Daily Recap: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
38 episodes · If you only listen to one: Vaughn Gittin Jr - Full of Surprises, The Smoking Tire
Europe's electric vehicle market hit a record high in March, covered by two shows, while others looked at EV plant closures affecting industrial communities and Chinese manufacturers' growing global position. NASCAR discussion centered on Ty Gibbs' first Cup Series win at Bristol and Connor Zilisch's O'Reilly Series victory. The Mercedes-Benz EQS refresh, Nissan Juke EV announcement, and specific models like the XPeng GX and Nissan Rogue also drew attention across today's episodes.
Europe's Electric Vehicle Market Hits Record High in March 2026
Electric vehicle registrations in Europe reached a historic milestone in March 2026, with 540,000 BEVs and plug-in hybrids registered, representing a 37% increase year-over-year.
This record comes as Mercedes and Nissan announce major EV updates, including the updated EQS achieving 475-575 miles of WLTP range and the new fully electric Juke launching in 2027.
"Europe EV sales hit March record of 540,000 units"
"Registrations of [BEVs] and plug in hybrids hit five hundred and forty thousand vehicles, a thirty seven percent increase from a year ago and a monthly all time high."
Episode Spotlights
Ty Gibbs’ 1st Cup Win, Zilisch Holds off Larson, + Red Bull Racing Chaos Continues
On Jean-Pierre Lambiesi's departure from Red Bull to McLaren:
"Jean-Pierre Lambiesi, who is set to leave Red Bull in [2028] to join rivals McLaren as their new chief racing officer, the move marks the end of a highly successful partnership that has secured he and Max Verstappen for world championships."
Closed EV Plants Can Hollow Out A Town Faster Than You Think
On government EV incentives despite oil and gas production:
"They produce so much oil and gas, but still the government offers incentives for uh EV sales. You have better deals on the toll ways and all that. And so uh I think you know uh 60-70% of their new cars sales are EVs."
S3, E87 - Moab Jeep Concepts
On Bilstein 8100 DSA shock performance in Jeep suspension:
"The DSAs that I have on the new [JL]...they work throughout the entire stroke and it's just, I think it's better for the way the Jeep suspension cycles and especially on the 392 with limited up travel."
2011 Subaru WRX & 1986 Honda Accord: Ethan Banks on Manual Transmissions 🏎️💥
On Ethan Banks' first car purchase with limited savings:
"It cleaned me out. It was like all everything I had in my savings account. What we put it down, financed the rest. As I remember, like two grand down and four grand financed, got us this '86 Honda Accord."
If You Only Listen To One
Vaughn Gittin Jr - Full of Surprises
Vaughn Gittin Jr. talks building the RTR brand from drift cars to street-legal Mustangs, plus a first look at the RTR Bronco Rover package. A wide-ranging conversation with one of the most energetic personalities in the car world.
By the Numbers
Most-Discussed Cars
| Car | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Nissan Rogue | 2 |
| XPeng GX | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS | 2 |
| Honda Civic | 2 |
| GMC Cyclone | 2 |
| X-Trail | 1 |
| Nissan Skyline | 1 |
Trending Terminology
| Term | Mentions |
|---|---|
| EV | 7 |
| body on frame | 3 |
| test drive | 3 |
| NASCAR | 3 |
| Formula One | 3 |
| horsepower | 3 |
38 episodes. 75 car mentions. 959 terms explained. Browse every episode with searchable annotations and plain-language term definitions in the Car Curious app.