EXCLUSIVE: Jerry's Weekly Auto Roundup, Plus 2025 Mercedes-Benz S 580e, 2025 VW ID. Buzz, 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and 2025 VW Taos Test Drives

March 21, 2025

Dear CarPro Family,

We are in the last 10 days of March and that means a couple of things. We welcomed spring officially yesterday and the end of the month AND end of the first quarter push is now on! All the automakers will be activating incentive increases to try to pad quarterly numbers. In addition, it is Truck Month in Texas and California, and all the truck & SUV deals are exceptional right now. Lastly, if you are looking at a Japanese brand vehicle, like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura all those company’s fiscal year ends March 31, and they want to finish the year strong. It’s the perfect storm for car buyers and as you know, I have great Certified Dealers at CarPro.com.

In stories today, one of my favorite surveys: The J.D. Power Dealer Service study results. I also tell you that used electric vehicle prices continue to fall, and in another story, new car average prices actually went up in February, but I also give you the likely reason for that. Thinking about getting a hybrid? I give you 5 compelling reasons you should. I kept warning you about used car dealer Vroom, there is a settlement coming for some of its customers. In our auto insurance Q & A, we answer the question: What types of auto insurance policies are offered?

Don’t miss Kim Komando’s Tech Tips and other useful info below, and in advice today I tell you to beware of scams when it comes to buying or selling a car online and tell you about a person who got ripped off buying a car. Bonus advice! In a second article, I tell you how to get your car ready for summer.

In car reviews, I had a GREAT week, and bring you two reviews. I have the much-anticipated 2025 VW ID. Buzz, the retro van that is finally here as an all-electric. I also had the 2025 Mercedes-Benz flagship S 580e sedan, and this one is a plug-in hybrid. Our Amy Plemons gives you a full and complete review of the all-new 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and redesigned 2025 VW Taos.

Check the recall section to see if you may need to take action on your vehicle. Miss a radio show? Below we tell you how to get the podcast, and if you missed a newsletter, we tell you how to find the archive page where you can see the last 10 editions. The incentives have gone up lately, but our Incentive Guide is always 100% up to date.

Plus, lots of other information you will likely enjoy, including my video of the week which is always one of the most clicked on items in the newsletter. If you haven’t perused my FAQ page, please do. There are likely multiple articles you can use, every one of them written by me.

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, carpro.com, it changes all the time!

Have a terrific week. See you on the radio!

Each week I bring you the top stories in the auto industry along with my commentary or sometimes amusing thoughts about the craziness that goes on in the world of cars. Here is this week’s edition:

Warning to those people who are damaging Teslas: Messing up Teslas has gotten to be a thing. People are burning them, vandalizing them, scratching them with keys, spray painting them, and who knows what else all over the country. I get it, some people don’t like Elon Musk, but does that give you license to harm a complete strangers car just because of what they drive? If you are considering partaking in this illegal activity, just know that all Teslas have this thing called SENTRY MODE. When they are parked, you can bet that every Tesla owner in America turns Sentry Mode on. It is a perimeter camera system that will take amazing pictures of you. It is recording from: Front: Two cameras are mounted to the windshield above the rear view mirror. Side: Two cameras are located in the side-mounted badge turn signal assembly. Rear: One camera is mounted above the rear license plate. Cabin: A cabin-facing camera is also located above the rear-view mirror in certain models. B-Pillar: Two cameras are located on the “B” pillar facing down and forward. Fender: A camera is mounted to each front fender, so be sure to smile pretty because you are going on the news tonight, and you are going to be all over the World Wide Web. If you need any more of a deterrent, don’t think Andy Taylor and Barney Fife are going to put you in a cell with the key hanging within reach. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says she’ll prosecute these cases as Domestic Terrorism. That will get you 20 years in a federal penitentiary. Make. Better. Choices.

Just a horribly sad story: Not auto industry related, but wow, how terrible is this? In San Diego, on November 5, 2023, some 16 months ago, a drunk driver ran into two parked cars. The driver was arrested and both parked vehicles were towed away. Over a month later, the employees at the storage yard the vehicles were taken to noticed a smell coming from a Honda Odyssey minivan, one of the two parked vehicles that were damaged in the drunk driving incident. A closer look revealed the body of 65-year old Monica Cameroni De Adams. The woman was homeless and sleeping in the second row of her van when the accident happened. Unfortunately, the San Diego police did not check the van closely to see if anyone was inside. Jordan Lopez was arrested for drunk driving after the incident. Police did try to reach the lady’s family but were unable to reach them. It was only later the family discovered what had happened to their mother. The drunk driver faces six years in prison, but avoided a manslaughter charge because it was likely Ms. De Adams was alive immediately after the wreck. The mind races wondering how long the poor lady laid in that van suffering. Could she have been saved? We shall never know with certainty, but the family of the deceased lady has filed a tort claim, the first step towards a lawsuit, against the City of San Diego. I have to say, it’s hard to blame them.

Does anybody care about self-driving cars? I’ve wondered this myself. There is a lot of energy and billions of dollars being put into making your car self-driving, but is it wasted because nobody really cares about it? I’ve wondered this myself and have asked a good number of my Car Pro Dealers how many people have walked into their showrooms asking for a self-driving car. 100% of them said ZERO. For me, even after all these years, I still enjoy driving, or maybe it is just because I like being in control, or perhaps after all the stories about people being killed by Tesla’s “auto pilot” I just don’t trust it. There is a plus side to these robotic sedans we’ve learned! It is good for tax revenue. Waymo has had 300 self-driving Jaguars on the streets of San Francisco now for several years. As it turns out, there have been some accidents, but no serious injuries, they don’t really go fast enough for that. It does appear the driverless cars (like some people with driver licenses) can’t properly park. Waymo cars were issued 589 parking citations last year raking in $65,000 in revenue. Another complaint on Waymo happened last August. It seems these cars park themselves in a Waymo parking lot at night. Last summer, as the cars were coming into the storage lot, they started honking at each other in the middle of the night, keeping nearby neighbors awake. As the cars drove through the parking lot, the parked cars were concerned they were going to be run into and started honking-as if there were a human inside to react. My memory isn’t that great, but I don’t remember George Jetson having these kinds of issues with his space-age car, and that was in 1962.

Do you use midgrade gasoline, and if so, why? I have told you many times that even though your car says it requires or recommends premium fuel, it is highly likely that it will run just fine on regular unleaded, saving you around 50-cents per gallon. It is one of the most popular articles I have written on my FAQ page. But what about midgrade? Do you ever consider it? I know I don’t, in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever used it in my lifetime. I don’t even give it a thought, except I recently read an article on the subject. This begs the question: Why do gas stations even offer it? It seems to be a money grab for unsuspecting consumers who think the more you pay for something, the better it is. As most adults know, this is not always the case. I drive a lot of different cars every year and don’t recall opening the gas flap to see MIDGRADE FUEL IS REQUIRED or even recommended. Some seem to think this all dates back to around 1995 when America was transitioning from leaded gas to unleaded gas. At that time, there were three choices: leaded, unleaded regular, and unleaded premium. Once the change was made to nothing but unleaded gas, there was still an extra button at the pumps, so some genius came up with midgrade gas. As it turns out, the refineries don’t spend any time making midgrade. So, what are you getting for that extra quarter per gallon? The answer is a blend of regular and premium. Most gas stations only have two underground storage tanks, three if they sell diesel fuel. They certainly would not spend the money on an underground tank that has such a low take rate. When you get the mix of the two primary grades, do you really know if it is 50/50 mixture? Hell no. It could be 4 parts regular and 1 part premium and it is still a blend, right? Just remember, putting a higher octane fuel than is called for by the factory does absolutely no good, and actually could do the car harm. So, save that quarter per gallon by not purchasing midgrade. Just remember, for every 10 gallons of regular gas you purchase, avoiding buying midgrade, you can buy yourself an egg-if you are a smart shopper.

That’s it for this week. Until next week, Car Pro over and out.

editorial-use-only-shutterstock- 2226037685-Around the World Photos

Used Electric Vehicle Prices Plummet

Yes, I just got an electric car myself last week and everyone knows resale value is a big deal to me. So, is this a concern for me? Not in the least. Luckily, I listen to my own radio show and know that if you want an electric car, LEASE it, don't buy it. WAY too much uncertainty. It is a good thing I did, used EV prices are dropping like a rock, while the rest of the used car market is holding steady. That is great news if you have a gas or hybrid trade-in. Our friends at iSeeCars.com did an in-depth study on this subject.

Q: What are the types of insurance coverages offered?

A: Most insurance companies, including Farmers, let you pick and choose the coverage that’s right for you. But if you’re confused about different auto coverage options or how much coverage you might want, here are the most common coverages:

Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage helps pay for losses or damage to your car caused by incidents like theft, vandalism, hail, wind, fire and more.

Example: A sudden hailstorm cracks your car’s windshield and dents your roof and hood. Comprehensive coverage can help when your car is damaged by something other than a collision

Collision coverage: When you’re in a crash with other vehicles or objects, collision coverage can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle.

Example: You lose traction on an icy road and your car slides into a guardrail. Collision coverage can help repair damage to your car — or compensate you for its value if it’s a total loss.

Liability coverage: Required by law in most states, liability provides coverage for the cost of injury to others and damage to their car or property when you’re at fault in an accident.

Example: You cause a minor collision in rush-hour traffic. Another car is damaged, and the driver complains of neck pain. Liability coverage can help to compensate the driver for injuries and pay for repairs to the driver’s car.

Uninsured and under-insured motorist coverages: Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) helps pay costs if you or your passengers are injured by the driver of an uninsured vehicle. Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) helps pay to repair your car if it is damaged by an uninsured vehicle. Underinsured motorist coverages can help pay costs associated with injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has insurance but doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages.

Example: You suffer minor injuries when another driver runs a red light and clips your car’s rear fender. The other driver is at fault and doesn’t have insurance. UMBI coverage can help pay costs associated with injuries (up to your policy limit) when caused by an at-fault driver who does not have insurance. UMPD can help pay to repair your car.

Roadside assistance: If your car is disabled, roadside assistance coverage can provide 24/7 service and cover costs for things like towing, a tire change, locksmith service and jump starts.

Example: You’re on a family road trip to the beach when your car’s battery dies. With roadside assistance, a service operator can meet you at your location to charge your battery, or it can help pay for the service to replace a battery.

Special thanks to Farmers Insurance & DFW Farmers Agent Melissa Bankard in Richardson, TX for providing this insight. You can visit her Farmers web page here.

Besides the Car Pro Show and our weekly newsletter, my other favorite radio show and newsletter is Kim Komando’s. We're 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 items I found this week that I think might be of interest:

Don’t fall for this! Fake CAPTCHA tests are popping up. They’ll ask you to do three things: Press Windows Key + R (opens the Run command box), then Ctrl + V (pastes “I am not a robot – reCAPTCHA Verification ID: XXXX”) and hit Enter. You’ve just executed a hidden prompt that downloads malware onto your computer.
Busted by their own getaway car: Three men were arrested for home thefts across North Carolina. Their rented SUV had a GPS tracker that logged their whereabouts for the past two to three weeks, linking them to more crimes in at least 10 North Carolina counties.
Over $1 billion In unclaimed tax refunds from 2021 will expire in four weeks. If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return, act fast or that money goes straight to the U.S. Treasury … forever. The average refund is $781, but some could get as much as $6,728! The deadline is April 15, 2025. See if you’re eligible on the IRS website.
Update your iPhone and iPad ASAP! Apple found a serious security bug that could let hackers bypass protections if you load malicious web content. Affected devices include the iPhone XS and later, iPad Air 3rd gen and later, multiple iPad Pros, plus plenty of others. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Need help but can’t speak? In many areas of the USA, you can text 911 instead of calling. It’s not available everywhere, so it’s best to check ahead. Visit text911.info to see if it works in your area. It could literally save your life.
$5,000 Price of Lamborghini’s baby stroller. The Reef AL Arancio is like a supercar for infants. It has car-like brake pedals, Italian leather and Lamborghini’s iconic logo. They teamed up with Silver Cross to create this “super stroller.” Only 500 were made, so these bougie babies will stand out.

Wow, this is happening in my own area of DFW to local new car dealers. It seems there is an online “influencer” (I hate that term) posing as a car buyer, going into area dealerships and test driving some really fast cars. At times, the driver reaches speeds of over 100 miles per hour and is filming the whole thing while a petrified salesperson is praying he or she isn’t going to die. Our friends at CBS Texas channel 11 DFW covered the story that is slightly less than 5 minutes and runs after an ad. Something tells me he’ll get a visit from a nice police officer very soon.

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.

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
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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 Todd Chambless 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.

Recent additions to our affiliate family include:

KLXX 1270 AM Bismark-Madan North Dakota
- Saturday 5p to 6p CT (Replay)
KKTK AM 1400/FM 97.1 in Texarkana, TX
- Saturday: 12 noon to 3 pm CT (Replay)
KQEW 102.3 FM in Fordyce, Arkansas
- Saturday 5PM - 8PM 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
Listen to the WBAP Podcast (up every Tuesday)→

Each week I bring you the top stories in the auto industry along with my commentary or sometimes amusing thoughts about the craziness that goes on in the world of cars. Here is this week’s edition:

Straight Talk and Honest Answers

CarPro Advice: Beware Online Car Scams

U.S. Auto Sales

Straight Talk and Honest Answers

CarPro Advice: 7 Ways To Prep Your Car For Summer

Highboy For Heroes Sweepstakes!

SPRING BREAK!

25% off 3 entry levels ends Monday 3/24!

Q&A: What Types of Car Insurance Are There?

On The Road: Test Drives

2025 Mercedes-Benz S 580e Plug-in Hybrid

Talk about pure luxury and amazing performance!

2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

If you're looking for a vehicle with a real cool factor, this is it!

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

Say hello to the exciting new era in Audi electrification! The Q6 e-tron is a technological marvel!

2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL

A great refresh gives the Taos new style, new tech and more power.

Bumper to Bumper: Industry News

J.D. Power Dealer Service Satisfaction Survey Porsche Ranks No. 1.

Redesigned 2026 Genesis GV70 Details

EPA Considers Rolling Back Fuel Economy Standards

AAA: Cannabis and Driving Study

Which Electrified Vehicle Is Most Likely To Be Totaled

5 Reasons To Consider A Hybrid Vehicle

Vroom Customers Receive Almost A Million Dollars

Weekly Recalls

Our Incentive Guide

Kim Komando's Tech Tips and Useful Info

Check Out Our Newsletter Archive Page!

Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

Jerry's Must-See Video Of The Week!

Exclusive Approved Products & Services

It's Here! The CarPro Merchandise Shop!

Subscribe to the free DFW Newsletter

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

Searching For A New Or Used Vehicle?

FAQ: Research Your Questions Before You Shop

You Have 5 Hours To Call The Show!

Where to Find Us

Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds

CarPro Advice:
7 Ways To Prep Your Car For Summer

J.D. Power Dealer Service Satisfaction Survey
Porsche Ranks No. 1.