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 #2407: The Electronic Transformation of the Automobile
For over a century, cars were all about nuts and bolts and stamping and welding. Not anymore. Today, the automobile is going through an electronic metamorphosis that is going to transform the driving experience. How far will it go, how fast will it happen and can the traditional auto industry keep up with the change?
Autoline This Week #2406: The End of the ICE Age, or is it?
Some experts say we’re on the verge of a tipping point with electric cars. Other experts say the internal combustion engine will be around until the middle of this century. On Autoline This Week, three reporters from Wards, who intensely cover powertrains and propulsion systems, join us to share what they’ve learned about where the automotive industry is really headed.
Autoline This Week #2405: Troubles Ahead for The U.S. Tool and Die Industry
There’s a lot of talk about a U.S. manufacturing renaissance. But to make new cars and trucks you need tools, dies, molds and fixtures. And in the U.S., the tool and die industry is under a lot of stress. What will it take to make this vital industrial sector thrive or can it even survive?
Autoline This Week #2404: Supplier Insights: Struggles and Opportunities
Automotive suppliers account for 80% of the parts and components that go into cars. They are also a major source of technological innovation. Right now, they face a lot of financial pressures and economic uncertainty. But if just a few things fall into place, the future could look a lot more optimistic.
Autoline This Week #2403: The World’s Best Engines and Propulsion Systems
Every year, the editors from Wards evaluate the newest engines and propulsion systems from the world’s top automakers. Then they pick what they believe is the best of the best, from V8s to battery electrics to fuel cells. On Autoline This Week, they announce which engines made the list and why they were chosen.
Autoline This Week #2402: North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Award II
The North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) jury comprises roughly 50 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada. Every year they vote on the best new cars, trucks and utility vehicles that came out in North America. Three of the NACTOY jurors join us on Autoline This Week to discuss the three cars that made it to the finalists list, as well as some of the cars that did not make the list. They also predict which vehicles will win the awards for best car, truck and utility.
Autoline This Week #2401: North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Award I
The North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) jury comprises roughly 50 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada. Every year they vote on the best new cars, trucks and utility vehicles that came out in North America. Three of the NACTOY jurors join us on Autoline This Week to discuss the three cars that made it to the finalists list, as well as some of the cars that did not make the list. They also predict which vehicles will win the awards for best car, truck and utility.
Autoline This Week #2334: The End of The Year, The End of a Decade
A decade ago, the automotive industry was struggling to recover from the worst recession it had seen in decades. The industry went on to recover, reporting record sales and profits. But as this decade winds to a close, there’s fear and uncertainty as to what lies ahead. On Autoline This Week, four automotive journalists discuss what got us here and where we’re going.
Autoline This Week #2333: Electric Scooters and The Micromobility Revolution
In the past two years, electric scooters have magically appeared in almost every major city in the world. They became instantly popular, yet brought a host of problems with them. How will cities try and manage these scooters? And what kind of standards will they have to meet? On Autoline This Week, two micro mobility experts discuss the impact these scooters are having.
Autoline This Week #2332: Contracts and Corruption at the UAW
The UAW says that it’s fighting for jobs and social justice against the Detroit based automakers. At the same time, federal investigators are uncovering a culture of corruption at the union that goes to the very top. On Autoline This Week, three experts on the situation discuss the details and look ahead to what the likely outcome will be.
Autoline This Week #2331: The Growing Importance of Fleet Sales
Fleet sales used to be scorned by many automakers. It was unprofitable and not a sexy part of the business. Today it’s just the opposite. Fleet sales are profitable and are up strong, while retail sales are down. This week’s show is all about how and why it changed.
Autoline This Week #2330: The Business Case for Mobility Services
Automakers are rushing into a new business opportunity called mobility services. It involves ride hailing, ride sharing, electric scooters and e-bikes. It could even involve passenger drones. But so far no one is making any money on this. So the question is: is there a business case for mobility services?
Autoline This Week #2329: Car Dealers Prepare For A Changing World
Import tariffs, electric cars, and over-the-air updates are just some of the issues that could disrupt the automotive retail business. Yet transportation in the United States is still built around the automobile. On this week’s show, Charlie Gilchrist, the chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, talks about how car dealers will adapt to a changing world.
Autoline This Week #2328: Rebuilding Acura As a Performance Brand
Acura has been around for 30 years but it’s hard to define exactly what the brand stands for. Moreover, Acura only has four volume selling vehicles in its showrooms. This week’s show is all about how Acura is rebuilding itself to become a true performance brand and where it plans to expand its model lineup.
Autoline This Week #2327: Promises and Pitfalls of the USMCA Trade Agreement
The USMCA, the trade agreement that was negotiated to replace NAFTA, was supposed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. But will it? Right now, the trade pact is stuck in Congress and could be stuck there for some time. On Autoline This Week, three trade experts discuss how it will impact the auto industry if and when it’s enacted.
Autoline This Week #2326: Roadblocks and Detours to EV Adoption
Government regulations around the world are mandating that automakers build electric vehicles. And they’re doing it. The only problem is, no one knows how to make a profit on EVs. Moreover, they don’t know how to recycle the batteries. On this week’s show, we get into all that and the issues that are hindering EV adoption.
Autoline This Week #2325: Automotive Data, Monetization and Cyber Security
Though most people don’t realize it, modern cars generate a tremendous amount of data. That data is very valuable from a variety of standpoints and it has to be protected from cyber thieves. On Autoline This Week, we discuss the current state of affairs and where its headed in the future.
Autoline This Week #2324: When Will Autonomous Cars Finally Get Here?
Just a couple of years ago, automakers were talking as if autonomous cars were right around the corner. Today they all seem to be backing away from that. Why? What happened? And what’s it going to take to put autonomous vehicles on track? On Autoline This Week, two executives from tech companies dive into the issue.
Autoline This Week #2323: MBS Debrief: A Recap of Top Automotive Issues
The Management Briefing Seminars represent one of the most important conferences in the global automotive industry. On Autoline This Week, three panelists talk about the top issues that came out of this year’s conference: Trump tariffs, industry restructuring, road blocks to electrification, reinventing the work place and a world of new opportunities.
Autoline This Week #2322: Passenger Drones and The Automotive Connection
Flying cars have been part of science fiction fantasy for nearly a century but now fantasy is turning into reality. And the auto industry is starting to explore how it can play a role in what could be a brand-new market. Flying cars could be less than a decade away. That’s today’s topic on Autoline This Week.
Autoline This Week #2321: Ford Transforms Its Product Development Process
The Ford Motor Company is completely changing the way it develops new cars and trucks. They call it EPLM or Enterprise Product Line Management. Ford is also using what it calls customer-centric-design. What does it all mean? On Autoline This Week, Jim Baumbick, the VP of Enterprise Product Line Management at Ford, explains what it’s all about and why it could transform the Ford Motor Company.
Autoline This Week #2320: Automotive Outlook: Few Profits In Sight
Automakers and suppliers are investing heavily in electric and autonomous cars as well as mobility services. But AlixPartners says the industry is entering a profit desert because nobody is making money with these technologies…at least not yet. On Autoline This Week, Mark Wakefield explains how the industry will have to handle this transition.
Autoline This Week #2319: Continental Restructures for A Changing Automotive Industry
Continental was founded in 1871 and its corporate structure hasn’t changed a lot since then. Now its reinventing itself to deal with an industry that’s quickly moving into electrification, autonomy and connectivity. On Autoline This Week, Jeff Klei, President of North American operations for Continental, talks about how and why the company is changing. And he also discusses the challenge of getting consumers to accept this new technology.
Autoline This Week #2318: Car Wars 2019
Every year, Bank of America Merrill Lynch comes out with a study they call Car Wars. It looks at all aspects of the automotive industry, especially on the lookout for where problems could arise. John Murphy, the senior automotive analyst with Bank of America, is the main author of the report. And on Autoline This Week, he gives us his outlook for future sales, mergers and acquisitions, electric cars, autonomous cars, import tariffs and labor negotiations.
Autoline This Week #2317: EV Startups from The Motor City
Silicon Valley is world renowned for its startup culture. That’s why so many electric car startups are located in the Bay Area…but not all of them. Now we’re seeing a startup migration to the Motor City. Have you heard of Bollinger Motors, Bordrin or Quadrobot? Learn why they decided to locate in Detroit on Autoline This Week.