Episode 468 – Chrysler Reveals More Fiat News, Opel Plans Global Expansion, New Window Stickers

August 31st, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 7:12

Chrysler reveals more of its plans for Fiat in the U.S., and some important numbers like sales and pricing leak out.  Opel is planning to expand globally, entering Australia and South-American markets.  The U.S. EPA is aiming to make it easier for consumers to compare fuel-economy ratings between different vehicles by introducing a new-type of window sticker.  All that and more, plus we take a look at the recently redesigned Saab 9-5 . . . from a designer’s perspective.

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Episode 467 – Global Car Sales Slow Down, Weird Styling Doesn’t Sell, Citroën DS4

August 30th, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 8:19

Even though global sales hit just over 43 million units through July compared to 2009, they were down compared to June and analysts expect sales to continue to slide. We take a look at some vehicles that aren’t selling well because of their unusual designs. Citroën released details about its new vehicle, the DS4, ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts on who he thinks would be the perfect person to run GM.

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Episode 466 – OEMs Against E15, Afghan Troops Need Driver Training, Chevy Orlando Preview

August 27th, 2010 at 12:15pm

Runtime 7:08

Automakers are trying to stall efforts to allow the ethanol blend rate to rise to 15 percent. Afghan troops find that their biggest enemies are their own driving skills. Chevrolet pulls the covers off the production-version of the Chevy Orlando. All that and more, plus Ford’s Lewis Booth talks about the lessons the company has learned while climbing its way back toward the top.

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Episode 465 – Traffic Accidents = $99B, New Steel Stops Jaws of Life, Ford’s Reptilian Stowaway

August 26th, 2010 at 12:38pm

Runtime 8:31

A study just released by the Centers for Disease Control shows that the annual cost of vehicle crashes in the U.S. at more than $99 billion!  The boron steel modern cars are made out of is so strong that the “Jaws of Life” used by most emergency crews cannot cut through it.  Ford has an iguana problem at its transmission plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the You Said It! segment.

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Episode 464 – Cash-For-Clunkers Fraud Uncovered, Moscow Motor Show Reveals, Zeroshift Gearbox

August 25th, 2010 at 12:30pm

Runtime 7:56

The U.S. federal government is investigating at least 20 dealerships that may have violated the rules of last year’s cash-for-clunkers program.  Hyundai and Renault reveal a couple new cars at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show.  BYD is in trouble with the Chinese government for illegally building factories on farmland.  All that and more, plus guest-host Jim Hall sounds off on some of the perks and pitfalls of electric vehicles.

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Episode 463 – Some Dealers Cool To Cinquecento, U.S. Gasoline Consumption Falls, Toyota Retools

August 24th, 2010 at 12:19pm

Runtime 7:19

Some Chrysler dealers in the U.S. are less enthusiastic about the Fiat 500 than you’d think.  Woo-hoo, we’re saving the planet!  U.S. gasoline consumption in July fell .03 percent compared to the same time last year.  Toyota is retooling to make its factories more flexible.  All that and more, plus we drive the 2011 Ford Edge.

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Episode 462 – VW Wants To Buy Alfa Romeo, 2012 Mercedes CLS, Mahindra Receives EPA Approval

August 23rd, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 8:31

Volkswagen says it is interested in buying Alfa Romeo if it should become available. Mercedes-Benz revealed its brand-new 2012 CLS ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Indian automaker Mahindra has finally been given a green light by the U.S. EPA to sell its diesel pickups in America. All that and more, plus a look at Kia’s voice-activated infotainment system called UVO that is just hitting the market.

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Episode 461 – More Changes At GM, 2011 Jeep Wrangler, Ambient Light Makes Drivers Feel Safe

August 20th, 2010 at 12:08pm

Runtime 7:28

Chevrolet’s marketing chief, Jim Campbell, has been reassigned and was replaced by Chris Perry, the former VP of Marketing at Hyundai. Chrysler released new details about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler which went into production earlier this week. A new study says ambient light makes drivers feel safer behind the wheel. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s Autoline Detroit with Lewis Booth, the Executive Vice President and CFO at the Ford Motor Company.

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Episode 460 – GM Files IPO Paperwork, Kia POP Concept, VW Bringing Phaeton Back To U.S.

August 19th, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 6:33

GM filed the paperwork yesterday to become a publicly traded company again.  Kia released a handful of photos of its latest concept vehicle, called the POP, before its debut at the Paris Motor Show.  Volkswagen is bringing its Phaeton luxury car back to the U.S.  All that and more, plus a look at a Chinese bus concept that drives over the road and above traffic.

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Episode 459 – Porsche Pumps Up the Power, GM Wants Cornerstone Investors, V-8 Hotel is Suite

August 18th, 2010 at 10:00am

Runtime 8:23

Porsche gives you even more than you need . . . for the price of a compact car. General Motors seeks out so-called cornerstone investors as it readies an IPO. A new hotel aimed at auto enthusiasts goes all out. All that and more, plus a look at Mercedes’ redesigned R-Class.

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