In Episode 6 of the Kunes Collective podcast, Marcos and Sandee dig into a topic that’s been building heat across showrooms, service lanes, and American driveways: What happens if EPA regulations loosen up—and what kind of vehicle people truly want right now?
The conversation starts with big industry news: possible rollbacks on emissions requirements. But it quickly turns into something more interesting—an honest, on-the-ground breakdown of how modern vehicle rules affect real buyers, real costs, and the future of trucks and SUVs.
If you’ve ever felt like vehicles are getting too complicated, too expensive, or too disconnected from what everyday drivers need, this episode will feel like someone finally said the quiet part out loud.
EPA Rollbacks: What Could Change for Trucks and Drivers?
The first major theme in the episode centers on potential changes to EPA mandates—especially around diesel emissions systems like DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) and other fuel-economy averaging rules automakers must follow.
Marcos breaks it down in plain terms: manufacturers are currently required to meet average fuel economy targets across their entire lineup. That means if they sell a lot of high-demand trucks (like F-150s), they have to offset those sales with enough high-MPG or electric vehicles to meet government standards.
If those rules relax, the hosts argue, it could open the door to:
- Cheaper heavy-duty trucks (because emissions hardware is massively expensive)
- Simpler work-truck trims
- More design freedom for brands to create distinct identities again
And for buyers, that could mean fewer costly surprises once a vehicle is out of warranty. DEF systems and related components aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive to repair or replace. The episode highlights how removing or simplifying these requirements could shave thousands off long-term ownership costs.
Stop-Start Systems: Do They Help or Hurt?
From diesel emissions, the conversation shifts to another feature a lot of drivers love to hate—automatic stop-start technology.
Sandee and Marcos point out something many consumers suspect: stop-start systems often feel like more hassle than benefit. The hosts mention tests showing little real-world MPG improvement, especially outside dense city traffic.
And there’s a hidden cost:
Stop-start adds wear to starters and related systems, and some are programmed with limited cycles before replacement. That means the tech designed to “save” fuel may end up increasing repair bills later.
The takeaway is simple: efficiency tech has to be worth the tradeoff. If drivers don’t feel the benefit—and only feel the downside—then it’s not really progress.
The Dream Vehicle: Affordable, Hybrid, Simple, and Big Enough
Then comes the heart of the episode: a super practical thought experiment.
If you could build the perfect affordable vehicle for the American family today, what would it be?
Sandee’s blueprint is crystal clear:
- Mid-size SUV (Explorer / Grand Cherokee / Traverse / Pilot / Highlander class)
- Hybrid powertrain (not plug-in, not full EV)
- ~500 miles of range
- 40 MPG target
- Top trim capped at $40,000
- Entry trims in the high $20Ks
That spec list says a lot about where the market is:
- People want efficiency but not inconvenience.
Full EV adoption is still held back by charging friction—especially in the Midwest. The hosts are optimistic about the future (wireless charging pads, faster charging times), but they agree that the shift should happen naturally, not by force. - Hybrids feel like the “right now” answer.
They deliver real MPG gains without asking people to change their lifestyle. You don’t have to think about charging. You just drive. - Affordability isn’t optional anymore.
A “normal” family SUV north of $50K doesn’t feel normal. Marcos notes how trims have exploded into confusing layers—and how a simpler manufacturing approach could lower costs.
Too Many Trims, Too Many Options
One of the sharpest segments in the episode is the critique of how vehicles are packaged today.
Marcos compares brands to racing formats:
When everyone must follow the same regulation template, products start to feel identical. Add in endless trim levels and package stacks, and buyers get overwhelmed.
They contrast Jeep’s complex trim ladder with Toyota’s tight packaging strategy:
- Toyota builds a model in just a few preset ways
- You pick one of a small number of versions
- That limits manufacturing complexity, and helps control cost
A key quote-idea from the hosts:
Vehicles should not be configured like a Porsche for everyday buyers.
Most people don’t want 50 micro-choices. They want a straightforward path:
- Standard safety tech
- Clear trim logic
- A couple of meaningful upgrade tiers
- Cold-weather vs warm-weather packages
It’s a strong argument that modern automotive retail has to simplify if we want prices to stabilize.
Should Automakers Drop Infotainment Systems?
This is where the episode gets fun—and surprisingly realistic.
Marcos brings up the Slate compact truck concept: a vehicle designed to be affordable partly by eliminating the traditional infotainment unit. Instead, drivers mount their own phone or tablet, and the vehicle supplies power and speakers.
The hosts are into it.
Why? Because:
- Most infotainment systems feel outdated in 2–3 years
- Phones update constantly
- People already know how to use their devices
- Removing built-in systems reduces manufacturing cost
- It reduces tech frustration for drivers
They imagine a future where infotainment becomes an app-based extension of your phone—with voice control that’s smarter and more natural than today’s “say the command exactly right” systems.
It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean adding tech. Sometimes it means removing what isn’t working.
End-of-Year Buying: The Real Reality
As the podcast winds down, the hosts touch on seasonal dealership patterns—especially December buying.
Sandee notes that business owners scramble late in the year for Section 179 write-offs, targeting vehicles over 6,000 pounds like HD trucks and big SUVs.
And for everyday consumers, holiday energy changes the whole vibe:
- repeat customers come back because they like buying in December
- shoppers are more optimistic
- people want something new to show family for the holidays
- deals are strong, but inventory tightens fast
A recurring point:
Waiting for “better deals later” can backfire if the right vehicle is gone. Incentives don’t matter if availability forces you into a color, trim, or body style you never wanted.
Final Takeaways from Episode 6
Episode 6 doesn’t just talk about cars—it talks about the gap between what the industry pushes and what customers actually need.
Here’s the distilled message:
- Regulation rollbacks could lower cost and restore creativity.
- Drivers want hybrids now—not mandates.
- Affordability and simplicity are the real luxury features.
- Trim overload is hurting buyers and pricing.
- Smart design sometimes means removing tech, not adding it.
- End-of-year buyers should act early, not late.
Most importantly, Marcos and Sandee remind listeners that the best future for automotive isn’t built in a boardroom or a policy meeting—it’s built by listening to the people who drive, sell, and service these vehicles every day.
