Auto Collabs
Collaboration through connection.
Hosted by Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo, Auto Collabs is your connect point to the human side of the retail automotive industry: what motivates its leaders, how they navigate change, and what keeps them pushing forward. It’s beyond-the-business-card conversations with real people powering dealerships, technology platforms, and everything in between.
From the team behind the More Than Cars movement, this podcast is built on one big belief: thriving people create thriving businesses. With candid conversations, industry insight, and just enough unfiltered banter to keep things interesting, Auto Collabs delivers authentic stories that inspire real collaboration.
// Auto Collabs is produced by Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU). Learn more at https://www.asotu.com
Auto Collabs
What Car Buyers Want: Affordability, Reliability, and Value with John Vincent | Public Policy Day 2025
During the DC Auto Show, Paul and Kyle hosted a podcast stage at Public Policy Day, and interviewed policy makers and industry experts.
In this episode, Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier sit down with John Vincent, Senior Editor and Correspondent for US News & World Report, to discuss the Best Cars for the Money awards.
From sedans to SUVs to full-size pickups, John shares how these vehicles are selected based on quality, cost of ownership, and long-term value. He also gives his take on affordability in today’s market and why rising interest rates aren’t as high as they seem in historical context.
Beyond rankings, John shares some of his most exciting test drives—including the Lucid Air Sapphire and jumping a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 40 feet in the desert (without breaking anything!).
If you’re curious about the best vehicles for your budget, how the industry is adapting to economic shifts, and which cars truly deliver on reliability, this is the episode for you!
0:00 Intro
0:33 John’s pick for the most exciting car he drove this year
2:06 What makes a car the "Best for the Money"?
3:18 Why Hyundai and Kia’s warranties boost their rankings
4:15 Car affordability and how rising interest rates really compare
5:29 Why the Toyota Tacoma won Best Mid-Size Pickup
6:19 Jumping a TRD Pro Tacoma 40 feet in the desert
6:44 The importance of reliability in vehicle rankings
Thanks to Ascent Dealer Services for making our Public Policy Day coverage happen!
https://www.ascentdealerservices.com/
John Vincent is the Senior Editor and Correspondent / Vehicle Testing at US News and World Report
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmvincent/
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