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As the racing season gets ready to begin, the After Hours crew thought it would be appropriate to welcome the new director of Ford North America Motorsports on the show. Jamie Allison has worked for the Ford Motor Co. for 22 years in engineering, marketing, as well as Ford racing, but last month he was named to the top spot. We’ve got a lot of racing questions Jamie can answer, but we can’t ignore all of the Toyota issues that have been in the news, so we’ll definitely be talking about that too! John McElroy leads the discussion and is joined by David Welch of BusinessWeek and Bloomberg as well as Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist.

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Another week in the auto industry and we have more stories of triumph and failure. While Ford trumpets mega profits, Toyota finds itself amidst an embarrassing recall and production freeze of millions of vehicles. Meanwhile, Big Ed Whitacre has appointed himself as permanent CEO of GM, and we’re not really sure yet if that’s good or bad. With us to debate these issues and more is a friend of the show who’s really with us every Thursday night, albeit virtually. Eric Trytko, the blogger and podcaster from Rumblestrip.net is normally one of our loyal chat mods, but tonight he’s here in the flesh to weigh in on the discussion. Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and David Welch from BusinessWeek and Bloomberg News also join John McElroy in studio.

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Back in its infancy you may remember this outspoken curmudgeon Autoline After Hours used to have on the program. Then he got a real job. But now, for one special night he’s back. His name is Jason Vines and he’s a PR veteran who has worked for practically every automaker around–Chrysler, Nissan and Ford, just to name a few. Today the conversation ranges from auto show models (and we don’t mean cars) to Ray Charles, so get ready. Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and David Welch from BusinessWeek and Bloomberg News also join John McElroy in studio.

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Well, this was the big week. The North Amer–sorry–Detroit Auto Show has arrived and everyone’s eager to see the future of the auto industry in the shadow of last year’s economic meltdown. GM is at the show with four fewer brands than a year ago, while Fiat brought Chrysler’s new Italian step-siblings in to class up the joint. Meanwhile, the other domestic auto maker, Ford, seems to have owned this year’s show. In to review the show as well as talk about some innovative new engine technology is Don Runkle, the CEO of EcoMotors. Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and David Welch from BusinessWeek and Bloomberg News also join John McElroy in studio.

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It’s the first AAH of the new decade (depending on who you ask) and we’re ready for a dose of automotive rebirth. How convenient, then, that we also find ourselves on the cusp of the 2010 North American International Auto Show, which is in the process of renewal. Doug Fox, Co-Chair of NAIAS joins us to discuss what we can expect at the show this year and what’s new at Cobo Hall. We wonder, is it time for major change for the show by losing the “NAIAS?” And will the EcoXperience still, well, stink? Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and Steve Finlay from Ward’s Dealer Business magazine join John McElroy in studio.

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We’re gathered for our last show of the year and we thought it’d be fun to play a game of “I Spy” with the master, Jim Dunne, legendary spy photographer. Over his 45-year career, Jim brought us many of our first glimpses at new product before they ever hit the auto show floor. Now he’s here to share some of his best tales of automotive espionage. Of course we’ve also got to discuss the tumultuous world of green vehicles of late: Chevy Volt – the Dance, Audi’s De Nysschen says the EV “love affair” has to end and Honda is under pressure after the Civic Hybrid doesn’t meet mileage claims. Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and David Welch from BusinessWeek and Bloomberg News help John McElroy in studio.

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Can you name the real cars hidden by the camouflage and facades in these classic pics taken by master spy photographer Jim Dunne, our guest on Autoline After Hours, Thursday, Dec. 17th? Click the jump below to take the quiz and win a prize.

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The gang is back on home turf after a wild week in Los Angeles, and while the year is winding down, the news certainly is not. And, once again, GM is dominating the headlines as it continues to shuffle its management around with key figures leaving for “personal reasons.” Joining us as a guest panelist to share his years of auto industry expertise is Sandy Munro, a noted expert in design and the president of Munro & Associates. On board once again is Mr. Autoextremist, himself, Peter De Lorenzo and David Welch of BusinessWeek and Bloomberg News.

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We’ve got our sunglasses ready for this episode as we come to you direct from the floor of the 2009 LA Auto Show, and it’s the true After Hours experience as we start our webcast once the floor has been cleared of journalists and PR reps. For this special edition of AAH we bring you three unique personalities: Mark Vaughn of AutoWeek, Karl Brauer of Edmunds.com and Mark Rechtin from Automotive News.

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Another After Hours and we’ve got two fresh faces in the Autoline studio: David Kiley of ICON Creative and Jean Halliday of Ad Age. They join John McElroy and Peter De Lorenzo this week to discuss the news of the week, especially as it relates to marketing. Brilliance Auto in China eyes abandoned Saturn stores. GM posts a huge loss while the other domestics are on the upswing. Chrysler looks for a new ad agency. All that and we answer your questions in Rapid Fire and have a special announcement about our next episode.

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