Top Ford Motor Company Exec Joins Jerry On This Weekend's Show To Discuss Jerry's Open Letter To Ford CEO

July 19, 2024

I hope you had a great week thus far, and that the temperatures are not too hot! It looks like all our Houston friends have electricity again, but much cleanup still remains. If you lost a car in the hurricane, talk to one of our certified Dealers, they are committed to helping those in need. Also, be sure to read my article on the FAQ page under insurance for how to deal with an insurance adjuster.

We start today with the news that an Officer of Ford Motor Company, and their Chief Communications Officer, Mark Truby, will join me on the Car Pro Show in the morning to discuss the open letter I sent to Ford CEO Jim Farley. Details of the interview tomorrow are below, along with a heartfelt thank you from me regarding that letter. If you missed the audio of last week’s show, I have it below, and if you missed last week’s newsletter, it is on the newsletter archive page, which is under the radio tab at CarPro.com.

DFW PROGRAMMING NOTE: The WBAP 93.3 FM tower was struck by lightning recently. Those repairs will take place this Saturday, so just for this week join us on 820 AM, at 99.5 HD2 or at WBAP.com.

I also have the mid-year sales report, a heads-up about falling used car prices, and just for fun, check out the $17 million dollar house I found in Oklahoma City with a 33-car garage.

Also below, the least expensive sedans to insure, over a million cars were stolen in 2023, Mazda introduces the CX-50 hybrid SUV, Ram Truck heads back to the big screen in the movie Twisters that comes out today, and you’ll see that car buyers in the 2nd quarter had to really stretch their budgets to get a new set of wheels.

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 urge you to teach your kids and grandkids the basics of cars. This can be a huge help to them long after you are gone. I am thankful my Dad did that for me, and in turn, I did it for my Son, may he rest in peace.

In reviews, I have the nifty 2025 Chevy Trax SUV and you’ll love the price! Double duty for our Amy Plemons this week as she gives you full reviews of the 2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige, a beautiful ragtop, and the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited electric sedan.

We have another True Story from a Former Car Dealer below. This is a series of 40 stories written by me. Today, #28 is titled: Sports. This is the story of my interaction with sports figures in the Dallas area, and one time in particular that involved yours truly stealing something from the home of Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones. Luckily, the statute of limitations has run out!

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!

As we discussed last week on the Car Pro Show, I had a conversation with Mark Truby, the Chief Communication Officer for the Ford Motor Company about the open letter I wrote to Ford CEO Jim Farley. He enlightened me on some of the challenges Ford and the other automakers were facing to be in compliance with federal mandates.

I invited him and/or Jim Farley to join me on the radio show so my listeners could hear it directly. Mark has agreed to do so this Saturday morning, July 20, 2024. I appreciate the opportunity to let Ford set the record straight, and as I stated last week, appreciated them reaching out to me. A similar letter to General Motors CEO Mary Barra was ignored.

This is an interview you don’t want to miss. We’ll be live at 9:35 Central on WBAP 820 AM and 99.5 FM HD2 in Dallas-Fort Worth and streaming at WBAP.com. I will replay the interview in its entirety on the nationally syndicated show at 11:35 AM Central across the country. You can click the LISTEN LIVE button at CarPro.com to catch it there, and the podcast will be posted this Saturday by 2:30 PM at our website. You can check local radio station listings here.

About Mark Truby

Mark Truby is chief communications officer of the Ford Motor Company, a position to which he was appointed May 22, 2017. At that time, he also was elected a Ford Motor Company officer. He reports to Jim Farley, Ford CEO.

Truby leads all of the company’s global communications and public relations activities. His role includes building the company’s reputation globally and helping to lead communications that reach Ford’s external and internal audiences, including customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, news media, communities, governments, and policy makers.

Truby joined Ford in 2007 as director of global corporate communications. He has also served as communications director for Bill Ford, vice president, Communications, Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa, and most recently, vice president, Communications, Ford Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining Ford, Truby was an award-winning reporter and editor at The Detroit News. Born in 1970, he is a graduate of Marshall University in West Virginia.

Photo Credit: Ford.

Just a quick note to say thank you to all those who reached out to me regarding the letter I wrote to Ford CEO Jim Farley. I have written many, many things through the years, and I will say that I have never been given such a response from people. I expected some pushback from some, it always happens, but virtually none this time. The outpouring from listeners, newsletter subscribers, followers on social media, friends in the auto industry, and the big surprise: current and former employees of Ford Motor Company, was tremendous and gratifying.

Will anything come from the letter? I am not sure. The good news is I learned about the pressure automakers are under to balance the portfolios and continue to do business. Even with that, I wouldn’t change a word of what I wrote. I still believe that those who want an electric vehicle should have that opportunity and they should have great choices.

I also believe that the huge majority, at least for now, that are not ready for an electric, should be the focus of automakers. I still say you can’t force people to buy a vehicle they don’t want. Further, I don’t think the hard-working taxpayers should fund rebates to those who want an EV.

Whether you agree or disagree, this has been a lively conversation since Tesla became a real player in the auto industry, and I’ll always be appreciative to Elon Musk for doing so.

I thank Mark Truby of Ford for getting back to me and I thank Jim Farley for asking him to and saying he was a fan. I had hoped for some sort of response from the CEO of General Motors, but it didn’t happen. I invited Mark and/or Jim to come on my show so you could hear their side of the issue, and as we now know, that is happening in the morning on the Car Pro Show.

No doubt the EV discussion will continue. EVs will continue to evolve, and some electric carmakers will go by the wayside such as Fisker. Likely, over the next 20 years, there will be a mix of different power trains making your car go. Perhaps some that we haven’t even heard of yet. The one thing I know for sure: The love affair between Americans and their cars will continue long after I am gone.

If you missed the audio from last Saturday’s show about the letter to the Ford CEO, you can listen in here.

Thank you for indulging me, and your support of the Car Pro Show and newsletter.

Jerry Reynolds

THE NEXT CARPRO | VEHICLE FOR GOOD SWEEPSTAKES is officially on! We're calling this one the “PORSCHE WITH A PURPOSE” campaign. Here are some of the highlights:

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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:

Over 100 million people hit by this breach: Every single AT&T cellular customer was caught in a massive breach. The privacy implications are scary. Here’s what to do if you’re one of them.
Too connected: The younger a kid is when they receive their first smartphone, the worse off their mental health is as an adult. Case in point: In the past, young adults were happier than those in middle age. But from 2011 on, there's a big decline in mental health for younger folks. Not a coincidence: Social media and smartphone usage exploded in the 2010s.
You, on the dark web: Google’s dark web report service will soon be free for anyone with a Google account. On the Results about you page, you’ll see any personal info that may have been stolen or found in a data breach. Look for it later this month.
Such a lug nut: Advance Auto Parts is notifying 2.3 million folks about a data breach. They say it only impacts current and former employees and job applicants, but samples of the leaked data suggest it could include customer info, too. Argh.
Don’t trust Amazon reviews: More proof is out that Amazon sellers are trading cash and free products for five-star ratings. Some even pay for negative reviews on competitors' pages. Tips to spot the fakes? Language and timing. Look for multiple reviews using similar phrasing with no details.

The Ram Trucks Brand is returning to the big screen this weekend! The automaker is teaming up once again with Universal Pictures, this time for a starring role in the new Twisters movie that's being called a standalone sequel to 1996's blockbuster Twister. That movie featured a red 1995 then-Dodge Ram 2500.

Fun fact: Glen Powell who stars in the new movie is a Ram truck owner himself. Check out the Ram Truck movie marketing campaign at the link below:

Poster Credit: Stellantis/Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures/Amblin Entertainment.

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 sports affiliations when I was in the car business. I tell you about sports celebrities I met and worked with including Dallas Cowboy’s Owner Jerry Jones. I tell you how he screwed the DFW Ford dealers over, how he got us back, and about a time I had dinner at his home. There is a surprise ending that I can tell now that the statute of limitations has run out.

Read True Stories #28 →

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.

This sweet wife was trying to help her busy husband by taking the car in for service. While there, she got a great deal on a special they were having for “Premium Air” in the front tires for just $250. Not regular air, premium air. The husband is flabbergasted as you would expect, but stay tuned for a surprise at the end of this short video. If you need a good laugh, this is it!

Starting with the Ford Raptor and with every zillion horsepower monster pickup since, I always ask Jerry if it’s capable of climbing a vertical rock wall. Jerry always demurs with his answer but now we have a new answer with an old truck. Watch this old monster truck (with a little help from a friend) climb straight up a rock wall in :30. I’m glad I wasn’t behind the wheel. I bet you probably agree.

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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!

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We've recently welcomed some new markets to the Car Pro 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)

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→

Ford's Mark Truby Joins Me In The AM! Don't Miss It!

A Note Of Thanks From The Car Pro

U.S. Auto Sales

Mid-Year 2024 Auto Sales Report: All Automakers Reporting

Q2 Car Buyers Had To Stretch Budgets

Used Car Prices Fall For 3rd Straight Month

Straight Talk And Honest Answers

WIN A PORSCHE! Help Beat HOMELESSNESS!

Check Out Our Newsletter Archive Page!

Ram Trucks Star In New Twisters Movie

$17 Million Mansion Features 33-Car Garage!

On The Road: Test Drives

The Trax has been a huge home run for Chevy and its dealers. Find out why Jerry says it's easy to see why it's been such a hit!

Gorgeous looks, exceptional engineering and superb handling make the 2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet a sporty drop-top to love.

A sporty performer with fantastic technology, the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a terrific all-electric sedan.

Bumper to Bumper

Follow-Up: The Least Expensive Sedans To Insure

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime makes this list.

What Next? Play "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" In Your BMW

Mazda Introduces New 2025 CX-50 Hybrid

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Over 1 Million Vehicles Stolen In 2024

IIHS: Partial Car Automation Not Preventing Crashes

Weekly Recalls

True Stories From A Former Car Dealer

Our Factory Incentive Guide

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Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

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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.

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Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds