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Reuters
Correspondent for Reuters, based in Washington, DC; former Washington Bureau Chief for the Detroit News
PROFILE
David Shepardson
Guest
FROM David Shepardson
To the Point
US Reviewing Complaints of Suspension Problems in Tesla Model S Owner complaints about Tesla's all-electric cars are under federal investigation… and Tesla's battling a long-time critics. Photo: raneko The US National Highway Safety Administration, NHTSA, says it's looking into complaints about the safety of the suspension systems on its all-electric cars. But Elon Musk's Silicon Valley company is denying claims that it asks owners to sign non-disclosure agreements when things go wrong.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
GM Recalls Hearing GM CEO Mary Barra is on the Capitol Hill hot seat again today. And this time she’s armed with a damning internal investigation on how the old leaders of the company ignored significant defects for years - defects that led to the deaths of 13 people. With the backdrop of yet another major recall and several lawsuits, how will the company move forward?
To the Point
DC Dings GM for a Record $35 Million Fast-paced national/international news and issues program, from KCRW.
To the Point
GM on the Hot Seat — All Over Again For many years, General Motors knowingly installed ignition switches that failed to meet specifications in Chevy Cobalts and other small cars. Since then, at least 13 people have died in accidents linked to defective switches GM could have replaced for $2. GM has admitted that officials knew of defective ignition switches for almost 10 years before undertaking a massive recall this year. Now, there's a criminal probe and Congress is asking, 'what did GM executives — and federal regulators -- know and when did they know it?' Can Mary Barra, the company's new CEO, persuade Capitol Hill and millions of customers that GM has cleaned up its act since the federal bailout?
To the Point
UAW's Future May Hinge on VW Vote The United Auto Workers was one of Detroit's most influential players when that city was an industrial powerhouse. Now, the UAW's future may be at stake — in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For three days, employees in the Volkswagen AG plant have been voting on whether to establish a German-style works council. UAW president Bob King has warned that the union has no future if it can't organize in plants maintained in this country by foreign car makers. Dave Shepardson, Washington Bureau Chief for the Detroit News , is in Chattanooga to cover this week's vote.
Which Way, L.A.?
Can Toyota Recover Its Image? Before hearing from the CEO of Toyota today, members of Congress grilled the Secretary of Transportation about why regulators were so slow to act on sudden acceleration. We hear about auto safety, Toyota's future and the economy of Japan.
To the Point
Toyota: On the Capitol Hill Hot Seat Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a House Oversight Committee hearing today that any car on a recall list is not safe until it's been repaired by a certified dealer. That warning came as the CEO of Toyota, a Japanese icon who bears his company's name, apologized for the deadly results of sudden acceleration. Is the company getting fair treatment or is this a Congressional "witch hunt." What's at stake for auto safety, Toyota and the economy of Japan?
To the Point
White House Proposes Tougher Fuel Standards In Warren, Ohio, today, President Obama signed the hoods of Chevrolets coming off the assembly line and told cheering workers that reinventing General Motors has been good for the economy. Acknowledging that it was long overdue, he launched "a new national standard aimed at both increasing gas mileage and decreasing greenhouse gas pollution for all cars and trucks sold in America." David Shepardson covers Washington for the Detroit News .
Which Way, L.A.?
Cash for Clunkers: Does Haste Make Waste? Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that Cash for Clunkers “has worked better than any other stimulus program that was conceived.” It started off slowly on the first of July, and then exploded through almost a billion dollars in the past week alone. The House quickly approved another two billion before taking off for vacation, and this week the Senate appears ready to go along.
To the Point
Cash for Clunkers: Does Haste Make Waste? Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says it "has worked better than any other stimulus program that was conceived." Starting slowly on July 1, " Cash for Clunkers " then exploded through almost $1 billion in the ten days. The House quickly approved another $2 billion before leaving for vacation, and this week the Senate appears ready to go along. Auto dealers are ecstatic, but students of car culture say the summer jump in sales would have occurred anyway, without any government subsidy. One skeptic says trade-ins might end up costing taxpayers $20,000 apiece; others complain that past gas guzzling is being rewarded. We look at the unexpected benefits and unintended consequences of CARS.
Which Way, L.A.?
Detroit Revs Up One More Time The nation's carmakers may be nearing a finish line that no one wants to cross. Chrysler has until Thursday to submit a restructuring plan that will satisfy the federal government, which has loaned $4 billion to the auto manufacturer. Although America's smallest automaker won concessions from American and Canadian labor unions over the weekend, it still needs to reach an agreement with creditors. Will Italian carmaker Fiat step in to help save the day? Meanwhile, General Motors has announced it will close its classic Pontiac brand, as part of its third attempt at coming up with a restructuring plan that will please the feds. If the carmakers survive, what will a restructured industry look like? What will happen to the unions? How is Detroit's crisis affecting the rest of the state?
To the Point
Detroit Revs Up One More Time The nation's carmakers may be nearing a finish line that no one wants to cross. Chrysler has until Thursday to submit a restructuring plan that will satisfy the federal government, which has loaned $4 billion to the auto manufacturer. Although America's smallest automaker won concessions from American and Canadian labor unions over the weekend, it still needs to reach an agreement with creditors. Will Italian carmaker Fiat step in to help save the day? Meanwhile, General Motors has announced it will close its classic Pontiac brand, as part of its third attempt at coming up with a restructuring plan that will please the feds. If the carmakers survive, what will a restructured industry look like? What will happen to the unions? How is Detroit's crisis affecting the rest of the state?
To the Point
The Nightmare in Detroit Continues Yesterday, General Motors and Chrysler raised their requests for federal aid to a total $21.6 billion. Even if that bailout were approved, would they still have to come back for more? David Shepardson reports from Washington for the Detroit News .
To the Point
White House, Congressional Democrats Make Auto-Bailout Deal The White House and Democrats on Capitol Hill have worked out a $14 billion bailout for GM and Chrysler. White House spokesman Joel Kaplan says they believe they've " found the right solution ." That may be easier said than done , according to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who says the Senate hadn't yet seen the final version of the bill. David Shepardson reports from Washington for the Detroit News .
Which Way, L.A.?
Detroit Begs for Survival...Again The CEO's of the Big Three went back to Congress today, upping the ante from $25 to $34 billion in federal money to keep them in business. They promised personal sacrifice, better management and greener cars, saying the taxpayers would be paid back, maybe with interest. We hear their latest plans and how Senators in both parties reacted. Are the Big Three making better cars than they get credit for? Are they too important to too many people to allow them to fail?
To the Point
Will Automakers Fare Any Better the Second Time Around? The CEO's of the Big Three went back to Congress today, upping the ante from $25 to $34 billion in federal money to keep them in business. They promised personal sacrifice, better management and greener cars, saying the taxpayers would be paid back, maybe with interest. We hear their latest plans and how Senators in both parties reacted. Are the Big Three making better cars than they get credit for? Are they too important to too many people to allow them to fail?
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.