Sam Abuelsamid
banner
sam.abuelsamid.com
Sam Abuelsamid
@sam.abuelsamid.com
VP Market Research @ Telemetry, host of Wheel Bearings podcast, husband, dog and human dad, car guy
Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of

This week Stephanie Brinley is again sitting in for Nicole and she drove the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Robbie and his wife rented a Chrysler Pacifica and Sam has the Mercedes-AMG G63. In the news, someone has rendered a Dodge Magnum revival based on the new Charge…
Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of
This week Stephanie Brinley is again sitting in for Nicole and she drove the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Robbie and his wife rented a Chrysler Pacifica and Sam has the Mercedes-AMG G63. In the news, someone has rendered a Dodge Magnum revival based on the new Charge Daytona, and a New York State Senator wants to sort of ban in-vehicle subscriptions, but not really and Stellantis is still annoying customers with in-dash ads. Dealers are at it again with stupid markups on the new Honda Prelude. Jason Torchinsky has thoughts on how much acceleration is enough.
wheelbearings.media
November 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
Oh, so this is why the Department of Labor decided to deploy the term bizarre term "Americanism" in its winking neo-Nazi post today
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
All this weekend when you buy @wheelbearings.media merch you can save 30% off all orders over $70 shop.wheelbearings.media
Wheel Bearings Podcast Gear | Spreadshop
This is your place to buy Wheel Bearings podcast gear and show everyone your favorite automotive podcast
shop.wheelbearings.media
November 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Based on this argument, the correct solution is to send all whites back to europe because they never assimilated with native american culture
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
great oped explaining the “we ain’t buying it” boycott of black friday sales by big retailers - namely those who abandoned previously advertised DEI or civil rights efforts and who have reportedly treated workers so badly in so many ways… www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
We're not buying what Trump enablers sell this Black Friday | Opinion
This holiday season, we're launching the 'We Ain't Buying It!' campaign – a call to action redirecting our spending, and resisting authoritarianism.
www.usatoday.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
Every Democrat in Congress should put out a video saying troops have an obligation to refuse unlawful orders. Make them prosecute all of you. This isn't a close call.

I'd add Republicans too if I thought any of them had the courage to actually cross Trump on this.
Hegseth is now threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active duty in order to court martial him.
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
EV Pulse Reunion

This week both Robbie and Nicole are on vacation so Craig Cole is back along with Chad Kirchner. Sam had the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. Ahead of the LA Auto Show, Lucid also announced the more affordable Touring trim that starts just under $80,000. Jeep has revealed all the…
EV Pulse Reunion
This week both Robbie and Nicole are on vacation so Craig Cole is back along with Chad Kirchner. Sam had the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. Ahead of the LA Auto Show, Lucid also announced the more affordable Touring trim that starts just under $80,000. Jeep has revealed all the details of its first electric off-roader and lets just say we're not sure who is going to buy it. Hyundai showed the production version of the Ioniq 6 N and the new Crater off-road concept that could challenge the Wrangler and Bronco.
wheelbearings.media
November 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I like this idea
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The Jeep Recon is finally on the way as an electric off-roader. But despite being trail rated, in its initial form, it's not going to keep up with a Wrangler or Bronco on the really tough trails. Oh, and the range is only 230-250 miles for $65K! www.greencars.com/expert-insig...
2026 Jeep Recon Review: Electric and Ready for the Wild | GreenCars
Jeep’s 2026 Recon EV combines off-road capability, modern tech, and open-air freedom with strong torque and Trail Rated testing in Moab
www.greencars.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
A couple of weeks ago, I spent the day at M1 Concourse with @cnbc.com driving the Kia EV6, Porsche Macan and Audi e-tron GT for a story on EV performance. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
Why Impressive Speed Won’t Be Enough To Sell EVs In The U.S.
YouTube video by CNBC
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It’s the Rogue-Lander PHEV

Nicole is in Mexico this week for the Baja 1000 so Craig Cole from AutoEsoterica stepped in. Robbie went to Poland this week to drive a simulator and Sam had the refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line. We discuss the new 2027 Kia Telluride that will be revealed in full at the LA…
It’s the Rogue-Lander PHEV
Nicole is in Mexico this week for the Baja 1000 so Craig Cole from AutoEsoterica stepped in. Robbie went to Poland this week to drive a simulator and Sam had the refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line. We discuss the new 2027 Kia Telluride that will be revealed in full at the LA Auto Show this week and speculate about whether it will have the same powertrains as the Hyundai Palisade including the next-generation HMG hybrid system that was in the Palisade that both Nicole and Sam drove. Nicole also drove the new Dodge Charger Six-Pack on the tail of the dragon.
wheelbearings.media
November 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
Let us be incredibly, abundantly clear:

We are demanding that Chuck Schumer resign for his continued betrayal of the American people.

If he does not willingly step aside, we are calling on the Senators in the Dem caucus to remove him and Dick Durbin from Senate leadership.
November 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Fun Not Hardcore

Nicole's been driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally but this isn't one for serious off-roading. Sam takes his own stint in the 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi. Nicole and Sam both recently got some seat time in the new 2026 Honda Prelude one in Michigan, one in Japan and like it's…
Fun Not Hardcore
Nicole's been driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally but this isn't one for serious off-roading. Sam takes his own stint in the 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi. Nicole and Sam both recently got some seat time in the new 2026 Honda Prelude one in Michigan, one in Japan and like it's ancestors, it's not at the tip of the spear performance-wise but it is a lot of fun. Sam and Nicole also finally get to discuss their impressions of the Polestar 4. Ford is considering ditching the F-150 Lightning. While he was in Japan, Sam also to drive the Honda Super-One which sadly probably won't get to America until 2050 and he saw the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ which looked better than it did in photos.
wheelbearings.media
November 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
statements I couldn't agree more with: this one
bring back maligning racism as the mark of a stupid person. prejudice is the mark of an idiot. if you believe that shit i bet you also don’t wipe your ass
November 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The Tim Badge

This week Sam is in a Tokyo hotel room after attending the Japan Mobility Show. Before leaving he drove the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro. Robbie spent some time in the dunes of California with the next Mercedes-Benz GLC and Nicole drove the revived Hemi Ram 1500 and the latest Subaru…
The Tim Badge
This week Sam is in a Tokyo hotel room after attending the Japan Mobility Show. Before leaving he drove the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro. Robbie spent some time in the dunes of California with the next Mercedes-Benz GLC and Nicole drove the revived Hemi Ram 1500 and the latest Subaru Forester. Others are finally taking notice of inflated delivery charges, NHTSA is investigating Tesla's Mad Max Mode and we have lots of interesting stuff from the Japan Mobility Show. That includes the Honda 0 Alpha, new Subaru STi concepts, a rotary plug-in hybrid from Mazda and lots from Toyota including a Corolla concept, ideas for a next-generation Lexus LS and a stand-alone Century brand.
wheelbearings.media
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Sunset over Mount Fuji as we return from a busy week in Japan
November 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
Ahead of the 1st shutdown of US food aid to hungry Americans in 60 years, some of the 200,000 Little Free Library locations are converting into food pantries. Thanks @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The winner of the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, the Subaru performance-e STi concept
October 29, 2025 at 6:10 AM
I figured out the new Lexus LS concept, reverse of Tyrell P34, Tyrell used four small front wheels to cut drag, Lexus 4 small rears to minimize wheel well intrusion & maximize cabin space
October 29, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Eyes Off

This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There's a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota…
Eyes Off
This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There's a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota Rav4 in hybrid and PHEV form. Toyota is launching a new baby Land Cruiser FJ and Rivian has laid off 4% of its staff. Infiniti is launching one new model every year for the next four years and the Nissan Sakura gets an extendable solar panel.
wheelbearings.media
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Sam Abuelsamid
This video from Portland is a metaphor for what is going on in America. ICE trying so hard to get Americans to cross a line and if they don't, dragging them across the line and violently attacking.
October 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Fisker Ocean cab spotted in lower Manhattan it will be fascinating to watch how long these survive
October 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I'm an engineer by training and not averse to tech, but most of the things in our life just don't need to be connected and beds are near the top of that list
October 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM