Autoline Daily - Video

Peugeot unveils a new crossover concept as the Beijing Motor Show gets underway. The Blue Oval considers adding a China-shaped asterisk to its “One Ford” mantra. Scion kills off two of its most iconic nameplates. All that and more, plus Andrew Justus has Autoline’s first look at the new Acura RDX.

Honda is going to appeal a small claims case in California in which the company was hit with a settlement of less than 10,000 dollars. Mercedes-Benz is going to tweak the way it names its vehicles to make it less confusing…sort of. Alfa Romeo just trademarked the 4C name in the U.S. which is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2013. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about whether performance brands like Porsche and Lamborghini are making a mistake coming out with SUVs.

Formula One racing returns to Bahrain this weekend, but opponents of the regime that controls the country vow to wage three days of rage to coincide with the race. Ford is racing to catch up in China and just announced it will build another assembly plant in the country. Mercedes-Benz is expected to offer a diesel engine in North America by 2013. All that and more, plus Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn takes a peek at the company’s amazing collection of classic cars.

Volkswagen is expected to announce it plans to build an Audi factory in Mexico. GM announced that bi-fuel versions of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 will cost 11,000 dollars over the price of a conventionally powered truck. Ford CEO Alan Mulally says the battery used in the electric version of the Focus costs between 12,000 dollars and 15,000 dollars. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard takes a look at the all-new 2013 Ford Escape.

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission just approved the first liquefied natural gas export plant in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. Honda announced it’s teaming up with Japan Metals and Chemicals Company to reuse rare-earth metals from second-hand auto parts. Autoline Daily Correspondent Isaac Bouchard gives us a first look at the new Ford Focus Electric. All that and more, plus a rundown of the 2012 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors winners with guest host Christie Schweinsberg.

The supplier company TI Automotive is warning automakers of a resin shortage that could lead to production disruptions. Citroen is showing off a new concept called the Numero 9 which it says reveals the future styling of the DS line. Fiat will build a rebadged version of the Dart in China called the Viaggio. All that and more, plus a look at the all-new Infiniti JX.

The National Auto Dealers Association just released a study that says millions of new car buyers could be priced out of the market because of the new fuel economy mandates. General Motors announced it will discontinue the Chevy Avalanche after the 2013 model year. Word on the street is the next-generation Ford Mustang will meet EU pedestrian crash standards, which could open the door to global markets. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about the Chevrolet Volt and how it’s become a political punching bag.

A new study from the Center for Automotive Research says that the federal and state governments in the U.S. collected 135 billion dollars in tax revenues from the auto industry in 2010. Ford is going to use a reality show on the internet to market its electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has updated its iconic G-Class. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

While most of Europe is in an automotive meltdown, it looks like somebody forgot to tell the British there’s a financial crisis going on. Sales of new vehicles in the UK have gone up for the last three months! The private owner that holds the majority of Formula One stock, CVC Capital Partners, wants to issue an IPO to raise 2 billion dollars. Hybrid buyers are not returning for second helpings. The loyalty rate for gasoline-electric vehicles is very low. All that and more, plus a review of the new Fiat 500 Abarth.

The full-size car segment is starting to heat up in the American market. Chrysler will unveil two new concept vehicles at the Beijing Auto Show in two weeks. Mazda is struggling financially, which is why the financial community wants to see the company dump some of its non-core assets. All that and more, plus John talks to Jessica LaFond from Chrysler about a program the company uses to develop future management.

Ford and Peugeot-Citroen are ending their partnership for building larger diesel engines. Nissan just announced a new automotive communication system called NissanConnect that will debut on the 2013 Altima. Ferdinand A. Porsche, designer of the iconic 911 sportscar and grandson of company founder Ferdinand Porsche, has passed away. All that and more, plus John McElroy has the latest reveals from the New York Auto Show.

Volvo is planning on spending some 11 billion dollars over the next five years to introduce new products and build more plants in China. GM is mounting something of a truck offensive, and the newly introduced Colorado midsize pickup is expected to be offered in the U.S. Production of the Mazda6 is moving back home to Japan as the company pulls out of the facility in Flat Rock, Michigan that it shares with Ford. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares the latest from the 2012 New York Auto Show.

Fisker is looking at alternative sites to build its new model the Atlantic after loans from the Department of Energy fell through. Massachusetts based Terrafugia just completed its first successful test flight of a flying car called the Transition Street-Legal Airplane. Chevy unveiled the 2014 Impala in New York yesterday. All that and more, plus John McElroy brings you the latest reveals from the New York Auto Show.

Lincoln reveals its future with the introduction of the 2013 MKZ at the New York Auto Show. The U.S. EPA is pushing ahead with plans to introduce E15 fuel despite protests from automakers. If a report from CLSA turns out to be true, Toyota will be ridin’ the gravy train very soon. All that and more, plus guest host Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com talks about March sales in the American market.

Fiat is considering expanding its line-up in Canada to include the Panda and Punto. BMW revealed its third future mobility concept, called the i8 Spyder. Lincoln just introduced the redesigned version of the MKS and we’ve got our first impressions of the new model. All that and more, plus a look at the updated 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Ford released information on the new Explorer Sport, which is getting a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. The Blue Oval's cross-town rival, Chevrolet, just spilled the beans on its latest three-row crossover, the Traverse. Prices of the precious metal palladium are set to rise throughout the year because automakers keep using more and more of this shiny, silver metal. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, shares his recipe for the perfect sports car.

There’s another disaster in the electric-car market. Azure Dynamics, which was converting Ford Transit Connects into electric vehicles, just filed for bankruptcy. Jeep, along with Mopar, just unveiled six different models at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. The new Cadillac XTS will be the first car available with a driver’s seat that vibrates if a crash is imminent. All that and more, plus we’ll be talking about how Chrysler is using a very unique process to bring new talent into the company in That Ah-Ha Moment.

Mercedes-Benz is teasing its latest light-commercial vehicle, the Citan which is the first LCV to emerge from the Mercedes-Nissan-Renault alliance. Battery supplier A123 Systems admitted that its battery caused that embarrassing breakdown of the Fisker Karma when Consumer Reports was testing it. An executive from Japanese auto supplier Denso will serve a year in prison for his involvement in a price-fixing scheme. All that and more, plus an overview of Acura’s all-new sedan, the ILX.

Fisker Automotive is trying to raise 100 million dollars through private equity after the U.S. government refused to loan more funds to the company. Ford is producing an hour-long reality series called “Escape Routes” featuring the 2013 Escape that will air on NBC. Dodge announced it will enter the Global RallyCross Championship Series with a rally version of the Dart. All that and more, plus another entertaining installment of "Hall vs. Hall."

General Motors is set to announce details of its turn-around plan in Europe which is reported to include closing one or two plants. Freightliner is trying to reinvent the long-haul truck with a new concept called the Revolution Innovation. Earlier this month the UAW began soliciting signatures from workers at VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant to organize the facility. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about Bryce Hoffman’s new book, “American Icon,” which is all about the turnaround that happened at Ford under Alan Mulally.

Gasoline prices have shot up around the world, but they would have to go up even more to make it worthwhile to buy an electric vehicle. Suzuki sells a version of the Swift in Europe called the GTi, with a lower case “i.” This, for obvious reasons, has really ticked off Volkswagen. Toyota just announced pricing of the hotly anticipated Scion FR-S. All that and more, plus a look at the 2013 Ford Flex.

Production of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 was delayed due to an undisclosed “quality assessment” issue. The Chinese government is raising the price of fuel in the country. Even though the U.S. unemployment rate still remains at its highest level in nearly 30 years, trucking companies are having a hard time finding enough qualified drivers. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in You Said It!

It looks like China’s gravy train is derailing and German luxury automakers are panicking. Dodge is introducing a new version of the Durango SUV aimed at law enforcement and fire departments. Ford may have debuted a completely redesigned Tourneo van in Geneva a few weeks ago, but the name has a long and interesting history. All that and more, plus we take the new Hyundai Azera for a test drive.

Car sales in Europe have dropped for five straight months, and with every month the downturn is getting worse. The Range Rover Evoque is such a hit the company is hiring 1,000 new employees and moving to three shifts to keep up with demand. Volkswagen will build Porsches at its plant in Osnabruck, Germany to handle overflow from Porsche’s main factory in Zuffenhausen. All that and more, plus a look at a motorcycle that supplier Visteon developed for growing markets.

The auto bailouts of GM and Chrysler have been a lightning rod in this year’s election campaign, but new polls show Americans are starting to warm up to them. GM and Chrysler dealers that survived the restructuring are now seeing record sales, and profits. Mazda worked some magic on the new CX-5 to make it handle well and ride smoothly. All that and more, plus John responds to some of his favorite questions and comments from the past week in "You Said It!"

Volvo is in talks with overnight basketball sensation Jeremy Lin to help market cars in China. Chevrolet says its coming out with a new car for the American market, which will also race in NASCAR — we think we know what it is. Denso will begin testing vehicle-to-vehicle technology on Chinese roads. All that and more, plus Craig Cole has Autoline’s first look at the 2013 Ford Taurus.

Nissan will race the revolutionary DeltaWing car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Car sales are on the way up, up, up, but a lack of car haulers and other supply chain issues will prevent sales from hitting their potential. Audi is in talks to buy luxury motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. All that and more, plus Craig Cole has his first impressions of the new Toyota Prius c.

VW wants to match last year’s operating profit which was close to 15 billion dollars but it won’t be easy. Mazda is looking at laying off employees in its North American operations due, in part, to the strength of the Japanese yen. Hyundai is readying an updated Santa Fe crossover to introduce at the New York Auto Show. All that and more, plus a fun new segment called Hall vs. Hall featuring Jim Hall and his evil twin brother Bob.

Consumer Report’s purchased a Fisker Karma to test drive but it broke down with less than 200 miles on the odometer. GM announced that the 2013 Chevy Malibu will have an optional turbocharged engine that cranks out 259 horsepower. Mazda says it’s pulling the plug on its CX-7 crossover. All that and more, plus the story behind a Jewish engineer who really came up with the idea for the original Volkswagen Beetle.

BMW reports the highest profits in the history of the company. Obama announces a $4.7 billion plan to get Americans to buy more fuel-efficient cars, but diesels are conspicuously absent. Mazda’s weight reduction on their newest crossover has gone to obsessive levels. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy has a report on Volvo’s latest Polestar-tuned models!

Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne could be seeking a partnership with Mazda and Suzuki. Ferrari says the “Occupy” movement is hitting them where it hurts. Mexico mandates that the remaining VW Beetle taxis have to go. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

California and a handful of other states are following Nevada’s lead in allowing autonomous cars. Renault is introducing a new “square” gasoline engine inspired by F1 racing. GM will start selling trucks that can run on gasoline and natural gas. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy has a look at the new Fiat 500 Abarth.

The February SAAR in the American market hit 15 million units, a jaw-dropping surge that has taken everyone in the business by surprise. Nissan will sell low cost cars in growing markets under the Datsun nameplate starting in 2014. A test drive of the all-new Mazda CX-5 with Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard. All that and more, plus guest host Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com shares her thoughts on whether the high price of gasoline will hurt car sales.

Volkswagen just announced it will premiere a convertible version of its Golf GTI at next week's Geneva Motor Show. The Detroit Three are starting to become more popular in California, a market that's long been dominated by import brands. Audi released a list of seven advanced technologies it's developing for future vehicles. All that and more, plus guest host Christie Schweinsberg from WardsAuto fills us in on the organization’s upcoming 10 Best Interiors competition.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was on the verge of mandating back-up cameras in all vehicles but decided to put those plans on hold as it collects more input. In another sign of the problems at Fisker, the company just appointed former Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda as the new CEO of the company. The head of OnStar, Linda Marshall, is stepping down from the company after being named to the position a little over a year ago. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in You Said It!

China is “getting the lead out,” and this time it’s an American company that’s in trouble. Indicators say the boom times are just getting started for heavy trucks. Holden starts production on an LPG version of the ever-popular Commodore. All that and more, plus we walk around the Scion iQ with head honcho Jack Hollis.

The Chinese government says it will only buy domestic vehicles for government fleets. Fiat will build two factories in Russia to make Jeeps. Meet Toyota’s $83,000 luxury minivan. All that and more, plus an eerie look into the past as we dissect some historical footage.

Volkswagen just posted record financial results for 2011. Its earnings before interest and taxes were up 58 percent to 15.1 billion dollars. Panasonic announced it will supply lithium-ion batteries to Ford for its hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Mercedes-Benz could be toying with the idea of a four-door SLS. Sketches of one popped up in a German patent application. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood.

In somewhat of an unexpected move GM named Jon Lauckner Vice President and Chief Technology Officer starting April first. Images of the all-new Volvo V40 were leaked before the car debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Honda announced its top executive in North America will also become the second highest executive in the company. All that and more, plus a look at the all-new Toyota Prius c.

Chinese automakers are invading Europe from Bulgaria to Britain to Sicily. Despite an overall trend downward, teen traffic deaths jump by several percentage points. Peugeot unveils two B-segment concepts ahead of Geneva. All that and more, plus John McElroy explains what Mazda must do to turn itself around.

Hyundai and Kia are being sued for patent infringement with their hybrid technology in the Sonata and the Optima. MINI is showing off a utility version of the Clubman called the Clubvan before it premieres next month at the Geneva Motor Show. February car sales in the U.S. are expected to be near 1.1 million units which translates to a SAAR of 14.3 million units. All that and more, plus a look at a sports car that’s coming out of Mexico called the Mastretta MXT.

The U.S. Department of Transportation proposes new rules to curb distracted driving. Porsche’s gumbo-evoking, not-yet-unveiled SUV gets a new name. Tesla and Mercedes and Mercedes and Renault are partnering up and swapping parts. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy has the latest details about the new Hyundai Azera and Genesis Coupe.

The folks at J.D. Power just released their latest Vehicle Dependability Study and Toyota carried the day. Its Lexus brand was ranked No. 1. A couple days ago President Obama unveiled his latest budget proposal for the next fiscal year. Among other things, it proposes raising the tax credit for electric vehicles. An extremely rare 1913 Hispano-Suiza is going up for auction at the Amelia Island Concourse next month and it could fetch as much as $1 million. All that and more, plus John breaks down GM’s financial performance for 2011.

Uh-oh, there’s more trouble in green-car land. Like China, EVs are simply not selling in Europe. The stage is set for Ford to unveil its redesigned B-Max compact MPV. It will take a bow in less than two weeks at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Audi is getting ready to drop a bomb — a 450-horsepower explosive charge in the form of its new RS 4 Avant. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and responds to your questions in the weekly “You Said It!” segment.

Yet another study shows that electric cars would do more to damage the environment in China than using gasoline- or diesel-powered cars. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in the U.S. is asking the Obama Administration to tweak its proposed fuel-economy regulations. They want certain credits to start applying right now, not after 2016. Thanks to Land Rover’s surging sales Indian automaker Tata posted a profit that beat analyst’s expectations. All that and more, plus a look at how GM engineers made the 2013 Chevy Malibu as quiet as possible.

Kia released the sketches today of a new concept car called the KH. JD Power predicts car sales in China will hit 35 million units by 2018. Mercedes-Benz developed a seatbelt that’s easier to find and use. All that and more, plus a look at the new Honda CR-V.

Tesla just unveiled its electric crossover, the Model X which is basically a taller version of the Model S sedan. Mitsubishi is set to reveal a new version of its Outlander SUV at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. And speaking of Geneva, Chevrolet will unveil a station-wagon version of the Cruze at the show. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with Volvo’s new president in North America talking about how they’re going to be taking the brand more upscale.

It looks like GM is poised to announce a big loss in Europe. Diesels already outsell EVs and hybrids, but could incentives be on the way? The Hyundai Elantra has shed a couple of doors for its new coupe version and added a hatchback for the new GT. All that and more, plus John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in You Said It!

GM faces an uphill struggle to revive Opel, and it looks like they’ll be turning to the UAW’s Bob King to help make it happen. Former U.S. President George W. Bush defends the GM and Chrysler bailouts. Nissan extends a cordial INVITATION for you to preview its next compact car. All that and more, plus a look at the Porsche Singer 911.

Ford and General Motors are feuding over a Chevy Silverado ad that aired during the Super Bowl last night. The head of the giant dealership group, Group 1 Automotive, says new car sales only account for 20 to 25 percent of a dealer’s profits. Chinese car exports are expected to grow by 50 percent this year. All that and more, plus a look at the styling of the Chevy Malibu Eco.