Autoline Daily

Subscribe - Podcasts Video Podcasts iTunes Zune RSS Audio & Other Options
Autoline Daily

Episode 323 – Toyota Residual Values Drop, Bernhard Back at Mercedes, Prius Recalled in Japan

February 8th, 2010 at 12:09pm

Runtime 7:20

Hyundai’s Chairman, Chung Mong-Koo, has been ordered to pay $60 million for embezzlement.  Toyota’s residual values have dropped because of all of its recent recalls.  Wolfgang Bernhard is back at Mercedes-Benz.  All that and more, plus a look at Ford’s RUTH robot that’s helping the company make better interiors.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 322 – Nader Attacks Toyota, Ford’s Hybrid Brake Problem, Tough To Find Glitches

February 5th, 2010 at 12:19pm

Runtime 7:47

Now even Ralph Nader is attacking Toyota. Ford released a technical service bulletin for its Fusion and Milan hybrids over a potential braking issue. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s Autoline Detroit about just how complicated it could be for any automaker to track down electronic glitches in a car.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 321 – More Trouble for Toyota, Pope Interferes in Fiat’s Affairs, Chinese in Australia

February 4th, 2010 at 12:19pm

Runtime 8:06

Toyota is running into more trouble.  Federal investigators are looking into sudden acceleration claims on the Tacoma, plus Prius braking performance is in question.  Sergio Marchionne gets scolded by the Pope for closing a plant in Italy.  Chinese automakers Geely and Chery will start selling cars in Australia this year.  All that and more, plus we take a look at a different way of measuring a vehicle’s performance.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 320 – Ford Gains On Toyota, Nissan Nearly Had #1 Car, GM’s Numbers Impressive

February 3rd, 2010 at 12:20pm

Runtime 7:13

Ford and other automakers take advantage of Toyota’s problems. Nissan came within a whisker of capturing the “best-selling car in America” title. GM turns in an impressive sales performance for January. All that and more, plus John responds to viewer comments about the Toyota recall in the “You Said It!” segment.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 319 – Toyota Expansion NOT To Blame, Brazilian Sales Plummet, Saab Profitable in 2012?

February 2nd, 2010 at 12:05pm

Runtime 6:43

Toyota denies that rapid global expansion is to blame for its recent quality issues.  Spyker says it will make Saab profitable in two years by moving the brand up market and targeting BMW and Audi.  New car sales in Brazil tumbled 27 percent last month compared to December.  All that and more, plus we take a drive down memory lane with some amazing photographs.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 318 – Toyota’s Troubles Just Begin, Tesla May Go Public, Small Sales Losses in 2009

February 1st, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime 7:16

Toyota says it has a fix for sticking gas pedals but its problems are just beginning. Tesla might do an Initial Public Offering. Believe it or not, on a global basis, car sales barely fell at all last year. All that and more, plus a look at some issues John recently ran into on the Lincoln MKS.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 317 – Toyota In The Crosshairs, China To Keep Growing, VW Creates New Division

January 29th, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime7:45

America’s lawyers and politicians line up to take on Toyota. Car sales in China could hit 15 million this year with help from government incentives and rising incomes in the country. Volkswagen will establish its own high-performance division like Mercedes’ AMG or BMW’s M. All that and more, plus a preview of t his week’s Autoline Detroit about whether or not the government should be picking winners and losers when it comes to alternative cars and energy, or if it should be the market making those decisions?

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 316 – Ford Posts Huge Profit, Toyota’s Recall Spreads, Renault Launches TV Channel

January 28th, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime7:02

Ford was able to post a net profit of $2.7 billion last year. Toyota’s recall spreads to China and Europe. Renault launches its own television channel in France. All that and more, plus a look at a unique business model from an upstart Korean company, called CT&T, that’s getting into the EV market.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 315 – Toyota Halts U.S. Sales, China May Tax Emissions, Crustaceans Improve Car Odor

January 27th, 2010 at 12:00pm

Runtime7:21

Toyota is suspending sales and production of eight of its top-selling models in the U.S. The Chinese government is considering taxing vehicle emissions. Researchers are using crabs and shrimp to create odor-repellent textiles for cars. All that and more, plus John answers viewer questions about Delphi and Mitsubishi in the “You Said It!” segment.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »

Episode 314 – GM To Make Electric Motors, Ford Adds Shift, Mitsubishi To Double U.S. Sales

January 26th, 2010 at 11:15am

Runtime 6:27

General Motors will become the first automaker to design and manufacture electric motors. Ford announced it will add a shift at its plant in Chicago to build the new Explorer. Mitsubishi says it plans to double sales in the U.S. within the next three years. All that and more, plus John sits down with internet entrepreneur Jason Calacanis to talk about the future of green energy in the United States.

Transcript and Story Links after the jump . . .

continue reading »