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

#CES2026 #AutoNews #AutomotiveIndustry #CarNews #NewCars #CarPricing #EVNews #TruckNews #RamTrucks #HondaCivic #Volkswagen #SubaruWRX #KiaK4 #FutureOfCars #CruiseControlMotoring #carpodcast

Ford hits the brakes on electric vehicles after losing more than $19 billion, Hyundai says it plans to dominate U.S. auto sales by 2030, and Mercedes confirms hybrids are the future with the new CLA Hybrid.

On this episode of Cruise Control Motoring, Fred Staab and Les Jackson break down the biggest automotive industry stories shaping 2025 and beyond — from EV pullbacks and hybrid strategy shifts to pickup truck pricing, under-$30,000 cars disappearing, and a rare affordable 2026 model that may still give buyers hope.

We also cover: Ford’s dramatic EV strategy reversal and the future of the F-150 Lightning Hyundai’s bold plan to conquer America with a new body-on-frame pickup Why sub-$30,000 new cars are nearly extinct — and the one exception Mercedes-Benz revealing advanced hybrid tech for the next-gen CLA Jaguar leadership turmoil and brand confusion.

Kia’s fix for stolen vehicles BMW’s controversial proprietary fasteners Jeep celebrates 85 years with special-edition Wrangler models If you care about new car news, EVs vs hybrids, pickup trucks, vehicle pricing, and the future of the auto industry, this episode is packed with insight and real-world analysis.

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

#AutomotiveNews #AutoIndustry #CarNews #EVNews #HybridCars #FordLightning #HyundaiPickup #MercedesCLA #NewCars #CarPrices #Under30K #TruckNews #FutureOfCars #CruiseControlMotoring #FredStaab #lesjackson

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Cruise Control Motoring

00:48 – Ford Loses $19B on EVs & Changes Course

03:40 – Ford Scales Back EVs, Returns to Hybrids & Gas Engines

06:00 – Extended-Range Electric F-150 Lightning Explained

09:07 – Why Expensive Electric Trucks Failed

11:17 – Ford Cancels Electric Vans & Battery Strategy Shifts

15:01 – Why Hybrids Make More Sense Than Full EVs

16:08 – Hyundai CEO Targets 1.44M U.S. Sales by 2030

17:29 – Hyundai’s New Body-on-Frame Pickup Plan

18:36 – Can Hyundai Take on Ford, GM, and Ram?

19:39 – Why $30K New Cars Are Disappearing (Cox Automotive)

21:23 – Full-Size Pickup Prices Drive Market Inflation

23:05 – Why Affordable Cars Are Vanishing

24:23 – Mercedes-Benz Reveals CLA Hybrid Powertrain

25:03 – CLA Hybrid Specs, Performance & Technology Breakdown

26:37 – Entry-Level Luxury Cars Go Hybrid

27:37 – The Last Under-$30K New Car: 2026 Nissan Altima

29:14 – Altima Pricing, Trims & Features Explained

30:28 – Why Affordable Sedans Still Matter

31:28 – Jeep Wrangler White Cap Special Edition Revealed

32:52 – Jeep Celebrates 85 Years With Heritage Editions

34:00 – Why Special Edition Vehicles Continue to Sell

38:10 – Market Trends Shaping New Car Pricing

42:30 – EV vs Hybrid: What Buyers Actually Want

47:15 – What These Industry Shifts Mean for Consumers

52:10 – Final Thoughts on the Future of EVs & Hybrids

56:30 – Wrap-Up: What to Watch Next in Automotive News

Fred Staab & Les Jackson are back on Cruise Control Motoring with a packed podcast covering some of the biggest automotive stories of the week.

Stellantis shocks the world with its all-new Hurricane 4 Turbo — twin-spark, port + direct injection, and up to 35 pounds of boost delivering 324 horsepower & 332 lb-ft from only 2.0 liters! We break down this advanced powerplant and what it means for Jeep, Ram, and beyond.

We also dive deep into the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee refresh, new trims, upscale tech, and incredible fuel economy + towing numbers.

JD Power warns of an EV sales collapse, Jaguar delays its Electric GT halo car, Dodge reveals its wild Dude pickup concept, and… how did a rare GM EV1 end up at an impound auction?!

#CruiseControlMotoring #JeepGrandCherokee #HurricaneEngine #Stellantis #KiaTelluride #EVNews #CarPodcast #AutoNews #JaguarEV #DodgeDude #ElectricVehicles #CarReview #LiveCarShow #sema2025 #dodgehemi #ramhemi

Fred Staab and Les Jackson** take you on another fast-paced ride on Cruise Control Motoring!

This week: Toyota reveals the 2026 all-hybrid RAV4 — more horsepower, more range, and a GR Sport version that adds some Gazoo Racing flair. Ford shows off its RTR Mustang, a driftable, affordable EcoBoost performance coupe designed with Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Another automaker struggles with an aluminum shortage, stalling production. Kia teases the 2027 Telluride, while GM talks AI and conversational software for future vehicles. We break down which electric vehicles are delayed, canceled, or still coming, plus a look at the new Toyota FJ — will it reach U.S. shores?

It’s the latest in auto tech, design, and performance — all in one show! Keep the automotive content coming please like and subscribe and ring the bell https://tinyurl.com/Cruise-Control-Subscribe

The Cruise Control livestream goes live on Youtube starting at 10AM Eastern every Saturday . Go to @cruisecontrolmotoring #CruiseControlMotoring #ToyotaRAV4 #RTRMustang #ToyotaFJ #EVNews #AutoPodcast #HybridSUV #FordPerformance #KiaTelluride #CarTalk #carpodcast #mustangmache #kiatelluride #corvettemuseum #corvette

On Episode of the Cruise Control Podcast with Fred Staab and Les Jackson

Mini reveals an affordable Oxford edition and gets set to dump front wheel drive.

Ford current edition F150 will stick around a while longer. Talking Tech :Renault has a way to snuff out EV fires and its giving away the tech for free

The Petersen Museum celebrates Ken Blocks life with a new display.

Plus We 'll run down the results of the new JD Power Vehicle Dependability study.

All that and an At the Wheel review of the Volkswagen 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium R-Line more when Fred Staab and Les Jackson get rolling on the Cruise Control Podcast

If you like the automotive content please like and subscribe and ring the bell https://tinyurl.com/Cruise-Control-Subscribe

The Cruise Control livestream goes live on Youtube starting at 10AM Eastern every Saturday . Go to @cruisecontrolmotoring

00:00 Introduction

04:46 Mini Oxford Edition and Rear drive

11:55 F150 No longer top selling vehicle and no refresh

19:15 Talking Tech: solving electric car fires

26:21 Ken Block Petersen Museum tribute

30:21 JD Power dependability study

40:05 Volkswagen Atlas 2025 At the Wheel Review

On this Episode of the Cruise Control Podcast with Fred Staab and Les Jackson

BMW says its V8's are here to stay! at least in the USA. If you plan on Buying a Mustang GTD you better be prepared to keep it for while.

Dodge's CEO says it might be the right time for a sub 30 thousand dollar performance car. We discuss what that might look like. Volvo reveals its EX30 and plans for 5 new models. The ZR1 Corvette breaks more records and the Blazer SS sets the pace at Daytona Plus Talking Tech : What do egg shells and tires have to do with one another? All that and more when we get rolling on Cruise Control. If you like the automotive content please like and subscribe and ring the bell https://tinyurl.com/Cruise-Control-Subscribe The Cruise Control livestream goes live on Youtube starting at 10AM Eastern every Saturday . Go to @cruisecontrolmotoring

On this Episode of the Cruise Control Motoring Podcast with Fred Staab and Les Jackson The Honda Nissan merger is cancelled... Honda admits it wanted to take over Nissan. Now Nissan is going to cut its workforce and is looking for new non automotive partners.

It Seems like Toyotas is getting ready to bring back the Celica but they have some big changes planned. Volkswagen prices the 2025 GTI and the Golf R Why is Jeep spamming its owners while they drive? Talking Tech: Nice Dimples.. One tire manufacturer says aero dimples are the key to more efficient tires. And Acura prices out its more affordable ADX All that and more when Fred Staab and Les Jackson get rolling on Cruise Control. Like the automotive content please like and subscribe and ring the bell https://tinyurl.com/Cruise-Control-Subscribe The Cruise Control livestream goes live on Youtube starting at 10AM Eastern every Saturday . Go to @cruisecontrolmotoring

On this Episode of the Cruise Control Podcast with Fred Staab and Les Jackson

Nissan might tell Honda no thanks when it comes to the merger and team up with big tech.

Jeep shows off its more affordable Wagoneer S Limited.. Ford wants to dive in extended range electric vehicles. Why bigger and heavier vehicles don't always mean you drive will be safer. Talking Tech : Renault builds a mobile efficiency laboratory And Porsche wants a row your own record at the ring. All that and more when Fred Staab and Les Jackson get rolling on Cruise Control.

The Cruise Control livestream goes live on Youtube starting at 10AM Eastern every Saturday . Go to @cruisecontrolmotoring