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 EXTRA #1334: Doug Speck
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy is joined by Doug Speck the president and CEO of Volvo Cars North America. First they discuss HD Radio and compare it with satellite radio. The conversation then moves to safety, and whether or not customers like active safety features. Mr. Speck also highlights areas where safety needs to improve and even talks about why the company is studying locusts in order to help improve safety. Joining John in the discussion are David Welch from BusinessWeek and Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com.
Autoline #1334: Mamma Mia
Mamma MiaSweden has never had an export like the band ABBA. And it's not just that first ten year run ('73-'83) of success it enjoyed with all those famous top ten singles. What's most amazing about ABBA is how the band morphed into a brand that has continued to score financially even twenty-five years after the original members officially called it quits. A business plan that Sweden's other major export Volvo can only lust after. A fact not lost on this 82-year old automaker nor its parent -- at least at this point -- Ford Motor Company which put the Swedes on the block in one way or another over two years ago.And now as its stay in Glass House comes to a close with two bidders fighting over the "Volvo For Life" pedigree, the company is preparing to not only change addresses, but to change face as well. New products linked with a new strategy are, the company hopes, leading the way to new customers. At least that's the plan for this mid-luxury brand according to Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars North America. Mr. Speck joins John McElroy and his panel to talk about some of the new products like the well-received XC60 CUV and next year's new flagship sedan the S60 and how he expects they will match up against the competition. He also updates us on the Volvo mantra -- safety -- and how the company intends to stay a step up on everyone, especially since safety plays such a big role in almost all of today's vehicles.
Autoline EXTRA #1333: Josh Tickell
Josh Tickell, Director of the documentary "Fuel" stopped by our studios driving a car affectionately dubbed the "Algaeus." It’s a plug-in Prius that represents the future of automotive transportation because it’s powered by Algae.
Autoline #1333: Seaweed
SeaweedMany a boater has cursed that slimy green lake junk wrapped around the prop that killed his engine. But as today's technology continues to improve those curses may soon turn to congratulations when that same lake junk -- seaweed -- is used to power the boat. Of course that power source won't exactly be seaweed, however, it will be coming from the Latin derivative of the word known as algae. Yep, that tiny green chlorophyll organism may be the next best hope to replace petroleum and it's all good with the oil companies. At least that's the contention of the Don Quixote of the biofuels movement, Josh Tickell. You may remember him as the guy who drove the Veggie Van across America in the late '90s bringing attention to the ever-shrinking global reserves of fossil fuels. Well, for the last 11 years he's been making a movie about that very subject entitled "Fuel." And surprise, surprise, his documentary grabbed a big award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. This week Josh joins John and his panel in studio to discuss all aspects of his film and the future of the fuel that we put in our cars. And that future, Josh contends, is all about algae.
Autoline EXTRA #1332: Tom Stephens
Joining John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA is Tom Stephens, the Vice Chairman of Global Product Development at General Motors. He joined us for an exclusive web-only Q & A session with you, our audience. Watch as Tom responds to questions about the Pontiac G8, what General Motors’ answer is to EcoBoost, whether natural gas is a viable option going forward and more! Joining John in the discussion are automotive journalist Csaba Csere and John Stoll from The Wall Street Journal.
Autoline #1332: Balance
BalanceWalking a high-wire was the dangerous vocation of the world-renown daredevil Karl Wallenda. Whether it was over desert canyons or city streets, the most important aspect of this death-defying act was balance. One wrong step would yield terrible results.The same can be said about the auto industry. Balance is important on several levels, in many arenas. But perhaps the most important area when it comes to a brand are its front line products. Those the consumer sees when they visit dealer showrooms. There has to be the right balance for not only the buyer, but the brand as well. That is one of many beliefs of General Motors' new Product Czar Tom Stephens.This GM veteran, who has worn a variety of hats during his years with the company, now slips on the rather large shoes of Bob Lutz, the previous Product Czar who receives much of the credit for spearheading its recent vehicle renaissance. On this week's Autoline, Mr. Stephens discusses not only his automotive philosophy which will drive this side of the business, but the balance he says he must continue to bring to the burgeoning GM product lineup.
Autoline EXTRA #1331: Nina Beckhardt
Some car names roll easily off the tongue while others can be a mouthful. So what’s the best strategy to go with when naming a car? That’s the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA as John sits down to talk with Nina Beckhardt, the president of Namebase, a company that specializes in naming products, including cars. They discuss what automakers Namebase has worked with and what vehicles they’ve named. The conversation then moves to the importance of having a car name that will not only work in the U.S. but outside of it and also if there are any advantages to changing a name of a vehicle that is already established in the market. Joining John in the discussion are Jean Halliday from Advertising Age magazine and Peter De Lorenzo from Autoextremist.com.
Autoline #1331: Alphabet Soup
Alphabet Soup"What's in a name?" When William Shakespeare wrote this question for Juliet Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet," it was a vehicle to release the characters from the bondage of their family names. While that undoubtedly worked as a theme in this classic tragedy, good old Bill didn't publish the work untitled because he knew how important a name really is when trying to draw patrons into a theater, customers into a store or buyers to a product.That's why a name in today's high pressure retail world has never been so critical. With a cornucopia of seemingly endless products and advertisers blanketing a consumer's every waking moment, you've got to machete through the clutter to make a name memorable.This is where some critics believe many of today's automakers have fallen short. From the "alphabet soup" of certain luxury brands to the head-scratching monikers of some midsize fare, customers sometimes don't know if they're buying a car or a croissant.So this is where a company like Namebase, Inc. comes along. This New York firm specializes in designing a name to a product so they fit in a variety of ways. It has clients in a number of industries and has named everything from goods that you wear, to products you consume, and most importantly for this show, those that you park in your garage.Joining John McElroy on this week's panel to discuss the auto industry name game is Nina Beckhardt, the president and creative director of Namebase, Inc., Jean Halliday from Advertising Age and Peter De Lorenzo of Autoextremist.com.
Autoline EXTRA #1330: Dr. Michael Leiters
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John and his panel sit down to talk with Dr. Michael Leiters, the Program Manager for the Porsche Cayenne. They discuss the hybrid version of the car and how Porsche’s hybrid system differs in design from the others already out on the road. Dr. Leiters also talks about Porsche’s collaboration with Audi on the hybrid and also what changes they made to the Cayenne in order to fit the hybrid in the vehicle. Joining John in the discussion are Todd Lassa from Motor Trend and Joe DeMatio from Automobile Magazine.
Autoline #1330: Oxymoron
OxymoronOver the last century, Ferdinand Porsche built his brand on speed, power and performance. So it was almost anathema 7 years ago when, to compete in a market it never knew, Porsche introduced its first Sport Utility Vehicle the Cayenne. Despite the outcry from some critics the car was a hit with consumers. Which is probably why, a year away from the last gas scare with surely more to come, the company is introducing the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid to the North American market. Yes, you read that right -- a hybrid coming from the Germany's Crown Prince of performance -- almost a textbook definition of oxymoron.Joining John McElroy to explain this small shift to the green side is Porsche's Cayenne Program Manager Dr. Michael Leiters. Motor Trend's Todd Lassa and Joe DeMatio from Automobile Magazine fill in our performance panel as we pursue the inside story on Porsche's new Cayenne Hybrid.
Autoline EXTRA #1329: Rebecca Lindland
Over the next few years automakers will begin to introduce smaller cars to the American market. But does that mean consumers will buy them? That’s the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. John and his panel discuss whether or not there can be a popular small car like the MINI in the coming future. Joining John in the discussion are Rebecca Lindland from industry research giant IHS Global Insight, Keith Naughton from Bloomberg News and Drew Winter from Wards.com.
Autoline #1329: Hangover
HangoverHow many summer hangovers can you handle? You may personally know your own limit, but now the country is about to find out just how many it can take. Over the past few months we've collectively already survived one in entertainment -- the popular hit comedy by the same name which grossed nearly $300 million domestically.Meanwhile, on the durable goods front we had the "Cash for Clunkers" program which sold nearly 700,000 cars and trucks. And now as it fades in the rearview mirror, experts are wondering just what will happen with automotive sales over the last four months of 2009.Will the public be suffering from "Clunker hangover" -- with no cash incentive to sweeten the deal will customers continue to visit dealerships and more importantly buy cars?That's one of the many sales questions that this week's Autoline experts grapple with. Joining host John McElroy on the panel are Rebecca Lindland from industry research giant IHS Global Insight, Keith Naughton from Bloomberg News and Drew Winter from Wards.com.
Autoline EXTRA #1328: John Hoffecker
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy and his panel sit down to chat with John Hoffecker, the managing director of AlixPartners, a company that specializes in turning problem companies around and getting them back on their feet. From a supplier perspective they discuss what areas need to be focused on to make a struggling company viable. And they also get into whether or not access to credit and lending has improved for troubled suppliers and also the outlook for the U.S. auto industry. Joining John on his panel are Tom Walsh, with the Detroit Free Press and Alex Ortolani, with Bloomberg News.
Autoline #1328: Stuck In the Middle
Stuck In the MiddleLeave it to Quentin Tarantino to remind us what "the middle" is all about. It was Hollywood's whirling creative derbish who took a long forgotten early '70s song, "Stuck in the Middle With You," and burned it into today's consciousness. Whether it was nostalgia, shock or sympathy that helped, it's clear that "the middle" was not necessarily the place you want to be. And yet that's exactly where we find today's auto industry -- stuck in the middle -- according to John Hoffecker from the global turnaround company AlixPartners. In fact, that was even the title of his presentation earlier this month to a session at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan.On this week's Autoline, Mr. Hoffecker takes us inside his analysis of where we are and where we will be in the global auto industry. From the good news for the top 25% of North American suppliers to what he terms the "new normal" for sales going forward, Mr. Hoffecker analyzes the good, the bad and the ugly facing manufacturers, suppliers and customers alike. Joining John McElroy on the panel are Tom Walsh, the business columnist from the Detroit Free Press and Alex Ortolani with Bloomberg News.
Autoline EXTRA #1327: Dr. David Cole
Now that the American auto industry has restructured and gotten rid of most of its legacy costs, are they at a competitive advantage over the foreign nameplates? That’s the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA, as John and his guests talk about whether the German, Japanese or Korean automakers will need to restructure in order to compete with Detroit’s new business model. Joining John for that discussion are Dr. David Cole from the Center for Automotive Research, Tom Krisher from the Associated Press, and Edward Lapham from Automotive News.
Autoline #1327: Coleslaw
ColeslawIt never seems like the Midwest is really rid of winter until, at that first picnic, when you spy the official side dish of summer, coleslaw, sidled up to the burgers, dogs and brats. Likewise, you never quite feel it’s summer in the auto industry until the first of August when the Management Briefing Seminars roll into to Traverse City, Michigan as they’ve done for over 40 years. Still leading that CAR caravan up north is Dave Cole, the Chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, and overall auto industry expert. This week on Autoline he joins John and our panel of Edward Lapham with Automotive News and Tom Krisher of the Associated Press to discuss a variety of topics, including where both General Motors and Chrysler stand after their visit to bankruptcy and how they're handling everything since; the current avenue Ford finds itself navigating with new product and public good will; and the future of the transplants in the North American market as they attempt to balance importing, manufacturing and marketing their products. And of course Dr. Cole also provides us a preview of this year's MBS schedule.
Autoline EXTRA #1326: Lon Zaback, Earl Lucas, Mike Crowley
The new Ford Taurus is the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. John McElroy continues his talk from the broadcast with three people involved in the program. They discuss what was done to make the interior quieter, the new EcoBoost engine that will be equipped on the SHO version of the Taurus, and how people have reacted to the ambient lighting feature in the interior, that allows you to choose from seven different colors. Joining John in the discussion from Ford are Lon Zaback the Design Manager of the Interior, Earl Lucas the Design Manager of the Exterior and Mike Crowley the Group Marketing Manager.
Autoline #1326: No Bull
No BullSome may know it from the stories of Zeus in Greek mythology. While others, who study the stars, are familiar with the famous constellation bearing its name in the Northern Hemisphere. Then there are the rest of us who just read our sign in the Astrology column. Whichever group you fall into, these descriptions are how most became aware of Taurus the Bull. That is, up until the year 1986. That's when Ford Motor released "Taurus the Car" which grabbed the spotlight and became a hit for the company for years. However, like its namesake constellation on a cloudy night, the Taurus brand began to whither and fade in the '90s until it was finally gone from sight. Well, today, some years later, it's back in a big way. But it’s not the same old midsize car you remember -- this Taurus is a show stopper. That's why John invited some of the Taurus team onto to this week's Autoline to give us all a look at a large part of Ford's new future. Joining John on the panel are the two men most responsible for the design of the car: Earl Lucas did the exterior while Lon Zaback did the interior. But as great as a car may be it can't sell itself and that's where the marketers come in. Also here to explain Ford's marketing plans for Taurus is Mike Crowley, Group Marketing Manager for North American Cars and Crossovers.
Autoline EXTRA #1325: Michael Robinet, Steve Finlay, Christie Nordhielm
There’s been a lot said lately about what Chrysler has done wrong in the past but not much has been said about what it has done right. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy and his panel discuss what Chrysler does best and also what impact Fiat will have when its products are added to Chrysler’s lineup. The panel also discusses the Chevy volt and whether it’s a good idea for GM to advertise a car you can’t even buy yet. And they also discuss what Chevy must do to get back on its feet. Joining John in the discussion are Michael Robinet from CSM Worldwide, Christie Nordheilm a professor of Marketing at the University of Michigan and author of the book “The Big Picture”, and Steve Finlay from Ward’s Dealer Business magazine.
Autoline #1325: "Green" Cross
"Green" CrossWhen the economic tsunami struck the auto industry last year leaving Chrysler and GM in shambles, the U.S. government role-played as the "Green" Cross, if you will, providing the relief both corporations required to stay afloat. But now after surprisingly brief visits to Chapter 11 yielding fewer dealers, a much smaller work force as well as a shrunken brand and/or product lineup for both, the future looks bright...or does it? Some say they cut to the bone in too many areas while still others believe each needs a transfusion of new blood to drive them farther into the 21st Century. Joining John McElroy this week to discuss the present and future of the (formerly) Bankrupt Two in three essential areas are product analyst Michael Robinet of CSM Worldwide, Steve Finlay of Ward's Dealer Business as well marketing expert and author of the "The Big Picture," Professor Christie Nordhielm of the University of Michigan.
Autoline EXTRA #1324: Bud Liebler, Jean Halliday, David Kiley
Hyundai made a splash at the beginning of the year when it introduced its assurance program, that allowed customers to return a new Hyundai if they lost their job within the first year of purchase. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy and his panel discuss their thoughts on the program and also if it was a good idea for Ford and GM to follow suit with similar programs. The discussion moves back to automotive TV ads from Audi, Toyota and Buick and whether or not those ads will help them. Joining John in the discussion are Bud Liebler, former Chrysler Marketing VP and head of the Liebler Group, Jean Halliday of Advertising Age and David Kiley of BusinessWeek.
Autoline #1324: Ad "Homonym"
Ad "Homonym"The latest media darling of the hipster set, the award-winning series "Mad Men", has suddenly made it cool again to be in advertising. In fact, as we watch this world through its '60s prism, the show clearly spotlights the similarities of the American ad game across generations. Be it yesterday's print & television or today's Internet programming, it's still all about innovation, imitation and breaking through. And no one knows that better than the auto industry, who, ever since those "Mad Men" days, have watched advertising budgets spike alongside the prices of their latest people moving machines or luxurious mobile yachts.But as they say "2009 is a new day" and everything has changed from the money to the medium to even the measurement. But what about the message? Is it the same as it ever was or is it striking out a new path to reflect the tenor of the times? This week on Autoline we'll look at what the industry is doing with advertising in a down economy with bankrupt manufacturers. Joining John to talk and review some of the latest in automotive advertising are Bud Liebler, former Chrysler Marketing VP and head of the Liebler Group, Jean Halliday of Advertising Age and David Kiley of BusinessWeek.
Autoline #1323: Fresh Metal 2
Fresh Metal 2As a follow-up to "Fresh Metal 1," in this week's second part, John and his panel continue their talk about some of the newest product hitting dealer lots this year, including the hottest hybrids from Honda, Toyota & Ford, the latest in the luxury segment from Mercedes, BMW and Lexus and a discussion on the nearly non-existent diesel market in America as well.
Autoline EXTRA #1322: Sean McAlinden, Michelle Krebs, Daniel Howes
Recently General Motors and Chrysler eliminated thousands of dealers in order to restructure their business. But what will happen to those dealers, will they turn to foreign nameplates to put product in their showrooms? On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy and his colleagues discuss that and all the other issues related to the dealership closings. The conversation also touches on Volkswagens goal of reaching a million in sales in the American market sometime next decade. Joining John in the conversation are Michelle Krebs, senior editor with Edmunds.com, Daniel Howes, a columnist for the Detroit News, and Sean McAlinden, an economist for the Center for Automotive Research.
Autoline #1322: They Are Legend
They Are LegendJust two years ago actor Will Smith ruled the movie world with "I AM LEGEND," a post-apocalyptic tale of isolation, innovation and survival. In 2009, it doesn't strain credulity to imagine a follow-up version this time focused on the auto industry and starring at least two members of the former Big Three. All the ingredients are there -- two huge diseased corporations doing whatever they can to survive leaving in their wake a trail of despair led by suppliers, dealers, employees and let's not forget the customers. Well, that may be the plot line but what's the ending? Will they survive? Who will survive? Will anyone survive?This week joining John on his Autoline panel to help craft the ending before it hits the Silver Screen are three great writers in their own right. Sean McAlinden is the chief economist at the Center for Automotive Research while Michelle Krebs is the senior industry editor for the industry website Edmunds.com and Daniel Howes is the business columnist for The Detroit News.Which legend will live? See it all on Autoline Detroit...