Autoline This Week - Audio

Detroit used to be known as the Arsenal of Democracy. Not so much anymore. Now the U.S. military would like a lot more engagement from automakers and automotive suppliers. On Autoline This Week, the panel discusses the business opportunities the auto industry can pursue and how it can go about doing it.

The coronavirus crisis is wreaking havoc in the automotive industry. It’s never been through anything quite like this before, not even in wartime. What is the outlook for the industry, how can it respond and when can it get back to normal? Though the situation is still in a state of flux, three automotive experts provide their insights as to what may lie ahead for automakers, suppliers and dealers.

Automakers are equipping cars with ADAS, or advanced driver assistance systems, including radar, sonar and video cameras. This is the technology that can make cars safer with blind spot detection, automated emergency braking and lane keeping. But if your car gets bent up in an accident, who’s going to make sure these sensors are properly aimed and calibrated? In collaboration with I-CAR, the independent collision auto repair association, we have three automotive repair experts weighing in on what the industry needs to do to make sure ADAS technology truly keeps your car safe.

Automakers have to sell electric cars. It’s the law. But so far EVs only account for 1.4 percent of all new car sales. So how can automakers grow the EV segment? Escalent is a research firm that’s identified six different groups of new car buyers and what motivates them to buy a new car. You might be surprised by its findings because “saving the environment” is not high on their list. Instead, automakers need to key in on other attributes, which is the topic of this show’s discussion.

For over a century, cars were all about nuts and bolts and stamping and welding. Not anymore. Today, the automobile is going through an electronic metamorphosis that is going to transform the driving experience. How far will it go, how fast will it happen and can the traditional auto industry keep up with the change?

Some experts say we’re on the verge of a tipping point with electric cars. Other experts say the internal combustion engine will be around until the middle of this century. On Autoline This Week, three reporters from Wards, who intensely cover powertrains and propulsion systems, join us to share what they’ve learned about where the automotive industry is really headed.

There’s a lot of talk about a U.S. manufacturing renaissance. But to make new cars and trucks you need tools, dies, molds and fixtures. And in the U.S., the tool and die industry is under a lot of stress. What will it take to make this vital industrial sector thrive or can it even survive?

Automotive suppliers account for 80% of the parts and components that go into cars. They are also a major source of technological innovation. Right now, they face a lot of financial pressures and economic uncertainty. But if just a few things fall into place, the future could look a lot more optimistic.

Every year, the editors from Wards evaluate the newest engines and propulsion systems from the world’s top automakers. Then they pick what they believe is the best of the best, from V8s to battery electrics to fuel cells. On Autoline This Week, they announce which engines made the list and why they were chosen.

A decade ago, the automotive industry was struggling to recover from the worst recession it had seen in decades. The industry went on to recover, reporting record sales and profits. But as this decade winds to a close, there’s fear and uncertainty as to what lies ahead. On Autoline This Week, four automotive journalists discuss what got us here and where we’re going.

A decade ago, the automotive industry was struggling to recover from the worst recession it had seen in decades. The industry went on to recover, reporting record sales and profits. But as this decade winds to a close, there’s fear and uncertainty as to what lies ahead. On Autoline This Week, four automotive journalists discuss what got us here and where we’re going.

A decade ago, the automotive industry was struggling to recover from the worst recession it had seen in decades. The industry went on to recover, reporting record sales and profits. But as this decade winds to a close, there’s fear and uncertainty as to what lies ahead. On Autoline This Week, four automotive journalists discuss what got us here and where we’re going.

In the past two years, electric scooters have magically appeared in almost every major city in the world. They became instantly popular, yet brought a host of problems with them. How will cities try and manage these scooters? And what kind of standards will they have to meet? On Autoline This Week, two micro mobility experts discuss the impact these scooters are having.

The UAW says that it’s fighting for jobs and social justice against the Detroit based automakers. At the same time, federal investigators are uncovering a culture of corruption at the union that goes to the very top. On Autoline This Week, three experts on the situation discuss the details and look ahead to what the likely outcome will be.

Fleet sales used to be scorned by many automakers. It was unprofitable and not a sexy part of the business. Today it’s just the opposite. Fleet sales are profitable and are up strong, while retail sales are down. This week’s show is all about how and why it changed.