Rochelle Salinas Explains How The Houston Auto Show Is Reinventing Exhibits, Experiences, And Community Impact;
About this episode
Rochelle Salinas, the new president of the Houston Auto Show, discusses her journey and the exciting changes coming to this year's event. With a focus on community impact, the show will feature innovative exhibits, including a luxury showcase and an overland experience. Salinas highlights the challenges faced by manufacturers, especially with the shift to electric vehicles, and the importance of engaging local nonprofits. The episode also touches on the student technician competition and the show's commitment to providing unique experiences for attendees.
We sit down with newly appointed Houston Auto Show president Rochelle Salinas to unpack what it takes to steer a legacy event through inventory shortages, EV uncertainty, and shifting manufacturer strategies while still delivering experiences people can feel.
Rochelle shares concrete updates: Camp Jeep is confirmed, a curated luxury showcase with Modern Luxury is on deck, and outdoor ride-and-drives with Toyota, Subaru, and Stellantis remain a highlight. We’re adding expert-led tours that group vehicles by real buyer needs—SUVs, trucks, family cars—so you can compare fast, ask smart questions, and leave informed. Inspired by trips to LA, New York, and Chicago, we’re bringing an overlanding zone to Houston, complete with camping setups and Scout partnerships to make it hands-on and family friendly.
Community impact gets real with Houston Give Back Day, created with the partner Boat Show to spotlight roughly 20 nonprofits and on-site blood donation. We also celebrate the rapid growth of the student technician competition at Texas State Technical College in Rosenberg—23 teams, scholarships, cash, and tools—building the talent pipeline our industry needs. And for a dose of car culture history, Jeff revisits the Vertipak era, when Chevy shipped Vegas nose-down to pack more cars per railcar, a bold logistics gamble that changed how vehicles move across the country.
We close with a detailed review of the 2026 Chevy Trax. It’s a small SUV with a big value story: clean design, an excellent infotainment screen, surprisingly lively 1.2-liter turbo performance, and near-30 mpg combined, all at a compelling price point. If you’re weighing Trax vs Trailblazer, AWD needs, or interior tech, you’ll get the clarity you’re looking for.
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Nissan
"So it is the best that it can be in these situations and yeah, there are some manufacturers that are definitely having some challenges like Nissan for example..."
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many types of vehicles. They have been having some difficulties lately, which may affect their participation in car shows.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars like the Nissan Leaf. They have faced various challenges in recent years, impacting their presence at automotive shows.
camp Jeep
"So we've come up with a few things to kind of make that happen and we're happy to have camp Jeep back."
Camp Jeep is a special event at car shows where people can try out Jeep vehicles on tough, off-road tracks. It's a fun way to see how well these cars can handle rough conditions.
Camp Jeep is an interactive experience at automotive shows where attendees can test drive Jeep vehicles on off-road courses. It showcases the brand's capabilities in rugged terrains and highlights their SUVs' performance.
Hyundai
"...traditional Ford Chevy Kia Hyundai, you know, we're looking forward to all of them returning..."
Hyundai is another car company from South Korea that makes many types of cars and is known for good warranties.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, known for their value and warranty offerings.
Ford
"...traditional Ford Chevy Kia Hyundai, you know, we're looking forward to all of them returning..."
Ford is a popular car company in the United States that makes many types of vehicles, like trucks and cars.
Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and cars.
Cadillac
"...Is Cadillac coming this year? I know last year they they kind of had some reservations..."
Cadillac is a luxury car brand from America that makes high-end vehicles with lots of features.
Cadillac is a luxury vehicle division of the American automobile manufacturer General Motors, known for its premium cars and SUVs.
Lincoln
"...as well as Lincoln I had some hopes for Lincoln because Lincoln did come back at is there is coming back to the LA show..."
Lincoln is a luxury brand from Ford that makes fancy cars and SUVs.
Lincoln is the luxury vehicle division of the American automaker Ford, known for its upscale cars and SUVs.
Toyota
"Yes, we do have yeah we will have ride-and-drive outdoors. I know right now we have Toyota..."
Toyota is a car company from Japan that makes many popular cars, known for being dependable and fuel-efficient.
Toyota is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable vehicles and pioneering hybrid technology with models like the Prius.
Subaru
"...we have Toyota, Subaru Stellantis and one more that I'm not remembering off the top of my head..."
Subaru is a car brand from Japan that makes vehicles known for their all-wheel drive, which helps in rough weather and off-road conditions.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker recognized for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged models like the Outback and Forester, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
Stellantis
"...Subaru Stellantis and one more that I'm not remembering off the top of my head..."
Stellantis is a large car company that owns many brands, including Jeep and Dodge, and was created by merging two other companies.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, encompassing brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Peugeot.
overland experience
"...another area that they grew in and we're copying is the overland experience. So we know overland is a really growing popular niche in automotive..."
The overland experience is about using vehicles to go on adventures, often off the beaten path. It involves camping and exploring nature, making the vehicle an important part of the journey.
The overland experience refers to a growing trend in the automotive world focused on adventure travel using vehicles designed for off-road capabilities. This concept often includes camping and exploration, emphasizing the vehicle as a tool for outdoor adventures.
Chevy Trax
"Review the Chevy Trax SUV that more coming up here on the in-wheel-time car talk show stay with us"
The Chevy Trax is a small SUV that is easy to drive and park. It's designed for people who want a vehicle that can handle city driving while still having enough space for groceries or luggage.
The Chevy Trax is a subcompact SUV known for its practicality and efficiency, making it a popular choice for urban drivers. It offers a comfortable ride and a good amount of cargo space for its size.
Chevrolet Vega
"Well, the Chevy Vega was a subcompact car sold by Chevrolet during the 70s 70 to 77 mile years. The goal was to take a new Japanese European small fuel-efficient car with an American made..."
The Chevrolet Vega is a small car that was made in America during the 1970s. It was designed to be affordable and fuel-efficient, competing with smaller cars from other countries.
The Chevrolet Vega was a subcompact car produced by Chevrolet from 1970 to 1977. It aimed to compete with small, fuel-efficient cars from Japanese and European manufacturers while offering innovative features and an American-made body.
aluminum engine
"It had aluminum engine. It had advanced automation"
An aluminum engine is a type of engine made from a lightweight metal called aluminum. This makes the car lighter, which can help it use less fuel and go faster.
An aluminum engine is an engine block made primarily from aluminum, which is lighter than traditional iron or steel. This helps improve fuel efficiency and performance by reducing the overall weight of the vehicle.
Verti-pack rail car
"So what they did was the new method came from a form of what they call a Verti-pack rail car developed by General Motors and Southern Pacific Railway"
A Verti-pack rail car is a type of train car that can hold more cars by stacking them in a special way. This helps save space when transporting vehicles.
The Verti-pack rail car is a specialized rail transport system designed to maximize space by allowing cars to be loaded in a nose-down position, increasing capacity.
engine oil baffle
"Engine oil baffle prevented the oil from entering the number one cylinder."
An engine oil baffle is a part inside the engine that keeps the oil in place so it can properly lubricate the engine parts, especially when the car is moving or tilted.
An engine oil baffle is a component designed to prevent oil from sloshing around in the engine, especially during cornering or when the vehicle is tilted. This helps maintain proper lubrication and prevents engine damage.
General Motors
"...those were actually designed by General Motors..."
General Motors is a big company that makes cars. They own several well-known car brands, like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
General Motors (GM) is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for producing a wide range of vehicles under various brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
Jaguar Marks I
"Attractive lighting back there in the back wheels they change with the trim level that you select What I liked about it the overall design in my mind gets high marks. I really did like this What could use improvement? I'm not exactly sure what the roof rack rails are for anymore"
The Jaguar Mark I is a stylish car made by Jaguar in the late 1950s. It's known for its beautiful design and was one of the first cars to show off Jaguar's reputation for making high-quality vehicles. People talk about it because it's a classic and represents a special time in car history.
The Jaguar Mark I is a luxury saloon car produced by Jaguar Cars from 1955 to 1959. It was significant for its elegant design and advanced engineering for its time, helping to establish Jaguar's reputation for quality and performance. The Mark I is often discussed for its classic styling and the role it played in the brand's history.
infotainment screen
"Optional big infotainment screen one of the best and it's one of the biggest as well our RS trim"
An infotainment screen is a screen in the car that shows things like music, maps, and other information. It's like a mini computer for your car.
An infotainment screen is a display in a vehicle that integrates entertainment, navigation, and communication functions. It allows drivers and passengers to access various features like music, GPS, and vehicle settings.
turbocharged engine
"Here's a killer. I'm really surprised. All right a 1.2 liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine"
A turbocharged engine is a type of engine that uses a special device to make it more powerful without being bigger. It helps the car go faster and use fuel more efficiently.
A turbocharged engine uses a turbine to force more air into the combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and increasing power output without significantly increasing engine size.
horsepower
"137 horsepower you think a lot this thing is gutless. No, it's not 162 pound-feet of torque six-speed automatic transmission and that combination"
Horsepower measures how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster the car can go and the better it can accelerate.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the power output of engines. In automotive terms, it indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, affecting acceleration and overall performance.
torque
"162 pound-feet of torque six-speed automatic transmission and that combination Actually works very well"
Torque measures how much force the engine can apply to make the car move. More torque means better acceleration, especially from a stop.
Torque is a measure of rotational force, often described in pound-feet (lb-ft) in automotive contexts. It indicates how much twisting force an engine can produce, which is crucial for acceleration and towing capacity.
six-speed automatic transmission
"162 pound-feet of torque six-speed automatic transmission and that combination Actually works very well"
A six-speed automatic transmission is a system that changes gears automatically, making it easier to drive. It has six different settings to help the car run smoothly and save fuel.
A six-speed automatic transmission is a type of gearbox that automatically changes gears for the driver, with six different gear ratios. This allows for smoother acceleration and better fuel efficiency compared to older transmissions with fewer gears.
three-cylinder turbocharged motor
"1263 pounds on a three-cylinder turbocharged motor and this I really like miles per gallon rated 28 city 32 highway for a combined of"
A three-cylinder turbocharged motor is a small engine with three parts that help it run. The turbocharger makes it more powerful without using a lot of fuel, which is good for efficiency.
A three-cylinder turbocharged motor is an engine configuration with three cylinders that uses a turbocharger to increase power output without significantly increasing engine size. This setup often provides a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency.
miles per gallon
"miles per gallon rated 28 city 32 highway for a combined of 30 miles per gallon. I got 29.3 miles per gallon over"
Miles per gallon tells you how far a car can go on one gallon of gas. The more miles per gallon, the less fuel you need to buy, which saves money.
Miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of fuel efficiency that indicates how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG ratings mean better fuel economy, which can lead to lower fuel costs over time.
four-wheel drive
"...not having a four-wheel drive now if you have the thing in some place that's got a snow..."
Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car get power from the engine, which helps with traction and control, especially in bad weather or off-road.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain configuration that allows all four wheels of a vehicle to receive power from the engine simultaneously. This enhances traction and stability, especially in off-road or slippery conditions.
Mazda CX-30
"Competitors Mazda CX-30 starts at 25 975 the VW towels"
The Mazda CX-30 is a small SUV that is good for people who need a practical car but also want something stylish. It's a popular choice among those looking for a compact vehicle.
The Mazda CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV that offers a blend of style, practicality, and performance. It competes in a crowded market of small SUVs, appealing to buyers looking for a versatile vehicle.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
"the Chevy trailblazer and I say that because The trailblazer is just a tiny bit bigger"
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a small SUV that has a lot of space inside and comes with modern tech features. It's a good option for families or anyone needing a practical vehicle.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a compact SUV that offers a spacious interior and a range of modern technology features. It's designed for those who need versatility in a smaller package.
Kia Sorento
"next week we're going to review the Kia Sorento. Yep something like that."
The Kia Sorento is a larger SUV that has plenty of room for families and comes with many safety features. It's a good choice for those who need more space in their vehicle.
The Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious interior, advanced safety features, and a variety of powertrains. It's popular among families for its versatility and comfort.
three-cylinder engine
"Well, the three-cylinder engine you're not going to get a whole lot of horsepower out of it without the turbo. Why's a four-cylinder turbo and it's got it's got spunk."
A three-cylinder engine is an engine with three chambers where fuel is burned to create power. They are usually smaller and lighter, but they might not be as powerful unless they have a turbo to boost their performance.
A three-cylinder engine is a type of internal combustion engine that has three cylinders. This configuration is often more compact and lighter than four-cylinder engines, but it typically produces less horsepower unless equipped with a turbocharger.
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