Autoline Daily - Video

We’ve got the first reveals from the Detroit auto show. The 2014 Chevy Corvette made its hugely anticipated debut in front of a giant media turnout. Jeep unveiled the 2014 Grand Cherokee and Compass. And Lincoln is showing off a new crossover concept called the MKC. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard, has all the details on Mercedes’ new debut, the CLA-Class.

Foreign automakers keep adding more manufacturing capacity in North America and that is especially true for one country. Tom Doll, CFO of Subaru of America, tells Autoline it needs figure out how to do an STi version of the BRZ “before the tuners figure out how to do it themselves.” Ford is making some significant upgrades to its 3.2 Liter Power Stroke diesel going in the U.S. version of the full-size Transit van. All that and more, plus we have some pretty educated guesses as to who will win the North American Car of the Year award.

Peter Welch was just named the new president for the National Auto Dealers Association, and he’s got the resume to back up that decision. Automakers keep teasing us with sneak peeks of what they will unveil at next week’s Detroit auto show, but Nissan is taking a different approach by showing off its new global display stand. Chevy has a bunch of new products to roll out for 2013, and coming with them is a new ad slogan. All that and more, plus host John McElroy talks with Ben Bowlby, the creator and designer of the DeltaWing race car.

We take a look at some of interesting new technology coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Dodge will pull the covers off the newest model in the Dart line-up, the GT, at the Detroit auto show. Hyundai teases us with its latest concept, the HCD-14. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard takes a ride through Europe in the diesel version of the Fiat Bravo.

Since 2006 the bus industry in the U.S. has grown between 5 and 10 percent a year, which could be why one Chinese automaker will open an electric bus factory in California. Some car dealer associations are suing Tesla because it's selling cars in its own stores instead of going through the existing franchised dealer network. PSA, the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, desperately needs cash and may sell its stake in parts maker Faurecia. All that and more, plus a look into the all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4.

In China you can now get a ticket for running a yellow light. The debate over DuPont-Honeywell’s new automotive refrigerant heats up after it fails Daimler’s internal safety test. One man’s trash is another man’s… garage floor? All that and more, plus John McElroy talks with the head of BMW i design about what went into the interior of the i3 electric.

Kia just promoted its chief of design to become one of three presidents in the Hyundai-Kia group and it’s something of a bombshell. Mr. Imre Molnar, 61 years old and the provost of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, died of a heart attack while out bicycling in California five days ago. Toyota has just unveiled the 14th generation of the Crown series which first made its debut in 1955. All that and more, plus in this edition of Barn Finds, can you tell what kind of car this is?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lambasted one car company for having some of the worst crash test results in its new small overlap test. Nevada has granted a German auto supplier approval to test autonomous cars on its public roads. A company called Energy Power Systems says the lead-acid battery is going to make a comeback and it has a prototype that could prove it. All that and more, plus John McElroy talks with Dan Barile of Mercedes about its wild looking concept, the Ener-G-Force.

General Motors announced this morning it’s going to buy 200 million shares of its stock from the U.S. Treasury. We've looked at the sales numbers for hybrids and electric cars in China, and they're miserably low. GM just appointed a new vice president of purchasing, Grace Lieblein. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gets to your questions and comments in this week's edition of You Said It!

Mercedes-Benz is not only lagging behind BMW in sales, it’s also lagging in market value. The 2013 Chevy Cruze will be equipped with a new single-stage "smart airbag." An organization called Noise Free America just chose this month’s winner of what it calls the Noisy Dozen. All that and more, plus John McElroy sits down with (pun intended) Michael Miner, the manager of product planning at Faurecia Seating to show a future seat design that it’s showing to automakers.

It looks like Jaguar will be the next in a line of automakers to go diesel in the U.S. Backup cameras are about to become required equipment, but John McElroy has a common sense alternative that will be easier on consumers' pocketbooks. A new vehicle from a Chinese automaker has failed the "sniff test" so don't breathe too deeply. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week, which commemorates 30 years of Honda manufacturing in America.

GM takes the wraps off the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra ahead of their Detroit debut. Renault dumps its stake in Volvo trucks. The finalists for the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards have been announced; we'll tell you which ones are in the running. All that and more, plus John McElroy gets a walkthrough of the BMW i3's styling with the head of the company's i design.

Bill Ford Jr. has purchased the oldest surviving Ford automobile. Find out what it is. Indianapolis will embrace natural gas and electric vehicles as it requires city vehicles to dump petroleum in coming years. Think right-to-work means the end of the UAW? Think again. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week's edition of "You Said It!"

A Chinese company bought battery maker A123 Systems, which is good news for one EV manufacturer. Japanese automakers are still having trouble in China due to anti-Japanese sentiment. Daimler AG is investing $100 million in its Detroit Diesel plant. All that and more, plus a look at Ford's 1.0 Liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine in the 2014 Fiesta.

The state of Michigan's right-to-work legislation will have immediate implications for the UAW. A test done by Consumer Reports shows that Ford's hybrids fall short of their EPA ratings, but this problem doesn't end with the Dearborn auto maker. Manufacturers are always looking for new ways to improve fuel efficiency, and one company has some new technology that can do just that. All that and more, plus John talks with Mazda's John Doonan about its latest effort to use diesel engines in long distance races.

Looks like Buick is really starting to get some momentum, thanks largely to lowering one key number. The Cadillac Cue and MyFord Touch systems have been heavily criticized for being awkward to use; we’ve found that a key factor is how you use them. New York City is being sued over red-light traffic cameras. All that and more, plus host John McElroy talks with Lexus' Mark Templin on the public's reaction to its new styling.

John talks with the head of BMW’s i Design about the exterior styling elements of the i8 Concept. Guest host Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com gives her analysis of November's sales numbers. All that and more, plus we have the results of this week's poll question, who you thought was the biggest winner in LA.

Nissan is changing the LEAF to a different name in China, the Venucia C30. As if it didn't already have enough problems, Peugeot workers are protesting the company’s plan to shut down a plant in 2014. Chrysler pays the remainder of a $3,500 bonus to hourly workers earlier than needed, perhaps to gain favor with the UAW. All that and more, plus we take a look at Ford's first plug-in hybrid, the C-MAX Energi.

The U.S. Department of Energy is set to announce a new project to develop low-cost batteries for electric vehicles. Chevy unveiled its new race car for NASCAR and says it will closely resemble the production car. The 2014 Mazda6 will be the first vehicle in Mazda’s line-up to feature its SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine. All that and more, plus John talks with Lincoln’s John Clinard on why it decided to showcase classic cars from its past at the LA Auto Show.

In an effort to move production out of Japan, Honda wants to boost exports from the U.S. Ram Truck is launching a new commercial truck division called Ram Commercial. It will even offer a full-sized van based on the Fiat Ducato. Diesel powered cars are starting to catch on in the American market, up over 25 percent through October this year. All that and more, plus guest host Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics gives his thoughts on the state of electric vehicles.

Amid all of the destruction and chaos caused by Superstorm Sandy, there may be a silver lining for the auto industry. Apple's digital assistant Siri will be making its automotive debut in a couple of Chevrolet models. The abruptly ousted GM marketing chief, Joel Ewanick, has landed at Fisker, for now. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo has the High-Octane Truth about Volkswagen's key to success.

Hyundai and Kia could be starting to feel the repercussions of misrepresenting fuel economy, but this problem may have deeper implications beyond the Korean automakers. Aston Martin is looking for someone to take a stake in the company. See who's scrambling to place their bids. General Motors takes the wraps off its new Chinese EV, the Sail SPRINGO EV. All that and more, plus John McElroy talks with Ashley Denmead from Carbon Revolution, a company that has figured out how to make wheels out of carbon fiber.

General Electric announced it will buy 2,000 Ford C-MAX plug-in hybrids for its fleet, see what Ford is willing to do in exchange. BMW will show off a plug-in hybrid at the L.A. Auto Show next week. Nissan released an upgraded version of the LEAF in Tokyo today with changes based on feedback from owners. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in "You Said It!"

A partnership with Chery will help Jaguar Land Rover cut vehicle costs in China. Spanish carmaker SEAT is struggling to sell cars in China, so its parent company is stepping in to help. Honda and Nissan have cut profit forecasts due to protests over disputed territory, but one Japanese automaker is actually increasing theirs. All that and more, plus we take a look at Volkswagen's all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid.

An inside source explains the full story on why Toyota and others are suing Mexico over fuel regulations. The turbocharger and dual clutch manufacturer BorgWarner is getting a new CEO. Mercedes-Benz takes the wraps off a futuristic SUV concept for the LA Auto Show. All that and more, plus on Autoline This Week, Csaba Csere and Jim Hall join John McElroy to discuss which EVs are winners and which are destined for the dustbin of history.

Ford is flooding the media with information about electrics, plug-ins and hybrids, because it wants to beat GM to the punch about its electric plans. Speaking of General Motors, it has halted talks about a deeper tie-up with PSA. Chesapeake Energy, General Electric and Whirlpool are developing a relatively inexpensive appliance that will allow natural gas cars to be filled up at home. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in "You Said It!"

An international agency says that the United States will surpass Saudi Arabia in oil production by the end of the decade. Honda shows off the Civic's new face prior to its Los Angeles debut. For the first time ever, women rule the roads. All that and more, plus we preview Continental's newest safety technology developed to meet stricter safety regulations.

Vehicle inventory levels jumped nearly 25 percent last month in the U.S. market. See which companies top the list. VW shareholders voted to keep 75-year-old chairman Ferdinand Piech, but it could be longer than anyone expected. Should Ford sell the F-150 in China? Sales of one special-edition F-series show they should. All that and more, plus a look at how one major city leads the way in public bicycle use.

Lincoln releases more in-depth information on the 2013 MKZ Hybrid. Find out why Bosch sold its entire stake in Japanese supplier Denso. Consumption of lead batteries in China outweighs output, which may lead to a shortage next year. All that and more, plus we get our look at Chevy's redesigned 2013 Traverse.

Maserati plans to boost sales over 8 times the current amount by 2015. Could the new Quattroporte help to reach that mark? Ford is bucking the trend in China. Sales were up nearly 50 percent thanks to the new Focus. Hurricane Sandy drives up used car prices, but may help overall sales. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in today's edition of You Said It!

Suzuki drops out of the American market because they say it can't make a profit in the long term. An ex-GM engineer stole hybrid technology and tried selling it to GM's competitors. See what GM says those secrets are worth; you may be surprised. SAIC announces the release of their pure-electric Roewe E50. All that and more, plus a look at the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL550.

Auto sales were up in the U.S. last month but were not as strong as they could have been. Ford announces that CEO, Alan Mulally, will retain his position for at least 2 more years. Hyundai-Kia make a fuel economy blunder that could cost them tens of millions of dollars. All that and more, plus on Autoline This Week John sits down with Scott Painter, the founder and CEO of TrueCar, to talk about how the company is reinventing itself.

General Motors expects to break even in Europe by 2015, despite loosing half a billion dollars in the third-quarter. The new Escalade is still a year away from showrooms, but Cadillac has already cut out some amenities. Subaru reveals the all-new 2014 Forester. All that and more, plus a look at pedestrian protection technology from Continental.

GM's third-quarter earnings are out and revenue is up. But GM barely out-earns its crosstown rival, despite selling a million more vehicles. Could the safety of lithium ion batteries be in question because of Hurricane Sandy? EV sales in Europe are down but Renault pushes to corner the market with 4 pure electric models, more than any other manufacturer. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments on You Said It!

BMW claims it can now withstand a 30 percent drop in sales without having to lay off any people, close any plants or post a financial loss. Kia just released photos of its new Cadenza, a car also known as the K7 and Amanti depending on which market it's sold in. Ford says some of its customers are really getting into black wheels. All that and more, plus a look at the latest BMW model German tuning company Alpina has modified.

While one manufacturer fails to meet profit expectations, Hyundai reports a 3rd quarter profit jump. Although somewhat controversial, could fracking be the answer to lower fuel costs? A vehicle meant to compete with the likes of the Tesla Roadster gets put on the back burner. All that and more, plus on Autoline This Week John sits down to talk with Mary Barra, the head of General Motors Global Product Development.

Ford estimates it will lose over one billion dollars in Europe this year as even more cuts are announced. GM debuts the all-new Corvette small block in Pontiac, MI. Volkswagen is considering building an all-new SUV designed specifically for the American market. All that and more, plus a look at Ford's 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine.

You'd think that selling iconic London cabs would be an easy business proposition, but that's not the case. The all-new Chevy Silverado will debut next year at the Detroit Auto Show, and the company really needs it to sell. Total automotive manufacturing capacity in Brazil will jump by 50 percent by 2014. Will that be too much? All that and more, plus our look at the 2013 Chevy Spark.

A boom in the Brazilian market has one automotive manufacturer introducing seven new models. Has the U.S. auto industry fully recovered? A report from WardsAuto indicates it may have. Reading between the lines has us thinking we may see the first zinc-air battery soon. All that and more, plus an independent car tech believes he has solved the draw-backs of the rotary engine.

Lincoln opened the doors to media members on their new design center yesterday. See what their doing in hopes to rebuild the Lincoln brand. We get our look at Nissan’s all-new Sentra. And see how one company hopes to make the next-generation of connected car. All that and more, plus on Autoline This Week we take a look at Kia, a brand most car buyer’s don’t even know about.

Find out how Europe’s continued financial woes are lowering gas prices in the U.S. See who is at the Ford-front of in-car technology. Chrysler and Fiat expand their partnership in unique way. It’s a first for them since they joined forces in 2009. All that and more, plus John looks at Ford’s hot new BOSS 302 Mustang.

Johnson Controls charges up as another battery supplier files for bankruptcy. LEDs are the latest thing in automotive lighting, but could they be obsolete within the next few years? Does your car look like it could save your life? One car maker thinks their’s can. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Joint-ventured and government-owned companies dominate the Chinese market, but one company is thriving without bank or government backing. If you think the sticker price of a Tesla Model S is high, find out how they are getting even more money from their buyers. Take a look at what one Israeli inventor thinks will be the lightweight material of the future. All that and more, plus our first look at the updated BMW 7 Series.

BMW must be worried about its market share; lessees can now skip payments on certain models. Could Volkswagen be cooking up a new brand to satisfy low-cost hunger pangs? The 2013 Ford Explorer Sport is aimed squarely at the luxury market. All that and more, plus an inside look at the engineering of the just-unveiled Jaguar F-TYPE.

As the situation in Europe continues to go from bad to worse, Volkswagen may put its ultra-luxury SUVs on hold. Fox and Turner Sports have inked a deal that may have greater ramifications on racing coverage. And, John McElroy weighs in on whether Chrysler should buy Fiat to save the company. All that and more, plus correspondent Andrew Justus has some first drive impressions of the new BMW M5!

Could autonomous vehicles be in consumers' hands as soon as five years? One company thinks so. Honda customers now have a new incentive to buy a CNG Civic -- free gas! NHTSA uncovers airbags that either don't work or deploy shrapnel. Is yours faulty? All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week's edition of You Said It!

Toyota's chairman says he won't approve any new models that are not waku waku doki doki. What does that mean? Find out. Four major companies agree to accelerate the pace of fuel cell development and infrastructure. Toyota makes good on damaged cars in recent protests. All that and more, plus Andrew Justus has Autoline's first look at Ford's new dedicated hybrid, the C-MAX.

California temporarily lowered its emission standards for gasoline because prices skyrocketed in the Golden State. E85 must be priced 20 percent below gasoline or motorists have no financial incentive to use it. We take our first look at what will become the new 2014 Kia Forte sedan. All that and more, plus we take a look at the fashion aspect of the Paris Auto Show.

Anti-Japanese sentiment in China is crushing car sales for Japanese automakers. The auto industry in Europe continues to struggle. VW just slashed its European sales forecast for the year and Renault is moving more production out of France. But there is one bright spot in Europe. Sales last month in the U.K. were up 8 percent. All that and more, plus a look at one of Chevrolet’s most important reveals from the Paris Motor Show, the Trax.

Toyota will no longer sell its Matrix hatchback in the United States. The move will free up capacity to build more Corollas. Traffic deaths in the U.S. have been declining for the past several years but that trend has reversed this year. Things are bad in Europe but in Italy sales of bicycles have actually overtaken cars! All that and more, plus a design walk around of the new 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE.