Jeff Gilbert's Tales From The Auto Beat

August 17, 2018:  As the Woodward Dream Cruise arrives, Ford shows off a fiftyth anniversary Cobra Jet Mustang, and honors the buyer of the very first Mustang. Meanwhile, we get to drive Mustang number 10 million. Elon Musk tells more about how he could take Tesla private.  2018 is shaping up to be a banner year for pickups. Who's afraid of self-driving cars?

August 10, 2018:  The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety raises some concerns about the public understanding on automated vehicles.  A new study says those self driving cars may not take your job. We go one-on-one with the head of NHTSA on fuel economy.  Ford celebrates 10 million Mustangs.  Dodge celebrates modern muscle.

August 3, 2018:  We talk to the movers and shakers who spoke at, and attended one of the biggest auto conferences of the year. We look at mobility, trade, autonomy, fuel economy, sales and the other big issues that are creating a lot of uncertainty as we enter the second half of 2018. This is a speical "podcast version" of a special program that ran on WWJ August 2nd.

July 27, 2018:  A change at the top at Fiat Chrysler, after the death of the companys CEO.  We hear from experts--and new CEO Mike Manley. Auto earnings raise concerns.  The auto show moves.  GM tries a new mobility project, and we get ready for one of the most important auto conferences of the year.

August 20, 2018:  Industry concerned that a trade war could cost jobs, raise vehicle prices.  PSA moves forward with its plans to return to the U.S.--if the trade enviorment cooperates. Fiat Chrysler has a unique health care plan.  Ford engineers plans a unique road trip..23 states in 24 hours.

July 13, 2018:  It's starting to look like auto show organizers are looking to move the show to June in 2020.  We talk to one of the people who took the show international. We also look at mid-year vehicle sales, Jeep's success and Tesla's production, as well as other auto trends and breaking news.

June 29, 2018:  Experts think he pace of sales will slow in the second half.  Detroit's Auto Show prepares to lay out a new strategy.  Dodge puts more hell in the Hellcats. We also look at Tesla's tent strategy, and the impact of women driving in Saudi Arabia.

WWJ's Jeff Gilbert - 2018 car sales

June 22, 2018:  We cover Ford's plans for Detroit's Corktown area, and talk one-on-one with Bill Ford. Koreans lead, Americans gain in latest JD Power Quality Study. How big a problem is drowsy driving?

June 15, 2018:  What's the end game for China tariffs?  The UAW has a new president.   GM says its tech plans are on track.   Ford prepares to make a big announcement that could have a big impact on Detroit.

June 8, 2018:  GM greatly expands Super Cruise.  Tesla gets ready to build a new plant in China, but still hasn't worked out the bugs at its California factory. The University of Michigan launches a self-driving shuttle bus.  We spend some tme with Hyundai's new North American COO.  A new study says the people who complain the most about gas prices aren't paying the most.

June 1, 2018:  We are back from our break, and take a deep dive into Fiat Chrysler's plan to become the most profitable carmaker in the U.S. We also look at May's surprisngly strong car sales, GM's mobility plans, and a very interesting program that's made Goodwill an auto supplier.

May 4, 2018:  Could Ford's plan include a "smart city?"  Carmakers get ready to meet with President Trump.  Sales sputter in April.  What makes a Tesla tick? Also, some breaking news, as former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn is indicted.

March 27, 2018:  All three domestic carmakers post solid first quarter earnings.  Ford goes all in on truck based products.  GM has a deal to save its South Korean operations--and signs a different kind of deal with Amazon.  JD Power puts its information online. Programming note:  One more program to go before we are on "hiatus" for the last three weeks of May.

April 20, 2018: A big management shakeup at Cadillac.  Is Tesla really ready to crank out Model 3's 24/7?  Wal Mart gets into EV charging.  Happy birthday Mustang.

April 13, 2018:  We visit the biggest engieering event of the year--SAE's WCX 2018.   While there, we talk to Ford's top tech exec--Ken Washington, and hear from auto legend Bob Lutz. We discuss the significance of Ford's Global Fusion, visit Mahindra's facilities in the Detroit area, and look at a collection of really cool cars.

April 6, 2018:  The EPA shoots down stricter fuel economy rules.  Are several sedans on the endangered list?  Small utilities improve their performance on a tough crash test. Plus:  The ribbon is cut at an automated vehicle test track.  Onstar stresses safety in a new campaign.

March 30, 2018: The New York Auto Show is filled with important new products--The Lincoln Aviator, Cadillac XT4, Toyota RAV 4, Nissan Altima--and more all new vehicles. We take a look at those important products, update big developments on the self driving car and fuel economy front, and talk with top industry executives and experts.

March 23, 2018:  We take a look at the impact of a fatality involving a self-driving Uber in Arizona.  Big introductions are planned at the New York Auto Show.  We've already seen a new Fusion and new Cadillac V-8.  A new use for the Viper plant. Also, Jeep shows some cool concepts--and Chevy prepares for baseball season.

March 16, 2018:  We talk with Ford's three top executives about the company's new product plans.   Why is the Honda Accord not selling?  Would you be willing to use your new car as a rental? We also take a look at some sales trends and look at attempts to get young people interested in technology careers.   And there's even more Ford news, with a new Mustang varient, and a test drive of the Ford EcoSport.