Episode 777 – U.S. Auto Industry Will Add Jobs, VW Cross Coupe Concept, Honda’s Tokyo Reveals

November 30th, 2011 at 12:00pm

Runtime: 8:50

The Center for Automotive Research says that the U.S. auto industry is going to add 190,000 jobs in the next four years. Volkswagen introduced a plug-in hybrid SUV concept at the Tokyo Motor Show called the Cross Coupe. And Honda unveiled seven new concepts in Tokyo, all of which are electric. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 776 – NHTSA’s EV Safety Protocols, ‘Yenzilla’ Hammering Japanese OEMs, Mazda i-ELOOP

November 29th, 2011 at 11:30am

Runtime: 7:37

General Motors is in full-blown damage control over reports that the batteries in the Chevy Volt caught fire after a crash test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Japanese automakers are getting hammered by the strength of the yen, and things could get a lot worse.  Mazda just introduced a new regenerative braking system called i-ELOOP.  All that and more, plus John reviews the movie “Revenge of the Electric Car.”

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Episode 775 – Chevy Volt Under Fire, Toyota GT 86 Revealed, Daimler Will Axe Maybach

November 28th, 2011 at 11:50am

Runtime: 8:25

Further crash tests on the Chevy Volt by NHTSA found that the battery could catch fire in certain circumstances. Toyota finally revealed its new rear-wheel-drive sports car, called the GT 86. Daimler announced it will drop the Maybach brand since it was unable to turn a profit in nearly a decade. All that and more, plus a look at the new BMW X3.

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Episode 774 – Mazda Manufacturing in Mexico, China Catching Up in Safety, Used Car Market Strong

November 23rd, 2011 at 11:30am

Runtime: 7:45

Mazda is moving production out of Japan to Mexico because of the strong value of the yen and the number of free-trade agreements Mexico has. Chinese automakers are starting to learn how to make safer cars. The Geely Emgrand EC7 and the MG6 were awarded four stars in the latest Euro NCAP tests. The used-car market in the U.S. remains strong and in some cases second-hand vehicles are not depreciating in value. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Episode 773 – Soave Swept From Fiat, Opel’s Three Musketeers, Volt’s Chinese Price Tag

November 22nd, 2011 at 11:45am

Runtime: 9:40

In a move that probably did not surprise anyone, Laura Soave was let go as head of the Fiat car brand in the American market.  Speaking of personnel moves, General Motors appointed its vice chairman, Steve Girsky, as the chairman of the supervisory board of Opel.  If you thought that the Volt is expensive here in the U.S., good thing you don’t live in China!  All that and more plus a review of the new Chevrolet Sonic.

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Episode 772 – Sales Drop in China, Ford Adds New Powertrains in China, Camaro ZL1 Aerodynamics

November 21st, 2011 at 12:00pm

Runtime: 9:15

Car sales in China have been slowing all year and now the drop in sales is even hitting the luxury segment. But even with the slow down, China is still the biggest market in the world and that’s why Ford just announced plans to introduce 20 new engines and transmissions in the country. GM is considering a simple midsize work truck for the U.S. All that and more, plus a look at how Chevy makes the ZL1 Camaro slice through the wind.

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Episode 771 – Fit EV for Lease Only, Sales Estimates Differ, BMW Invests in Composite Company

November 18th, 2011 at 12:00pm

Runtime: 8:22

The electric version of the Honda Fit will only be available for lease in select cities in the U.S. GM’s sales chief in the U.S. says sales in 2012 won’t grow that much. Conversely, J.D. Power says next year’s sales rate could hit 14 million units. BMW just bought a 15 percent stake in a company called SGL Carbon, a maker of lightweight materials. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week all about the most recent UAW contract negotiations.

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Episode 770 – More L.A. News, Fuel Economy Rules Are Official, Showroom Traffic Up

November 17th, 2011 at 12:50pm

Runtime: 9:05

More news from the L.A. Auto Show: Honda unwraps its latest CR-V; Lincoln shows off its updated MKS and MKT models; and Hyundai reveals its new Azera.  The much-talked-about new fuel-economy rules in the U.S. are official.  In a good bit of news for the industry, dealership showroom traffic is up.  All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, sounds off on Fiat’s troubles.

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Episode 769 – Cadillac XTS Unveiled, New Ford Escape, GM Says SAAR Could Hit 14 Million

November 16th, 2011 at 12:05pm

Runtime: 8:43

We’ve got a couple unveils from the L.A. Auto Show. Cadillac finally showed off the new XTS, which replaces the DTS and STS in the line-up. And Ford debuted the all-new Escape, which comes with a host of new features. GM’s VP of U.S. Sales says this month’s seasonally adjusted annual rate, or SAAR, could hit 14 million units. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera.

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Episode 768 – Survey Says: Americans Want Fuel Economy, Fiat 500 Failing, 2013 Ford Mustang

November 15th, 2011 at 1:00pm

Runtime: 8:35

Consumer Reports conducted another survey asking Americans if they are in favor of higher fuel-economy standards, and guess what?  Of course they are!  Sales of the Fiat 500 are going slow in the American market, in fact Ward’s data shows there was a 30 percent decline in October compared to September.  Ford is making some big changes to the Mustang for the 2013 model year.  All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.

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