2025 Nissan Altima SR Sedan Review TechMobility Topics podcast

8:38

Coffee. As the cost of it continues to rise due to increasingly volatile climate patterns, the demand for coffee is increasing. The United States actually grows very little coffee within its borders. To meet this demand, enter beanless coffee. YIKES!

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Your City is Sinking! 9:04

3 days ago9:04

9:04

As if you don’t have enough to be concerned about, consider this: the land underneath the largest cities in the United States is sinking, threatening buildings, roads, and rail lines, according to new research. But that sinking, known as subsidence, is not happening in the same way, in each place, or even the same way across one city.…

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The Premium Delivery Alternative to Uber & Doordash! 9:08

3 days ago9:08

9:08

His name is Herb Coakley, former Uber and Lyft driver and founder of Mystro , an app that helped gig workers juggle multiple platforms. Now he’s back with Courial , a premium delivery service that respects the people doing the work and wows the people receiving it. Listen to this episode to learn more!…

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Low Priced EV Truck to Take on Tesla 9:08

3 days ago9:08

9:08

It's called Slate and its a Jeff Bezos-backed effort to bring a low priced (less than $20K) EV truck to American motorists. It's low price means plastic fenders and panels, hand crank windows and bring your own entertainment. Is there a real market for this vehicle? Listen to the podcast to learn more.…

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China's Army of Ghost Cargo Trucks 8:38

9 days ago8:38

8:38

Imagine passing a truck on the Interstate at highway speed that doesn’t have a cab for a driver. That is in fact just a flat wall crowned with sensors and cameras. In China, these futuristic yet cheap-looking trucks are part of a fleet of driverless light trucks that can carry 1,000 parcels autonomously over a range of 110 miles. Sound far-fetched? It’s happening in China right now, and some form of it is in America’s immediate future.…

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Are Tiny Home Villages the Answer? 9:06

9 days ago9:06

9:06

Tiny houses. With the stock of affordable housing severely diminished in many parts of the country, the rise of tiny houses offers some people an alternative when considering a safe place to live. A twist on that concept is the rise of tiny house villages, often near or just outside small towns in rural America. Could this be a win-win for all?…

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2025 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV review 9:16

9 days ago9:16

9:16

The Mitsubishi Outlander was originally introduced to American motorists at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle – ASX standing for Active Sports Crossover. Replacing the body-on-frame Montero Sport in North America, the Outlander went on sale during the 2003 model year. The fourth and current generation of the Outlander debuted in 2021 for the 2022 model year. As part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, the Outlander is based on the Nissan Rogue which rides on the CMF-CD platform. For 2025, the seven-passenger Outlander gets a mid-cycle refresh with revised front and rear styling along with greater levels of luxury in materials and design throughout the interior.…

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Where EV Chargers Are At Parity with Gasoline Stations 9:15

9 days ago9:15

9:15

As of the end of 2024, the State of California had 48 percent MORE electric vehicle chargers than gas pump nozzles at 178,549. This compares of just 120,000 gasoline nozzles. However, only 17,000 of the chargers are fast chargers with the rest being the slower Level 2 chargers.

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Secret Radio Stations in America 8:36

9 days ago8:36

8:36

On secret radio stations nationwide, a decades old news service has survived the move to digital. They are called radio reading services and they perform a vital function for the visually impaired.

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Automaker Logistics of Made in America 8:59

9 days ago8:59

8:59

Building a vehicle starts with years of planning, thousands of global suppliers and available workers, millions of square feet of factory space, and billions of dollars in capital expenditures. It takes years to bring a new factory on-line, assuming you have the people and engineering staff to run the factory. It is not something that companies do quickly or on a whim. There are financial and logistical concerns that must be taken into consideration – often over a large number of years. These are the logistics of the American auto industry.…

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Duolingo Replace Human Workers with AI 9:05

9 days ago9:05

9:05

It’s official: Duolingo, the language learning tech company, will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” – that’s a direct quote from the company. In case you still think that AI displacement of workers is years in the future, guess again!

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Mercedes Solar Paint Adds Miles to EV Range 9:29

9 days ago9:29

9:29

Mercedes-Benz is working on a solar "paintwork" that could give EVs thousands of miles of additional range per year. These are new types of solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodies of electric vehicles. These efforts could eventually pave the way for a wafer-thin layer of paint that could generate additional 8,699 miles of range per year.…

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EVs Require Changes to Highway Safety Tech 10:39

17 days ago10:39

10:39

According to a recent article in Roads and Bridges magazine, testing shows the need for new roadside safety hardware standards for EVs. Roadside safety hardware like guardrails, median barriers, bridge rails, crash cushions, end treatments and breakaway support structures are designed to protect life and minimize injuries in the event of a crash. I discuss.…

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AI Overlords vs Human Jobs: What happens when humans are not needed? 10:55

17 days ago10:55

10:55

Artificial Intelligence. Its hard to imagine how we got here in just three short years from the introduction of ChatGPT. As businesses and organizations around the globe rushed to infuse their very existence with AI, its ability to digest and summarize unimaginable amounts of data have already brought us to the brink of excluding human workers from the demands of daily commerce. Few periods in modern history have been as unsettled and uncertain as the one that we are living through right now. Can a case be made for saving human jobs? You need to listen to this podcast to find out!…

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2025 Hyundai Tucson SUV review 10:10

17 days ago10:10

10:10

The Hyundai Tucson. Named after an Arizona city and launched in 2004, it is the automaker’s best-selling model globally, having sold over 7 million units since its introduction. Positioned as a smaller alternative to the Santa Fe, the Tucson rides on a platform sourced from the Elantra sedan and is the mechanical sibling to the Kia Sportage. Currently in its fourth generation, Tucson has been thoroughly refreshed for the 2025 model year. I share my impressions in this review.…

TechMobility Topics

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The Economic Case for Electric Vocational Trucks 11:15

17 days ago11:15

11:15

As both trucking fleets and truck manufacturers wade through what the industry calls the "messy middle" from ICE to EVs, PACCAR's Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates are making a compelling argument for EVs in the vocational truck segment. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

TechMobility Topics

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Virtual Reality Facilitates Automotive Technician Training 10:34

17 days ago10:34

10:34

Throughout the United States, many a local new car dealer has a continuing need for experienced service technicians. So much the more now, with the increasing sophistication of the engineering and technical design. Working with local community colleges and high schools, shrinking budgets and changing priorities means that very often, the local resources are not available to the dealership for recruitment. As you might expect, its technology to the rescue, but not in the way you may assume.…

TechMobility Topics

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The Gas Station of the Future 11:04

17 days ago11:04

11:04

A recent article in the business magazine Fast Company talked about a gas station of the future and the company behind it. Nope, they haven’t given up on decarbonization, but what they are using for a feedstock to create the new fuels will surprise you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.

TechMobility Topics

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The Amazing Benefits of Urban Forests 10:08

17 days ago10:08

10:08

Trees. They are amazing tools of nature – they absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They shade our neighborhoods during the Spring and Summer, lowering temperatures by as much as fifteen degrees. They absorb noise, reducing noise pollution. And they are often pretty to look at. What’s not to love? Does your city benefit from this urban canopy? Listen to this podcast to learn more.…

TechMobility Topics

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Why BYD's Fast Charging Platform is a Game Changer 11:28

17 days ago11:28

11:28

BYD, a leading Chinese EV manufacturer, has developed what it calls a Super e-Platform for its EVs that promises charging as fast as refueling, allowing for 249 of range in just five minutes of charging. More importantly, the company is making that technology standard on almost all of its vehicles, regardless of price point. Learn why this will quickly become a game changer for EV adoption rates.…

TechMobility Topics

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Work Zone Safety Tech 10:29

22 days ago10:29

10:29

According to the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and 37,701 were injured in work zone crashes. Most of those deaths were motorists! Technology is being deployed to reduce both the severity and frequency of these collisions. We take a look.

TechMobility Topics

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OMG! Longer Car Loans - Is Affordability Still a Thing? 11:01

22 days ago11:01

11:01

I remember a time when you could purchase a decently equipped NEW car (1970’s definition) for right around $4,000 with a monthly payment spreading out over 36 months of about $140/month. To be fair, decently equipped in the mid 1970’s was a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, single speaker AM/FM radio and an electric rear window defogger. Also worthy of note, build quality was spotty for EVERYBODY – even the Japanese at the time, and a vehicle with 100,000 miles on the odometer was overdue at the junkyard. Today is very different all the way around. The average transaction price is hovering around $50,000 with monthly payments and payment plans extending well into the future. Is this the edge of vehicle affordability?…

TechMobility Topics

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2025 Volkswagen GLI Sports Sedan review 10:13

22 days ago10:13

10:13

The Volkswagen Jetta was launched by the automaker in 1980 to fill a sedan niche slightly above the firm’s Golf (then known in the States as the Rabbit), hatchback. Sold globally and known by variety of model names, the Jetta has grown in size and power with each generation. With millions sold over its model run, the Volkswagen Jetta continues to be popular with motorists. The performance-oriented Jetta GLI was first introduced into the American marketplace for the 1984 model year. After the successful launch of the Golf GTI – or as it was known here, the Rabbit GTI – Volkswagen decided to create a similar sporty version of the Jetta. Unlike the Golf GTI, the top-of-the-line Jetta had a four-door option, seating for five and a spacious trunk, which better fit the needs of the average American family. Now in its seventh generation, I consider its position in the American marketplace from behind the wheel.…

TechMobility Topics

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Ford Adds Anti-Theft Protections for F-150 app 9:33

22 days ago9:33

9:33

Every 31 seconds, a car gets stolen in America. Since the Ford F-150 pickup truck has been the most popular vehicle sold in the country for over 40 years, it makes sense to surmise that many of those thefts would be of the popular truck. Now Ford is offering new F-150 owners a mobile app engine immobilizer as part of its new Ford Security Package. We review.…

TechMobility Topics

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How Gen Z is Changing the Way America Drinks Coffee 10:32

22 days ago10:32

10:32

Coffee. Regular or decaf(!), black, or with cream and/or sugar, hot or iced, fancy or not. Everybody has a preference. As for me, regular hot coffee with a dash of half and half with PLENTY of sugar! Speaking of preference, it seems that Gen Z is on a different page – as a group, they like it cold, sweet, and loaded with creamer. IS NOTHING SACRED? We look at how the coffee industry is pivoting to this new reality.…

TechMobility Topics

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How the Dealer Plans to Sell You MORE Than Just the Car! 11:09

22 days ago11:09

11:09

When it comes to purchasing a vehicle at your local car dealership, the usual interaction with the dealership’s F&I Department (that stands for Finance and Insurance) is once the deal has been made and financing is being discussed. However, there are additional new products available that they want to sell you at vehicle purchase. We review some of the offerings.…

TechMobility Topics

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Why Public Transit is Safer 10:04

22 days ago10:04

10:04

According to a recent article in Scientific American magazine, the rates of fatal crashes and crime are both LOWER on public transportation than on roadways. While there is a common perception in the United States that taking public transit is dangerous, the truth is quite the opposite. We discuss.

TechMobility Topics

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Are You a Deep Fake? 11:24

22 days ago11:24

11:24

Are you a deep fake? Your local new car dealer wants to know, especially before selling you a car. It seems that modern scammers are using artificial intelligence to replicate voices and faces in calls and videos, opening up a new realm of auto finance fraud. This is particularly troublesome in what the industry calls "off-site deliveries", that is, vehicle deliveries that do not happen at the dealership itself.…

TechMobility Topics

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Faraday Future: Back fro the Dead - AGAIN! 10:22

4 weeks ago10:22

10:22

Since starting my radio show back in 2017, I have talked about a number of new and promising EV start-ups, some are still around, some have faded from memory and some, like Rivian, are thriving. Faraday Future, a company that introduced its first prototypes to the world at CES back in 2017, is one such company. I have detailed their ups and downs, each time it seems that it was dead for sure, it comes back to life. Well, its back again, we discuss.…

TechMobility Topics

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US New Car Dealership Count on the Rise 10:58

4 weeks ago10:58

10:58

The American dealership landscape tells an equally compelling story of strategic consolidation. While Detroit automakers trim their franchise networks, remaining dealers achieve significantly higher sales volumes—particularly luxury brands seeking exclusive retail experiences. Toyota leads with an astonishing 1,607 vehicles per dealership annually (triple the industry average), demonstrating how fewer, more focused retail locations can drive exceptional performance.…

TechMobility Topics

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2025 Nissan Altima SR sedan review 10:07

4 weeks ago10:07

10:07

Nissan continues defying industry trends with its commitment to sedan models. The 2025 Altima offers impressive value at $30,330 (with AWD) in a market where average transaction prices approach $50,000. Though solidly built with exceptional headlights and generous cargo capacity, the vehicle reveals its aging platform through absent modern features and surprisingly antiquated controls straight from the 1980s.…

TechMobility Topics

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Boston's Curbside EV Charging Solution 10:54

4 weeks ago10:54

10:54

Boston's innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure is reshaping urban mobility possibilities by tackling one of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption: access for apartment dwellers. The city's behind-the-meter curbside charging solution not only eliminates installation costs for homeowners but transforms their curb space into potential revenue streams. This groundbreaking system bypasses the need for utility grid enhancements while creating charging options for those without garage access—a critical step toward transportation equity.…

TechMobility Topics

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Navigating Commercial Trucking's "Messy Middle" 10:38

5 weeks ago10:38

10:38

During this episode, I explore commercial trucking's "messy middle" – the experimental phase between traditional diesel power and zero-emission transportation that could last decades. For long-haul applications, battery electric solutions face significant challenges with weight, range, and charging time, while alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells offer promising but still-developing paths forward.…

TechMobility Topics

1
No Human Need Apply! 10:46

5 weeks ago10:46

10:46

Shopify's CEO Toby Lutke has implemented a radical new hiring policy that could foreshadow dramatic workplace changes. Teams must now "assume AI, prove the need for humans" – demonstrating that artificial intelligence cannot adequately perform a job function before justifying human hires. This raises profound questions about who determines when AI is insufficient and what metrics should evaluate human necessity. As an e-commerce platform helping businesses leverage technology, Shopify appears to be applying the same efficiency-focused approach internally.…

TechMobility Topics

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Most Reliable Vehicle in America - According to JD Power 9:51

5 weeks ago9:51

9:51

The automotive reliability landscape revealed surprising strength from American manufacturers in JD Power's latest Vehicle Dependability Survey. While Lexus claimed the top spot, Buick secured second place overall and ranked as the top mass-market brand, outperforming Toyota. Even more surprising was General Motors' dominance with four brands in the top ten: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC – challenging assumptions about domestic versus import reliability.…

TechMobility Topics

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EV Manufacturer Rivian Spins off Micromobility Start-up 11:28

5 weeks ago11:28

11:28

Rivian is expanding beyond traditional electric vehicles with a bold new venture into micromobility. The EV manufacturer that's attracted billions in investment from Amazon, Ford, and Volkswagen has launched "ALSO" – a separate startup focused on developing small, lightweight electric vehicles for global markets. With $105 million in initial funding from Eclipse Ventures, ALSO represents Rivian's acknowledgment that transportation solutions must vary dramatically across different cultures and geographies. While Americans embrace spacious trucks and SUVs thanks to our highway-centric infrastructure, many global markets require entirely different approaches to mobility.…

TechMobility Topics

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Will the AI Data Boom Save Rural America? 10:35

6 weeks ago10:35

10:35

Rural America. Long regarded by the well-heeled on the coasts as “fly-over” country. Sections of it are dirt poor and losing population as soon as they can graduate and move away for better jobs and more opportunity. It seems that perhaps the pendulum may be swinging the other way as the need for cheap land and bountiful electricity are bringing Big Data to these long-forgotten parts of America. Companies like Meta are building massive data centers in rural communities, promising economic revitalization but delivering minimal long-term employment. More concerning is the infrastructure investment required to support these facilities - utilities are constructing power plants with 30-40 year lifespans for companies only guaranteeing 15-year commitments. What happens when technology evolves and these facilities become obsolete?…

TechMobility Topics

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Today Go-Karts, Tomorrow, F1 10:52

6 weeks ago10:52

10:52

Their names are Alessandro and Julian and they race 160 pound go-karts. The are fierce competitors in the World Series of Karting championship and they just may become the next generation of Formula One drivers. By the way, they are aged 11 and 12 and have been competing since they were nine and ten. Fun fact: every current F1 driver started in a go-kart! During this episode, I take you behind the scenes of Formula 1's shocking youth development pipeline, where talent scouts from Mercedes and Ferrari evaluate drivers as young as six years old. Parents invest hundreds of thousands annually for children to compete in karting championships, with many abandoning traditional schooling to pursue racing dreams. This ultra-exclusive system raises troubling questions about whether genuine talent is being overlooked due to financial barriers.…

TechMobility Topics

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2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo sedan review 10:05

6 weeks ago10:05

10:05

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The Kia K4 sedan is a compact car manufactured by the automaker in Mexico as a replacement for the long-running Forte sedan. Initially introduced to the public in March, 2024 at the New York International Auto Show, the first-ever K4 is offered by the automaker in five distinct trim levels. Power for the K4 GT-Line Turbo is generated by a 1.6L gasoline four-cylinder turbo engine that makes 190 horsepower and 195 lbs-ft of torque. Energy is delivered to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA Fuel Economy numbers are 26 city/36 highway. Cargo capacity is 14.6 cubic feet. The Kia K4 sedan is not currently offered with an EV or hybrid powertrain. All-wheel drive is also not available.…

TechMobility Topics

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Trucking's Hydrogen Future 11:17

6 weeks ago11:17

11:17

The transportation landscape is undergoing a hydrogen revolution that few are talking about. While headlines focus on battery electric vehicles, hydrogen is quietly emerging as the true contender for zero-emission long-haul trucking. As I reveal in this episode, hydrogen offers two compelling pathways - direct combustion in modified engines or electricity generation via fuel cells - both eliminating the weight, charging, and capacity challenges that plague battery electric solutions in Class 8 trucks. Hyundai and Toyota are already proving hydrogen's commercial viability. Hyundai has deployed 21 Exeant hydrogen fuel cell trucks at their Georgia manufacturing plant, while Toyota's new third-generation fuel cell system matches conventional diesel engine durability - critical for an industry measured in half-million-mile increments. For trucking companies obsessed with maximizing ton-miles while minimizing costs, hydrogen simply makes more economic and practical sense.…

TechMobility Topics

1
Humanoid Robots Get Real Jobs. 10:20

6 weeks ago10:20

10:20

After years of testing and development, humanoid robots are taking their place in warehouses and on or near assembly lines on the factory floor. Make no mistake, this new generation of robots are in fact replacing actual human beings. Should we be concerned? These machines are already replacing human workers in warehouses and factories, offering consistent performance without the "variables" of human needs like breaks, sick days, or fatigue. As AI advances and component costs fall, we're witnessing the early stages of a profound shift in how work gets done.…

TechMobility Topics

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You Can Still Buy a NEW Car for Less than $30K! 10:50

6 weeks ago10:50

10:50

With the average new vehicle sticker price hovering around $50,000, it would be easy to assume that a good, quality NEW car for much less than that would not be possible. Consumer Reports brings welcome news for budget-conscious car shoppers, highlighting several excellent vehicles available under $30,000, including the Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the innovative Ford Maverick pickup.…

TechMobility Topics

1
Why Can't You Find Anything at the Store? 9:45

6 weeks ago9:45

9:45

Have you had this experience: You visit an actual store looking for a particular item, only to be told that not only is not in stock, but you can buy it online? Yeah, me too and its not ok. The retail landscape continues its dramatic transformation as brick-and-mortar stores increasingly function as showrooms rather than fully-stocked shopping destinations. The frustrating experience of visiting stores only to be told items must be ordered online reflects retailers' shift toward e-commerce at the expense of the traditional shopping experience.…

TechMobility Topics

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Volkswagen's New Budget EV Gets a Boost from Rivian Tech 11:31

6 weeks ago11:31

11:31

Volkswagen's $1.3B investment in Rivian brings affordable EVs closer to reality. Their upcoming ID.1 electric minicar will cost just $20K and launch in 2027. The EV revolution is finally reaching mainstream price points. What's your price threshold for going electric?

TechMobility Topics

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What is a Self-Driving Car? 10:57

7 weeks ago10:57