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From High School Shop To Texas Motor Speedway: Students, Skills, And A Big Win · In Wheel Time Podcast

0:00
SPEAKER_04: Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast.
0:02
SPEAKER_04: And the audio's good.
0:03
SPEAKER_04: Welcome back to the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
0:05
SPEAKER_04: Well, the audio is good.
0:07
SPEAKER_05: Audio's great.
0:07
SPEAKER_04: That's great.
0:08
SPEAKER_04: All right.
0:09
SPEAKER_04: Welcome back to the In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
0:12
SPEAKER_04: As a matter of fact, to bring it in the right way, let's do this.
0:18
SPEAKER_04: It is the award-winning In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show just ahead.
0:22
SPEAKER_04: We are going to talk to Henry Silva.
0:25
SPEAKER_04: He's the Klein ISD Automotive Instructor and Team Leader out there at Klein Kane High School in Parkway Chevrolet.
0:34
SPEAKER_04: They've won the top honors at the 2025 HADA student technical competition.
0:40
SPEAKER_04: And we've got other things to talk about as well.
0:44
SPEAKER_04: And let me get my page turned here because I was too interested in doing other things, so I apologize.
0:53
SPEAKER_04: Later, Jeff has this week's Motor Minute, and I'll get a review of the Infinity QX 60 on the In real time for our talk show.
0:59
SPEAKER_04: Howdy, along with Mike out of this world bars, we always need more, Jeff Zeken and Chief Engineer David Ainsley.
1:05
SPEAKER_04: I'm Don Armstrong.
1:06
SPEAKER_04: Glad you could join us on the Saturday for our live show.
1:10
SPEAKER_04: If you're listening on a podcast, our live show airs from 10 to noon Central Time every Saturday.
1:16
SPEAKER_00: All right.
1:16
SPEAKER_04: Let's get to our guest, and he is Henry Silva.
1:20
SPEAKER_04: Henry, good morning.
1:21
SPEAKER_00: Good morning to you.
1:22
SPEAKER_00: Thanks for having us on the show.
1:24
SPEAKER_04: Well, thank you.
1:25
SPEAKER_04: And I see it is us, and so we'll have to introduce the uh the fellows that you got there with you.
1:30
SPEAKER_00: Well, these are my students uh from Plankton Automotive.
1:33
SPEAKER_00: Uh this is um Mr.
1:36
SPEAKER_00: William and Mr.
1:38
SPEAKER_00: Avery and Mr.
1:39
SPEAKER_00: Samuel.
1:40
SPEAKER_00: There are uh technician students that are not seniors, they've been with the program four years, and they've um uh in the competition that they just uh won at the Houston uh Dealers Association.
1:53
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, congratulations.
1:54
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, exactly.
1:56
SPEAKER_04: That's a big event.
1:56
SPEAKER_04: So what's the next step?
1:58
SPEAKER_04: Going to a state?
1:59
SPEAKER_00: The next step is North Texas.
2:01
SPEAKER_00: So uh we're here at Parkway Chevrolet uh today, and they helped us, they sponsored us.
2:07
SPEAKER_00: Uh my three uh student technicians teamed up with their uh Master Tech, and he taught them the ins and outs of diagnosis and taking care of the customer and writing the story.
2:18
SPEAKER_00: Uh so we won that event in Houston.
2:20
SPEAKER_00: There were 23 high schools that that we were able to come in first, and now we're heading to Dallas here in uh Wednesday, and we're going to be up against 60 high schools.
2:30
SPEAKER_00: Uh so hopefully, with their hard work and their knowledge and the four years that they've been in the program, that they're now going to uh be able to compete with those schools and hopefully take a home first place.
2:41
SPEAKER_04: Well, it's all a testament to you because if it weren't for you, um my guess is that that you wouldn't be doing all of this.
2:48
SPEAKER_00: It's the environment, it's a Klein ISD's environment, it's uh Klein Kane's high school environment.
2:54
SPEAKER_00: Uh we're all about the students.
2:56
SPEAKER_00: Uh, you know, we have uh a promise to purpose here.
2:59
SPEAKER_00: We have where we promise them that they're going to uh do whatever they want to do, that we're gonna be able to enable them to do that, and they have the purpose, and then they go and take that career, whether being uh working here at Parkway Chevrolet, which we're hoping that some of them can do that, are going to college or doing whatever else they want to do.
3:18
SPEAKER_04: Well, I have to tell you that um my career started at Richardson Chevrolet in my junior year of high school, and um it took me through my senior year of high school, and uh then I became a service advisor.
3:32
SPEAKER_04: What a bad choice this what a bad choice the dealership made on that.
3:36
SPEAKER_04: But at any rate, so I went on to become a service advisor and did that for quite some time, didn't make a whole lot of money doing it, but I did get a free uh chance to go to uh General Motors Tech School and learn about certain things, and uh it was a great experience, and it's taken me a very, very long way.
3:53
SPEAKER_04: I've always been a car guy, started in drag racing uh when I was in high school, about that same period of time, and hung out with the drag racing guys down at Houston International Dragway on the Gulf Freeway.
4:03
SPEAKER_04: There's a Walmart there now.
4:04
SPEAKER_04: Let's hope the rest of the world doesn't go that way.
4:06
SPEAKER_05: But so I was just gonna say so with with what they've done, with what their students, these these three gentlemen have done, their doors are open.
4:14
SPEAKER_05: They don't necessarily have to go with a dealership.
4:17
SPEAKER_05: They can get into the management, they can get into the finance end, they can get into NASCAR NHRA.
4:23
SPEAKER_05: So their doors are wide open, I believe.
4:26
SPEAKER_00: Well, absolutely, and and let's hear from them.
4:28
SPEAKER_00: Uh, this is Samuel, and Samuel can tell us what he's gonna do right after high school.
4:35
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, so uh after high school, my doors are definitely open, like y'all said, so I do have a couple different ways I can go.
4:41
SPEAKER_03: Uh definitely a way of I kind of am interested in maybe staying the parking side and go in that direction, or maybe uh portion of the car very much like and then there's other uh opportunities out of um out of the machine I also definitely a lot of options I can pass my trade grade.
5:04
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I mean I've been I've been really looking at you know trade schools, but the the one thing that's really been on my mind is mechanical engineering.
5:13
SPEAKER_02: So I'm looking at a four-year college and I'm just trying to get my degree in mechanical engineering.
5:20
SPEAKER_04: Do you know you where you want to go when you graduate from high school?
5:23
SPEAKER_02: Uh yeah, so I am I'm looking at Purdue University up in uh West Lafayette, Indiana.
5:29
SPEAKER_06: Yes.
5:29
SPEAKER_06: Wow.
5:30
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, real good program there.
5:32
SPEAKER_02: I mean, it'll be uh amazing.
5:36
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
5:36
SPEAKER_04: So you want to become a boilermaker?
5:39
SPEAKER_02: Oh, sorry.
5:40
SPEAKER_04: Isn't that Purdue Boilermakers?
5:42
SPEAKER_04: Isn't it the Purdue Boilermakers?
5:43
SPEAKER_04: Isn't that what it is?
5:45
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, you need to know that information.
5:48
SPEAKER_04: You want to head there, yeah.
5:50
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I'm I'm really I'm really into the uh Boilermaker atmosphere.
5:55
SPEAKER_02: My dad went there and most of my family lives up there, so well I didn't mean to put you on the spot.
6:01
SPEAKER_02: Sorry, Dad.
6:02
SPEAKER_02: No, yeah, it's always been part of my family.
6:03
SPEAKER_02: So good for you.
6:05
SPEAKER_04: Good for you.
6:05
SPEAKER_02: You'll be amazing.
6:06
SPEAKER_02: Alright, I'm gonna pass the mic to William here.
6:09
SPEAKER_01: My name is William.
6:11
SPEAKER_01: Uh after high school, I plan on going to biotech.
6:13
SPEAKER_01: Uh want to get into diesel work, be a diesel technician.
6:17
SPEAKER_01: So uh work on every machinery.
6:22
SPEAKER_01: I always have a passion for fixing things, and I think this is like the best path for me.
6:30
SPEAKER_04: Let me ask you, uh Mr.
6:31
SPEAKER_04: Silva, if I may, uh do you have any boys in in in want to expand on a racing career?
6:38
SPEAKER_04: Maybe uh be a uh a mechanic with a race team or crew team, yeah, on the crew?
6:44
SPEAKER_00: Uh I have a lot of students who who uh wish to do that.
6:47
SPEAKER_00: They they uh you know that's all we really talk about, you know, in our time off is racing and you know, NASCAR and you know, talking about maybe going to the NASDAQ NASTAR school and so forth.
7:00
SPEAKER_00: So uh a lot of students, a lot of different options they have.
7:04
SPEAKER_00: They all have different, you know, wish wishes to go to after high school.
7:08
SPEAKER_05: That's excellent.
7:09
SPEAKER_04: So does do you have a uh comparable program like in computer programming that the boys take a second course in that as well?
7:20
SPEAKER_00: We do uh cover diagnostic advanced diagnostics.
7:23
SPEAKER_00: We use oscilloscopes.
7:24
SPEAKER_00: We we know we're using scanners, we have all types of scanners uh that are available to us, and we get into the computer systems of the vehicle so we can diagnose them.
7:33
SPEAKER_00: As you know, nowadays cars have you know many, many modules, you know, 50, 60, 100 modules sometimes, and they have to know computers.
7:42
SPEAKER_00: So it's high technology there.
7:44
SPEAKER_00: We you know have all the equipment that we need.
7:47
SPEAKER_04: Well, good.
7:48
SPEAKER_04: Maybe you could detune my Corvette to run that.
7:50
SPEAKER_04: I was gonna say I can use some help myself.
7:52
SPEAKER_00: We do teach themselves, yes.
7:54
SPEAKER_00: Our basic class, we do go through detailing and and uh all that other stuff too.
7:59
SPEAKER_00: So it's just it's just not for the for the automotive enthusiasts, it can be for somebody who just wants to learn the basics and then move on to something else.
8:07
SPEAKER_06: A little hands-on backyard work.
8:09
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, so so do you have any young ladies in your organization?
8:13
SPEAKER_00: Um in my advanced program, we have four young ladies.
8:16
SPEAKER_00: Uh there one of them is is gonna work in a dealership, she's a senior, and the other three are are younger, and their aspirations are to work in the industry.
8:25
SPEAKER_00: Uh, in our basic class, we have about 30 uh young ladies that uh do very well.
8:31
SPEAKER_00: Uh and as you know, I I love the young ladies because they are very detailed and ready customer service, and and they can diagnose cars like nobody else can.
8:40
SPEAKER_04: And you know, those boys will probably learn that the hard way a little bit later on in life.
8:46
SPEAKER_05: She told me what to do.
8:47
SPEAKER_05: Yes, she did, and always will.
8:49
SPEAKER_05: I think you missed it.
8:50
SPEAKER_05: Don Don wanted y'all to detune his Corvette.
8:54
SPEAKER_04: Detail it, yeah.
8:55
SPEAKER_05: Detune.
8:56
SPEAKER_05: He detune it.
8:57
SPEAKER_05: It's just too powerful.
8:59
SPEAKER_04: But it doesn't make any difference.
9:01
SPEAKER_04: So, what are we looking forward forward to when we go up uh up to the Dallas Fort Worth area?
9:06
SPEAKER_00: Well, it's a great competition.
9:07
SPEAKER_00: We're at the Texas Motor Speedway.
9:10
SPEAKER_00: So for anyone out there who's never been there, you have to go.
9:13
SPEAKER_00: It's a wonderful facility.
9:14
SPEAKER_00: Uh, it's amazing when you stand there uh and look at the facility.
9:19
SPEAKER_00: But we do have uh two days of competition.
9:22
SPEAKER_00: The first day is uh what we call stations, and there's about 15 stations, and they're sponsored by different companies, electrical and permatex and other companies like that.
9:32
SPEAKER_00: And they do that for a whole day where they go and and uh do an interview with uh professionals.
9:39
SPEAKER_00: And then the second day is when they're hands-on.
9:42
SPEAKER_00: So they have a three-hour time period, it's a two-man team, and they are bugged, the vehicles are bugged.
9:47
SPEAKER_00: Like if they're we're gonna have a Chevrolet Chevrolet Simorado that they've been working on here at Parkboard Chevrolet uh 2025, I believe, and they bug it, and then the students have to figure out what's wrong with it.
9:57
SPEAKER_00: So they're using the computers and they're figuring it out, and then they gain points, and the team that has the most points at the end of the day is gonna win the competition.
10:05
SPEAKER_05: Very good.
10:06
SPEAKER_05: That's that's always fun to watch too, because it could be something is a loose wire or or a deprogramming to that they have to fix.
10:13
SPEAKER_05: Or Mike, you case it probably has a headlight burned out, they can fix that too.
10:17
SPEAKER_06: Oh, yeah.
10:17
SPEAKER_06: So take the whole front end of it off.
10:20
SPEAKER_06: So I guess so.
10:21
SPEAKER_06: Y'all are doing that up there in the garages?
10:23
SPEAKER_00: Yes, in the NASCAR and in the garages, the professional garages there.
10:29
SPEAKER_00: So they get to see all the the professional areas.
10:33
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, that's a really neat place.
10:36
SPEAKER_06: Very nice.
10:37
SPEAKER_06: That is fantastic.
10:39
SPEAKER_06: So as after they come back from this competition, where where do you just finish out the school year or is there something else down the road?
10:48
SPEAKER_00: Oh, absolutely.
10:49
SPEAKER_00: We we uh are part of the skills uh US Way at USA Automotive uh organization, and so they have competitions.
10:56
SPEAKER_00: So we'll have a district meet here in February, and then we've also made states who will be on skating purpose Christie, which that's an amazing program, an amazing event, too.
11:05
SPEAKER_00: Uh, we have different competitions.
11:06
SPEAKER_00: We try to do as many competitions as we can because that gets our students comfortable, understand they understand the industry, and they can go out there and and when they get their job, they know what they're doing.
11:17
SPEAKER_06: Very good.
11:18
SPEAKER_06: Do you guys an opportunity for like scholarships or anything involved in any of this?
11:23
SPEAKER_00: Yes.
11:24
SPEAKER_06: They're all three shaking their head a little bit.
11:27
SPEAKER_00: Yes.
11:27
SPEAKER_00: We last year we we uh earned about$25,000 in scholarships just in our automotive program.
11:34
SPEAKER_00: Um, this competition we're in has has scholarships, and the competitions that we go to, everybody offers scholarships for our students, and they can use them at tech schools, at trade schools, they can use them uh for college too.
11:48
SPEAKER_04: So very nice.
11:50
SPEAKER_04: Yep.
11:51
SPEAKER_04: So do you guys have anything to do with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo?
11:54
SPEAKER_04: I know that they have a mechanical ag thing competition out there at the rodeo uh once a year, and it's always a well-attended event.
12:03
SPEAKER_00: Uh no, we don't do the Houston Rodeo, although our ag team at Pine Cane High School does uh Houston Rodeo, so they have a mechanical ag uh program there too.
12:13
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah.
12:13
SPEAKER_04: Well, so at least you can wave across the fence.
12:16
SPEAKER_05: There you go.
12:17
SPEAKER_04: Yes, absolutely.
12:18
SPEAKER_04: And support your your your fellow mechanics out there.
12:21
SPEAKER_06: Well, it's uh what kind of cars do you guys drive?
12:25
SPEAKER_00: I I drive a uh 2017 Chevy Silverado, which is an excellent truck.
12:31
SPEAKER_00: I love it.
12:32
SPEAKER_00: Uh I drive a 2021 WRX.
12:36
SPEAKER_02: I drive a 2020 uh Chevy Silverado that was actually uh came from part of my shell.
12:43
SPEAKER_02: Not nice.
12:43
SPEAKER_02: 2009 on decision.
12:46
SPEAKER_06: Very good.
12:47
SPEAKER_06: Got a couple of little cars in there, a little hot rod there, the WRX.
12:51
SPEAKER_02: Yes, very good.
12:56
SPEAKER_06: Well, I haven't got a lot.
12:58
SPEAKER_04: Well, thank you very much for joining us today, and congratulations on your first place win, uh, sponsored by Parkway Chevrolet, and thanks to them for doing that for all of us, because one way or the other, you sir, are our sirs are going to be our uh ticket out, yeah, ticket out off the back of a wrecker sometime down the road, I'm sure.
13:20
SPEAKER_06: Sab true.
13:21
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, or become a record driver.
13:23
SPEAKER_04: There you go.
13:23
SPEAKER_04: Nothing wrong with that either.
13:24
SPEAKER_04: All right, gentlemen, thank you very much.
13:26
SPEAKER_04: It's great to talk to you.
13:27
SPEAKER_04: Appreciate it.
13:27
SPEAKER_04: Good luck to you.
13:28
SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
13:29
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for having us on.
13:30
SPEAKER_04: Thank you very much.
13:32
SPEAKER_04: Uh, that's uh the Klein Kane High School and Parkway Chevrolet gentlemen uh H A D A student competition presented by Ally.
13:42
SPEAKER_04: All right, well, very nice.
13:44
SPEAKER_04: Um, it's always good to see that there's some hope for all of the monsters.
13:50
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, monsters carrying us out.
13:52
SPEAKER_06: Like they got some of them are gonna be hands-on, and some of them, one of them is gonna be an engineer, so he'll be telling everybody how to do things.
13:58
SPEAKER_04: Or inventing things.
14:00
SPEAKER_04: Exactly.
14:01
SPEAKER_04: Or showing his girlfriend that he is a good listener.
14:05
SPEAKER_04: One of the others.
14:07
SPEAKER_04: Just ahead.
14:08
SPEAKER_04: What'd you say?
14:09
SPEAKER_04: Uh yeah, a review of the Infinity QX 60 plus Jeff's Motor Minute when the N-Wheel Time Car Talk Show continues right after this.
14:19
SPEAKER_04: The Tailpipes and Tacos Christmas Edition 2025 happens Saturday, December 13th from 8 to 11 a.m., and you want to be a part of it.
14:27
SPEAKER_04: Tailpipes and Tacos is the cruise in everyone wants to attend.
14:30
SPEAKER_04: And the Christmas edition is extra special.
14:32
SPEAKER_04: Donate an unwrapped new toy and help yourself to a free Lupi Tortilla Breakfast Taco.
14:37
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14:39
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14:41
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14:46
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14:49
SPEAKER_04: Tail Pipes and Tacos Christmas Edition will be held Saturday, December 13th, 8 to 11 a.m.
14:53
SPEAKER_04: at the Luppy Tortilla Tex-Mex, located at 703 West Grand Parkway, just south of the Katy Freeway in Katy.
15:00
SPEAKER_04: Oh, and don't forget to bring the kids.
15:01
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15:04
SPEAKER_04: It's the Tailpipes and Tacos Christmas Edition 25, Saturday, December 13th, 8 to 11 a.m.
15:09
SPEAKER_04: at the Lupi Tortilla Tex-Mex at 703 West Grand Parkway in Katy.
15:13
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15:17
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15:19
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15:45
SPEAKER_04: Mm-hmm.
15:46
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15:52
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15:53
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16:03
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16:05
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16:11
SPEAKER_04: Next week, the Gulf Coast Auto Shield Car Social Remote broadcast right here live 10 to noon.
16:18
SPEAKER_04: And if you're in the Houston area, we invite you to stop by, bring your ride.
16:21
SPEAKER_04: I know everybody likes to get out on a Saturday morning.
16:24
SPEAKER_04: Well, this is a perfect opportunity.
16:25
SPEAKER_04: You don't have to stay alone.
16:26
SPEAKER_04: Stop in, do a drive-in.
16:30
SPEAKER_04: No, no, we're talking about the car social.
16:32
SPEAKER_05: Oh.
16:32
SPEAKER_05: Get a donut.
16:33
SPEAKER_05: You can have a taco when you leave.
16:36
SPEAKER_05: Right down the taco.
16:42
SPEAKER_05: I have lupe on the mine, okay?
16:43
SPEAKER_05: Okay, well, thank you, Jeffrey.
16:46
SPEAKER_05: Get taco at lupe.
16:48
unknown: Oh god.
16:49
SPEAKER_04: My daughter uh works in the uh mental health field.
16:53
SPEAKER_04: And um right here, and I'll give you her phone number, direct line.
16:58
SPEAKER_04: Time out for this hour's car review.
17:00
SPEAKER_04: I had a chance to drive the 2025 Infinity QX 60.
17:05
SPEAKER_04: Final assembly location, Smyrna, Tennessee.
17:08
SPEAKER_04: S-M-Y-R-N-A.
17:11
SPEAKER_04: Available trim levels, pure luxe, sport, and autograph.
17:18
SPEAKER_04: I have the Sport all-wheel drive.
17:22
SPEAKER_04: Part two.
17:24
SPEAKER_04: It's in PT2.
17:26
SPEAKER_04: I don't know what that means.
17:27
SPEAKER_04: They didn't explain it.
17:29
SPEAKER_05: I guess not.
17:30
unknown: Okay.
17:31
SPEAKER_04: Um size class.
17:33
SPEAKER_04: I would consider this a mid-size.
17:35
SPEAKER_04: Uh it is a three-row, and it's tight in the back seat.
17:38
SPEAKER_04: So keep that in mind.
17:40
SPEAKER_04: If that's what you're looking for, it's available for purchase.
17:43
SPEAKER_04: Um this is a Pathfinder-based SUV.
17:47
SPEAKER_04: See, it's including the driver six, and that includes obviously the third row.
17:53
SPEAKER_04: Exterior changes from last model year.
17:54
SPEAKER_04: Well, it was all new in 2022, but it has been refreshed for the 2026 model year, and I think you might like it.
18:02
SPEAKER_04: I think it's a little bit sharper dressed, if you will.
18:05
SPEAKER_04: Sharp, sophisticated looking grille.
18:08
SPEAKER_04: Uh nicely sculpted sides.
18:11
SPEAKER_04: The hatch fits the upscale overall, but it's unremarkable.
18:16
SPEAKER_04: It looks like all of the other SUVs out there, which is kind of a bit disappointing.
18:20
SPEAKER_04: Black wheel well openings, which seems to be the trend these days, and I'm not exactly sure why, but okay.
18:27
SPEAKER_04: If you don't like to have your car fully painted, then that's the way to go.
18:31
SPEAKER_04: What I liked about it, the conservative styling, but with a modern infinity flare.
18:36
SPEAKER_04: We could use improvement, make it a little bit more unique in the back, especially.
18:41
SPEAKER_04: Interior highlights, upscale styling and surfaces, comfy seating.
18:46
SPEAKER_04: Front seats have uh built-in headrest speakers.
18:50
SPEAKER_04: Uh it's not the first company to do that, but it certainly is unique and uh it works really well.
18:57
SPEAKER_04: You don't have to turn the volume up on the overall in in the car system.
19:02
SPEAKER_04: You just uh turn it up just a little bit and you got plenty of juice right there at your ears.
19:06
SPEAKER_04: There you go.
19:07
SPEAKER_04: Um infotainment system is easy to use.
19:11
SPEAKER_04: Uh phone chargers, not complicated.
19:14
SPEAKER_04: Just throw the phone in there.
19:16
SPEAKER_04: Cargo trunk room.
19:17
SPEAKER_04: Well, it's small with the third row up back there.
19:19
SPEAKER_04: I will tell you that.
19:20
SPEAKER_04: What I liked about it, the two-tone services surfaces throughout the interior.
19:25
SPEAKER_04: What could use improvement?
19:27
SPEAKER_04: Maybe perhaps uh better use of the um instrumentation space, the instrumentation space in front of the driver.
19:35
SPEAKER_04: It's a little it was a little it was a little confusing to me.
19:39
SPEAKER_04: I didn't know why that they used up all that for such little information, but that's just me.
19:44
SPEAKER_04: Engine, two-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 286 pound feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission.
19:53
SPEAKER_04: Tower rating, three tons.
19:55
SPEAKER_04: It's a lot for that little bitty motor.
19:57
SPEAKER_04: 22 miles per gallon city, 27 on the highway for a combined at 24.
20:01
SPEAKER_04: I got 24.2 miles per gallon over 426 miles.
20:06
SPEAKER_04: What I liked about it, the three-ton tow rating, I didn't really realize that until I drilled down into my research on the car.
20:16
SPEAKER_04: And I'm going, wow, 6,000 pound tow rating?
20:19
SPEAKER_04: Pretty incredible.
20:20
SPEAKER_04: Um what could use improvement?
20:23
SPEAKER_04: At times there is a significant turbo lag, and it seems like a little bit of a disconnect between the engine and the nine-speed automatic transmission.
20:32
SPEAKER_04: I'm sure that that'll be something that won't be a significant factor for everybody, but it was noticeable for me.
20:39
SPEAKER_04: Uh ride and handling, overall, ride quality is superb.
20:42
SPEAKER_04: What could use improvement?
20:43
SPEAKER_04: I just put a big question mark because I really don't know when it comes to ride and handling.
20:47
SPEAKER_04: It uh is a pretty sweet ride.
20:49
SPEAKER_04: Okay, here's the pricing.
20:50
SPEAKER_04: Base trim price,$61.7.
20:53
SPEAKER_04: Oh, prices tested$65,100.
20:56
SPEAKER_04: Base model price$51,590.
21:01
SPEAKER_04: As far as competitors, the Acura MDX is one, it starts at$51.80.
21:06
SPEAKER_04: Now remember, the base model price on this particular vehicle is$51,590.
21:11
SPEAKER_04: Acura MDX base price is$51,800, almost identical.
21:15
SPEAKER_04: Genesis G V80,$57.7, and the Lincoln Aviator for$56,910.
21:22
SPEAKER_04: And that's my review of uh this week's car of the week, the 25 Infinity QX60.
21:28
SPEAKER_04: Next week we're going to review the 2026 Subaru Forester.
21:32
SPEAKER_04: Oh, yeah.
21:33
SPEAKER_04: That's uh I sat in that one.
21:35
SPEAKER_04: Yes, you did.
21:36
SPEAKER_04: Uh flat four, horizontally opposed, turbocharged engine and uh a full-time all-wheel drive system.
21:43
SPEAKER_04: This particular model um is very wilderness looking because I think that's off-roady off-roady looking.
21:51
SPEAKER_04: But it runs so well on the street, you don't have to take it anywhere the other than the street.
21:57
SPEAKER_04: But you're gonna have to pay for the ability to go off-road if that's what you want to do.
22:01
SPEAKER_04: A lot of families choose these uh to go camping on the weekends.
22:05
SPEAKER_05: You see a lot of the Subarus.
22:06
SPEAKER_05: I had a uh a sister-in-law own one for a long time.
22:09
SPEAKER_05: I don't see the wilderness or the off-road.
22:11
SPEAKER_04: Well, because the wilderness is a new is a new package, right?
22:13
SPEAKER_05: But even so, even uh a Subaru that's dedicated to go off-road, sort of like the Lillian Tals, they modify some of the vehicles to do that.
22:20
SPEAKER_05: Right.
22:21
SPEAKER_04: Uh this one doesn't need that, it comes with it.
22:23
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so that's gonna be next week.
22:24
SPEAKER_04: We'll review that.
22:25
SPEAKER_05: Very good.
22:26
SPEAKER_04: I had a good time with that.
22:27
SPEAKER_04: All right.
22:28
SPEAKER_04: Um I did want to bring up a story that I saw uh on auto automotive news.
22:39
SPEAKER_04: Um Berlin was the dateline on it.
22:43
SPEAKER_04: Chancellor Frederick Murs.
22:45
SPEAKER_04: Oh wait a minute, wasn't there uh me not or MERS, M-E-R-Z.
22:54
SPEAKER_04: Oh, I think.
22:54
SPEAKER_04: But I thought, well, wait a minute, isn't that one of the three wise men, or allegedly that brought the frankincense and MERS?
23:01
SPEAKER_04: Oh, maybe not.
23:02
SPEAKER_04: Chancellor Frederick Mers of Germany has sent a letter to the European Commission urging it to keep technological options open for the automotive industry beyond the block's planned 2035 phase out of new combustion engine cars.
23:20
SPEAKER_04: What?
23:23
SPEAKER_04: Quote This is above all about achieving good compatibility between competitiveness and the demands we place of climate protection.
23:32
SPEAKER_04: I think they meant to say on climate protection, but it says of here.
23:36
SPEAKER_04: Murray told a news conference on November 28th to discuss this week's meeting of the German government coalition leaders.
23:43
SPEAKER_04: The European Commission on December 10th is expected to release a package of proposals to aid the auto sector, which is struggling with an uneven adoption of battery electric vehicles, U.S.
23:54
SPEAKER_04: tariffs, and stronger competition from China.
23:57
SPEAKER_04: The package is expected to address the emissions roadmap for 2030 to 2035.
24:02
SPEAKER_04: And you're thinking, ah, that's a long way away.
24:05
SPEAKER_04: No, it's not.
24:07
SPEAKER_04: Uh automakers won a reprieve on 2025 CO2 targets earlier this year when the EU agreed to average emissions over the 25 to 27 period.
24:18
SPEAKER_04: It digs a little deep into the automotive industry, but they have a lot of challenges going on, not only there, but also here in the United States and in Canada.
24:27
SPEAKER_04: Uh and uh, you know, the tariff thing has really kind of upset the Apple cart, but let's bring it all back.
24:32
SPEAKER_04: Kind of like I said last week, hey, if you're gonna have a car that's gonna compete in the electric market, then it's gonna have to compete with the combustion engine market, whether it be a plug-in, EV, or take that business, yeah.
24:43
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so let's let's be fair about it all.
24:46
SPEAKER_04: That's my take on that.
24:48
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
24:48
SPEAKER_05: Do you agree or not?
24:50
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, that'd be fine.
24:51
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, I agree.
24:52
SPEAKER_05: You don't even know what I'm saying?
24:55
SPEAKER_05: Exactly.
24:56
SPEAKER_04: I kind of got that feeling when you doesn't know what I'm talking about.
24:59
SPEAKER_04: From Germany, I went, okay, I'm done.
25:02
SPEAKER_04: Well, there are a lot of people here in the United States that buy German vehicles.
25:05
SPEAKER_04: I know that.
25:06
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
25:06
SPEAKER_04: So they're trying to put it all on a fair level plane.
25:11
SPEAKER_05: Exactly.
25:11
SPEAKER_04: But uh everybody gets a trophy.
25:14
SPEAKER_04: What yeah, what is that?
25:15
SPEAKER_05: I don't know.
25:16
SPEAKER_04: You know, when I was raising my children, we didn't we didn't play that game.
25:20
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
25:20
SPEAKER_04: We don't we know.
25:22
SPEAKER_04: And um uh that was uh uh parents after us, I think.
25:26
SPEAKER_04: Oh, yeah, we tried not to let him little Johnny get a trophy.
25:32
SPEAKER_05: No, because he sucks.
25:33
SPEAKER_05: How's that?
25:34
SPEAKER_05: Sorry if we got a second.
25:35
SPEAKER_05: Uh when when Kylie played soccer growing up, his little kid, you know, 10 years old or whatever, we go out to the soccer games to watch the kids play.
25:42
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, there was no score, couldn't keep score.
25:45
SPEAKER_05: They there's no scoreboard everybody, okay.
25:47
SPEAKER_05: Come on, Johnny, come on, Sally, go out there play.
25:49
SPEAKER_05: I would walk up to the the the field that that they're playing, and on the way, I would pick up little acorns.
26:01
SPEAKER_05: And okay, so that team scored.
26:03
SPEAKER_05: I would move an acorn over to the that side.
26:05
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, and an acorn over to that side.
26:07
SPEAKER_05: And pretty soon the kids would come.
26:09
SPEAKER_05: How many acorns we got?
26:10
SPEAKER_05: How many acorns we're not supposed to keep score?
26:12
SPEAKER_05: So I got you got three acorns.
26:14
SPEAKER_05: They know, they know if you're gonna have to leave the field.
26:16
SPEAKER_05: I know I gotta leave the field.
26:17
SPEAKER_05: So I used to collect acorns and keep score with acorns.
26:21
SPEAKER_05: I would have collected rocks.
26:23
SPEAKER_05: So at the end of the day, the ones that didn't do where you throw rocks.
26:27
SPEAKER_05: Now, this way when you're done, the squirrels eat themselves.
26:29
SPEAKER_05: You kind of reinvest in nature.
26:31
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
26:32
SPEAKER_04: That's what you want to call it.
26:34
SPEAKER_04: Yep.
26:35
SPEAKER_04: All righty then.
26:37
SPEAKER_04: Uh let's take a break, shall we?
26:39
SPEAKER_04: Okay.
26:39
SPEAKER_04: Okay.
26:39
SPEAKER_04: Um, if you'd like to get in touch with us, send us an email.
26:42
SPEAKER_04: The address here is info at nwheeltime.com.
26:44
SPEAKER_04: We will be back right after this quick break, Mr.
26:47
SPEAKER_04: Mars.
26:49
SPEAKER_04: Who doesn't like a social event?
26:52
SPEAKER_04: How about one that centers around your love for all things automotive?
26:56
SPEAKER_04: Another Gulf Coast Auto Shield Car Social is back.
27:00
SPEAKER_04: Saturday, December 6th, 9 to noon, at 11, 275, South Sam Houston Parkway, just south of the Southwest Freeway.
27:07
SPEAKER_04: It's a morning packed with incredible cars, some of the finest rides in town, from classics to modern exotics.
27:13
SPEAKER_04: Here's your chance to talk to fellow car lovers.
27:15
SPEAKER_04: Grab a coffee, and check out how Gulf Coast Auto Shield keeps these rides looking perfect.
27:20
SPEAKER_04: Meet the team.
27:21
SPEAKER_04: Take a look around the shop to see firsthand how Gulf Coast Auto Shield gets the most of the look you're trying to create.
27:28
SPEAKER_04: In real time, we'll be there with their live car talk show.
27:31
SPEAKER_04: You might just be one of the guests.
27:32
SPEAKER_04: Don't miss this free, fun, and fast-paced car gathering of fellow car lovers and their rides.
27:38
SPEAKER_04: Saturday, December 6th at Gulf Coast Auto Shield, 11275 South Sam Houston Parkway.
27:44
SPEAKER_04: Bring your car, bring your friends, and bring your love for all things automotive.
27:48
SPEAKER_04: We'll see you then.
27:50
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27:56
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28:06
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28:17
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28:19
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28:20
SPEAKER_04: That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.
28:23
SPEAKER_04: I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning, 8 to 11 a.m.
28:29
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28:35
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28:44
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