What’s Next For The Houston Auto Show And Local Dealers
About this episode
Rochelle Salinas from the Houston Automobile Dealers Association joins the conversation as the hosts look ahead to what’s next for the Houston Auto Show and local dealers. They discuss why the show brings new-car reveals together, plus the event’s towing-focused learning, theme-day energy, and even a social-media “RHO” moment. A big thread centers on EV reality—rebate changes and charging costs—followed by practical takeaways on hybrids, infotainment learning curves, and reliability warnings.
EV hype is easy. Living with an EV in Houston is where things get interesting. We talk honestly about what happens when charging infrastructure feels scattered, pricing feels unpredictable, and road-trip convenience still matters in a city built on long drives and cheap gas. From orange extension cords in the garage to the reality of finding fast chargers when you’re in a pinch, we break down why many drivers are rethinking their next move.
Rochelle Salinas, Vice President of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association, joins us with a dealer update and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming next for the Houston Auto Show. We get into early planning, new theme days like Military and First Responders Day and a dedicated Family Day, plus the push to make VIP night bigger by teaming up with the boat show. We also dig into the “tow and go” lifestyle idea, including hands-on towing education and the tech that’s changing how people hitch, back up, and haul safely.
Then we pivot to practical buyer advice: Jeff shares six SUVs experts often flag for reliability concerns, safety worries, and painful depreciation, and we talk about how dealership product specialists help customers learn today’s fast-changing infotainment systems. We wrap with a fun local twist from Mike Marrs: off-road parks and ATV rentals near Houston where you can get your “hidden dirt” fix without owning or maintaining a machine.
Subscribe for more Houston car talk, share this with a friend shopping for a vehicle, and leave a review with your take: are you team hybrid, EV, or gas?
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servicedepartment
"dealershipshaveagenerallyspeaking,haveaveryuhimpressiveservicedepartment... Andserviceisabigpartofeverydealership asfarasIamconcerned."
The service department is the dealership’s repair and maintenance shop. The host is saying it’s important to dealerships and that staff need training as cars get more tech-heavy.
A dealership service department is the on-site shop that performs maintenance and repairs for customers. The host emphasizes that service is a major part of dealership operations, especially as vehicles gain more complex technology that requires training.
dealerships are in transition
"AndIIknowthatuhdealershipsareintransitionaswellastheentireautoindustry,anduhtryingtokeepupwiththeJoneseswiththelatesttechnologycomingfromthemanufacturers."
The host means car dealerships are having to adapt because the industry is changing. New technology in cars forces dealerships to update how they train staff and support customers.
“Dealerships are in transition” refers to how auto retail operations are adapting to changes across the industry—especially new vehicle tech coming from manufacturers. In this segment, it’s tied to the need for service departments and sales teams to keep up with evolving systems.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
"I'mnowdrivingauhJeepGrandCherokee,abeautifulvehicle,butthetechnologyontheinfotainmentsystemhascompletelychanged forStellantis."
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV. Here it’s used to show that newer cars can have infotainment screens and menus that take some getting used to.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV known for its mix of off-road capability and everyday comfort. In this segment, the host uses it as an example of how modern infotainment systems can feel very different from what drivers are used to.
Stellantis
"butthetechnologyontheinfotainmentsystemhascompletelychanged forStellantis... priorto this, withthenewuhinfotainmentsystemthatthey'vegotinintheStellantiscars"
Stellantis is a big company that owns several car brands. The host is saying their newer cars have updated infotainment systems that people need to learn.
Stellantis is the automaker group behind multiple brands, and it’s referenced here in connection with updated infotainment software and hardware. The host is pointing out that the user experience has changed enough to be “educational” for both drivers and dealership staff.
infotainment system
"butthetechnologyontheinfotainmentsystemhascompletelychanged... becauseofthenewtechnologyintheinfotainmentsystem."
An infotainment system is the car’s integrated touchscreen/audio/navigation interface that controls media, phone connectivity, and many vehicle settings. The host highlights how new infotainment designs can be harder to navigate at first, especially right after a software or UI update.
productspecialist
"Andsotheyevenhaveproductspecialiststhatcomeinandtrainthesalespeople... andwhenyougoinandbuyadealership... they'llhavethatproductspecialistcomeandgiveyoualessononallthetechnologyandfeaturesinthevehicle."
A product specialist is a dealership employee who helps you learn your car’s features. In this segment, they explain the technology and settings after you buy the vehicle.
A product specialist is a dealership staff member trained to walk customers through a specific vehicle’s features and technology. Here, the host describes how the specialist provides a lesson on infotainment and other functions after purchase, so the buyer understands what the car can do.
Land Rover, Range Rover
"Yeah,well,thereisthat,butIwilltellyouthisthatLandRover,RangeRover,absolutelystunninglybeautiful,butmyGod,theinfotainmentsystemandtryingtounderstandallthedifferentpages."
Range Rover is a luxury SUV brand/model line from Land Rover. The speaker is saying the car’s touchscreen/controls for things like media and settings can be confusing to use while you’re driving.
Land Rover’s Range Rover is a luxury SUV line known for its upscale interior and comfort-focused driving. In this segment, the host calls out the infotainment system as a usability challenge, especially when you’re trying to manage multiple screens while driving.
climatecontrol
"AndIcanonlyimaginehere'sDonArmstronggoingdownthefreewayat70,75milesanhour,tryingtochangetheradiostation,andI'vegotitonclimatecontrol."
Climate control is how you set the car’s heating and air conditioning. The speaker is pointing out that it can be another thing you have to adjust through the same screen while driving.
Climate control is the HVAC interface that regulates cabin temperature and airflow. In cars with infotainment-driven controls, adjusting climate settings can require navigating menus while driving.
excessive oil consumption
"Reportspointtoissuessuchasexcessiveoilconsumptionandreoccurringfuelsystemproblems,bothofwhichcandriveupmaintenancecostsovertime."
Excessive oil consumption means the engine is using oil faster than it should. If you don’t keep up with topping off the oil, it can lead to bigger (and more expensive) engine problems.
Excessive oil consumption means the engine uses oil faster than expected between oil changes. That can be a sign of internal wear or leaks and can lead to higher maintenance costs and potential engine damage if oil levels aren’t monitored.
fuel system problems
"Reportspointtoissuessuchasexcessiveoilconsumptionandreoccurringfuelsystemproblems,bothofwhichcandriveupmaintenancecostsovertime."
Fuel system problems are issues with the parts that get gas to the engine. If those parts don’t work right, the car can run poorly and repairs can get expensive.
Fuel system problems refer to faults in components that store, deliver, and meter fuel to the engine. When these systems malfunction, they can cause drivability issues and often require costly repairs.
bearing failures
"It'sathree-cylinderengine,isunderinvestigation,filingreportsofbearingfailures,raisesconcernsaboutlong-termdurability."
Bearings are small internal parts that help moving engine parts slide smoothly. If they fail, the engine can be damaged and the repair can be very expensive.
Bearing failures mean the engine’s bearings—precision parts that reduce friction between moving components—wear out or break. When bearings fail, repairs can be major because they may require significant engine disassembly.
three-cylinder engine
"It'sathree-cylinderengine,isunderinvestigation,filingreportsofbearingfailures,raisesconcernsaboutlong-termdurability."
A three-cylinder engine has three cylinders that burn fuel to make power. Here, the hosts are saying there are reported internal problems (bearing failures) that raise worries about how long the engine will last.
A three-cylinder engine is an engine with three combustion cylinders instead of the more common four or six. In this segment, the hosts connect the three-cylinder design to reported bearing failures and durability concerns, implying the issue is tied to the engine’s internal components.
continuously variable transmission
"Themodelscontinuouslyvariabletransmissionalsoaddsthoseworriesaswell. [1257.8s] Givenitshistoryandprematurefailuresthatcanbecostlytofixorreplace."
A CVT is a type of automatic transmission that can smoothly change ratios instead of shifting gears. In this segment, the hosts are warning that CVTs can be a problem area for long-term reliability and repairs.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) uses a belt-and-pulley system to provide a smooth range of gear ratios instead of fixed gears. The hosts say the Rogue’s CVT adds worries because CVT-related issues can affect long-term durability and repair costs.
harsh shifting
"Drivershavereportedharshshifting,jerking,inconsistentperformance."
Harsh shifting is when a transmission changes gears with noticeable jolts or abruptness rather than smoothly. It’s often a symptom of transmission control or mechanical issues and can make the car feel less predictable.
jerking
"Drivershavereportedharshshifting,jerking,inconsistentperformance."
Jerking is when the car lurches or moves in a sudden, uneven way while driving. The hosts are treating it as a sign of driveline or transmission issues.
Jerking refers to sudden, uneven movement during acceleration or gear changes, often caused by driveline or transmission control problems. In this segment it’s grouped with inconsistent performance as a reliability concern.
driver assistancesystem
"Beyondthedrivetrain,theexplorer'suhdriverassistancesystemscanalsouhshowunevenperformanceinreal-worldconditions."
Driver-assistance systems are the car’s tech features that help you drive, like keeping you in your lane or helping avoid crashes. Here, the hosts say those features may not work consistently in everyday driving.
Driver-assistance systems are technologies that help with tasks like lane keeping, adaptive cruise, or collision avoidance. The hosts are saying the Explorer’s systems can show uneven behavior in real-world conditions, which can add uncertainty for owners.
Suddenlossesofenginepower
"AmongthemostalarmingareSuddenlossesofenginepowerandunpredictabletransmissionbehavior,bothofwhichcancreatesafetyrisksineverydaydriving."
Sudden loss of engine power is when the car unexpectedly loses power while you’re driving. That can make it harder to speed up or respond quickly, which is why it can be dangerous.
Sudden loss of engine power means the engine output drops unexpectedly while driving. That can reduce acceleration and responsiveness, increasing risk—especially in situations like merging or passing.
unpredictable transmission behavior
"AmongthemostalarmingareSuddenlossesofenginepowerandunpredictabletransmissionbehavior,bothofwhichcancreatesafetyrisksineverydaydriving."
Unpredictable transmission behavior means the car’s transmission acts in a way you can’t reliably predict. If it shifts or responds oddly, it can make the car harder to control and potentially unsafe.
Unpredictable transmission behavior means the transmission doesn’t respond consistently to driver inputs or changes in driving conditions. This can show up as erratic shifting, delayed response, or unexpected engagement, and it can create safety concerns.
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