Autoline Daily - Video

Jaguar unveils its crossover concept called the C-X17. BMW shows off the production version of its plug-in hybrid sports car. Audi says its new nanuk quattro concept is for both the track and for off-road. All that and more, plus we get to the bottom of the case of the missing dipstick.

Volkswagen unveils a concept that’s a combination of a compact car and a minivan. Mercedes says it has successfully completed a long-distance autonomous drive using a near-production sensor system. Nissan announces that it’s in the final development phase with the electric version of its NV200 small commercial van. All that and more, plus how subcompact cars are getting bigger while more fuel efficient.

Despite rumors, two high profile executives say they’re not going anywhere. Honda announces that the 2014 Accord Hybrid is the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered four-door sedan available. Daimler announces it stop building vans for Volkswagen in 2016. All that and more, plus we share a close look at the design elements of the new Infiniti Q50.

The smart brand reveals a new four-seat concept for Frankfurt. Volkswagen’s XL1 carries a price tag that’s just as eye-popping as its fuel economy number. Autoline takes a look at the sales figures for August in the U.S. market. All that and more, plus in the newest edition of Design Handbook, Jim Hall ponders the difference between styling and design.

According to a report, UAW president Bob King met with VW officials last week about letting workers vote on a “works council” for its Tennessee plant. Lexus will show off a concept in Frankfurt with what it calls its L-finesse design language. Ford unveils a unique upscale product and ownership experience called Vignale. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to some of your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

General Motors promotes Michael Dunne to president of GM Indonesia. Jaguar hints at its future design with a concept that will debut in Frankfurt. Fleet sales account for 19 percent of total sales in the U.S. and can be quite profitable for a car company. All that and more, plus we look at the next-gen smart fortwo EV.

The UAW’s vice president says he thinks Ford could add another 8,000 workers in the U.S. According to a report, Volkswagen could pass Toyota as the #1 producer of light vehicles by 2016. Detroit Electric says it will produce cars overseas in Holland starting in the fourth quarter. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares what it’s like riding in a B-17 bomber.

Renault’s Carlos Tavares is shown the door in the wake of his outspoken statements about GM and Ford. Honda puts smart phones to work in enhancing automotive and motorcycle safety. Kia previews its Niro concept ahead of Frankfurt. All that and more, plus a demo of Pioneer’s aftermarket radio solution, the AppRadio 3.

Nissan makes a historical commitment to bring fully autonomous cars to market by the end of the decade. Ford takes the wraps off a thinly veiled concept of the S-Max. VW shows off the EV versions of two of its compact cars. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in You Said It!

Nissan pours $5 billion into expanding its manufacturing footprint in North and South America. Toyota becomes the next automaker to slash its EV price — this time right in half. Infiniti has a preview of the next Q concept, set to debut in Frankfurt. All that and more, plus Sean McElroy has a look at the latest technology from ZF.

Volkswagen is ticked off that American legislators will not provide any incentives for diesel vehicles. Detroit Electric had planned on building its SP:01 sportscar by now, but according to reports production will be delayed. Jeep passes one major German automaker as the #1 importer into China. All that and more, plus how the shape and size of a car’s badge can impact styling.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company is considering opening factories in two new major markets. The new Chevrolet Camaro convertible will make its debut in Frankfurt next month. BMW announces a plug-in version of it X5, called Concept X5 eDrive. All that and more, plus we look at how safety regulations can affect automotive design.

Supplier company Continental teams with Google and IBM to develop technology for autonomous cars. Ford partners up with St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia to develop robots for use in space. BMW offers an individual consulting program for clients to personalize their vehicle. All that and more, plus Jim Hall explains design spazz attacks in the newest edition of Design Handbook.

As if to say that it has completely returned to normal, the NAFTA region set an all-time production record last month. The next-generation Nissan Titan pickup gets a diesel from Cummins. Mercedes-Benz will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its S 500 sedan at the Frankfurt Motor Show. All that and more, plus we respond to some of your comments and questions in the latest edition of You Said It!

Toyota shares more images of a concept it will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show, called the Hybrid-R. We take a look at who is doing the best in the U.S. full-size sedan segment. John McElroy shares his insights on the danger of adding lots of overtime and a 3rd shift. All that and more, plus on the newest edition of Autoline Garage we examine how air filter design could cost you $500.

Tesla is forced to change its name for the Chinese market because the company’s name had already been registered. Infiniti poaches a top executive from one major German automaker and names a new design director as well. As a part of Volvo’s new Drive-E initiative to reduce the impact on the environment it will build a new line-up of 4-cylinder engines. All that and more, plus we take a tour in the interior of Jaguar’s F-TYPE.

Autoline Daily learns that Chrysler is trying to dramatically boost production of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ford is lowering the fuel economy rating for one vehicle that received heavy criticism for not achieving its advertised rating. Cadillac reveals the Elmiraj concept car at Pebble Beach. All that and more, plus Billy Gibbons, lead singer and guitarist extraordinaire for ZZ Top dropped in to tell us how he became such an automotive enthusiast.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will make it easier to search for recalls on its website. Sirius XM gets into the automotive telematics business after it acquired one company’s connected vehicle services business. Audi teases some sketches of its Quattro concept ahead of its Frankfurt debut. All that and more, plus new technology from Bosch that makes driving a manual a whole lot easier.

In a stunning admission, the Chief Operating Officer of Renault says he would love to leave the company to go run two of the largest automakers in the world. Using intensive CAD studies to determine the optimum design, Altair Engineering unveils a new steel wheel that may be better than aluminum. Mercedes reveals the all-new 2015 GLA ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. All that and more, plus guest host, Murray Feldman shares his thoughts on how social media has changed how automakers hire new talent.

Chrysler plans to make a big splash during the Woodward Ave. Dream Cruise with an all-new concept truck. John McElroy offers up a prescription for future Subaru success. Honda’s Project Drive-In aims to save roadside theaters. All that and more, plus Sean McElroy has another installment of the Autoline Garage all about making fuel pump maintenance a better customer experience.

Honda pulls the wraps off its new Civic Tourer ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Tesla is reportedly developing an all-wheel drive version of the Model S. If you read the tea leaves, it looks like GM is set to leave South Korea. Find out why. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares his driving impressions of a Porsche 911 GT3 equipped with carbon fiber wheels.

Subaru management debates whether the company should remain a niche brand or take advantage of its success and expand production. Autoline shares the upgrades for Ram’s new heavy duty trucks. General Motors teases an image for the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickup trucks. All that and more, plus we look at new technology from the giant German supplier, Bosch.

Tesla posts its second quarter earnings which beat Wall Street expectations. More vehicles pass the new small overlap front crash test from the IIHS. Hyundai introduces its new i10 small car ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. All that and more, plus Jim Hall clears up the confusion for one basic design term in the newest edition of Design Handbook.

The UAW wants to organize Tesla workers at the former NUMMI plant in California. The new smart fortwo EV features an all-new electric powertrain that is a big upgrade compared to the previous model. Skip Barber Racing adds two Hyundai models to its High Performance Driving School. All that and more, plus we’ll take an in-depth look at the exterior design of the new Jaguar F-TYPE.

Cadillac’s head of global strategy resigns just four months after accepting the newly created position. Infiniti announces that it will continue to sell the G37 in the U.S. alongside the Q50, which replaces it. Despite upgrades to Tesla’s Model S, customers of the car are not happy. All that and more, plus a look at what’s new for the 2014 Hyundai Equus.

In a surprising move, GM hires the former head of Volvo to run its new Consolidated International Operations. One major automaker is teaming back up with Isuzu to supply it with diesel engines. To avoid import tariffs, Daimler is considering building a new plant in Brazil. All that and more, plus automotive guru, Bob Lutz explains why he prefers buying used cars to new ones.

Automakers post another strong sales month in the American market for Jul, but not as strong as many analysts were expecting. Some Ford owners are being offered complimentary driving instruction at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Land Rover tests an electric version of its Defender SUV at the Eden Project in the U.K. All that and more, plus we explore what trends will impact interior design in the future.

The EPA releases impressive fuel economy ratings for one German automaker’s U.S. bound diesel. BMW designs its new electric car for easier repair. Tesla is gearing up to introduce the Model S in China later this year. All that and more, plus we explain why the Chief Engineer of the Fiat 500e spent time at a training school for Leader Dogs for the Blind.

One major automaker touts that it has the only CNG 1/2 ton pickup on the market today. Audi announces it’s the first automaker to bring in-car LTE into a vehicle. Autoline learns how Jaguar’s marketing team set out to make the price of the F-TYPE a unique advantage. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares his driving impressions of the new Infiniti Q50.

According to reports, the next generation Chevy Sonic will be delayed until 2016. BMW unveils the first mass-production car with a predominantly carbon fiber structure, the i3. ZF opened the doors to its all-new manufacturing facility and its new 9-speed transmission. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy shares how Nissan is going big into commercial vans by going small.

Toyota announces it’s boosting Highlander production in the U.S. A group of Japanese automakers team up to increase the number of EV charging stations in Japan. Daimler is suing the French government over it stopping the sale of some new Mercedes models that use a banned A/C refrigerant. All that and more, plus guest host Frank Markus shares how the all-new Z51 Corvette made him feel like an awesome driver.

With the unveil of its Vision concept, MINI shows off the design direction of future cars. GM boosts its global car sales and even manages to outsell Toyota. Acura offers up a first glimpse at its NSX prototype before it laps Mid-Ohio Raceway in August. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with Johann Jungwirth, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development in North America.

The Chevy Impala has moved from the bottom of Consumer Reports’ rankings to the top spot overall for all sedans. Daimler announces it’s taking a small stake in Aston Martin in exchange for sharing engines and other components. In an all-new Design Handbook, Jim Hall explains why gas caps are located on both sides of the vehicle. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on why Cadillac needs to do more to define the brand.

Ford and Toyota said they would collaborate on developing a new hybrid system, but now have decided to do it on their own. Autoline shares the practical upgrades to the bed of the 2014 GMC Sierra. Mercedes-Benz takes ideas from golf and automotive fans and introduces its Vision Golf Cart. All that and more, plus fill-in host Murray Feldman explains why not everybody is happy about auto production picking up in the U.S.

Bentley announces it will add its first-ever SUV to its lineup. Two former GM executives try to help Toyota grow its sales in South America. GM is bringing back some retirees who have experience in engineering and manufacturing quality. All that and more, plus should automakers claim that their electric cars are zero emission vehicles?

The U.S. Justice Department says one major supplier has pleaded guilty to a price fixing scheme. The U.K. is set to test self-driving cars on its roads by the end of the year. An Autoline Daily viewer sends us a new Barn Find, which may be the first ever use of Ram Air. All that and more, plus is it better to buy a car or to lease one?

In what may be a first, Ford is suing a Japanese supplier over wire harnesses. One major automaker is offering a calibration update, after customers failed to meet EPA ratings, in its hybrids. To add a halo project to its lineup, VW is bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. All that and more, plus host John McElroy reacts to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

General Motors is playing hardball with the Australian government over Holden. After being revived by Nissan, the Datsun brand introduces the first car it will sell in emerging markets. Rumors have been swirling that Honda will drop the Ridgeline but, according to reports, it’s just being put on hold. All that and more, plus find out just how much Fiat’s 500L had to change for the NAFTA region.

Another major automaker announces a significant price drop for its EV. OnStar teams up with another company to store electricity from solar panels in the batteries of a Chevy Volt for later use. According to reports, General Motors and Peugeot are in talks about selling a rebadged version of one of the French automakers commercial vans in the U.S. All that and more, plus a look at the big brother in Fiat’s lineup, the 500L.

General Motors announces it will be the first automaker to start selling new cars in Myanmar. While at a recent technology conference in Germany, host John McElroy asks Bosch executives how they plan to prevent autonomous cars from being hacked. Opel revives the Monza nameplate with a concept that will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes a look at the newest version of Mercedes’ biggest money maker, the E-Class.

According to a report, the Peugeot family has agreed to sell its stake in the company to aid a merger. A new study finds that diesels have a lower total cost of ownership than gasoline vehicles in the U.S. To help with visibility, Kia treats some of the windows on the Cadenza with a hydrophobic coating. All that and more, plus which is the best technology to boost an engine while downsizing it?

Due to a few key factors, the alliance between Renault and Nissan saved more than half the amount it did in 2011. Nissan’s head of commercial vehicles for North America gives us the latest on the company’s effort to upgrade New York City’s fleet of more than 13,000 taxis. Mazda pulls the wraps off the all-new version of its best-selling compact car. All that and more, plus the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on Acura’s new “Made for Mankind” tagline.

When compared to Toyota’s CEO, it looks like all the major CEO’s are overpaid. Rumors swirl that there will be a new man in charge of Chevy’s global operations by the end of this week. Honda pulls back the wraps on a refreshed version of its Odyssey minivan. All that and more, plus how Bosch is jumping on the autonomous bandwagon.

Acura aims the biggest ad campaign in its history at women… and chooses a perplexing tagline. June car sales are expected to surge to the highest level in years. One of GM’s most prominent executives jumps ship after 27 years with the company. All that and more, plus another edition of the Autoline Garage in which we explore the consequences of an absent spare tire.

Renault introduces the all-new version of its Koleos SUV at the Buenos Aires Motor Show. Honda will assemble its second hybrid in the U.S., the all-new 2014 Accord Hybrid. Host John McElroy shares his insight into the rumors that the Chrysler Group will get rid of the Dodge brand. All that and more, plus in this week’s chapter of Design Handbook, Jim Hall looks at one archetype that has remained the same for more than a century.

After originally refusing NHTSA’s recall request, Chrysler is now caving and will inspect the affected Jeep models. Both GM and Ford ramp up production in China. GM’s all-new 4.3 liter V6 gets its EPA estimates for the company’s full-size pickups. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to some of your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Automakers rarely want to admit that suppliers often do a lot of their work, and that’s the case for Fiat and its 500e. Future generations of SYNC and MyFord Touch will incorporate two classic features to make them easier to use. BMW pulls the wraps off its all-new 4 Series Coupe. All that and more, plus what makes Detroit Electric’s SP:01 sports car tick?

There were reports that the Eaton Corporation is looking to sell its automotive division, but the company emphatically denies that. Mercedes launches a significant refresh of the sedan and wagon versions of its E-Class. Ford struggles to keep up with demand for the Fusion. All that and more, plus John McElroy checks in from Bosch’s proving grounds in Germany.

Toyota doesn’t expect to regain the peak market share it once held in the U.S. Even though Nissan’s full-size pickups have the options Americans want, they seem to be bolted to showroom floors. Detroit’s iconic Packard plant is up for auction this September. All that and more, plus a look how Chevy’s all-new Cruze Diesel is different from its gasoline counterparts.

Reports say the Eaton Corporation may sell off its automotive components group to concentrate on areas outside the industry. Honda and Nissan slashed their EV prices recently and it was only a matter of time before Chevy followed suit. Later this week at the Tokyo Toy Show, Toyota will debut a new battery electric vehicle. All that and more, plus a closer look at Lexus’ 3rd generation IS.