Autoline Daily - Video

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.

Car sales in the U.S. continue to grow, hitting nearly 1.2 million units, an increase of 13 percent compared to last year. Infiniti wants to expand its relationship with Red Bull’s Formula One team. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is pushing to sell Jeeps in India. All that and more, plus a look at Opel’s new small car, the Adam.

We bet you didn’t know that Volkswagen has the highest number of employees in the global automotive industry, topping half a million. September light-vehicle sales plummeted in France, making a bad situation even worse. Toyota’s chairman, Fujio Cho was denied permission to land his jet in Beijing as tensions between China and Japan escalate. All that and more, plus John responds to questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Nissan is offering huge discounts for the Leaf in the U.S. in an effort to boost sales. The Greek government is subsidizing the construction of a Formula One race track despite the country’s financial woes. Analysts say Europe needs to take out at least 5 million units of capacity. All that and more, plus we’ll take a look at why the Dodge Charger got to be as good as it is.

Tire prices are expected to drop in the U.S. after a tariff placed on Chinese tire makers expired earlier in the week. Bosch predicts that half of all new cars in the U.S. will be equipped with stop/start technology within four years. John takes a look at the Audi Q3 with Audi of America’s President, Scott Keogh. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with Don Butler the Vice President of Marketing at Cadillac.

The Canadian Auto Workers reached a new labor agreement with Chrysler. Jaguar unveiled an all-new two-seat convertible called the F-Type in Paris today. Hot on the heels of its light-duty 1500 model, RAM truck just revealed its latest crop of HD pickups. All that and more, plus we take a look at the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Toyota doesn’t see much chance of success for EVs in the short term because of limited range and long recharging times. Tesla just launched a network of solar power charging stations to allow Model S owners to power up for free. Chrysler announced that it is suspending testing for its plug-in hybrid program. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ward's predicts September sales will hit the best SAAR in three years. GM figures out how to shed pounds by spot welding aluminum. John McElroy takes his first drive of the CODA electric car and gives his initial impressions. All that and more, plus a report from KPMG about using the cloud to improve the automotive supply chain.

A new study says that batteries in the Nissan LEAF degrade faster in hot climates. The Congressional Budget Office says that federal subsidies for manufacturing and purchasing EVs will cost taxpayers around 7.5 billion dollars through 2019. Audi revealed the 2013 S3 which gets a walloping 300 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about whether using ethanol in gasoline hurts our food supply.

Transmission maker ZF is rockin’ and rollin’ as demand for its gearboxes booms. The Volkswagen Passat has passed its previous sales record, which was set in 2001. Prices for red-hot rare-earth metals are finally starting to cool off. All that and more, plus a first drive of the 2013 Ford Fusion and a look at one of the best ads to come out in years.

McLaren is showing off a new supercar called the P1 before its formal debut in Paris next week. Aston Martin just revealed the new 2013 DB9 which will be available in November. BMW is developing a new lineup of engines that will come in three-, four- and six-cylinder sizes as well as gasoline and diesel configurations. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on why the 2013 Fusion defines the new Ford.

Ford and the Canadian Auto Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement for a new labor contract. Vehicle registrations in Europe dropped 8.5 percent in August versus the same month in 2011. GM’s 2.5-liter EcoTec four-cylinder engine features the company’s new Intake Valve Lift Control system. All that and more, plus a look at which vehicles are flying off dealer lots the fastest.

The Canadian Auto Workers chose Ford as its strike target as it tries to negotiate a new contract before it expires tonight. General Motors is pushing the U.S. Treasury Department to sell its stake in the company but it won’t because GM’s stock price isn’t high enough. BMW is showing off more of the vehicles it will reveal at the Paris Motor Show. All that and more, plus a look at the all-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL.

Volvo is telling its Swedish suppliers they better cut their prices by 25 percent in the next two years, or else. Audi is set to premiere a performance version of its Q5 crossover at the Paris Motor Show in a of couple weeks. And speaking of Paris, BMW just introduced a plug-in hybrid called the Concept Active Tourer before it debuts at the show. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week where we take you inside the top secret design studios at General Motors.

Kia just revealed a new three-door hatchback called the Procee’d before it debuts at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month. Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn says the sales growth in China is slower than expected but the market is still very healthy. BMW is working with Pininfarina and Bertone to design and assemble limited-edition vehicles. All that and more plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ford’s board of directors may be close to announcing a succession plan to replace CEO Alan Mulally and it appears Mark Fields, Ford’s President of the Americas, is the heir apparent. Peugeot just introduced the world’s first diesel hybrid crossover, the 3008 HYbrid4. Nissan just unveiled a fuel-cell SUV concept called the TeRRA before it debuts at the Paris Motor Show. All that and more, plus a peek at what Ford is doing to reduce distractions while driving.

Chrysler just gave its dealers a sneak peek at what’s coming down the product pipeline and there are some interesting revelations. Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech has a rosy prediction for his company’s performance in China next year. General Motors is lending a helping hand to those less fortunate. All that and more plus a look at what GM can get its European operations back on track.

Ford announces its plan to expand and boost sales in Europe. Renault just introduced a small premium sedan for the Indian market called the Scala. Land Rover unveiled the all-new Range Rover which is up to 926 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. All that and more, plus a look at the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

Ford revealed a brand-new lineup of commercial vehicles that will be sold in markets around the world. Kia unveiled its new flagship sedan called the Quoris which will be sold outside of South Korea for the first time. Mazda took the wraps off the wagon version of the Mazda6 before it debuts at the Paris Motor Show. All that and more, plus a look at the design highlights of the 2013 Ram 1500.

August sales are in and the results have taken many analysts by surprise. GM may be having second thoughts about its alliance with PSA. Volkswagen just unveiled its seventh-generation Golf in Berlin, Germany. All that and more, plus John dives into all the technical details of the new 2013 Honda Accord.

Automakers sold over 6.5 million vehicles worldwide in Jul, an increase of over 7 percent compared to last year. General Motors is shutting down its hybrid program for full-size pick-ups and SUV’s. Engineering students in Belgium working with an automotive supplier called Materialise, have made a body for a formula racing car, using a stereo lithography machine. All that and more, plus a look at the new 2013 Nissan Sentra.

The Ford Focus is the world’s best selling car in the first six months of the year. Fiat will unveil a new 4x4 version of the Panda at the Paris Auto Show. A gallon of unleaded gasoline now costs about 9.50 a gallon in some regions of Italy! All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week, where we take you inside Bob Lutz’s garage.

It looks like GM is suffering a brain drain in its R and D department. The latest senior leader to depart the company is Chris Borroni-Bird. Nissan just introduced the all-new Almera at the Moscow International Autosalon. This large sedan is specifically designed to handle Russia’s rough roads. Audi could be scrapping its all-aluminum space frame. The next-generation A8 may ride on a completely different platform. All that and more, plus a look at the Land Rover LR4.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says the company is guaranteed to lose money on every zero emission vehicle it makes. Mazda just revealed the all-new 2014 Mazda6 at the Moscow Auto Show. The head of General Motors International Operations says the company plans to invest 1 billion dollars in Russia over the next five years. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ford is taking its troubled luxury brand to China. Lincoln vehicles will be sold in this red-hot market starting in the second-half of 2014. Vehicle manufacturing in Mexico is expected to grow by 1 million units over the next three years. The Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Detroit Three are facing off in their latest round of contract negotiations. All that and more, plus a look at a new electric-motor technology.

The French government is accusing Hyundai and Kia of dumping cars in the French market. Car plants in the second quarter of the year hit 100 percent capacity utilization in North America. General Motors and Chrysler have banned President Obama and Mitt Romney from visiting its plants until after the election. All that and more, plus John shares his idea of how GM can save Opel.

European automakers say the 2020 emissions target will add a hefty increase to the price of cars -- we'll tell you how much. BYD has a car that comes when it's called -- for only $10,000! Camaro's chief engineer explains away the criticisms of the sports car's weight problem. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy has an overview of the new Ram 1500!

Nissan hires the top car tester away from Consumer Reports. Engineers explain what has to be done to meet the new small off-set crash test devised by IIHS. We get a first look at the Toyota Auris, set to debut in Paris next month. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in this week's edition of You Said It!

One of the most popular vehicles among executives in China is the Buick GL8 minivan. Volkswagen just opened a new product-development and emissions-test laboratory in California. Honda kicked off production of the redesigned 2013 Accord at its plant in Marysville, Ohio. All that and more, plus guest host Todd Lassa from Motor Trend shares some interesting analysis on whether the American love affair with cars is fading.

A federal appeals court rejected challenges to prevent the increase of ethanol in gasoline. Bentley just previewed its latest automobile at the Pebble Beach Concours, the Mulsanne Convertible Concept. Many Ford Ranger owners are switching to other brands including Chevrolet, Toyota and Nissan. All that and more, plus guest host, David Kiley of AOL Autos shares a few of his thoughts on the car business.

General Motors’ CEO Dan Akerson is planning a reorganization that would see the company move towards a more global structure rather than being run by regional powers. A new study says that average sales per dealership will set a record this year. Meritor WABCO has developed an air dryer for large trucks they claim is more efficient than competing systems on the market. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Don Butler, the vice president of marketing for Cadillac tells Autoline when its plug-in electric vehicle, the ELR will become available. Kia released details on the new Sorento before it officially debuts at the Paris Motor Show. Red Bull Racing took one of its Formula One cars to New York City to “sing” the U.S. national anthem. All that and more, plus a look at Meritor Wabco’s next-generation electronic stability control system for large trucks which has a feature that makes competing systems look primitive by comparison.

The CAW enters negotiations today, Ford says Canadian labor is the most expensive in the industry. Dr. Canadce Wheeler, a technical fellow at General Motors, talks about how ethanol has kept gas prices lower than they would be otherwise. Fisker just hired the recently-retired Tony Posawatz to be its new CEO. All that and more, plus You Said It!

The IIHS just found a new way to destroy cars. The organization recently developed a test to simulate crashing into a tree, with numerous models failing with flying colors. BMW is allowing its dealers to reprogram its Stop-Start system so owners will not have to disable it each time the car is started. John talks with Candace Wheeler, a Technical Fellow at GM R and D about alternative fuels that are less alternative and more fuel. All that and more, plus a look at Chrysler's quality testing.

VW has publicly bragged that it will be the biggest car company in the world by 2018 but one automotive analyst believes it’s going to come up short. A new study shows that young people aren’t buying cars like they used to. The Indy Lights series, which is the farm system for the IndyCar Series, is going to get a new race car and it could be the Delta Wing. All that and more, plus a look at the fastest MINI ever built.

GM CEO Dan Akerson is taking GM employees down a peg. The former naval officer criticized employees for leaks to the media, and the company’s products for not being competitive. Auto workers in South Korea are striking for higher pay and an end to night shifts which the workers say are dangerous. Frito-Lay, the snack foods division of PepsiCo, is increasing it’s fleet of EV delivery trucks. The fleet is now the nation’s largest. All that and more, plus we pump up some tires.