Advice to Automakers: Listen to My Dad! Plus, ALL-NEW 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and 2025 Toyota Camry Test Drives

June 7, 2024

Dear CarPro Family,

As always, we hope you and yours are doing great and that your weather is cooperating with you. We are back to a full-edition newsletter for you today and wow, we have a lot of useful stuff for you! I also want to take this opportunity to welcome a new Houston station to the family. You can now catch all 3 hours of the national Car Pro Show Sundays on The Patriot 920 AM.

We start with the May auto sales report from those car companies that report monthly. We’ll look at second quarter full numbers in early July. We continue our series Is Your Car Spying On You? This is the story that just won’t die, and the problem gets worse the more we know. There is also a car color analysis that is interesting, cars are not as colorful as they used to be.

Also, today I offer up advice to automakers about the plans that they have for electric cars, and I do not mince words. I am confident this article will land on the desks of many automotive CEOs. I hope I will continue to get review cars after this, and I hope they’ll listen to the wise words of my dear departed father.

The Feds sue Hyundai over child labor laws in Alabama, which makes you wonder how in the world that happened. We have info for you on a couple of new electric SUVs coming your way, and info on the new Acura MDX. Texas and California have the sad record for the most unrepaired airbag recalls. Is your car one of them? We say goodbye to Bob Kelley of KBB fame. Don’t forget your raffle tickets to win a hot, new Corvette and help out Veterans, the deadline is quickly approaching.

Don’t miss Kim Komando’s very useful Tips of the Week. This week America’s Digital Goddess offers up a lot of great tips, I picked a few I thought might be helpful or interesting. I also encourage you to sign up for her informative and entertaining newsletter, I learned a lot of new things this week, and so will you!

In reviews this week, I have two very different vehicles! The all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the redesigned 2024 Subaru WRX. Our Amy Plemons has for you the all-new 2025 Camry SE front-wheel drive, with the now standard equipped hybrid engine. There is little doubt Camry will remain the #1 selling sedan in America.

In advice today, I have tips on collecting diminished value if you’ve been in a wreck that was not your fault.

We have another True Story from a Former Car Dealer below. This is a series of 40 stories written by me. Some are really funny, some are incredibly sad. I really peel back the curtain on my career highs and lows in the car business, and also share a lot of personal information. I hope you’ll take a minute and read these each week, I truly believe you’ll enjoy them. #23 is titled: The Po-lice. I share how I came to have so many friends that were officers, how I came to go to the police academy, and the story of a dear friend who tragically lost his life on duty.

Plus, lots of other information you will enjoy, including our videos of the week we talk about on the air all the time! If you have never been to our FAQ page, take a minute and peruse the categories, something there will interest you for sure.

You’ll find the following stories and more info as you scroll down the newsletter:

We so appreciate all of you who take this newsletter and listen to the show every week. We know that without you, there is no Car Pro Radio Show. So always let us know when we can help you. If you have not been there lately, take a look at our website, www.carpro.com, it changes all the time!

Have a terrific week. See you on the radio!

I offer auto advice to many, but this week I have some advice for car companies when it comes to their electric vehicle strategies: Listen to my Dad.

Notably, Toyota gets my nod of approval for tiptoeing into the world of EVs by focusing its efforts on producing more hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Volkswagen also gets my thumbs up for delaying the introduction of its new all-electric sedan. However, what's happening at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis is another story. If you know people at the automakers, pass this along to them.

Read my full commentary →

GM Chair & CEO Mary Barra addresses a gathering Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the new GM Mountain View Office in Mountain View, CA. (Photo by Jim Gensheimer for GM)

Ironically, just a day after my commentary was published on our website Monday, this happened. General Motors CEO Mary Barra stood firm on the automaker's strategy to transition to electric vehicles even as some shareholders questioned market demand for the vehicles during GM's annual shareholder meeting Tuesday. Barra did say that "ultimately, the composition of GM's future vehicle lineup will be guided by customer demand." That appeared to be an easing of GM's previous stance that all of its new vehicles would be all-electric by 2035, but later in the day, a company spokesman said GM retains that goal.

We’ve been bringing information to you for a while now, warning you about the information car companies are selling about your driving habits. I find it to be deplorable, frankly.

If you are a new subscriber, let’s get you up to speed:

We brought you this article first in late March following a New York Times article that exposed the issue: Read it here →
Then followed it up with this one about GM reversing course: Read it here →

This week, I want to follow that up by sharing interesting research published by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation.

Read the alarming research →

A special alert for our subscribers and listeners in Texas and California. Those two states have the most unrepaired Takata air bag recalls, according to new data from CarFax. CarFax says its data shows that 10 years after the mandated safety recall began, more than six million vehicles still need their faulty air bags replaced. Of course, everyone needs to be vigilant about checking for a Takata air bag recall, no matter what state you live in.

As always, recalls do not cost any money to be repaired. This is a very serious problem that can be life threatening. If you are not sure if your vehicle needs this free repair, get your 17-digit VIN, make sure it is exactly duplicated, and enter it on the NTHSA's recall website here. Also, check our special Takata airbag section at CarPro.com.

See more CarFax data →

South Korean auto giant Hyundai is being sued by the U.S. federal government over child labor laws in the state of Alabama. In a press release, the U.S. Department of Labor alleges that a Hyundai assembly and manufacturing plant is one of three companies that jointly employed a child who worked up to 60 hours a week on an assembly line, operating machines that formed sheet metal into auto body parts.

Hyundai responded to the complaint with a statement shared with various media, reading in part: "The use of child labor, and breach of any labor law, is not consistent with the standards and values we hold ourselves to as a company." The automaker further stated: "We worked over many months to thoroughly investigate this issue and took immediate and extensive remedial measures."

Read more here →

The FINAL CarPro.com | Vehicle For Good “Corvette For Vets” sweepstakes DOUBLER WEEKEND is on! Right now, every $10 entry gets you DOUBLE THE CHANCES to win a 2024 Corvette Stingray 3LT Z51 – and you know it’s RED! You’ll also win $10,000 in cash! Roll Call of North Texas & Veterans Freedom Retreat will directly benefit every time you enter! BONUS: Your entries are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!! Enter as many times as you like before June 12^th!

DISCLAIMER: No purchase necessary to enter or win. Sweepstakes ends July 5th, 2024. Open to legal residents of the United States, EXCLUDING THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR WHERE PROHIBITED. Must be 18 years of age at the time of entry. See the official rules for more.

Besides the Car Pro Show and our weekly newsletter, my other favorite radio show and newsletter is Kim Komando’s. We are on many of the same radio stations across America. She does for her listeners and newsletter subscribers exactly what I endeavor to do: Give you useful information to keep you up to date on the latest in cars, only she does it with technology and there is nobody who does it better. Not sure how she puts out a top-notch newsletter seven days a week, but she does.

I reached out to her and asked if it would be OK to share information with you once a week with a tech tip, and she agreed. I read her daily newsletter from top to bottom, and when I see info I think you could use, I will put it here to try to make life just a little better for you.

Here are some various tips I picked up from Kim’s newsletter this week I hope you find as useful as I did:

Burning rubber: This class-action lawsuit alleges some Kia vehicles are defective, causing engine problems like stalling, failure and, yep, “possible engine fire.” Lease or buy one? Select 2010-2020 Kia makes and models may be eligible for reimbursement of bills like repairs, and cash compensation or warranty extension. File a claim here by July 8.
More for Hyundai owners: Remember the news about Kias and Hyundais getting stolen more than other cars? A bunch of cheaper makes and models are also missing the security tech that stops the cars from starting without the right key. Thieves started sharing how-to videos on social media, and now, Hyundai is settling to the tune of $145 million. You have plenty of time to file a claim — up to Jan. 11, 2025.
Who’s in your doc’s pocket? Worried your doctor might not be giving you impartial advice because they’re getting paid by Big Pharma? Look up your doc in this government database (U.S. only) and see which companies are giving them money. That includes celebrity docs, too!
20% of crashed cars are totaled out. One in five seen by an adjuster is deemed too expensive to fix. That’s five times higher than in the 1980s. Why? Today’s high-tech lighting and sensors, pricey airbags, and fancy materials add up fast.
Tap and go: Use your phone’s electronic wallet app at the gas pump. All you have to do is tap your phone on the reader to pay. This way, you won’t have to worry about card skimmers at the pump stealing from you.

A few years ago, I started writing a series of True Stories From A Former Car Dealer. Over 40 weeks, I wrote about experiences I had from my days as a dealership owner. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry. The reaction was beyond my wildest expectations.

For our new subscribers, and for those of you who may have missed one or perhaps simply forgotten the details, we’ll bring these to you in the order they were written.

In this episode, I tell you how I came to join the Dallas Police Department, how I got involved in a Dallas-wide referendum on a police pay raise, and how I lost a dear friend at the hands of some savage killers.

True Stories From a Former Car Dealer #23 →

If you are searching for a particular new or used vehicle, we can help you! The best news is, if you use CarPro to search, when you find the car of your dreams it will be at a CarPro approved dealership.

Best of all, it’s simple to use. Choose new, used, or certified. You can select the make and model, or find a price range you are looking at. Choose the number of miles you are willing to travel and enter your zip code.

From there, you can look through all your matches, knowing you are shopping at a dealership I have handpicked that adheres to the high standards I require.

Start your search on the front page of CarPro.com. If you don't find the car of your dreams, check back regularly.

Man, have times changed. Dodge took this commercial for the new 1970 Dodge Charger off the air because people complained it was too “suggestive.” Maybe it was 54-years ago, but I personally found it to be hilarious! Take a look at this under one-minute video and see what you think!

Do you laugh at dad jokes? This video will have you howling. The first joke’s question is… What do the movies 6th Sense and the Titanic have in common? Click on the video above to find out…..and you might be hooked!

You have 5 hours to call the show! From 9AM- 2PM Central, 7AM-Noon Pacific, and 10 AM to 3 PM Eastern, the phone numbers are:

DFW Show: 9 AM to 11 AM Central, 1 (800) 288-9227
National Show: 11 AM to 2 PM Central, 1 (800) 926-7777

Add the numbers to your cell phone; you never know when you are going to need straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive.

So, what is the CarPro Radio Show?

Confused about the car buying process? Worried you won’t get a fair deal? Wondering about which vehicle is best for you? Then tune in to the CarPro Radio Show every week where Jerry Reynolds and Kevin McCarthy will guide you through the car-buying process with confidence.

No matter where you listen to the show or which station you listen to, you have five hours to call in and ask your questions. We take calls every Saturday from 9 AM-2 PM Central time, 7 AM to Noon Pacific. The phone number is different the first two hours, then changes, so keep that in mind.

We would love to help you in any way possible! Keep in mind, we don’t take mechanical questions, but everything else is great!

The CarPro Radio Show is heard every weekend all over the United States, and every weekend we deliver straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive. We would greatly appreciate it if you would take a moment and tell a friend about the show.

new-markets-canva-pro-jan-11

We've recently welcomed some new markets to the CarPro Radio Network:

KTLR 890 AM/103.7 FM Oklahoma City: Sunday 4-5pm CT (replay)
The Mountain WSYY 1240 AM/ 102.5 FM Millinocket, ME:

Saturday 9AM- 12PM PT
KUFO: Portland, Oregon: Saturday 9AM- 12PM PT
Nevada Talk Network - THE Rural News Source: KELY 1230am/98.5fm, Ely; KPVM-TV 25.7, Pahrump, KAVB 98.7 FM, Hawthorne, KPKK 101.1 FM, Amargosa Valley, NV, KDJJ 94.1 FM, Fernley-Fallon all three hours live 9AM- 12PM PT
KFIR 720 AM, Sweet Home, Oregon: Sunday 4PM - 7PM PT (replay)
KBAR 1230 AM, Burley, Idaho: Saturday 6PM – 9PM MT (replay)
KACT 1360 AM, Andrews, Texas: Saturdays 7PM – 10PM CT (replay)
WDOC 1310 AM, Prestonsburg, Kentucky: Time TBD
KLXX 1270 AM, Bismarck, North Dakota: Sunday 10PM – Midnight CT (replay)

Other additions to the CarPro Show family in 2023:

B103 WOWS Indy, Indianapolis: Sundays from 7PM-10PM ET (replay)
WCED AM/ConnectFM , Johnston, PA: Saturdays from 2PM-4PM ET (replay)
KFIR 720 AM , Albany, Oregon: Sundays from 4PM -7PM PT (replay)
News Talk 98.9 The Word, Greenville, South Carolina region: Saturdays 12PM-1PM (live), Saturdays 3PM -6PM (replay), and Sundays 11AM -4PM (replay)
WQXL AM/FM 1470 AM and 100.7 FM , Columbia, South Carolina: Saturdays from 12PM-1PM ET
News/Talk 103.7 FM WEEO, Hagerstown, Maryland: 12PM -3PM ET Saturdays WEEO covers parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Washington D.C. area.
Talk 1370, Austin: Saturdays from 11AM -1PM CT

Most of our listeners tell us that they never thought they would look forward to a show about cars. You may have friends or relatives who feel the same way in the cities below, please make them aware.

Here are the DFW markets the show airs in, times, and stations, and don't forget you can now listen to WBAP on the FM dial at 93.3 FM!

Dallas, TX: WBAP 820 AM/93.3 FM/99.5 HD 2, Saturday 9am to 11am Central
Dallas, TX: KRLD 1080 AM, Saturday 2pm to 4pm Central (replay)
Granbury, TX: KPIR 1420 AM, Saturday 11am to 2pm Central

WBAP DFW Podcast Here →
FOR ALL OTHER MARKETS, CLICK HERE→

May U.S. Auto Sales

Straight Talk And Honest Answers

Advice To Automakers: Listen to My Dad

Best Backtrack of the Week!

GM Chair & CEO Mary Barra addresses a gathering Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the new GM Mountain View Office in Mountain View, CA. (Photo by Jim Gensheimer for GM)

Update: Is Your Car Spying On You?

Takata Alert: TX, CA Have Most Unrepaired Recalls

Enter To Win This 'Vette And Help Veterans!

On The Road: Test Drives

Jerry says the long-awaited all-new Toyota Land Cruiser was well worth the wait!

A wonderfully engineered car with fun-to-drive handling will make driver enthusiasts happy.

The all-new 2025 Camry gets a fantastic new hybrid-only powertrain, along with Toyota's latest tech updates.

Bumper to Bumper: Industry Newse

Study: Cars Are Half As Colorful As 20 Years Ago

Rest In Peace: Bob Kelley, Former Publisher of KBB

2025 Acura MDX Arrives With Great Updates

Cadillac Introduces New 2025 Optiq EV

Weekly Recalls

True Stories From A Former Car Dealer

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

Factory Incentives

Sell Your Car Through GiveMeTheVin!

Exclusive Approved Products & Services

FAQ: Research Your Questions Before You Shop

Our FAQ page offers answers to questions CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds is asked most frequently.

Searching for a New or Used Vehicle?

Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

Videos of the Week

Subscribe to the Free DFW Newsletter

CarPro Guide To Online Car Buying

Buying a vehicle online has never been easier.Our step-by-step guide will help you buy a car from the comfort of your living room, starting with selecting your CarPro Friend.

On The Air

On The Air

Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds