Firestone
Firestone is a company that makes tires. They’re basically saying their tires are built to last and be dependable.
auto industry
They’re about to talk about what’s going on in the car world—things that affect what you can buy and how much it costs.
car was totaled or stolen
If your car is totaled or stolen, insurance pays you money. The question is what you’ll choose next with that payout.
Subaru Trailseeker
They’re talking about a new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker. The big point is that it’s electric, so it’s a different kind of car to live with than a gas Subaru.
electric
They’re saying the car is electric, meaning it runs on electricity from a battery. That usually means you’ll think about charging instead of buying gas.
incentives
They mention incentives and rebates, which are financial offers that can reduce the effective price of a new vehicle. These programs can vary by location, credit profile, and time, and they strongly influence what buyers can afford.
Buick Roadmaster
The Buick Roadmaster is a large, older-style car made by Buick. It’s known for being a big, comfortable vehicle rather than a small or sporty one. People bring it up because it’s part of Buick’s classic lineup.
Kia Telluride
They’re talking about the Kia Telluride, which is a family-sized SUV. They’re especially interested in the hybrid version because it could be a smart choice if you need a new car quickly.
hybrid
A hybrid uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. The goal is usually better fuel economy while still feeling like a normal car to drive.
Hyundai Palisade
They’re bringing up the Hyundai Palisade, another family SUV. They say the hybrid version they reviewed was really impressive, which helps their argument for choosing a hybrid SUV.
aged inventory on dealer lots
If a car has been sitting at a dealership for a long time, the dealer may be more willing to lower the price. That’s because they want to get it off the lot and move on to newer cars.
short deal
A “short deal” usually means the dealer is making less money on the sale than normal. They do it to sell a car that’s been sitting too long.
loss leader
A loss leader is when a seller prices something so low that they might not make much money on that specific sale. They’re hoping to make it up with other sales or services.
cars been there a year
If a car sits on the lot for a long time, the dealership often has to sweeten the deal to sell it. That can mean bigger discounts or extra incentives.
big bonus
A “bonus” usually means extra money-off or special deal terms to help the car sell. It’s often added when the car has been sitting for a while.
diesel engine
A diesel engine runs differently than a gas engine and is often known for good pulling power and efficiency. But it doesn’t automatically mean it’s the most fuel-efficient option for everyone, especially compared with a small sedan.
Spiff
A “spiff” is basically a bonus that a car salesperson gets for selling certain cars. It can affect what they try to show you, so it’s worth remembering when you’re shopping.
roll on, roll off vehicles
“Roll-on, roll-off” is how many cars get shipped by sea—vehicles drive onto the ship and drive off later. It’s common for moving lots of cars between countries.
used market discounts
This is about how cheap the vehicle gets after people sell it used. If prices drop a lot, it can mean fewer people want it at full price, or that the market is changing. They’re using that idea to judge whether the Cybertruck is as popular as it seems.
registrations not reflecting true popularity
They’re questioning whether registration numbers really show how many regular people want the vehicle. If companies buy lots of them, the stats can look bigger than true consumer demand. So the “popularity” conclusion might be misleading.
classic car
A classic car is an older car people collect because it’s special or has history. It’s usually judged more on condition and originality than on being a practical daily driver.
across the block
In auction talk, “across the block” means the car is about to be auctioned and people can start bidding on it.
Barrett Jackson Palm Beach
Barrett-Jackson is a big auction for collector cars. “Palm Beach” is one of their auction events, where people bid on cars they want to own.
Mopar
Mopar is the umbrella term for Chrysler Group’s brands (like Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler) and their parts/performance heritage. When hosts say a car is “classic Mopar,” they’re usually pointing to that brand identity and often to iconic engines like the HEMI.
Cybertruck
The Cybertruck is Tesla’s unusual-looking electric pickup. The conversation is basically about how different it is from normal trucks—and how that can make it harder to sell later for a good price.
aluminum, brushed aluminum
Brushed aluminum is a metal finish that looks slightly textured instead of shiny. They’re mentioning it because it’s part of what makes the Cybertruck look so different.
resell on them is horrific
Resale value is what you can sell the car for after you’ve owned it. They’re saying the Cybertruck tends to lose a lot of value fast, so it can be expensive to own if you plan to sell.
lease it or buy a used one
If a car loses value quickly, leasing or buying it used can help you avoid taking the biggest hit. Leasing means you don’t own it long enough to suffer the full depreciation, and buying used means you start after the steepest drop.
Tesla
Tesla is an electric-car company. In this segment, they’re talking about how Tesla tries to sell cars directly, but some states make that harder with special rules.
franchise dealers
A franchise dealer is a dealership that’s officially authorized to sell a brand’s cars. The point here is that some states require those dealers to sell new vehicles, even if the manufacturer wants to sell directly.
direct sales from the manufacturer
Direct sales means the car company sells to you directly, not through a dealership. Some states have laws that require franchise dealers to be the ones selling new cars, so direct-to-consumer sales can be blocked.
model-year upgrade vs paying more
This is about whether the newer model year is actually better enough to justify the extra money. Sometimes the changes are small, so you might be better off buying the slightly older one if the price difference is big.
infotainment system
The infotainment system is the touchscreen/controls in the car for music, maps, and phone features. A newer one can feel smoother and may connect to your phone better.
Tacoma
They’re talking about the Toyota Tacoma and how well it holds its value. They say after two years it keeps about 81% of the original sticker price, which is much better than most vehicles. Because of that, buying used may not be as attractive if you can buy new for a similar amount.
resale value
Resale value is how much a vehicle is worth when you sell or trade it later. In this segment, the hosts use resale value to argue that the Tacoma is financially attractive because it keeps a large portion of its original price. Higher resale value generally means lower total cost of ownership for many buyers.
MSRP
MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the original sticker price a vehicle is launched with. The hosts say the Tacoma retains 81% of MSRP after two years, meaning the market price stays close to what it originally cost. This is a common way to compare how different vehicles depreciate.
depreciation
Depreciation is how much value your car loses as time goes on. They’re saying the Tacoma loses value much more slowly than most vehicles. That’s why they think buying used may not be worth it if new is close in price.
Stellantis dealer training and field visits
In this part, they talk about how Stellantis is training car dealers in person across the country. It’s presented as a new, more active approach compared to how automakers used to do it.
Dodge
Dodge is a car brand owned by Stellantis. When the show talks about Stellantis training, it usually affects Dodge dealers too.
Jeep
Jeep is the rugged SUV brand owned by Stellantis. Dealer training like this helps sales teams understand Jeep models and what buyers care about.
Chrysler
Chrysler is a car brand owned by Stellantis. If Stellantis is training dealers, Chrysler dealers are part of that broader effort.
Ram
Ram is the truck brand owned by Stellantis. When Stellantis trains dealers, it includes helping them sell and explain Ram trucks.
dealer network training tour
Instead of only training dealers at headquarters, the automaker travels to dealerships in different cities. That helps salespeople learn the latest models and explain them better to customers.
Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is an SUV from Jeep. The hosts are saying it’s a new one, and that dealer training includes learning how to talk about it and drive it.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan. It’s the kind of vehicle dealers need to understand well because it’s aimed at families and daily practicality.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is a bigger SUV with room for more people. The point here is that dealers are being trained on it by actually driving it.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a performance car from Dodge. They’re saying they’ve driven one before and more versions are coming so salespeople can learn what it’s like to drive.
drive it on courses designed by and facilitated by professional drivers
Instead of just sitting in a classroom, the sales team drives the cars on special tracks. Professional drivers help them learn what the car does and how to explain it to customers.
Jeep 392 Moab
The “392” in Jeep 392 Moab refers to a big V8 engine. It’s a more aggressive, higher-power version of a Jeep, meant to feel strong both on-road and off-road.
Wrangler Jeep 392
The Wrangler is an SUV made for off-road driving. It’s designed to handle rough trails, and it’s also something people can use as a regular daily vehicle. In the conversation, a special Wrangler version is mentioned as being very powerful.
hurricane engine
The “hurricane” is a newer engine name being used in the lineup. The host is saying it may be better than the older “Hemi” style engine, at least in performance or overall design.
multi-energy strategy
A “multi-energy strategy” means the company sells vehicles with different kinds of power systems. The goal is to give each customer an option that matches how they drive and what they care about.
powertrains and power plants
These terms basically mean the vehicle’s “engine and how it sends power to the wheels.” The point here is that dealers need to understand the differences so they can recommend the right setup for each person.
turnaround
A “turnaround” means a company that was struggling is now making changes to get back on track. In car terms, that can mean better leadership and better plans for the cars and dealerships.
federal gas tax
Gas taxes are money collected from each gallon of gas you buy. If you drive an electric car, you’re not buying gasoline, so that specific funding source doesn’t get paid.
18.4 cents per gallon
They’re quoting the gas tax rate—how much is added to every gallon of gas. The point is that electric cars don’t contribute to that per-gallon tax.
proposed vehicle weight tax
Because electric cars don’t pay the gas tax, some lawmakers want a different way to fund road repairs. One idea is to charge more for heavier vehicles, since they can damage roads more.
EVs are heavier cars
EVs usually weigh more than gas cars because of the battery. That extra weight can beat up roads faster, which is why people talk about road damage and repairs.
O2 sensor
The O2 sensor checks the exhaust and helps the car adjust how it burns fuel. If it’s bad, the car may light up the check-engine light and make it look like the catalytic converter is the problem when it isn’t.
catalytic converter
The catalytic converter cleans up the exhaust. If it’s not working right, the car may throw warning codes, but sometimes a sensor problem can cause symptoms that look like a bad catalytic converter.
NSTA report
They mention an “NSTA report” as evidence from a diagnostic test. It’s basically a document showing what the emissions system tests indicate, but the exact meaning depends on what NSTA stands for in their area.
cat clean
“Cat clean” is a cleaner additive people put in the fuel to try to reduce buildup. It might help if the problem is deposits, but it won’t replace a broken sensor or a genuinely failing catalytic converter.
dealer machine
They’re saying the dealership wouldn’t scan the car’s computer unless they paid. That scan is how shops figure out what code triggered the warning light.
Ford F150
They’re talking about a recall possibility for a 2020 Ford F-150. If your truck has the same problem, a recall can mean the fix is handled by Ford instead of paying out of pocket.
recall
A recall means the manufacturer admits there’s a problem with certain vehicles and offers a fix. It’s important to check recalls first because it could save you money and ensure the repair is done correctly.
emissions test
An emissions test checks whether your car is putting out too much pollution. If the catalytic converter isn’t working right, it can cause the car to fail that test.
NHTSA
NHTSA is the U.S. government site where you can look up recalls for your car. If there’s a recall for your exact vehicle, it can tell you what the problem is and how to get it fixed.
17-digit VIN
A VIN is like your car’s fingerprint. It’s a 17-character code that identifies the exact vehicle, so recall websites can tell you what applies to your specific car.
trouble code
A trouble code is an error message your car stores when it senses something isn’t right. The code helps narrow it down, but it usually doesn’t tell you the exact repair by itself.
AutoZone
AutoZone can scan your car and show error codes. But those codes don’t always tell you exactly what’s wrong, so you may still need a mechanic to figure it out.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV, and “EX” is a higher trim level. They’re talking about a 2026 Sportage EX and which convenience options it did or didn’t include.
power liftgate
A power liftgate is the trunk/back door that opens and closes automatically with a button or remote. They’re saying the EX trim includes it as a standard feature.
check engine light
The check engine light means your car’s computer noticed something might be wrong. It could be small, but it could also be serious, so the best next step is to have the codes read with a scanner.
knowing the right time to trade
This is about choosing when to sell or trade your car so you get the best deal. Timing matters because car values change with the market and with things like mileage and incentives.