Autoline This Week

2013 has been a pretty good year so far for Chrysler’s Ram brand. It started with its 1500 winning the North American Truck of the Year award before unveiling two new Cargo Vans at the Chicago Auto Show. Fred Diaz picked the right time to be in charge of a brand that’s clearly on the move. Join John McElroy and Ram's Fred Diaz along with panelists Scott Burgess from Motor Trend and Car and Driver’s Tony Swan as they talk trucks on Autoline This Week.

Automakers are still hunting for the 21st Century Holy Grail – better known as the next cheap energy source. With the jury still out on petroleum -- and ethanol, electricity and natural gas all having their issues -- what’s a vehicle manufacturer to do? Well some, like our three guests on Autoline This Week, say check out liquid propane. Join host John McElroy along with Wayne Moore from CleanFUEL USA, Ford’s Rob Stevens and Joe Thompson from ROUSH CleanTech for a look at what may be the next great fuel.

Automakers are still hunting for the 21st Century Holy Grail – better known as the next cheap energy source. With the jury still out on petroleum -- and ethanol, electricity and natural gas all having their issues -- what’s a vehicle manufacturer to do? Well some, like our three guests on Autoline This Week, say check out liquid propane. Join host John McElroy along with Wayne Moore from CleanFUEL USA, Ford’s Rob Stevens and Joe Thompson from ROUSH CleanTech for a look at what may be the next great fuel.

I guess when you’ve been a Plant Manager for Chevrolet, a VP of Manufacturing for VW and re-engineered Chrysler’s operations in addition to founding American Axle and Manufacturing, it’s time to write a book. And then when you call it “American Drive” with a subtitle that states “How Manufacturing Will Save Our Country,” you better have the experience to back it up, and Dick Dauch sure does. This week he joins John McElroy, The Detroit News’ columnist Daniel Howes and Jeff Gilbert from CBS radio on Autoline This Week.

Even the home of the UAW wasn’t safe from Right-to-Work legislation. With Michigan’s law taking effect last month that makes nearly half the country covered by the right-to-work umbrella. Just how it will affect unions and the car companies is still up in the air. Join Autoline’s John McElroy along with his panel Kristin Dziczek from CAR, Robert Chiaravalli of Strategic Human Resources and legal expert Gary Klotz from Butzel-Long as they talk about the auto industry and the impact of right-to-work.

Even the home of the UAW wasn’t safe from Right-to-Work legislation. With Michigan’s law taking effect last month that makes nearly half the country covered by the right-to-work umbrella. Just how it will affect unions and the car companies is still up in the air. Join Autoline’s John McElroy along with his panel Kristin Dziczek from CAR, Robert Chiaravalli of Strategic Human Resources and legal expert Gary Klotz from Butzel-Long as they talk about the auto industry and the impact of right-to-work.

Automakers buy from all sorts of suppliers – from global-sized to small “neighborhood” parts producers. It’s a complicated system, especially for purchasing, which is why many of these companies are turning to the Cloud to improve everything from information flow to payment. Joining John McElroy to discuss the advantages and potential dangers of this 21st Century system is Fred Hensel from the number crunchers at KPMG along with Tim Burke from Plex Online with its ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning software and CBS Detroit Technology Editor Matt Roush.

Automakers buy from all sorts of suppliers – from global-sized to small “neighborhood” parts producers. It’s a complicated system, especially for purchasing, which is why many of these companies are turning to the Cloud to improve everything from information flow to payment. Joining John McElroy to discuss the advantages and potential dangers of this 21st Century system is Fred Hensel from the number crunchers at KPMG along with Tim Burke from Plex Online with its ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning software and CBS Detroit Technology Editor Matt Roush.

For more than 100 years, it’s been a man’s world in the auto industry. But if the business leaders from Inforum have anything to say about it, that’s all about to change with programs like “Automotive Next.” On Autoline This Week John McElroy talks to four participants in the program; two professionals – Nancy Gioia from Ford and Maximiliane Straub of Bosch – along with two students – Alicia Luzkow from Michigan State and Laree Gardner from Wayne State, to hear how female executives are helping to mentor young women in the auto industry.

For more than 100 years, it’s been a man’s world in the auto industry. But if the business leaders from Inforum have anything to say about it, that’s all about to change with programs like “Automotive Next.” On Autoline This Week John McElroy talks to four participants in the program; two professionals – Nancy Gioia from Ford and Maximiliane Straub of Bosch – along with two students – Alicia Luzkow from Michigan State and Laree Gardner from Wayne State, to hear how female executives are helping to mentor young women in the auto industry.