Episode 757 – VW Already No. 1, MINI Roadster, Renault Pulse Revealed

October 31st, 2011 at 11:55am

Runtime: 7:30

Volkswagen set a goal of becoming No. 1 in the world by 2018, but it looks like the company could get there this year. MINI is introducing a roadster version of its popular small car, its first ever two-seat drop-top. Renault revealed a new small car for the Indian market called the Pulse. All that and more, plus a look at which car companies raked in the most money and had the best profits for the first half of the year.

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Episode 756 – Muller Done with Saab, Caterham Goes to India, Opel is Amped Up

October 28th, 2011 at 11:53am

Runtime: 7:59

Victor Muller has thrown in the towel, agreeing to sell Saab to the Chinese. Caterham wants a piece of the Indian pie as it moves to build cars in the sub-continent. Opel Ampera sales are off to a surprising start. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with J Mays and a walkaround of the Ford Evos.

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Episode 755 – VW’s Awesome Numbers, PSA to Trim Workforce, Ford Ranger Aces Euro NCAP

October 27th, 2011 at 11:51am

Runtime: 6:55

Volkswagen posted astounding numbers in the third quarter, with a HUGE jump in revenue.  French automaker PSA is finally taking steps to reduce its workforce as part of a bid to save money next year.  The 2012 Ford Ranger just aced Euro NCAP’s battery of crash tests.  All that and more, plus a look at a pedestrian safety system from German supplier company Continental.

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Episode 754 – Ford Slips in Q3, Voo-Doo Quality Surveys, Honda Poised for a Comeback

October 26th, 2011 at 12:05pm

Runtime: 8:25

Ford has a good quarter but slips a bit in Europe and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the company takes it on the chin in quality ratings, but are these surveys worth taking seriously? John Mendel from American Honda says the company is about to rebound from losses suffered earlier in the year. All that and more, plus John McElroy answers your comments and questions in You Said It!

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Episode 753 – Chevy’s Z-Spec Screamers, Ford to Restore Dividend, Thailand’s “Dryways”

October 25th, 2011 at 11:30am

Runtime: 7:06

The bowtie brand prepares to make a big splash at SEMA with its Z-Spec small cars. Ford inches toward an investment-grade rating. Thailand highways turn into parking lots, literally. All that and more, plus a look at how BMW is merging high performance and high fuel economy with the new Z4.

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Episode 752 – Cars Remain Economic Bright Spot, Bad News for VW in China, Homemade Tank

October 24th, 2011 at 11:35am

Runtime: 7:11

Car sales continue to be one of the few bright spots in the American economy and the October SAAR is looking up.  Rolls-Royce is expanding its global footprint with plans to open dealerships in Brazil and Chile next year.  Google has set a goal of hitting 1 million miles with its autonomous cars.  All that and more, plus a look at how ZF is making it easy for automakers to electrify vehicles.

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Episode 751 – Car Dealers Fight Back, CAFE Under Attack, Repair Shops Thriving

October 21st, 2011 at 12:16pm

Runtime: 8:45

The National Auto Dealers Association is commissioning a study to see if OEM mandates ever really translate into more sales or higher profits for dealers. New fuel-economy standards proposed by the Obama Administration earlier this year are under attack. People are hanging on to their cars longer. This has been bad news for dealers, automakers and suppliers, but it’s great for repair shops and parts makers. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about what was going on behind-the-scenes when the American auto industry collapsed.

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Episode 750 – Nissan in Grape Danger, Prices Fall as China Cools, 2011 < 2012

October 20th, 2011 at 11:40am

Runtime: 7:33

Argentina is punishing companies that are hurting its trade balance.  Nissan is one of those companies.  Prices for iron ore, aluminum and other commodities are plummeting, and it’s all because of the Chinese economy.  Car sales in the U.S. have steadily increased throughout the year and the top economists at Ford and GM say next year will be even better.  All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 749 – Ford Workers Ratify Contract, Price of Steel Tumbles, Global Supplier Scandal

October 19th, 2011 at 11:52am

Runtime: 7:05

Hourly workers at Ford in the U.S. ratified a new labor contract but now the attention will turn to the voting on the Chrysler contract. The price of steel could fall by nearly $300 a ton compared to its peak in April. Several lawsuits have been filed against suppliers, accusing them of an international price fixing scam involving wire harnesses. All that and more, plus a walk around of the new Fisker Surf with company CEO, Henrik Fisker.

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Episode 748 – Ernst Lieb Axed, VW/Suzuki Drama, Disney Partners with Chevy … Again

October 18th, 2011 at 1:50pm

Runtime: 9:00

In somewhat surprising news, Daimler announced it’s fired the head of Mercedes-Benz USA, Ernst Lieb.  There’s been a lot of drama between Volkswagen and Suzuki lately, and now The Wall Street Journal reports Vee Dub will not sell its 20 percent stake in the Japanese automaker.  Toyota is ready to open its latest plant, located in Blue Springs, Mississippi and home to the 2012 Corolla.  All that and more, plus guest host Sampson Rollomite Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics shares some of his thoughts on America’s strange relationship with hatchbacks.

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