Overdrive

G’day and welcome to overdrive a radio and podcast program that tests cars and the locations who can drive them to

I’m David Brown

This week we reflect on our road trip to Bathurst

Road test

A road test of the Mazda 3

Interview

And when we get their we look at a bit of history then attend the first round of the V8 super car series.

Taking the opportunity to interview with the Vice President of Thrifty rent-a-car Asian Pacific on the state of the industry and the state of marketing through motor racing by being the major sponsor of the first round of the Super car series.

And finally, an interview with the international racing driver who was driving the 2000 Hp electric Ford Transit van on its fast laps around the Mt Panorama circuit.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

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iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 2 March 2024

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program that seeks simplicity amongst the complexities when talking about cars and transport.

I’m David Brown

Road test

Mazda 2 – a quite small sedan – look at some history of when nippy little sedans were trendy. There practicality should not be lost.

Interview

We talk to an expert in bicycle and pedestrian planning on being engage with the real problems.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 24 February 2024

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive a program that samples as much as it can of the pleasure of cars and transport

I’m David Brown

Road test

Hyundai Kona N-Line – performance in a small SUV

Interview

To get a 30 second spot during the Superbowl telecast cost the equivalent of AUD $10 million. Brian Smith and I run a critical eye over those car ads that tried their hand in this outrageously expensive opportunity

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Our YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 17 February 2024

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive a program that samples as much as it can of the thrill of cars and transport

I’m David Brown

Road test

Mazda CX-90 – replacing the CX9 – it is more of a lounge car than an express

Interview

At our home station here for Overdrive, the most popular programme is the breakfast show presented by Bruce Potter. He's very kindly gives a preview the day before each Overdrive program goes to air, to what we're going to be talking about. And his listeners are now asking questions.

Bruce joins us to answer the one about why birds crap on cars that have just been washed.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Our YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 20 February 2024

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program about cars and transport and its impact of our culture

I’m David Brown

Road test

We take a different look at the Jaguar F-Type. This time we take it to a park with some sculpture and get a true link between cars and culture

Interview

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator put out a press release about a truck driver fatigue road safety program they have just finished. It sounded too much like spin – so Alan Finlay and I look at the real issues.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 3 February 2024

The Super Bowl is big, like many things in American. But America is yet to fully learn that big is not necessarily beautiful. Ads in the Super Bowl this year, 2024, costs the equivalent of about AUD $10 million for just a 30 second spot and that does not include the cost of producing them in the first place.

Car companies have ventured into this hallowed advertising territory, but this year only four plus one, that is a pure off road vehicle are taking that opportunity.

It is a national christening of corporate iconography at different species in the advertising Kingdom.

How does it then reflect on the car companies that have chosen to participate?

Well, as we have done in the past, we're better to talk about the zeitgeist of the times and whether these ads fit in well, than our good friend Brian Smith.

Summary

00:01:01: Not so much nationalism as there has been in the past

00:01:58: Brands that were not American icons

00:02:38 The BMW ad: more about a celebrity than the car

00:05:18: The Kia Ad. Did they bring grandpa a chance to see his grandchild skate or did they bring him back from a near death experience?

00:07:46 The Volkswagen ad: Reflecting on a time past – well and truly passed?

00:14:10: Toyota Tacoma ad: A driver trying his hardest to scare his passenger!

00:16:53: Toyota’s second ad for the ???? its not clear but it features a footballer apparently

00:18:40: Kawasaki Ridge: When a mullet hair cut typifies your market surely you are in trouble.

00:21:19: Do these ads work?

00:22:12: It might be worth it to stop your opposition having an impact

00:22:40: It helps if you have a surprise element – a big announcement

00:23:40: One ad in the past included music from a little known band. The song went on to top the charts

00:24:58: People who don’t follow the football will still watch and pay attention to the ads. Cross reference to the half time singer Usher in the BMW ad

00:26:40: Is Christopher Walken's such a big celebrity?

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive a program that samples as much as it can of the experiences of cars and transport

I’m David Brown

Road test

The petrol versions of the Hyundai Kona are a good vehicle but With Alan Zurvas we discuss the reasons why Kona electric feels significantly superior.

And we highlight the emotional excitement from drive a super charged V8 Jaguar sports car – the F-Type

Interview

The CES show has just concluded in Las Vegas. We list some of the cars companies vehicles on display but also the mobility options such as motorised prams and shoes that help you walk three times as fast.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 27 January 2024

This is the full interview from a segment from the OverDrive Radio and podcast programme. For more information, go to drivenmedia.com dot au.

We reported a week or so ago about the young students from Western Sydney University’s solar racing team which competes in the World Solar Challenge

If there's any doubt that when you've supported your children in their early projects making paper mâché versions o0f volcanoes, and you wondered if it was going to lead to something important, well, this is a great example of young people committing huge time and energy into a university lead exercise. This is a stunning project, involving very high technology.

The students do wonderful stuff, but they're also they have mentors and supporters who have volunteered their time to help them along.

One of them is Bernie Fehon who has an order of Australia and he's the CEO of Fehon Strategy.

The story and the impact of Bernie standing behind these students so that they learn and apply the best ways to focus their efforts is part of the success of the whole project.

Bernie joins us on the line.

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program where we let our thoughts wonder over issues to do with cars and transport

I’m David Brown

Feedback

I put three Facebook posts up on vehicles we had seen and I've had over 40,000 people reached

• An MG with an unusual fastback and very rare wheels

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• a Chrysler crossfire from the first decade of this century that Jeremy Clarkson said look like a dog pooing

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• and work of art in the new building of the NSW art gallery. Homage to the Bugatti 35. It elicited a number of comments including one arty farty, full of art buzz words

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Road test

GWM Ora

Might electrification make noddy cars appealing?

Interview

The UK HS2 fast train

• From one disaster to another

• An international transport planning export comments on the HS2 and reminisces about some other projects

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

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Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 20 January 2024

G’Day and welcome to Overdrive, a program where we take a diverse look at cars and transport.

I’m David Brown

Road test

Kia Seltos

A small SUV

Very good car but it also raises the issue about how helpful some waring systems are.

Interview

It has been over a year since the death of Queen Elizabeth. Soon after her passing we road tested he rolls she used when in Australia. We spoke to Jeanne Eve who has been instrumental in preserving the vehicle. But her involvement has been more than just as a history buff. We play the full interview with her.

For more information

Web Site: Driven Media: drivenmedia.com.au

Podcasts

iTunes: Cars Transport Culture

Spotify: Cars Transport Culture

Facebook

Cars Transport Culture

Instagram

Cars Transport Culture

Our YouTube site

Cars Transport Culture

Originally broadcast 13 January 2024