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Autoline fans Bajabusta and Miradart have posted a “nifty” little video on YouTube detailing the development of the Vega – Chevy’s small car from the 1970s. This feature is from an old TV show called Car & Track. It shows in detail how GM designed, tested and manufactured the Vega. It’s amazing to see stuff like this because it’s a reminder of just how far we’ve come in the last 40 years.

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German supplier Continental makes all kinds of different automotive components like sensors and actuators. Many of these parts are necessary, but fairly unglamorous. The average car buyer never sees any of them — but Conti also makes things that drivers interact with everyday, like switches and display screens. One new technology under development aims to give car designers greater freedom over what they can do with vehicle interiors.

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Ford recently took the wraps off its all-new 2011 Explorer, and it’s easy to see why they’re excited about it. The new Explorer is much better in every way, a technically sophisticated and dramatically more efficient vehicle with light-years better driving dynamics thrown-in for good measure. But saying all of that, it’s a vehicle that almost didn’t see the light of day.

If you weren’t a part of Monday’s great “Open Line” discussion on anything and everything automotive, Michelle Naranjo of MissMotorMouth.com has a taste of what you missed! And, don’t forget to check out the next discussion right here at 8PM ET / 5PM PT on August 30, 2010. Phone: 1-218-936-6581 and PIN: 13942

Last week’s Open Line show took a turn for the “even more interesting” than usual! As the callers suggested potential cars for one of the regulars, the discussion took a moved toward the actual state of car buying needs in North America and how regional variations could dictate which models are sold in certain areas. Public transportation, or lack thereof, came in as a huge determining factor, and it was probably the first time that hybrids and EVs were discussed on the show in a positive and considerate light.

Of course, some of the typical discussions also came up: why is the Fiesta not selling as well as expected? What are the highs and lows of buying vintage cars? Why do some people hoard cars? How do the sneak peaks of the new Charger look? When will we really see Fiat in dealerships? How much of the new Saab 9-2 was Spyker design? How is GM to blame for the Volvo XC90s with faulty transmissions in ongoing class action lawsuits?

One of our favorite callers, Jonathan Brown, reported on the CTS-V Coupe event that he attended and he explained why he wouldn’t trade his Corvette or his CTS for the new Coupe.

It was a lively evening of discussion that went into the wee hours, and, as usual, my sidekick Miradart and I both appreciate everyone who participated and are looking forward to this week’s show! Join us right here!

~Michelle Naranjo, MissMotorMouth.com

Open Line for August 30, 2010:
Phone – 1-218-936-6581
PIN – 13942

Thanks to our partners: GMInsideNews.com, AllPar.com and BlueOvalNews.com

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This week we invite Joe Serra on the AAH stage to talk dealerships. As a dealer principal, Joe has seen a lot in the past couple of years, and we’ll be asking him how business is and what kinds of cars are moving out of the lots these days. As usual, we’ll review some of the most interesting news of the week including the possibility of VW buying Alfa Romeo. Also, Chris Perry, formerly of Hyundai, is tapped to run Chevrolet marketing, and speaking of Hyundai, John recently got some seat time in the new Equus, so we’ll see what he has to say about that. John McElroy’s in studio with Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and David Welch from Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

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On a recent tour of Germany we stopped in to see what the supplier company Continental is up to. We got to see all kinds of new technology, and we also got a chance to drive some of the vehicles that use it. Craig Cole took a quick spin in the Tata Nano and here’s what it’s like behind the wheel of the world’s cheapest car.

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(Archived video and chat after the jump below)

This week we bring you a very-special episode of Autoline After Hours from Woodward Avenue, home of the annual Dream Cruise, the biggest one-day automotive event in the world. Joining host John McElroy is the Autoextremist himself, Peter De Lorenzo. Together they check out some of the coolest classic cars on the street as well as some of the hottest performance machines available today . . . plus a whole lot more! Join us for this special two-hour installment of Autoline After Hours broadcasting from historic Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Michigan.

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This year’s special Autoline After Hours LIVE from Woodward Avenue will be here before you know it, and you’re invited to be a part of the fun! For this unique event, we’ll divert a little bit from our traditional Autoline After Hours schedule. We’ll be broadcasting LIVE from Balmoral Centre, 32121 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, Michigan on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 from 5:45-8PM ET.

Join us on the web or in person to enjoy the cars and meet other AAH fans.

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This week we invite Chris de Boer, head of R&D at Transonic Combustion to join us in the AAH studio. We’ll be asking him if his technology is really the big breakthrough we’ve been waiting for, and how he can get 30% better fuel economy just by changing the fuel injection. As always we’ll get into the big news of the week including GM’s announcement that Big Ed Whitacre will be stepping down as CEO. Plus, Chrysler and GM both posted profits this week, and–can you believe it–the U.S. Department of Transportation found no electronic flaws in Toyotas. John McElroy’s in studio with Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and Jim Hall from 2953 Analytics.

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Mitsubishi is a company that is going nowhere. But could the Lancer Ralliart finally help the company get back to its roots and become successful again? A look at the bold styling and powertrain under the hood indicates that it might just be headed in the right direction.