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 #1244: Pure Imagination
Pure ImaginationWhen Gene Wilder first sang "Pure Imagination" in the 1971 movie classic 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,' he was strolling amid Chernobyl-sized eatable candied plants and a river of liquid chocolate -- obviously fictitious creations from the fertile minds of movie magicians. Some 28 years later, when it comes to the equipment we're seeing in today's automobiles compared to the early '70s, you almost shake your head in disbelief as we did when we first saw Wonka's Candy Factory: works of pure imagination, indeed.In this week's show we talk with three executives from three different companies and discuss not only some of these incredible products but just how they are being developed for today's cars.We start with Anne Asensio from Dassault Systemes, a French firm that creates products for its client base in the virtual world. Ms. Asensio says that today, more than in the past, design has become an extremely collaborative effort that involves everyone in the food chain -- from the very top to the customers themselves. Meanwhile, one of the products coming out of this collaborative effort, in this case from our second guest's company iBiquity, is HD Radio. Bob Struble heads this supplier which produces digital receivers that allow you to listen to all those restricted local AM & FM radio stations that are now being broadcast only on Hybrid Digital bands. And speaking of restrictive broadcasting, let's not forget about the Internet. Chrysler sure hasn't. It’s working with a firm from Silicon Valley that's bringing the Internet to its cars and trucks in the not too distant future. Jennifer Applebee from Chrysler joins John to tell us just how far away this technology is and what will be available with it once it's in the vehicle.
Autoline EXTRA #1243: Dr. Gerhard Schmidt
The Energy Independence and Security Act, which was passed into law last year, mandates that 36 billion gallons of bio-fuel be produced in the U.S. by 2022. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer, Gerhard Schmidt explains why that figure may be hard to achieve. And he shares his outlook for what type of fuels will be powering our vehicles in the future. Joining John McElroy in the discussion are Tom Murphy of WardsAuto.com and Csaba Csere from Car and Driver.
Autoline #1243: Technologic
TechnologicFew might recognize this little used 19th century noun. Fewer still have probably noticed the word is the soundtrack to one of the slick new Lincoln MKS television ads. The song emphasizes the abundance of technology you find in the new sedan. And technology has been a key to not only Lincoln's renaissance, but Ford's as well. Dr. Gerhard Schmidt is the man who leads the team at the Blue Oval responsible for EcoBoost in the engine, Sync inside the car and everything in between. On this week's Autoline he talks about this latest technology and what may be coming in future Ford cars and trucks.
Autoline EXTRA #1242: Dr. David Cole, Mike Stanton
The bailout of the Big 3 is the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. John McElroy and his panel discuss how the automakers could recover more quickly if the economy becomes more financially stable. Joining John in the discussion are Dr. David Cole, from the Center for Automotive Research, and Mike Stanton from the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
Autoline #1242: Lifeboat
LifeboatLong before he was dubbed the Master of the Macabre, legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock was known for his psychological thrillers. "Notorious," "Strangers On A Train" and the 1944 classic "Lifeboat" were prime examples of this work -- especially the latter film where a handful of strangers try to survive the unexpected adversity of their ship sunken at sea. One would think the group works together to overcome the odds, but that's not the way Hitchcock worked. And that may not be the way Washington works either when it comes to the proposed Detroit Three Bailout. GM, Ford and Chrysler are all asking for a monetary "lifeboat" but it's not going smoothly. The political forces are rocking the boat, pulling in opposite directions waiting for someone to take charge, while that someone -- President-Elect Obama -- doesn't take office for another 60+ days. Will something get done before then? Can something get done before Inauguration Day? Our guests offer their analysis on whether the lifeboat floats or not.And speaking of lifeboats, Dow Automotive has created a quasi one for NASCAR in the form of energy absorbing foam. John is joined by the company's president Steve Henderson as he describes how they came up with the product Impaxx and what it's meant for the safety of NASCAR drivers since they started using it. Lifeboat, indeed!
Autoline EXTRA #1241: David Champion, David Sargent, Dennis Pietrowski
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA John and his guests continue their discussion about automotive quality. They shift focus to Hyundai and discuss the automakers unbelievable run up the quality charts over the last ten years. They also discuss if American consumers have different quality expectations than consumers in other countries. Joining John in the discussion are David Champion of Consumer Reports, David Sargent from J.D. Power & Associates and Dennis Pietrowski of The RDA Group.
Autoline #1241: Dromedary
DromedaryWhen anyone thinks of a hump perhaps the first thought that comes to mind is that well-known beast of burden of North Africa - the Dromedary Camel. But in the auto industry, when the Detroit Three think of a hump those thoughts switch from camels to quality. That's because if there's any one hump or challenge that continues to hold them back from "import equality" it appears to be this. Now granted, all three OEMs have improved dramatically from the nadir of the '70s when they produced everything from poorly-designed diesels to flapping vinyl roofs. But today, with nearly all of those problems a thing in the past, GM, Ford and Chrysler are still looking up at many of the imports in a variety of quality rankings. So what accounts for that, and will any of them ever attain the top spot again? On this week's show John McElroy and his three experts on automotive quality will examine what it may finally take for the Detroit Three to get "over the hump.".And don't forget you can watch the latest edition of Autoline right now at our website (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/) along with our Internet-only Autoline EXTRA segment and any of our archived shows 24/7.
Autoline EXTRA #1240: Paul Haelterman, Rebecca Lindland
The industry downturn looks to be turning into a problem for the entire globe, not just the United States. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy and his panel discuss how Europe, China and emerging markets are being affected by the downturn in the auto industry. Joining John in the discussion are Paul Haelterman from CSM Worldwide and Rebecca Lindland from IHS Global Insight.
Autoline #1240: Scramble
ScrambleIf only describing a local golf event, a pressured quarterback or your morning breakfast, then "scramble" is a rather innocuous term. But when examining today's topsy-turvy automotive industry, where down is up, left is right and you may never know the players again with or without a scorecard, the word "scramble" takes on a darker connotation thanks to the worldwide financial meltdown. The credit and cash crunch may have started with banks but it quickly filtered its way to all businesses, especially the tenuous auto industry. Things were iffy before September when everyone was still hoping for somewhere around 13 million in sales. Now who knows how low the number could go? And then there's Chrysler, which, using Greek Mythology as our guide, seems in search of its own Hercules (see GM) to escape from Hades (see Cerberus -- the three-headed dog & the company). Confused yet? Well you're not alone. That's why John McElroy has invited these two top industry analysts to "unscramble" the situation on this week's Autoline.And don't forget you can watch the latest edition of Autoline right now at our website (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/) along with our Internet-only Autoline EXTRA segment and any of our archived shows 24/7.
Autoline EXTRA #1239: Mel Karmazin
Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius XM Radio joins John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. Mr. Karmazin discusses what role telematics will play for Sirius XM in the future and what applications are already in use. He also shares his thoughts on HD Radio and what impact it will have for Sirius XM. Joining John in the discussion are Neal Boudette from The Wall Street Journal and Jeff Gilbert from WWJ Newsradio 950.
Autoline #1239: Starman
StarmanToo many channels, not enough listeners, pools of red ink -- welcome to the world of satellite radio. Despite its myriad of advantages and incorporation into many new cars and trucks, both Sirius and XM Radio seemed more hooked to financial life support than to fleets of vehicles the last few years. It was as if the business was crying for, as David Bowie put it, "a Starman waiting in the sky" to supernaturally save the service. Well, that celebrity executive landed at Sirius some four years ago in the form of Mel Karmazin with a resume that included running Infinity Broadcasting, CBS Radio and as well as the entire CBS Corporation. Since his arrival he has not only increased subscriptions but more importantly brokered a merger between the two services believing that one strong company can prosper in this less than predictable economy.This week Autoline welcomes Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius XM Radio. Host John McElroy along with panelists Neal Boudette from The Wall Street Journal and Jeff Gilbert of WWJ Newsradio Detroit talk to this Hall of Fame broadcast executive about his survival plans for Sirius XM and the important role the auto industry plays in the process.And don't forget you can catch more with Mel Karmazin at our website (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/) in our Internet-only segment, Autoline EXTRA, as well as our brand new global automotive newscast Autoline Daily as soon as you see this e-mail.So if you'd like to know what the "Starman of Sirius XM" plans for the media in your car or truck, check out this week's Autoline.
Autoline EXTRA #1238: Bruce Coventry, Lou Rhodes
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA John McElroy talks with the man in charge of ENVI, Chrysler’s electric vehicle program, Lou Rhodes and also with Global Electric Motorcars CEO, Bruce Coventry. They discuss Chrysler’s plans to demo the EV’s with retailers and consumers next year and also what benefits GEM can provide Chrysler from its experience selling neighborhood electrics.
Autoline #1238: Watt's Next?
Watt's Next?Even as oil prices continue to drop, everyone from consumers to the cognoscenti understand that the genie is finally out of the bottle: fossil fuels are not the future. The question becomes, what is? We all know the roulette wheel of options, but at this point everything is a gamble and manufacturers are wondering where to put their chips.Well Chrysler, which has been quiet up to now, is betting on electric which some consider a surprise. Despite the fact that for more than a decade it has owned an electric car unit that builds neighborhood vehicles, the company sent shock waves through the industry when it recently unveiled three electric prototypes. That's because few experts considered Chrysler a major player in the electric game.Joining John McElroy on this week's Autoline are the two men leading the electrical charge at Chrysler. Lou Rhodes is the President of ENVI, a special team within the company that oversees the R & D of alternative drivetrains, while Bruce Coventry is the CEO of GEM, the makers of those neighborhood electric vehicles. Among the topics these executives tackle are Chrysler's electric strategy, the models and options they're working on, and when they expect it all to be delivered.And don't forget that you can watch this latest edition of Autoline along with our Internet-only segment Autoline EXTRA as well as our brand new global automotive newscast Autoline Daily at our website right now by clicking here (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/)So if you're looking to get a charge out of some provocative television, tune into Autoline and its lineup of automotive information.
Autoline #1237: Change
CHANGESynopsis: Change seems to be a popular theme these days. Some say it began with the political season but those in automotive know better. In fact, it's been on the horizon for a while. Big Change. The kind that will reshape American manufacturing for years to come. The last time we saw something like this was in the mid-20th century with World War II. And though the factors leading this retooling aren't quite as dire, they are just as dramatic led by a massive shift in consumer preferences, the technological challenge of reducing CO2 emissions at the same time as dealing with the booming developing markets.How will OEMs execute what some are calling the "Greatest Peacetime Manufacturing Conversion?" What will the effect be on their Suppliers? And what about the labor force -- how much will it diminish? These are just a few of the questions that John McElroy has for our two manufacturing experts. Offering insight from the OEM side is Joe Hinrichs the group vice president of global manufacturing for Ford Motor Company. Joining Mr. Hinrichs with an analyst perspective is Jay Baron, the president of CAR, the Center for Automotive Research.And don't forget you can watch the latest edition of Autoline right now at our website (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/) along with our Internet-only segment Autoline EXTRA as well as any of our archived shows.So for a look at the changes in store for 21st Century manufacturing, don't miss this week's Autoline with John McElroy.
Autoline EXTRA #1237: Joe Hinrichs, Jay Baron
Joining John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA is Joe Hinrichs, Group VP of Manufacturing at Ford Motor Co. and Jay Baron, President of the Center for Automotive Research. They continue their discussion from the broadcast about manufacturing in the 21st century. Mr. Hinrichs and Mr. Baron explain how last years agreement with the UAW will help lead to better technology to manufacture with and a more highly skilled workforce.
Autoline EXTRA #1236: Geoff Day
Geoff Day is the Director of Communications at Mercedes-Benz USA and he sits down with John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA to explain the importance of having public relation events for the media. Mr. Day also explains what value these events have and what the PR team looks to get out of these events.
Autoline #1236: 5-4-3-2-1
5-4-3-2-1For most observers, the word "launch" conjures images of rockets and echoes of countdowns from the space race forty years ago. However, if you happen to be a member of the automotive press "launch" means something totally different. To many in that crowd it means "Pay Attention" because a manufacturer is about to invite you to an exclusive activity surrounding its newest vehicle. This is one of the major ways stories and reviews of the latest cars and trucks appear in your local newspaper, favorite television shows or popular websites before or as that vehicle arrives on local dealer lots. And depending on the importance of the vehicle and the number of media invited, manufacturers can spend more than they care to think about to shine a brief spotlight on this newest product.On this week's program an Autoline Exclusive -- John McElroy takes you "behind-the-scenes" of a new car press launch. From the international phone calls to developing the drive routes to building vehicle displays and much, much more...you'll be right there with the media learning and experiencing everything about this brand new vehicle. And the vehicle or vehicles that you'll see "launched" are Mercedes-Benz new 50 State Clean Diesel SUVs.And don't forget to check out Autoline EXTRA, available on our website (http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/) where you can catch every interview we did for this documentary in its entirety 24/7.So join John, a number of his media colleagues and the Mercedes-Benz team as we go "Behind-the-Scenes" in Manchester Village, Vermont for the 50 State Clean Diesel Launch this week on Autoline.
Autoline EXTRA #1236: Rob Moran
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, the product and technology PR manager of Mercedes-Benz USA, Rob Moran, explains what kind of planning goes into a press event. Such as, when planning starts, how a location is chosen and how many different people are involved to make sure it runs as smooth as possible.
Autoline EXTRA #1236: Hank Chapman
On this edition of Autoline EXTRA John McElroy rides shotgun with . He explains how he goes about putting a route for the journalists together. How he tailors each route based on the vehicle and Mr. explains the specifics of the BLUETEC event.
Autoline EXTRA #1236: Stephen Cannon
Automakers not only need to educate journalists about their products but they also need to educate the public as well, and this is where the marketing team steps in. Stephen Cannon is the VP of Marketing at Mercedes-Benz and he talks with John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA about how he plans to educate consumers on not only BLUETEC technology but also explain the advances in diesel technology.
Autoline EXTRA #1235: Mike Jackson
Chairman and CEO of AutoNation, Mike Jackson joins John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. Mr. Jackson is in charge of the nation’s largest automotive retailer with dealerships that cover just about every brand. Watch to see Mr. Jackson give his candid opinions on the domestic’s products and dealership network and what needs improvement. Joining in the discussion are Bill Vlasic from The New York Times and Steve Finlay of Ward’s Dealer Business.
Autoline #1235: "Mass" Exodus
"Mass" ExodusEach time a dealer makes a sale and a car drives off the lot, along with it goes a few thousand pounds. And depending on the number of sales, those pounds can add up. But imagine losing one and a half billion pounds. Crazy? Well, that's just what America's largest automotive retailer AutoNation does every year. The company with nearly 250 dealerships across the country sells more than 500,000 units each year, which means more than 1.5 billion pounds of vehicles drive off its lots every twelve months. When it comes to the automotive retail world, all three of those numbers are staggering.On this week's Autoline, AutoNation Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson joins John McElroy to talk about the industry, sales and how they're both reeling amid the economic disaster that is 2008. After that, they'll turn their attention to product. As a retailer who deals with nearly every OEM selling almost every kind of car and truck, he has unique insight into each manufacturer, its performance and its products. Plus, with dealerships throughout the United States, there isn't a demographic or geographic group he doesn't know or sell to. Joining Mr. Jackson and John McElroy on the panel are Bill Vlasic from The New York Times and Steve Finlay from Ward's Dealer Business.As a reminder, you can now watch the latest Autoline immediately after receiving this email. Just click the link, http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/ and you'll find yourself at our website where you can watch this week's program, Autoline EXTRA or any of our archived shows 24/7.So if you really want to know what's going on behind the curtain at your local dealer, check out this week's Autoline for the inside scoop.
Autoline EXTRA #1234: Myles Kovacs
Co-founder of DUB Magazine, Myles Kovacs joins John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. Myles talks about the beginnings of the magazine nine years ago and how it’s now grown to a $50 million business. He also shares his thoughts on the industry downturn, how it’s affecting DUB magazine and how he plans on steering DUB through the economic slump.
Autoline #1234: Natural Number
Natural NumberThe number three has a unique heritage. From time, to matter, to grammar, for years humans have naturally divided elements and categories into three. That may be because it's a natural counting number or the first odd prime number. Then again it may be as simple as sets of three, for whatever reason, just feel right. Take this week's Autoline for instance. John McElroy interviews three separate guests discussing totally different topics related to today's auto industry.The first, Tim Leuiliette the new CEO of auto supplier DURA, offers his observations on the poor state of business for everyone automotive these days, especially the Detroit Three. He even dares to mention the "B word" as in bankruptcy and how that may be a factor in the near future.Meanwhile, joining John to discuss the new spinoff from ArvinMeritor is its President & CEO Designate Phil Martens. Arvin Innovation, as it is called, takes over the company's light vehicle systems business and will be looking to grow its existing 2.3 billion in sales (2007) in a U.S. market that hasn't had much positive news for OEM or supplier alike.Finally, as we pass the one-year anniversary of Cerberus buying Chrysler, John talks to private equity expert Frank Dunne from the national law firm Dykema. Mr. Dunne, a long time General Motors veteran, chronicles the movers and shakers from these high stakes financial groups and shares with John his impressions for the future of Chrysler and if private equity as a whole is getting what it wants out of auto.And remember, you no longer have to wait to the weekend to view this latest episode of Autoline. Just click on our link, http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/ , and you can watch it immediately at our website along with our Internet-only Autoline EXTRA segment and any of our archived shows.
Autoline EXTRA #1233: Paul Brubaker
Every year around 40,000 people die in the United States in traffic accidents. And that’s the reason why the U.S. Department of Transportation is looking at “connected vehicles” as a way to significantly reduce this number. Paul Brubaker from the U.S. Department of Transportation joins John McElroy on this edition of Autoline EXTRA and explains the benefits of using this technology and his goal of reducing accidents 90% by 2030.