Out With The Old, In With The New, The 2025 Chevy Blazer EV | #582

The Drive with Alan Taylor

During the “Drive” show, Hollywood’s Car Consultant Josh Hancock discussed his journey to Monterey Car Week in a 2024 Maverick pickup truck. He highlighted the week-long event, referring to it as the “Oscars car event,” emphasizing its accessibility to the public. Hancock described the extravagant events, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Quail, noting the high price of admission for the latter at $1600. He also mentioned the temporary car dealerships set up on the golf course and the presence of manufacturers like Audi, Bentley, and Porsche. Hancock questioned the return on investment for such expenses, considering the high cost of attendance.

George Kennedy III, co-founder of Cartender.com and Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association, recently attended an event with the association in which every year, the association holds a week-long event to present awards from the previous year, including winter vehicle awards. Following the awards, there is an event called the ragtop ramble, where automakers bring their cars and some of their sportier vehicles to Lars Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA. This event offers a good networking opportunity for automakers and PR representatives, as many get to drive the cars for the first time. During the ragtop ramble, participants draw keys from a hat to pair up and drive to Maine from Boston for a lobster dinner. George talked about a unique vehicle from Expedition Motor Company, a faithful tribute to the classic Mercedes 2-door G wagon. This rebuild of Cold War-era military G wagons includes a rebuilt original diesel engine, modernized features like a touch screen, and an impressive off-road capability. It’s a great option for those looking for a new, rugged vehicle with a classic feel. George also test-drove the new 2025 Chevy Blazer EV, which you can visit his website for more information.

BJ Killeen, a respected automotive journalist, discussed Tesla’s decision to stop offering the least expensive version of the Cybertruck at $61,000. Customers can now only buy the $100,000 version. There are mixed opinions about Tesla’s claim of having 1,000,000 reservations for the truck, and some people are skeptical about the actual demand. Questions have been raised about whether Elon Musk stopped making the cheaper versions to push customers to buy the more expensive one. In 2023, Mercedes-Benz reported that authorities seized over 1.6 million counterfeit parts after over 740 raids worldwide. The seized counterfeits included braking systems, wheels, steering systems, and body panels. This highlights the concerning trend of counterfeiters producing potentially dangerous automotive parts for profit. Car Shield has agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to the Federal Trade Commission due to deceptive advertising for their service contracts. If you have a Car Shield warranty, it may be worth contacting a lawyer or the Federal Trade Commission to see if you are entitled to any compensation. Car Shield stated that they did not admit or deny any wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.

Long-time friend and contributor Lauren Fix, Editor–in–Chief for CarCoachReports.com, is closing the show with Alan. Lauren is at the Pebble Beach golf course in Monterey, seated on 17 Mile Drive, enjoying the stunning Bay view. The event, previously known for showcasing planes and cars, has now become MotorLux, a charity event owned by Broad Arrow, a division of Hagerty. With a new PR company on board, they hosted global vehicle debuts and featured iconic cars and luxury aviation, including the Honda jet. Next Lauren discussed the importance and excitement of auctions, particularly in the collector car business. It emphasizes the significance of events like the Scottsdale and Pebble Beach auctions in setting the bar for the market. The potential for financial gains in investing in cars is highlighted, along with the need to stay informed about market trends and economic conditions. Lauren also mentions the unpredictability of factors such as political changes and global events, which can impact investment decisions. Lauren mentioned that Germany will unveil the new 2025 BMW M5 and a touring version, which is colloquially referred to as the Shooting Brake. The touring version boasts 710-plus horsepower and approximately 700 lb-ft of torque. A special edition of the vehicle, in a striking green color with an orange and gray interior, will be auctioned for charity at the Gooding auction. This impressive car operates on a hybrid platform, with over 120 horsepower coming from the 48-volt architecture. Well that’s a wrap, join us on our next edition of, The Drive!

[00:00:00] – Contributor Josh Hancock
[00:06:52] – 2024 Ford Maverick Pickup
[00:12:30] – Monterey Car Week
[00:20:21] – Contributor George Kennedy III
[00:31:22] – Ragtop Rumble
[00:36:21] – 2025 Chevy Blazer EV
[00:43:11] – Contributor BJ Killeen
[00:50:07] – Counterfeit Parts
[00:55:42] – Car shield Settles
[01:03:32] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[01:13:05] – Going Once, Going Twice!
[01:19:32] – 2025 BMW M5

CREDITS

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: Josh Hancock

Contributor: George Kennedy III

Contributor: BJ Killeen

Contributor: Lauren Fix

EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

• Contributor: Josh Hancock | Hollywood Car Consultant
• Contributor: George Kennedy III | co-founder of Cartender.com, and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and here on The Drive.
• Contributor: Lauren Fix | Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports.
• Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason

Vehicles Discussed: ,

Bronco Sport, 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat Edition, Nissan Rogue 2025 Lincoln Navigator, Lucid Air, Mercedes “Wolf”, 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2025 BMW M5

OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTED CHARITIES:

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
• Subaru

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