All Things Hot Wheels with Design Chief Craig Callum | Ep. 117
Hot Wheels have been a favorite for enthusiasts of all ages, and this week Greg Migliore catches up with the man behind the wheels: Senior Design Manager Craig Callum. We discuss the latest designs and trends and what might be coming next from this iconic brand.
Then longtime automotive journalist and co-host of Autoline After Hours Gary Vasilash joins me to discuss the latest news from the car industry, including a seventh-generation Chevy Camaro (Plus sedans for Buick and Cadillac!), the revival of the Tesla Model 2, Kia’s foray into pickup trucks and another potential delay for Scout Motors.
In the AutoGuide Garage, I test drive the Land Rover Defender Octa, Gary reviews the Polestar 4.
We close things out with the mailbag, where we figure out what’s next for EVs like the VW ID.4.
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SHOW NOTES
- Hot Wheels Design with Craig Callum: Senior design manager Craig Callum discusses the daily creative process behind Hot Wheels, the transition from old-school sketching to 3D CAD modeling, and the brand's focus on innovation and authenticity.
- Hot Wheels Initiatives: A look at the Brick Shop line, which allows fans to build iconic vehicles, and the Legends Tour, a 20-country competition showcasing home-built automotive creations.
- Car Industry News with Gary Vasilash:
- Future of the Chevy Camaro: Discussion regarding reports that the Camaro, along with new Buick and Cadillac sedans, may be built on the Alpha 2 platform at the Lansing Grand River plant.
- Tesla Model 2: Analysis of the potential revival of Tesla's budget-friendly EV project and the challenges of competing with low-cost Chinese brands like BYD.
- Kia's Body-on-Frame Pickup: News on Kia’s confirmation of a midsize, body-on-frame pickup truck for North America to compete with the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger.
- Scout Motors Delay Reports: Insights into rumored production delays for Scout Motors as they potentially pivot to include extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
- In the Auto Guide Garage:
- Land Rover Defender Octa: A review of the $160,000, 626-horsepower luxury off-roader, highlighting its quick 0-60 mph time and high-end interior.
- Polestar 4: A hands-on look at the sleek EV, noted for its lack of a rear windshield and reliance on a camera-fed rear-view mirror.
- Mailbag: The State of EVs: A discussion on the "Darwinism" facing mid-level EV players, specifically addressing the sales pause of the Volkswagen ID.4 and the temporary skip of the ID. Buzz.
Greg Migliore is AutoGuide's Editorial Director. He has covered the auto industry for two decades, most recently as editor-in-chief of Autoblog. He's also been an editor at Automobile and Autoweek. He's a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the Yale Publishing course. Greg is a member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards jury.
More by Greg Migliore
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