Goodbye Polestar, Used EV News, 2027 Kia Telluride
About this episode
Polestar is officially exiting the U.S. market after 2026, a shocking move driven by federal concerns over Chinese-owned vehicle data security. Hosts Tom Appel and Jill Seminello break down what this means for Volvo, Polestar dealers, and competitors like Tesla and BMW. They also dive into the highly anticipated 2027 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado redesigns, debating General Motors' strategy of releasing both trucks simultaneously and how GMC continues to push its lineup further upscale to meet luxury buyer demands.
Jill and Tom open the show by discussing the shocking news that the Polestar brand will be leaving the U.S. at the end of this model. Tom questions why Polestar is not pushing back against this Commerce Department security decision.
Jill notes that as information regarding the all-new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup is released, GMC has begun sharing tidbits--mostly photography--of the redesigned Sierra 1500. These launches are hugely important to General Motors, as the two trucks combined account for roughly one third of the carmaker's annual revenue.
In the 2nd segment, Jill and Tom talk to Jimmy Douglas of Plug, an online remarketer of used EVs. Listen in to learn how dealers are acquiring inventory of late-model used electric vehicles, and why this might be a good time to sell your EV. Also, it turns out that Jimmy is a big fan of the Volkswagen VR6 engine discussed recently by Tom.
In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Bogus Blue" quiz, and has time to review the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride 3-row crossover, which can now be had in hybrid form.
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Polestar
"But Polestar. Oh, yes, that was kind of stupid. It is stupid. Polestar, which I hate to pick winners and losers... Polestar is going away."
A luxury electric car brand that was spun off from Volvo. They make stylish, high-tech EVs, but are leaving the US market due to government rules about Chinese technology.
An electric performance car brand jointly established by Volvo Cars and Geely. Known for minimalist Scandinavian design and high-performance electric powertrains, the brand faced a sudden exit from the US market in 2026 due to regulatory challenges regarding Chinese-sourced software and components.
Geely
"Polestar is one of the many brands owned by Geely. Geely is a private Chinese company, mostly electric cars, but they do other stuff."
A giant Chinese car company that owns well-known European brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus.
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is a massive Chinese multinational automotive company headquartered in Hangzhou. It owns several prominent global brands, including Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus, and Zeekr, and is a major player in global EV manufacturing.
Volvo EX30
"And we saw the EX 30, the delightful, affordable, small Volvo crossover disappear because that was coming from China and building that someplace else."
A small, affordable electric SUV from Volvo that was highly praised for its fun driving dynamics and low price, though trade tariffs delayed its arrival in America.
The Volvo EX30 is an all-electric subcompact crossover designed as Volvo's entry-level EV. It gained significant attention for its highly competitive starting price of around $35,000 and minimalist interior, but its US launch was heavily disrupted by tariffs on Chinese-manufactured vehicles.
BMW i4
"The BMW, what's it called? The IX for I for. Yeah, they have the I for and they're coming out with the new."
An electric luxury sedan from BMW that looks and drives very much like their traditional gas-powered sport sedans.
The BMW i4 is an all-electric compact executive car styled as a four-door Gran Coupe. It shares its platform with the gas-powered 4 Series, offering traditional BMW driving dynamics and cabin layout paired with a highly efficient electric drivetrain.
Tesla Model 3S
"They didn't do a performance version of it, at least not yet. And then obviously, Tesla's got a bunch of Model 3's and Model Y's that play in that price range."
Tesla Model Y
"They didn't do a performance version of it, at least not yet. And then obviously, Tesla's got a bunch of Model 3's and Model Y's that play in that price range."
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
"So last week, we we talked a little bit about the 2027 Chevy Silverado. And now we are starting to see the 2027 GMC Sierra."
A highly popular full-size pickup truck from Chevy, redesigned for 2027 with massive screens and a more premium interior.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a cornerstone of GM's truck lineup, offering a wide range of configurations from work trucks to luxury cruisers. The redesigned 2027 model introduces updated styling, advanced digital displays, and refined interior materials to compete with Ford and Ram.
2027 GMC Sierra 1500
"And now we are starting to see the 2027 GMC Sierra. So we always knew that they were probably going to be coming out pretty close to each other. And yes, so both the Silverado and the Sierra 1500 are all new for the 2027 model year."
A large, luxurious pickup truck made by General Motors that offers high-end features and a comfortable ride.
The GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size light-duty pickup truck that shares its platform and powertrains with the Chevrolet Silverado. Positioned as a more premium and upscale alternative, the Sierra is known for its high-end Denali and luxury-focused trims.
Gmc Sierra
"...ilverado. And now we are starting to see the 2027 GMC Sierra. So we always knew that they were probably going ..."
This is a large, luxury pickup truck made by GMC that runs entirely on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. It features a modern design and a battery pack that can also power tools or even your home during an outage.
The GMC Sierra EV is an all-electric full-size pickup truck built on General Motors' Ultium platform. It offers massive towing capacity, a versatile 'MidGate' that expands the bed into the cabin, and fast-charging capabilities, serving as a premium sibling to the Chevrolet Silverado EV. It represents GMC's push into high-end electric utility vehicles.
Dodge Ram
"...is going to do the same thing with their pickups. Ram has always been, not always, but unless since bas..."
This is a large, powerful pickup truck built for hauling heavy loads and towing trailers. Though originally called the Dodge Ram, it is now officially sold under just the 'Ram' brand name.
While 'Ram' became its own standalone brand in 2009, many still refer to these full-size pickup trucks as the 'Dodge Ram.' Known for their class-leading interior luxury and smooth coil-spring rear suspension, these trucks are popular for both heavy work and daily driving. The lineup has recently transitioned away from V8 engines toward twin-turbo inline-six powerplants.
Jimmy Douglas
"On the phone with us is Jimmy Douglas. He is the founder of Plug. Jimmy, how are you today?"
A car industry expert who worked at Tesla and went on to start a company called Plug, which helps dealers buy and sell used electric cars.
Automotive entrepreneur and former Tesla employee who founded Plug, an online wholesale auction platform dedicated exclusively to used electric vehicles. He is an expert on EV depreciation, software-defined vehicle valuation, and battery health metrics.
compliance car
"For a long time, there were just a lot of compliance cars being sold there. Cars that other Americans like don't even know existed. There was a Ford Focus electric."
A car that a manufacturer only builds and sells to satisfy government environmental laws, rather than to make a profit or sell in large numbers.
A compliance car is an electric or zero-emission vehicle produced by an automaker solely to meet government mandates or environmental regulations in specific regions (like California's ZEV mandate). These cars are typically sold in limited numbers, often at a loss, and are modified versions of existing gas-powered models rather than dedicated EV platforms.
Tesla Model 3
"... in its environmental impact reports showing that Model 3 and why an aggregate crossing 200,000 miles retai..."
This is a fully electric four-door car made by Tesla. It runs entirely on battery power instead of gasoline and is controlled mostly through a single large touchscreen on the dashboard.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric compact executive sedan that popularized mass-market electric vehicles. As of 2026, it features the 'Highland' design refresh, which improved aerodynamics, cabin quietness, and interior materials. It is frequently discussed in environmental reports for its battery longevity and efficiency over high mileages.
JB Straubel
"but I think the amount of recycling they're doing is below expectations when JB founded the company because the batteries are more resilient in their first life application than everybody thought."
One of the original co-founders of Tesla who now runs a major company that recycles old electric car batteries so their materials can be reused.
Co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Tesla, who went on to found Redwood Materials, a leading battery recycling and materials company. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in electric vehicle battery technology and circular supply chains.
NACS
"Everyone's think everything's moving from CCS now to NA CS. Is that affecting value?"
The plug design used to charge electric cars, originally created by Tesla but now adopted by almost every car company in North America so everyone can use the same chargers.
The North American Charging Standard, originally developed by Tesla, is a unified electrical connector system for electric vehicles. It has been widely adopted by nearly all major automakers in North America, replacing the older CCS connector to allow direct access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network.
Subaru Uncharted
"...access to. Right. Yeah, I just charged the Subaru Uncharted, which has the NA CS system, the Tesla system, us..."
This likely refers to Subaru's electric SUV, which is designed to run entirely on battery power while keeping the brand's signature all-wheel-drive capability. It is built to handle light off-roading and outdoor adventures.
The 'Subaru Uncharted' appears to be a transcription error or a colloquial reference to a Subaru electric vehicle, likely the Solterra, which is Subaru's first global all-electric SUV. In the context of adopting the NACS (Tesla) charging standard, Subaru has committed to equipping its EVs with this port to allow access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
Subaru Solterra
"Yeah, I just charged the Subaru Uncharted, which has the NA CS system, the Tesla system, using an adapter."
Subaru's first fully electric SUV, built in partnership with Toyota, designed for light off-roading but criticized for slow charging times.
The Subaru Solterra is Subaru's first all-electric SUV, co-developed with Toyota (which sells it as the bZ4X). It features standard all-wheel drive and rugged styling, though it has faced criticism for its relatively slow DC fast-charging speeds and modest driving range.
Dodge Charger
"...t throughput, don't have a device in between your charger and your charge port. Exactly."
This is a sporty American car made by Dodge. While older versions were famous for loud V8 gasoline engines, the newest models are available as either high-powered electric vehicles or with modern six-cylinder engines.
The Dodge Charger has transitioned into its eighth generation, utilizing a multi-energy platform that offers both the all-electric Daytona models and twin-turbo inline-six 'Hurricane' gas engines. It represents Dodge's modern muscle car strategy, blending traditional aggressive styling with next-generation propulsion. It is often discussed in the context of EV charging infrastructure and power delivery.
VR6 engine
"I listened to an episode where you were talking about the VR6 and I owned a lot of them and I really want to come have a conversation about that. I would love to have that conversation. That is for people who don't know, we're talking about Volkswagen's VR6 engine."
A special, compact six-cylinder engine made by Volkswagen that fits into small cars like the Golf or Jetta, famous among enthusiasts for its smooth power and great sound.
The Volkswagen VR6 is a unique internal combustion engine configuration featuring a narrow-angle (typically 15-degree) V6 layout under a single cylinder head. This design allows the engine to be exceptionally compact, fitting into engine bays originally designed for four-cylinder engines while delivering the smooth power and distinct exhaust note of a six-cylinder.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...ays always. All right. First car is the Chevrolet Corvette. All cars are 2026 models of 2026 Corvette in thr..."
This is a famous two-seat sports car made by Chevrolet. The engine is located behind the seats instead of under the hood, which helps the car handle corners like an exotic race car.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car that transitioned to a mid-engine layout with its eighth generation (C8). For the 2026 model year, the lineup includes the entry-level Stingray, the hybrid E-Ray, the high-revving Z06, and the ultra-high-performance ZR1. It is celebrated for offering supercar-level performance at a fraction of the price of European competitors.
Honda Civic
"All right. The Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid. OK."
This is a highly popular, reliable small car made by Honda. The hatchback version has a rear door that opens upward for easy loading, and the hybrid version uses both a gasoline engine and electric motors to save fuel.
The Honda Civic is a staple of the compact car segment, renowned for its practicality, efficiency, and strong resale value. The 2026 model year highlights the Civic Hatchback Hybrid, which pairs a versatile cargo area with Honda's highly efficient dual-motor hybrid system. It represents a major step in Honda's strategy to hybridize its core lineup.
Toyota RAV4
"in any way. The RAV4 Woodland. RAV4 Woodland."
This is a highly popular compact SUV made by Toyota that is great for daily driving and family trips. The 'Woodland' version is a hybrid model designed with special tires and suspension for driving on dirt roads and camping trips.
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the world, celebrated for its practicality, reliability, and fuel efficiency. The 'Woodland Edition' is a hybrid-only trim that adds rugged styling, trail-tuned suspension, and all-terrain tires for light off-road adventures. It bridges the gap between a standard commuter and an outdoor lifestyle vehicle.
Ford Explorer
"All right. Next is the Ford Explorer in 100A trim. Do you know about this car?"
This is a large family SUV made by Ford that has three rows of seats to carry up to seven people. The '100A' version is a basic, no-frills model often used by police departments or business fleets.
The Ford Explorer is a highly popular midsize three-row SUV that serves as a cornerstone of Ford's family vehicle lineup. The '100A' trim typically refers to a fleet-focused or base-level configuration, often associated with police utility vehicles or budget-conscious commercial buyers. It offers a stripped-back, durable interior compared to retail trims.
Lucid Air
"... Trinity Rally a few weeks ago, we were driving a Lucid Air sapphire and we named her indigo. Oh, so."
This is a high-end, luxury electric sedan made by an American company called Lucid. It is powered entirely by batteries and is designed to travel very long distances on a single charge.
The Lucid Air is an all-electric luxury sedan known for its industry-leading driving range, ultra-fast charging, and minimalist design. The top-tier 'Sapphire' trim is a tri-motor hyper-sedan delivering over 1,200 horsepower, making it one of the fastest-accelerating production cars in the world. It serves as a technology showcase for the brand.
2027 Kia Telluride
"You just drove the Kia Telluride. Yes. And the big news there is that that vehicle is all new for the 2027 model year."
A popular, spacious family SUV with three rows of seats, known for looking much more expensive than it actually is.
The Kia Telluride is a highly successful mid-size three-row crossover SUV praised for its upscale design, spacious cabin, and exceptional value. The redesigned 2027 model introduces a new hybrid powertrain option alongside a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous generation's naturally aspirated V6.
Hyundai Palisade
"...vily, heavily based on and related to the Hyundai Palisade, which we have seen. Yes."
This is a large, comfortable family SUV made by Hyundai that can seat up to eight passengers. It is designed to feel luxurious inside while remaining affordable for families.
The Hyundai Palisade is a midsize three-row crossover SUV praised for its upscale cabin, smooth ride, and family-friendly features. It shares its platform and powertrain with the Kia Telluride, positioning it as a value-packed alternative to luxury brand SUVs. It is highly regarded for its spacious third row and robust safety suite.
Genesis GV80
"...it's all over the Hyundai Kia lineup. The Genesis GV80, the standard engine, is the 2.5 liter, although ..."
This is a premium, midsize luxury SUV made by Genesis, the luxury division of Hyundai. It is designed to offer a very smooth, quiet ride with high-quality leather and modern technology inside.
The Genesis GV80 is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that serves as the flagship utility vehicle for Hyundai's luxury division. It is highly regarded for its striking design, whisper-quiet cabin, and high-end materials that rival European luxury brands at a lower price point. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 also available.
Hyundai Genesis
"It's it's all over the Hyundai Kia lineup. The Genesis GV80, the standard engine, is the 2.5 liter, alth..."
This refers to a luxury car originally made by Hyundai, which eventually became so successful that Hyundai turned 'Genesis' into its own separate luxury brand.
Originally introduced as a premium sedan under the Hyundai brand, 'Genesis' has since spun off into Hyundai's standalone luxury division. The name is often used historically to refer to the original rear-wheel-drive luxury sedans that proved Hyundai could compete with established premium brands. These vehicles laid the groundwork for the current Genesis lineup.
BMW M5 Touring
"Driving BMWs and I just get out of the M5 touring, which, by the way, is a spectacular, spectacular vehicle."
An incredibly fast, high-performance station wagon from BMW that has over 700 horsepower, combining the speed of a supercar with the trunk space of a family car.
The BMW M5 Touring is the high-performance wagon variant of the legendary M5 sport sedan. The latest generation features a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor to produce a staggering 717 horsepower, offering supercar-level performance with wagon utility.
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