CarShield Fined $10M, July U.S. Auto Sales, NEW INFO: Is Your Car Spying On You? Plus 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line and 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Edition Test Drives

August 9, 2024

We have another info-filled newsletter for you today, so don’t miss a single article in case something might be helpful to you! As always, feel free to forward the whole newsletter to someone it might help, or send the link to the new newsletter archive page for the last 10 editions. Click here to visit the archive →

We start off today with really good news! The Feds have dropped a ten million dollar fine on CarShield for deceptive ads on extended warranties. If I were an I told you so kind of guy, I would gloat, but I won’t. I’m just sorry it took so long. I hope Danica Patrick is paying attention, Endurance is on my radar and all over my TV. In a series of previous articles, I warned you about automakers selling your private data, and two Senators are calling for an investigation. Your blood will boil when you read below how much some car companies are making by selling you out!

In other stories, I give you a tutorial on finding a car or finding a CarPro, congrats to the GM Arlington assembly plant on two milestones, if you’ve considered pay-as-you-go insurance, I have the best companies that offer it, I have the July 2024 national sales results, and a reminder that school is back in session almost everywhere, so it’s time to watch out for the children.

Don’t miss Kim Komando’s very useful Tips of the Week. She had a lot of really great ones this week, and as always, I encourage you to subscribe to her terrific and very useful newsletter that you’ll get seven days a week.

In advice today, I have tips on buying a vehicle out of state, something helpful if one of our dealers can’t find you that exact car of your dreams.

In reviews, I have the beautiful all-electric 2024 Kia EV9 GT-line, a 3-row luxury SUV that comes with nice electric range. Our Amy Plemons gives you a full review of the very limited 2024 Toyota GR86 TRUENO Special Edition, there are fewer than 1000 available in the U.S.!

We have another True Story from a Former Car Dealer below. This is a series of 40 stories written by me. Today, #31 is titled: Parties. I had a reputation for throwing great parties for my employees when I owned dealerships, and I recount some of those experiences as we wind down the True Stories series, with just nine to go.

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!

ftc-gavel-shutterstock CarShield will pay $10 million dollars in a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive advertising. The wheels of justice were slower than I had wished, but I knew this had to be coming, I’ve just seen this so many times. Any warranty company that spends this much money advertising should automatically bring suspicions to you. Too many times through the years, I’ve seen companies like this spend millions to get people to send money, then when the claims start coming in, they file bankruptcy. I am not saying that will happen here, but it certainly would not be a surprise, either.

Two U.S. Senators Call For An Investigation Into Automakers Selling Your Private Data

Here in the Car Pro Show Newsletter, we covered the fact that automakers were selling your data and driving habits, in essence spying on you. You can catch up on those articles here if you did not see them at the time, OR you are new to the newsletter family:

March 20, 2024: Special Report: Is Your Car Reporting Your Driving Habits to Your Insurance Company?
March 27, 2024: Is You Car Spying On You? New Info & GM Reverses Course
May 15, 2024: Car Privacy: Could Your Car Help An Abuser Find You?
June 5, 2024: Continuing Coverage: Is Your Care Spying on You?

Now new info is coming to light about how much, or should we say how little, your data was being sold for, thanks to an investigation by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.

Little did we know, however, your info was being sold for pennies. I was angry about this practice from the start, but now to know some automakers sold you out for the cost of a package of gum (if you find a sale) is infuriating.

Luckily, Wyden and another U.S. Senator are calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to crack down on automakers who are disclosing driver data with the drivers' consent.

The latest CarPro.com | Vehicle for Good partnership sweepstakes: the 'Porsche with a Purpose' campaign ROCKS ON with THE CARPRO EXCLUSIVE OFFER! Just $75 now gets you 10,000 entries!!! But there’s only 1000 of these exclusive chances available so don’t miss out!!!

By entering, you can help beat homelessness and win a 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman or $70,000 in cash. This Arctic Gray beauty is valued at $124,000, but you can choose $70,000 in cash if you prefer.

Plus, all entries are tax deductible!

Your participation benefits 'When We Love,' a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting youth, single-parent families, and veterans in overcoming homelessness.

Don't miss out! Click the button below now to enter, make a difference, and possibly win big!

ENTER NOW

DISCLAIMER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Sweepstakes open to U.S. residents 18+. Ends 9/12/24. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules visit www.VehicleforGood.com. Sponsor: Vehicle for Good Inc.

We have updated and completely redone the CarPro.com website so many times I have lost count. Still, the attention spans of a lot of people are fairly short, and I totally understand that. I thought it might be a good idea to walk you through one of the most used areas of the website. This is for people who want to either search for a car OR find out who to speak with at a Car Pro approved dealership under Step 1:

The first decision is choosing vehicles or Certified Car Pros. Let’s say you are searching for a particular make or model of vehicle. You can choose new, used, or all. Select the Make, then the Model, and put in your zip code. The closest vehicles that fit your criteria will come up, with the closest to you first. Given all the different places the Car Pro Radio show airs, it is possible the vehicle is thousands of miles away, but don’t sweat that. This is why today, in my advice column, I tell you how to buy a car cross-country. If you find a vehicle, it will be at one of my approved dealers and you’ll also find my contact and how to reach the dealership.

IMPORTANT NOTE: listing big inventories online is a huge expense, and some dealers opt not to spend the money, and I get that, they can’t be everywhere. So, if you don’t find what you want at our website, you can check our dealer’s websites individually, then talk to my contact there.

Back to Step 1, your other choice is to just find out the closest dealer to you. Just choose Certified Car Pros, select the brand you are interested in, and enter your zip code. All approved dealers will be found there sorted by the nearest to you. All the contact info will be there, and if you email them from their listing on the website, they’ll know I sent you and you’ll have VIP status. Most importantly, you’ll get a VIP Certificate sent right back to your email that you can print and take with you. Set your appointment with the Car Pro contact and you are on the way to a new set of wheels.

If at any time you need help, just under Step 1, click:

Need help? Our team is ready to assist you. Click here.

I hope this helps the time you spend at CarPro.com easier and more pleasant.

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.

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

Instead of hiding your keys in the freezer…Thieves can use a device to boost your car’s keyfob’s signal and drive away with your car without breaking into it. The Faraday Key Fob Protector Box safely stores your car keys (and spares!) and blocks RFID signals.
Water + electricity = Bad: Tesla is warning about a “charging hack” going around on social media. Folks are wrapping damp towels around Supercharger handles, claiming it increases the charging rate. It doesn’t. You’ll just interfere with the system’s temperature monitors.
Did you hear Elon Musk is moving X and SpaceX to Texas? Yup, now all his Xes live in Texas. (Oh, good one there!) Speaking of Musk, right now, you can spot Starlink’s massive train of 6,219 satellites in the sky. Go to FindStarlink.com and type in your city to see when and where it’s visible near you over the next five days.
$1 million for a starter home. That’s the new norm in 237 U.S. cities, up from 84 cities just five years ago. Metros in Wyoming, Colorado and Connecticut are new on the list.
Psst! Most newer TVs have a secret menu: Turn on your TV and press the menu button on your remote. Go to the settings or advanced settings menu. Press the following buttons on your remote in this order: Mute, 1, 8, 2, power. This should bring up the service menu. From here, you can more accurately adjust the white balance, do a factory reset, adjust the color levels or calibrate the screen.

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 forgot the details, we’ll bring these to you in the order they were written.

In this episode, I tell you about the many parties I threw when I owned dealerships. I was known for taking care of my people and especially around Christmas. We threw some amazing parties with memories that will last a lifetime.

Read True Stories #31 →

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.

On Tuesday of this week on the exact route I take to my office, at the same time, there was an accident on I-635, something that is a daily occurrence. But one of the drivers went nuts, stealing a Dept of Transportation truck, wrecking multiple cars, and stabbing people. Luckily witnesses grabbed him and held him until police got there. 3 people were injured, one in critical condition. Watch this under 2-minute report and video from CBS Texas in DFW:

This kid is definitely living his best life. He’s a T-Ball player and in the :60 seconds it takes him to get from the dugout to home plate, he does the funky chicken, the bird, he twerks, the swim, the Charleston---and that’s just in the first half of the video! Watch…maybe we’ll see him in the majors someday.

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 Car Pro 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 Car Pro 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

This week, we welcome KXRA Newstalk Radio Alexandria, MN to the Car Pro Show family! You tune in on Sunday 3-6pm and 9p to Midnight CST on 1490 AM/100.3 FM/105.7 FM.

We've also recently welcomed these new markets:

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)

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→

CarShield Fined $10M By FTC: I Warned You!

U.S. Auto Sales

July U.S. National Auto Sales Report

UPDATE: Is Your Car Spying On You?

Two U.S. Senators Call For An Investigation Into Automakers Selling Your Private Data

WIN A PORSCHE! Help Beat HOMELESSNESS!

Straight Talk And Honest Answers

CarPro.Com Tutorial: Finding a Car, and a Dealer

It's Back-To-School Time!

Check Out Our Newsletter Archive Page!

On The Road: Test Drives

Jerry calls the three-row EV9 an outstanding EV with some really cool features.

A fun, performance-packed special edition that's a throwback to the '80s.

Bumper to Bumper

2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid Gets All-Wheel Drive!

There are other great updates, too, for 2025.

UAW Endorses VP Kamala Harris For President

BBB: Look Out For Toll Road Collection Text Message Scams

AAA Study: Traffic Deaths Increased During Covid

Best Pay-As-You-Go Insurance

GM Arlington Assembly Celebrates 70 Years

Plus the assembly of its 13 millionth vehicle.

Weekly Recalls

True Stories From A Former Car Dealer

Our Factory Incentive Guide

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

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

Where To Find Us

Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds