Distracted driving isn't just texting, eating, or screwing around with your touchscreen. After The Car Chick got a ticket for running a red light she didn't even realize she'd run, she learned firsthand how emotions and cognitive distraction can affect even a highly trained, attentive driver.

In this episode, LeeAnn looks at what distracted driving really means, why your eyes can be on the road while your brain is somewhere else, and some simple exercises to improve your situational awareness behind the wheel.

Bottom line: Don't just look at the road. Read the road.

You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.

Connect with LeeAnn:

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Work with LeeAnn:

• Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a Car
• Car Buying Service

Copyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick. All rights reserved.

Everyone wants to know which car is the most reliable. But what if that's actually the wrong question?

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick takes a deep dive into what reliability really means in today's automotive world—and why simply looking at a Consumer Reports score or a J.D. Power award isn't enough.

Inspired by a real client trying to choose between a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, LeeAnn explains how she evaluates reliability when the long-term data doesn't exist yet. From recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) to assembly plants, production changes, and owner experiences, you'll learn how to separate marketing from meaningful data.

Most importantly, you'll discover why the "most reliable car" isn't the same answer for every buyer—and how your own priorities should shape your decision.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why Consumer Reports and J.D. Power often disagree
• What "Predicted Reliability" and "Initial Quality" actually measure
• Why not all vehicle problems are created equal
• How recalls and Technical Service Bulletins can reveal important patterns
• Why assembly plants and production dates sometimes matter
• How The Car Chick evaluates reliability when long-term data doesn't exist
• Why your ownership goals should determine which vehicle is right for you

If you've ever wondered how automotive professionals make recommendations before ten years of reliability data exists, this episode pulls back the curtain.

Need help choosing your next vehicle?
Visit TheCarChick.com to learn more about The Car Chick's vehicle consultation and car-buying services.

You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.

Connect with LeeAnn:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

Work with LeeAnn:

• Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a Car
• Car Buying Service

Copyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick. All rights reserved.

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.

You'll learn why China became a global automotive powerhouse, why companies like BYD are dominating worldwide despite never selling cars in the U.S., how connected vehicles have become a national security concern, and what the new 2027 Connected Vehicle Rule could mean for future vehicle availability, pricing, and the cars you may (or may not) be able to buy.

This isn't politics. It's about understanding the forces behind today's increasingly unpredictable car market—and why they're likely to affect every car buyer over the next several years.

In This Episode

• What the "New Cold War" really means—and why cars are now part of it
• How China built a massive advantage in batteries, semiconductors, and EV technology
• Why BYD has become one of the world's largest automakers despite having no U.S. dealerships
• How connected vehicles collect and transmit data
• Why the debate over connected cars is similar to the concerns surrounding TikTok
• What the 2027 Connected Vehicle Rule actually does
• Why Polestar is exiting the U.S. market while Volvo was allowed to stay
• Which automakers and models could be most affected
• How these changes may impact vehicle availability, pricing, and future model launches
• Why understanding what's happening behind the scenes makes today's automotive "bullshittery" make a lot more sense

Resources

Subscribe to The Straight Shift Newsletter for twice-monthly automotive news, market updates, and consumer advice:
https://www.thecarchick.com

You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.

Connect with LeeAnn:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

Work with LeeAnn:

• Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a Car
• Car Buying Service

Copyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick. All rights reserved.