Episode 49 – Fusion Hybrid Gets 41 MPG, Toyota’s Pres. Stepping Down, 30,000 Mile Oil Filter

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 7:16

The Ford Fusion hybrid breaks 41 miles per gallon on the highway, 8 MPGs better than the Toyota Camry hybrid. Toyota’s president may be stepping down and could be replaced with the grandson of the company’s founder. A new kind of oil filter could extend oil changes to 30,000 miles. All that and more, plus a look at the technology in the all-new 2009 BMW 7 Series.

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Episode 48 – Toyota to Lose Money, Canadian Bridge Loan, Insight to Miss Target

December 22nd, 2008 at 11:44am

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Runtime 5:46

Toyota expects to lose money for the first time ever due to a large drop in sales and a stronger Yen. The Canadian government will provide another $3.3 Billion to GM and Chrysler. Honda says it will not meet sales targets with the new Insight hybrid due to a lack of demand for hybrids. All that and more, plus a look at the new Ford Fusion hybrid.

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Episode 47 – Bailout Approved, Speed Not a Major Accident Cause, Britain Can Keep Using Miles

December 19th, 2008 at 12:03pm

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Runtime 5:35

President Bush finally announced a $17.4 billion bridge loan for GM and Chrysler. NHTSA says speeding is not a major cause of traffic fatalities. The European Union says England can still measure distances in miles, instead of switching to kilometers. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s Autoline.

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Episode 46 – GM & Chrysler Merger?, China Taps Detroit Talent, Honda Axes NSX

December 18th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:27

GM and Chrysler are talking about merging again in a move to slash costs and eliminate overlap. China wants to hire American engineers and executives to make up for its talent gap. Honda’s going to axe the Acura NSX due to the poor economy. All that and more, plus a look at new active safety features from Nissan.

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Episode 45 – Buying From a Bankrupt Auto, Hertz Takes On Zip Car, Waiting On the White House

December 17th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:04

The Bush Administration says it hasn’t made up its mind on what to do about financial aid for GM and Chrysler. Two polls show customers are open to buying cars from a bankrupt automaker. Hertz will compete with Zipcar by renting cars out by the hour rather than daily or weekly. All that and more, plus John answers questions about the bailout in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 44 – VW-MAN-Scania Team Up, Waiting For the White House, 2010 Ford Mustang

December 16th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:07

When it comes to the bailout everyone’s still waiting on word from the White House but reports indicate it will happen tomorrow. Volkswagen is cornering the heavy truck market in Europe pushing for an alliance with MAN and Scania. Daimler announces a major lithium-ion battery partnership. All that and more plus, an up-close look at the new 2010 Ford Mustang.

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Episode 43 – White House Readies Bridge Loan, First Look: BMW Z4, BYD Beats Everyone With Plug-In

December 15th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:20

The White House readies a bridge loan for the Big Three but final details are still being hammered out. The first look at the restyled BMW Z4 that features two inline-six engines. BYD from China beats everyone to the market with a plug-in hybrid that can travel over 60 miles on electric power. All that and more, plus a look at new valve technology from Audi.

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Episode 42 – SAIC Wants Saturn, Bridge Loan Goes Nowhere, Traffic Fatalities Plummet

December 12th, 2008 at 12:06pm

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Runtime 5:20

The Senate rejects a bailout bill due to lack of support from Senate Republicans. Chinese automaker SAIC is interested in buying Saturn from GM. Traffic fatalities drop almost 10% so far this year, to their lowest levels in nearly half a century. All that and more, plus a look at vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology from Nissan.

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Episode 41 – Trouble in the Senate, Honda Says Batteries Not Ready, Cellulosic Ethanol for Oz

December 11th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:31

The bridge loan faces a tough time in the Senate because Republicans oppose the bill. Honda says battery technology isn’t ready for plug-ins or EVs yet. Holden and Coskata team up to bring cellulosic ethanol to Australia. All that and more, plus Ford comes out with a way for fleet managers to keep track of their trucks.

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Episode 40 – White House & Congress Reach Deal, PSA & Bosch Diesel Hybrid, SEAT Hits 98 Grams

December 10th, 2008 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:38

Congress and the White House reach a deal on a bailout bill but a vote could still hit a snag in the Senate. Peugeot and Bosch team up to develop a four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid. SEAT comes out with a car that emits only 98 grams of CO2. All that and more, plus John answers viewer questions about the price of oil and GM’s decision to focus on Buick instead of Saturn in the “You Said It!” segment.

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