{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Nov. 15, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Toyota, Nissan bet big on North America","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/nov-15-2025-weekend-drive-toyota-nissan-bet-big-on-north-america","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2447022/episodes/18192928-nov-15-2025-weekend-drive-toyota-nissan-bet-big-on-north-america.mp3","description":"Automotive News’ Omari Gardner and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson talk about major moves by Japanese automakers this week to boost manufacturing and sales in the U.S. and Canada amid tariffs."},"annotations":[{"startTime":52.0,"endTime":56.0,"type":"brand","title":"Toyota","url":"/glossary/toyota","quote":"So Omari, you were down in North Carolina this week with Toyota to check out its massive plan...","canonicalId":"brand:toyota","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its reliable, fuel-efficient vehicles and pioneering hybrid technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Toyota is a big car company from Japan that makes many popular cars, including hybrids and electric models."}},{"startTime":88.0,"endTime":98.0,"type":"term","title":"hybrid battery cells and modules","url":"/glossary/hybrid-battery-cells-and-modules","quote":"and they have a couple of buildings up that make hybrid battery cells and modules, but they're still working on the...","canonicalId":"term:hybrid-battery-cells-and-modules","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Hybrid battery cells are individual units that store electrical energy, while modules combine multiple cells into a single pack used in plug‑in hybrids.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hybrid battery cells are small parts that hold electricity. They’re put together into larger groups called modules, which go inside hybrid cars."}},{"startTime":88.0,"endTime":98.0,"type":"concept","title":"battery facility","url":"/glossary/battery-facility","quote":"and they have a couple of buildings up that make hybrid battery cells and modules, but they're still working on the...","canonicalId":"concept:battery-facility","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A battery facility is a manufacturing plant dedicated to producing battery cells and modules, which are essential components for electric and hybrid vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"A battery facility is a factory where batteries for cars are made. These batteries power electric and hybrid vehicles."}},{"startTime":98.0,"endTime":104.0,"type":"term","title":"plug-in hybrid","url":"/glossary/plug-in-hybrid","quote":"but they're still working on the, I believe the plug in hybrid and the building that builds EV batteries.","canonicalId":"term:plug-in-hybrid","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"A plug‑in hybrid is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with rechargeable battery packs, allowing it to drive on electric power alone for short distances.","simplifiedExplanation":"A plug‑in hybrid is a car that can run on gasoline or on electricity. You can charge its battery from a wall outlet."}},{"startTime":104.0,"endTime":110.0,"type":"concept","title":"EV batteries","url":"/glossary/ev-batteries","quote":"but they're still working on the, I believe the plug in hybrid and the building that builds EV batteries.","canonicalId":"concept:ev-batteries","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"EV batteries are large battery packs that power fully electric vehicles, providing the energy needed for propulsion without gasoline.","simplifiedExplanation":"EV batteries are big batteries that let electric cars run. They store electricity so the car can move without gas."}},{"startTime":533.0,"endTime":538.0,"type":"brand","title":"Nissan","url":"/glossary/nissan","quote":"Omari, now Nissan made a splash this week with CEO Ivan Espinoza telling our own Hans Grimo that the Japanese automaker is planning a blitz of new product next year to jumpstart US sales.","canonicalId":"brand:nissan","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to SUVs and electric models.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nissan is a big car company from Japan that makes many different kinds of cars, like small city cars and larger SUVs."}},{"startTime":651.0,"endTime":654.0,"type":"concept","title":"hybrid vehicles","url":"/glossary/hybrid-vehicles","quote":"And again, I think the getting hybrids, you know, that's where the market is right now. Again, those hybrids in market will be key to their profitability.","canonicalId":"concept:hybrid-vehicles","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hybrids are cars that use both gasoline and electric power to save fuel and help the environment."}},{"startTime":827.0,"endTime":835.0,"type":"car","title":"Kia Telluride (second generation)","url":"/cars/kia/telluride","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/2020_Kia_Telluride_LX_V6_AWD.jpg","quote":"One of the more interesting things will be the next generation Kia Tell You Ride. It's in the second generation.","canonicalId":"car:kia:telluride","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Kia Telluride is a midsize crossover SUV that debuted in 2019. The second generation, introduced for the 2023 model year, features updated styling, more advanced technology, and improved interior quality.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Telluride is a popular SUV from Kia. The new version that came out recently looks nicer and has better tech.","imageAttribution":"Ghostofakina (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":864.0,"endTime":871.0,"type":"car","title":"Chrysler Pacifica","url":"/cars/chrysler/pacifica","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/%2707_Chrysler_Pacifica.jpg","quote":"So if there is any development on the Chrysler Pacifica, I am always interested in that in particular that model.","canonicalId":"car:chrysler:pacifica","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Chrysler Pacifica is a full‑size minivan produced by the American automaker Chrysler, known for its spacious interior and family‑friendly features.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Pacifica is a big van made by Chrysler that’s good for families because it has lots of room and comfy seats.","imageAttribution":"Bull-Doser (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":871.0,"endTime":878.0,"type":"car","title":"Honda RAV4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/HONDA_CR-V_FIFTH_GENERATION_%26_TOYOTA_RAV4_PHEV_RAV4_PRIME_%28XA50%29_China.jpg","quote":"And then of course anything that has to do with Honda or Toyota because for those that don't know the RAV4 is only made in Canada.","canonicalId":"car:honda-rav4","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"openai/gpt-oss-20b","data":{"explanation":"The Honda RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that, in Canada, is manufactured at the Alliston plant and is popular for its practicality and fuel efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"The RAV4 is a small SUV made by Honda that’s built in Canada and is liked for being easy to drive and good on gas.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/nov-15-2025-weekend-drive-toyota-nissan-bet-big-on-north-america/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}