AUTO-Biographical: The State of the American Automotive Industry

It seems as if every day there’s a new story about a major automaker having trouble because of the state of the economy, not just in the United States, but worldwide as events build and effects cascade.

• Toyota’s worldwide production is down by 1.3% for the first half of their fiscal year which likely means profits have slumped a little, though they’re still stronger than much of their competition.
• Honda is also feeling the strain. Their North American operating profit dropped 80.6 percent during the third quarter of 2008, and they’ve responded by cutting their outlook for the year.
• Alfa Romeo had planned to bring Alfas to the U.S. in 2010, but has pushed that back to 2011, with planned cars being for the 2012 model year (this marks the third delay – originally the cars were due on these shores in 2005, which then got pushed back to 2007).

Taken separately, these items are unpleasant. Taken together there is cause for alarm, and a sincere wish for some kind of cheap car insurance equivalent available for automobile companies.

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Autoline Daily for October 22, 2008

In today’s episode of Autoline Daily, John discuses:

• BMW comes out with a simpler iDrive
• Kirk Kerkorian is dumping all the shares he bought in Ford
• Automakers are starting to move away from traditional gauges and using virtual displays
• Honda building a plant in Thailand
• “You-SAID-It” – Questions answered from viewers, a new segment on Autoline Detroit’s Autoline Daily

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy

Autoline Daily For October 21, 2008

In today’s episode of Autoline Daily, John discuses:

• Chrysler merger deal could switch to join Nissan-Renault
• Sirius/XM will turn a profit despite the economy situation
• Some GM dealers going out of business hurting GM’s market share
• Rumors about the Toyota iQ
• Chrysler’s electric vehicle
• Insurance companies starting to close loopholes that allow drivers to participate in motorsport events

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy.

Autoline Daily For October 20, 2008

In today’s episode John discuses:

• How GM pushes on with the GM-Chrysler merger talks where they both may need to raise money before anything happens.
• The new Honda Odyssey is introduced in Japan with some new innovative technologies.
• The finalist for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Award are named.
• Luxury car brands are now taking a beating as the U.S. market continues to weaken.

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy.

Electric Mini Cooper – Is it the Real Deal?

Speculations have been made about BMW’s development of a full electric Mini to be produced but it has actually been confirmed and a spy shot of the new electric Mini was taken on the streets of Germany. Experts believe this is a test mule of the soon-to-come electric Mini.

Shown in the image on this post is a Hybrid tag that reads “HYBRID Erprobungsfahrzeug” which means “Hybrid vehicle testing”. Now, with knowing that you probably raise the issue of a “Hybrid” as we know it in America is not a full electric car. So what gives? Actually, this very well could mean it is a derivative of two technologies working together. But if you closely look at the image and talk with the photographer that snapped this photo, you will notice the lack of an exhaust pipe. The exhaust is non-existent on this Mini so that leaves us with the conclusion of this actually being a full electric vehicle.

(Click for full-size image)

Lets hear from you! What do you think? Think the exhaust is hidden somewhere? Do you think this is the real deal electric Mini Cooper?

Autoline Daily Video For October 17, 2008

Today’s highlights include:

• Toyota Builds Microcar
• Harley-Davidson Sales Slump
• GM Gunning for Chrysler – A possible buyout?
• Ford stopping development of 4.4L diesel engine for it’s pick-up trucks

Have a great weekend! Check back Monday morning for the October 20, 2008 Autoline Daily Episode.

Epic Fail: Nissan GT-R Transmission Failure

Epic Fail: Nissan GT-R Transmission Failure Not Covered Under Warranty

So your buddy purchased a new Nissan GT-R and thought he would launch the S*#@! out of it several times just because HE CAN. Now, the transmission has failed after the many unplanned NASA launches and Nissan tells your buddy, “ahh, we are not fixing this under warranty, pay us over $20 grand and we will think about it”. So, the question is… why do you get punished for utilizing an actual feature on a vehicle? It just so happens that you have to void the warranty of a vehicle to accomplish the manufacturer’s performance numbers.

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Autoline Daily Video For October 16, 2008

Autoline Daily Video For October 16, 2008

Today’s highlights include:

• Tesla Closing Facility
• Blogs buzz about new Toyota Prius
• GM and Cerberus Declare War
• Today’s top news stories

Hosted by John McElroy

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