Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Three stories, one throughline: trust under pressure. We kick off with VinFast’s rocky U.S. rollout—shrinking dealer networks, paused plant plans, and two EVs targeting the toughest price band in the market. We unpack why styling, timing, and the absence of an entry-level hybrid make adoption difficult, and revisit the long game required to win American buyers. Drawing lessons from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, we outline what ...
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Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Three stories, one throughline: trust under pressure. We kick off with VinFast’s rocky U.S. rollout—shrinking dealer networks, paused plant plans, and two EVs targeting the toughest price band in the market. We unpack why styling, timing, and the absence of an entry-level hybrid make adoption difficult, and revisit the long game required to win American buyers. Drawing lessons from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, we outline what ...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Three stories, one throughline: trust under pressure. We kick off with VinFast’s rocky U.S. rollout—shrinking dealer networks, paused plant plans, and two EVs targeting the toughest price band in the market. We unpack why styling, timing, and the absence of an entry-level hybrid make adoption difficult, and revisit the long game required to win American buyers. Drawing lessons from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, we outline what ...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A truck might look ready for tomorrow but still miss today. We start with the Tesla Cybertruck at two years old—viral videos, slipping sales, and a price story that shifted from the initial promise. Predictions assumed a plant operating near full capacity, but the reality of high fixed EV costs, recalls, and a poor fit for traditional truck buyers adds up quickly. While most pickups are sold to those towing, hauling, and enduring ...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The tech cycle keeps turning—covering beige PCs to the early web, from must-have apps to autonomous hype—and now a surge of AI. We examine what actually works: a human-in-the-loop approach that shifts AI from just spraying out content to becoming a disciplined helper. I share my real workflow with multiple models and editors, how I verify sources and citations, and why reading, revising, and pushing back always beat copy-paste. If...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Start with a trail-ready EV that looks unstoppable—then ask the tough questions about energy. We break down the Vanderhall Brawley GTS: quad motors, a climate-controlled cabin, and a 40 kWh pack promising 140 miles. It’s exciting on paper, but what happens when the temperature drops, the trail gets tough, and there’s no charger for days? We explore the real challenges of off-road electrification and the planning mindset that can m...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What happens when an EV startup drops paint, dealers, and traditional service—while a legacy brand doubles down on a rolling sanctuary with a 48-inch display and massage seats for every row? We explore Slate Auto’s bold low-cost truck strategy, the fine print of using independent shops for warranty repairs, and the real risks around training, parts, mobile service expectations, and lemon law recourse. Then, we test the 2025 Lincol...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! In this episode of the TechMobility Podcast, Ken Chester connects the dots between design, powertrains, and autonomy across a rapidly shifting auto landscape. He opens with a look at Volvo’s new ES-90, a sleek full-electric premium car aimed at drivers who are burned out on SUVs but still want space, comfort, and ground clearance. Blending sedan elegance, fastback flexibility, and SUV practicality, the ES-90 targets professionals ...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! This episode of the TechMobility Show travels across three big conversations shaping America’s future: rail, air, and agriculture—then lands on a stark warning about digital surveillance at home. Ken opens with a deep dive into Amtrak’s resurgence, highlighting the railroad’s record-setting ridership, rising revenues, and long-overdue investments in equipment and facilities. After decades of neglect, Amtrak is finally seeing renew...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The Arctic isn’t just ice and maps—it’s a test of national power and supply chains. We start with a candid look at the global icebreaker gap: Russia’s eight nuclear heavy ships, China’s expanding fleet, and a U.S. plan focused on medium icebreakers that may struggle through four-foot ice. We examine what mediums can handle well, why heavy icebreakers still define access and deterrence, and how timing, cost, and reliability will sh...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Power bills, car payments, and grocery expenses don’t happen in isolation—they’re connected to choices about energy, vehicles, buildings, and the technology we use to operate them. We connect these threads to show how reliability, cost, and carbon influence everyday decisions, from the kilowatts that keep cities powered to the monthly payments parked in your driveway. We start with the honest truth about the grid: reliable power r...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What happens when EVs finally offer real range and value, nuclear power receives a major vote of confidence, and trucking prepares for its biggest shakeup in years? We connect the dots between cars, kilowatts, and cargo to show how these shifts collide at the checkout line and on your dashboard. From Chevy’s sub-$35K Equinox EV and a 493-mile Silverado EV to Toyota’s long-range battery plans, we explain why the old arguments about...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The future rarely moves in a straight line—and this week’s episode proves it. We explore four stories that reveal how technology, markets, and human behavior collide in unexpected ways. We begin with GM’s sudden decision to halt the Chevrolet BrightDrop EV vans, just as fleet upfitters and RV manufacturers were getting onboard. We examine why the Zevo 600 platform—AWD, large battery, OTA updates, and Chevrolet’s national service n...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A familiar automotive nameplate gets a bold update. We start with Toyota’s plan to make the Corolla impossible to ignore: a low, wide, sporty design paired with a platform capable of supporting gasoline, hybrid, battery electric, or hydrogen powertrains. Instead of relying on a single future, Toyota is designing for many—shrinking engines without sacrificing power, improving aerodynamics, and using flexible manufacturing to cut le...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The headlines claim car buyers don’t want EVs, yet Mercedes just approved a fully electric CLA and a flexible platform to support hybrids and gas models as well. We explain why platform strategy—not hype—determines winners: amortized R&D, quicker model updates, and the ability to meet demand without risking the entire company on one powertrain. We also discuss pricing pressures, tariffs, and how software services and over-the-...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A phone manufacturer building your next “American” EV might seem crazy—until you see the plan. We explain how Foxconn shifted from making iPhones to building electric cars, why rebadging through a U.S. automaker could unlock scale, and how tariffs, incentives, and dealer networks influence what actually ends up in your driveway. The past offers clues—Chevy LUV, Ford Courier—and the future arrives on private-label platforms. We the...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A $200 belt buckle for your Ford F-150 key fob, police cruisers going electric, and oil prices refusing to sit still—this isn’t noise, it’s a map of how mobility really changes. We open with Ford’s limited-run “Truckle,” a handcrafted buckle that holds your key fob in plain sight. It’s clever and clearly a brand flex, but we question the practical trade-offs: is hands-free access worth the security risk of your keys sitting on you...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! While a luxury sedan bids farewell, the bigger story is how mobility continues to evolve. The departure of the Lexus LS Heritage Edition marks the end of the original model line that set new standards for quality and service. Next, we ask a key question: can legacy brands still craft designs that inspire, while new competitors raise the bar? From impressive Genesis cabins to standout models like the Lincoln Nautilus, w...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What if an electric SUV could accelerate like a supercar, hit the road like a gas guzzler, and charge 200 miles in roughly 11 minutes? We explore Lucid Gravity’s engineering choices—high-voltage architecture, ultra-efficient motors, and a smart route to Supercharger access—that turn range anxiety into range confidence. Along the way, we discuss tradeoffs, real charging times, and how clever power electronics make cross-network fas...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What if being “late” saved you billions—but cost you the future? We examine Stellantis’ decision to cancel the pure-electric Ram 1500 and explore the larger question behind it: whether pausing EV investments during a downturn preserves cash or erodes the expertise needed to succeed later. From GM’s Ultium investment to Nissan’s early lead with the Leaf—and how it slipped—we connect the dots on how timing, tooling, and relentless R...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What happens when the auto supply chain starts to wobble, a family SUV hits most of the right notes, and a startup promises a personal Level 4 robocar you can actually own? We connect the dots between factory floors, dealer lots, and your driveway to map out what’s next—and what to avoid. We begin with a clear look at supplier stress: one-fifth of automotive suppliers are already struggling financially, and tariffs plus specialty ...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Think the Camaro name can’t live on as an EV crossover? Let’s test that idea. We explore why legacy coupes struggle financially, how Ford’s Mach‑E shifted the market, and why GM’s Ultium platform—and Chevrolet's Blazer SS EV running gear—could make a performance-focused Camaro revival more than just a rumor. Instant torque, AWD grip, and fewer moving parts aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the economic and emotional reasons for a new...
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Three stories, one throughline: trust under pressure. We kick off with VinFast’s rocky U.S. rollout—shrinking dealer networks, paused plant plans, and two EVs targeting the toughest price band in the market. We unpack why styling, timing, and the absence of an entry-level hybrid make adoption difficult, and revisit the long game required to win American buyers. Drawing lessons from Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, we outline what ...
