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We talk F1 and Beijing Auto Show with Leo Parente, and get the lowdown on American-made leather upholstery from Katzkin.
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Fox car report of Gary gas salute joining us in the studio this week differently -- forensic host of shakedown -- U -- drive channel thank you.
Good to have you back in the studio again -- -- appreciate it and you know if Leo's here we're going to be talking about leather.
We want what -- it really you know that sounded terrible on the have to explain that to my wife.
But that at that.
She knows what I'm talking about that -- a little bit later on in the show David O'Connell the chief designer from cats can weather out in California and joining us telling you how to get a little bit the luxury.
In your life you buy a used car to car to do some great stuff out there in Montebello California but first we're going to be talking a little bit -- -- short of the Beijing auto show.
But first.
Formula One.
The circus headed on over to the lovely island nation the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Middle East this week we'll get a shot.
-- would look like -- -- the last lap of the race won by Sebastien battle.
The smoke in the background not tire smoke unfortunately.
Apparently that is from some of the political protests going on there people trying to get bit of freedom and democracy in that country.
We -- for about a year now last year they canceled the race.
This year even though there -- some pretty serious protests going on Formula One came back decided.
Were apolitical we're gonna come back we're gonna race last year we didn't come not because of the politics because it wasn't safe at the time.
This time it's safe -- an apolitical organization.
And recoveries here in Bahrain first of all I -- yet.
How apolitical it's Formula One are they apolitical or they're just -- -- if there's some money on the table.
I I think that they eat they stand by their position that as a pertains to.
Politics.
Politics.
They cannot get involved but they do a lot of interaction with government.
And the politics of -- one as a whole nother agenda and I think that's the bottom line for F one.
They have their world that they deal with they have their priorities and agenda.
And anything they do really centers on that first to the outside world it's obvious that they want to make that the statement and position that we don't deal with.
World politics we don't deal with the politics of the country we're agnostic that way.
-- little different than twenty years ago when they pulled out of South Africa because of a very good memory very good memory I would say there's that -- one.
And maybe the world as we know sometimes convenient with the facts in the short attention span fearing.
You get the feeling that if if they're not breaking a law.
-- them they are focused on their business of running their sport.
And letting the fans make that determination of what to do next.
And they seemed very comfortable to saddled themselves with the PRM and politics of the media stories and the public.
Position of what they do but you know Bernie -- the -- dialogue by basically said he wouldn't come back forever.
So whether he's happy with the money or happy with the dynamic that.
Our criteria was safe it's safe we got through -- race so we're coming back I guess -- for the fans to decide what they're comfortable with.
The teams themselves -- join the protest and -- were not -- your race fit -- that -- do -- get too far into the up politics and the mortars of Formula One itself because.
Here we know what they are here's the question.
This Formula One coming back to the United States this year first time in five years -- be haven't -- -- -- Austin, Texas next year over New Jersey.
Just across the -- here -- -- -- here from New York the race in Texas.
But any circuit being built there.
The racist comment with the help of 25 million dollars a year of Texas taxpayer money now the question is.
Should the Texas taxpayer be doing business with Formula One there's IndyCar there's American -- month series this grand am.
Display any race -- series in the world.
Are they tacitly.
Approving of what happened in Bahrain by saying hey we're going to be spending 25 million dollars of taxpayer money to have a race here in Texas.
I I think that first -- artists try to talk politics on fox and we'll see what happens next but.
I'm almost a solid Bernie as well because I think that -- questions while they're valid.
Our our questions -- need to be determined in that decision being made and and I I have to believe that someone has made the judgment call.
That there is a separation of not church and state so much.
But business and -- and global politics and as a pertain to what's happening in Texas I think they're looking at it as a sport.
I think they're looking at it is a revenue generating opportunity for the state of Texas and maybe the greater US.
And are basing that decision on that and -- supporting the mindset that says.
F one was not taking sides in the brain controversy so -- one as an -- as a business and sport and states is agnostic to those type of politics.
I think working to their favorite people behind the race is the fact that Americans just really aren't that into Formula One right now probably don't even know what's going.
The typical Texas -- there.
Well there was a whole school -- that said the -- one of the reasons if one didn't leave the ring.
Was that besides taking the check.
The world focus was -- -- And maybe they were doing the human interest thing by.
Focusing attention what was going on there the race here in New York New Jersey -- -- be supposedly completely funded by private money through you're the marketing side of the business here with motor sports.
Does anybody actually make money off these kind of races are especially for real one this is an expensive endeavor going to pay 2535 million dollars up front just to get them to come there and -- -- -- -- -- you -- do the whole marketing thing.
Is there money being -- or is -- just a big.
Advertising expenditure for all the companies involved.
Okay so effectively the compliment being in marketing but I'm not gonna be the expert here I will say this.
I would love to see the pro form -- to determine how they make money there's so many things that F one.
Collects the revenue from whether it's the hospitality in the area -- -- -- the advertising on -- the TV rights.
And if you look at a lot of races around the world.
-- -- -- one of them.
There's always government money involved.
To create this sense of the expense of marketing our domain or some entity and sponsors do the same thing.
So is -- revenue generating well I've got a list of the number of street races not -- one including.
I'm in North America that tried and failed financially.
So.
I'm hoping that we have a good experience in the majors F one of course.
Not the only place you go follow the money auto makers luxury auto makers heading over emerging markets like China.
Because Morgan in the world right now and lots of money -- area there was a lot of poverty there too but the people who have money a lot of it they like to spend -- Rolls -- All the at luxury auto makers bringing custom models to the show.
-- -- -- using the China auto show this year in Beijing as the showcase to revealed their newest cars out one that.
Was pretty much this show stealer this year I guess I would have to say is the new Lamborghini -- -- Now little bit surprising to see -- -- from Lamborghini but not really they did sell the Rambo Lambeau back in the eighty's and ninety's -- -- -- But more B if you think there so this is the new under the going to be selling may be in a couple years hasn't been approved yet.
By about three years away from production but it is targeted at markets like China like Russia the United States and of course the -- that -- going to be -- these over Bahrain and a couple years and now I'll -- you think about the new labor union and basically what they went for it to be about the door and they turned it into an SUV and it does kind of work.
But doesn't work for you.
Well listen our kids I'm not surprised to see this there are being -- VW company and every VW brand has suvs from Porsche to Audi.
Bentley showed a concept war why not -- -- in -- question.
I'm I'm I'm kind of not surprised.
If it captures the essence of what a Lamborghini should be an -- and my little checked the boxes would be.
Really outrageous styling.
Some type of power train V -- -- indigenous to -- regaining.
Whatever feeling you get from an interior whatever ride dynamic if it does that then I guess welcome to the world of extending the brand.
If it doesn't do that than one wonder is did we -- are sold.
So our soul for the money to keep Lamborghini afloat or we -- brand or whatever.
I'm not shocked as you said there will be a market for -- people will love it in if it captures the essence of -- I guess -- the world.
The one -- sports car company super car company out there are still not doing the SUV we're definitely we're in he's gonna do it miles around he's doing a -- -- a lot of that makes a lot of money -- -- it is holding -- -- Ferrari yes but nevertheless they're not.
They have four wheel drive station wagon Ferrari FF they have that's the courses are getting to an SUV but the -- on the hybrid for.
They've got children car yet -- we're going to be getting it later this year as a replacement for the Ferrari and so it's given new hybrid power train.
Reportedly with up to 920.
Horsepower combines a V twelve engine with two electric motors probably seven speed.
Dual clutch transmission we're getting a look at it there now Ferrari of course one of the big names in Formula One to go back to Formula One Formula One this year the cars have these kinetic energy recovery systems.
All the cars pretty much inevitable that.
To get your marketing value out of your Formula One endeavor you do have to put this into your road car at some point that thing.
I would definitely agree -- and I'm not the engineer but I would say this if if the intent of developing this type of technology.
Is to create.
No diminishing the power.
But a more efficient engine a more Green engine.
And you can get that done then than I understand.
I guess what F one is trying to do by.
Propagating in promoting the sense of -- I know -- using a different way with push to pass and a certain amount of time but still pushing forward.
The the energy we capture technology and these type of things and if it pushes into super cars like this.
And -- -- is not alone I mean we could rattle through the list of all the big brands doing these.
-- super cars.
Then that is the connection and what and we read 10% more horsepower 40% less.
Hydrocarbons are.
Are you -- over in Europe they do it via emissions -- to be talking about a 40% increase or 30% increase.
In fuel economy I guess the question here is if it didn't exist in for real and if they were making them do hybrids in Formula One.
You think for our would have done this or is this actually -- pushing somebody in the right direction as far as bringing their -- cancer.
When I have -- me in the in the the chicken and economic and I'm no longer really really share but I I do feel that the evolution of -- -- cars is something that that.
Is going to continue to happen.
And and if motor sport can be there.
That helps the OEMs feel like there's a relevance to racing vs just entertainment factor.
How would get executed I'm sure there are smarter engineers -- to debate that but I think the connection -- -- To this technology somehow some way is good we were at the Sebring test without doing is trying to -- And not only was the the exotic car the hybrid car faster than the normal car.
But you could see and talk to the engineers about how the technology is being pushed ahead accelerated.
In development with race and that's what I thought -- was.
All about originally one of our other favorite concept cars of late.
Very different from Ferrari or Lamborghini was that -- -- FC concept I love you Byron wrote this this thing is fantastic big Jumbo -- -- camp over engine design there go to the gonna make it but we're glad they built at least this one.
But you didn't know maybe that the letter inside.
It's very custom led design for an American company cat -- leather.
Based out in Montebello California the do a lot of work with Chrysler and they're going to be expanding now into some mud dealerships -- -- to -- -- to get do you leather upholstery.
For decent price little bit a luxury joining us now David O'Connell who is the chief designer for cats in leather.
Out there in our LA bureau thanks for joining us today.
Thanks for having me on so you guys -- -- Do a lot of business lately I mean you're working with Chrysler you're working with Ford Shelby and -- big deal with the CarMax a used car -- to me about that.
Well we've been real busy it's been great we just launched with CarMax so you'll be able to.
Walk into a CarMax store if you -- vehicle you wanna buy from CarMax does not have a leather interior and he'll be overly get a -- -- installing Mac card so it's.
It's great for the consumer you know.
Most consumers and 80% of people on that the -- car wanna leather interior blowing about 30% of the cars sold.
Come with leather interior so there's this.
Huge demand for people that wanna upgrade to a leather interior and -- -- allows people -- to do that very simply.
I gotta admit good.
I've probably would not think to do that if I bought a car with a cloth interior when you think it was this easy to do when you're designing these interiors and I know you don't just offer -- -- biggest -- -- your website just pick we're right they're affordable car buying.
Are you try to make them look like what the companies doing the leather or do you have your own designs.
Well we we we have we have both we can do we do what we call factory match -- of three grades we have a we called premium accustomed and then that what I like this car limited edition which -- -- like to have fun.
And do my design work on -- but the first grade the premium is really a factory match.
The second grade which is what we -- custom.
As a little bit of of detail and this -- -- -- to that -- match the limited edition interior.
Is where we take that -- and we like to think that we create the ensure that the OEMs.
Weren't able to do in other words it's it -- -- that has lather that perhaps because of cost.
Her plan complexity or someplace this.
That they weren't able to put into production so -- it be able to provide.
The consumer.
That that -- that is exciting that that raises the the experience level having other enjoyment of the vehicle.
We're able to do that whereas maybe the -- can't do that that's that's where we.
That's -- are that's where secret is what are some of the phrases like on the custom upgrades.
The customs and who did it varies but you can get a very nice.
Upgraded interior for anywhere from around 15102000.
Dollars installed.
And -- that's important is that the walk we've -- -- the car business the walk between.
A -- smaller car even -- little car.
That sometimes has a cloth interior to get leather from the dealership from the OEM sometimes -- -- 5000 to 7000 dollar walk.
So most people can afford that but they want the other but they don't want a -- -- with the nav system or electric tailgate for -- -- that they really don't need so.
With -- convertible to -- -- they want at a price they can afford without getting things they don't want.
As far as the -- -- parts are concerned what's your relationship there how do you work with that let me he designed the products and just sit there over -- -- you were gonna end and coming up with the designs that are using your -- will -- we.
We work hand in hand with the presser with the -- for design and engineering and testing people.
And the -- car program were able to create.
What we're creating more exclusive designs -- -- par.
That you can go into it any Chrysler dealership for dodge dealership for ram dealership walk in and say I want this format like this -- -- my car.
Order -- from cat -- and it's installed within 24 hours or 48 hours immediately got to work it out there among developed.
We've got quite a few it's actually it's it's a great small large company -- -- there's about 400 people out there.
All of our insurers are made here and I'm just in -- -- -- south Los Angeles.
It's all -- and US made and it's a great great group like he's about.
40450 people out there and that at the complex.
Right David O'Connell chief engineer chief designer for -- eleven thanks for joining us today.
-- thanks for having me on.
And business for about thirty years there.
How do you think you've been buying the stuff overseas or the regular appearance at -- Los Angeles and I thought they were using cat so -- good -- Yeah I have got.
There is the world's smallest violent anybody right now -- critical you know not the only thing I've been American just what a close up with this we're talk about hybrids before that Ferrari.
Are we still maybe get twenty -- -- -- that what's it's all told.
A junior high school out in a rural Missouri has built a car he gets 358.
Miles per gallon.
Let's look it's -- college kids he's a junior -- -- seventh and eighth grade.
They were taken part in the Missouri super -- challenge actually beat apologize schools to take the title with this uses a Robin Subaru engine one point three horsepower usually the sort of that you see on motorized bicycle they showed a little -- wind tunnel.
At the school.
-- that record -- plastic body there that aluminum -- weighs about a hundred -- congratulations -- them some of these kids along with their instructor going to be go to your high school next year and operator -- the shell eco marathon.
Not against other high school since they -- go up against the college kids.
-- very exciting stuff I'm all for having these kids get into the auto industry and push us along.
Is destroyed hiring right now that have openings for concerns that sort of I think -- I think -- -- seven Bradenton.
What ever I would hope so -- we just -- some work -- I'm not sure which they didn't enter.
I was.
Her daughter Beth -- it had been there done that did not make a 358 mile per gallon car no no no I basically clean cars and excellent.
Had to go to a basic behave in any case thanks again to David O'Connell at -- -- -- in California.
Leo for and take you to.
Slash we have another of the YouTube dot com slash drive shakedown Mondays and Fridays -- and -- and we got through the political discussions -- that's right very good person but got a great program over -- on the drive channel on YouTube we'll see next have a fox carport Tobin fox -- dot com for the latest news and automotive reviews we'll see you next.
