Autoline This Week - Video

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.

The North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) jury comprises roughly 50 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada. Every year they vote on the best new cars, trucks and utility vehicles that came out in North America. Three of the NACTOY jurors join us on Autoline This Week to discuss the three cars that made it to the finalists list, as well as some of the cars that did not make the list. They also predict which vehicles will win the awards for best car, truck and utility.

The North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) jury comprises roughly 50 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada. Every year they vote on the best new cars, trucks and utility vehicles that came out in North America. Three of the NACTOY jurors join us on Autoline This Week to discuss the three cars that made it to the finalists list, as well as some of the cars that did not make the list. They also predict which vehicles will win the awards for best car, truck and utility.

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.

Automakers are rushing into a new business opportunity called mobility services. It involves ride hailing, ride sharing, electric scooters and e-bikes. It could even involve passenger drones. But so far no one is making any money on this. So the question is: is there a business case for mobility services?

Import tariffs, electric cars, and over-the-air updates are just some of the issues that could disrupt the automotive retail business. Yet transportation in the United States is still built around the automobile. On this week’s show, Charlie Gilchrist, the chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, talks about how car dealers will adapt to a changing world.

Acura has been around for 30 years but it’s hard to define exactly what the brand stands for. Moreover, Acura only has four volume selling vehicles in its showrooms. This week’s show is all about how Acura is rebuilding itself to become a true performance brand and where it plans to expand its model lineup.

The USMCA, the trade agreement that was negotiated to replace NAFTA, was supposed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. But will it? Right now, the trade pact is stuck in Congress and could be stuck there for some time. On Autoline This Week, three trade experts discuss how it will impact the auto industry if and when it’s enacted.