Episode Summary Could your car become a battlefield in the New Cold War? It sounds like the plot of a spy thriller, but it's actually one of the biggest stories quietly reshaping the automotive industry. This week, The Car Chick® connects the dots between several recent episodes—including vehicle data privacy, EV tax credits, tariffs, and "Made in America"—to reveal the much bigger picture behind the U.S. government's upcoming ban on certain Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles...

Electric vehicles were supposed to make cars more affordable. So why does the average EV now cost well over $50,000? Enter Slate Auto, a brand-new American startup that's taking a completely different approach. Their first vehicle is a bare-bones, highly customizable electric pickup that starts at just $24,950. No giant touchscreen. No built-in stereo. Even crank windows are back. But is Slate Auto really the future of affordable transportation...or just another EV startup that's destined to ...

Think hidden fees, fake discounts, rebate games, mandatory add-ons, and vehicles advertised at prices you can't actually get are just part of buying a car? The FTC doesn't think so. In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down the six dealership advertising and pricing practices the FTC says may violate federal consumer protection laws. But before we get into the legal stuff, I share a real-life dealership fiasco that happened while shopping for a military family's Ford Transit van — a deal th...

Summary After a three-month hiatus, The Car Chick® is back — and apparently while she was gone, the global economy decided to completely lose its damn mind. In this comeback episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick breaks down how conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, tariffs, petrochemicals, EVs, and global supply-chain chaos are affecting far more than just what you pay at the gas pump. Because modern cars aren’t just vehicles anymore — they’re giant rolling internation...

We're pumping the brakes on The Straight Shift podcast for a little while, but that doesn't mean you can't still receive important automotive industry updates! Visit my website to sign up for The Straight Shift Newsletter and keep driving safely! https://www.thecarchick.com/ You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here. Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Wo...

SUMMARY Cars are no longer just mechanical machines — they are rolling software platforms. In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® breaks down the growing trend of subscription-based car features and what it actually means for consumers. From life-saving systems like OnStar and connected services such as Subaru STARLINK and Hyundai BlueLink, to hands-free driving tech like Super Cruise and BlueCruise, we separate the subscriptions that make sense from the ones that feel like a t...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the intricacies of car leasing, particularly focusing on what to do at the end of a lease. She shares a real-life example of helping a client navigate lease end options, emphasizing the importance of understanding positive equity and the often-misleading information from leasing companies. The conversation covers the impact of market dynamics on leasing, the importance of transparency when dealing with dealerships, and pr...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the importance of understanding different drivetrains, particularly in the context of winter driving. She reflects on the recent winter storms in the Carolinas and addresses common misconceptions about all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversation covers the differences between rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive, emphasizing the significance of tires and driving skills in snowy conditi...

Summary Amazon Autos promises to make buying a car as easy as clicking “Buy Now.” But is it actually easier — and more importantly, is it better for car buyers? In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down how Amazon Autos really works, why Hyundai was the first automaker to partner with Amazon, how the platform has evolved into used and certified pre-owned vehicles, and where dealership bullshittery can still sneak in. We compare Amazon Autos to TrueCar, Autotrader, and Cars.com, explain who ...

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® discusses the current state of the automotive industry as we enter 2026, reflecting on the challenges faced in 2025, including economic uncertainty and shifts in consumer confidence. She shares predictions for the upcoming year, emphasizing a potential shift from electric vehicles (EVs) to hybrids, and highlights the importance of empowerment through mobility, illustrated by a personal story of helping a woman in need. Takeaways Car buying feels uncomfo...