New Jeep Cherokee, Bronco Stroppe, Tariff Turmoil Explained
About this episode
Jill and Tom dive into the latest automotive news, including the return of the Jeep Cherokee, which will launch as a hybrid model. They discuss the Ford Bronco Strop Edition, a tribute to off-road racing legend Bill Strop, and its unique design features. The episode also features insights from Sam Fiorani of Auto Forecast Solutions, who explains the impact of tariffs on vehicle pricing and the automotive market. The conversation touches on electric vehicles, the challenges facing manufacturers, and the evolving landscape of the auto industry.
Jill and Tom open the show talking about “launch colors,” basically the color which new vehicles are initially presented in for media reveals, advertising, and promotion. Tom still remembers the copper color the redesigned Mitsubishi Eclipse was unveiled in for 2000.
Tom shared his early impressions of the electric Volvo EX30 subcompact crossover. So far, Tom is delighted by the Volvo, and surprised by its price.
The hosts turn the discussion to the coming 2026 Jeep Compass; a vehicle Tom and Jill both feel the maker badly needs in its lineup. The Discussion continues to include clarification on the topic of Japanese “kei” cars, including proper pronunciation, and a brief chat regarding the heritage-trimmed Stroppe Edition of the Ford Bronco.
In the second segment the hosts are joined by AutoForecast Solutions Vice President Sam Fiorani. Sam shared insights related to the current tariff situation, and what the elimination of “carbon credits” means to EV makers including Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. Sam also shares news regarding the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Red!” quiz, in which she is challenged to identify fake car colors.
Cadillac Optiq
"Yes. I did a new review of the Cadillac OPTIQ for greencars.com. Oh, okay."
Cadillac Escalade
"Oh, okay. And I have a review of the Escalade IQ coming out on greencars.com soon. I'm getting ..."
Volkswagen Id Buzz
"Okay. I'm getting the ID buzz this week. Yeah."
Jeep Cherokee
"We did. The Jeep Cherokee is back. Yes."
Ford Explorer
"... over. They didn't see it as an alternative to an Explorer or a Pilot or a Blazer or a Highlander. So the ne..."
Dodge Dakota
"We think we can stop. And I want the Dakota or whatever they're going to call it. I want that..."
Jeep Renegade
"...tyling, not in size, but in styling of the former renegade. Well, that's good."
Jeep Grand Cherokee
"...ght here, but part of the problem too is that the Grand Cherokee got bigger and expensive. Part of the problem is ..."
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
"...Jeep too, and there's no clarity on this, but the Grand Wagoneer is being freshened. They've announced that."
Hyundai Genesis
"Yeah. There was no bad Genesis ever. No."
Genesis GV60
"No. Um, the GV60 small electric crossover and the GV90 big sedan l..."
Genesis GV70
"Yeah. GV70 is on the rocks. We don't know when that's going ..."
Genesis G70
"...he GV70 is going away after 2027. The GV70 or the G70? G70."
Genesis GV80
"... they're getting rid of the GV70 electrified, the GV80 electrified. So none of that makes total sense to..."
Genesis G90
"... doesn't exist yet. That's going to be a large or G90. You said G80, GV80, this is absolutely the worst..."
Ford Bronco
"... much anymore. But we spent time in the 2025 Ford Bronco Strop Edition. Yes."
F-150 Raptor
"...nd of a regular Ford Bronco that gets most of the Raptor equipment, but not all of it."
Ford Bronco Sport
"...done a series of heritage edition versions of the Bronco Sport and Bronco where they get the white wheels and th..."
Jeep Willys
"... fun with this stuff. And it's like Jeep does the Willys edition of stuff, which is also really cool. Yeah..."
Chevrolet Trax
"... Buick now, the Invista, the Encore GX, the Chevy Trax, and the Chevy Trailblazer. Those vehicles are af..."
Tesla Model
"...t's say 90% US content, which only accounts for a Tesla model or two, that leaves 10% of the parts that come fr..."
Chevrolet Corvette
"...ts that they would need to buy for Silverados and Corvettes and anything else that that doesn't meet the emis..."
Chevrolet Silverado
"...g all the credits that they would need to buy for Silverados and Corvettes and anything else that that doesn't..."
Lucid Gravity
"...y not as accurate as they could be. But the lucid gravity not selling well. What have you heard about that?"
Nissan Gtr
"Of the six. All right, 2025 Nissan GTR Premium. That is Nissan sports car."
Envista Buick Invista
"All right. The 2025 Buick Invista Avenir. We were just talking about the Invista wi..."
Honda Ridgeline
"Like a hotel room after a concert. 2025 Honda Ridgeline. OK."
Toyota Corolla Cross
"I'm going to say a word. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross LE. OK."
Mazda Cx50
"The weird thing about it is the Corolla Cross is built in the same factory as the Mazda CX-50. So they have Soul Red in the print shop, ready to go."
Toyota Crown
"... use that pink color. You know, there is a Toyota Crown, the wagon. Signia."
Tesla Model X
"...hat is not on the menu while you're charging your Model X at the Tesla diner. All right."
Subaru Uncharted
"... they have two new SUVs, EVs that are coming. The Uncharted and then the Trailseeker. Trailseeker."
Subaru Trailseeker
"..., EVs that are coming. The Uncharted and then the Trailseeker. Trailseeker."
Toyota Chr
"...he Uncharted is built on the same platform as the Toyota CHR. Lots of clabs here."
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