Autoline Daily - Video

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.

Toyota takes the wraps off its all-new 2014 Corolla. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety petitions the U.S. government to try and get anti-lock braking systems mandated for motorcycles. We reported that Honda’s five core models make up 93 percent of sales in the U.S., but the company’s VP of marketing defends its other models. All that and more, plus a look at how Ford is helping Michigan create new jobs.

Due to severe flooding, Porsche was forced to stop production of two models. GM now offers its RemoteLink Mobile App services free on 2014 OnStar-equipped vehicles. Last month, sales of hybrids, electric cars and plug-ins shot up in the U.S. market. All that and more, plus in the 3rd chapter of Design Handbook, Jim Hall explains the value in owning a design element.

NHTSA wants Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps, but the company says the agency’s conclusion is based on incomplete analysis. Porsche pulls the wraps off a special 50th Anniversary Edition 911. Garmin is starting to focus on getting its systems integrated into vehicles, as some devices become less popular. All that and more, plus John McElroy explains why he thinks the all-new 2014 Acura MDX is the best Acura he has driven in 20 years.

Trucks really drove the market last month, the segment grew twice as fast as the passenger car side. Sales in May put the industry back on trend, after April’s SAAR fell below 15 million units. In his latest book, Bob Lutz criticizes former GM CEO and co-worker, Rick Wagoner. All that and more, plus the lead designer of the Fiat 500e shows us how the exterior differs from its gasoline counterpart.

The 2014 Chevy Malibu gets refreshed and puts on a new face. The auto industry continues to be one of the bright spots in the global economy, which is reflected in April’s car sales. Audi builds a fuel cell version of its A7 as it searches for viable gasoline alternatives. All that and more, plus Delphi CTO, Jeff Owens explains why the safety rating system should be expanded.

Automakers and suppliers in the U.S. market worry about a price war breaking out this summer that could hurt profit margins across the industry. According to one major automaker, “utility vehicles” are the hottest segment in the passenger car market. BMW pulls the wraps off its 3rd generation X5. All that and more, plus we take a look at the all-new Kia Cadenzda.

Chrysler quietly hires back a UAW worker it fired, after his dismissal caused an outcry. According to one source, Dodge is going to drop its best selling model, the Avenger. Unlike the new Silverado there’s no mistaking the new 2014 GMC Sierra Denali with the old one. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Former Chrysler and Fisker CEO teams up with racing icon Roger Penske. Nissan will build an entry-level Mercedes at its plant in Mexico. After getting to put some miles on the car, Autoline offers its quick impressions of the Chevy Cruze Diesel. All that and more, plus fill-in host Frank Markus of Motor Trend shares his thoughts of his test drive of Porsche’s supercar, the 918 Spyder.

Tesla Motors announces its paid off its government loan, and ticks off another automaker in the process. A new study highlights how car dealers need to do a better job on the internet. After nine decades of making cars in country, Ford announces it will end production there. All that and more, plus the debut of Design Handbook with the encyclopedic automotive expert, Jim Hall.

Trade groups that represent the major automakers push for the U.S. and the European Union to harmonize safety and emission regulations. Did you know that the U.S. imports cars from 12 different countries, not counting Canada or Mexico? Hennessey takes one automaker’s high-performance pickup, caps the bed and turns it into an SUV. All that and more, plus John McElroy asks whether the 2014 Chevy Silverado can take on the Ford F-150.

John McElroy has his first impressions of Kia’s new full-size sedan, the Cadenza, which is a stretched version of the Optima. For the first time in two years, GM’s stock closes above its IPO. According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch light vehicle sales will smash the all-time sales record in the U.S. by 2018. All that and more, plus a look at how augmented reality can make race car driving safer.

Honda returns to Formula 1 racing after leaving in 2008. Of the 11 small SUVs tested in the IIHS small overlap crash test, only one received a good rating. A company called Laservision invents a unique solution to warn truck drivers of low-hanging overpasses. All that and more, plus how a three-time racing champion is helping Infiniti develop its cars.

General Motors takes aim at Ford with a rebadged version of Nissan’s NV200. Acura announces it will build its supercar at a new Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. The American Civil Liberties Union files a lawsuit against LA’s two major police departments over data collecting scanners. All that and more, plus the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo, shares his thoughts on Jaguar’s new marketing plan.

The European Commission approves a deal to allow Volvo Trucks to acquire a 45 percent stake in a Chinese truck division. Honda could get rid of over half of its lineup in the American market, and sales would not go down that much. Facebook is close to purchasing social mapping and traffic app maker, Waze. All that and more, plus the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on the value of Chief Marketing Officers.

While traffic fatalities in the U.S. have fallen 40 percent in the last decade, they leaped by 72 percent in Brazil. GM sees an opportunity to start selling advertising in the car, as internet access becomes more available. At its private 50th birthday party, Lamborghini pulls the wraps off a very futuristic looking concept. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

There was a time that vehicles were said to be made out of steel, but these days you say they’re made out of steels. Structural adhesives can make a quieter, stronger, lighter car that is easier to manufacture, which is why one automaker is using a lot more of them. The joint venture between Chinese automaker Brilliance Auto and BMW comes out with a low-cost minivan. All that and more, plus in our exclusive interview with UAW President Bob King he discusses the controversial topic of Right-to-Work.

Elon Musk talks with Google about using its autonomous technology in Tesla vehicles. Not only does the Cadillac ELR have a much sleeker design than the Chevy Volt, the range-extended hybrid has a unique feature called Regen on Demand. Autoline takes a few laps around the famous Michigan International Speedway in the 2014 Lexus IS. All that and more, plus the next generation of car designers provide a look into automotive interiors of the future.

A number of Japanese automakers have been plagued by faulty airbags made by Takata. Now a prominent European brand joins the fray. Tesla could tally up another $250 million in its bank account when it cashes in on California EV credits. We have our first up-close look at the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. All that and more, plus Drew Winter from WardsAuto has some thoughts on the surprising results of this year’s 10 Best Interiors list.

Ford expects to break its full-year sales record for hybrids in the U.S. this month. The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place later in May and the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray is the official pace-car. Porsche rolls out a new 911 Turbo as the car celebrates its 40th anniversary. All that and more, plus we discuss the steps the auto industry is taking to make autonomous cars a reality.

There’s no question that car sales in the U.S. market are cooling off. China is not exactly throwing in the towel on EVs, but it is turning its emphasis to more conventional engine technology. Roger Penske’s logistics company announces it will run all of one automakers North American parts distribution. All that and more, plus host John McElroy takes a look at all the changes Nissan made to the 2013 LEAF.

Chrysler earnings fell in the first quarter of this year, but we think the company will be able to make up for its shortfalls this year. Mercedes unveils the updated version of its large Sprinter van. The Volvo Car Group tests a new hybrid system that doesn’t use batteries. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at the all-electric Fiat 500e.

Some experts predict car radios will go the way of 8-track and cassette players. According to preliminary data, the auto industry will meet CO2 emission targets, but not all OEMs. For all you off-road enthusiasts out there, Mercedes unveils its new Unimog lineup. All that and more, plus we take a look at a new bridge construction technique.

Honda gets a little bit sensitive about how well two other Japanese cars are selling in the American market compared to the Accord. Earlier in the week Nissan unveiled the Friend-ME, today it’s the Toyota ME.WE. Audi shows off a lightweight version of its TT, called the TT ultra quattro concept. All that and more, plus we look at how the Taxi Nissan’s Tomorrow can now accommodate a wheelchair.

First quarter sales are out, and Toyota outsold two other global automakers to retain its top spot. The CEO of Maserati agrees with a new study that says the carbon footprint of EVs may not be better than gasoline powered cars. Mazda scores its first victory using the SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine in the Mazda6. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Let’s take a look at some of the hottest unveils from the Shanghai auto show. The forjeremy from smart has got to be one of the weirdest special edition models ever to come out of a car company. Buick unveils a Riviera concept with show-stopping looks. Renault reveals a new model from the iconic Alpine brand, called the A110-50. All that and more, plus we take a look at why there is a sudden interest in opposed piston engines.

Bloomberg reports that the actual manufacturing cost for every Fisker was more than six times that of the purchase cost. Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne criticizes regulators for trying to force electric cars on the industry and the public. We get the official word that Toyota will start building the Lexus ES at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which is a first in the U.S. All that and more, plus we learn how CNG and LPG are getting a lot of attention.