Honda Civic Hybrid, Ram Kills EV, 1969 Camaro
About this episode
Jill and Tom dive into the latest automotive news, discussing the 2025 Lexus 500H F-Sport, Ram's decision to cancel its electric truck, and the 1969 Chevy Camaro's unique features. They share insights from Jill's recent road trip in the Honda Civic Hybrid, highlighting its fuel economy and driving dynamics. The episode also features a guest appearance by Don Secora, editor-in-chief of Collectible Automobile Magazine, who discusses the magazine's latest issue and the history of classic cars. A fun quiz rounds out the episode, testing knowledge on automotive history and pop culture.
The show opens with a brief, and completely off-topic, conversation about whether or not Tom smells spicy. Listen in for the verdict.
Tom shared brief impressions of the 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD, noting that the premium midsize crossover was over-named by a few syllables. That said, Tom is very impressed with the vehicles.
The hosts went on the talk about Ram’s decision to kill—before introduction—the Ram REV electric pickup truck. The story gets a little complicated. Listen in for details.
Among other news, Tom shared information regarding Chinese carmakers turning to Magna International, and its Steyr manufacturing facility in Austria, for regional production. Chinese EV builders are looking to dodge European tariffs by assembling cars on the continent.
Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, noting that the maker’s compact car lineup is now mostly hybrid powered.
In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Don Sikora of Collectible Automobile to the show. Don shared highlights of the October 2025 issue of the classic-car magazine, which is on newsstands now. A feature story about the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, written by podcast regular Sam Fiorani, was discussed at length. See our Facebook page for information regarding subscribing to the magazine.
In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Partridge or President” quiz, in which she must determine if a given person was a cast member of “The Partridge Family,” or a former Ford CEO.
Toyota Highlander Grand
"I don't know what's happening to its sales. We talked a little bit about how Highlander, Grand Highlander sales are stealing Highlander sales."
GMC Sierra EV
"... has backed off building the Silverado EV and the Sierra EV to the extent that they're not opening that new f..."
Ford Orion
"... new factory yet that was going to build those at Orion Township, I think. Right."
Toyota Supra
"...But it currently builds the BMW Z4 and the Toyota Supra. And it was building the Fisker Carmo, or Fisker ..."
Mercedes-Benz Gclass
"Oh, you know what else? They build the G-Class. Oh, yeah, yeah."
Volkswagen Tiguan
"... the last two vehicles I've driven. So Volkswagen Tiguan included, which we talked about, I think last wee..."
Honda Civic
"...ng is really stiff. Like you would think Honda is civic is kind of an economy vehicle and would be a litt..."
Hyundai Elantra
"We're the only the other hybrid compact cars. The Elantra and the K4. I think you are correct."
Toyota Corolla
"...eah. The cars in the class to think about are the Corolla. The Mazda 3 is spectacular."
Toyota Camry
"... bigger, I mean, obviously you could go to Toyota Camry. You could go to."
Dodge Coronet
"That's okay. The 1971 to 74 Dodge Coronet. Uh-huh."
Chevrolet Camaro
"...favorite for the issue at least is the 1969 Chevy Camaro. Which was written by our dear friend Sam Fiorani..."
Ford Mustang
"...t wasn't so unusual, 50. And it was much like the Mustang. It was kind of anything you wanted it to be."
Ford Maverick
"...ey didn't want a Nova or didn't want to sell in a Maverick or whatever. I mean, this could get you basically..."
Chevrolet Nova
"...le coupe. I mean, they didn't, they didn't want a Nova or didn't want to sell in a Maverick or whatever...."
Cordoba Cordovas
"Right. They sold, you know, hundreds of thousands of Monte Carlo's and especially all the real cutlaces and Chrysler Cordova's and all that stuff. And the pony cars, the pony cars kind of faded into the background."
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
"Right. They sold, you know, hundreds of thousands of Monte Carlo's and especially all the real cutlaces and Chrysler Cordova's and all that stuff. And the pony cars, the pony cars kind of faded into the background."
Dodge Challenger
"... pony cars kind of faded into the background. The Challenger and the Cuda and the Javelin go away after 74. Th..."
American Motors Corporation (Amc) Javelin
"...e background. The Challenger and the Cuda and the Javelin go away after 74. The Mercury Cougar evolves into..."
Plymouth Cuda
"...faded into the background. The Challenger and the Cuda and the Javelin go away after 74. The Mercury Cou..."
Mercury Cougar
"...uda and the Javelin go away after 74. The Mercury Cougar evolves into a personal luxury car for 74 and get..."
Pontiac Firebird
"...luxury car for 74 and gets bigger. And Camaro and Firebird and the Mustang of course gets downsized to the P..."
Ford Explorer
"...ould oversee the development of the launch of the Explorer. Okay."
E5 Audi E5
"Did I talk about this at all? The Audi E5. Okay."
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