Topic: Volkswagen

President Trump signed the "Freedom Means Affordable Cars" executive order, which may pave the way for the return of "tiny cars" and small pickup trucks to the U.S. market. The move involves rolling back corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and addressing crash rating barriers. The hosts discuss the potential return of small Toyota trucks and the "AdBlue" diesel exhaust fluid scam.

The subprime auto loan market faces a crisis as high-profile bankruptcies like Tricolor and First Brands trigger a sell-off in private credit. Meanwhile, Porsche reports a 96% plunge in profits due to a failed aggressive electric vehicle strategy and the high costs of returning to combustion engines. The broader automotive sector is seeing a shift back to petrol and hybrid models as consumer demand for high-performance EVs weakens.

The hosts shared personal stories regarding past interests in alternative energy, including a "hydroxy booster" installed in a Jaguar that used electrolysis to produce hydrogen fuel. The conversation transitioned into a reminiscence about classic cars, including a 1920s Rolls Royce discovered in a California garage and various personal vehicles like a Volkswagen Beetle and a Buick Skylark. They noted that while some technologies like water-for-fuel proved impractical, the stories remain a staple of the show's long-running history.

European Union commissioners in Brussels unveiled an 800 billion euro roadmap to establish Europe as an independent defense power. The plan includes the 150 billion euro Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, allowing the EU to take out loans for joint military equipment purchases. The initiative aims to stimulate homegrown industries, with proposals already surfacing to convert a closed Audi factory in Belgium into a weapons manufacturing facility.

The artwork for Episode 1747, titled "Hi-Fi Intel," was created by a new artist, TI Pipple J, featuring a flying Volkswagen bus carrying bombs. The hosts also recognized Gun Monkey, a professional artist and gallery owner who has recently contributed several AI-generated pieces. The discussion touches on the "unwritten rules" of the show's art selection, which include an automatic rejection of "grotesque" or nauseating imagery.

Volkswagen CEO announced the company is open to producing weapons as part of the European Union's multi-billion euro militarization plan. Idle production capacity in the German car industry may be repurposed for the defense sector under a plan proposed by Ursula von der Leyen. This shift recalls Volkswagen's history of producing military vehicles and bombs during World War II.

The expansion of the BRICS nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, is noted as a significant threat to the U.S. petrodollar system. Meanwhile, Boeing's recent safety and manufacturing issues are linked by the hosts to the company's use of non-union labor at its South Carolina plant. They discuss the United Auto Workers' (UAW) recent success in unionizing a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee as a sign of shifting labor dynamics in the South.

The closure of the Port of Baltimore following the bridge collapse has significantly impacted the automotive industry, as the port handles more light trucks and cars than any other US facility. Companies like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and BMW are seeking workarounds, including using terminals at the mouth of the harbor or rerouting to the Port of Brunswick in Georgia. Processing tasks, such as installing accessories to qualify for EV subsidies, must be relocated until the channel is cleared.

A cargo ship carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles, including several hundred electric models, caught fire off the coast of the Netherlands. The intensity of the blaze, which resulted in one crew member's death, is attributed to the presence of lithium-ion batteries that are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Media coverage of the event is criticized for focusing on the potential impact on bird habitats rather than the inherent safety risks of electric vehicle transport.

An anonymous electrical engineer reported widespread reliability issues with public EV charging stations, specifically those operated by Electrify America. The report noted that while chargers are marketed at 350 kilowatts, most vehicles only pull 50 to 65 kilowatts, leading to longer charge times than consumers expect. Additionally, Amazon's Rivian delivery vans at Boston sites are reportedly limited by a 140-mile range and slow overnight charging.

California regulators have approved a plan to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, requiring 35% of new sales to be zero-emission by 2026. Other states are expected to follow California's lead, while 17 Republican-led states are challenging the federal waiver that allows these stricter standards. Volkswagen has also announced it will only sell electric vehicles in Norway starting in 2024.

A 2010 Audi Super Bowl commercial featuring the "Green Police" is revisited in light of the subsequent Volkswagen emissions scandal. The ad humorously depicted a society where citizens are arrested for using incandescent bulbs or plastic bottles, while promoting "clean diesel" as the ultimate environmental solution. The hosts highlight the irony of the ad given the massive fraud later uncovered.

As gas prices reach record highs, media outlets are profiling "hyper-milers" who use extreme driving techniques to achieve over 80 miles per gallon. Techniques include driving at 55 mph, coasting in neutral, and drafting behind trucks. The hosts recall similar behaviors from the 1970s oil crisis and predict that the federal government may eventually move to reinstate lower national speed limits to destroy fuel demand.

The cargo ship Felicity Ace caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean while transporting 4,000 luxury vehicles, including 1,100 Porsches and various Bentleys and Lamborghinis. Officials suspect lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles caused a "thermal runaway" event. The incident highlights the fire hazards of EVs and the ongoing global microchip shortage affecting heated seat availability in new cars.

Volkswagen issued a press release on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, claiming the company would change its name to "Voltswagen" to signal a pivot toward electric vehicles. Media outlets including Reuters and NPR reported the story as fact before the company admitted it was an early April Fools' Day prank. The incident led to news publications issuing corrections and sparked a discussion on the breakdown of traditional media jokes in the internet era.

Producer Ryan Hedum is embarking on a cross-country road trip funded by profits from Genie Energy (GNE) stock. John Dvorak recommends a TACKLIFE T6 portable car jump starter, a 600-amp lithium battery capable of starting a dead engine multiple times. The device is praised for its compact size and ability to charge mobile phones during travel.

A report details the extensive business ties between European countries and Iran, explaining why leaders like Emmanuel Macron opposed the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Major contracts involving Airbus, Volkswagen, and Siemens represent billions of dollars in European investment currently at risk from sanctions.

The show conducts a knighting ceremony for donors, including Black Knight Sab Swiss and Sir Bram. The segment mentions the Netflix documentary "Dirty Money" regarding the Volkswagen emissions scandal and briefly touches on the financial success of Professor Jordan Peterson on Patreon.

German automakers, including Volkswagen, are facing criticism for funding 2014 experiments where monkeys were forced to inhale diesel exhaust fumes to prove they were not carcinogenic. The discussion also touches on deceptive "animal friendly" labeling practices within the cosmetics industry.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the third version of President Trump's travel ban to take effect while legal challenges continue. Simultaneously, Ambassador Nikki Haley announced the U.S. withdrawal from the UN Global Compact on Migration. Other news items include a recount dispute in the Honduras presidential election and a seven-year prison sentence for a Volkswagen manager involved in the emissions scandal.