Car Stuff Podcast

Buick Leaves China, Kia K4 Hatchback, A Conversation with Steve Saleen

Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo Episode 311

 Jill and Tom open the show acknowledging a few foreign cities in which there are Car Stuff Podcast listeners. Listen in for the list. 

Stories this week include news that Mercedes-Benz is dropping its Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driving system in the U.S., and Buick is moving production of the U.S.-market Envision small crossover out of China. Tom also shares the results of his very unscientific “Most American” car poll. Did the Corvette, Mustang, or Wrangler win? Listen in for details. 

Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback. Does the hatch make for a better compact Kia? Signs point to “yes.” 

In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by automotive legend Steve Saleen. Steve talks about the development of the S7 super car, modifying Mustangs and F-150s, and his super-car show at the LeMay Museum in Tacoma, Washington. It’s a great conversation. 

In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s “2025 Car Sales” quiz. The hosts close the show discussing the impact of cold weather on the Lucid Air, and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.