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What's big at the Chicago show | Autoblog Podcast #503

On this week's podcast, Mike Austin and David Gluckman discuss the big debuts at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. They also recap what they've all been driving lately, and the episode wraps up with Spend My Money buying advice to help you, our dear listeners. And there's an awful Dad Joke thrown in there for you to find. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And if you have other questions or comments, please send those too. Autoblog Podcast #503 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics and stories we mention Jaguar XE Volkswagen Golf R Toyota Highlander Hybrid Chicago Auto Show coverage Used cars! Rundown Intro - 00:00 What we're driving - 01:46 Chicago show preview - 22:58 Spend My Money - 35:36 Total Duration: 52:48 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes Podcasts Chicago Auto Show Chevrolet Dodge Jaguar Toyota Volkswagen Truck Hatchback SUV Performance Sedan ford expedition jaguar xe volkswagen golf r 2017 Chicago Auto Show

At least 30 VW managers knew of emissions cheat

You know how the Volkswagen diesel scandal is very, very, very bad? Well, if a report from Germany's Der Spiegel is true, it's about to get a lot worse. Throughout the entire affair, VW has maintained that it was a small, isolated group behind the so-called defeat devices. Der Spiegel, though, claims that at least 30 managers knew what was going on and that dozens will be suspended for their role in the scandal. The story cites both an external probe ordered by VW and conducted by US law firm Jones Day as well as the company's own preliminary findings. This report flies directly in the face of what Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn, shown above, said in his sworn testimony to congress last week. Horn straight up said that the scandal "was something individuals did," blaming a sort of rogue group of software engineers (although he also acknowledged such an argument was hard to swallow). If it's proven that he was among the 30 employees involved, or he can be otherwise connected, the embattled exec could be in big trouble. According to the Der Speigel story, a VW spokesperson said, "The number is without foundation." Der Spiegel also cited a VW engineer, who said that any diesel engine, like the EA188, EA189, and EA288, that could get by without pricey emissions controls should "have [made] any engine developers leery." We should expect additional information on VW's internal response to the scandal later this week, when Group CEO Matthias Mueller addresses management.

VW pondering low-cost sub-brand for China?

More detail is being sketched into the Volkswagen Group's plan to launch a low-cost brand for emerging markets. Late last year a German report quoted a VW rep saying that the brand has been interested in building a no-frills car, the kind that would challenge Dacia and Datsun, for a while. With both Proton and Suzuki effectively out of the partnership picture, a report in Reuters suggests VW could go straight to China, developing a car with its joint venture partners and building and selling it there.
Officially, company CEO Martin Winterkorn said the issue of a model for emerging markets would be decided this year but VW isn't any closer to confirming any kind of plan for a car in its portfolio underneath the Up!, remarking to Reuters about the China possibility, "That's an issue we're currently looking at."