In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show

Acura Spotlight At The Houston Auto Show

• In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong, Michael Marrs, and Jeff Dziekan • Season 2026 • Episode 21

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Shoppers don’t just want specs—they want confidence. From the floor of the Houston Auto Show, we sit down with Team Gilman’s Acura lead, Marla Cardenas, to dig into what turns casual browsing into informed decisions, and why a calm, pressure‑free venue helps families and first‑time buyers ask better questions. The Integra Type S brings the sport, the NSX brings the sparkle, and the new ADX shows why smaller SUVs are winning hearts with agility and everyday comfort.

We walk through the Acura lineup’s core personality: responsive handling without harshness, clean design with real utility, and tech that stays focused on safety and ease of use. You’ll hear how women and men frame priorities differently—crash protection, child‑seat fit, and budget flexibility on one side; horsepower, hybrid timelines, and engineering details on the other—yet converge on the same outcome: how the car feels when it counts. We also unpack the value of certified pre‑owned inventory, sourced mainly from customer trade‑ins with known service histories, giving buyers a clear path between new and used without the gamble.

Behind the scenes, the industry is shifting. With older vehicles on the road longer and a persistent technician shortage, dealerships are doubling down on mobile service, retention, and transparent support. That’s where loyalty really forms—after the first test drive, when life gets busy and maintenance matters. If you’re weighing Integra vs. ADX, RDX vs. MDX, or new vs. certified, this conversation delivers practical insight, show‑floor impressions, and the kind of straight talk that helps you choose well.

If you enjoy candid car talk and real buyer tips, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Your feedback helps us bring more expert voices and on‑the‑ground stories to your queue.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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Live From The Houston Auto Show

SPEAKER_03

Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast. It is the award won again in Wheel Time Car Talk Show coming to you today from the 43rd annual Houston Auto Show at NRG Center. Just ahead. Another guest from today's event. Later, Jeff has the cruise in and events calendars. Yep. And I'll bring you stories making automotive news headlines this week. Lots of. Howdy, along with Mike Out of this World Mars, we always need more Jeff Zeken, our chief engineer. David Ainsley is with us today. We got out of bed this morning. Matter of fact, I called him because I hadn't seen him. He says, Oh. David, you're not in bed, are you? And this is five minutes before we're supposed to be here. Yeah. What you want something?

unknown

David.

SPEAKER_03

He was joking. Where are you, David? I'm on the exit now. You little jokester. Yeah. So uh we do have a good time, even though uh we do push each other's buttons now and then. And uh we also we're also very good about reminiscing, Mr. Morris.

SPEAKER_06

I got lost in that last one.

SPEAKER_03

Did you? You did. Well, I was lost doing that whole story, as you know.

SPEAKER_05

I was focused, Mike. I was focused. I was let me get from helping back.

SPEAKER_03

At the end of that evening, if I remember correctly, I was on a couch with other men and had my arms around all of them. And Mars said, you know, I think we need to get him back to his room. I do remember that distinctly. Yeah. There's that.

SPEAKER_07

Now, let's talk about Acura here.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, shall we? Marla Cardanas with uh with the Acura folks and uh team Gilman here locally.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate you. Thank you for having us on. Yeah. So um tell us about the Acura display. Um, and you know, I find it interesting because on this map, the the map of the show floor to where everybody is, that it would see the Nissan? Yeah. Well, listen, it's you can't you can barely even see that itty bitty little tiny thing that says Nissan, but look up there. Acura. Across there. So I have a complaint. Oh no. I don't get any accurate anymore. Why? I know you don't know why. I'm just throwing you throwing you to the business.

SPEAKER_00

I was gonna hang on to that one for a moment. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

So um, so I I don't get I don't get any Honda's and I don't get any Acura's. Same company. And um I uh I missed them. Uh they should be part of the press fleet, but they're not. I I don't know why they pulled everything out of the press fleet or they said, oh, Don Armstrong. He was the one over there at the Pacific Coast Highway event.

SPEAKER_06

No, even him. Uh wrong company. But I don't I don't get those either.

SPEAKER_03

So I I don't know if it's just the the press fleet's fall over the poll.acura?

SPEAKER_05

Uh she's got other duties.

SPEAKER_03

Well, give me just a minute. We've got a 15-minute interview here. Just give me time. I'm getting there.

SPEAKER_00

I'm here for the good.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you. You're here for the direction.

SPEAKER_00

I never received a call from you asking for anything or letting us know. Well, no, because it wouldn't be slighted.

SPEAKER_03

I don't feel slighted by you at all. No, it wouldn't be.

SPEAKER_00

I'm just making sure we're clear on that. Yeah, no, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03

I'm just throwing bones, so forget me. Um but I I do miss driving Acura's in Hondas. Because, you know, there's the Japanese, there's uh the Koreans, the the the Asia, Asian market, JPL market, yeah, is is unto itself like like the German market, English, go there, or American, you know, and everybody that comes from those markets, they really compete against themselves. So you go and drive a BMW, and you're not gonna get that experience over there at Honda Acura. Right. It's going well, it's different. It's a different drive. It feels different. You go around a corner in a BMW, it's different than going around a corner in an Acura. I'm not having judgment here. It's no.

SPEAKER_05

See how he gets out of this one. Yeah, that's what I'm waiting. I'm waiting for the.

SPEAKER_00

So I'm thinking we need to take you for a ride. No, oh yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03

No, this is not a competitive thing, it's just a different thing. That's all. Because preferably, I mean, I appreciate both. Um BMWs are typically more expensive than Acura's and Honda's. Okay, I got that. But I really do like I actually owned a Honda at one time, my Honda Accord. Um, but uh the Acura is a little bit more sporty than than the Honda's. I'm not sure exactly why we why do we have all that feedback, David? Because uh I think we've got the monitors up too loud. At any rate, so I uh I missed them.

SPEAKER_00

Well, then I think we need to get you in one for a little while. I think yes, we'll have to talk to Mr. Gilman about that. Okay, yeah, please do. We have two Honda stores and an Acura store, so we're good.

SPEAKER_03

Where are the Honda stores?

SPEAKER_00

Um we have one that is in Rosenberg, and that's our Honda Fort Bend, Team Gilman Honda Fort Bund, and then we have Team Gilman um Honda North, which is off of 45, a little bit south of the woodlands. Which Gilman is that? Team Gilman, the only Gilman.

SPEAKER_07

We had him on the show whenever we were uh down to show. Yes, you're I'm trying to remember his name.

SPEAKER_00

Chris Gilman. Yes. Yes, and his dad, Ramsey.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah, yeah, it's it's it's been several years, don't get me wrong. Way back to the city.

SPEAKER_03

The Gilman family has been in the automobile business uh for a long, long time.

SPEAKER_00

Since 1938, we've been part of this community.

SPEAKER_03

And the one that uh I remember particularly is the one that was over there across from Sharpstown. It's no longer there. I mean, it's turned into a I think St. Agnes bought that piece of property and made it. Yeah. Trust me, it was over there. You're too young to know.

SPEAKER_05

There's there's a Gilman at uh 59 in the Beltway, isn't there?

Acura Driving Feel And Lineup Highlights

SPEAKER_00

There's two sides to the family. There's the Gilman Automotive Group, and then there is Team Gilman, yeah. Okay, so that's the automotive group over there. I got you. So yeah, that's two totally different things.

SPEAKER_03

What do you have on display here?

SPEAKER_00

Well, I'm excited to talk about that. We actually We finally got to it, didn't we? I love talking about cars. I've been doing this for a long time. So we have actually an Integra Type S out there, which seems to be one of the most popular cars that people have been looking at. And we have the privilege of having one of our NSX here too. So it's it's definitely sexy eye candy, and people are enjoying getting their pictures taken with it. But we've seen such a tremendous amount of interest in the new ADX, which is the smaller SUV, and then we have an RDX and we have an MDX out, and then we have a tech package in uh in TechRa.

SPEAKER_03

So is that the full lineup of Acura's?

SPEAKER_00

No. No, so no, but it's what the space allowed us, and we just brought our our favorites. Yeah, yeah. People's favorites.

SPEAKER_03

And in your booth, those are Team Gilman cars.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Well, the NSX is actually we are very grateful on loan from one of our customers who's bought so many of them from us, and it was too pretty to not bring with us.

SPEAKER_03

So the paint on that is just well it speaks volumes for your dealership because, hey, who loans their car back to the dealership? Yeah, your customer base. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I we're very fortunate. Like I said, we've been in the Greater Houston community and part of it since 1938, and not a lot of people can say that. And one of the things that I love the most about our company aside of the products that we have is the way that we are taking care of our customers. We've had so many of them stop by here to tell us they were happy to see us too. So that was exciting. We had a chance to interview them and put them out on social.

SPEAKER_05

So who do you feel uh is your direct competition? You know, Don talked about uh the Korean models, the Japanese models, and things. Where where do you, in your own mind, think your competition is?

SPEAKER_00

For Acura or just our brands in general. Um it's kind of hard to say we have Subaru stores, Mazda, Acura, we have a Volkswagen Chevy. I mean, we're kind of across the map. So sometimes we're competing with ourselves, but I don't think you can compete with customer service. So anybody can sell a car, it's a matter of how you take care of your client base. Interesting.

SPEAKER_03

Chicago.

SPEAKER_00

I'm from Chicago.

SPEAKER_03

How long have you been here?

SPEAKER_00

I've been here for 10 years, and I'm still geographically challenged. So that's okay.

SPEAKER_03

That that's easy to happen here. Yes, yes. Glad you're not in Chicago today.

SPEAKER_00

I'm glad I'm not in Chicago, period. It's a great place to be from, and two-day visits are fantastic during the summer, but I'm out.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah. Well, um, glad you're here. I'm a Wisconsin boy.

SPEAKER_00

I've been here a lot longer than you've been alive. It's that Midwestern sense of humor you think you have. Is that what it is?

SPEAKER_05

Is that what it is? Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_00

You figured it out. You just opened the the You just opened it up. I wasn't told I had to behave this morning. Oh no, okay.

SPEAKER_03

Not on this show.

SPEAKER_00

I might not get invited back again.

SPEAKER_03

No, you will. No, you'll be the first on the list. Well, thank you.

SPEAKER_00

I appreciate that. I you know, one thing I do want to point out about the show is that this is probably coming from Chicago, being in the Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas. This is probably the nicest show out of all of them. I agree. It's intimate and it's a great place for customers to come in and take a look at vehicles that they might not have gone because they don't want the pressure. And the people have been delightful. But the way they put the show on, and it is so consumer-based in making sure that their experience is great, it's been delightful.

SPEAKER_03

My thought is the Chicago show, the show itself kind of overwhelms the people that attend it. Just by the displays and all of the stuff that's going on here, when you say it is intimate in that way, it's more customer friendly to me.

SPEAKER_00

I think that Wyatt and Rochelle do a really good job in understanding their audience and making sure that they do have a very comfortable experience here. So if there's anybody out there who wants to look at other models that they haven't had a chance to, but they're afraid to go into a store because they don't want to be pressured, this is probably the best venue for them to come out and do that.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

I'm looking around and I'm seeing the folks that are here. There's not a lot of young, young people, like teens. It's early in the morning, it's early in the morning, but I'm seeing I'm seeing families, I'm seeing mom and dad with a with a couple of children, maybe one or two or ten, whatever, walking through. Uh so I I see these folks as as buyers.

Dealership Roots And Community Trust

SPEAKER_00

You know, the people who have been coming to talk to us, they are genuinely interested. Um and I don't know where they are in their pro in their shopping journey, and quite frankly, they'll let us know. But they are very intrigued and they're very in touch with what questions they come in with. And we've had a lot of young people come by, so you know, first-time buyers who are especially the guys are looking at the integra as type, you know, right. And you know, showing them where they can go with that.

SPEAKER_03

So what are the what are the biggest questions that you get? Do you have a lot a lot of first-time lookers over there?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, we've had quite a few people that haven't really looked at the Acura brand before, and some of the feedback is because they don't want to go store shopping, you know, hopping around. Because most people do a lot of their research online, but you don't know until you touch it, smell it, feel it, drive it. Because if somebody says, Oh, I drove an Integra before, that doesn't mean they drove this one. I had two kids, they don't look alike, you know. So it's the same way that cars drive too. But I also feel that there's a lot of women that I've spoken to who've come out and they have tremendously great questions, and this is a great environment for women to come out and look at cars and not feel pressured and ask all the questions they want because we at Team Gilman believe that an educated buyer is our best buyer. What kind of buyer?

SPEAKER_03

Repeat buyers. What kind of questions do do females ask you?

SPEAKER_00

Um, actually more research questions. Um they want to know about you know gas mileage safety, about, you know, a lot is about safety, especially those with families. Sure. And being that we are such a safety-driven brand, it's been great. But they do, they ask, you know, about payments, they ask about leasing, they ask questions that they might not have. I said, would you have asked them about leasing when you're at the store? And they're like, I don't know. People feel intimidated to leave themselves in a pressure thing. Well they don't want to feel they don't they want to feel they don't want to feel vulnerable. Vulnerable.

SPEAKER_07

And and I think part of it's the female aspect of it. My two girls, which they're older, got kids and grown and all that stuff, but one of them is very intimidated to go car shopping at a car dealership. The other one, she'll walk in there and this is what I want. No, I don't want to look at that. I want this. But the other one, she's she's she's always afraid, and she has been taken advantage of because of it, and she knows it. And and I think this venue, like you say, is a great place for somebody like that to come and ask all those questions that they want to know without worrying about somebody trying to get them to sign something.

SPEAKER_00

And they can do that at our dealership, but speaking just strictly of the show, I am Ms. Chris Gilman is very, very driven in making sure that people have a comfortable experience, whether they're at our Acura store, any of them. But I've really enjoyed this because it doesn't seem like people have their guard up and they are bringing their kids, which we're giving them free tambourines to take home. So yeah, we have Teen Gilman tambourines and cowbells for the kids to take with them. The parents will remember. Absolutely. I'm gonna drop some off you. We want the we want the parents to remember us too long.

SPEAKER_03

It's time to go to bed now.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Well, whose name is on that tambourine?

SPEAKER_07

You need to give a couple of chocolate candy bars to go along with it.

SPEAKER_01

No, no. Uh-uh, no. No, I think the tambourine is a lot more fun. Sugar packs, they're easier to carry. I'm still thinking I have older kids.

SPEAKER_03

So let's go back and and talk more about uh what you're asked. You talked about the females. Let's talk about the boys. What did they ask? They want to know the horsepower?

What’s On Display: Integra, NSX, ADX

SPEAKER_00

Some of them do, yeah. They want to know, they they want to know a little bit more of well, women actually have asked too, because they want to know what's going to happen when their foot hits the guest. But the guys um have more, I would say, mechanically or engineered questions as far as, oh, how is this going? I'm like, oh my. Um we've had a lot of questions about the new hybrid coming out, which seems to be um kind of a cool spot to talk about, which they're coming out in 27. So people are already asking about those. But yeah, the guys want to know how fast can I go? And I'm like, I don't know, you'll have to ask the officer who pulls you over.

SPEAKER_03

Exactly. Great answer, yeah. Yeah. I mean, you get questions like what kind of colors do you have?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, we do.

SPEAKER_03

And uh what kind of interiors do you offer for this particular model?

SPEAKER_00

Yes, and we have a full, we have um gigantic um, I want to say they're like iPads there, so we can pull everything up and show them because you can only bring so much to the show.

SPEAKER_05

What is what is the least uh base model vehicle you have here? The least priced? Yeah, least priced.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I'll go with that one. So it's the ADX, and we have an Integra uh tech pack here. So the ADX. I haven't even seen one of those. Well it's because you are not visiting me at the right times. You need to come with me after you have a given one together.

SPEAKER_03

Are you ever out at your Rosenberg store?

SPEAKER_00

Um once in a while I am.

SPEAKER_03

Because I live in Richmond.

SPEAKER_00

Well then I'll get your number and make sure I'm there. Okay. How's that?

SPEAKER_03

That's great.

SPEAKER_00

We'll take you for a ride.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Um do you have any two-door cars other than the NSX?

SPEAKER_00

No.

SPEAKER_03

That's the only that's the only one you got. Yes, that's uh you've got a four-door car and you have lots of SUVs.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, we do. But you know what, I have to say, I the NTCR is a very sexy car. It is. It's got a nice wide body on it. It's got a lot of, it's got a lot of uh, it's it's got a lot of hump. I'm trying to not use Yiddish at this moment. It's got a lot of hooks, but nobody in Texas is gonna know. But yeah, it's it's I'll I'll go with that. It's got but it has it has a nice takeoff to it, and you're able to adjust whether you want to be in comfort or if you want to be in sport, you know, so the you can customize the car to how you want to drive. I'm not gonna tell you what I keep mine in the race.

SPEAKER_03

Um how do you you talk to people about what?

SPEAKER_07

I was waving at the guy behind you.

SPEAKER_03

Oh talk about uh the the offerings that you have on the lot. Do you have a full inventory of different some dealers don't?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, we've got over a side of the the Acura's, we have over 800 used cars in stock. Used cars. Yeah, it's uh in certified and used cars. So we've we our Acura store is one of the top Acura stores in the country.

SPEAKER_03

Do you sell a lot of certified used cars? Yes, we do.

SPEAKER_00

Actually, we're the I think we're the number one certified used cars for Acura in the country. I know definitely in Texas.

SPEAKER_03

So So do do the certified used outsell the new? No. They don't.

SPEAKER_00

They're they're one-to-one, I would have to say. The thing is, is that we're not talking to people, we're listening. We're finding out what their needs are, what fits in their budget, what fits in their it's a lifestyle product. I mean, that's what cars are today.

SPEAKER_03

So if I'm looking for a used ADX or at SUV, and I want something with no more than 50,000 miles on it, you have that inventory.

SPEAKER_00

Absolutely. We've got plenty to choose from.

SPEAKER_03

Are most of those uh certified used cars were they originally purchased at your dealership as new?

SPEAKER_00

A lot of them were, yes. We don't go to the auction for cars. So wonderful. Yeah, we're we're really excited to always be able to say that we would go to the auction to sell but not to buy. And almost all of our inventory is coming from people who have come into our store.

SPEAKER_03

That's a good thing.

SPEAKER_00

It's exciting because we have their service records as well, and we know that we're giving people an outstanding product that we've taken enough care to make sure it's the way we would want our children in a car.

SPEAKER_07

And if it's something that you have sold or new and now you've got it on the CPO or even a used lot, you've got a history that you can relate to the people and say, yeah, you're we've been working on this car for since it was.

SPEAKER_03

Well to me, you know, you go to the ACURA store for an ACARA. Right. You know, and that's where I want to, that's where I want to buy my Acura. If I'm gonna buy an Acura, I'm gonna go to the store, whether I buy new or I buy certified pre-on. Those are the two categories that I'm gonna go and look at as a customer, you know? And um it's good to know.

Who’s Shopping And What They Ask

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it is we it's an exciting brand. I've been at the Acura for a long time, and watching its metamorphosis into what it is today. It's a sexier car, it's got a great ride. I mean, it drives like butter. And I know that you don't think it's a BMW, but I used to drive one and I like my Acura better.

SPEAKER_05

You know, we have we have sponsorship spots open all the time. So maybe you can take that information back and become a sponsor.

SPEAKER_00

You're saying that because I'm also the marketing director. Well, there you go. Let me give you another call. We could compliment each other on that. As long as it there's behavioral rules that I don't have to follow. Well, no, we don't have those yet.

SPEAKER_03

No, we don't have those at all on this show, that's for sure. Marl, it's great to talk to you.

SPEAKER_00

It's been a privilege. Thank you so much. And thank you for being here at the show.

SPEAKER_03

We're gonna we're gonna see more of you. I know that.

SPEAKER_00

Oh my goodness. Yeah, we will.

SPEAKER_03

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Team Gilma. Uh uh coming up, Jeff has the cruise dinner events calendars, and I'll have the stories making automotive news headlines this week. Yep. We invite you to stay with us here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show, coming to you today from the Houston Auto Show at NRG Center. We continue right after this quick break. The Tex-Mex dining experience is defined by Lupi Tortilla, your destination for Texas's best beef fajitas and frozen margaritas. Since 1983, Lupi Tortilla has served authentic and time-tested recipes made with the freshest ingredients. Atmosphere is part of the award-winning experience at Lupi Tortilla, all developed in the little house near Highway 6 and I-10 in West Houston. Visit any of the Loopy Tortillas and you'll see the same attention to detail in each and every location. Start your loopy experience with queso flammiato and guacamole, along with a classic frozen margarita. Dine on famous loopy beef and chicken fajas, or pepper shrimp crochet, or a fish or vegetarian entree, and finish with a scrumptious flan for dessert. Find loopy tortilla in Houston, College Station, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas Fort Worth. A Texas location near you. The recipes are authentic and time-testing. The ingredients always fresh. Loopy Tortilla, the speedy movie.

SPEAKER_02

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SPEAKER_03

Hey. Be sure and join us for our live show every week. In Wheel Time airs Saturdays, 10 to noon on Facebook, YouTube, and InWheel Time.com. Thanks for joining us today. Yes, we are at NRG Center and the 43rd annual Houston Auto Show. And uh thank you for joining us. Whether you're listening on a podcast a little bit later than this Saturday show or not. Whether you're listening to the Saturday show, good for you. Glad you got up. Glad you're alive. So am I. Glad I'm alive. Yeah, we're glad you're alive too. Thank you. All right. Time now for Jeffrey's cruise in and events calendars.

SPEAKER_05

You betcha. So this uh February 7th, which is next weekend from 9 to 11, you've got Frida's Cafe. This is down in Victoria, Texas, and I get this information from our Hot Rod boys, Hot Rod uh Tour Texas boys. They're down there all the time. Frida's. Yeah, Frida's, Frida's Cafe. It's uh 8901 North Navarro Street. Cars and Coffee is hosted by the Crossroads Cruisers Car Club of the City.

SPEAKER_03

That's the main drag down there. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05

It's a Mexico. Navarro, yeah. No, Navarro. North Navarro Street, as I said. And then the event takes place the first uh Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11. And then again on next Saturday, you've got the Tyler Loop Cruise. This is at 124 South, Southeast Loop 323 in Tyler, Texas.

SPEAKER_03

Well, hey, hey George, you're listening?

SPEAKER_05

I know, that's why I kind of did this for George, so he can get out there, get out, and about. This is sponsored by the Subaru owners. Uh the Tyler Loop Cruise is February 7th. Participants will meet the Shell meet at the Shell Gas Station located at 124 South Southeast Loop in uh goes uh at 10 a.m. So get out there. It's a scenic 50-mile cruise drive through Bouldard, Loves Lookout, and Jacksonville up in there. Temple Malt and Motors, monthly cruise in at Bold. This is at 7060 Stone Hollow Drive in Temple, Texas. They're up in there, so hopefully the weather will be great for you. George again, yep. The Mold and Motors. Bold Republic Brewing Company of West Temple, Texas. It's 11 a.m. to 2. I'll have a West Temple. Yep. Not a north or an east. Just a west. Yep. It's like West Virginia and Virginia. All vehicles are welcome, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Attendees can enjoy Kraft. You can enjoy craft brews, food, music, and company of everyone else. Now on the 8th, which is Sunday, Crazy Train Car Meets at Crazy Train Bar in Magnolia, Texas, at 38925 FM 1774. Crazy Train organized by the Speed Bump Classic. So get out there, 3 p.m. to 7 00. Wait a minute, the Speed Bump Classics. Yeah, we are Speed Bump Classics. We are Speed Bumps Classics. Yes. We're in different different areas. Okay. Food trucks, live music, family friendly environment encourages respectable behavior, much like what we don't have. So there you go.

SPEAKER_04

They are.

SPEAKER_03

Okay. Cool. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Morris. There you go, Mr. Morris. Did that guy stand us up again? I don't know. That's all right. I know. So you're wondering what I'm doing. I'm looking for Time by the Second. And uh I use this app called time.is.com. And uh it's uh 5 56 a.m. I'm sorry. Make it 10 56 a.m. I was gonna say 5 56.

SPEAKER_05

Wow.

SPEAKER_03

You know, this is why we don't do a three-hour show anymore because my brain dies after two hours.

SPEAKER_05

Oh.

SPEAKER_03

It shrivels up. Well, it's already shriveled up, but it's good. I'm gone a little bit further.

SPEAKER_05

Let's see what's going on in the big picture back there. You got trucks moving around behind us over there.

Safety, Financing, And First‑Time Buyers

SPEAKER_03

But I got a couple of stories I need to get in. Go for it. Okay? I I can't I can't hear me for some reason, David. Uh is it is it this here? Is it there? That's that thing right there. Thank you. Um with the average uh price of a vehicle, price of age of the vehicle, a persistent technic uh technician shortage. Dealerships are looking uh into mobile service and new technology to protect profits. Service departments can generate between 85 and 90 percent of revenue for a majority of dealerships. Rick Wegley, an instructor and consultant at NCM Associates of Kansas City, told the Automotive News average age of vehicles on the road has increased over the past eight years, reaching 12.8 years in age in 2025. Um the automotive industry continues to face a technician shortage. 39,000 new service technicians graduate from technical colleges and training programs in the U.S. each year, and yet the industry needs to replace nearly 76,000 annually, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. That's a shortfall of about 37,000 trained technicians every year. In 2026, many dealerships are focused on recruiting and retaining service technicians amidst the shortage. Automakers such as Ford and GM are supporting dealerships that incorporate mobile service into its business, often helping finance the initial investment required to establish that kind of service. So, I've I've seen commercials for Ford, as a matter of fact. Yep. They're advertising mobile service now. And uh what do you probably have to week, you know, wait a couple of weeks to get that scheduled, uh can only imagine. Yep. But at any rate. Okay. I need to uh check my watch. Time for me to get a watch, apparently. And uh time for us also to take a quick break. Be sure and join our live show every week, In Wheel Time Air Saturdays, 10 to noon, Facebook, YouTube, and nWheeltime.com. We're gonna take a quick break and we'll be right back right after these words. You own a car you love. Why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it? Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state-of-the-art facility to introduce you to his specialist team of auto enthusiasts. We promise you'll be impressed. Whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like new appearance, apply a ceramic coating, install a paint protection film, nano ceramic window tint, or new windshield protection called Exoshield, Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go. Curb your wheels? Instead of buying new, why not have them repaired? How about a professionally installed radar detector? Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too. Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading to gcautoshield.com. Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston Tollway, just south of the Southwest Freeway, and get a personal tour. Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior. Call them today, 832-930-5655, or gcautoshield.com. Apple or Android, NWL Time Podcast can be found everywhere, on the stream and through downloads. Whether you're on the road or at home and Jones in for a different kind of car talk show, give In Wheel Time a try. Honest new car reviews, fun, informative interviews with real car people, weekly automotive news, features like Jeff's car culture and Mike's driving destinations, all on In Wheel Time. Check us out on Sirius XM Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or while you're shopping on Amazon through Amazon Music. Mm-hmm. InWheeltime.com has a list, and we know you love lists. That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show. I'm Dot Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheeltime.com website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartPodcast, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Keep listening, and we'll see you soon.

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Don Armstrong

Host
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Jeff Dziekan

Co-host
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Michael Marrs

Co-host