and plans to follow their lead, but this could lead to higher car prices and poor treatment of workers. Lauren recently participated in the International Female Ride Day on May 4th. Can-Am invited her to test drive their new three-wheeled motorcycles, the Spider F3 and the Breaker. They drove from San Diego to Julian, which was a great experience for Lauren as an avid motorcyclist. Riding a three-wheeled motorcycle is a comfortable option for those who lack experience on two wheels. Lauren test-drove the entry-level Riker, which has a Rotax engine, and later, the luxurious Spider, which had all the safety features and luxurious amenities one could want.

Closing the show with us today is Brian Moody-Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com. According to Brian, the best time to buy a car is at the end of a period – the end of the month, quarter, or year. During these times, dealerships may have more room to offer discounts. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has introduced a new safety standard that requires all passenger cars and trucks in the US to have automatic braking as a standard feature by September 2029. This move is expected to reduce accidents and save lives. However, there are concerns that adding new requirements to cars may increase costs and pressure consumers.

[00:00:00] – Contributor BJ Killeen
[00:06:43] – Government Demands
[00:13:00] – Hydrogen Is The Answer
[00:20:51] – Contributor George Kennedy III
[00:29:42] – 2024 Nissan Ultima
[00:37:22] – 2024 BMW X2 sub compact
[00:44:12] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:50:48] – Government Controlled Industry
[00:57:10] – International Female Ride Day
[01:05:02] – Contributor Brian Moody
[01:16:39] – Automatic Brake System
[01:21:32] – Best Time To Buy A Car

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: BJ Killeen

Contributor: George Kennedy III

Contributor: Lauren Fix

Contributor: Brian Moody

Vehicles Discussed:

2024 Nissan Altima SL, 2024 BMW X2 Sub Compact Crossover,

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru

The post Delivering Performance and Comfort with The 2024 Nissan Altima SL | #572 appeared first on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor.