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Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau

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  Thursday, 21 Feb 2013 | 10:54 AM ET

Ford Boosts Engine Production as Buyers Demand Fuel Efficiency

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A Look at Ford's EcoBoost Engine
CNBC's Phil LeBeau talks with Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Company, about the automaker's big bet on the success of its EcoBoost engines.

Ford is pumping $200 million and adding 450 workers to its Cleveland Engine Plant as it moves to meet growing demand for more fuel efficient models.

Once the expansion is finished late next year, the Cleveland Engine Plant will start building 2.0 liter EcoBoost engines.

»Read more
  Wednesday, 20 Feb 2013 | 10:51 AM ET

Why the Tesla S May Be a Game-Changer

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LeBeau's Long Tesla Test Drive
Phil Lebeau drives the Tesla Model S 430 miles from Washington D.C. to Natick, MA. He takes us along for the ride.

The Tesla Model S is a game-changing car.

After spending 8 hours driving the EV from Washington, D.C. to Boston, I am convinced that this car is proof a solely electric car can and ultimately will gain acceptance by American drivers, and not just for those looking for a second car just to run errands around the neighborhood.

»Read more
  Tuesday, 19 Feb 2013 | 6:33 PM ET

Recreating the Highly Charged Tesla Test Drive

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LeBeau's Long Tesla Test Drive
Phil Lebeau drives the Tesla Model S 430 miles from Washington D.C. to Natick, MA. He takes us along for the ride.

CNBC's Phil LeBeau on Tuesday did a one-day test drive of the Tesla Model S from Washington, D.C., to a suburb just outside Boston. He is not the first, nor will he be the last to recreate the same test drive that led to a very public spat between New York Times reporter John Broder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

»Read more
  Tuesday, 12 Feb 2013 | 11:18 AM ET

Tesla Review Raises Questions About Reporter Test

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Tesla CEO Takes on New York Times
Tesla CEO Elon Musk takes issue with a New York Times article about a test drive of one it its electric cars, reports CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk could not have been any clearer or more vocal about his view of a New York Times review that ripped the Model S.

"We explicitly said that to do this trip he needs to be fully charged when he starts up, that he doesn't do detours, and that he drives at a reasonable speed. I am not talking about some ridiculously low speed. I am talking not too far above the speed limit and none of those three things were done," said Musk when he called into CNBC's "Closing Bell" Monday afternoon.

»Read more
  Friday, 1 Feb 2013 | 3:33 PM ET

Auto Sales Start the Year With a Bang

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GM Truck Sales Up 32% in January
The latest car sales data, with CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

If January is any indication, 2013 could be another big year for auto sales in the U.S.

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  Friday, 1 Feb 2013 | 11:53 AM ET

After 'Halftime in America,' The Big 3 Go on Offense

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Halftime in America, a Year Later
CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports on last year's Chrysler ad, Halftime in America. It's been a year since Clint Eastwood appeared in the ad. So how's Chrysler, Detroit and the U.S. auto industry doing?

When Clint Eastwood said in a Super Bowl commercial for Chrysler, "It's halftime America and our second half is about to begin," many looked at it as a rallying cry for Chrysler, the Big Three and by extension American business.

It's easy to see why.

»Read more
  Tuesday, 29 Jan 2013 | 10:23 AM ET

Ford Earnings Is Tale of Two Companies

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Ford CFO: Expect Strength to Continue In N. America
CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports Ford CFO Bob Bob Shanks says the company is seeing incredible strength in North America, and also expects 2013 to be the year Europe's losses bottom out.

Despite posting better than expected earnings for the fourth quarter, Ford finds its stock under pressure due to the company guiding Wall Street to expect greater losses in Europe. It is the latest sign that Ford continues to be a tale of two companies: In North America it is growing profits and margins while Europe is a money losing operation.

The initial reaction among investors is one of disappointment. Ford shares dropped by 4% shortly after the opening bell.

What is Ford's stock doing now? (Click here for the latest before-hours quotes.)

»Read more
  Monday, 14 Jan 2013 | 9:34 AM ET

Ford on ‘Front-End’ of Worldwide Profit Growth: CEO

Ford Focusing on Fixing LIncoln
CNBC's Phil Lebeau talks with Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president & CEO, about why his company is focusing attention on its Lincoln luxury brand, which was down four percent last year.

The recent run-up in Ford stock to 52-week highs and the company's ability to double its quarterly dividend are proof that the automaker's turnaround plan is "clearly working," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a "First on CNBC" interview on Monday from the Detroit Auto Show.

"We decided to focus on Ford and the Lincoln brands," he said on "Squawk Box," adding that the move allowed for the dividend increase "with a commitment to sustain" it. Last week, Ford upped its quarterly dividend to 10 cents a share, the highest level in seven years.

(Read More: Ford doubles dividend to highest in 7 years)

»Read more
  Monday, 14 Jan 2013 | 7:13 AM ET

BMW Shows Off Concept 4 Series Coupe

Wow Factor: BMW Unveils Concept 4 Series
CNBC's Phil LeBeau talks with Ludwig Willisch, BMW North America president & CEO, about the automaker's efforts to attract the high-end consumer with luxury features in its newest series of cars.

»Read more
  Thursday, 10 Jan 2013 | 4:59 PM ET

Rolls-Royce Rolls to Record Sales; U.S. #1 Again

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Rolls Royce 'Not Interested' in Dramatic Growth: CEO
We are a highly exclusive and luxury brand so we want consistent rather than dramatic growth, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls Royce Motor Cars, told CNBC.

Rolls-Royce, long considered the ultimate ultra-luxury car, is more popular than ever before. The British automaker set a global sales record in 2012 selling 3,575 cars.

This is the third straight year Rolls has grown sales around the world. It is also the most cars it has sold in one year, surpassing the previous high 3,374 in 1978.

"We are the pinnacle of all luxury brands in the world," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce. "We are interested in constant growth over the years to come, but sustainable growth."

»Read more

About Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau

Welcome to Behind the Wheel with Phil LeBeau. This is the place where you'll hear the latest about what is happening in the auto industry, and the reason why that news is so important. This is not the place to come if you are looking for cheerleader for one automaker over another. Phil won't wave the flag for any company, but he will let you know when he thinks someone is making the right moves, and when they've screwed up.

 

  • LeBeau is a CNBC auto and airline industry reporter based at the Chicago bureau and author of "Behind the Wheel" on CNBC.com.

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