Autoline This Week - Video

People When you talk cars, ask any executive, engineer or even dealer and they will all probably tell you that they're in the auto business. But ask arguably the most successful car salesman in history, Jim Dollinger, and he tells you that he is in the "people" business. That's because he targets building a relationship with a customer rather than just "moving metal," and it's worked pretty well for him; six straight years as the number one Buick salesperson on the planet. Of course with those sorts of credentials you'd think he'd be a beloved figure within General Motors. Well you'd be wrong. Over the years, internal GM descriptions of Dollinger have ranged from gadfly to thorn-in-the-side to today's PG-13 branding of pain-in-the-a**. He describes himself as a shareholder activist who believes that GM has been on the wrong path for years. And he says he knew that by talking to "the people." Joining John on this week's panel to discuss where GM went wrong is David Kiley of BusinessWeek and Paul Eisenstein of The Detroit Bureau.

Bulking Up When athletes look to add body mass many turn to an increase of their carb intake. When the largest car market in America looks to "bulk up" vehicle emissions, it turns to a different kind of carb, the California Air Resources Board. Known around the industry by its acronym CARB, this influential board's mission is to reduce air pollutants which of course affect drivers and automakers alike. This week in an Autoline Exclusive, John talks to CARB's Deputy Director Tom Cackette from his office in Sacramento via the Internet communications tool, Skype. Dominating the discussion is the future of auto emission regulations not only in California but across the country and throughout the world. Afterwards, John is joined back in the Autoline studio by Jim Harbour to discuss his career in the auto industry that's captured in the new book, "Factory Man." Mr. Harbour, who in addition to his role as a Big Three auto executive, is also the founder of the influential eponymously-named manufacturing analytic, "The Harbour Report."

While there’s been a lot of press on Chrysler’s bankruptcy, not much has been said about what impact bankruptcy will have on Chrysler’s suppliers. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John and his guests discuss what the outlook is for suppliers and if Fiat’s suppliers have a chance to enter North America now that it is allied with Chrysler. Also talked about during the discussion is what impact bankruptcy will have on states where Chrysler operates. Joining John in the discussion are Kate Linebaugh of the Wall Street Journal and Craig Fitzgerald from Plante & Moran.

Starburst The sweet tooth crowd knows it as candy. For star gazers it's a gaseous collision in space. And now the financial failings at Chrysler have given the automotive world its own unique version of the noun, Pentastarburst! This nearly 85-year old company has seen troubled times before and has always cheated financial death. And though it might have done it again, this time it's not without some major consequences for everyone involved. Who knows if its famous Pentastar logo, by the end of it all, might not even lose a triangle or two. Joining John on his Chrysler panel to discuss the bankruptcy and where the company goes from here are representatives from the accounting, analyst & journalism worlds. Craig Fitzgerald is a partner from Plante & Moran, Jim Hall is a veteran auto observer from 2953 Analytics, and finally Kate Linebaugh, covers the auto industry for the Wall Street Journal.

One of the hottest brands in the luxury segment right now is Audi. After making strides in Europe and China, the company now appears to be on the verge of a breakout in the United States. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy talks with the man in charge of Audi of America, Johan de Nysschen. They discuss Audi’s participation in the American Le Mans series and whether or not that’s helped Audi’s image in the US. Mr. de Nysschen also discusses how Audi’s marketing has changed in the American market and what its direction will be in the future. Joining John in the discussion are Scott Burgess from the Detroit News, and David Welch from BusinessWeek magazine.

Ring Leader In the past when you talked of the North American luxury car market two names always jumped to the head of the class, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. But these days there's a bona fide third manufacturer in the mix, Audi. For the last few years, the high-end brother of the Volkswagen brand has been making its move in the American market with a fleet of freshly designed performance-based cars that have heads turning across the country. The luxury brand known for its four ring emblem has been growing market share in the states even during this sales slump. And that's good news at headquarters as the company prepares to celebrate its centennial this summer. Joining John to discuss the brand, its 100-year heritage and its sizzling new products is Johan de Nysschen, president, Audi of America. Also on the panel are David Welch of BusinessWeek and Scott Burgess of The Detroit News.

Last week the government provided $3.5 billion in aid to auto suppliers that will be funneled through General Motors and Chrysler. But what about Ford’s suppliers, are they in just as much trouble as GM’s and Chrysler’s? On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy sits down to talk with the voice of the supplier industry, Neil De Koker from the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). They discuss the health of Ford’s suppliers and if they need financial aid, how the downturn is affecting suppliers R&D budgets, and also if Chinese suppliers are interested in joining the OESA. Joining John in the discussion are Jewel Gopwani from the Detroit Free Press and Tom Murphy from Ward’s Auto World.

Supply Shock In the economic world, a dramatic change in the price of a commodity or service is known as supply shock. In the automotive world, that same phrase these days might as well mean life support -- what many companies find themselves on. As manufacturers continue to deal with reorgs and slumping sales, the futures of the Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers who provide many of the parts for their cars and trucks are hanging in the balance. Some are waiting for payment, some are waiting for orders, while some are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Doing what he can to prevent that is this week's Autoline guest Neil De Koker, president & CEO of the Original Equipment Supplier Association. The head of OESA since its founding in 1998, Mr. De Koker has nearly 50 years of automotive experience and has seen the industry from all sides. It almost goes without saying that he's never quite seen anything like this. Joining John on his journalist panel are Tom Murphy from Ward's AutoWorld and Jewel Gopwani of the Detroit Free Press.

Sold! In the world of retail there are few sounds as distinctive and final as the auctioneer's exclamation. Whether it's bidding for an original Van Gogh, a special stock cow or a foreclosed HUD home, the traditional English auction ends with the familiar sound of an emphatic "sold." And that shout is heard across America on a variety of goods. However one auction that shies away from the public spotlight, yet has a dramatic impact on so many of our lives, is the auto auction. Not the televised high-end ones with six-figure collector cars but those that fill dealer lots each week with the late model used that we all shop for. This week on Autoline John McElroy takes you on a tour of the auction process as the world's largest dealer Manheim opens its doors exclusively to Autoline. There you'll witness a vital part of the automotive life cycle that is normally closed to the buying public. Meanwhile back in the studio, John sits down with Manheim's Chief Economist Tom Webb to discuss not only his company's remarketing -- as Manheim calls it -- of vehicles but also his unique perspective on the goings-on in today's automotive industry. And finally, John takes a longer look at this week's New York Auto Show surprise authored by GM: Project P.U.M.A. -- the electric self-balancing son of Segway that's so, so much more.

March auto sales were released earlier this week and even though they were higher than February, sales were still off by over 30% from a year ago. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA John McElroy and his panel discuss what number the annualized sales rate needs to be for the industry to be profitable and when it’s expected to reach that number. Also discussed is the "Cash for Clunkers" proposal and whether or not that would help give auto sales a shot in the arm. Joining John in the discussion are John Stoll from the Wall Street Journal, Tom Walsh of the Detroit Free Press and Michael Robinet of CSM Worldwide.

The Brothers Grimm Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm are the 19th century German authors who brought stories like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White to life. Yet their authorship seemed lost to the majority once Walt Disney got involved. Walt put those stories to film, the legend exploded, and the Grimm’s became but credits in these 'Disney' branded fantasies. To some degree Chrysler and General Motors could become this year's version of the Brothers Grimm. As each company struggles to successfully reorganize, there will no doubt develop a lengthy list of questions as to whom and what will remain in the wake at each. Those answers will most likely come courtesy of the White House. The same White House that will surely take credit for any rebirth of these brands. The same White House that GM and Chrysler might start referring to as 'Walt.' This week on Autoline join John McElroy, John Stoll from the Wall Street Journal, Tom Walsh from the Detroit Free Press and Michael Robinet of CSM Worldwide as they discuss the ramifications of the White House's automotive edict.

After nearly forty years in the music business, Tony Bongiovi is bringing his engineering prowess to the car with a revolutionary breakthrough that uses software to transform the standard radio in a car into a premium sound system. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, watch Mr. Bongiovi demonstrate his sound system.

Tony Bongiovi is a veteran in the music business and he’s bringing his ear for sound into the car with software that can transform a standard radio into a premium system. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, Mr. Bongiovi tells his fascinating journey through the music industry of the '60s and '70s with Motown, Record Plant, Media Sound and his own Power Station studios.

The Button iPhone this. Touch screen that. Today we find ourselves in the middle of a design metamorphosis. The conventional button, which used to be king from kitchen to computer to car, is increasingly becoming the 21st century's version of the dinosaur replaced by so many touch pads and Sof-touch photoelectric switches. But this week's Autoline spotlights two men and their organizations who are bringing the button back into vogue, at least in the car. The first is that little blue button on the rearview mirror of so many General Motors vehicles which, of course, is for OnStar. OnStar is the subscription-based communications service that caters to a car and its driver in a variety of ways. Chet Huber, the company's president, sits down with John to discuss the technology, services and as well as its budding competition. Meanwhile, there's a button that's changing car audio as we know it and it belongs to someone named "Bongiovi." No, not the rock star Bon Jovi but his second cousin who kept the original family name and became a famous record producer in his own right. After nearly forty years in the music business, Tony Bongiovi is brining his engineering prowess to the car with a revolutionary breakthrough that uses software to transform the standard radio in a car into a premium sound system. He talks to John about his new product which you can also see and hear work in a short demonstration in Autoline EXTRA. And to hear more about Tony Bongiovi's fascinating journey through the music industry of the '60s and '70s with Motown, Record Plant, Media Sound and his own Power Station studios, click on Autoline EXTRA.

Join Autoline correspondent Isaac Bouchard on this edition of Autoline Extra as he reports from Tesla headquarters in Menlo Park, California. Isaac will take you around the company’s campus, its sales showroom and where the electric vehicle is manufactured. Then Isaac takes the Roadster around for a spin and he shares his driving impressions of the vehicle.