veteran independent auto analyst
Independent auto analyst; former president of Priceline Automotive and author of numerous books on General Motors and the automobile industry, including Rude Awakening: The Rise, Fall and Struggle for Recovery of General Motors
Why is America's Auto Industry Back Despite Millions of Recalls? General Motors has begun the process of compensating victims of faulty ignition systems that led to an avalanche of auto recalls. But, despite reports of deaths and injuries—and publicity over the recalls--GM is still America’s number one automaker and sales are at pre-recession levels.
Why is America's auto industry back despite millions of recalls? General Motors has begun the process of compensating victims of faulty ignition systems that led to an avalanche of auto recalls. But, despite reports of deaths and injuries—and publicity over the recalls--GM is still America’s number one automaker and sales are at pre-recession levels. Maryann Keller is an independent auto analyst and author of, “ Rude Awakening: the Rise, Fall and Struggle for Recovery of General Motors."
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?
The Fall of an Industrial Titan: GM Goes Bankrupt It used to be said that “what's good for General Motors is good for the country.” Not any more. The car company that muscled its way to becoming one of the largest manufacturers in the world filed for bankruptcy today. It's the fourth largest bankruptcy in American history. After pouring billions of dollars into the failed company, how will the US government restructure GM, as it becomes the major stakeholder? Will the United Auto Workers Union survive or be forced to merge with another union? What kind of cars will roll off the assembly line of a new, streamlined GM?
The Fall of an Industrial Titan: General Motors Goes Bankrupt It used to be said that “what’s good for General Motors is good for the country.” Not any more. The car company that muscled its way to becoming one of the largest manufacturers in the world filed for bankruptcy today. It’s the fourth largest bankruptcy in American history. After pouring billions of dollars into the failed company, how will the US government restructure GM, as it becomes the major stakeholder? Will the United Auto Workers union survive or be forced to merge with another union? What kind of cars will roll off the assembly line of a new, streamlined GM?
As Truck and SUV Sales Plunge, Detroit Goes for Small Urban cowboys in pickups and SUV's are a thing of the past. More and more customers don't even talk about power any more. Ford, Chrysler and General Motors were not ready for four-dollar gasoline, and June was another disaster for an industry that helped make America great, with sales of new cars and trucks that plunged to a ten-year low. GM dropped 18%; Ford 28% and Chrysler 36%. Toyota took a 21% hit, but Honda rose by 1.1 and Kia , owned by Hyundai of South Korea, went up by 7.6. We talk with a Chrysler/Jeep dealer who says the Big Three are their own worst enemy. Can they re-tool in time? Can they figure out how to make money on small cars with high mileage before they're swamped by foreign companies who saw the light a long time ago?
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
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.
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.