{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Consumers Are REFUSING To Buy Cars | Episode 1080","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/consumers-are-refusing-to-buy-cars-episode-1080","audioUrl":"https://pdrl.fm/3359a6/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/1385/injector.simplecastaudio.com/14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9/episodes/68ef4851-2205-46cb-88ba-9a9293bc8e9c/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9&awEpisodeId=68ef4851-2205-46cb-88ba-9a9293bc8e9c&feed=gkrQ6WSC","description":"Today on CarEdge Live, Ray and Zach discuss the latest from WSJ. Tune in to learn more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com\nfor information about our collection and use of personal data for\nadvertising.\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":212.7,"endTime":219.8,"type":"concept","title":"rideshare technologies","url":"/glossary/rideshare-technologies","quote":"And then the rest of us who can and will utilize rideshare technologies and\n[219.8s] robo-taxies and things of that nature, because they're just not affordable enough for us common\n[232.3s] people to be able to buy a car.","canonicalId":"concept:rideshare-technologies","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.72,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Rideshare technologies” refers to app-based services where you request a car ride on demand rather than owning a personal vehicle. In the context of this episode, the idea is that high car prices push more people toward using mobility services instead of buying cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means using an app to get a ride when you need one, instead of owning your own car. The hosts are saying fewer people can afford to buy cars, so they’ll rely more on ride services."}},{"startTime":219.8,"endTime":232.3,"type":"concept","title":"robo-taxies","url":"/glossary/robotaxies","quote":"And then the rest of us who can and will utilize rideshare technologies and\n[219.8s] robo-taxies and things of that nature, because they're just not affordable enough for us common\n[232.3s] people to be able to buy a car.","canonicalId":"concept:robo-taxies","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Robo-taxies” is a casual way to describe autonomous (self-driving) taxi services. The episode frames this as a future mobility model where companies provide transportation, potentially reducing the number of individuals who purchase cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Robo-taxies” are self-driving taxis—cars that drive themselves. The point here is that if cars are too expensive, people may use these services instead of buying their own vehicle."}},{"startTime":268.8,"endTime":274.0,"type":"concept","title":"subscription service offerings for cars","url":"/glossary/subscription-service-offerings-for-cars","quote":"Now, it could be this type of evolution, like you're describing, which we've seen already in\n[265.0s] past iterations. We've seen subscription service offerings for cars that have all, for the most part, failed.","canonicalId":"concept:subscription-service-offerings-for-cars","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Car “subscription service offerings” are plans where you pay a recurring monthly fee to use a vehicle, typically without the long-term commitment of buying. The hosts note that earlier attempts by third parties and OEMs largely failed, suggesting the industry may try again in a new form.","simplifiedExplanation":"A car subscription is like renting a car on a monthly plan, usually through an app or a company. Instead of buying the car outright, you pay to use it—and the hosts say past versions didn’t really work out."}},{"startTime":274.0,"endTime":278.5,"type":"concept","title":"OEMs try to do subscriptions","url":"/glossary/oems-try-to-do-subscriptions","quote":"We saw third-party companies try and do subscriptions. We saw OEMs try and do\n[278.5s] subscriptions.","canonicalId":"concept:oems-try-to-do-subscriptions","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“OEMs” means original equipment manufacturers—typically the automakers themselves. When OEMs try car subscriptions, they’re offering a direct-to-consumer alternative to buying, but the episode claims these efforts have struggled historically.","simplifiedExplanation":"OEMs are the actual car makers. The hosts are saying even the automakers tried offering cars as a subscription, but those plans mostly didn’t succeed."}},{"startTime":278.5,"endTime":287.6,"type":"concept","title":"subscribed to a car and you pay a monthly payment","url":"/glossary/subscribed-to-a-car-and-you-pay-a-monthly-payment","quote":"This was maybe 15 years ago even,\n[282.6s] where it's like subscribed to a car and you pay a monthly payment.","canonicalId":"concept:subscribed-to-a-car-and-you-pay-a-monthly-payment","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This describes the basic structure of a car subscription: a recurring monthly payment for access to a vehicle. The episode uses this as an example of an earlier model that didn’t catch on widely, implying a future version could look different.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s basically paying every month to have access to a car. The hosts are pointing out this idea has been tried before and didn’t really take off."}},{"startTime":309.9,"endTime":314.5,"type":"concept","title":"new car market","url":"/glossary/new-car-market","quote":"Some 1 million prospective buyers have defected from the new car market since the start of the decade and they aren't expected back soon.","canonicalId":"concept:new-car-market","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “new car market” refers to the market for brand-new vehicles sold directly to consumers, not used cars. In this segment, the hosts use it to describe how many shoppers are choosing not to buy new cars right now.","simplifiedExplanation":"“New car market” just means people buying brand-new cars, not used ones. The point here is that fewer people are willing to buy new cars lately."}},{"startTime":333.1,"endTime":338.4,"type":"concept","title":"high interest rates","url":"/glossary/high-interest-rates","quote":"GM, Ford, Toyota, and other automakers have said they are planning for sales of new cars to shrink or stagnate this year after consumers sung by persistent inflation, rising fuel prices, and high interest rates are balking at prices that have risen to around $50,000 on average.","canonicalId":"concept:high-interest-rates","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"High interest rates make car loans more expensive, because the monthly payment rises when the borrowing cost increases. That can push shoppers away from buying new cars, especially when prices are already high.","simplifiedExplanation":"Interest rates affect how much it costs to borrow money for a car. When rates are high, the monthly payment is higher, so fewer people can afford to buy."}},{"startTime":333.1,"endTime":333.1,"type":"company","title":"GM","url":"/glossary/gm","quote":"GM, Ford, Toyota, and other automakers have said they are planning for sales of new cars to shrink or stagnate this year...","canonicalId":"company:gm","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"GM refers to General Motors, one of the largest U.S. automakers. The segment mentions GM alongside other automakers to support the claim that new-car sales may shrink or stagnate due to affordability pressures.","simplifiedExplanation":"GM is a major car company (General Motors). The host mentions it because GM is saying sales of new cars could slow down."}},{"startTime":333.1,"endTime":333.1,"type":"company","title":"Toyota","url":"/glossary/toyota","quote":"GM, Ford, Toyota, and other automakers have said they are planning for sales of new cars to shrink or stagnate this year...","canonicalId":"company:toyota","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Toyota is referenced as one of the automakers projecting that new-car sales could shrink or stagnate. In this context, it supports the broader argument that affordability and financing costs are weighing on demand.","simplifiedExplanation":"Toyota is a major car brand/company. The host mentions it because Toyota is also expecting new-car sales to slow down."}},{"startTime":343.3,"endTime":348.3,"type":"brand","title":"Volvo","url":"/glossary/volvo","quote":"I'm going to jump here, Dad, to the quote from Eric Severinson, who's Volvo's chief commercial officer saying, quote, this is a real threat to the whole industry.","canonicalId":"brand:volvo","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Volvo is a major automaker, and in this segment it’s referenced through its chief commercial officer’s comments about the industry’s affordability and demand outlook. The brand is used as an example of executives acknowledging a broader market problem.","simplifiedExplanation":"Volvo is a car brand. Here, the host quotes a Volvo executive to show that even big automakers think new-car affordability is becoming a serious issue."}},{"startTime":362.5,"endTime":395.5,"type":"concept","title":"share of U.S. car sales by cost","url":"/glossary/share-of-u-s-car-sales-by-cost","quote":"And then I will follow that up with that, the data from Edmonds, which shows here the share of U.S. car sales by cost. So you can see, Dad, this gray area that's $5,000 to $25,000 car sales, it has shrunk from 21% of all cars sold to 5% of all all cars sold...","canonicalId":"concept:share-of-u-s-car-sales-by-cost","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Share of U.S. car sales by cost” is a breakdown of what portion of total sales falls into different price bands. Here, the hosts use it to show a shift away from lower-priced cars and toward higher-priced cars over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a way to look at car sales by price category—like how many cars are sold in the $5k–$25k range versus $45k–$65k. The segment uses it to show how the mix of what people buy has changed."}},{"startTime":414.8,"endTime":420.8,"type":"concept","title":"affordability issue","url":"/glossary/affordability-issue","quote":"We see every manufacturer state that, yeah, there's an affordability issue.","canonicalId":"concept:affordability-issue","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An “affordability issue” in auto sales means the total cost of buying (price plus financing costs) is too high for many buyers. The segment frames it as a key reason automakers are seeing weaker demand.","simplifiedExplanation":"An “affordability issue” means the cars cost too much for many people to comfortably pay. That can include the sticker price and what it costs to finance the purchase."}},{"startTime":420.8,"endTime":428.3,"type":"brand","title":"Chrysler","url":"/glossary/chrysler","quote":"You know, Chrysler is going to come out with two or three vehicles that are under $30,000 by 2030.","canonicalId":"brand:chrysler","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Chrysler is a U.S. automaker brand referenced for its plan to offer vehicles under $30,000 by 2030. The segment uses this as an example of how brands are trying to address affordability with lower-priced models.","simplifiedExplanation":"Chrysler is a car brand. The host says Chrysler is planning cheaper cars (under $30,000) by 2030 to help with affordability."}},{"startTime":428.3,"endTime":435.2,"type":"brand","title":"Dodge","url":"/glossary/dodge","quote":"Dodge is going to come out with vehicles under $40,000 by 2030. Just using inflation suggests to me that well by 2030, the Chrysler won't be under $30,000 and the Dodge won't be under $40,000.","canonicalId":"brand:dodge","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dodge is a U.S. automaker brand referenced for a target of vehicles under $40,000 by 2030. The host then challenges whether inflation will keep those prices truly low in real terms.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dodge is a car brand. The host says Dodge is aiming for cars under $40,000 by 2030, but questions whether inflation will make that harder to achieve."}},{"startTime":451.8,"endTime":475.7,"type":"term","title":"price point","url":"/glossary/price-point","quote":"And at the time they announced [451.8s] that there was going to be some point in the future, this new vehicle at a certain price point. [459.1s] And the two most famous ones were the Ford Lightning pickup and the Tesla Cybertruck.","canonicalId":"term:price-point","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Price point” means the specific price level a manufacturer targets for a vehicle to reach a certain buyer segment. In the segment, it’s tied to the promised starting prices for the Ford Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck and whether those prices were actually achievable for buyers.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Price point” just means a target price—like the starting price a company says the car will cost. They’re arguing that the real market prices and availability didn’t match those targets."}},{"startTime":459.14,"endTime":467.8,"type":"car","title":"Tesla Cybertruck","url":"/cars/tesla/cybertruck","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/2024_Tesla_Cybertruck_Foundation_Series_IMG_0634_%28cropped%29.jpg","quote":"And the two most famous ones were the Ford Lightning pickup and the Tesla Cybertruck. [475.7s] Yeah. Okay. Neither one of them ever got it.","canonicalId":"car:tesla:cybertruck","priority":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Tesla Cybertruck is Tesla’s angular, all-electric pickup truck. Here it’s referenced alongside the Ford Lightning to illustrate how announced pricing and production timelines didn’t translate into new vehicles actually selling at the promised price.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Tesla Cybertruck is Tesla’s electric pickup. The point in this discussion is that the company’s earlier claims about when and at what price it would be available didn’t match what buyers saw.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons"}},{"startTime":459.14,"endTime":467.8,"type":"car","title":"Ford F-150 Lightning","url":"/cars/ford/f-150-lightning","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/2022_Ford_F-150_Lightning%2C_NYIAS_2022.jpg","quote":"...point. And the two most famous ones were the Ford Lightning pickup and the Tesla Cybertruck. And both were sa...","canonicalId":"car:ford:f-150 lightning","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup truck, built to deliver the everyday utility people expect from the F-150 while running on electricity instead of gasoline. It’s often discussed because it brings EV technology into a mainstream truck format, including features like home charging and the ability to power certain tools or appliances. In a podcast, it’s a natural comparison point when talking about famous electric pickups and how they’re positioned for real-world use.","simplifiedExplanation":"The F-150 Lightning is a pickup truck that runs on electricity instead of gas. It’s designed for people who want a truck for work or hauling, but with the benefits of an EV like charging at home. It also includes ways to use its battery to power some things.","imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":622.3,"endTime":631.6,"type":"term","title":"profit margins","url":"/glossary/profit-margins","quote":"Historically stagnating sales led automakers to juice demand by rolling out deals and incentives [622.3s] that eroded their profit margins. That isn't the case this time...","canonicalId":"term:profit-margins","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Profit margins are how much money a company keeps as profit after covering costs, usually expressed as a percentage. The segment claims that historically automakers “juice demand” with deals and incentives that can reduce profit margins, but that this time GM and Ford are still making solid profits even while selling fewer vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Profit margin is how much profit a company makes on each sale after paying its costs. The hosts are saying that in the past, companies used discounts to sell more, which can shrink profit margins."}},{"startTime":622.3,"endTime":631.6,"type":"term","title":"deals and incentives","url":"/glossary/deals-and-incentives","quote":"Historically stagnating sales led automakers to juice demand by rolling out deals and incentives [622.3s] that eroded their profit margins.","canonicalId":"term:deals-and-incentives","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Deals and incentives” are marketing programs—like rebates, financing offers, or other customer discounts—used to lower the effective purchase cost. The segment frames them as a lever automakers historically used when sales were stagnating, even though those moves can hurt profit margins.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Deals and incentives” are things like rebates or special financing that make a car cheaper to buy. The hosts are saying automakers have used these to boost sales before, but it can reduce how much profit they make."}},{"startTime":641.9,"endTime":658.7,"type":"term","title":"0% financing offers","url":"/glossary/0-financing-offers","quote":"There are more 0% financing offers today than there were at the end of December last year. So just let that sink in for a second.","canonicalId":"term:0-financing-offers","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“0% financing” means the lender charges no interest on the loan balance, so the borrower is paying back only the principal. Automakers often use it as a marketing incentive to lower the monthly payment, but it doesn’t change the total price of the car.","simplifiedExplanation":"“0% financing” means you borrow money to buy the car and the loan doesn’t add interest. Your monthly payment is lower than a normal loan, but the car’s price still has to be affordable."}},{"startTime":729.3,"endTime":748.2,"type":"term","title":"MSRPs","url":"/glossary/msrps","quote":"And the root problem is that the MSRPs on most new cars grew so dramatically over the last five or six years that there's no way to make them affordable for the vast majority of the buying public out there.","canonicalId":"term:msrps","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MSRP means “Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price,” the sticker price automakers publish for a vehicle. When MSRPs rise sharply, even 0% financing can’t make the car affordable for many buyers because the principal amount is still too high.","simplifiedExplanation":"MSRP is the official sticker price for a new car. If that sticker price goes up a lot, then even a “0% loan” may still lead to monthly payments that are too expensive."}},{"startTime":729.3,"endTime":748.2,"type":"concept","title":"the root problem","url":"/glossary/the-root-problem","quote":"And the root problem is that the MSRPs on most new cars grew so dramatically over the last five or six years that there's no way to make them affordable for the vast majority of the buying public out there.","canonicalId":"concept:the-root-problem","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The hosts frame the “root problem” as affordability driven by rising new-car sticker prices, not just the availability of financing deals. The idea is that incentives can reduce monthly payments, but they don’t fix the underlying mismatch between prices and most buyers’ budgets.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying the real issue isn’t whether there are good loan offers—it’s that new cars cost too much for most people. Even with discounts or 0% loans, the total price is still too high."}},{"startTime":853.0,"endTime":862.0,"type":"person","title":"Ivan Drury","url":"/glossary/ivan-drury","quote":"Ivan Drury from Edmunds was quoted, quote, I don't want to say automakers are okay with this level of sales, but they kind of are.","canonicalId":"person:ivan-drury","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ivan Drury is a quoted analyst from Edmunds in this segment. His point is that automakers can tolerate lower sales volumes because they’re making enough profit per vehicle, especially from higher-margin trucks, SUVs, and other profitable lines.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ivan Drury is an Edmunds expert being quoted here. He’s saying car companies don’t necessarily panic about selling fewer cars because they can still make money per car, mainly from the more profitable SUV and truck market."}},{"startTime":876.2,"endTime":880.4,"type":"concept","title":"balancing act","url":"/glossary/balancing-act","quote":"Automakers face a balancing act. They stress the need for more affordable options, yet right now their business is fine without them.","canonicalId":"concept:balancing-act","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “balancing act” refers to how automakers try to respond to affordability pressure while their current business model remains profitable without major changes. In this segment, the tension is between marketing more affordable options and the reality that developing new vehicles is expensive.","simplifiedExplanation":"The “balancing act” here means car companies are trying to deal with customers who can’t afford new cars, but they’re still making money with what they already sell. The trade-off is that making brand-new cheaper cars costs a lot of money."}},{"startTime":880.4,"endTime":916.9,"type":"company","title":"General Motors, GM","url":"/glossary/general-motors-gm-19e9b0c5-2c85-4d03-83e5-52a8021a5850","quote":"General Motors, GM, for instance, is spending billions to upgrade their factories that make lucrative pickups, SUVs and V8 engines. At the same time, the automaker just pumped $600 million into a South Korean unit...","canonicalId":"company:general-motors-gm","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"General Motors (GM) is discussed as an example of how automakers manage profitability while consumers struggle with affordability. The segment highlights GM spending billions to upgrade factories for higher-demand, higher-margin products (like pickups/SUVs and V8 engines) while also investing in a South Korean unit that builds lower-cost U.S. models.","simplifiedExplanation":"General Motors (GM) is used as the example of how a big automaker thinks about money and product mix. They’re investing in making the cars they expect to sell well and profit from, while also funding cheaper-model production—even if they don’t plan to launch a bunch of new low-cost vehicles."}},{"startTime":884.7,"endTime":889.1,"type":"term","title":"V8 engines","url":"/glossary/v8-engine","quote":"General Motors, GM, for instance, is spending billions to upgrade their factories that make lucrative pickups, SUVs and V8 engines.","canonicalId":"term:v8-engines","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A V8 engine is an internal combustion engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. The segment uses V8 engines to illustrate GM’s focus on lucrative powertrains tied to profitable trucks and SUVs.","simplifiedExplanation":"A V8 engine is a type of engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. The segment mentions it because GM is investing in vehicles that tend to use this kind of engine and sell well for higher profits."}},{"startTime":894.5,"endTime":899.3,"type":"term","title":"tariffs","url":"/glossary/tariffs","quote":"GM has said that even with tariffs, those models for compact SUVs that sell for less than $30,000 make money.","canonicalId":"term:tariffs","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods. Here, the segment notes that even after accounting for tariffs, GM claims its lower-priced compact SUV models can still be profitable."}},{"startTime":911.6,"endTime":916.9,"type":"concept","title":"developing a new vehicle is costly","url":"/glossary/developing-a-new-vehicle-is-costly","quote":"noting that developing a new vehicle is costly and money the company should spend only if a model will add value over time.","canonicalId":"concept:developing-a-new-vehicle-is-costly","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The segment emphasizes that developing a new vehicle requires large upfront investment (engineering, tooling, compliance, and production setup). That cost is used to explain why automakers may only greenlight new models if they expect long-term value rather than short-term volume boosts.","simplifiedExplanation":"Making a new car from scratch costs a lot of money. That’s why companies may only build new models if they think those cars will pay off over time, not just to chase sales headlines."}},{"startTime":950.1,"endTime":963.6,"type":"company","title":"Stellantis","url":"/glossary/stellantis","quote":"whether it be an automotive news or the Wall Street Journal or Bloomberg, you know, Stellantis' resurgence is going to be based on where we're going to come out with so many models that are under $30,000 or under $40,000.","canonicalId":"company:stellantis","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Stellantis is referenced as a company whose “resurgence” is framed as depending on launching many models under certain price thresholds. In this context, it’s about how automakers plan product lineups to attract buyers when affordability is the main barrier.","simplifiedExplanation":"Stellantis is mentioned as a car company that’s trying to improve its situation. The idea here is that it will rely on offering lots of cheaper models to win back customers who are price-sensitive."}},{"startTime":1172.72,"endTime":1186.7,"type":"term","title":"chip shortage","url":"/glossary/chip-shortage","quote":"Why? Well, first it was because there was a chip shortage. Okay. And if you could, if there's only so many chips available when there was that shortage...","canonicalId":"term:chip-shortage","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A chip shortage means there weren’t enough semiconductor components (often used in vehicle computers and electronics) to build cars at full volume. Automakers had to decide where to allocate limited chips, which affected which models and trims could be produced.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cars need computer chips for things like controls and infotainment. When there aren’t enough chips, car companies can’t build as many cars, so they prioritize certain models first."}},{"startTime":1227.46,"endTime":1231.96,"type":"car","title":"Honda Odyssey","url":"/cars/honda/odyssey","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/2018_Honda_Odyssey_front_3.16.18.jpg","quote":"You're cross shopping a Sienna and an Odyssey right now. Look at that. The dealers advertising $2,500 off MSRP...","canonicalId":"car:honda:odyssey","priority":0.35,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Honda Odyssey is a minivan known for family-focused practicality and comfort. In this segment, it’s part of a direct cross-shopping comparison with the Toyota Sienna to illustrate how dealer pricing and discounts can vary.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Honda Odyssey is a minivan people buy for family trips and daily use. The hosts mention it to compare pricing against the Toyota Sienna and show where discounts show up.","imageAttribution":"Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1227.5,"endTime":1243.7,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Sienna","url":"/cars/toyota/sienna","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/0_Toyota_Sienna_%28XL30%29_1.jpg","quote":"Not every vehicle is insanely expensive. I'm going to the car search and I'm going to pick on a brand here that we use to talk about more, but actually even look at this Honda prices. You're cross shopping a Sienna and an Odyssey right now. Look at that.","canonicalId":"car:toyota:sienna","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Toyota Sienna is a minivan that’s often cross-shopped with other family haulers like the Honda Odyssey. In this segment, it’s used as a pricing benchmark because the hosts compare MSRP and dealer discounts against competing models.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Toyota Sienna is a family minivan. Here it’s mentioned because the hosts are comparing prices and discounts to show what deals are available right now.","imageAttribution":"Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1255.4,"endTime":1265.1,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Armada","url":"/cars/nissan/armada","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Display_of_the_2nd_Gen_Nissan_Armada.jpg","quote":"But if you're looking for affordable transportation, it is out there. These are Sentras and kicks... You've got a kicks for 27, 288. You've got a Sentra for 25, 593. And you've got a Nissan Armada for $82,000.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:armada","priority":0.4,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV, and the hosts criticize its high pricing as unlikely to drive sales. They contrast it with cheaper Nissan models like the Kicks and Sentra to show how pricing strategy can affect inventory movement.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Armada is a large SUV. In this segment, the hosts say it’s priced so high that it’s not likely to sell well compared with Nissan’s more affordable models.","imageAttribution":"AOL inc (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1270.5,"endTime":1309.8,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Kicks","url":"/cars/nissan/kicks","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/A_Nissan_Kicks_in_Taiwan.jpg","quote":"These are Sentras and kicks. Look at this kick, Dad, for a second. Think about this. So this is where I think the bright spot is for car shoppers.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:kicks","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Kicks is a subcompact crossover, and in this segment it’s the “bright spot” example of a Nissan model that can be discounted meaningfully. The hosts cite long dealer sit time and advertised discounts off MSRP to argue that some buyers can still find deals.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Kicks is a small crossover SUV. The hosts use it as an example of a car that’s been sitting at dealers and is getting discounted, so shoppers might be able to pay less than expected.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0"}},{"startTime":1270.52,"endTime":1275.74,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Sentra","url":"/cars/nissan/sentra","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Nissan_Sentra_comp%C3%A9tition_en_SIAM_2024.jpg","quote":"These are Sentras and kicks. Look at this kick, Dad, for a second. Think about this. So this is where I think the bright spot is for car shoppers.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:sentra","priority":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that’s being used in the segment as an example of a more affordable Nissan option. The hosts point out that dealers are advertising aggressive discounts on some Sentras, suggesting there are deal opportunities even when other Nissan models are overpriced or slow to sell.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Sentra is a smaller, more affordable Nissan car. In this episode, it’s mentioned because some dealers are offering big discounts, which can make it easier to buy than pricier models.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / Public domain"}},{"startTime":1289.5,"endTime":1294.3,"type":"term","title":"advertised for a $2,500 discount on a $30,000 car","url":"/glossary/advertised-for-a-2-500-discount-on-a-30-000-car","quote":"They already have it advertised for a $2,500 discount on a $30,000 car. Last time I checked, that's 8, 9% off MSRP.","canonicalId":"term:advertised-for-a-2-500-discount-on-a-30-000-car","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A dealer “discount” is the amount the sale price is reduced compared with the listed price (often MSRP). In this segment, the hosts translate that discount into an approximate percentage off MSRP to show how meaningful the deal can be."}},{"startTime":1362.2,"endTime":1370.2,"type":"term","title":"CVT transmissions","url":"/glossary/cvt-transmission","quote":"And I really don't know how much difficulty they're still having with their CVT transmissions today. [1369.2s] You know, maybe they had some real issues with them 10 years ago.","canonicalId":"term:cvt-transmissions","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CVT stands for continuously variable transmission, a gearbox that can smoothly change gear ratios instead of using fixed steps. The speaker is pointing out that Nissan’s CVTs had reputation issues in the past, but may be improved today.","simplifiedExplanation":"A CVT is a type of automatic transmission that can change “gears” smoothly instead of jumping between set gear ratios. The host is saying Nissan’s CVTs used to be a problem, but they might be better now."}},{"startTime":1394.9,"endTime":1398.78,"type":"car","title":"Nissan Rogue","url":"/cars/nissan/rogue","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/2016_Nissan_Rogue%2C_Front_Left%2C_04-13-2021.jpg","quote":"Yes. This is at that same dealership, a Nissan Rogue. [1399.2s] They've had it only 27 days. It costs $34,750.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:rogue","priority":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan Rogue is a mainstream compact crossover that’s often used as a real-world example of how dealer pricing and manufacturer incentives can distort what “MSRP” means. Here, the host cites a specific Rogue listing price, dealer invoice, and discount structure to show how the final deal can differ from the sticker price.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan Rogue is a popular family crossover. The host uses this specific Rogue listing to show how the price you see at the dealer can be heavily influenced by discounts and incentives, not just the sticker price.","imageAttribution":"SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1399.2,"endTime":1409.3,"type":"term","title":"dealer's invoice price","url":"/glossary/dealer-s-invoice-price","quote":"It costs $34,750. The dealer's invoice price on this is $33,347. [1409.3s] They are advertising it at $4,500 off MSRP.","canonicalId":"term:dealer-s-invoice-price","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dealer invoice price is what the dealership is billed by the manufacturer for the vehicle (before the dealer’s profit). The host uses the Rogue example to show the gap between invoice and what’s advertised, highlighting how much room there can be for discounts.","simplifiedExplanation":"The dealer invoice price is basically the price the dealer pays to get the car from the manufacturer. The host is using it to show that the dealer often has more flexibility on price than the sticker suggests."}},{"startTime":1420.1,"endTime":1430.0,"type":"term","title":"Dock fee","url":"/glossary/dock-fee","quote":"Then they add back their Dock fee in the title. I mean, this is... What happens?","canonicalId":"term:dock-fee","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A dock fee is a charge related to getting the vehicle from the port/transport point to the dealership. The host criticizes how it can be added back even after big discounts, making the “discounted” price less impressive than it first looks.","simplifiedExplanation":"A dock fee is an extra charge for moving the car from where it arrives (like a port) to the dealership. The host is saying it can get added back on top of discounts, so you should check the final breakdown."}},{"startTime":1420.12,"endTime":1428.22,"type":"car","title":"Nissan 1500 Nissan","url":"/cars/nissan/100-nx","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/1991_Nissan_100_NX_1.6_%288094248321%29.jpg","quote":"This is great. This is great disclosure, by the way. Yes. Dealer discount, $1,500. Nissan, the manufacturer incentivizing it $3,500. Then they add back their Dock fee in the title. I mean, this is... What happens? Let me ask this question.","canonicalId":"car:nissan:100 nx","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Nissan 100 NX is a compact, sporty hatchback/coupe-style car that was sold in the 1990s, known for its small size and youthful design. It may come up in a podcast conversation around pricing and incentives because older cars like this can be heavily discounted to move inventory. The mention of dealer and manufacturer incentives fits the idea of how these cars can be found at lower effective prices than their sticker cost.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Nissan 100 NX is a small, older Nissan car from the 1990s with a sporty look. It’s the kind of car that can be advertised with discounts and incentives because it’s not a current model. The podcast context about fees and incentives is about how the final price can differ from the advertised price.","imageAttribution":"free photos & art (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"startTime":1428.2,"endTime":1465.7,"type":"concept","title":"customer cash","url":"/glossary/customer-cash","quote":"Of course. What happens if, if this is just an if, if instead of Nissan offering $3,500 customer cash, they reduced the damn MSRP by $3,500 and actually priced the vehicle where they expect to sell the vehicle.","canonicalId":"concept:customer-cash","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Customer cash is a manufacturer incentive paid to the buyer (often as a rebate) to reduce the effective selling price. The host’s point is that instead of using customer cash to discount the deal, the manufacturer could lower MSRP directly to avoid inflating the sticker price.","simplifiedExplanation":"Customer cash is money the manufacturer offers you to help lower the price you pay. The host is arguing that it’s better when the car is priced lower upfront, rather than relying on rebates that can be confusing."}},{"startTime":1486.8,"endTime":1507.3,"type":"concept","title":"average transaction price","url":"/glossary/average-transaction-price","quote":"They get a financial statement every month as to what the dealer did, sold, how many of each model, what the transaction price is. They know what the average transaction price it takes to move every one of their models.","canonicalId":"concept:average-transaction-price","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Average transaction price is the typical final price cars sell for after discounts and incentives, not the sticker MSRP. The host argues manufacturers can track this through dealer reporting and could price vehicles closer to what they actually need to sell them for.","simplifiedExplanation":"Average transaction price is what cars usually end up selling for in real deals, after discounts. The host is saying manufacturers already know this from dealer sales data, so they could set prices more realistically."}},{"startTime":1572.8,"endTime":1577.0,"type":"term","title":"73 days supply","url":"/glossary/73-days-supply","quote":"But in this area, there's only a 73 days supply. There are 342 for sale\n[1582.3s] within 100 miles, 210 of sold in the last 45 days.","canonicalId":"term:73-days-supply","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Days supply” is an inventory metric that estimates how long it would take to sell the current stock at the current sales pace. A lower number usually suggests tighter inventory and faster “turnover,” which can affect pricing power and discounting.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Days supply” is how many days of cars are sitting on lots compared to how fast they’re selling. If it’s low, cars are selling quickly and dealers may have less reason to discount heavily."}},{"startTime":1601.1,"endTime":1611.2,"type":"term","title":"auto loan rate","url":"/glossary/auto-loan-rate","quote":"Here's how you're going to negotiate with your salesperson. Here's how\n[1606.2s] you're going to negotiate the best auto loan rate with the finance officer.","canonicalId":"term:auto-loan-rate","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An “auto loan rate” is the interest rate charged on financing the vehicle. The host’s point is that negotiation isn’t just about the car price—it also includes the financing terms set by the finance officer.","simplifiedExplanation":"The “auto loan rate” is the interest rate on the money you borrow to buy the car. A lower rate can save you a lot over the life of the loan."}},{"startTime":1646.6,"endTime":1653.4,"type":"term","title":"synthetic oil","url":"/glossary/synthetic-oil","quote":"I was\n[1646.6s] having a conversation with our dear friend Frank. Let's last night talking about synthetic oil\n[1653.4s] and how there is projected to be a shortage of synthetic oil come July","canonicalId":"term:synthetic-oil","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Synthetic oil is a refined engine lubricant engineered for more consistent performance across temperatures and longer service intervals than conventional oil. The host is discussing a potential shortage, which could affect availability and pricing for consumers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Synthetic oil is a higher-end type of engine oil. It’s made to work well in hot and cold weather, and the speaker is saying there may be a shortage that could make it harder or more expensive to buy."}},{"startTime":1700.0,"endTime":1718.0,"type":"term","title":"stick shift","url":"/glossary/stick-shift","quote":"There's a 2018 Nissan Centra Stick Shift on Turro available this weekend at the Jersey Shore. $200 time for Zach's big adventure.","canonicalId":"term:stick-shift","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Stick shift” is a common enthusiast term for a manual transmission. Instead of an automatic gearbox doing the gear changes for you, the driver selects gears and uses the clutch to smoothly connect the engine to the drivetrain.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Stick shift” means the car has a manual transmission. You have to shift gears yourself and use the clutch pedal to get moving smoothly."}},{"startTime":1717.2,"endTime":1723.0,"type":"term","title":"clutch","url":"/glossary/clutch","quote":"My girlfriend could teach me how to drive stick this weekend. That could be a fun thing. My girlfriend and my dad yelling at me as I blow the clutch on a 2018 Nissan Centra.","canonicalId":"term:clutch","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In a manual-transmission car, the clutch is the pedal-operated mechanism that temporarily disconnects the engine from the transmission. When you release it too aggressively or at the wrong time, you can cause excessive wear—hence the joke about “blowing the clutch.”","simplifiedExplanation":"On a manual car, the clutch is what lets you change gears. If you let it out too fast while learning, you can damage it or make the car jerk."}},{"startTime":1741.0,"endTime":1746.0,"type":"term","title":"depreciation","url":"/glossary/depreciation","quote":"You see that POS Ferrari just released. Wait for the depreciation on that. Find piece of Italian electrics.","canonicalId":"term:depreciation","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Depreciation is how much a car’s value drops over time, especially after it’s newly released. In enthusiast and shopping contexts, depreciation matters because it affects what you pay for a used car versus what the car cost when it was new.","simplifiedExplanation":"Depreciation is how much a car loses value as time passes. It’s why a car can be much cheaper a year or two after it comes out."}},{"startTime":1788.0,"endTime":1812.6,"type":"term","title":"dealer reviews","url":"/glossary/dealer-reviews","quote":"One more thing I want to pull up here is also from Lego Joe earlier in the show, I used the dealer reviews. Help me choose an A-rated dealer instead of an F-rated dealer down the road.","canonicalId":"term:dealer-reviews","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Dealer reviews” here refers to an information source that ranks dealerships based on how transparent they are about fees. That transparency is framed as a practical way to avoid surprise charges during the purchase process.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealer reviews are ratings or feedback about car dealerships. In this segment, they’re used to help you find dealers that clearly explain their fees instead of adding surprises later."}},{"startTime":1797.8,"endTime":1802.0,"type":"company","title":"carriage.com","url":"/glossary/carriage-com","quote":"Again, folks, this is like, I think one of the best things in addition to the community and other stuff we've worked on, carriage.com slash dealers or just go to carriage.com, then up here on dealer reviews, click on any of these.","canonicalId":"company:carriage-com","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Carriage.com is referenced as a website feature for “dealer reviews,” where the hosts say dealers are ranked using a transparency-focused methodology. This is presented as a tool to help shoppers choose a better dealer experience."}},{"startTime":1807.3,"endTime":1812.6,"type":"term","title":"doc fee","url":"/glossary/doc-fee","quote":"We rank dealers based on how transparent they are with their fees. So we compare them to either their local doc fee or if we don't have","canonicalId":"term:doc-fee","priority":0.3,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “doc fee” (short for documentation fee) is a charge dealerships add to cover paperwork costs. The hosts say they compare dealer transparency to either the local doc fee or a baseline, implying some dealers may be more or less upfront about these charges.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “doc fee” is a paperwork charge a car dealer adds on top of the car’s price. The hosts are saying their site checks whether dealers clearly disclose these fees."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Ray","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Zach Shefska","role":"host"},{"id":"s3","name":"Bleav","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/consumers-are-refusing-to-buy-cars-episode-1080/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}