Episode 113 - Mullet Madness - Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast

Welcome to the automotive podcast that will not be disputing its property taxes

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…

VW wants to close factories… The Union wants to end VW
Honda and Nissan sittin’ in a tree… part 2!
Rivian wants to speak to the TAX MAN.

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches.

Sponsors

Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters.

iTunes Premium – people love it! Full integration into your Apple Podcast app.

RACE DAILY KILL – Mullet Madness

It’s 1977. You ended last quarter with a big sales bonus. You need a new car to show everyone that you’re moving on up in the world but still have a sense for adventure. Which of these cars would you Race, Daily or Kill?

NEWS:

World:

VW management proposes shutdown of four German plants, report says

Reuters News

September 01, 2026 11:22 AM EDT

Volkswagen Group’s management board plans to propose ending production at four German plants between 2031 and 2034, German business outlet WirtschaftsWoche reported.

VW Group’s management board plans to close four German plants by 2034, business outlet WirtschaftsWoche reported, as CEO Oliver Blume pushes radical cost cuts.

VW warned by union of massive opposition in turnaround dispute

Germany’s IG Metall union has warned of maximum resistance to VW’s restructuring plans ahead of a crucial board vote on Sept. 4. The overhaul could include plant closures and 50,000 layoffs.

The failed Honda-Nissan merger just got a second life (The Street)

Eighteen months after the deal died over control, the two rivals signed something far narrower.

Sep 1, 2026 8:33 PM EDT

By Tobi Opeyemi Amure

Edited by Celine Provini

Most partnerships do not fall apart over the work. They fall apart over who gets to sign off on it.

Bands that record well together argue about whose name goes first on the sleeve. Law firms that bill beautifully split over the letterhead. The thing that breaks a partnership is almost never the thing the partnership was built to do.

What the new Honda Nissan software agreement covers

The companies have entered a joint development agreement covering “multiple electronic control units (ECUs) that form the core of next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), along with the in-vehicle operating system and key parts of the middleware, and vehicle control software,” according to a joint statement posted to Honda’s newsroom on Aug. 31.

An electronic control unit is an onboard computer. A modern vehicle carries dozens of them scattered through the body, and the point of this agreement is to replace that sprawl with a smaller number of shared, high-performance units running common code.

The architecture is planned for both companies’ next-generation vehicles beginning in fiscal year 2029.

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on all cars and trucks from Canada amid trade fight

By David Shepardson and Daphne Psaledakis

August 24, 20268:54 AM CDTUpdated August 24, 2026

Threatened 50% tariffs would start on January 1, 2027
Collapsed deal would have cut Canadian car and light truck tariffs to 15%
Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on some US goods starting September 8

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to raise U.S. tariffs on all cars, trucks and automotive parts from Canada to 50% starting January 1, 2027, escalating a trade fight after negotiations collapsed last week.

The trade deal on the table ‌would have cut the top-line tariff rate on Canadian cars and light-duty trucks from 25% to 15% and the tariffs on aluminum and steel from 50% to 25%, but the deal fell apart on Friday over a number of points of contention, including whether the U.S. tariff relief would have applied to medium- or heavy-duty trucks.

Stay up to date with the latest news, trends and innovations that are driving the global automotive industry with the Reuters Auto File newsletter. Sign up here.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

The escalation threatens to disrupt one of the world’s most integrated auto supply chains. U.S. auto production is heavily reliant on Canadian-made parts and vehicles, and higher tariffs could raise costs for American automakers and consumers while deepening a trade standoff that has already weighed on auto stocks.

“Build in the U.S. and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer!” Trump wrote in ⁠a social media post.

“On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with. They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!” Trump said.

National:

California becomes first US state to set efficiency rules for replacement tires
Regulations that would block sale of older tires praised by environmental groups amid rightwing backlash
Source: The Guardian

California has become the first state in the nation to mandate that replacement tires be energy efficient, a major auto industry regulation set to block the sale of older tires and make vehicles on the road greener.

State regulators have said the new rules will reduce emissions and drivers’ fuel costs. But the rules – which come as the Trump administration fights to block other California restrictions to promote greener cars – have already sparked a rightwing backlash, with one conservative news outlet calling the policies a “massive overreach”.

The new policies were unanimously approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC) this week and praised by environmental and clean-air advocates, who said they hoped other states would adopt similar standards. Industry groups and some tire makers have opposed the standards, raising concerns about the increased costs for replacement tires.

The first phase of the regulations is set to start in 2029. The standards dictate that replacement tires be at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold on new vehicles. When drivers replace their tires, they typically lose mileage on their cars or lose range in the case of electric vehicles, the CEC notes. New cars come with tires that have low “rolling resistance”, which means they can go further per gallon of gas, while replacement tires can be used or older and waste more energy.

The CEC estimates the standards will save drivers in California nearly $1bn per year in gasoline and electricity costs. The regulations, the commission says, will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2m metric tons per year, equivalent to taking roughly 400,000 gasoline cars off the roads.

…Meanwhile, also in California…

Leno’s Law Passes California Legislature
Source: SEMA

Leno’s Law (Senate Bill 1392), an important touchpoint in the fight to preserve California’s rich automotive heritage, has passed the California Legislature with a historic, bipartisan 49-4 vote. The bill, sponsored by noted car enthusiast and namesake Jay Leno and SEMA, now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration.

Leno’s Law seeks to provide a narrow, phased-in, collector-only pathway to smog check exemptions for qualifying collector vehicles manufactured between 1976 and 1985. The exemption would be phased in over several years and would apply only to vehicles that meet specific collector-use requirements.

Leno’s Law is authored by Sen. Dave Cortese, with Sen. Shannon Grove as a principal coauthor. Its passage through both chambers of the California Legislature represents the most significant progress in more than 20 years to deliver collector-vehicle smog check reform on behalf of California’s car enthusiasts, automotive restorers and anyone for whom a vehicle has represented a cultural or family touchstone. Importantly, support for Leno’s Law has transcended party lines, uniting Democrats and Republicans, lowrider groups and car clubs, collectors, preservationists, automotive businesses and enthusiasts.

Current CA LAW for Smog Checks Gas, Hybrid, and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Model Year Cutoff: Vehicles 1976 and newer require smog inspections. Vehicles 1975 or older are fully exempt.

8-Year Renewal Exemption: Vehicles that are 8 model years old or newer are exempt from biennial smog checks for registration renewal. Instead, owners pay an annual smog abatement fee.

4-Year Title Transfer Exemption: Vehicles 4 model years old or newer do not require a smog check when sold or transferred (unless brought in from out of state).

2028 Dodge GLH Is a Muscular Hot Hatchback Worth Waiting For
The upcoming GLH will serve as a successor to the Hornet SUV, with a boxy, aggressive design and a punchy 300-plus-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine.
Source: Car & Driver

Dodge is doubling down on performance with a new lineup of SRT-badged vehicles, including a new Copperhead halo car that will start around $100,000. But Dodge isn’t just focusing on the upper end of the market, and the new GLH will arrive within the next couple of years to deliver driving fun at a more affordable price.

Effectively a replacement for the half-baked Hornet SUV, the GLH sits somewhere in the space between a tall hatchback and a small crossover. Dodge referred to the car as a “muscle hatch” when a full-scale model was shown at Stellantis Investor Day in May 2026. Tim Kuniskis has said the GLH is essentially a next-generation Hornet, and is how the Hornet should have been designed the first time around.

The GLH will ride on the new STLA One platform, which will also underpin the upcoming Chrysler Airflow SUV, giving it a boxy silhouette that sits relatively low to the ground. STLA One is designed to accommodate a wide variety of powertrain types, from internal combustion engines to hybrid and fully electric setups. The scalable platform will underpin over 30 different models, and for EVs, will feature an 800-volt architecture, low-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, and a cell-to-body setup that integrates the battery into the vehicle’s structure. Stellantis will also build in steer-by-wire capability.

Powertrain specifics have yet to be confirmed, but we have an idea of what to expect. While the STLA One platform can support electric powertrains, the GLH will be powered by good ol’ dinosaur juice. At Investor Day in May, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa discussed a “beautiful engine” producing roughly 300 horsepower. We expect to see the GLH fitted with the new “Hurricane 4” engine, currently found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Is the Hot Hatch fad primed for a comeback?

Local:

The $400 million dispute: Why Rivian thinks its Normal properties are overvalued and overtaxed

Source: WGLT

Imagine you’re a homeowner who just spent millions of dollars turning your house into a mansion, with over 10 additions and tons of new amenities inside.

Then, when it’s time to figure out what your new property tax bill will be on your estate, you argue to the government that your mansion is actually worth less than it was before and, therefore, your taxes should go down ‒ because there’s really no one else who would ever buy it.

That counterintuitive argument is essentially what the electric automaker Rivian claims as it fights to lower its property tax bill on seven properties in Normal, including the 4.5 million-square-foot plant. If successful, local taxing bodies like Unit 5 schools and the Town of Normal could lose millions of dollars in tax revenue ‒ or try to make up that lost money from the rest of us.

Government assessors think Rivian’s property is worth $527 million. Rivian’s own appraiser argues it’s only worth $115 million. After losing an initial appeal with McLean County’s Board of Review, Rivian is taking its case to the state’s Property Tax Appeals Board.

“Rivian is proud to call Normal home. We remain deeply committed to this community and to being a good corporate neighbor,” Rivian said in a statement. “Like any taxpayer, Rivian has the right to ask that our property be assessed fairly and accurately.”

Rivian’s size is unique. Its property tax bill is $13.8 million. About $8.4 million goes to Unit 5 schools, with the rest split between McLean County government, the Town of Normal, and other taxing bodies. Unit 5 leaders say $6.8 million is at risk annually with Rivian’s appeal. The impact for Heartland Community College would be $800,000 a year.

Rivian’s argument

Rivian’s case for a lower assessed value is laid out in a 118-page appraisal submitted to the state’s appeals board, obtained by WGLT through a records request. Its central argument is that the plant’s market value ‒ what a buyer would actually pay for it ‒ is much lower than you might expect, because there are so few buyers for massive auto manufacturing plants.

Rivian’s plant at the time of appraisal was 4.5 million square feet — about the size of 25 Walmarts side by side.

Rivian’s repeated expansions [over 10] in the past decade also complicates its resale value, wrote the appraiser, Daniel Willaert from DuCharme, McMillen & Associates in Indianapolis.

What’s next

For now, there remains a gulf between Rivian’s proposed value [$115 million] and the government’s [$527 million], in part due to different methodologies used by their respective appraisers. There is no hearing date set for PTAB; that’s not expected until spring 2027 at the earliest.

Cars of the Weak (Now with Cars and Bids) I notice that Spikes Car Radio is doing a similar

Eric:

The Listing sucks… So, I asked google for more info on this model…

These are results for what kind of problems do 2017 Winnebago travato promaster have

Search instead for what kind of problems do 2017 Winnebago travata pro-master have

AI Overview

Common problems with the 2017 Winnebago Travato (built on the Ram ProMaster chassis) involve a mix of chassis performance, house build components, and equipment failures.

YouTube·Friday’s Forever +1

Chassis & Driving Issues

Suspension and Ride: The factory ProMaster suspension can feel bouncy, heavy, or prone to swaying when fully loaded down as a camper van, leading many owners to upgrade to aftermarket parts like SumoSprings.
Technomadia
Handling and Power: Users on iRV2 Forums frequently criticize the ProMaster setup for light steering, inadequate braking, and a noisy engine that can feel underpowered on steep grades.
www.irv2.com
Vibrations: Owners report front-end alignments, wheel balancing issues, or worn CV joints causing noticeable steering wheel or driveline vibrations between 40 and 55 mph.
JustAnswer
Stock Navigation: The factory dash radio and GPS navigation system are widely considered clunky, outdated, and user-unfriendly.
Technomadia

House & Interior Build Issues

Cabinet Latches & Hardware: Interior cabinet doors and latches frequently fail or pop open while driving due to road vibration.
Rattling and Loosening: Fixtures like the microwave housing and trim pieces are known to loosen and rattle over time.
Plumbing and Fixtures: Interior items like shower door tracks and table supports can break or jam with regular use.
Slide-out Step: The motorized electric entry step is prone to electrical or module failure (such as Project 2000 step module issues).
Facebook·Winnebago Travato Problems +1

Awning & Appliance Complaints

Carefree Awning Recalls: The Carefree patio awning has experienced multiple recalls, with some owners reporting issues with retraction or awnings accidentally unfurling while driving.
uTube·Friday’s Forever
Generator & Electrical Quirks: Generator carburetors can gum up or require maintenance if left sitting, and automatic transfer switches or breakers can trip or fail when switching between shore power and generator use.
www.classbforum.com +1
Split Warranties: Dealing with repairs can require navigating two separate warranties—one for the Dodge Ram chassis and one for the Winnebago house components—sometimes requiring visits to both a Dodge dealer and a Winnebago service center.
WYouTube·Friday’s Forever

Why shouldI buy is Google?

AI Overview

You should buy a 2017 Winnebago Travato if you want a compact, fuel-efficient Class B camper van that balances everyday drivability with full RV conveniences.

Daryl:
1980 Lada 2103 – $11,999
Facebook Marketplace

From the Listing: The VAZ-2103 Zhiguli is a deluxe compact saloon. popularly nicknamed the Troika. Good running car. With some new parts. Come get your dream car

What the hell is a Zhiguli?
Zhiguli (Russian: Жигули, IPA: [ʐɨɡʊˈlʲi] ⓘ) was a designation of cars based on the Fiat 124 manufactured in Russia and the Soviet Union by AvtoVAZ (formerly VAZ) during 1970-2012 and somewhat longer in some places abroad.[1] For the majority of export markets however the cars were sold under the Lada brand.