Autoline This Week
Autoline
Last episode almost 4 years agoIn depth discussions of the most important trends and developments shaping the automotive industry with industry executives and the top auto journalists. Your half-hour update on what they’re talking about in the C-suites.
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Episodes (685)
Autoline This Week #1924: The Dealer Economy
With car and truck sales predicted to hit around 17-million for the year, you’d imagine that most dealers are singing “Happy Days Are Here Again.” But is that really true? Joining John McElroy as his Autoline THIS WEEK guest is Steven Szakaly, the Chief Economist for the National Auto Dealer Association. John and Steven are joined by Steve Finlay from Ward’s Dealer Business and the Wall Street Journal’s John Stoll.
Autoline This Week #1923: Ford's New Innovation Center
With so much of today’s engineering revolving around the connected car and autonomy, many automakers are setting up shop in Silicon Valley including Detroit Three member Ford. Autoline went west to take a sneak peek and see what Ford is developing in the midst of its neighbors like Google, Tesla and Apple. Host John McElroy talks with Ford executives Raj Nair, Ken Washington and Don Butler about how this lab will impact future product. In addition, he takes you for a quick tour behind the scenes at some of the experiments being done within the walls of this high tech lab.
Autoline This Week #1922: The Labor Landscape 2015
With auto sales going gangbusters you’d think it’s the perfect time for the United Auto Workers to sit down and talk a new contract, right? The union gave up a lot to keep GM and Chrysler alive – along with its members’ jobs – but with the automotive landscape changing daily with CAFE numbers, the growth of Mexico and autonomy, there’s a lot to talk about. Joining host John McElroy on his panel to discuss where the talks could be going are Kristin Dziczek, Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Former GM labor negotiator Art Schwartz from Labor and Economics Associates and Robert Chiaravalli from Strategic Labor and Human Resources.
Autoline This Week #1921: Subaru: The Unlikely Success Story
It’s a company that doesn’t make sexy cars. Pickups and big SUVs aren’t part of the mix either. And when it comes to luxury, as Tony Soprano would say, “forget about it.” So we know what it doesn’t make but the question is what does it make? And the answer is…profit! Join John McElroy as he welcomes for the first time to the Autoline studios the man who runs Subaru of America, very successfully we might add, president and COO Tom Doll. Appearing on the panel with John are Michelle Krebs from AutoTrader and Joe White from Reuters.
Autoline This Week #1920: The Automotive Competitive Edge
Making cars isn’t a charity case. We all know that. Every manufacturer wants to be first to market with that groundbreaking vehicles because that means big bucks. So how does the auto industry not only do its own R and D but keep an eye on the competition as well. On this week’s show John McElroy is joined by GM’s Adam Bernard, Joe McCabe from AutoForecast Solutions and Michael Omotoso from Eaton to talk about how you get the competitive edge.
Autoline This Week #1919: 50 Ways To Control Autonomy
As the reality of autonomous cars gets closer and closer, a world of hurdles still face everyone from the manufacturers, insurance companies and especially governments before they hit the road on a regular basis. Joining John McElroy on this week’s show are three legislative experts who are dealing with those issues every day. Jude Hurin is with the state of Nevada’s DMV, Catherine Curtis represents the American Association of Motor Vehicles and Chan Lieu is a lawyer with the Washington, DC powerhouse law firm Venable LLP.
Autoline This Week #1918: Running NHTSA: A Candid Conversation with David Strickland
He was the 14th Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who dealt with automotive issues like unintended acceleration and airbags. Now he’s a partner at one of the biggest Washington, D.C. law firms. This week he joins John McElroy as his special guest talking about his time at NHTSA and the future of the agency.
Autoline This Week #1917: The Power Choice
It used to be a this or that question. But now when you ask what’s powering your car it could be almost anything as Kia proved with in its tongue-in-cheek hamster campaign over the last few years. But this week John McElroy is joined by 3 experts – Charlie Freese from GM, Prof. Levi Thompson from the University of Michigan and Jeff Kessen from battery manufacturer A123 – to discuss the options that consumers face today as well as into the future.
Autoline This Week #1916: Merger Mania
On this week’s Autoline John McElroy and a panel of expert analysts dive into the topic of automotive mergers. Joining the panel are Paul Eisenstein from The Detroit Bureau, Fortune’s Doron Levin and Jason Stein from Automotive News.
Autoline This Week #1915: The World of Commercial Vehicles
They deliver just about everything that’s in your house…heck they probably even delivered that, too, when it was still in the building stages. “They” are commercial vehicles and on this week’s Autoline, John McElroy and his expert panel introduces to what qualifies as a commercial vehicle, how they’re used and who buys them.
Autoline This Week #1914: Ralph Gilles: FCA’s Designer of Dreams
Ralph Gilles joined Chrysler back in 1992 and has been with the company – which is now called Fiat Chrysler Automobiles – for more than half of his youthful 45 years. He started in Design Office and has held a number of positions over the years until recently when he was promoted to the top design job in FCA, Head of Design. On this edition of Autoline THIS WEEK John McElroy, Scott Burgess of Motor Trend and Car and Driver’s Eddie Alterman talk to Ralph about his career and the fruits of a life in design.
Autoline This Week #1913: Charity Begins In the Boardroom
When you think cars and charity the first thing that usually comes to mind are dealers sponsoring their local little league teams. But truth be told, auto companies have a long history of helping the world’s less fortunate among other worthy causes, yet don’t get to talk about it very much. On this week’s edition of Autoline we look at some of the philanthropic works courtesy of companies like Ford, GM and Nissan.
Autoline This Week #1912: Margo Oge: The Queen of Cleaner Cars
After 32 years at the Environmental Protection Agency and countless improvements in air quality, Margo Oge knew it was time to retire. But it seems she retired in title only since she appears to be as busy as ever. Ms. Oge is on several energy-related boards and commissions and recently released a book entitled “Driving The Future: Combating Climate Change with Cleaner, Smarter Cars.” This week she joins host John McElroy and Motor Trend’s Frank Markus on Autoline THIS WEEK to talk about her book and time at the EPA.
Autoline This Week #1911: Designs on the Future
Many consider today the golden age of design when it comes to cars. From the fantastic look of the Tesla Model S to Ford’s powerhouse the GT and so much more, today’s car designers have almost a rock star quality about them. Perhaps that’s why the design schools are overflowing with applicants. On this edition of Autoline THIS WEEK John McElroy explores the future of automotive design with Joe Dehner, the head of Dodge/Ram Exterior Design and FCA’s intermediary with education; Paul Stanley, the Transportation Design Chair at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies as well as Darby Barber a student at the same school and former contestant on Tru TV’s reality show “Motor City Masters.”
Autoline This Week #1910: A Gas that’s Gas
Are you still filling your car with gas or charging it with electricity? Well, don’t blink too soon because before you know it hydrogen may be powering your next car. Automakers have had fuel cells under heavy R and D for a number of years. In fact, some OEMs even have these cars in the hands of customers. But how viable is the hydrogen alternative and what will have to happen for you to be driving one soon? Joining John McElroy to ponder a hydrogen future is Gil Castillo from Hyundai; Chris Hennessy from IAV Automotive Engineering and Prof. Levi Thompson from the University of Michigan.
Autoline This Week #1909: Today’s Retailing
The auto industry is enjoying a tremendous sales boom. It seems almost everyone is buying a new car these days. But there are all sorts of issues facing dealers as they strategize about the future. For instance who will be buying the cars if Millennials aren’t interested and how will ride-sharing businesses effect business? Joining John McElroy to discuss these topics and much more are Rob Kurnick the president of Penske Automotive Group; Doug Fox, the president of Ann Arbor (MI) Automotive; and Katie Coleman, the co-owner of Sellers Auto Group.
Autoline This Week #1908: More Than Just Music
Gone are the days of the AM radio blasting out the day’s pop hits from some 50,000 watt giant. Of course today’s cars still have both AM and FM radio but your entertainment options certainly don’t stop there. And let’s not forget about information: not only from your car but also from your phone. Infotainment in the auto is going places we never would’ve dreamed only a few years back. Bringing us up to speed on where we are with today’s version of the car radio – though it’s so much more – are John Robb from the Hyundai Motor Group, Richard Wallace from the Center for Automotive Research and the Chief Technology Officer from DENSO International America Doug Patton. All three experts join host John McElroy on this week’s edition of Autoline THIS WEEK.
Autoline This Week #1907: CPO Spells Used
In the old days, when you searched for a used car you were at the mercy of your car dealer; sometimes they were quality vehicles while others were worn out lemons. However nowadays with the success of CPOs, or Certified Pre-Owned, the consumer has a lot more going for him or her than the mercy of some manager. Joining John McElroy to discuss the growth of the CPO business is Jared Rowe from AutoTrader.com, Todd Fites from Ford Motor Company and dealer Sam Slaughter from the Sellers Auto Group.
Autoline This Week #1906: Second at Ford
Looking at Ford Management most experts believe that the Blue Oval has the best bench strength in the business. So when Alan Mulally retired last year and Mark Fields moved into the CEO role, it was no surprise that Joe Hinrichs was promoted to run The Americas for Ford, Mr. Fields old position. Joining John McElroy for his first Autoline interview as the new second in command at Ford is Joe Hinrichs along with journalists Alisa Priddle from the Detroit Free Press and the Wall Street Journal’s Mike Ramsey.
Autoline This Week #1905: The Economists
The economy is growing. Automakers are building cars and trucks that customers want. And car sales, in fact, are nearly back to the glory days before the fall as they push 17 million in the U.S. But are things really that great or are we wearing rose-colored glasses? On this week’s Autoline John McElroy is joined by some of the top economists in the auto industry for their perspectives on where we are. His guests include: Dr. Mustafa Mohatarem, Chief Economist, General Motors; Emily Kolinski Morris, Chief Economist, Ford; Charles Chesbrough, Senior Principal Economist, IHS Automotive.
Autoline This Week #1904: Ward's Top Ten Engines
If you’re interested in horsepower, MPGs and all things under the hood, this week’s Autoline is right up your alley. John is joined by the editors from Ward’s who discuss which powertrains made their Top Ten Engines for 2015. Drew Winter, Tom Murphy, Christie Schweinsberg talk to John McElroy about who made the grade and why.
Autoline This Week #1903: In Charge at Chrysler
He may be a Brit working for a quasi-Italian company running an All-American brand, but don’t be fooled. Al Gardner has a long history with the Chrysler Corporation. In fact, he started with the company back in 1986 and has worked his way up to where he is now in charge of the Chrysler brand for FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). Joining Mr. Gardner and John McElroy on today’s Autoline panel is Lindsay Brooke from SAE and The Detroit News’ Mike Wayland.
Autoline This Week #1902: Autoline Executive of the Year
Join John McElroy and three members of his blue ribbon panel as they discuss this year’s candidates for Autoline Automotive Executive of the Year. Among this year’s contenders are Akio Toyoda the head of the world’s largest car company, Toyota and his Italian counterpart from Fiat- Chrysler Sergio Marchionne.
Autoline This Week #1901: A GM Legacy
Mark Reuss has been around General Motors for so much of his life, if cut he probably would bleed GM blue. Not only was his father Lloyd a former GM president, but Mark himself – who has been with the corporation for over 20 years – started as an intern and has now risen to Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain -- in essence the Number 2 position in America’s largest auto company. He joins John McElroy along with his panel on this very special edition of Autoline THIS WEEK.
Autoline This Week #1838: North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards
There’s an all-aluminum pickup truck in the running, a new pony car as well as a midsize pickup truck. Those are only three of the six finalists for this year’s NACTOY car and truck of the year awards. Join founding member of the award John McElroy and three other jurors as they review the finalists and tell you who they think will walk away with Car and Truck of the Year.