China defeats Tesla. What now?

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenAdam Morris and John Cadogan take aim at the everyday habits that can quietly cost car owners thousands.From misunderstanding service intervals and abusing dual-clutch transmissions, to mismatched tyres destroying an AWD system, riding the clutch, ignoring new noises and cheaping out on filters, they run through the mistakes that can turn small savings into expensive repairs. Plus, why buying a car around the two or three trips you make each year might be the wrong approach.Then it's this week's listener question which comes from Grant, who asks: "with so many people complaining about how complicated modern cars are and how much technology they contain, what could be removed from a car without hurting its marketability?" Finally, Adam tackles one of the industry’s most frustrating trends: paying extra to unlock equipment that’s already physically fitted to your car. A new Mercedes-AMG EV sparks the debate, alongside BMW’s previous heated-seat subscriptions and Tesla’s software-limited performance and range.If you’ve already paid for the hardware, should a car company really be able to charge you again just to use it?Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.In this ep:00:00 The Flying Tesla That Charges You to Land00:13 Welcome to Auto Uncovered01:06 Adam Has Bought a New Car03:25 The Car Owner Mistakes That Cost You Money04:15 Know When to Abandon Your Car-Buying Plan06:41 Do You Really Need AWD?08:08 The Service Schedule Mistake That Can Void Your Warranty08:48 The Tyre Mistake That Can Destroy an AWD System10:17 How You’re Killing Your Dual-Clutch Transmission10:58 Stop Riding the Clutch12:06 Why You Shouldn’t Turn the Wheel While Stationary13:03 Never Ignore a New Noise From Your Car14:05 Basic Checks Every Car Owner Should Know15:02 Why Cheap Filters Are a False Economy16:46 When Did You Last Change Your Cabin Filter?18:01 Can You Trust Your Dealer to Actually Service Your Car?18:24 Why Pop and Crackle Tunes Can Be Bad News20:17 Why Your Hands Should Be at 9 and 324:04 Listener Questions24:16 Do Modern Cars Have Too Much Technology?26:15 Could a Simple, Low-Tech Car Actually Sell?27:27 The Car Tech We’d Get Rid Of30:03 The Pointless Features Cars Don’t Need31:38 You’re Probably Adjusting Your Mirrors Wrong32:22 Why Car Subscription Features Need to Stop32:56 Mercedes-AMG’s Paywalled V8 Sound 34:15 BMW, Tesla and Features Locked by Software 35:00 The Flying Tesla Subscription Problem 35:12 Why Car Buyers Need to Say No 38:08 If You Buy the Car, Shouldn’t You Own All of It? 39:15 The Biggest AMG Subscription: Depreciation 40:23 Wrap-Up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenIs Tesla’s flying Roadster vision a genuine glimpse of the future, or an elaborate distraction? Adam and John unpack the spectacle we saw a couple of weeks ago with Tesla’s latest Roadster claims; China’s EV makers could be creating a much bigger problem for the brand and Tesla might slowly be moving away from making conventional cars altogether.Then, what exactly is going on with the new Nissan Navara? With a Triton-based Navara already on the market and a Dongfeng-based plug-in hybrid joining it, the boys question Nissan’s strategy, whether the Navara has lost its identity, and how the new PHEV will stack up against increasingly affordable Chinese utes.Plus, which cars have suffered the worst bean-counter compromises? Touchscreens replace buttons, Subaru’s CVT gets a serve, while Hyundai N and Lexus get some love for apparently letting their engineers off the leash.00:00 John falls in love with the Civic Type R01:18 Tesla’s Roadster spectacle02:21 Will anyone actually get a flying Tesla?05:47 Has Tesla admitted defeat against China?07:12 Is Tesla backing away from making cars?08:57 Is Tesla massively overvalued?12:15 Why the Roadster hype isn’t convincing us13:43 The worst bean-counter decisions in cars14:53 Why John hates Subaru CVTs16:35 Touchscreens vs physical buttons17:30 When carmakers actually let engineers have fun18:03 Why Hyundai N gets it right19:55 What is going on with the new Nissan Navara?22:54 The Navara’s identity crisis25:16 “It’s lying about being a Nissan Navara”26:35 Did Nissan rush its plug-in hybrid strategy?28:18 Was Nissan Australia blindsided?29:55 Is this all a bean-counter decision?31:04 The big problem: price32:07 Why every dual-cab ute is “a bit shit”32:56 Could the plug-in hybrid Navara actually be good off-road?34:10 Can Nissan find its way again?Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenThis week John gets behind the wheel of the JAC Hunter PHEV, Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute. It's got huge (claimed) power, a luxury-feeling interior and a seriously competitive price. The fundamentals are impressive, but there are some frustrating calibration issues that stop it from being the complete package.Then, listener David asks why buying a new car still feels so painful. In his words: 'why is it so shit'. Adam and John unpack what’s wrong with the traditional dealership experience and why the industry needs to rethink the way it treats customers.Plus, Adam drives the Honda Super-ONE and reckons it might be the small EV that finally wins over petrolheads. That prompts a debate on whether small cars are more fun than supercars, what Japanese brands can do to fight back against the rise of Chinese manufacturers, and why personality, heritage and fun still matter.In this episode:00:00 Welcome to Auto Uncovered00:51 JAC Hunter PHEV: Huge power for the money02:30 Would John still buy one?03:50 Where Chinese car brands are falling short06:14 The missing ingredient in the JAC Hunter07:28 Why 360kW doesn’t always feel like 360kW08:15 The little details JAC needs to fix11:10 What the Hunter gets right12:20 Should Toyota and Ford be worried?13:18 How the JAC Hunter’s hybrid system works15:49 Can an electrified ute really work off-road?17:02 The argument for coil-sprung utes17:47 Testing the Hunter with 500kg in the tray20:35 Why hybrid engines can sound disconnected24:37 Listener question: Why does buying a new car suck?25:15 How dealerships could improve26:35 The real problem with car dealerships28:38 Adam’s terrible dealership experience30:12 Why dealership culture needs to change31:23 Honda Super One: The EV for petrolheads?32:13 Why being electric makes it more fun33:17 Why kei cars make so much sense35:22 Honda might have a hit on its hands36:18 Why small cars can be more fun than supercars38:00 What Japanese car brands should be building40:04 How Japan can fight back against China41:00 The problem with massive Chinese car logos43:45 Why heritage still matters45:05 Honda proves people still want fun cars45:55 Remember when Japanese cars were this exciting?46:27 Wrapping up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenAdam narrowly avoids buying a written-off Skoda after a last-minute history check uncovers $14,500 worth of previous damage, prompting a chat about pre-purchase inspections and the checks you should never skip when buying used. Then John looks at the changing Australian car market and why he believes the growth of Chinese brands increasingly resembles “colonisation”, as established dealerships move away from legacy manufacturers and embrace new Chinese brands. Can traditional Japanese and European manufacturers compete on price (not really), performance and technology? Perhaps bringing back proper halo cars could help? Finally, Adam explains why cars like the Ford Bronco and Renault 5 EV can't simply be shipped over and sold here, breaking down the compliance, training, parts, marketing and logistics costs involved in bringing a new model to Australia.And what happens to Leapmotor if Stellantis pulls out of Australia?Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.In this ep:00:00 Welcome to Auto Uncovered01:46 Adam dodges a Skoda-shaped bullet04:08 The used-car history check that changed everything06:59 The checks you should do before buying a used car12:58 Are Chinese brands “colonising” the Australian car industry?15:40 Chinese brands take over established dealerships20:23 Why dealers are turning away from legacy brands22:10 Can traditional car brands compete with China?30:39 Has China overtaken Japanese brands in Australia?33:50 Do legacy brands need to bring back halo cars?37:51 Will Leapmotor survive if Stellantis leaves Australia?42:19 Why Australia matters to Chinese car brands45:04 Why don’t we get the cool cars in Australia?45:18 The hidden costs of bringing a new car to Australia48:57 The problem facing Australia’s aftermarket industry50:25 Wrapping up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenAre new cars actually better? There's still life left in this debate, so Adam and John are going to keep having it.They dig into the growing amount of tech packed into modern cars, from glitchy screens and cameras to expensive sensors, powered tailgates and useless features most people simply don’t need. All that complexity can mean bigger repair bills and reliability headaches. Depreciation makes buying new hard to justify, so is a five or ten-year-old car actually the smarter choice? Plus, a look at whether motoring media’s obsession with new cars is being driven by the industry itself. Just ignore the ads and the salesman!Then, listener Ian asks what actually defines a luxury car these days? Adam and John debate the difference between genuine luxury and brand prestige, whether the traditional German badges are still worth paying a premium for, and how cheaper alternatives are challenging the old idea of a luxury car. Finally, the conversation turns serious as they discuss the tragic death of Constable Mia Lay, the circumstances surrounding the crash and the bigger questions it raises about high-speed police driving, risk, training and whether current policies need to change.Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.In this episode:0:00 Intro1:24 Why are we buying new cars?3:40 Are older cars actually better?4:13 Why modern cars are less reliable6:22 The rising cost of car repairs8:25 How much car tech is actually useful?11:13 The problem with unnecessary features13:02 Upgrading old cars vs new cars14:38 Are car reviewers biased towards new cars?17:46 What actually makes a luxury car?22:28 Are traditional luxury brands losing their appeal?24:12 The death of Constable Mia Lay26:00 Questions over police driving speeds28:37 Do police driving policies need to change?32:12 Questions for NSW Police leadership35:10 What needs to change?

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] and Adam pull apart ABC Four Corners' BYD hacking exposé, arguing that every modern car collects your data and can be hacked through its CAN bus, no matter where it's built. They break down the TV tricks used to steer viewers, what the story should have covered instead, and answer a listener question on whether legacy brands can fight back against China, and why halo cars might be their best shot.Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenSkip ahead:00:00 - Intro01:04 - Four Corners' BYD exposé03:50 - Every car is spying09:50 - CAN bus hacking13:21 - China as a trading partner15:39 - On bullshit17:45 - Inside China20:09 - Current affairs tricks25:07 - What they should've covered27:02 - Can legacy brands compete?33:04 - Halo cars and heritage36:52 - Wrap upJoin auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] needs to trade in his beloved Fiesta ST for something more practical, and in the process uncovers a gold mine of enthusiast cars now sitting between $20,000 and $30,000 used, from hot hatches and rear-drive sedans to V8 SUVs and future classics. A listener asks what makes car brands keep their die-hard fans, and John and Adam finish with simple ways to cut your motoring costs, why buying an EV to save on fuel doesn't add up, and why petrol is still almost free when you look at what it does for you.Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenSkip ahead:00:00 - Intro00:47 - Replacing the Fiesta ST01:47 - The $20-30K gold mine03:11 - SUVs and hot hatches08:43 - Rear-drive sedans and coupes13:22 - Peak car17:11 - Adam's shortlist17:55 - What keeps enthusiasts loyal24:03 - Cutting motoring costs31:01 - EVs and depreciation33:20 - The real value of fuel39:12 - Wrap upJoin auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenAdam Morris (ReDriven) and John Cadogan (Auto Expert) kick off with a chat about Ford’s new Bronco Basecamp: will buyers care that it’s built in China but marketed as something else? What are the tools every driver should keep in their car? The guys discuss it and John shows off his oversized wrench. From there, Adam shares some alarming insurance stories involving modified vehicles, denied claims and drivers discovering they weren’t covered when they thought they were. It’s a timely reminder to check exactly what your policy covers before you need to make a claim.They also debate a proposal that could see all drivers pay a road user charge, while also keeping fuel excise in place as a separate "pollution tax". It would effectively mean many motorists are paying twice. Is it fair for people who can't easily switch to an EV? Are governments sending mixed messages by encouraging EV adoption while looking for new ways to tax drivers?Finally, a listener asks the question: are any modern cars built to last, or are the days of keeping a car for 20 years coming to an end?In this episode:00:00 Intro & What’s Coming Up03:01 Ford Bronco BaseCamp: Will Buyers Care It’s Made in China?06:58 Essential Car Toolkit: What Should Every Driver Carry?12:29 Insurance Horror Stories: Why Claims Are Being Rejected25:31 Tesla FSD Insurance Discounts Explained30:21 Are "Forever Cars" Dead? Which Cars Will Survive 20+ Years?38:04 EV Road User Tax Debate: Should Everyone Pay?42:34 Why Cheap Used Hybrids Make More Sense Than New EVs47:44 The Case for Smaller Cars in Australia52:52 Send Us Your QuestionsJoin auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenAdam and John tackle claims that Chinese EVs are spying on drivers. The real privacy concern isn't China, but the amount of data every modern car manufacturer collects, stores and monetises. If you're worried about someone collecting your data you should probably delete Facebook. A Mozilla report found that all major car brands failed basic privacy standards. Find the report here: https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/Should consumers be more worried about big tech and car companies than foreign governments? Zuckerberg or Xi - who would you rather gets your data?The conversation then shifts to automotive regulations, as ADAS frustrations, outdated road laws and safety rules that haven't kept pace with modern vehicle technology boil over.Finally Adam and John review several major new vehicle announcements, including Ford's Bronco Base Camp, the new Nissan Patrol and Mitsubishi Pajero, debating whether these products can revive struggling brands and why enthusiast criticism often misses what mainstream buyers actually want.Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.In this episode:00:00 Chinese EV Spyware? Separating Fact From Conspiracy01:15 "Your Car Is Spying On You" Claims Explained02:22 The CCP, Data Harvesting & Internet Myths04:05 Why Social Media Knows More Than Your Car05:17 The Privacy Nightmare Inside Modern Cars06:35 Can Car Companies Sell Your Data?08:22 Why Journalists Should Care About Vehicle Data Collection10:55 Is Technology Ruining Modern Cars?12:04 The Real Threat: Carmakers Monetising Drivers15:13 The Car Laws & Regulations That Need An Overhaul17:28 Is ANCAP Finally Fixing ADAS?18:03 Why Modern Cars Are Harder To Escape In Emergencies19:54 Tesla Door Handles & Safety Risks21:29 Ford Bronco Base Camp: Brilliant Idea Or Fake Bronco?23:38 Why Most Buyers Don't Need A "Real" Off-Roader24:05 Keyboard Warriors vs Real Car Buyers26:22 What Will The Bronco Base Camp Cost?27:50 Why Ford Might Have Got This One Right29:03 New Mitsubishi Pajero Pricing Revealed29:46 Can The Pajero Save Mitsubishi?31:58 New Nissan Patrol Pricing & First Impressions32:32 The V6 Patrol's Secret GT-R Connection35:15 Why Nissan & Mitsubishi Are Fighting For Survival

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected] out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenJohn Cadogan and Adam Morris analyse why some manual gearboxes feel magical while others feel terrible, with a detour into the wonderful world of Japanese tool engineering. From there it gets serious with a look at the oil filter recall affecting popular utes and SUVs; saving a few dollars on servicing components can become a very expensive mistake.Then it's a listener question: Ven asks about bull bars and pedestrian safety regulations.Finally Adam and John have one of their most lively debates about whether Tesla has been quietly building brand loyalty with younger generations through tech, games, and EV culture, and whether today's kids might one day treat early Teslas the same way previous generations idolised classic Japanese performance cars. For Boomers it was the Mustang, for Gen X Impreza's and Skyline's: for Gen Z will it be the Model S?Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.In this ep:00:00 – Intro 01:30 – Why some manual transmissions feel incredible and others don't04:50 – Japanese tools, engineering finesse, and surprisingly satisfying screwdrivers11:15 – Major oil filter recall: what owners of D-Max, MU-X and BT-50s need to know16:45 – Why cheap servicing can become very expensive23:30 – Listener question: How are bull bars still legal if pedestrian safety rules are so strict?28:00 – Bull bars, roadside safety, and the regulatory contradictions32:20 – Has Tesla been quietly indoctrinating the next generation of car buyers?37:00 – Will today's Teslas become tomorrow's collectibles?45:45 – Final thoughts and listener call-out