What is Autoline Detroit?
Autoline Detroit is the longest running weekly broadcast dedicated solely to discussing and dissecting the inner workings of the auto industry. For more than a decade, this thirty minute program has been the first stop for auto executives, insiders and consumers looking for the latest automotive news. Each week John McElroy, one of the deans of the Detroit automotive press corp, brings his expertise and analysis to the issues and interviews driving the automotive world. He moderates a panel of automotive journalists as they discuss the week’s news and interview top industry newsmakers.
About John McElroy
ohn McElroy is the host of the television program “Autoline Detroit,” which covers all aspects of the automotive industry. It is a weekly half-hour discussion program featuring top automotive executives and journalists that provides a window into the latest developments and thinking in the industry. It airs nationally on Sunday mornings at 7 AM on the SPEED cable network and at 10:30 AM on Sundays on Detroit Public Television. The show can be seen online at www.autolinedetroit.tv.
McElroy also broadcasts five radio segments daily on WWJ Newsradio 950, the CBS affiliate in Detroit. His “Automotive Insights” are one-minute spots that provide listeners with news and analysis on the automotive industry.
John McElroy brings an extensive background to covering the auto industry. He took his first plant tour when he was only six years old. As he got older, he read any and every book about cars he could get his hands on, which led to an understanding of automotive engineering principles. As his enthusiasm for cars grew, he successfully—though briefly—ventured into amateur road racing. He also gained valuable insight to the industry working as an hourly UAW employee in various automotive manufacturing plants while working his way through college, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in English at Wayne State University.
As a journalist, McElroy put his automotive background to good use. His past experience includes five years at Detroit Editor for Road & Track, and as the American correspondent for World Cars, which was published by the Automotive Club of Italy. He was also invited to write the annual automotive entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook. He spent most of his career at the trade magazine Automotive Industries where he ultimately rose to Editorial Director.
McElroy has appeared as an automotive expert on ABC World News Tonight, CBS News, and NBC Nightly News. He is often interviewed by CNN, NPR, and CBC in Canada. He is frequently asked to speak to automakers, suppliers and industry organizations. He is on the steering committee of the North American Car and Truck of the Year.
McElroy has won numerous awards for editorial excellence, particularly the Jesse H. Neal award in 1984 for his series titled, “Inside Japan,” and in 1995 and 1997 for his Editorial opinion pieces. In 1997 he was named “Communicator of the Year” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Detroit. He was awarded first place in the International Wheels Awards in 2004 for his television documentary “The Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise” and in 2005 for his documentary “Challenge Bibendum” and second place in 2006 for “A Car Is Born.”
