8 chapters across the catalog
Chevrolet expands its voluntary recall to include all Bolt electric vehicle models from 2019 through 2022 due to a fire risk from defective battery modules. The recall highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding large-scale lithium-ion battery implementation in the automotive industry.
The Country Music Awards featured a heavy sponsorship by Chevrolet and a segment honoring deceased industry figures. A moment of awkwardness occurred when Little Big Town won Song of the Year for "Better Man," which was written by Taylor Swift. Swift was not present to accept the award, leading to a visible disconnect in the room.
Chevrolet Voiceover Audition and New Show Merchandise
Adam Curry reads a script for a Chevrolet "Purple Roads Initiative" commercial he is auditioning for, which focuses on cancer survival rates. He notes the irony of potentially becoming the voice of a major advertiser while hosting an ad-free podcast. The segment concludes with a promotion for new merchandise on the No Agenda Nation store, including "Slave Silk Ties" and "Drone Bait."
The hosts distinguish between "product placement," such as Starbucks cups on *Morning Joe*, and "native advertising," where news segments are paid for by corporations. They cite a *Wall Street Journal* article that transitioned into a pitch for a communications firm and a news report on car safety that suspiciously praised the Chevrolet Spark while panned the Honda Fit. They argue that television native ads are particularly "sinister" because they are difficult for the average viewer to detect.
General Motors IT In-Sourcing, Data Center Reduction
The former CEO of General Motors discussed the company's efforts to in-source its IT operations after years of costly outsourcing. The company plans to reduce its 23 leased data centers to just two to improve performance and reliability. The hosts reflect on how GM lost its competitive edge by dismissing data analytics as a core competency.
Embedded Advertising in Hawaii Five-O and Television
The blatant product placement of the Chevrolet Camaro in the television series *Hawaii Five-O* is critiqued. The hosts discuss the increasing trend of "embedded advertising" where commercial sponsors are integrated directly into show scripts and dialogue.
Electric Vehicle Rebates and Michigan's Economy
Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan introduced a bill to turn the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit into an immediate point-of-sale rebate. The hosts point out that this primarily benefits the Chevrolet Volt, manufactured in Stabenow's home state. They criticize the government for subsidizing vehicles produced by companies it partially owns.
Chevrolet Corvette History, Fiberglass Degradation, Garage Fire Incident
A 1975 Corvette Stingray is discussed, noting the tendency for its plastic and fiberglass components to degrade over time. An anecdote from Belgium describes a C5 Corvette owner who accidentally destroyed the car's door and flooded a house after a garage door opener caught fire, causing a panicked reverse maneuver that ruptured a boiler.
