Episode 70 – Taiwan Turns To Tax Credits, Adesa Sees Recovery Coming, GM Needs To Use B-Word

January 30th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:35

Taiwan figures out a way to boost new car sales by initiating a tax credit. Adesa says used car sales are picking up and a recovery is not far off. JP Morgan says GM is going to have to use the threat of bankruptcy to get bondholders to agree to a deal. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s episode of Autoline Detroit about the electrification of the automobile.

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Episode 69 – Ford Earnings Worse Than Expected, Fiat and BMW?, Buicks in Deutschland

January 29th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:05

Ford reports its fourth quarter earnings, which are worse than expected but still says it doesn’t need government help. Fiat is in talks with BMW on platform sharing. GM might build Buicks in Germany if GM moves Saab 95 production back to Sweden. All that and more, plus a look at the proposed emissions standards California wants to enact.

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Episode 68 – More Toyota Recalls, Europe Likes Its Auto Industry, Elena Ford Movin’ On Up

January 28th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:41

Toyota recalls more than 1.3 million vehicles globally and reports discouraging sales numbers. Europe treats its auto industry much better than the U.S. does according to GM’s top executive in Europe. Elena Ford gets a big promotion at a certain car company, and I’ll bet you can guess which one. All that and more, plus John answers viewer questions about the Chrysler/Fiat alliance in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 67 – Chrysler Drops Jobs Bank, Fiat & Chrysler CEOs Meet, Prius De-contented

January 27th, 2009 at 12:07pm

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Runtime 5:58

The Fiat and Chrysler alliance could produce 7 new vehicles to be sold in North America. Chrysler says it’s dropping the Jobs Bank in favor of something that it’s calling “enhanced layoff”. Toyota is going to de-content old versions of the Prius and drop the price. All that and more, plus a look at Ford technology aimed to help hybrid owners eek out as much fuel economy as possible.

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Episode 66 – Suppliers on the Brink, CA To Get CO2 Regs, Harley-Davidson Axes Jobs

January 26th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:45

Hundreds of American supplier companies are on the verge of going into bankruptcy. Obama will likely give California its CO2 standard, meaning automakers will have to meet at least two different sets of regulations. Harley-Davidson announced it will eliminate 1,100 jobs over the next two years. All that and more, plus a look at a special edition of the already outrageously expensive Maybach.

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Episode 65 – Trouble for GM, Toyota Debt Soars, Carbon Motors Cop Car

January 23rd, 2009 at 12:17pm

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Runtime 6:17

One of GM’s largest bondholders has told the company to stuff it when asked to swap GM bonds for stock. Toyota’s debt level soars due to its ambitious global expansion plans. Carbon Motors comes up with a new cop car powered by a 300 horsepower diesel engine. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s episode of Autoline Detroit with Pete Reyes, the chief engineer of the new 2010 Ford Taurus.

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Episode 64 – Fiat After PSA?, 43 MPG by 2016, Toyota Certified Used Hybrids

January 22nd, 2009 at 12:18pm

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Runtime 6:15

Despite denials, Fiat is now seeking to buy part of PSA, the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, for two billion Euros. Automakers in the U.S. face vastly higher fuel economy targets if California gets its way. Toyota is starting a certified used program for hybrids. All that and more, plus a look at some of the technology powering the new Honda Insight hybrid.

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Episode 63 – Volt Drive System Branded, Fiat Practically Steals Chrysler, Hummer Drivers Ticketed

January 21st, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:27

Fiat is getting big chunks of Chrysler for practically nothing. GM is creating a new brand for its Volt technology, called Voltec. Hummer drivers are four times more likely to get a ticket than the average motorist, and nobody seems to know why. All that and more, plus John answers viewer questions about plug-in hybrids and batteries in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 62 – Fiat Saves Chrysler, Saab to Stand Alone, 43 MPG Focus

January 20th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 6:10

Fiat is going to take a 35 percent equity position in Chrysler and give Chrysler immediate access to its platforms, powertrains, components and distribution system. GM is preparing Saab to become its own standalone company. The next Ford Focus could get 43 mpg using the powertrain from the Lincoln C Concept. All that and more, plus a look at how Honda plans on marketing its redesigned Insight hybrid.

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Episode 61 – Lexus Issues Recall, V-Dub at Indy?, GM Pulls Tooling from Suppliers

January 19th, 2009 at 12:00pm

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Runtime 5:22

Lexus is recalling nearly 215,000, MY2006-2008 GS, IS, and LS vehicles. Volkswagen may supply engines to the IRL once Honda’s contract expires. GM is pulling tooling from suppliers that are not meeting the terms of their agreements. All that and more, plus a look at Honda’s brand new 2010 Insight Hybrid.

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