Third Quarter U.S. Auto Sales, Car Pro Show Wins Awards, Destined to Fail: Amazon, Hyundai Sales, Plus 2025 Range Rover Evoque and 2024 Lexus GX 550 Test Drives

October 4, 2024

Welcome to October friends, I hope it is cooling off where you are, and we offer thoughts and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Helene. The damaged cars from this monster storm are going to show up all over America, and below I tell you how to avoid those in my advice column today.

Your Car Pro Show staff is humbled by some recent awards we received by the Texas Auto Writer’s Association (TAWA), of which Amy Plemons and I are members. You can read about the three awards below that were bestowed on us. I also want to thank everyone for the warm welcome given to my new radio partner, Todd Chambless after his first show on the air.

In other stories below, I told you almost a year ago about Amazon’s plan to sell Hyundais on its website, and I give you an update to that. Bargain-priced used cars are getting more plentiful, and Kia tells us how much its very popular Telluride will cost in 2025. Which automakers won the Brand Loyalty Study that just wrapped up? I have the answer for you below. The UAW is looking for a strong, new contract for VW workers in Tennessee, details and a video below.

Be sure to check out our all new Car Pro Merchandise and don’t miss Kim Komando’s very useful Tips of the Week. She had a lot of really great ones this week, and as always, I encourage you to subscribe to her terrific and very useful newsletter that you’ll get seven days a week.

In advice today, I urge you to get your vehicle ready for winter now, don’t wait until that first cold snap! Self-employed and business owners, our annual guide to Tax Code 179 is below and it could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

In reviews, I have the 2025 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SE SUV. Our Amy Plemons brings you a full review of the all-new 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+ .

THIS IS IT! The FINAL True Story from a Former Car Dealer. We’ll retire the series after today, but it stays under the radio tab at the website. This is a series of 40 stories written by me, and today, #40 is titled: The Final Curtain. I look back on the series a little and share one final story that I am not proud of, but that possibly changed my life and taught me compassion, humility, and the importance of forgiveness. We’ve all made mistakes, but I made a really bad one as a teenager. Nobody died, but could have, and if not for a kind dealership owner, who knows what direction my life would have taken?

Plus, lots of other information you will enjoy, including our videos of the week we talk about on the air all the time! If you have never been to our FAQ page, take a minute and peruse the categories, something there will interest you for sure.

You’ll find the following stories and more info as you scroll down the newsletter:

We so appreciate all of you who take this newsletter and listen to the show every week. We know that without you, there is no Car Pro Radio Show. So always let us know when we can help you. If you have not been there lately, take a look at our website, www.carpro.com, it changes all the time!

Have a terrific week. See you on the radio!

We are always extremely proud when we win awards for the work we do on the Car Pro Show. It is humbling and makes all the hard work seem well worth it. Annually, the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) of which Amy Plemons and I are both members, gives awards for the Excellence In Craft Competition.

This year, when all the entries were in, I am proud to say that the Car Pro Show took 1st place for the Radio/Podcast category. If my count is correct, this is the 5^th time the show has taken first place in this category, along with numerous 2^nd and 3^rd place victories through the years. I have to thank my Trusty Sidekick, Kevin McCarthy, he was with me for the entire time and part of each interview entry.

The submission that won the radio category was titled: Why Americans are NOT buying electric vehicles. This was an interview I did with our Car Pro Show affiliate news/radio 1080 KRLD in Dallas-Fort Worth. You can listen to the audio here →

Amy won a 2nd place trophy for her Texas Auto Roundup event coverage and 3rd place for her 2024 Acura MDX review.

Taking three awards was a surprise to be honest, but we are proud to have earned and received each one of them. We’ll continue to try to bring you the best radio show, car reviews, newsletter, and automotive news we possibly can. We know that without you, the audience and followers, that none of this would be possible. So, we humbly accept these awards on your behalf and offer a heartfelt thanks to each of you.

Read all the award details→

I keep telling you I’m not an “I told you so kind of guy”- yet I keep telling you that I told you so, so maybe I am after all. Right here in this very newsletter last November, I wrote an article titled: Destined To Fail: Amazon To Sell Hyundais. If you missed it, you can read it here →

The idea was that Amazon planned to launch online vehicle sales in the U.S, starting with Hyundai in 2024. But we are now 10 months into 2024 and those online sales have yet to materialize, though Amazon's website says the program is launching later in 2024.

I share more of my thoughts here →

Besides the Car Pro Show and our weekly newsletter, my other favorite radio show and newsletter is Kim Komando’s. We are on many of the same radio stations across America. She does for her listeners and newsletter subscribers exactly what I endeavor to do: Give you useful information to keep you up to date on the latest in cars, only she does it with technology and there is nobody who does it better. Not sure how she puts out a top-notch newsletter seven days a week, but she does.

Here are some various tips & information I picked up from Kim’s newsletter this week I hope you find as useful as I did:

Every 13 miles: How often Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode requires human intervention. In a 1,000-mile test, drivers had to intervene to prevent dangerous behavior more than 75 times. The good: Self-driving mode breaks for pedestrians and lets oncoming cars through. The bad: It also runs red lights and drives into oncoming traffic. Just say no.
One of the hardest parts of owning a $100,000 Cybertruck? Keeping it clean. Its stainless-steel exterior attracts fingerprints and smudges. Tesla says the car wash is a no-no, and the official $130 detailing kit is sold out. Owners are resorting to window cleaner, baby wipes and good ol'-fashioned car shampoo.
For the first time ever: An artificial heart was successfully implanted in a patient with end-stage heart failure. Total Artificial Heart supports patients while they wait for a real heart transplant. With heart failure affecting at least 26 million people globally and fewer than 6,000 transplants performed each year, this could be a medical breakthrough. Four more patients will go through trials soon.
Best password length: A minimum of 16 characters. The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols for added security. I like passphrases, where you squish a few random words together.
Many retail websites don’t have static pricing: Depending on the time or day of the week, you might beat the algorithm and score a better deal. Your best bet for a bargain is early in the week or at off-peak hours (think late at night or early in the morning). Whoa, this tip alone is worth the price of this newsletter. Oh, wait — it’s free!
1,500 miles traveled To return a kid’s beloved stuffed animal. A Texas woman took to Facebook after her 9-year-old left his stuffed gorilla at a California hotel. A stranger saw the post, went an hour out of her way to pick it up, then documented the gorilla’s journey home. Absolutely watch this if you need a smile!

Friends, we have been publishing the latest rules and eligible vehicles list for Tax Code 179 for over a decade. Many of you wait until the last minute to make your purchase. Many wait until right after Christmas, but things can happen that could cause you to miss the December 31, 2024 deadline. I encourage you to reach out to one of our Certified CarPro Friends at a CarPro approved dealership NOW. They will help you figure out how to get the eligible vehicle you want by the end of the year, or worst case, have a VIN so you can complete the paperwork by December 31, 2024.

Click here for our 2024 Guide →

Disclaimer: While every effort was made to make sure this list is accurate, Car Pro Radio Network, CarPro and its affiliates are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Always consult with your tax professional.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CPAs BILL & SUSAN CATON FOR THEIR HELP DECIPHERING THIS COMPLICATED TAX CODE.

A few years ago, I started writing a series of True Stories From A Former Car Dealer. Over 40 weeks, I wrote about experiences I had from my days as a dealership owner. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry. The reaction was beyond my wildest expectations.

For our new subscribers, and for those of you who may have missed one or perhaps simply forgot the details, we’ll bring these to you in the order they were written.

This week I share the last of the True Stories, titled: The Final Curtain. I look back on the series a little and share one final story that I am not proud of, but that possibly changed my life and taught me compassion, humility, and the importance of forgiveness. We’ve all made mistakes, but I made a really bad one as a teenager.

Read True Stories #40: The Final Curtain →

If you are searching for a particular new or used vehicle, we can help you! The best news is, if you use CarPro to search, when you find the car of your dreams it will be at a CarPro approved dealership.

Best of all, it’s simple to use. Choose new, used, or certified. You can select the make and model, or find a price range you are looking at. Choose the number of miles you are willing to travel and enter your zip code.

From there, you can look through all your matches, knowing you are shopping at a dealership I have handpicked that adheres to the high standards I require.

Start your search on the front page of CarPro.com. If you don't find the car of your dreams, check back regularly.

You have 5 hours to call the show! From 9AM- 2PM Central, 7AM-Noon Pacific, and 10 AM to 3 PM Eastern, the phone numbers are:

DFW Show: 9 AM to 11 AM Central, 1 (800) 288-9227
National Show: 11 AM to 2 PM Central, 1 (800) 926-7777

Add the numbers to your cell phone; you never know when you are going to need straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive.

So, what is the CarPro Radio Show?

Confused about the car buying process? Worried you won’t get a fair deal? Wondering about which vehicle is best for you? Then tune in to the Car Pro Radio Show every week where Jerry Reynolds and Kevin McCarthy will guide you through the car-buying process with confidence.

No matter where you listen to the show or which station you listen to, you have five hours to call in and ask your questions. We take calls every Saturday from 9 AM-2 PM Central time, 7 AM to Noon Pacific. The phone number is different the first two hours, then changes, so keep that in mind.

We would love to help you in any way possible! Keep in mind, we don’t take mechanical questions, but everything else is great!

The Car Pro Radio Show is heard every weekend all over the United States, and every weekend we deliver straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive. We would greatly appreciate it if you would take a moment and tell a friend about the show.

In recent weeks we've welcomed several new stations into our affiliate family:

KLXX 1270 AM Bismark-Madan North Dakota
- Saturday 5p to 6p CT (Replay)
KKTK AM 1400/FM 97.1 in Texarkana, TX
- Saturday: 12 noon to 3 pm CT (Replay)
KQEW 102.3 FM in Fordyce, Arkansas
- Saturday 5PM - 8PM CT (Replay)

Most of our listeners tell us that they never thought they would look forward to a show about cars. You may have friends or relatives who feel the same way in the cities below, please make them aware.

Here are the DFW markets the show airs in, times, and stations, and don't forget you can now listen to WBAP on the FM dial at 93.3 FM!

Dallas, TX: WBAP 820 AM/93.3 FM/99.5 HD 2, Saturday 9am to 11am Central
Dallas, TX: KRLD 1080 AM, Saturday 2pm to 4pm Central (replay)
Granbury, TX: KPIR 1420 AM, Saturday 11am to 2pm Central

WBAP DFW Podcast Here →
FOR ALL OTHER MARKETS, CLICK HERE→

The Car Pro Show Racks Up More Big Awards!

2024 Q3 U.S. Auto Sales

Update: Hyundai & Amazon To Sell Cars! “Destined To Fail”

Enter To Win A 1974 Classic Ford Bronco And Help Kids!

Straight Talk and Answers

CarPro Advice: Avoiding Flood-Damaged Cars

CarPro Advice: Get Your Car Ready For Winter

On The Road: Test Drives

Bumper to Bumper

Used Cars Under $20K Are More Plentiful Now

Three popular models are under the $20,000 mark.

2025 GMC Yukon Adds New AT4 Ultimate Trim

Chrysler Brings Back Voyager Minivan

UAW VW Workers Negotiating For Strong First Contract

AAA: New Car Ownership Costs Rise To $1,025 A Month

Kia Announces Pricing On 2025 Telluride

2024 LA Auto Show Update!

Weekly Recalls

Our 2024 Tax Code 179 Guide Is Here!

Check Out Our Newsletter Archive Page!

It's Here! The CarPro Merchandise Shop!

True Stories From A Former Car Dealer

Our Factory Incentive Guide

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

Exclusive Approved Products & Services

FAQ: Research Your Questions Before You Shop

Our FAQ page offers answers to questions CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds is asked most frequently.

Searching for a New or Used Vehicle?

Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

Jerry's Video of the Week

Subscribe to the Free DFW Newsletter

CarPro Guide To Online Car Buying

Buying a vehicle online has never been easier.Our step-by-step guide will help you buy a car from the comfort of your living room, starting with selecting your CarPro Friend.

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Where To Find Us

Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds