Jeff Gilbert's Tales From The Auto Beat

October 18, 2018:  We have an in-deph discussion with David Harkey, President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Data Loss Institute about their new study that shows a roughly six percent increase in crashes in states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

October 17, 2018:  We pay a visit to a small factory in Saline, Michigan, where French autonomous shuttle manufacturer NAVYA has started building self-driving shuttle vehicles. 

October 16, 2018:  Supplier ZF invites reporters to its "Vison Zero" event, which shows a variety of safety technologies for the near and far term. We talk with Aine Denari, ZF's Senior Vice President of Advanced Driver Assisted Systems.

October 15, 2018:  GM offers the first manufacturers extended warranty, which lets you take the normal warranty and extend it to five or six years. We look at the GM program and some of the reasons the company is doing this.

October 12, 2018:  I recently spent time in two compact vehicles that, while not "top of the pack" are quite enjoyable, and worth a look if you're in the small car market. Both the Volkswagen Jetta and Kia Forte have a lot going for them.

October 11, 2018:  Ford Senior Technical Leader Debbie Mielewski tells us how they took a very expensive material, found ways to make it affordable--and make vehicles lighter, and quieter.

October 10, 2018:  We talk with Hano Kimer, Executive Director of Corporate and Strategy for Jaguar and Land Rover about the two brands--where their growth has come from, where things are headed, and the changes in the luxury market.

October 9, 2018:  The Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association is concerned about the rising price of vehicles? He also doesn't think we're hearing all sides of the mobility debate.

October 08, 2018:  Nissan's new Altima is now hitting dealerships.  The company is hoping that the vehicle can attract some younger buyers who may be feeling "SUV fatigue." We head to Nissan's R and D facility in Farmington HIlls, MI to talk about the new vehicle.  

October 5, 2018: It's not just consumers that are moving to SUV's, more police vehicles are utilities as well.   New Michigan State Police tests now show Ford's Explorer based "Police Interceptor Utility" is the fastest police car. We talk with Ford Police Vehicle Marketing Manager Steven Tyler.

October 4, 2018:  Press days of the Paris Auto Show are over.  Lots of talk about which brands weren't here--which ones won't be in Detroit in January--and the change of the Detroit show to Summer in 2020. I've been covering auto shows since 1987, and have a few thoughts.  It's a great way to wrap up our coverage of the Paris show.

October 3, 2018: Press days wrap up at the Paris Auto Show.  What news was made. We talk about it with Jason Stein and David Versical of Automotive News.  

October 2, 2018:  Kelley Blue Book Managing Editor Matt DeLorenzo helps us navitgate the first press day for the 2018 Paris Auto Show. 

October 1, 2018:  It's the eve of press days at the Paris Auto Show.  We discuss some of the big reveals, big trends and big news we expect to see made this week in Paris.

September 28, 2019:  We talk with Peter Nagle of IHS Markit about rising tariffs, and the impact they will have on the economy and the North American vehicle market.  

September 27, 2018:  We visit the historic Ford Rouge Complex, as the facility celebrates its 100th birthday. We hear from Chariman Bill Ford, workers at the Rouge, and talk with somebody who has worked there for 65 years.

September 26, 2018:  Cadillac ditches it's trendy NY HQ for Warren, Michigan. We talk with Michelle Krebs of Autotrader about the reasons behind the move, why Cadillac moved to New York in the first place, and whether this whole thing has a feeling of deja vu.

September 25, 2018:  We cover a hearing on the Trump administration's proposal to freeze fuel economy standards at 2020 levels.  We hear from those with a number of different views on the idea.

September 24, 2018:  We talk trade, restructuring and EVs; with Ford's President of Operations.

August 24, 2018:  We look at some of the stresses that are wearing on the Tesla CEO.  We also examine the growing gap between new and used car prices, and look at the debut of the Mustang Bullitt--along with a very special model. Programming note:  This our last weekly podcast.  We will take a several week break, and return in mid-September as a shorter, daily podcast.