The automotive industry is changing fast — and we break it all down on this edition of Cruise Control Motoring. Fred Staab and Les Jackson dive into the biggest automotive news, new car pricing debates, and CES 2026 technology stories, including a major warranty move by Ram, the shocking reality of a nearly $50,000 Honda Civic Type R, Subaru performance struggles, and why Volkswagen is pausing the ID. Buzz in the U.S.

They also cover cutting-edge CES 2026 auto tech, including robotics, battery breakthroughs, and the future of connected vehicle navigation — plus why affordable cars are becoming harder to find. If you follow auto industry news, new car releases, EV trends, and car pricing, this episode delivers context, insight, and straight talk.

Fred Staab and Les Jackson discuss all the latest automotive news on the Cruise Control Motoring Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Cruise Control Motoring Opens | Auto Industry Change Ahead

03:38 Ram Adds 10-Year / 100K Powertrain Warranty for 2026

09:17 Cummins Diesel Power Wagon Returns | Torque, Off-Road & Pricing

13:44 Ram Dakota Confirmed for 2027 | Mid-Size Truck Market Shift

15:52 Is a $50,000 Honda Civic Type R the New Reality?

17:26 Civic Type R vs Golf R vs WRX vs GR Corolla

19:51 Subaru WRX Sales Collapse | Performance Sedan Trouble

26:14 VW Pauses ID. Buzz in the U.S. | EV Pricing vs Demand

31:13 Kia K4 Hatchback Pricing Revealed | Affordable Cars Return

40:51 CES 2026 Tech Talk | Solid-State Batteries & Donut Lab

44:52 BMW Conversational Navigation | AI Enters the Dashboard

47:21 Ford Ends Escape Production | Smart Move or Big Mistake?

52:35 Vehicle Affordability Fallout | Government & Pricing Pressure

59:32 Subscription Features Return | Paywalls, Heated Seats & More

01:02:26 Auto Trivia & Industry Notes

01:03:18 Final Thoughts & Sign-Off

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