Touchscreens, Utes & EV Slowdown: Transport Trends on Overdrive – 26 July 2025
Welcome to Overdrive, the show that dives into the quirks, questions, and cultural shifts shaping how we move. Host David Brown is joined by Brian Smith, transport planner and original Overdrive contributor, for a jam-packed episode that blends industry news, thoughtful critique, and cheeky observations.
🎙️ This Week on Overdrive:
📊 1. J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Quality Study – More Tech, More Trouble
While overall vehicle quality has ticked up slightly, touchscreen systems remain the most complained-about feature in new cars. David and Brian discuss why the removal of physical buttons frustrates drivers and how infotainment failures are now a core part of early car returns.
🔌 2. Plug-in Hybrids: The Worst of Both Worlds?
Despite their eco-friendly label, plug-in hybrids are proving problematic. Many owners don't plug them in, defeating their purpose and contributing to mechanical complexity without the payoff. We ask: are PHEVs just a stopgap that never lived up to their promise?
🛴 3. World’s Fastest Scooter – Innovation or PR Stunt?
A British startup wants to break the 160km/h mark with a high-speed e-scooter. But is this headline-grabbing move advancing micromobility—or undermining it? We explore why promoting e-scooters with speed risks repeating the mistakes of muscle car marketing.
⚡ 4. EV Ambitions Stalling? Inside the Industry’s Electric Pause
Volvo, GM, and others are hitting the brakes on US EV rollouts. We unpack the influence of changing subsidies, global tariffs, and consumer hesitancy—especially at the luxury end—and ask whether retro-styled EVs like the VW ID. Buzz are moving the market forward or clinging to outdated dreams.
🚚 5. Commercial Fleets & Carbon: Australia’s Net Zero Blind Spot
With commercial vehicles making up nearly half of new car sales and one-fifth of emissions, Australia’s electrification of its fleet is lagging badly. We examine five key reasons—from infrastructure gaps to outdated procurement mindsets—and highlight smart fixes like shared depot charging.
📬 6. Feedback from France: A Hot Hatch Lives!
A French listener shares his love for the Hyundai i20N—proof that the spirit of manual, high-revving hatches still has global fans. We celebrate a rare survivor in an increasingly homogenised auto market.
🎨 7. Austin-Healey Car Show: Colour, Character & Noise
David attends a vintage Healey event marking Donald Healey’s birthday. From two-tone colour schemes to the visceral sound of tuned exhausts, we reflect on an era when you really had to drive the car—and feel every bump and brake fade along the way.
🛻 8. Triton Road Test & The Ute Culture Problem
We take the Mitsubishi Triton GSR off-road and discuss how it stacks up against flashier competitors like the Raptor. Beyond the specs, we confront how oversized, aggressive utes are shaping driving behaviour, image, and even pedestrian safety—especially when piloted by P-platers with something to prove.
💡 Themes woven throughout:
Are EVs being sold with outdated emotional appeals?
How nostalgia can cloud smart design
Fleet electrification as climate policy in practice
Why engineering videos still miss the human story
The social impact of high-performance design choices
📡 More from Overdrive:
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Overdrive is syndicated nationally on the Community Radio Network and was first broadcast on 26 July 2025.
Hosted by David Brown. Special thanks to Brian Smith, Mitsubishi Australia, Bruce Potter and Mark Wesley.
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