Show 1501
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 12/31 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/2 @ 10:30am ET
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Larry Webster, Popular Mechanics, Chris Paukert, Autoblog.com. Topic: North American Truck of the Year finalists.
Thanks to producer/animator Mike Judge, most people connect "King of the Hill" with the former Fox TV series. And though there's a lot to be said for a 12-year old cartoon series that centered on one character and his life with propane, here at Autoline any "King of the Hill" reference points to one word and one word only, and of course that word is TRUCK! And this time of year when you talk truck, you're talking about three specific trucks or SUVs -- as the case may be -- who end up as our own "Kings of the Hill," better known as the finalists for the North American Truck of the Year.
That's right, twelve months have flown by and left us with the latest top three trucks voted on by the jurors of NACTOY -- the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards. These finalists -- Ford's Explorer, Jeep's Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango -- have been narrowed down from a long list of top-notch candidates with the winner to be revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit January 10th.
Joining Autoline host and original juror John McElroy to talk about these finalists and who may be crowned this year's "King of the Hill" are fellow NACTOY jurors Larry Webster from Popular Mechanics and Chris Paukert of Autoblog.com.
Panel
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Show 1439
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 11/19 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 11/21 @ 10:30am ET
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Laura Soave, President, Fiat North America, Alisa Priddle, The Detroit News, Tim Higgins, Bloomberg News. Topic: Fiat North America.
It was the movie that turned a trio into stars. Even though Gregory Peck was arguably already there and his leading lady Audrey Hepburn was well on her way, the romantic comedy "Roman Holiday" really focused the spotlight on the third star of this 1953 movie, the Italian motor scooter Vespa. As the trio whipped around Rome it sold us on the delights of small lightweight Italian transportation.
Now fast forward to 2010, and small Italian transportation is poised to make a comeback here in America as the FIAT brand returns to the market thanks to its tie-in with Chrysler. Even as Sergio Marchionne has been putting the Pentastar pieces back together so Chrysler, Dodge, Ram & Jeep all have viable futures in the industry, at the same time he is ready to unleash his own brand back into the American car culture. The dealers have been chosen and they're getting ready to showcase the first FIAT product in years, the small, nimble Cinquecento better know as the 500.
And the person in charge of the North American reemergence of the FIAT brand joins John McElroy on this week's Autoline. Laura Soave is well aware of what FIAT stands for. Not just from last few months of running the brand here in the Americas but from her Italian heritage and spending time growing up in Europe. She has an interesting task in front of her as she tries to resurrect a brand that disappeared from American shoes for a variety of reasons, none of them good. Joining John on his journalist panel to discuss the future of FIAT is Alisa Priddle from The Detroit News and Tim Higgins from Bloomberg News.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1438
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 11/12 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 11/14 @ 10:30am ET
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Mark Perry, Nissan, Jon Brancheau, Nissan Marketing, Paul Hawson, Nissan. Topic: Nissan LEAF.
There was a seismic shift 45 years ago. And as all change goes it was unwelcome at the time. So much in fact, that in a manner of fifteen short minutes it transformed a cultural hero to social pariah, all thanks to the innocence of choice.
But that's what happened on July 25, 1965 at the prestigious Newport Folk Festival when Bob Dylan plugged in, turned on and embraced the sound electric. The audience reaction was an early version of shock and awe. His fans became horrified that he had abandoned his acoustic legacy when he launched into an electric version of "Maggie's Farm." But in reality what they didn't know was that he was simply evolving as an artist as evidenced by the success of his beloved "Like A Rolling Stone," which had been recorded just days before the event. It was clear he was moving on.
For more than 100 years the internal combustion engine has driven the car. And though it continues to be tweaked and improved to the point where automotive's pioneers might not even recognize today's highly-efficient ICEs, evolution persists. We've been talking alternatives for years -- hybrids, PZEVs, Natural Gas and Hydrogen have all piqued our interest, but our muse has always been electrics. So much promise, so much promised, so much never delivered. But finally like Dylan, we're starting to move on...welcome to the world of the Nissan LEAF.
On this week's Autoline John McElroy travels to Tennessee -- a state that brought human evolution to the headlines last century -- to talk about the evolution of the car this century as the LEAF goes electric. John gets a deep dive on the car from Nissan Product Planner Mark Perry while marketing chief Jon Brancheau talks to him how they are rolling it out across the country. In addition, John drives the LEAF all around the city of Nashville and gives you his impressions of this first mass produced all-electric pioneer.
Guests
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Show 1437
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 11/5 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 11/7 @ 10:30am ET
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Nolan Finley, The Detroit News, Edward Lapham, Automotive News. Topic: How the Mid-Term Election Affects the Auto Industry.
Has the American public ever been so fickle? Two years ago the country went heavily Democratic. This year the pendulum swung strongly Republican. Who knows what next two years hold in store. But what we need to know is: what does this mean for the auto industry?
New fuel economy standards, stricter CO2 legislation, generous EV subsidies, the controversial cap and trade policy, our free trade policy, and the Employee Free Choice Act are all on the agenda. Or, at least they were. Thanks to the mid-term elections, committee chairmanships are switching from one party to the other. That means the legislation agenda is going to switch as well.
To learn about how the agenda will change, and to put a name to faces of who’s going to be running the show, this week’s Autoline is all about the abrupt about-face in the American political scene. Joining host John McElroy on the show are Nolan Finley, the Editorial Page Editor of the Detroit News, and co-host of the public television program “Am I Right?,” as well as Edward Lapham, the Executive Editor of Automotive News.
Panel
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Show 1436
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 10/29 @ 11:30am ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 10/31 @ 10:30am ET
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David Champion, Consumer Reports, Doron Levin, AOL Autos & Fortune Magazine, Scott Burgess, The Detroit News. Topic: Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings.
The 1970s was the touchstone for transformation in two important American industries.
The world of television was changed forever by producer Norman Lear with ground-breaking shows like 'All In The Family' and its successful spinoff whose theme song has given us this week's headline, 'The Jeffersons.'
But at the same time that TV was "movin' on up" the U.S. automotive industry was starting a decades long decline. Fueled by OPEC in tandem with the rise of the imports, the Big Three produced model after model of lower quality cars and they began to pay the price. And we all know what price they eventually paid.
But since the start of the new century the 'downgraded' Detroit Three have been on the road back. Designing and building better cars that are not only attracting both old and new customers into showrooms, but they're starting to appear on lists that many consumers use to shop for vehicles. One of those tabulations -- the Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings -- was just released and David Champion, the Senior Director of its Auto Test Division joins John McElroy as his guest on this week's Autoline. Doron Levin of AOL Autos and Fortune Magazine and Scott Burgess, Autocritic of The Detroit News, join John and David to talk about today's best cars.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1435
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 10/22 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 10/24 @ 10:30am ET
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Ken Meade, Meade Lexus, Chris Consiglio, Eitel Dahm Motor Group, Rob Kurnick, Penske Automotive Group. Topic: Today's luxury car market.
Celebrity and luxury have been part of our culture since the beginning. But that potent combination didn't truly take off until about twenty-five years ago when television host Robin Leach made "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" our daily mantra. Suddenly greed was good, TV cops became Armani models and we all worshiped the people and products consumed nightly on the juggernaut "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."
That was the springboard that brought us to today's luxury-satiated society where even ten year olds discuss the merits of Louis Vuitton's latest. We're now undeniably smack dab in the middle of a pop culture that's in love with luxury; and don't think any of this has been lost on certain companies that make cars.
The American luxury car market used to be just a few select players that came from Italy, Germany and the UK with a couple of homegrowns thrown in for good measure. Today the list of both cars and countries have exploded. But how has the market grown, who are today's players and which customer is buying what?
Joining John McElroy for a look at today's luxury car market is an all dealer panel who pretty much have all the brands covered. Ken Meade of Meade Lexus is one of the brand's original dealers whose stores continue to be among the brand's top-sellers in the Midwest while Chris Consiglio is the Group General Manger of the Eitel Dahm Motor Group who handles three different high-end brands from Germany. And rounding out the panel is a man with a multitude of luxury brands to look after. Rob Kurnick is the president of Penske Automotive Group which operates 325 dealerships which nearly half could be considered luxury -- everything from Bugatti to Rolls Royce to Cadillac and more.
Guests
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Show 1434
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 10/15 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 10/17 @ 10:30am ET
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J Mays, Group VP, Global Design, Ford, Michael Manley, President & CEO, Jeep. Topic: Paris Motor Show.
Last week Autoline Detroit began its coverage of the 2010 Paris Motor Show with four different interviews. This week we've decided to emulate the Seine River, take a couple of twists and turns and do something a bit more avant-garde. Yes, we still have a couple of in-depth automotive interviews that you've come to expect in Autoline Detroit such as talks with J Mays from Ford and Mike Manley from Jeep. But in addition, this week you'll get something completely different. In fact, get ready for John McElroy to take you on a walking tour. Not of Paris mind you, but of some of the brands of cars that populate the city, the country, the entire European Community and that you never see here in the states. From Lancia, to Renault to Alfa Romeo and more, John goes from booth to booth sharing with us some of the history of the brand and as well as why these European vehicles may be influencing what we park in our driveways in the coming years.
Oh, and don't miss our preview of the Special Edition Autoline Detroit that we shot in the Ligurian Alps just above Nice. That's also in this week's wrap-up from the Paris Motor Show.
Guests
- J Mays, Group VP, Global Design, Ford
- Michael Manley, President & CEO, Jeep
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Show 1433
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 10/8 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 10/10 @ 10:30am ET
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Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe, Jonathan Browning, Volkswagen of America, Ian Callum, Jaguar, Giovanni Mastrangelo, Fiat. Topic: Paris Motor Show.
The river Seine slices through the city of Paris like the gentle folds of a fresh croissant. To the south is a section known as "La Rive Gauche" or The Left Bank. The moniker is artistic in origin thanks to the community of superlative painters and writers who called it home at one time or another. From Picasso to Hemingway to Matisse to Fitzgerald, some of the greatest works that we still admire today trace their ancestry to the southern section of the City of Lights.
And even though those days are gone it doesn't mean that today The Left Bank is bereft of artistic merit. In fact just the opposite. Over the years it has become home to some of the greatest works of contemporary art though with a more technological feel. And for the next two weeks Autoline Detroit will spotlight this "21st Century Art" as we visit the Paris Motor Show.
In this week's first part, John McElroy talks with Stephen Odell, the CEO of Ford of Europe, Jonathan Browning, the new CEO of Volkswagen of America, Ian Callum, Jaguar's Director of Design, and Fiat's Giovanni Mastrangelo, Platform Manager for Small Gasoline Engines.
So...rejoignez-nous à Paris (join us in Paris).
Guests
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Show 1432
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 10/1 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 10/3 @ 10:30am ET
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Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America, David Welch, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Chris Paukert, Autoblog.com. Topic: Audi.
The longtime Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Satchel Paige once said "Don't look back -- something might be gaining on you." In the case with today's luxury car leaders BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus that "something" is Audi.
The great luxury car maker that, in the past, could never quite get over the top has been gaining momentum with awards, marketing and, most importantly, sales. Halo vehicles like the R8 have grabbed the headlines but the real gains are coming across the entire lineup putting pressure on the traditional leaders of the segment. Just what are Audi's sales goals and how does the company plan to keep the momentum rolling? This week on Autoline Detroit to answer those and other questions on this blazing hot German luxury car maker is Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America. John McElroy is joined on his Autoline Detroit panel by David Welch of Bloomberg/Businessweek and Chris Paukert from Autoblog.com.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1431
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 9/24 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 9/26 @ 10:30am ET
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Ensconced in the ivy-covered halls of universities around the world are men and women who spend their days looking for answers. Answers to questions that might not even exist called "Unknown Unknowns." Many recognize this function as engaging in scientific theory which, over the years, has led to accepted works like Einstein's "General Theory of Relativity." But before his or Newton's or even Darwin's research was accepted, their theories had to generate testable predictions otherwise known as Predictive Power.
Predictive Power appears on Autoline Detroit but not in the guise of any ground-breaking theories. Here, as is the case with this week's show, we divide the phrase and spotlight one word at a time.
For instance take "power." Who better to talk about it than an executive of McLaren Automotive, the British manufacturer of high performance vehicles? And what better vehicle to talk about than its first sports car developed for those who don't wear fire-retardant suits, the MP4-12C. McLaren's Tony Joseph not only talks to John McElroy about the company and its move into production cars for consumers but also takes him for a walkaround the car that you won't want to miss.
Then as far as "predictive" or in this case "predictions" go, we turn to Jeremy Anwyl, the CEO of Edmunds.com. This 45-year-old firm along, with its sister sites, gather automotive information and distribute it to largely a consumer audience. Mr. Anwyl and his team keep their eyes glued to the OEMs do and analyze everything from production to sales to the executives who run the organizations. He stops by Autoline to give John a look at the automotive world from the Edmunds' perspective.
Guests
- Tony Joseph, North American Regional Dir., McLaren
- Jeremy Anwyl, CEO, Edmunds.com
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Show 1430
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 9/17 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 9/19 @ 10:30am ET
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Jack Hollis, Vice President, Scion, Mike Ramsey, The Wall Street Journal, Greg Gardner, Detroit Free Press. Topic: Scion.
It's often said that the most important part of human life is family. Despite the fact that you may argue with your father on almost everything or your Aunt Rose still squeezes your checks at 35, being able to gather, celebrate and mourn together is unique to the human existence. Plus, that structure provides a perfect environment, which allows us to learn from one another, perhaps about our heritage or maybe life itself.
Of course when it comes to corporations things are a little different to say the least, however, some do embrace the family structure for a variety of reasons. In the automotive industry, for instance, a company like Toyota offers customers three distinct brands that are aimed at different socioeconomic groups. The youngest member of that family, Scion, was created just a few short years ago and provides the entire corporate unit a young and unique set of products and customers. Jack Hollis is in charge of Scion in North America and he joins John McElroy on this week's edition of Autoline Detroit. Mike Ramsey from the Wall Street Journal and Greg Gardner of the Detroit Free Press join in the discussion.
Guests
- Jack Hollis, Vice President, Scion
Panel
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Show 1429
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 9/10 @ 11:35am ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 9/12 @ 10:30am ET
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William Kozyra, CEO & President, TI Automotive, Dave VanderWerp, Car and Driver. Topic: TI Automotive.
It may be a noun with three different meanings, but the word containment has filtered into our daily lives. From news stories spotlighting the Gulf of Mexico to military strategies on the Asian continent, we think of it in big picture terms, but it effects us much differently. Containment is more personal, especially as it relates to transportation. Whether it's your own vehicle or public transportation, the driving force underneath the hood of both modes are fluids; oil, water and gasoline to name three. Delivering those fluids throughout the vehicle is complicated to say the least. And that's where containment comes in.
One of the top companies in the automotive "containment" field if you will, is TI Automotive. It's been building fluid delivery systems since the days of the Model T. Joining John McElroy to discuss today's complicated world of fluid storage, carrying and delivery technology is TIA President & CEO Bill Kozyra. And joining in on the conversation is Dave VanderWerp of Car and Driver.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1428
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 8/27 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 8/29 @ 10:30am ET
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With a nod to our inspiration, musician Marc Cohn's new release "Listening Booth: 1970," in Autoline's 2010 version last week, our focus wasn't on forty-year-old songs, but rather a fresh look at Ford's recent comeback. And that look came from the eyes of someone who has watched it up close -- the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Lewis Booth. In last week's Part 1 he gave us an accounting of that comeback touching on a variety of subjects including its well-received new products, its surprising profit as well as its still-looming debt.
This week Mr. Booth is back for Part 2 of our discussion with a deeper dive into Ford's present and future. Join John McElroy along with the New York Times' Bill Vlasic and former Car & Driver chief Csaba Csere as they talk with the man who could be the company's next Alan Mulally.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1427
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 8/20 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 8/22 @ 10:30am ET
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Lewis Booth, CFO, Ford Motor Co., Bill Vlasic, The New York Times, Csaba Csere, Analyst. Topic: Ford CFO, Lewis Booth.
Putting a new twist on "the classics" is suddenly chic and popular. Just ask musician Marc Cohn whose new recording, "Listening Booth: 1970" -- a collection of songs from that year -- is a hit on Billboard. Who would've thought re-creating 40-year-old songs like "Wild World" from Cat Stevens, The Grateful Dead's "New Speedway Boogie" or "Make It With You" by Bread of all groups would raise a winner, yet it did. But maybe given what's been going on in Dearborn recently we shouldn't be so surprised.
After all, who would've thought even just two years ago that re-creating "classics" like Fiesta, Taurus and Explorer would be returning Ford to its past sales glory, but it is. Of course it's much more than just a couple of new cars that's making the difference, but, as any of the Ford team will tell you, having fresh, quality product doesn't hurt. To understand what's driving Ford back to the top of the industry, this week Autoline takes a turn in its own "Listening Booth", as the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth joins John McElroy for the first of two shows. Joining John and Mr. Booth on the panel are Bill Vlasic from the New York Times and former chief of Car & Driver magazine Csaba Csere.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1426
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 7/23 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 7/25 @ 10:30am ET
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Rebecca Lindland, IHS Global Insight, John Wolkonowicz, IHS Global Insight, Erich Merkle, Autoconomy. Topic: Analyzing the Auto Industry.
Analysis always seems more important when it has a name attached to it. Take the world of psychology for instance. Sigmund Freud's surname established the famous 'Freudian' school of psychoanalysis while his contemporary Carl Jung gave us the 'Jungian' version. Two names that have stood the test of time when it comes to branding analysis. So when it comes to the automotive world is it out of bounds to ask if that type of analysis should also have some sort of moniker? Well this week Autoline Detroit does its best to answer that question as it features three top-notch automotive analysts who opine on everything from the current state of the industry, its 2010 sales, the resurrection of the Detroit Three and those all-important breakthrough vehicles like the Volt and the Leaf we keep waiting for. Joining John McElroy on the his 'Autolineian' panel are Rebecca Lindland and John Wolkonowicz two senior analysts from IHS Global Insight and Erich Merkle from Autoconomy.
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Show 1425
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 7/16 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 7/18 @ 10:30am ET
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Sean McAlinden, CAR, Joe Szczesny, The Oakland Press, Robert Chiaravalli, Strategic Labor & Human Resources. Topic: The UAW.
Without a doubt, some of the reasons are simple. Old line factories have closed, there's more automation in those that remain and foreign companies are building in right-to-work states. With all that working against them, it's understandable why membership in the United Auto Workers has fallen the last thirty years. Like the constant drip from a faulty faucet, the pool of workers from this once dominant union has been slipping away losing more than a million since its peak in the '70s.
But don't cry for Bob King, the new UAW president. Elected merely a month ago, he knows the job in front of him and it's no easy task. Not only does he have to retain his current members, but reach out and recruit new ones. Just how he does that is one of the biggest challenges he'll face. But wait, don't forget about the questions surrounding The Detroit Three. How will the UAW deal with not only the success of Ford, but also the rebuilding at GM & Chrysler?
These are just a few of the tough questions that our all-star panel tackles on this week's Autoline Detroit. Joining John McElroy to discuss the future of the UAW are Sean McAlinden from CAR, Joe Szczesny from the Oakland Press and Robert Chiaravalli of Strategic Labor & Human Resources.
Panel
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Show 1424
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 7/9 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 7/11 @ 10:30am ET
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Michelle Krebs, Edmunds.com, Tony Swan, Car and Driver. Topic: North American Car and Truck of the Year.
You can see it, can't you? The slow-motion black and white shots of sweaty sinewy muscles inter-cut with close-ups of a certain athletic footwear and a simple closing graphic. Of course you could "IF" this really were the next iconic brand message from Nike. But this "B Driven" headline references the tsunami of new compact cars that will soon engulf America.
And though the Bs lead the list, this week on Autoline Detroit we look at several new cars, trucks and crossovers either out now or poised to hit the marketplace soon. Joining John McElroy for this new vehicle smorgasbord are two of his fellow voters on the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, Tony Swan from Car and Driver and Michelle Krebs of Edmunds.com.
Throughout the show they'll be discussing many of the potential award-winners that could come from virtually any segment including luxury entrants like the CTS Coupe from Cadillac or the latest XJ from Jaguar. Of course performance cars are always in the spotlight especially with new products such as BMW's 5 Series and Ford's iconic Mustang with not one but two all-new powertrains: a V-6 and, finally, an honest-to-goodness 5-Liter. And of course there are crossovers as well like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento and Infiniti QX56 to talk about. But without a doubt, the largest group of important cars coming out this year are indeed the Bs: Ford Fiesta, MAZDA2 and Chevrolet Cruze -- to name three of the bigger volume models -- will be getting the most attention from critics and consumers alike. So join John and his NACTOY panel for a look at the latest and greatest coming to dealer lots this week on Autoline Detroit.
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Show 1423
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 7/2 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 7/4 @ 10:30am ET
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Stephen R. Polk, Chairman, Pres. & CEO, R.L. Polk & Co., Tom Walsh, Detroit Free Press, Jeff Green, Bloomberg News. Topic: Auto Industry Trends.
Even though it may sound like the next installment in "The Fast & Furious" franchise, this drift refers to what's going on right now in the auto industry in not only Detroit but across the globe. Fresh leaders, closed brands and new marketing plans are just a few of the topics that go into evaluating today's automotive landscape by R.L. Polk, the 140-year-old analytical firm with long-time Detroit roots.
So if anyone knows what's going on with sales trends, market position and brand loyalty -- to name a few -- it's Stephen Polk, Chairman, President and CEO of the company. On this week's special July 4th edition of Autoline Detroit, Mr. Polk joins John McElroy to discuss the latest news on everything from sagging spring sales to the potential plug-in revolution. And joining John on this week's journalist panel are Jeff Green from Bloomberg News and Tom Walsh of the Detroit Free Press.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1422
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 6/25 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 6/27 @ 10:30am ET
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Rodney O'Neal, CEO and President, Delphi Automotive LLP, Carol Cain, Michigan Matters, WWJ-TV (CBS), Tom Murphy, WardsAuto.com.
The Greek culture has given the world significant contributions in several areas. One of the more interesting is the bizarre mixture of heroes, villains, mortals and gods constructed, most experts say, to explain the mysteries of life. How ironic that so much of what we know as 'Greek Mythology' was centered around the ancient city of Delphi. Ironic because the Delphi we're familiar with today had its own mythology; a Tier One supplier born from General Motors in the '90s with a similar lineup of enigmatic characters who mysteriously turned a thriving company into a bankrupt one.
For the last five years the corporation has struggled until it emerged from bankruptcy late last year. Led out by Rodney O'Neal, its current CEO and President who has been around the company since its GM years, Delphi today is much leaner and much less dependent on its former #1 customer. So equipped with a variety of new clients as well as fresh innovative electronic products, Mr. O'Neal believes that Delphi is ready to reclaim what it lost over these last few years, namely sales and market share.
This week on Autoline Detroit John McElroy welcomes Rodney O'Neal of Delphi Automotive. Joining John on his panel are Tom Murphy from WardsAuto.com and Carol Cain of CBS Television Detroit.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1421
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 6/18 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 6/20 @ 10:30am ET
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Mike Manley, President and CEO, Jeep, Bob Gritzinger, AutoWeek, Scott Burgess, The Detroit News. Topic: Jeep.
Fourteen months ago Chrysler was closing down. We're all familiar with the strange turns the story took. From bankruptcy to Obama to Italy and back, Chrysler survived, jobs were saved and the Pentastar was back in business. Well almost. There was that little thing about new product; it didn't have any and wasn't expected for some time. With its competitors pumping out fresh cars and trucks seemingly each month, it didn't seem like a scenario for success.
But somehow, someway Chrysler cobbled together a year of better sales with that aged product and, lo and behold, today it finally has something it hasn't had in over twelve months: a new vehicle in the form of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now it still is the "only" new vehicle available to its dealers for the near future but don't try to rain on Mike Manley's parade with that observation. Jeep's President and CEO is excited about this brand new SUV and what it says about his brand, the company's upcoming products and the future of the new Chrysler itself.
For a closer look at this all new Grand Cherokee, the Jeep brand and how it fits into Sergio Marchionne's plan for Chrysler, join John McElroy as he welcomes Mike Manley as his guest on this week's Autoline Detroit. Joining John on his panel are Bob Gritzinger from AutoWeek and Scott Burgess of The Detroit News.
Guests
- Mike Manley, President and CEO, Jeep
Panel
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Show 1420
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 5/28 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 5/30 @ 10:30am ET
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Clay Dean, General Motors, Scott Strong, Ford, Phil Zak, Hyundai North America, Larry Erickson, College for Creative Studies. Topic: Designing cars for megacities.
Like it or not, we're all fast becoming neighbors. As the world's population continues to boom and more and more people congregate in urban areas we've created a phenomenon known as megacities. These are metropolitan areas around the globe with populations that exceed 10 million. New York and Los Angeles are the U.S. flagbearers in this urban Olympics which includes places like Tokyo, Mumbai, Shanghai and 20 others (so far). The development of these small population nations has a unique set of challenges in which 'movement' is perhaps the most vital. No matter how you cut it whether it comes to work, food, education or entertainment, transportation or 'movement' within the megacity is the key. How does it take place now? How will it take place in the future as these megacities continue to grow? What will move people around the area and, finally, what are automotive companies designing for that eventual future?
These are just some of the provocative questions that were tackled at the 7th Annual Michelin Auto Design Panel recently held at the Detroit Athletic Club and the subject of this week's Autoline Detroit. John McElroy served as the Master of Ceremonies for this Automobile Press Association sponsored event. Joining John on the panel were: Clay Dean, director of GM Advanced Design, Scott Strong, Ford's Global Interior Design Director, Phil Zak, Chief Designer at Hyundai North America and Larry Erickson, the Transportation Design Department Chair at the College of Creative Studies.
Panel
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Show 1419
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 5/21 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 5/23 @ 10:30am ET
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Tom Stallkamp, Ripplewood Holdings LLC, Edward Lapham, Automotive News, Neal Boudette, The Wall Street Journal. Topic: Tom Stallkamp former DaimlerChrysler executive.
Buying in bulk has never been more popular. Warehouse shopping at places like Costco and Sam's Club has sold many consumers on the procurement secrets of the Big Three -- buy in quantity and the unit price goes down. Whether or not that practice is good for every household is another question, however, there's no doubting that it's a winner for the OEMs. Just ask Tom Stallkamp. The former vice chairman and board member of DaimlerChrysler worked his way to the top through Procurement and Supply. Perhaps the only Big Three CEO to ever do so. And he got there by developing innovative purchasing programs and partnerships for Chrysler like SCORE (Supplier Cost Reduction Effort) and the company's 'Extended Enterprise' concept.
Today, removed from the the daily automotive grind for more than a decade, Mr. Stallkamp is an Industrial Partner with the private equity group Ripplewood Holdings, yet he remains a keen observer of the industry. This week on Autoline Detroit John McElroy welcomes Thomas Stallkamp, one of the most successful automotive leaders in the last thirty years, to the program for his analysis on the continuing upheaval in the automotive world. Joining John on his panel are Edward Lapham from Automotive News and Neal Boudette of the Wall Street Journal.
Guests
- Tom Stallkamp, Ripplewood Holdings LLC
Panel
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Show 1418
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 5/14 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 5/16 @ 10:30am ET
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Victor Muller,CEO, Spyker Cars NV, David Welch, Bloomberg Businessweek, Todd Lassa, Motor Trend. Topic: How Spyker Will Save Saab.
It started last year with a simple e-mail between two 'car guys.' That's when Victor Muller the creator of the small exotic luxury brand Spyker petitioned Bob Lutz, the then Vice Chairman of General Motors. Mr. Muller was interested in the corporation's plans for his childhood dream car SAAB. GM, as you'll recall, was staggering out of bankruptcy and in the middle of jettisoning brands like a Golden Retriever sheds its winter coat. Pontiac was closing while Hummer, Saturn and SAAB were all up for sale but in danger of winding down as well. That one November e-mail sparked a heart-pounding 'live-or- die' three months for this iconic Swedish brand. The "incredible ride" as Victor Muller himself describes it finally ended earlier this year with ownership firmly in the hands of this Dutch entrepreneur.
On this week's show John McElroy welcomes the new owner of SAAB Victor Muller to Autoline Detroit where he'll discuss not only his suspense-filled acquisition of the car company, but more importantly, how he intends to do what GM couldn't do with the brand and that is sell cars and make money. Joining John on the panel are Todd Lassa from Motor Trend and David Welch from Bloomberg Businessweek.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1417
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 5/7 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 5/9 @ 10:30am ET
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Csaba Csere, driverTV.com, Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver, John Neff, Autoblog.com. Topic: The future of automotive enthusiast magazines.
Like many other areas of 21st century life, the publishing world is in an upheaval. Newspapers are consolidating and closing while books are turning into digital devices and music virtually floats around the Internet for free. Yet perhaps the sector with the most on the line is the magazine; those recurrent glossy periodicals that cater to our every interest, taste and whim. The problem is that the magazine audience is getting a little long in the tooth -- to put it mildly -- yielding decreasing sales across the board. And no place is that more evident than with the automotive enthusiast magazine crowd. From Automobile to Car and Driver to Motor Trend to Road & Track, no matter the name, no matter the content, everyone is losing out to the Internet. So the multi-million dollar question is how can these grand old dames of the enthusiast set transfer the magazine experience to a new generation -- one that doesn't so much read information as it does devour it. Well, one answer may be platforms. Creating unique content specifically for a digital device. Of course that's easier said that done because then you still have to have an audience who buys it.
Joining John McElroy to discuss the short and long term future of the automotive enthusiast magazines is a panel who knows the issues first hand. Csaba Csere worked for Car and Driver magazine for nearly three decades leaving as Editor-in-Chief in 2008. Eddie Alterman is charged with facing those challenges today as the current Editor-in- Chief of Car and Driver while John Neff and his popular website, Autoblog.com, is just one of the reasons that the enthusiast crowd is looking for new workable options like platforms.
Panel
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Show 1416
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 4/30 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 5/2 @ 10:30am ET
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Jim Hall, 2953 Analytics, Todd Lassa, Motor Trend, Peter De Lorenzo, Autoextremist.com. Topic: Automotive Films.
It happened last century. Way back, nearly a hundred years ago; a union so sweet, so hand-in-glove that to this day many of us still take it for granted. The alliance was a smart, sublime coupling of west coast imagery and Midwest manufacturing yielding the perfect marriage: the mating of cars and movies.
That's right from Laurel and Hardy to Roger and Me, from the Love Bug to Bullitt, celluloid seemed made for our four-wheeled wonders. In fact, if anything its worked almost too well. From the early days of the silent films all the way up to today's 3D digital blockbusters, cars continue to be enormous stars. But with so many movies in the car film universe, whenever you start to pull together your favorites, it's a list that can careen out of control pretty "Fast and Furious." That's why here at Autoline we leave that sort of heavy lifting to the experts. Joining us for Round Two of our Autoline look at history's greatest car films are Jim Hall from 2953 Analytics, Todd Lassa from Motor Trend and Peter De Lorenzo of Autoextremist.com. From racing to comedy to Bond to cult, our panel critiques these great films and tells you why, if you have yet to see some of them, you need to put them on your own personal list.
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Show 1415
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 4/23 @ 3:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 4/25 @ 10:30am ET
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Jean Halliday, Advertising/Marketing journalist, David Kiley, AOL Autos, Gary Topolewski, Advertising creative director. Topic: Automotive Advertising.
For more than two decades those three words have branded Nike into the public consciousness helping make it the success that it continues to be. Of course having great product didn't hurt, but really, the Wieden and Kennedy advertising team who developed the famous tag line, and subsequent media campaigns, are as responsible as anyone for putting Nike into homes and locker rooms around the world. That's why behind seemingly every successful consumer goods business is an ethos of creative energy -- a team if you will -- that helps sell that product to all of us.
The auto industry is no different. Its storied advertising history is not only well-documented but ingrained in our memories. The problem with that is the "history" part. Some experts believe that automotive advertising sort of flies under the radar these days trying to attract but not offend leaving the pubic many times with nothing more than a milquetoast impression. The question becomes is that the result of an overall strategy or is there something else at work? Are brand issues, globalization or perhaps the financial tumult responsible for this change of style?
This week on Autoline Detroit John McElroy and his panel of experts tackle the ever-changing world of automobile advertising. Joining John to discuss what's been going on and where it all might be headed are advertising journalist Jean Halliday, former ad man turned commentator David Kiley with AOL Autos and an award-winning advertising veteran who is still on the front lines Gary Topolewski.
Panel
- Jean Halliday, Advertising/Marketing journalist
- David Kiley, AOL Autos
- Gary Topolewski, Advertising creative director
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Show 1414
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 4/16 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 4/18 @ 10:30am ET
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Bernard Charles, President & CEO, Dassault Systemes, Drew Winter, Wardsauto.com, Christopher Sawyer, Cars In Context. Topic: Product Lifecycle Management.
The next time you're in a store take a walk down the detergent aisle and check out the dozens of different products. Some of the packages that look so comfortable on the shelf may have actually started life as an avatar -- a virtual product in an equally digital grocery store. That may be news when it comes to consumer products but automakers have been engaged with 3-dimension computer design for some time now. In fact this virtual universe allows the manufacturers of these complex machines to take them from concept to clearance -- as it were -- through a process called PLM or Product Lifecycle Management. Not only is it a huge cost saver when it comes to time and materials, but it also gives designers, engineers and marketers alike, 21st Century advantages that their earlier counterparts could only imagine.
This week on Autoline the top executive at one of the world's pre- eminent PLM companies joins John to discuss the process and how it continues to revolutionize the auto industry. Bernard Charles, President and CEO of Dassault Systemes talks about the impact of PLM on all of us and how Dassault is out to bring the 3D experience to our daily lives. Joining John and Mr. Charles on the panel are Drew Winter from WardsAuto.com and Christopher Sawyer of Cars In Context.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1413
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 4/9 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 4/11 @ 10:30am ET
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Bennie Fowler, Group VP, Global Quality, Ford, Bryce Hoffman, The Detroit News, Brent Snavely, Detroit Free Press. Topic: Ford Quality.
They're defined as acquired behavior patterns that are uniquely involuntary. Known to most of the planet as habits, they come from two camps. Some can be bad if it's a personal glitch or foible while others might be good if it leads to a desired end product.
Especially if that product is quality. After all, it was the Greek philosopher Aristotle who was first to recognize some 2,300 years ago that "Quality is not an act, it is a habit." Unfortunately, during the late 20th century, American car makers weren't reading much Aristotle, or so it seemed.
Today we're not sure if the Greek Philosopher has become required auto industry reading or not, but we can say with certainty that U.S. quality numbers are up and up significantly. And on this week's Autoline, one of the executives in charge of that change joins John McElroy and his panel to tell us how they're doing it. Bennie Fowler has been on the front lines of this issue for more than three decades. From his days at General Motors in the '70s and '80s into his early years at Ford, he observed the mistakes, the lack of quality, the bad habits if you will, that the American OEMs had eased into. For the last four years he has been in charge of reversing that trend at Ford. And if you look at the numbers, he, and many others in the company, appear to be doing just that.
Joining John on this week's panel are Brent Snavely with Detroit Free Press and Bryce Hoffman of The Detroit News.
Guests
- Bennie Fowler, Group VP, Global Quality, Ford
Panel
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Show 1412
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 4/2 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 4/4 @ 10:30am ET
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Dan Knott, Senior VP, Purchasing, Chrysler, Eric Mayne, WardsAuto.com, Daniel Howes, The Detroit News. Topic: Chrysler Rebuilds Supplier Relationships.
When it comes to television dramas since the '70s, few have been more consistent than life within the California cul-de-sac called Seaview Circle. And when it comes to automotive drama over that same time frame who has been more compelling than Auburn Hills-based Chrysler?
On the precipice of bankruptcy one moment, onto salvation and success the next, then through a merger, a sale and then back to bankruptcy; if this had been a show on CBS it would have an armoire of EMMYs. Instead, today it has a mercurial Italian owner and a dubious future. And that's the GOOD NEWS!
Welcome to the "new, newer, newest" iteration of Chrysler, the smallest of the historic Big Three. The challenges of this company are too numerous to list here, but obviously one of the biggest is building quality cars and trucks. And these days you're not going to do that without good suppliers. But with the way that community has been treated by the last two regimes, you sometimes wonder who would still want to do business with Chrysler.
Enter Dan Knott, 20-year veteran of the Chrysler culture, and the new head of Purchasing. Mr. Knott joins John McElroy and his panel to discuss the new way of doing business with Chrysler. One that he hopes takes them back to the pre-Daimler days of strong vendor relationships and great Chrysler products.
Joining John on his panel are Eric Mayne from WardsAuto.com and Daniel Howes, columnist from The Detroit News.
Guests
- Dan Knott, Senior VP, Purchasing, Chrysler
Panel
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Show 1411
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 3/26 @ 2:30pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 3/28 @ 10:30am ET
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Mike Colleran, SAAB, Todd Lassa, Motor Trend, Jeff Bennett, The Wall Street Journal. Topic: Reinventing SAAB.
You may recognize the headline above as a famous '60s song written by the Kinks. However, when GM exited from bankruptcy last year it almost turned that hallowed tune on its head. With brands being jettisoned left and right, "Stop Your SAABBING" -- recorded by Big Ed & The Board -- seemed like the song Detroit was ready to export to Trollhattan, Sweden, home of the iconic motor company SAAB. And as word of its impending doom grew you could practically hear the cries from the Swedish automaker's loyal community for a white knight to save their favorite cars. But instead of resolution came the teeter- totering spectacle where one moment the the brand was saved by some international buyer, while the next the doors were being locked for good.
Yet in the end, Dutch businessman Victor Muller rode in to save the day on a white hand-built Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder and stopped all the potential sobbing with his purchase of SAAB. And now the resurrection begins. But how can a car company that sold less than 9,000 vehicles last year in America be reborn?
For those answers and details on the plan itself join John McElroy and his Autoline panel -- Todd Lassa of Motor Trend and Jeff Bennett from the Wall Street Journal -- as they talk SAAB with Mike Colleran the man in charge.
Guests
Panel
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Show 1410
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 3/12 @ 12:00pm ET
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Don Esmond, Senior VP Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Topic: Toyota's Reputation.
Have you ever noticed the way pop culture treats a "good" reputation? We all want one but it hardly seems to get talked about. Take '80s music for instance where both Joan Jett & the Blackhearts along with college favorites the dBs both scored hits with their separate (and totally different) songs entitled "Bad Reputation." Now we all may want good to triumph over evil but is there anyone out there humming the tune "Good Reputation?" It almost harkens back to the simple journalism barometer of a dog biting a man. Of course that's not news. But switch the incisors around and suddenly you've got readers, viewers and P.E.T.A. probably jumping all over the man biting dog story.
That's sort of the situation Toyota finds itself in today. It spent decades building a rock solid reputation for its vehicle on the foundation of quality, care and customer service which it has seen start to crumble in a mere six months. Now that isn't to say there aren't some problems with the cars, in fact problems the company might've and should've caught earlier. But at this point the question becomes what happens to that reputation. It was once sterling and now it's teetering over a pool of muck. How does Toyota reclaim what it once had?
On this week's Special Edition of Autoline Detroit John McElroy sits down with longtime Toyota executive Don Esmond. Mr. Esmond has been out talking directly to the dealer body about their vehicles along with the problems they're facing in Washington, Tokyo and with that heretofore loyal customer base. He talks candidly about mistakes that were made, lessons learned and getting that "good" reputation back.
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Show 1409
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 2/26 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 2/28 @ 10:30am ET
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Jim Hall, 2953 Analytics, Todd Lassa, Motor Trend, Peter De Lorenzo, Autoextremist.com. Topic: Automotive Films.
In today's high-tech world, it may be hard to believe but there was once a time in America where the best place to enjoy a movie was in your car. This loose-knit community of film-goers would usually meet on a weekend night in a parking lot full of poles known as a Drive- In. Most are now gone, replaced by so many strip malls and condominiums. However, the yearning for that life lives on in many.
Well, Autoline may not be able to duplicate the experience in its entirety, but this week's show transforms itself into your own personal drive-in as we feature films "About, Starring and Containing" cars. Our panel of auto experts turned film critics reveal their cinematic interpretations of "The Good" (Bullitt), "The Bad" (Faster, Pussycat Kill Kill) and "The Ugly" (The Betsy), along with a fascinating list of films scattered in-between.
Join John McEloy as he goes to the movies with Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics, Todd Lassa from Motor Trend and Peter De Lorenzo Autoextremist.com for a look at Hollywood's love and obsession with cars.
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Show 1408
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 2/19 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 2/21 @ 10:30am ET
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Maria Leonhauser, Franco Public Relations, Paul Haelterman, CSM Worldwide, Christie Nordhielm, Univ. of Michigan. Topic: Grading Toyota's Public Relations.
A dizzying number of consumer products have been introduced over the last thirty years. And though thousands have succeeded over that time few have achieved the Mount Olympus of brand recognition that translates into the multi-million dollar world of annual sales. And even fewer from that list have survived a potential public relations nightmare that backed the brand into a corner. For the last three months we've been watching the Tiger Woods brand undergo such scrutiny, while 28-years ago Johnson & Johnson faced an even greater disaster with its Tylenol over-the-counter medication. Tylenol, by all accounts, became the gold standard of resuscitating a brand with great corporate public relations. The same can't be said for the Tiger Woods brand though the entire story is yet to be written.
Meanwhile Toyota, long one of the most solid brands throughout the world, is currently at a similar crossroads. For the last six months the company has experienced one bad story about its products after another. Accelerators, brakes, cars and recalls have contributed to the public waterboarding of this once proud seemingly indestructible brand. And it doesn't help that the hits keep coming.
So going forward from today, what path will the company take? What are the challenges it faces in public relations, in marketing and with the automotive world itself? This week Autoline hosts three experts from these disparate fields to talk turkey to and about the Toyota brand, the Toyota company and the Toyota bottom line. Joining John McElroy to do just that are Maria Leonhauser from the world of public relations, Paul Haelterman an authority in auto analysis and Christie Nordhielm who gave us "The Big Picture," literally, with her book on marketing challenges and solutions for companies like Toyota.
Panel
- Maria Leonhauser, Franco Public Relations
- Paul Haelterman, CSM Worldwide
- Christie Nordhielm, Univ. of Michigan
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Show 1407
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 2/12 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 2/14 @ 10:30am ET
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Jean Halliday, Advertising/Marketing journalist, David Kiley, Icon Creative Technologies, Gary Topolewski, Advertising creative director. Topic: Automotive Super Bowl Ads.
Whether it's in the U.S. Senate, the California State House or your own city council, any simple up or down tally where "the ayes have it" can have a significant impact on voters' lives. However, when it comes to having an impact in the world of advertising, there is no bigger forum than the Super Bowl. Especially when there are 106 million potential consumers watching. Truly a place where the "eyes" indeed have it. So for 44 consecutive years businesses have put their products in this spotlight of this special day hoping for a great ROI for the money they spend. And throughout the years automakers have been right there on Super Bowl Sunday trying their best to create the splash that translates to sales.
This year six OEMs braved the nearly $3-million dollar per 30-second advertising Olympics with one, Hyundai, seemingly saturating the entire game. So did Hyundai or the other five -- Audi, Dodge, Honda, Kia, or VW -- get their money's worth? Is it even possible?
Joining John McElroy to try to answer these questions is a panel of automotive advertising experts. Journalist Jean Halliday has written about the industry for years while advertising analyst David Kiley not only covered the business but also worked in it as well. They are joined by an award-winning creative director who is still in the trenches, Gary Topolewski, waiting to produce his next Super Bowl spot.
Panel
- Jean Halliday, Advertising/Marketing journalist
- David Kiley, Icon Creative Technologies
- Gary Topolewski, Advertising creative director
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Show 1406
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 2/5 @ 2:05pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 2/7 @ 10:30am ET
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Dennis Pietrowski, RDA Group, Jeff Green, Bloomberg News, Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press. Topic: Quality & reliability.
From the stub of a toe to the bite of a mosquito, our bodies rely on a complex network of neurons that tell our brain what's going on. And like our bodies, each car has a pseudo nervous system which controls everything from the steering to satellite radio. For all manufacturers the quality of their cars and the viability of their systems are extremely important. However, for the world's number one automaker Toyota, its been nothing short of the holy grail. Quality and reliability were once the keys to the design, production and selling of its products. But right now several of Toyota's top models are experiencing what could best be parenthetically described as a severe neurological disorder.
This week on Autoline John McElroy examines the latest reliability and quality woes facing Toyota and what some competitors like Ford have been doing to improve its numbers in those categories.
Panel
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Show 1405
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 1/29 @ 3:30pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/31 @ 10:30am ET
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Dan Weiss, Center for American Progress, Fred Smith, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ron Cogan, Green Car Journal. Topic: U.S. Energy Policy.
Many know this classic 1939 film pitted an everyman Jimmy Stewart against the rich and powerful under the U.S Capitol Dome. And though more than 70 years have passed, even the writers of this academy-award work of fiction couldn't have imagined that Washington would be even more corpulent and confusing in 2010. And one of the best examples of this weighty indecision can be found in what passes, or doesn't pass, for the nation's energy policy. Solar, Wind and Shale are just a few power options that we've added to the mix over the years while natural gas, electric and hydrogen hint at what may be driving our cars and trucks down the road: yet today no one knows for sure what's best and where we're going.
So the question remains: what is our policy and who is driving it? And where better to try to get a handle on what's going on than "inside the beltway" as they say, than by paying a visit to our nation's capitol itself. This week Autoline presents its own version of "Mr. McElroy Goes to Washington" from the floor of the Washington Convention Center. There John is joined by two members of what are known as NGOs or Non-governmental organizations along with the publisher of a cutting-edge automotive periodical to discuss everything from off-shore drilling to the EPA.
Guests
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Show 1404
Bonus EXTRAs:
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 1/22 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/24 @ 10:30am ET
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Jim Farley, Group Vice President Global Marketing, Ford Motor Company. Topic: Ford's marketing strategy.
After a decade of reporting everywhere from local streets to foreign wars, Ernest Hemingway wrote and published his first novel "The Sun Also Rises." And though you might think we chose this title to turn a clever phrase regarding this week's guest, it has more to do with what the book wasn't named...at least in the United States. With the novel focused partially on traveling in Europe in the 1920s, Hemingway originally titled the book "Fiesta." Of course it was changed here in America but used in several countries throughout the continent. And how appropriate for this week's guest who chose to make a splash here in the U.S. recently with a European car called, ironically enough, "Fiesta." Ford's Global Marketing guru Jim Farley has been turning the Blue Oval every which way trying to draw attention to the new crop of critically-acclaimed products it has been putting out and it's been working on. With a sweep of the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards earlier this month with Fusion & Transit Connect, and the Fiesta and Focus on the way, they might not be holding a party down in Dearborn quite yet, but clearly Ford is on the rise.
Guests
- Jim Farley, Group VP Global Marketing, Ford
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Show 1403
Bonus EXTRAs:
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 1/15 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/17 @ 10:30am ET
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Mike Jackson, AutoNation, Susan Docherty, General Motors, John Casesa, Casesa Shapiro Group. Topic: Interviews from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Throughout the sixties the "sweet and savory" song writing from the Lennon & McCartney partnership produced lines that emphasized the beautiful schizophrenia of life. That's why this week it didn't take much to imagine that the good folks at the Detroit Auto Dealers Association might've been recalling the 2009 NAIAS with the Beatles' chorus "I've got to admit it's getting better...it can't get no worse" echoing in their ears. Yet the good news is true to the song, this year's edition is indeed "getting better" thanks to more OEM booths, more journalists and a heck of a lot of more smiles even though they -- the smiles -- are probably still bordering on the "cautiously optimistic" type.
This week on Autoline Detroit John McElroy talks to three automotive professionals from disparate parts of the industry -- wholesale, retail and analytical -- to hear what they have to say about not only the 2010 North American International Auto Show, but where the next twelve months will take us.
Guests
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Show 1402
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 1/8 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/10 @ 10:30am ET
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Guy Gordon, WDIV, Sarah Webster, Detroit Free Press, Jim Hall, 2953 Analytics. Topic: Detroit Auto Show preview.
Who would've predicated thirty years ago that a little known new wave song from England's Dave Edmunds would prove to be the perfect theme for the 2010 North American International Auto Show? Last January's edition of the world's most important auto show was less about cars, trucks and crossovers as it was about bailouts, Obama and bankruptcies. Add to that the strange Kabuki dance around the attempted restoration of Cobo Hall -- the show's longtime site -- and the '09 show had all the panache of sportscaster Howard Cosell's 1975 Variety show. But what a difference a year makes...
"Crawlin' from the wreckage, into a brand new car"
Just as the song's chorus suggests a rebirth, the 2010 NAIAS is likewise being resurrected. Manufacturers are again investing in their booths, prodigal sons have returned and the show is even recharging the career of '80s singer Eddy Grant with its "Electric Avenue" display. So watch this week's Autoline Detroit for an in-depth preview of all that is going on at this year's North American International Auto Show.
Panel
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Show 1401
- Internet Premiere
- Friday, 1/1 @ 12:00pm ET
- Detroit Public TV
- Sunday, 1/3 @ 10:30am ET
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Michelle Krebs, Edmunds.com, Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press. Topic: Nominees for the North American Truck of the Year.
No matter the vocation it's a struggle to achieve quality or to be the best. Well, imagine trying to define it. Some write complex tomes containing various recipes which is fine for a Debate Team but hardly applicable to everyday life. Others like philosopher Robert Pirsig take a sleeker, more modern day approach. He believes the best or highest quality can be defined simply as producing whatever by "the result of care."
So if philosophers, lit experts and big thinkers battle over meanings, how do you come up with a standard that means "the best?" Well if you're the jurors of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY) you have a criteria you work from. Sure there are still disagreements, arguments and fights over who is "more right" but that's the beauty of the award: subjectivity to the max.
And on this week's Autoline John McElroy and his panel discuss those fantastic sparks inside, outside and around the vehicle that made them go WOW! Joining John to discuss the finalists for Truck of the Year are fellow jurors Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com and Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press.
Panel
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