Episode 360 – Geely Invests in Volvo, Jatropha Plant Biodiesel, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

March 31st, 2010 at 1:43pm

Runtime 8:42

Geely is investing nearly $1 billion in Swedish automaker Volvo.  GM and the U.S. Department of Energy are studying the jatropha plant for its potential as a new source of earth-friendly biodiesel.  Lincoln pulls the wraps off its first-ever hybrid, an electrified version of the MKZ sedan.  All that and more, plus Rod Meloni, Business Editor at WDIV Channel 4 News, Detroit, shares some of his thoughts on Chrysler.

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Episode 359 – NASA Investigates Toyota, Ford May Issue Bonuses, Maybach For Sale?

March 30th, 2010 at 12:02pm

Runtime 7:06

NASA scientists will be taking a deeper look into Toyota’s unintended acceleration problems. Ford promises bonuses to salaried employees for 2010 if the automaker hits certain targets. Reports from China say BYD is interested in buying Maybach from Daimler. All that and more, plus Mark Phelan from the Detroit Free Press shares his thoughts on the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

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Episode 358 – Volvo Deal Done, 1st Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang, Technology Debuts On Cruze

March 29th, 2010 at 12:04pm

Runtime 7:36

Geely finally buys Volvo from Ford for $1.8 billion. First test drive of the new 2011 Ford Mustang. General Motors puts a piece of breakthrough technology on the new Chevy Cruze. All that and more, plus a few quick driving impressions of the Infiniti M37.

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Episode 357 – Lawyers Threaten Bankruptcy, Porsche’s CAFE Exemption, GM Building Saabs

March 26th, 2010 at 12:42pm

Runtime 7:43

A consortium of attorneys say that if Toyota does not settle its lawsuits it will likely go bankrupt. Porsche lobbies the Obama Administration for its very own CAFE standard. Even though it’s owned by Spyker now, GM will continue to build vehicles for Saab, but which ones? All that and more, plus the winner of this week’s Autoline Trivia Challenge.

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Episode 356 – Toyota Faces $40B in Lawsuits, Daimler & Renault to Tango, White House Goes Electric

March 25th, 2010 at 12:08pm

Runtime 6:54

Class action lawsuits could end up costing Toyota $40 Billion. Daimler and Renault look to develop vehicles and components in a partnership. The Obama administration holds a meeting on electric vehicles and the cooperation of utilities at the White House. All that and more, plus John answers your comments and questions in today’s “You Said It!”

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Episode 355 – Attorneys Discredit Toyota, Daimler Gets Nailed for Bribery, Japan Gets New Automaker

March 24th, 2010 at 12:09pm

Runtime 6:40

Plaintiff attorneys ramp up the PR blitz to discredit Toyota’s electronic throttle controls. Daimler gets slammed with a mega fine after a Chrysler employee uncovers evidence of Bribery. Yet another contender steps into the EV ring as Japan gets a new automaker with an unusual pedigree. All that and much more, plus a ton of hot car unveils and one very ugly one.

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Episode 354 – Mulally Earns $18 Million, Honda Avoids Joint Ventures, Another Toyota Theory

March 23rd, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 7:00

Ford announced that its CEO, Alan Mulally, earned nearly $18 million last year. One of Honda’s top executives says that alliances or joint ventures between car companies leads to a drastic decline in efficiency. All that and more, plus another theory on what’s causing unintended acceleration in Toyotas.

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Episode 353 – Shareholders Sue Toyota, GM Sues Over Replicas, Auction Prices Signal Recovery?

March 22nd, 2010 at 12:29pm

Runtime 9:07

Company shareholders are going to sue Toyota because the price of its stock has gone down. General Motors is suing a company that’s building replicas of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. Could auctions at Amelia Island be a signal the recession is ending? All that and more, plus a look at Infiniti’s latest marketing push.

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Episode 352 – Driver Error To Blame, Car Sales Picking Up, Transit Connect Mail Truck

March 19th, 2010 at 12:11pm

Runtime 8:35

More evidence those runaway Toyotas are nothing more than driver error. Car sales in the American market are starting to head in the right direction. The Canadian Post Office has selected the Ford Transit Connect to replace its national fleet of vehicles. All that and more, plus John Krafcik, the CEO of Hyundai Motors America talks about the kinds of improvements that have gone into the new Hyundai Sonata, including a fairly exotic-looking piston.

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Episode 351 – Geely/Volvo Deal Still On, Lawmakers’ Pricey Leases, 2011 Infiniti M

March 18th, 2010 at 12:18pm

Runtime 9:07

The California Highway Patrol released a report supporting James Sikes’ version of what happened during his infamous runaway Prius incident.  Ford says it’s still wheelin’ and dealin’ with Geely to sell Volvo.  You won’t believe how much money some politicians in Washington are wasting on vehicle leases.  All that and more, plus a look at the brand-new 2011 Infiniti M.

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