Acura Spotlight At The Houston Auto Show
Annotations will appear as you listen
0:00
30:27
Brand
Nissan
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many different types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. They are known for their reliable and affordable cars.
Brand
BMW
BMW is a car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars known for their sporty performance and handling.
Car
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular car that many people choose because it is reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's often used by families and people who commute to work.
Car
Acura
Acura is a brand of cars that is part of Honda, but they are fancier and sportier. They usually have more features and a more luxurious feel than regular Honda cars.
Car
Acura Integra Type S
The Acura Integra Type S is a sportier version of the Integra, designed for better performance and handling. It's popular among car enthusiasts who enjoy driving.
Car
Acura NSX
The Acura NSX is a fast sports car that uses both a gasoline engine and electric motors to go really fast while being more efficient. It's known for its sleek design and advanced features.
Car
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is a smaller luxury SUV that is comfortable and has a lot of tech features. It's designed for people who want a nice car with plenty of space.
Car
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a larger luxury SUV that can fit more people and has a lot of nice features. It's great for families who need extra space.
Term
horsepower
Horsepower measures how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can go.
Term
certified pre-owned
Certified pre-owned cars are used cars that have been checked and approved by the manufacturer. They usually come with a warranty, which means you can have peace of mind when buying them.
Company
Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is a company that helps keep your car looking new by applying special coatings and films to protect the paint and windows.
Term
ceramic coating
Ceramic coating is a special liquid that you put on your car's paint to protect it and make it shiny. It helps keep dirt and grime from sticking to the surface, making it easier to clean.
Term
paint protection film
Paint protection film is a clear layer that you can put on your car's paint to keep it safe from scratches and damage. It helps your car look good for a longer time.
LIVE
Welcome to another In-Wheel Time podcast.
It is the award-winning In-Wheel Time car talk show coming to you today from the 43rd annual
Houston Auto Show at NRG Center.
Just ahead.
Now the guest from today's event, later, Jeff has the crews in on events, calendars, and
I'll bring you stories making automotive news headlines this week, lots of them.
Howdy along with Mike out of this World Mars.
We always need more Jeff Zekin, the chief engineer.
David Ainslie is with us today.
You got out of bed this morning.
Matter of fact, I called him because I hadn't seen him.
He says, oh, David, you're not in bed.
Are you?
And this is five minutes before we're supposed to be here.
No, I am.
What?
You want something?
David.
He was joking.
Where are you, David?
I'm on the exit now.
You little jokester.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we do have a good time, even though we do push each other's buttons now and then.
And we also, we're also very good about reminiscing, Mr. Morris.
I got lost in that last one.
Did you?
You did.
Well, I was lost doing that whole story.
As you know.
I was focused, Mike.
I was focused.
I was at the end of that evening, if I remember correctly.
I was on a couch with other men and had, had my arms around all of them.
And Mars said, you know, I think we need to get him back to his room.
I do remember that distinctly.
Yeah, there's that now.
Let's talk about accurate.
Okay.
Shall we?
Marla Cardenas with the Acura folks and team Gilman here locally.
Yes.
Thank you so much for joining us.
We appreciate you.
Thank you for having us on.
Yeah.
So tell us about the Acura display and you know, I find it interesting because on this
map that is the map of the show floor to where everybody is that it would see the Nissan.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, listen, if you can't, you can barely even see that little tiny thing that says
Nissan, but look up there, Acura, across there.
So I have a complaint.
Oh no.
I don't get any accuracy anymore.
Why?
I know you don't know why.
I'm just throwing you to the bus.
Yeah.
I was going to hang on to that one for a moment.
So, so I don't get, I don't get any Hondas and I don't get any accuracy.
Same company.
And I, I miss them.
They should be part of the press fleet, but they're not.
I don't know why they pulled everything out of the press fleet or they said, oh, Don Armstrong.
He was the one over there at the Pacific Coast Highway event.
No, I ain't giving him.
Wrong company.
But I don't, I don't get those either.
So I don't know if it's just the, the press fleets.
I've never, I've really never specifically asked the people that handle the press fleet
for Hondas.
Accurate.
She's got other duties.
Just a minute.
We've got a 15 minute interview here.
Just give me time.
I'm getting there.
I'm here for that.
Good.
Thank you.
You're here for the duration.
I never received a call from you asking for anything or letting us know that you didn't
slide it.
It wouldn't be, it wouldn't be you.
And I don't feel, I don't feel slighted by you at all.
No, it wouldn't be you.
I'm just making sure we're clear on that.
Yeah.
No, absolutely.
I'm just throwing bones.
So, forget me.
But I do miss driving Acura's and Hondas because, you know, there's the Japanese, there's the
Koreans, the Asia, Asian markets is onto itself like, like the German market, English or American,
you know, and everybody that comes from those markets, they really compete against themselves.
So you go and drive a BMW and you're not going to get that experience over there at Hond
or Acura.
Why not?
It's going, well, it's different.
It's a different drive.
It feels different.
You go around a corner in a BMW, it's different than going around a corner in an Acura.
I'm not, I have judgment here.
It's no.
See how he gets out of this one.
Yeah.
That's why I'm waiting.
I'm waiting for her.
Well, it's just somebody who just said he hasn't driven an Acura or Honda in a very long time
and he's saying that we would drive different than a BMW, so I'm thinking we need to take
you for a ride.
Oh, yeah.
No.
This is not a competitive thing.
It's just a different thing.
That's all.
Because preferably, I mean, I appreciate both BMWs are typically more expensive than Acura's
and Hondas.
Okay.
I got that.
But I really do like, I actually owned a Honda one time on my Honda Accord.
But the Acura is a little bit more sporty than the Hondas.
I'm not sure exactly why.
Why do we have all that feedback, David?
Because I think we've got the monitors up too loud at any rate.
So I, I missed them.
Well, then I think we need to get you in one for a little while.
I think, yeah.
Yes.
We'll have to talk to Mr. Gilman about that.
Okay.
Yeah, please do.
We have two Honda stores and an Acura store, so we're good.
Where are the Honda stores?
We have one that is in Rosenberg and that's our Honda Fort Bond, Team Gilman, Honda Fort
Bond.
And then we have Team Gilman, Honda North, which is off of 45, a little bit south of
the Woodlands.
Which Gilman is that?
Team Gilman, the only Gilman.
Yeah.
Then we had him on the show whenever we were down town.
Yes.
I'm trying to remember his name.
Years ago.
Chris Gilman.
Yes.
Yes.
And his dad Ramsey.
Yeah.
It's, it's, it's been several years.
Don't get me wrong.
The Gilman family has been in the automobile business for a long, long time.
Since 1938, we've been part of this community.
And the one that I remember particularly is the one that was over there across from Sharpstown.
It's no longer there.
I mean, turned into, I think St. Agnes bought that piece of property and made it, yeah.
Trust me, it was over there.
You're too young to know.
He's, he's old.
Originally from Chicago.
So I'm going to go in that car.
There's, there's a Gilman at 59 the Beltway, isn't there?
There is two sides to the family.
There's the Gilman Automotive Group and then there is Team Gilman.
Team Gilman.
Okay.
So that's the Automotive Group over there.
I got you.
Yeah.
So yeah, that's two totally different companies.
So what do you have on display here?
Well, I'm excited to talk about that.
We actually.
We finally got to it, didn't we?
I love talking about cars.
I've been doing this for a long time.
So we have actually an Integra Type S out there, which seems to be one of the most popular
cars that people have been looking at.
And we have the privilege of having one of our NSX here too.
So it's definitely sexy, eye candy and people are enjoying getting their pictures taken
with it.
But we've seen such a tremendous amount of interest in the new ADX, which is the smaller
SUV.
And then we have an RDX and we have an MDX out.
And then we have a tech package in Integra.
So is that the full lineup of Acura's?
No, no.
So, no, but it's what the space allowed us and we just brought our, our favorites.
Yeah.
And people's favorites.
And in your booth, those are Team Gilman cars.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
Well, the NSX is actually, we are very grateful on loan from one of our customers who's bought
so many of them from us and it was too pretty to not bring with us.
So if the paint on that is just.
Well, it speaks volumes for your dealership because, hey, who loans their car back to the
dealership.
Yeah.
Your customer base.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We're very fortunate.
Like I said, we've been in the Greater Houston community and part of it since 1938 and not
a lot of people can say that.
And one of the things that I love the most about our company aside of the products that
we have is the way that we are taking care of our customers.
We've had so many of them stop by here to tell us they were happy to see us too.
So that was exciting.
We had a chance to interview them and put them out on social.
So who do you feel is your direct competition?
You know, Don talked about the Korean models, the Japanese models and things.
Where do you, in your own mind, think your competition is?
For Acura, just our brands in general.
Just your brand.
Yeah.
It's kind of hard to say we have Superstores, Mazda, Acura, we have a Volkswagen Chevy.
I mean, we're kind of across the map.
So sometimes we're competing with ourselves.
But I don't think you can compete with customer service.
So anybody can sell a car.
It's a matter of how you take care of your client base.
Interesting.
Chicago.
I'm from Chicago.
How long have you been here?
I've been here for 10 years and I'm still geographically challenged.
Well, that's okay.
That's easy to happen here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm glad you're not in Chicago today.
I'm glad I'm not in Chicago.
Period.
It's a great place to be from and two day visits are fantastic during the summer, but
I'm out.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, I'm glad you're here.
I'm a Wisconsin boy.
I've been here a lot longer than you've been alive.
It's at Midwestern Sensei Humor.
You think you have.
Is that what it is?
Oh my gosh.
You figured it out.
You just opened it up.
You just opened it up.
I wasn't told I had to behave this morning.
Oh, no.
Not on this show.
You're not here.
No.
I might not get invited back again.
No, you will.
No, you'll be the first on the list.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
You know, one thing I do want to point out about the show is that this is probably coming
from Chicago being in the Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas.
This is probably the nicest show out of all of them.
I agree.
It's intimate and it's a great place for customers to come in and take a look at vehicles that
they might not have gone because they don't want the pressure.
And the people have been delightful, but the way they put the show on and it is so consumer
based in making sure that their experience is great.
It's been delightful.
My thought is, is the Chicago show, the show itself kind of overwhelms the people that
attend it.
Yeah.
Just by the displays and all of the stuff that's going on here, when you say it is intimate
in that way, it's more customer friendly to me.
I think that Wyatt and Rochelle do a really good job in understanding their audience and
making sure that they do have a very comfortable experience here.
So if there's anybody out there who wants to look at other models that they haven't
had a chance to, but they're afraid to go into a store because they don't want to be
pressured, this is probably the best venue for them to come out and do that.
Yeah.
I'm looking around and I'm seeing the folks that are here.
There's not a lot of young, young people like teens.
It's early in the morning.
It's early in the morning, but I'm seeing families.
I'm seeing mom and dad with a couple of children, maybe one or two or 10, whatever walking through.
So I see these folks as buyers.
You know, the people who have been coming to talk to us, they are genuinely interested.
And I don't know where they are in their shopping journey.
And quite frankly, they'll let us know, but they are very intrigued and they're very in
touch with what questions they come in with.
And we've had a lot of young people come by.
So you know, first time buyers who are especially the guys are looking at the integrity as type,
you know, and you know, showing them where they can go with that.
So what are the biggest questions that you get?
Do you have a lot of first time lookers over there?
Yeah, we've had quite a few people that haven't really looked at the Acura brand before and
some of the feedback is because they don't want to go store shopping, you know, hopping
around because most people do a lot of their research online, but you don't know until
you touch it, smell it, feel it, drive it.
Because if somebody says, oh, I drove an Integra before, that doesn't mean they drove this
one.
I had two kids they don't look alike, you know.
So it's the same way that cars drive too.
But I also feel that there's a lot of women that I've spoken to who've come out and they
have tremendously great questions.
And this is a great environment for women to come out and look at cars and not feel pressured
and ask all the questions they want because we at Team Gilman believe that an educated
buyer is our best buyer.
What kind of questions do females ask you?
Actually, more research questions.
They want to know about gas mileage safety, about, you know, a lot is about safety, especially
those with families.
And being that we are such a safety driven brand, it's been great.
But they do, they ask about payments, they ask about leasing, they ask questions that
they might not have.
I said, would you have asked them about leasing when you're at the store and they're like,
I don't know.
People feel intimidated to leave themselves in a place where they don't want to feel vulnerable.
And I think part of it's the female aspect of it.
My two girls, which they're older, got kids and grown and all that stuff.
But one of them is very intimidated to go car shopping at a car dealership.
The other one, she'll walk in there and this is what I want.
No, I don't want to look at that.
I want this.
But the other one, she's always afraid and she has been taken advantage of because of
it.
And she knows it.
And I think this venue, like you say, is a great place for somebody like that to come
and ask all those questions that they want to know without worrying about somebody trying
to get them to sign something.
And they can do that at our dealership.
But speaking just strictly of this show, Chris Gilman is very, very driven in making sure
that people have a comfortable experience, whether they're at or at your store, any of
them.
But I've really enjoyed this because it doesn't seem like people have their guard up and they
are bringing their kids, which we're giving them free tambourines to take home.
Tambourines?
Yeah.
We have team Gilman tambourines and cowbells for the kids to take with them that parents
will remember.
We want some.
Absolutely.
I'm going to drop some off for you.
We want the parents to remember.
Honey, it's time to go to bed now.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh.
Yeah.
But whose name is on that tambourine?
Yeah.
You need to give a couple of chocolate candy bars to go along with it.
No, no.
I know.
No.
I think the tambourine is a lot more fun.
Sugar packs.
No.
You need to carry.
You kind of get them to where they can use the tambourine more.
I'm so glad I have older kids.
So let's go back and talk more about what you're asked.
You talked about the females.
Talk about the boys.
What did they ask?
They want to know the horsepower?
Some of them do.
They want to know a little bit more of, well, women actually have asked, too, because they
want to know what's going to happen when their foot hits the gas.
But the guys have more, I would say, mechanically engineered questions as far as, oh, how does
this go?
And I'm like, oh, we've had a lot of questions about the new hybrid coming out, which seems
to be kind of a cool spot to talk about, which they're coming out in 27.
So people are already asking about those.
But yeah, the guys want to know how fast can I go?
And I'm like, I don't know.
You'll have to ask the officer who pulls you over.
Exactly.
Great answer.
Yeah.
I mean, you get questions like, kind of colors do you have?
Yes, we do.
And what kind of interiors do you offer for this particular model?
Yes.
And we have a full, we have gigantic, I want to say they're like iPads there so we can
pull everything up and show them because you can only bring so much to the show.
What is the least based model vehicle you have here?
The least priced?
Yeah.
The least priced.
I think the lowest priced is what you want.
The most affordable is the, yeah, I'll go with that one.
So it's the ADX and we have an Integra tech pack here.
The ADX.
See, I haven't even seen one of those.
Well, it's because you are not visiting me at the right times.
You need to come with me after the show.
Are you ever out at your Rosenberg store?
Once in a while I am.
Because I live in Richmond.
Well, then I'll get your number and make sure I'm there.
Okay.
How's that?
That's great.
We'll take you for a ride.
Yeah.
Do you have any two door cars other than the NSX?
No.
That's the only, that's the only one you got?
Yes.
So you've got a four door car and you have lots of SUVs.
Yeah, we do.
But you know what?
I have to say, the Integra is a very sexy car.
It is.
It's got a nice wide body on it.
It's got a lot of, it's got a lot of, it's got a lot of hump.
I'm trying to not use you to shit this moment.
It's got a lot of hood spots.
There you go.
Nobody in Texas is going to know.
But yeah, it's, I'll go with that.
It's got, but it has, it has a nice take off to it and you're able to adjust whether you
want to be in comfort or if you want to be in sport, you know, so you can customize the
car to how you want to drive.
I'm not going to tell you what I keep my name down.
We can only imagine.
How do you, you talk to people about what?
I was waving at the guy behind you.
Oh, talk about the offerings that you have on the lot.
Do you have a full inventory of different, some dealers don't.
Yeah.
We've got over a side of the, the accuracy.
We have over 800 used cars in stock.
Used cars.
Yeah.
It's certified in used cars.
So we, we are accurate stores, one of the top accurate stores in the country.
Do you sell a lot of certified used cars?
Yes, we do.
Actually we're the, I think we're the number one certified used cars for accurate in the
country.
I know definitely in Texas.
So do the certified used outsell the new?
No.
They don't.
They're one to one.
I would have to say the thing is, is that we're not talking to people we're listening.
We're finding out what their needs are, what fits in their budget, what fits in their,
it's a lifestyle product.
I mean, that's what cars are today.
So if I'm looking for a used ADX or at SUV and I want something with no more than 50,000
miles on it, you have that inventory.
Absolutely.
We've got plenty to choose from.
And are most of those certified used cars, were they originally purchased at your dealership
as new?
A lot of them were.
Yes.
We don't go to the auction for cars.
Wonderful.
Yeah.
We're really excited to always be able to say that we would go to the auction to sell,
but not to buy.
And almost all of our inventory is coming from people who have come into our store.
That's a good thing.
It's exciting because we have their service records as well.
And we know that we're giving people an outstanding product that we've taken enough care to make
sure it's the way we would want our children in a car.
And if it's something that you sold a new and now you've got it on the CPO or even a
used lot, you've got a history that you can relate to the people and say, yeah, we've
been working on this car.
Well, to me, you go to the Acura store for an Acura.
Right.
And that's where I want to, that's where I want to buy my Acura.
If I'm going to buy an Acura, I'm going to go to the store where I buy new or I buy certified
pre-owned.
Those are the two categories that I'm going to go and look at as a customer.
And it's good to know.
Yeah, it's an exciting brand.
I've been at the Acura for a long time and watching its metamorphosis into what it is today.
It's a sexier car.
It's got a great ride.
I mean, it drives like butter.
And I know that you don't think it's a BMW, but I used to drive one and I like my Acura better.
We have sponsorship spots open all the time.
So maybe you can take that information back and become a sponsor.
You're saying that because I'm also the marketing director.
Let me give you another card.
We could compliment each other on that.
As long as there's behavioral rules that I don't have to follow.
Well, no, we don't have those yet.
No, we don't have those at all on this show.
That's for sure.
Molly, it's great to talk to you.
It's been a privilege.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for being here at the show.
And we're going to see more of you.
I know that.
Oh my goodness.
Yeah, we will.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Team Gilma.
Coming up, Jeff has the cruise dinner events calendars and I'll have the stories making
automotive news headlines this week.
Yeah, we invite you to stay with us here on the in wheel time car talk show coming to
you today from the Houston auto show at NRG center.
We continue right after this quick break.
Find loopy tortilla in Houston college station, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas
Fort Worth.
There's a Texas location near you.
The recipes are authentic and time tested.
The ingredients always fresh loopy tortilla.
He's pretty good.
Hey, be sure and join us for our live show every week in wheel time air Saturdays tend
to noon on Facebook, YouTube and in wheel time.com.
Thanks for joining us today.
Yes, we are at NRG center and the 43rd annual Houston auto show.
And thank you for joining us.
Whether you're listening on a podcast a little bit later than this Saturday show or not,
listening to the Saturday show.
Good for you.
Glad you got up.
Glad you're alive.
So am I glad I'm alive.
Yeah, we're glad you're alive too.
Thank you.
All right.
Time now for Jeffrey's cruise in and events calendar.
You betcha.
So this February 7th, which is next weekend from nine to 11, you've got Frida's Cafe.
This is down in Victoria, Texas.
And I get this information from our hot rod boys, hot rod tour Texas boys.
They're down there all the time.
Frida's.
Yeah, Frida's.
Frida's Cafe.
It's 8901 North Navarro Street.
Cars and coffees hosted by the Crossroads Cruisers.
Car club.
That's the main drag down there.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's in Mexico.
Navarro Street.
Navarro Street.
Yeah.
North Navarro Street.
Yeah.
As I said.
And then the event takes place the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11.
And then again on next Saturday, you've got the Tyler Loop Cruise.
This is at 124 South, Southeast Loop 323 in Tyler, Texas.
Hey, hey George.
You listening?
I know.
That's what I kind of did this for George.
He can get out there, get out and about.
This is sponsored by the Subaru owners.
The Tyler Loop Cruise is February 7th.
Participants will meet at the Shell Gas Station located at 124 South, Southeast Loop.
And it goes at 10 a.m.
So get out there.
It's a scenic 50 mile cruise drive through Bullard Loves Lookout and Jacksonville.
Up in there.
Temple malts and motors monthly cruising at Bold.
This is at 7060 Stone Hollow Drive in Temple, Texas.
They're up in there.
So hopefully the weather will be good for you.
George again.
Yep.
The malts and motors.
Bold Republic Brewing Company of West Temple, Texas.
It's 11 a.m. to 2.
They have a West Temple.
Yep.
Not a North or an East.
Just a West.
Yeah.
It's like West Virginia in Virginia.
All vehicles are welcome, including cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Attendees can enjoy the craft.
You can enjoy craft brews, food, music and company of everyone else.
Now on the eighth, which is Sunday, Crazy Train Car Meets at Crazy Train Bar in Magnolia, Texas at 38925 FM 1774.
Crazy Train organized by the Speed Bump Classic.
So get out there at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wait a minute.
The Speed Bump Classic.
We are Speed Bump Classic.
We are Speed Bumps.
We are Speed Bumps.
Yes.
We're in different areas.
Food trucks, live music, family friendly environment encourages respectable behavior, much like what we don't have.
So there you go.
It's not here.
They are.
Okay.
Cool.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Morris.
There you go, Mr. Morris.
Did that guy stand us up again?
I don't know.
You did.
Whatever.
It doesn't make any difference.
That's all right.
I know.
So you're wondering what I'm doing.
I'm looking for time by the second.
And I use this app called timebottys.com.
And it's 5.56 a.m.
I'm sorry.
Make it 10.56 a.m.
That's good to say.
5.56.
Wow.
You know, this is why we don't do a three-hour show anymore, because my brain dies after two
hours.
Oh.
It shrivels up.
Well, it's already shriveled up, but it's good.
I'm going a little bit further.
Let's see what's going on in the big picture back there.
Trucks moving around behind us over there.
I don't know.
But I got a couple of stories that you'd get in.
Go for it.
Okay.
I can't hear me for some reason, David.
Is it this here?
Is it there?
It's that thing right there.
Thank you.
With the average price of a vehicle, price of age of the vehicle, the persistent technician
shortage, dealerships are looking into mobile service and new technology to protect profits.
Service departments can generate between 85 and 90 percent of revenue for a majority of
dealerships.
Rick Weggley, an instructor and consultant at NCM Associates of Kansas City, told the
Automotive News, average age of vehicles on the road has increased over the past eight
years, reaching 12.8 years in age in 2025.
The automotive industry continues to face a technician shortage, 39,000 new service technicians
graduate from technical colleges and training programs in the U.S. each year, and yet the
industry needs to replace nearly 76,000 annually, according to the National Automobile Dealers
Association.
That's a shortfall of about 37,000 trained technicians every year.
In 2026, many dealerships are focused on recruiting and retaining service technicians amidst the
shortage.
Automakers such as Ford and GM are supporting dealerships that incorporate mobile service
into its business, often helping finance the initial investment required to establish
that kind of service.
So I've seen commercials for Ford as a matter of fact.
They're advertising mobile service now, and what do you probably have to week, you know,
wait a couple of weeks to get that scheduled and only imagine, but anyway.
Okay, I need to check my watch.
It's time for me to get a watch apparently, and it's time for us also to take a quick
break.
Be sure and join our live show every week in Wheel Time Air Saturdays, 10 to noon, Facebook,
YouTube, and InWhealtime.com.
We're going to take a quick break, and we'll be right back right after these words.
You own a car you love.
Well, why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it?
Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state of the art facility to introduce you to his
specialist team of auto enthusiasts.
We promise you'll be impressed.
Whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like new appearance, apply a ceramic
coating, install a paint protection film, nanoceramic window tent, or new windshield
protection called ExoShield, Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go.
Curved your wheels?
Instead of buying new, why not have them repaired?
How about a professionally installed radar detector?
Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too.
Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading
to gcautoshield.com.
Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston, Tullway, just south of
the Southwest Freeway and get a personal tour.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior.
Call them today, 832-930-5655 or gcautoshield.com.
That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.
I'm Don Armstrong inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on
Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheelTime.com website.
Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Podcast, Podcast
Addict, Tune In, Pandora, and Amazon Music.
Keep listening and we'll see you soon.
About this episode
The In-Wheel Time podcast broadcasts live from the Houston Auto Show, featuring an engaging discussion with Marla Cardenas from Acura and Team Gilman. They explore Acura's lineup, including the popular Integra Type S and NSX, while sharing insights on customer service and the unique experience of attending the show. The conversation highlights the importance of a pressure-free environment for potential buyers, especially first-timers and women, who are eager to learn about the cars. The hosts also reminisce about their experiences and the community's connection to the automotive world.
Original notes
Shoppers don’t just want specs—they want confidence. From the floor of the Houston Auto Show, we sit down with Team Gilman’s Acura lead, Marla Cardenas, to dig into what turns casual browsing into informed decisions, and why a calm, pressure‑free venue helps families and first‑time buyers ask better questions. The Integra Type S brings the sport, the NSX brings the sparkle, and the new ADX shows why smaller SUVs are winning hearts with agility and everyday comfort.
We walk through the Acura lineup’s core personality: responsive handling without harshness, clean design with real utility, and tech that stays focused on safety and ease of use. You’ll hear how women and men frame priorities differently—crash protection, child‑seat fit, and budget flexibility on one side; horsepower, hybrid timelines, and engineering details on the other—yet converge on the same outcome: how the car feels when it counts. We also unpack the value of certified pre‑owned inventory, sourced mainly from customer trade‑ins with known service histories, giving buyers a clear path between new and used without the gamble.
Behind the scenes, the industry is shifting. With older vehicles on the road longer and a persistent technician shortage, dealerships are doubling down on mobile service, retention, and transparent support. That’s where loyalty really forms—after the first test drive, when life gets busy and maintenance matters. If you’re weighing Integra vs. ADX, RDX vs. MDX, or new vs. certified, this conversation delivers practical insight, show‑floor impressions, and the kind of straight talk that helps you choose well.
If you enjoy candid car talk and real buyer tips, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Your feedback helps us bring more expert voices and on‑the‑ground stories to your queue.
Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!
The Lupe' Tortilla RestaurantsLupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas
Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
---- -----
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/InWheelTime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/
https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime
https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime
For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at
[email protected]
In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show
In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong, Michael Marrs, and Jeff Dziekan
0:00
30:27