Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CHRYSLER CONSIDERS GETTING BACK INTO BIG RIGS

One of the more intriguing tidbits that dribbled out of Chrysler's grueling 8-hour press conference on Wednesday is that the company is considering getting back into the heavy truck business. They're not talking about heavy duty pick-ups, they're talking about 18-wheelers.

Up until the early 1970's Dodge sold heavy trucks, including semi-tractors. In fact, Dodge trucks were famous the world over. But like GM and Ford, the Chrysler Corporation decided to get out of that business at a time when the commercial truck sector was under pressure.

When times are good heavy trucks generate a significant amount of profits. Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault, Toyota (Hino), Nissan and Mitsubishi (Fuso) are still in the business. But it takes a lot of capital investment to get into and stay in the highly cyclical heavy truck segment, which is why the American car companies abandoned that market years ago.

In this case, the idea to get Chrysler back into the heavy truck market is Fiat's, not Chrysler's. And that is precisely why this could actually happen.

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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline detroitautoline on autoblogAutolineDetroitAutolineOnAutoblogchryslerchrysler big rigchrysler semichrysler trucksChryslerBigRigChryslerSemiChryslerTrucksfeaturedfiativecojohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyFri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline Detroit LIVE with special guest Tom Stephens, GM VC of Global Product Development]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/autoline-detroit-live-with-special-guest-tom-stephens-gm-vc-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/autoline-detroit-live-with-special-guest-tom-stephens-gm-vc-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/autoline-detroit-live-with-special-guest-tom-stephens-gm-vc-of/#commentsFiled under: ,

Join John McElroy and his journalist colleagues for an all-new LIVE webcast discussion with Tom Stephens, GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development. First, you'll get to see a LIVE taping of Autoline Detroit starting at 10AM EST, then we will hand the mic over to the audience, and Tom Stephens will answer your questions coming through the website and our hotline 1-620-288-6546 (1-620-AUTOLIN).

Live Videos by Ustream

Enter your questions into the field above. Note that this chat is only open for questions this morning. General chat and off-topic comments will not be added. Please enter your questions only once, they will start to appear during the viewer Q&A portion later in the show. Thanks! You may also call in a comment or question at 1-620-288-6546 (1-620-AUTOLIN).

Autoline Detroit LIVE with special guest Tom Stephens, GM VC of Global Product Development originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautobloggeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmtom stephensTomStephensMon, 21 Sep 2009 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TOYOTA'S HYBRIDS COULD BE BANNED FROM THE AMERICAN MARKET

In a shocking development Toyota faces a lawsuit filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission that seeks to ban the import of all hybrids to the American market. Toyota is being sued by Paice LLC for patent infringement on its hybrid system.

Before you think this is just a frivolous lawsuit that has no standing whatsoever, consider the fact that Paice has already successfully sued Toyota on five counts of patent infringement, and won on three of them. In April of this year, Paice was awarded by the Federal district court in the Eastern District of Texas a future royalty of $98 for every Prius sold.

Toyota is appealing that verdict, but just to up the ante Paice decided to file its suit with the ITC and go for an all-out ban on all the hybrids the giant Japanese automaker brings into the U.S. market.

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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogfalsejohn mcelroyjohn mcelroy autoblogJohnMcelroyJohnMcelroyAutoblogpriustoyotatoyota priusToyotaPriusThu, 17 Sep 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: ,

BOOM TIMES COMING IN THE USED CAR MARKET

The future looks so bright for the used car market that I'm almost tempted to try and get into that business myself. Even though car dealers are going through tough times trying to sell new vehicles, they are going to more than make up for that on their used car lots.

The reason I'm so bullish on the used car business is that we're facing a looming shortage of good used cars. First off, the new car market has fallen by roughly 7 million units since its peak two years ago. That translates into 7 million fewer trade-ins available in the used car market. And the story gets even more interesting when you start to dig down into those numbers.

Follow the jump to keep reading...

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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyused car buyingused carsUsedCarBuyingUsedCarsFri, 22 May 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/08/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under:

PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT IN THE PISTON ENGINE

There are all kinds of ways to boost the fuel efficiency of a vehicle. Hybrids are becoming more and more popular. Clean diesels seemed poised to make major inroads in the market. And even though they're a ways down the road, hydrogen fuel cells sure look promising.

But the problem with these technologies is that they add considerable cost to a car. Toyota has probably got the cost of its hybrid system down to about $2,500, but that's still a lot of money to add to the cost of the powertrain. At their present level of development, clean diesels probably carry $4,000-$5,000 worth of extra emissions control equipment. And hydrogen fuel cells aren't quite ready for prime time no matter what they cost.

Engine engineers complain to me all the time about these alternative technologies. They say it's unfair to compare what they are doing with gasoline-fueled piston engines to these alternatives. And it all comes down to money. They claim they can achieve comparable performance, emissions, and fuel efficiency at a lot lower cost.

Specifically, they say "Let me add just $1,000 worth of equipment and technology to my engine and let me show you what I can do."

____________________________________________________________________________________

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 May 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyFri, 08 May 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under:

IT'S A FUEL PROBLEM, NOT A FUEL ECONOMY PROBLEM

Every single day, the United States ships $600,000,000 out of the country. That's what it costs us to pay for the oil we buy from other countries at $50 a barrel. It is the single biggest cause of our massive trade deficit.

The U.S. uses roughly 20 million barrels of oil every single day, and about 60% of that is imported. About 10 million of those barrels are used in transportation, including the kinds of cars and trucks you and I drive, plus all the planes, trains, heavy trucks and off-road vehicles in the country.

Yet, our entire effort to reduce our dependence on oil is based on Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations (CAFE). And that only impacts passenger cars and light trucks. In other words, the industry that causes less than 50% of the problem is bearing 100% of the effort to fix it. No other industry is being regulated to reduce our dependence on oil, and that doesn't look like a very effective approach to me.

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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO SYSTEM, ALL THANKS TO SOFTWARE

I just experienced one of the most amazing sound systems that that I ever heard in a car. What makes it so amazing is that it doesn't use a power booster, or equalizer, or better speakers, or anything like that. Instead, it's all done with software.

The inventor of this system is a guy named Tony Bongiovi, a brilliant recording engineer who's worked with a lot of the biggest names in music business: Aerosmith, Talking Heads, the Ramones, and Gloria Gaynor, to name a few. He also launched the career of his second cousin, Jon Bonjovi. He got his start back in the mid-1960s as a 17-year-old high school student from New Jersey who managed to wrangle his way into Motown Records as a recording engineer. That is a story unto itself but too long to recount here.

To hear Tony tell it, he used to drive around a lot of sub-compact rental cars and was always disappointed they did not come with better sound systems. So he set to work to figure out a way to improve the standard radio in the car to make it sound like a premium system. But he knew he had to do it in a low-cost way.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogfeaturedjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyTony BongioviTonyBongioviFri, 27 Mar 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy - 2010 Chevy Camaro Edition!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy-2010-chevy-camaro-editi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy-2010-chevy-camaro-editi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy-2010-chevy-camaro-editi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 CHEVY CAMARO: DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

I'm sure there are a lot of Autobloggers out there who know the specifications of the new Camaro far better than I do. But numbers on paper don't mean much until you experience them through the seat of your pants. So here are my driving impressions of the new Camaro, after spending the better part of a day with four different models, driving them hard over a variety of different roads.

First off, this is unmistakably a Camaro, yet one that looks fresh and modern. It's a powerfully built car that almost has a pugnacious appearance to it. Almost. But the size and proportions are well balanced, and it looks good from every angle. Follow the jump for more.

Come back Monday (3/23) at 12:00PM EST for Autoblog's own First Drive of the 2010 Chevy Camaro. We'll be working on it all weekend, so you won't want to miss it.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.


Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro Driving Impressions by John McElroy

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy - 2010 Chevy Camaro Edition!

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy - 2010 Chevy Camaro Edition! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Chevrolet Camaro2010 Chevy Camaro2010ChevroletCamaro2010ChevyCamaroautolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogCamaroCamaro Driving ImpressionsCamaro First DriveCamaroDrivingImpressionsCamaroFirstDriveChevroletChevrolet CamaroChevroletCamaroChevyChevy CamaroChevyCamarofeaturedjohn mcelroyjohn mcelroy autoblogJohnMcelroyJohnMcelroyAutoblogFri, 20 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/13/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under:

BIG THREE SITTING ON $10 BILLION GOLDMINE

There's no question that the Detroit-based auto industry needs a lot of help. There's a 100-year history of how it got into the problems it's in, and some of those problems are beyond management's control.

But there is one area where General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have total, complete control, and that's in how they deal with their suppliers. While progress has been made in some areas, most supplier CEOs who I know are still frustrated with how the "Big 3" treat them. They tell me there is at least $10 billion in waste that could be eliminated every year if they worked together as true partners instead of at loggerheads.

Remember, more than 70% of the value of a car today is actually designed, developed and manufactured by suppliers, not the car companies. GM purchases roughly $97 billion of materials, components and services from suppliers. Ford buys $90 billion, Chrysler $40 billion. We're talking about a massive amount of money, which potentially means a massive amounts of savings.

Here's how suppliers say the "Big Three" could slash costs and put some of that money back in their pockets.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto supplierauto suppliersauto supply industryautolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogAutoSupplierAutoSuppliersAutoSupplyIndustrybig 3Big3detroit 3Detroit3featuredjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyFri, 13 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: ,

THE AMAZINGLY STUPID DETROIT CITY COUNCIL

Nobody reading this blog needs to be told how much trouble Detroit is in. Whether it's the Detroit Three, the city of Detroit, or the greater Detroit area, the story's the same: we're in trouble!

One of the very few events that provides positive media coverage for Detroit every year is the North American International Auto Show. I'd rate it as one of the top three auto shows in the world. It brings in thousands of members of the media, as well as executives from automakers and suppliers in Europe and Asia. They fill up every hotel for a 40-mile radius. Thanks to the exhibits that get built, the special events that are held, all the restaurant meals that are ordered and all the taxi rides needed to get around, the show brings in a half billion dollars of desperately needed economic activity every year.

The show is held in Cobo Hall, which was built in 1960. Everyone has known for years that it needs to be renovated and expanded, but that's going to take several hundred millions of dollars and the city is broke.

So it's taken years to carefully craft a deal that involves the governor, the state Senate and House, three different county executives, as well as the mayor and the city council of Detroit. But in a stupefying move at the 11th hour, the city council voted 5 to 3 to reject the deal.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline dailyautoline detroitautoline on autoblogAutolineDailyAutolineDetroitAutolineOnAutoblogcobo hallCoboHalldetroitdetroit auto showdetroit city councilDetroitAutoShowDetroitCityCouncilfeaturedjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroynorth american international auto showNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowFri, 27 Feb 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

HYBRID BATTERIES SURPASS ALL EXPECTATIONS

When Toyota's Prius first hit Japanese showrooms in 1997, I was highly skeptical that hybrids would catch on. Not only was the technology really expensive, I thought the nickel-metal hydride batteries would prove to be the Achilles Heel in the system. Sooner or later you'd be facing an expensive replacement bill, right?

Well, here we are more than a decade later and those batteries are proving to be amazingly reliable. Toyota now has sold over 520,000 hybrids in just the American market. Honda has sold over 300,000 worldwide. Ford is just about to break through the 100,000 mark. The only reason they could sell so many hybrids is that the technology is working exactly like it's supposed to, including the batteries.

While these batteries were designed to last 10 years or 150,000 miles, in many cases they're even doing better than that. Ford brags that some Escape hybrid taxis now have anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles on them and are still running strong with the original batteries.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline detroitautoline on autoblogautoline-detroitautolinedetroitautolineonautoblogfeaturedhybrid batteriesHybridBatteriesjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroyFri, 20 Feb 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline Daily LIVE webcast with Ford Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/autoline-daily-live-webcast-with-ford-chief-economist-ellen-hugh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/autoline-daily-live-webcast-with-ford-chief-economist-ellen-hugh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/06/autoline-daily-live-webcast-with-ford-chief-economist-ellen-hugh/#commentsFiled under:

Today at 12:00PM EST, John McElroy of Autoline Daily is hosting a special live webcast with guest Ford Motor Co. Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick. She and John will be discussing her forecast for the American economy and outlook on the automotive market. We've embedded the live webcast after the jump, as viewers will be able to participate in the discussion, submitting comments and questions throughout the hour-long chat. Follow the jump to join the discussion.

Continue reading Autoline Daily LIVE webcast with Ford Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick

Autoline Daily LIVE webcast with Ford Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline dailyautoline detroitAutolineDailyAutolineDetroitEllen Hughes-CromwickEllenHughes-cromwickFri, 06 Feb 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: ,

DETROIT AND OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE

In all this debate about whether we should provide the Big Three with a bridge loan, not enough attention has been devoted to their impact on our national defense. I'd hate to see this country ever get involved in a total global war again, but I especially shudder to think it might happen without the manufacturing capability that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler provide to the United States.

Some people say the Detroit 3 no longer play much of a role in making armaments for the American military. And that's true. But then again, except in time of war, they never have.

Prior to World War I, American automakers were way more interested in making cars for a booming market than they were in diverting resources to military matters. But after the United States entered the war they became intricately involved in the effort.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FORD REPORT: DIESEL VS. HCCI VS. STRATIFIED CHARGE

To hear Ford's CTO tell it, all these painful layoffs and budget cuts going on at the company can actually be beneficial. "It gets you really focused on what's really necessary," says Gerhard Schmidt, the Chief Technology Officer at Ford.

Ford now evaluates its R&D efforts by comparing the money it spends to the percentage of fuel economy improvements it gets. "This makes you structure your portfolio for what's really key, not just what's interesting to explore," he says.

So Ford is taking a very safe, but very sound approach to the technology it's developing. And its goal is to make that technology affordable for the masses. "Henry Ford didn't invent the combustion engine," says Schmidt, "but he made it available to everybody."

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why I Still Support Those Boneheads at the Big Three

What a week it was. Or maybe I should say, I can't believe how weak it was.

The CEOs of the Big Three and the president of the UAW showed up in Washington last Tuesday to plead their case for a bailout. But by Thursday they had managed to turn most the country against them. Even their most ardent supporters were at their wits end.

In short, their testimony was a disaster. They hemmed and hawed. They mumbled and stumbled. They skirted the questions. And even when we did learn some interesting facts and figures, the Senators at the hearing had to pry it out of them with crow bars.

Worse yet, they exhibited zero leadership, no salesmanship, and were completely unpersuasive. No wonder they can't sell cars. These guys couldn't give away free ice cream cones to a kindergarten class.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoline detroitAutolineDetroitbig 3 bailoutBig3Bailoutfeaturedjohn mcelroyjohn mcelroy autoblogJohnMcelroyJohnMcelroyAutoblogTue, 25 Nov 2008 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

GM IS ON ITS LAST LEGS

There is only one number that really matters in today's financial report from General Motors: how much cash it has in the kitty. And the answer is, not enough. GM is now burning through its cash reserves at a rate that will run short before Christmas.

Every month GM spends $13 billion to pay all the bills that keep the company running. And it has to pay out even more on top of that to meet other obligations, like paying the UAW for the VEBA or bailing out Delphi. Like all other companies, GM keeps a reserve of cash on hand that it can dip into when it doesn't sell enough new cars to get the money to pay its bills. But that cash reserve is running out fast.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

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Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WHAT IF GM COLLAPSES?

Anyone watching the auto industry these days is acutely aware that General Motors is hurtling towards disaster. It's burning through cash reserves at a rate that will put it in Chapter 11 sometime next year, no matter how much management says "that's not an option." It's still being crushed by its legacy costs, yes, even after concessions from the UAW. And it just witnessed its own finance arm, GMAC, essentially pull out of the automotive lending business.

What was an emergency just a month ago has now blossomed into a full blown crisis. Unless something is done quickly, General Motors could collapse.

This is why we're hearing talks of a potential GM-Chrysler merger, and of a bailout from the Federal Government.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

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Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QUALITY PROBLEMS WITH QUALITY RATINGS

Pity the poor car buyer who wants to be a smart consumer and reads all the quality studies before going to the showroom. How do you know what to believe?

For example, Consumer Reports' Reliability Survey gives props to the Scion xD. But Strategic Vision's Total Quality Award gives props to the Scion xB. And J.D. Power puts Scion near the bottom of the list of its Vehicle Dependability Survey. Who do you believe?

The problem is that these studies all measure different aspects of quality. Unfortunately, the mass media doesn't have time to delve into these distinctions and so all we get is their sound-bite analysis. Their favorite is that the Detroit Three are lagging behind the "foreign automakers" in quality.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

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Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM-CHRYSLER, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

The headlines say General Motors is feverishly putting a plan together to take over Chrysler. From my standpoint, only two theories can explain why this is happening. Either the billionaire boys from Cerberus have a master plan to revamp the American auto industry, or they are in so far over their heads that they don't know what they're doing. More on that in a minute.

If GM does take over Chrysler, then Walter P. Chrysler will be turning in his grave. After all, Walter P. quit GM back in 1919 because he didn't like the direction in which the company was going, and later went on to start the company that still bears his name.

A takeover of Chrysler will be the kiss of death for the company. The only way GM can justify taking it over will be to take an axe to its operations. You think Chrysler has shriveled to a shadow of its former self over the last two years? You ain't seen nothin' yet.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers. Follow the jump to continue reading this week's editorial.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today marks the debut episode of John McElroy's latest project: Autoline Daily. You may know John as host of Autoline Detroit on TV or as an Autoblog contributor with his weekly "Autoline on Autoblog" editorials. A true industry insider, John and his production company, Blue Sky Productions, have developed this new outlet for their talents that can be seen right here on Autoblog. Every day around noon we'll bring you a new episode of Autoline Daily in our permanent video player, which can be found in the right column of Autoblog.com. John will deliver the daily automotive news in six minutes of high-quality streaming video, and don't be surprised if you see Autoblog cited as a source every now and then. Check out the first episode above and let us, and John, know what you think in the comments.

[Source: Autolinedetroit.tv]

John McElroy debuts Autoline Daily, and you can watch it here every day! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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