What If The Economy Is Fine And Cars Prove It?

Gas is “down” in Southern California and it’s still in the high fives per gallon, so we start with the kind of reality check every driver understands. Then we zoom out and ask the bigger question: if the economy is supposedly struggling, why are people still buying so many cars, and why are they paying around $50,000 on average for a new one? We cut through the noise and follow the money, the demand, and the on-the-ground market signals. We also bring you inside the modern manufacturing machine with a firsthand look at Hyundai and Kia operations in Georgia, including what it means when production targets and EV plans get reshaped by real-world demand. From the Kia Sportage Hybrid story to the sheer logistics of moving thousands of vehicles by rail and truck, we talk about how the auto industry actually works when it’s running at scale, and why that matters to pricing, availability, and what shows up on dealer lots. Then it gets personal and practical: used car shopping that turns into a sea of options, the hunt for value, and why the Chevy Trax keeps coming up as one of the few genuinely affordable new crossovers that still feels modern. We dig into regional buying patterns, why certain brands are rare in certain states, and the ongoing argument between turbocharged efficiency and the kind of naturally aspirated V8 horsepower that people still crave, especially with Stellantis signaling a return to more muscle. Finally, we shift into pure car culture with tips on Texas swap meets and a fascinating tour of abandoned Detroit car factories that still hold the fingerprints of the Motor City era. If you like smart market talk, real enthusiast opinions, and stories that connect today’s cars to yesterday’s industry, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave us a quick review so more listeners can find the show.Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!----  ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?     In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.-----   -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at [email protected]