Autoline After Hours

This week the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo, takes the helm, and it's time to talk auto advertising. And, we've got one of the marketing world's seasoned veterans to offer his expert opinion. Mark LaNeve was the marketing chief for General Motors before going to Allstate and now he's back, fully enveloped in the automotive world, as the COO for Team Detroit, Ford's advertising agency. We'll talk about some of the very best examples of car ads out there right now and find out what agencies are turning out the most engaging creative. On hand to offer her opinion as well is friend of the show Jean Halliday from AutoAdOpolis.

One of the most anticipated cars over the last few years has been the Ford Focus ST. Well, this hot hatch is finally gracing the Autoline studios, and as if that weren't enough, we're also joined by Ford's gearhead supreme, Hau Thai-Tang, Vice President of Engineering and Global Product Development. Suffice it to say, we won't be lacking for topics. Plus, John McElroy and Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, will discuss the news of the week including A123's bankruptcy. Which EV companies could be next? All that and much more on this week's rip-roaring installment of Autoline After Hours.

When you fill your tank up with E85, are you burning food for fuel? Don't biofuels take more energy to produce than we get out of them? Candace Wheeler is GM's foremost fuels expert, and she'll be in studio to answer all of your questions. And, don't fret, you'll get the panel's reaction to the latest news to cross the transom including the baffling appointment at the Cadillac brand. We'll discuss why GM chose an executive with no car experience to run this critical luxury division. Plus, NASCAR's smash 'n' crash races look increasingly stupid, so what should be done? Joining John McElroy to talk about all these topics and much more is Peter De Lorenzo, the one and only Autoextremist, and Drew Winter from WardsAuto.

While AAH is off the air this week, please enjoy this encore presentation of our Paris Motor Show coverage. Join John McElroy for a personal tour of the Mondial de l’Automobile with guests such as Johan de Nysschen, the man who has been challenged to transform Infiniti into a competitive global brand. John also talks to Jim O'Sullivan and gets a peek at the brand new Mazda6, including a version we won't see in the U.S. Plus a look at some of the coolest French concept and production cars to debut at the show. What is the best looking concept at this year's exhibition? McElroy gives you his answer. All that and way, way more.

While the rest of the Autoline crew is hard at work in Paris, we lucky stiffs get to observe from afar. With the Autoextremist leading the charge, we'll take a look at the most important reveals from the 2012 Paris Motor Show so far. The Maserati Levante, Porsche's new Panamera wagon concept, the Opel Adam, Jaguar F-Type and VW Golf are all on the docket. Plus, we'll discuss the rough week had by EV makers like Fisker and Tesla. Joining Peter De Lorenzo to talk about all these topics and much more are Gary Vasilash from Automotive Design and Production and Jim Hall, majordomo of 2953 Analytics.

The buck stops here, or at least the truck on this week’s episode of Autoline After Hours. Host John McElroy’s special guest is Mike Cairns from Ram. They’ll dive to the deepest depths of Chrysler’s recently refreshed pickup, talking about design, engineering and more. Joining the discussion is Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, as well as Mark Phelan, ace reporter from the Detroit Free Press. Aside from the new Ram 1500, the troupe will also discuss John’s impressions of the all-electric CODA sedan, Peter’s take on Ford’s brand-new Fusion and an advertising masterpiece, the latest Volkswagen commercial. All that and much, much more.

Cadillac calls itself “The New Standard of the World” while BMW claims to be “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” That’s all marketing. When it comes down to building the vehicles that can live up to the hype, these top dogs turn to their engineers. This week’s guest, David Leone, the Chief Engineer for Cadillac, has the not-insignificant task of meeting and exceeding the “Standard.” We’ll be asking him how Cadillac plans to knock BMW off the top perch. As usual, you can expect us to take a dive into the biggest news of the week as well. It looks like Mark Fields may just be the executive to succeed Alan Mulally at Ford, and John has some impressions of the powerful Porsche 911 he’s been testing. Joining John McElroy in studio is his After Hours co-host Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and Gary Vasilash of Automotive Design and Production!

Like it has everything else, you would think the Information Age would have by now worked its magic on the car buying experience. Depending who you ask, it has … maybe. But there is still a lot of confusion over how to negotiate the best deal. How do you know whether you’re getting a fair price or whether you’re being taken for a ride? This week’s guest has been an auto broker for more than 20 years. Now Isaac Bouchard has authored the new ebook, “Car Buying Tips Guide.” We’ll ask him how the average person can improve his or her buying experience. And, whether they should skip the showroom altogether and go through a broker like Isaac. Of course you can expect us to delve into the hot topics of the week as well. Joining John McElroy in studio is his After Hours partner in crime Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, and Steve Finlay of WardsAuto Dealer Business!

Toyotas are bland, right? That's the wrap. And for a long time it's been hard to disagree, but the new Toyota Avalon shows that this company really can turn out compelling cars. So, we asked the Chief Engineer of the Avalon, Randy Stephens, to park one in our studio while we talked to him about this, the first Toyota passenger car to be designed, engineered and manufactured in the U.S. In addition, you know that we'll get into the biggest news of the week including the continued "brain drain" at GM. John McElroy will also have some driving impressions to share of the Cadillac XTS. Joining John in studio is his After Hours cohort Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist!

On this week's episode of Autoline After Hours we welcome Al Oppenheiser, Chief Engineer of the Chevrolet Camaro. He has a shiny new ZL1 convertible to pull into the studio and we have a lot to ask him about that hot new car. Plus, we get into Peter De Lorenzo's latest rants and John offers his styling critique on the 2013 Honda Accord. All that and much, much more!