Autoline Daily - Video

Two groups that represent every automaker selling vehicles in the United States file a petition to prevent a California mandate for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. GM starts building electric motors for the Spark EV at its plant in Baltimore. The steel and aluminum industries fight over which material is the most cost effective at reducing weight in cars. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Protean Electric reveals the production version of its electric hub motors. Chrysler announces major changes to account for the CEO of the Ram brand’s departure. Volkswagen shuffles the chairman deck at its troubled SEAT division. All that and more, plus we take a walk around the floor of the Autorama car show in Detroit.

$1.6 billion goes missing in an astounding vanishing act at one Chinese car company. Ahead of Shanghai, we get our first glimpse at a future Citroen DS SUV. Russia’s GAZ launches its first new commercial vehicle in more than 25 years. All that and more, plus a sneak peek at Autoline This Week with Dick Dauch, the Chairman of American Axle.

Silicon Valley gets more and more interested in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to connected cars and autonomous technology. Some analysts think GM should dump the Opel brand, but the company says otherwise. The Ford Explorer is currently sold in 64 countries, but it has always been built in the U.S., until now. All that and more, plus we take a look at the features of the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

EcoMotors announces a Chinese supplier will make an investment to start building its opoc engine. A new report from Polk says Ford had the best selling car and truck in the world last year. A new strain of bird flu in China threatens to shut down the upcoming Shanghai auto show. All that and more, plus we take an up-close and personal look at the new Chevy Impala.

BMW expands its motorcycle lineup by teaming up with an Indian motorcycle company. Renault showcases its design direction with a small concept car called the Twin’Z. GM’s extended service intervals are causing problems in certain models with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. All that and more, plus have you heard of this new kind of carbon fiber bridge, what they call a bridge in a backpack?

Sales of hybrids, plug-ins and EVs in the U.S. were down last month, despite high gas prices. But if you break out sales of electric and plug-ins from the total, they were up. Last night in the main lobby of Motown’s iconic Fisher Building carmaker Detroit Electric pulled the wraps of its all-new SP:01. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes us for a deep look into the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

We’ve got the latest sales report from the U.S. market, which was quite good, but may have shown the first signs of softness. Tesla CEO Elon Musk reveals his “big” announcement. Chrysler considers a diesel version of its 300 sedan for the U.S. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gets to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Ford Motor Company announces its Alan Mulally retention plan. Fisker Motor Company founder and former CEO Henrik Fisker says he has no regrets about the fate of his company, the recipient of hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. Department of Energy loans. Actor Clint Eastwood sues Chrysler for breach of contract. All that and more, plus HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

Rumors out of Italy say that Audi is in talks to take over Alfa-Romeo. Volvo introduces a concept called MethaneDiesel that’s equipped with a diesel engine that can run on LNG. Chevy pulls the wraps off the redesigned 2014 Camaro, which will once again have a Z/28 option. All that and more, plus a slew of unveils from the New York Auto Show.

Honda pulls the wraps back on its new Odyssey minivan with a new feature that makes it even more family friendly. Buick reveals its 2014 Regal and Regal GS that will go on sale later this fall. Also at the New York Auto Show, Jaguar unveils a performance R version of its flagship XJ sedan. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gets to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

The latest generations of hybrids and small displacement engines with turbos fall well short of the fuel economy they’re supposed to deliver. So that begs the question, what technology does improve fuel efficiency? Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory develop a new lightweight, space-saving CNG fuel tank. Mopar is considering building a version of the Ram pick-up based on the concept vehicles it showed off at Moab last week. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his insight on why commercial truck fleets in the U.S. are real interested in natural gas and propane.

General Motors is moving forward with plans to close its Opel plant in Bochum, Germany. Sales for the Lincoln brand are down almost 25 percent through the first two months of the year, but that could change now that one vehicle is back on track. Hyundai just revealed renderings of a luxury sports coupe concept it will unveil at next month’s Seoul Motor Show. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about how the automotive industry can attract more female talent.

The head of Germany’s IG Metall union sends a letter to VW workers in Tennessee urging them to join the UAW. Subaru announces it will introduce its first production hybrid at the New York Auto Show. Jeep unveiles six new concept vehicles at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari that are equipped with off-road parts from the Mopar catalog. All that and more, plus today’s host Todd Lassa gives his thoughts on the company culture over at General Motors.

The Chinese auto industry has been growing by leaps and bounds the last several years and as a result automakers are investing heavily in the country. Acura has some cool new technology in the RLX that will make the ride inside the car quieter. SRT pulled the wraps off its track edition of the Viper, called the TA, which stands for time attack. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes a look at the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

Toyota is creating a new China-only brand that will build low-cost and alternative-fuel vehicles. Cellulosic ethanol has not caught on, due to its high price, but that could change soon. It looks like Volkswagen’s Tennessee facility could be the first transplant with union representation. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his insight into the global race going on amongst car companies to lock up the supply chain for carbon fiber.

China has sought to dominate EV technology, but the electric car market has been a flop in the country. Volkswagen’s Chief Executive says the company will build a minimum of 10 assembly plants in the years to come. A report out of Europe says automakers use tricks to boost their fuel efficiency and lower CO2 ratings that border on cheating. All that and more, plus host John McElroy answers some of your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Henrik Fisker abruptly resigned from the car company he started after unspecified disagreements with the executive management team. International, the big truck maker, now offers the Transtar Class 8 semi that runs on CNG. Pollution continues to be a problem in China, and the country has a plan to get the highest polluting cars off the road. All that and more, plus we take a look at how fish behavior is helping Nissan develop its autonomous technology.

China is offering more generous subsidies to customers that buy EVs, and it’s not just the central government offering them. One of the worlds largest oil and gas companies says diesel will be the number 1 fuel by 2020. Cadillac has really started the year with a bang. But the sales gain is coming exclusively from two new models. All that and more, plus we take a walk around the exterior of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the head of Jeep design.

Over the last several years, automakers boosted car sales globally thanks to explosive growth in emerging markets, but now some of those markets are starting to cool down. In an effort to boost electric vehicle sales, Nissan is making some management changes. Ford announced the introduction of two all-new Transit models. All that and more, plus John McElroy gives his insight on how a former GM exec ended up on the board of directors at Toyota.

One of the former executives from the old General Motors lands a big job. The Ford Mustang is getting a 4-cylinder engine …again. For the first time in 35 years, iconic sports car brand Alpine will be returning to endurance racing. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes us for a few laps around Austin Texas’ brand new Formula 1 track in the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT.

The UAW is holding a press conference near the Geneva auto show today as part of its effort to ramp up its organizing effort at Nissan’s assembly plant in Mississippi. Fueled by higher gas prices, sales of hybrids, plug-ins and electrics enjoyed a strong February in the American market. For the second straight year Toyota President Akio Toyoda overhauled the top management positions at the company’s North American operations. All that and more, plus John McElroy gets to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

General Motors takes the wraps off the convertible version of the 2014 Corvette Stingray. Kia reveals a small sleek looking hatchback called the provo. Ferrari finally gives us a look at the successor to the Enzo, the LaFerrari. All that and more, plus today’s host Christie Schweinsberg takes a look at a few of the models that have impressed her for this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Interiors award.

Car sales in the American market were strong in February. In hopes of boosting sales of its K9 luxury sedan, Kia has come up with a sales gimmick to bring in new customers. Coda, the EV startup company, just closed the showroom doors at its LA store. All that and more, plus we take a walk-around of the 2014 Mazda6 with one of its designers.

Reports are out that several hundred of Nissan’s factory workers in Smyrna, Tennessee met with the United Auto Workers this week at a local hall. GM is boosting plug-in production as it believes that demand for its extended range electric vehicles is going to grow this year. After 75 years in the automotive business, Toyota marks the milestone with a fully interactive timeline. All that and more, plus we take a look at Visteon’s vision of what cars and the technology they’re equipped with will be like in the year 2020.

In one of the fastest growing markets in the world, EVs are going nowhere fast. Meanwhile, the future for EVs on the racing circuit could be looking bright as Formula E kicks into gear. The automotive equivalent of the “little black dress” is here and the secret is velvet. All that and more, plus John McElroy answers your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

In a move that caught most industry observers by surprise, General Motors hired away the top marketing executive from Volkswagen of America. The U.S. Treasury Department is selling off its remaining shares in General Motors. And one of those people who bought stock was GM CEO Dan Akerson. NISMO became Nissan’s exclusive performance and motorsports brand. All that and more, plus John McElroy shows you how the top car companies stack up against each other.

Daimler plays executive musical chairs by making some interesting personnel changes. Hyundai is upgrading the Sonata Hybrid for 2013, which is a good thing because the first version didn’t really deliver one main thing you expect from a hybrid. Yesterday Volkswagen officially announced the launch of the most fuel-efficient production vehicle ever made. All that and more, plus on Autoline This Week our guest is former GM CEO, Ed Whitacre and he talks about the mess he found when he got to General Motors.

The FCC is considering selling off more of the Wi-Fi spectrum in the United States and that has automakers worried. Audi will be pulling the wraps off its version of a plug-in hybrid next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The Golf lineup just got a little bigger with the introduction of Volkswagen’s Golf GTD. The D stands for diesel. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a ride in Acura’s replacement for the RL.

Volvo is introducing a number of new safety-related technologies. One of those is what they call Road Sign Information. It has been reported lately that BMW passed Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury sales leader in the American market. But, M-B says otherwise, if you look at one important stat. The all-new Flying Spur from Bentley will make its global debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. All that and more, plus we get to some of your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Danica Patrick became the first woman ever to qualify in the pole position for the Daytona 500 yesterday. According to YouTube viewers, Ram’s “God Made A Farmer” was the top ad during this year’s Super Bowl. We’ve reported how EV startup Fisker is desperately trying to find a partner and now it looks like the automaker has found some interest. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at the almost all-new Kia Sorento.

SEAT, the Spanish automaker owned by Volkswagen, is set to introduce the all-new Leon SC at the Geneva Motor Show next month. In the third quarter, Ram will offer a diesel package in its 1500 pickup. The UAW has been spectacularly unsuccessful in organizing any of the foreign transplants in the US, but could fix that by changing its sales pitch. All that and more, plus we reveal the identity of our Barn Find, the little blue British-made sports car we showed you on Wednesday.

GM reported its net profits for 2012, and lets just say they’re not very good. Chrysler is holding back the introduction of its mid-size pickup and small commercial van. Michael Dunne is one of the foremost experts on the Chinese automotive industry and he’s predicting some pretty wild developments. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy has the report on the 7th vehicle in MINI’s lineup, the 2013 Paceman.

The production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C finally hits the Geneva show next month. In our New Technology segment, we take a look at Federal Mogul’s ACIS program, which stands for Advanced Corona Ignition System. Find out which hot-button vehicle from GM may be the first production car in the world to use shape memory alloys. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard takes us for a ride in the 2014 Mazda6.

Anyone who lives in the United States definitely has noticed that the price of gasoline shot up dramatically in the last month. Now, find out why. Holden unveiled the redesigned version of its rear-wheel-drive VF Commodore sedan, which will make its way to the U.S. as one much-awaited Chevy model. Set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show is the Subaru Outback with the companies Boxer Diesel mated to a CVT. All that and more, plus the UAW once had a monopoly on automotive labor in the United States and Canada but not anymore.

Nissan just reported its earnings for the first nine months of its fiscal year, and it’s a mixed bag, but generally disappointing. Autoline gives a look at a few of the vehicles that were unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. MINI just introduced the fastest car it has ever made, a souped up version of the Hardtop. All that and more, plus we find out why Chevrolet is really bullish on selling diesels in the American market.

Daimler reported its earnings for 2012 this morning and the numbers are solid, but not anything like some other manufacturers. Automakers are making another run at using plastic windows, but they can pose some real issues. Carmakers are using more and more of one common material, but that is going to lead to higher prices. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at the new 2014 Kia Forte.

China is suffering through the worst air pollution the modern world has ever seen. MINI just introduced the all-new Paceman, which is based on the same platform as the Countryman. When the new S-class Mercedes comes out later this year it will be able to claim it was the first in the world to offer a certain technology. All that and more, plus we get to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

One company just reported its earnings for the first nine months of its fiscal year, and it’s doing better than most automakers who report full year earnings. Consumer Reports has been testing small displacement turbocharged engines and let’s just say they did not get a thumbs up, except for one automaker. Lincoln dropped sales and market share because Ford is very slow in getting its new MKZ to the dealers, which may come as a bit of a surprise. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard says that half a liter makes all the difference in the Mazda CX-5.

New U.S. car sales figures are out for the month of January, and they look very strong. Red Bull Racing inked a four-year deal with one carmaker to become the Vehicle Performance Partner of the team. At a labor conference in Washington D.C., UAW President Bob King and former Brazilian President Lula da Silva urged union members to get more active in politics. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his driving impressions of the 2014 Subaru Forester.

Fiat reported its 2012 financial earnings, and the results look pretty good, as long as you include Chrysler. Automakers are having a tough time selling EVs but that isn’t stopping California; it is not backing down from its zero emission mandate. Yesterday we reported that Fisker is desperately trying to find a deep-pocket partner and now it looks like the company might have one. All that and more, plus John McElroy has a look into what the 2014 Subaru Forester is all about.

Chrysler posted strong financial earnings last year but the company is still too reliant on the U.S. market. Speaking of financial earnings, Ford’s UAW employees are going to reap the benefits of the company’s positive results. Find out how much they’ll receive in profit sharing checks. Fisker just hired a consulting group to help it figure out how to save cash as it looks for a partner or a buyer. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ford is the first automaker to release its 2012 earnings, and we take a deep dive into the places where they're winning and losing. At long last we'll see the clean diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze debut in the U.S. John McElroy asks Johan de Nysschen why Infiniti has changed its naming scheme to focus on the letter Q. All that and we take a look at the all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.

Dodge is chopping production at one of its engine plants as sales of the Dart continue to disappoint. Ford is the next in a line of automakers to offer deep discounts on its electric vehicles. Could a bi-annual styling change become the norm for the industry? All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with the Lincoln Motor Company's Matt VanDyke.

In a new memoir, GM's former chairman says he wanted Mark Reuss to succeed him. Peugeot and Bosch announce a battery-free hybrid system that's lighter and cheaper. BMW and Toyota cement their agreement to collaborate on a host of new projects including a sports car. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week's edition of You Said It!

As Europe continues to slump, more factories are on the chopping block. John McElroy is out testing the 2014 Subaru Forester and he has an impressive demo of the vehicle's all-wheel drive capabilities. And, maybe automakers should stick to what they're good at; a new study suggests car nav systems can't compare to smart phones. All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, is back with his recipe for maximizing the potential of Corvette. See what his new lineup would look like.

Toyota will be getting a new chairman later this year to replace current chairman Fujio Cho. Big truck sales in the U.S. last year hit their highest total since 2007. Bob Lutz paired up with a company that is removing the hybrid powertrain from Fisker Karmas and replacing them with Corvette motors. All that and more, plus we’ll show you a company that is working on a low-cost hybrid that doesn’t need any batteries.

Last night on Autoline After Hours we learned about some of the coolest aerodynamic tricks they’re using on the new Corvette. It looks like the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins may be getting some new competition. At yesterday’s Montreal Auto Show Honda pulled the wraps off its concept car called the GEAR. All that and more, plus host John McElroy recently invited four of the editors from Ward’s Auto World on Autoline This Week to talk about where they see engine technology going.

As car sales continue to grow, and as automakers bring more new models to the market, suppliers need to boost their production capacity. The Toyota Prius passed the Honda Civic to become the best selling car in California last year. One top executive at GM says the price of a Volt could be dropped by thousands. All that and more, plus host John McElroy takes a walk around the Mopar Garage with Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar.

We’ve got more of the latest reveals from the Detroit auto show today. Cadillac finally took the wraps off the production version of the ELR which is based on the same technology as the Chevy Volt. Volkswagen unveiled a diesel plug-in-hybrid SUV concept called the CrossBlue. Hyundai is showing off a concept that hints at the design direction for the next-generation Genesis. All that and more, plus one analyst predicts this could be a good year for truck sales in the U.S.