Autoline Daily - Video

Honda reported its first quarter earnings which were way down due to disruptions from the earthquake in Japan earlier in the year. Global vehicles sales in the first half of the year were barely up compared to 2010 because of the disaster in Japan, a cooling market in China, and a drop in sales in Europe. BMW unveiled two electric vehicle concepts which hint at where its new "i" sub-brand is headed. All that and more, plus guest host Jim Hall shares his thoughts on the real meaning of CAFE.

To hit the proposed CAFE target of 54.5 MPG automakers would have to improve fuel economy at a rate the industry has never achieved in 100 years. Sergio Marchionne announced management changes at Fiat-Chrysler, but one industry expert says he still has too many direct reports. Toyota is readying a product blitz in the U.S. in which it will introduce 20 new models by 2013. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline about which new cars and trucks that have come out this year have a shot at winning the North American Car and Truck of the Year award.

European automakers are posting exceptionally strong earnings today and we hit some of the highlights. The UAW wants a seat on GM's board of directors. Ford just released some pretty impressive numbers for the Explorer, which is getting an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine for the 2012 model year. All that and more, plus a look at the brand-new Nissan Versa.

Daimler and Nissan both reported financial earnings. The Obama Administration has agreed to a lower fuel economy standard but the biggest question is, what are the loopholes? Renault will introduce a small-van concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, called the Frendzy. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Ford and Chrysler both reported second-quarter earnings this morning and the results are somewhat mixed. An innovative new technology developed in Australia allegedly reduces fuel consumption by 7 percent while slashing engine wear by 96 percent. Toyota is being accused of patent infringement on its hybrids . . . again. All that and more, plus another power-to-weight comparison, this time with V-6 ponycars.

Labor issues are in the news today. The UAW would like to represent Volkswagen at its plant in Tennessee and the union begins its contract negotiations with the Detroit Three today. Waste plastic from Chrysler's Brampton plant in Canada is being converted to fuel. The world’s largest container ship is also home to the world’s biggest diesel engine. It weighs 2300 tons, is 90 feet long and 44 feet high. All that and more, plus a look at the Mini Countryman.

Fiat reached a deal with the Canadian government to buy its stake in Chrysler which makes the Italian automaker the majority owner in Chrysler. Saab announced that it's postponing production once more. Some Ford Raptor owners are complaining that they have managed to bend the frames of their trucks which obviously should not be happening. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline about classic cars in Cuba.

We all know the UAW is targeting transplant automakers in the U.S., but Autoline Daily has learned its strategy includes going after suppliers as well. In a good sign for the entire NAFTA region, sales and production in Mexico posted big gains last month. Toyota and Tesla just signed a three-year, $100 million deal for batteries and electric motors. All that and more, plus a look at some advanced new automotive technologies on the not-so-distant horizon.

GM and OnStar will launch a pilot program for smart grid technology for EVs later this year. Nissan announced it's increasing the price of the LEAF because it now comes standard with a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats. Sales of convertibles in the U.S. dropped after the economy crashed a few years ago. All that and more, plus John answers questions about Audi and the UAW in the "You Said It!" segment.

The White House and automakers are warming up for a big fight over where the next round of fuel-economy standards should be set. Daimler is merging smart and Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Is it trying to recreate BMW’s success when it introduced the new MINI? According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, Volvo’s City Safety system on the XC60 SUV has dramatically reduced insurance claims. All that and more, plus a look at Hyundai’s updated Genesis sedan.

Car sales in the U.S. are slow again in Jul. It's estimated that sales will barely top one million units because of low inventory at Japanese car dealers. Daimler plans to introduce a lineup of electric bicycles as early as next year. The new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is set to go on sale soon with a starting price just under $19,000. All that and more, plus a look at Audi’s all-new flagship sedan, the A8.

The amount of waste created by manufacturing a vehicle at Honda has plummeted. Sales may be slowing in China, but the first half of the year was still a staggering success. Ford is aiming for a greener image in Germany. All that and more, plus, a preview of this week's Autoline with the President of Bosch in America.

GM is all in a tizzy because it says Volkswagen has been spreading the speculation that Opel is up for sale and that it's hurting GM. Hyundai's home office in Korea wasn't very happy with the new Sonata, saying it was too radical. But that didn't matter to consumers as sales increased 30 percent over the old model. Instead of measuring things gone wrong, Strategic Vision is measuring things gone right and overall ownership experience. Their unique system shakes up the rankings compared to more traditional schemes used by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. All that and more. Plus, a look at Ford's vehicle to vehicle communication technology.

Car makers and the UAW are in agreement, but not on wages or benefits yet, their new found common ground is that the Obama Administrations proposed 56.2 MPG CAFE target will hurt jobs. Speaking of the UAW, the union is in talks with Volkswagen about union representation at the company's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Toyota is merging its two subsidiaries, Toyota Auto Body and Kanto Auto Works to gain efficiencies for the company, which is hurting from the strong Yen. All that and more, plus John talks about young people going for imports and the UAW in the "You Said It!" segment.

While Chinese car sales have slumped lately due to the expiration of government incentives, luxury car sales are booming in the People’s Republic. Peugeot is the first automaker to announce a diesel hybrid vehicle with their 508 RXH earning 70 MPG in European testing. Speaking of diesels, sources at GM have said the Cruze will offer an oil-burning engine in 2013 and that it will rival the Prius for fuel economy! All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy test drives the redesigned Hyundai Accent.

The UAW has its sights set on organizing the new VW plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the AP says some workers at the plant have actually reached out to the union. The new CAFE rules proposed by the Obama administration will not be as harsh for light trucks as originally thought. Trucar.com says young buyers prefer foreign nameplates, with Scion, Mitsubishi and Mazda leading the demographic. Jeep was the top domestic brand but it came in 12th place! All that and more, plus we preview this week’s Autoline Detroit featuring Volkswagen’s head of design, Walter de’Silva.

BMW just introduced the new 6 Series Coupe which is slightly larger and offers three engine choices. Fiat's commercial vehicle brand, Iveco revealed an updated version of the Daily which goes on sale in September. Land Rover released some important figures on the new 2012 Range Rover Evoque which gets impressive fuel economy thanks to lightweight construction and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline about why hybrids represent a very small slice of the total automotive market.

June sales in the U.S. market will be announced tomorrow and almost all the analysts are predicting it will be a decent month . . . at least by today’s standards. Michigan’s new Republican Governor, Rick Snyder, initiated a letter that was sent to regulators in Washington D.C. questioning the proposed 56.2 mile-per-gallon standard. 14 other state leaders followed suit. Around 85,000 hybrid drivers in California will no longer be able to use carpool lanes. All that and more, plus a look at the new Toyota Prius v.

Carlos Ghosn, the head of Nissan and Renault, raked in almost $11.5 million dollars last fiscal year, which makes him the highest paid executive at a Japanese car company. Ford is working to increase capacity at its plant in the United Kingdom that builds four-cylinder EcoBoost engines because demand is so high in Europe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued fuel-pump labels for E-15 - gasoline that's blended with 15 percent ethanol - which warn consumers not to use E-15 in vehicles older than model year 2001. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares his latest compressed auto thoughts in social media speak.

Nissan released more details on its "Power 88" business plan including how it intends to average one "all new" vehicle introduction every six weeks for the next six years. Turkey of all places is really starting to emerge as an important market for vehicle assembly. Holden, GM’s Australian subsidiary, could be in deep trouble because of political flip-flopping and budget cuts in the country. All that and more, plus John reviews the 2011 BMW Active Hybrid 750 Li.

Saab announced it will pay its employees this week, after getting an infusion of $18 million from a Chinese company that ordered 582 cars. Nissan just announced a new midterm business plan called "Power 88" to pull itself out of the sales doldrums. The Obama administration is proposing a new CAFE standard of 56.2 miles per gallon. All that and more, plus a look at how Mini is letting drivers connect to their cars via their iPhone.

Lots of news about electric cars. Think, the electric car company out of Norway, filed for bankruptcy yesterday. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says the LEAF will be profitable by 2014. And GM just unveiled an electric version of the Beat in India. Ford dropped to 23rd place in J.D. Power's latest Initial Quality Survey, after being the highest-rated non-luxury brand last year. Volkswagen just demonstrated a semi-autonomous vehicle that it calls the Temporary Auto Pilot, or TAP. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with Derrick Kuzak, the head of all product development at Ford.

As we’ve been reporting, Saab has some serious financial issues and now it’s unable to pay its workers. The UAW and unions representing Fiat workers came to an agreement to negotiate together on issues concerning them collectively. Hyundai is pulling a Hawtai in China, exaggerating sales of its Sonata YF sedan. All that and more, plus a look at an innovative new safety feature that’s dirt cheap and could be a life saver.

Ford says it’s tweaking the software behind its SYNC and MyFord Touch systems because of customer complaints about the technologies. The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing another reduction in the use of cellulosic ethanol, the third straight year its slashed requirements. Over the last year, Detroit automakers have boosted sales in California while their Japanese rivals have seen their market share drop in the state. All that and more, plus, we find out the draft order in next week's automotive draft on After Hours.

China wants to be in a position to dominate the global market for electric cars and the government is offering subsidies of $7,700 for plug-in hybrids and over $9,000 for EVs. Chrysler has been at the bottom of Consumer Reports' reliability and road-test scores for years, but the magazine just tested eight of its 2011 models and says its cars are improving. MINI just released photos and information on its latest model, a two-door, two-seat coupe. All that and more, plus John responds to questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Good News! Ward's is predicting June Sales will increase over May's Daily Sales Rate. At the same time, used car prices, which rose sharply in May, have been returning to earth this month. Ford says this is their 'last chance' to revive their Lincoln brand, and the company is investing $1 billion toward rolling out new products for the luxury brand. All that and more, plus John's segment on the versatile, venerable and value-minded Nissan Versa.

Last week Mazda denied it would build a plant in Mexico, today the company announced it will build a factory in Mexico. And with Mazda dropping out of the Flat Rock plant in Michigan and moving to Mexico, Ford may want to move the Mustang which is also made in Flat Rock. Just a few days after blocking a bill that would drop subsidies for ethanol, the U.S. Senate turned right around and approved a bill that would end them. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with special guest Bob Lutz.

J.D. Power and other analysts are forecasting increased car sales in the coming years, even projecting a return to 16 million annual sales. Supplier company Bosch is answering the auto industry’s call for more turbochargers, partnering with Mahle to build blowers. Buick fans get a surprise as the new Regal GS is rated as having the most horsepower per liter of any engine built by GM. All that and more, plus John investigates the Hyundai Equus’ iPad-based owners’ manual.

The Boston Consulting Group is wondering aloud whether EVs will be out-shined by advanced internal-combustion engines. The Center for Automotive Research says new fuel-economy standards will make cars more expensive, so much so that over five years the increased cost WILL NOT pay for itself in fuel savings. Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted to keep ethanol subsidies. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Word on the street is that GM CEO Dan Akerson told Opel recently they will not be sold as had been previously thought. Daimler is, however, considering outsourcing its Maybach cars to Aston Martin due to the line’s low sales. The Department of Energy has cut funding for the once-popular hydrogen fuel-cell program, saying it’s too expensive to support along with other alternative-energy programs. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy evaluates the Prius v.

A Plexiglas Pontiac display car from the 1939 world's fair is slated to hit the RM auction block this summer. China is recalling its electric taxicabs after one burst into flames recently due to faulty wiring and battery leaks. California is proposing targets for EV sales in their state that would mandate 14 percent of new cars be EVs by 2025. All that and more, plus John reports on Hyundai's fight to be top dog in the fuel economy war.

David Strickland, the head of NHTSA, says companies developing in-car applications must not sacrifice safety for entertainment. Volvo is developing technology to avoid crashes with animals that will be ready for market in the next few years. Ford is only going to sell hybrid versions of the C-Max in the American market and it will only sell the two-row version, not the Grand C-Max version with three rows. All that and more, plus find out who John thinks will be the next CEO of Ford in the Race to Replace Mulally.

GM is again seeking to sell its money-losing Opel Division and this time Volkswagen and Chinese car companies may be interested. Unions at Volkswagen want to buy a 3 percent stake in the company to increase their influence over how the automaker is run. Autoworkers at Maruti-Suzuki in India are striking for longer tea breaks, among other changes. All that and more, plus the fourth segment of the Race to Replace Mulally.

Chrysler shuffles its deck of brand CEOs as Ralph Gilles is appointed CEO of the Street Racing Technology group while Fred Diaz will become CEO at Chrysler de Mexico. Popularity and prices of used cars are on the rise both in the United States and in Spain, helped by shortages of new cars and higher prices. Ford set a goal yesterday to increase its global sales 50 percent by 2015 largely through increased sales in Africa and Asia. All that and more, plus the third installment of the Race to Replace Mulally.

Chinese automakers are expanding at a rapid pace and one of them is building cars in Iraq of all places. Geely and Volvo are clashing over the direction the safety-conscious Swedish brand should go. GM CEO Dan Akerson adds Lincoln to the long list of brands he's bashed. All that and more, plus we evaluate BMW's fast and fun X5 M.

A Saudi Prince wants to see lower oil prices to keep Americans and Europeans from seeking alternatives. BMW unveils its all new 1-series along with its treasure trove of new features. Pick-up trucks of all makes and shapes are piling up across the U.S. as sales slow due to gas prices. All that and more, plus a look at how the auto industry and the EPA are training engineers to make more fuel efficient vehicles.

The U.S. government sold its remaining Chrysler stock to Fiat and President Obama is going to a Jeep plant in Ohio today to celebrate. GM's President of North America, Mark Reuss wants to test the company's futuristic autonomous electric vehicle, the EN-V, in Detroit. Mazda is in talks with Ford about selling its stake in their shared assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan where the Mazda6 and the Mustang are built. All that and more, plus a look at some fascinating stories that came out of last month’s new-car sales in the U.S.

Well, the analysts were right. May sales were down compared to April as high gas prices and other factors steered customers away from showrooms. But the news isn’t all bad. Ron Bloom, White House auto advisor, says taxpayers will not lose nearly as much money on the bailouts of GM and Chrysler as previously thought. Also, startling statistics from China about child safety-seat usage. All that and more, plus GM builds parts for the Chevy Volt out of used oil booms.

Car sales in the American market slowed down in May. J.D. Power forecasts that the SAAR rate will come in at only 11.5 million units. UPS is testing a fleet of lightweight trucks made with composite body panels which reduce the weight of the truck by 1,000 pounds compared to its normal delivery trucks. Fiat decided to dump the Chrysler brand in Europe and slap Lancia badges on them instead. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about Chevy, labor negotiations and much more in the "You Said It!" segment.

Even though GM and Ford are recovering quickly in the American market they still want to close more assembly plants where they have slow-selling models. Mercedes is introducing another lust-worthy supercar, a drop-top version of its SLS AMG. Volkswagen announced it wants to completely take over MAN, the German commercial-vehicle maker. All that and more, plus John shares some of his thoughts on the 2011 Kia Optima SX.

The UAW wants to get seats on the boards of the Detroit automakers. The Japanese automaker recovery is going faster than initially predicted. BMW demonstrates the advanced state of autonomous technology at race tracks around the world. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit in which the panel debates which foreign transplant the union will target.

Chinese car sales aren’t just slowing, they could fall. U-Haul won’t rent you a trailer if you’re a Ford Explorer buyer or own a soft-top Wrangler. Ford demos Sync integration with medical equipment for blood sugar monitoring on the go. All that and more, plus we get a look into the EPA where we learn they don’t just test cars.

CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to have one management group for both Fiat and Chrysler, not the two separate groups like they’re now using. General Motors will build the next-generation Chevy Impala at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, alongside the Volt and Malibu. One analyst is warning that Chinese automakers face severe overcapacity unless they change plans to expand. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about diesels, CAFE rules and more in the "You Said It!" Segment.

For more than 50 years the Arabian Peninsula has fueled the modern world, but the easy pickens are rapidly becoming slim pickens as supplies of high-quality light-crude oil dwindle. Louis Renault’s heirs are suing the French government for seizing the company back in 1944 and not providing them with any compensation. Mercedes-Benz is seriously considering bringing its Vito utility van to the U.S. as a compliment to the larger Sprinter. All that and more, plus we attempt a bit of a cannonball run in Kia’s new SX vehicles.

A company called Planning Perspectives, which tracks supplier relations, says the Detroit Three have improved dramatically, while the Japanese, in the words of the study’s author, "have lost their way." Volkswagen, at its new plant in Tennessee, will be paying its hourly workers $27 an hour, including wages and benefits. That compares to about $52 an hour for GM and Chrysler and $58 at Ford. The average age of cars and trucks on the roads in the U.S. is getting older. All that and more, plus a look at the convertible version of the Camaro 2SS.

The Obama Administration has dropped its idea of handing out letter grades to vehicles based on their fuel economy. J.D. Power says that car sales in May will drop. It forecasts the SAAR at just 11.9 million units which was previously at 13 million units. Auto supplier TRW just introduced an airbag that's installed in the roof which replaces the passenger airbag mounted in the instrument panel. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline Detroit with Paul Mascarenas, the Chief Technology Officer of the Ford Motor Company.

Earlier this week the Consumer Federation of America said that Americans overwhelmingly support raising the fuel economy standard to over 60 miles per gallon . . . but they have no idea what it's going to cost them! Audi's next-generation A6 Avant is scheduled for take off late this summer. There’s a storm brewing between Johnson Controls and its battery partner, French company Saft Groupe. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

A couple new studies just released differ on how much the auto industry will recover in the U.S. One says sales will rebound to pre-recession levels of 16 million units by 2013, the other predicts sales will be 14.5 million in 2013. And speaking of car sales, a new report says Japanese automakers could lose 193,000 sales in the American market this year. Saab is aiming to restart production next week at its plant in Sweden. All that and more, plus a look at how the EPA tests and certifies engines.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel just unveiled plans to double financial aid to German automakers, with the goal of getting 1 million EVs on the country's roads by the end of the decade. Cadillac is gearing up for the debut of its new XTS by selling off the DTS and STS models it will replace. Audi is capacity constrained right now but at least it has a sense of humor about the situation. All that and more, plus a look at the updated 2012 Honda Civic.

Major automotive retailers in the U.S. are running out of inventory because of production disruptions in Japan due to the earthquake. Saab says it now has another last minute deal with Chinese automaker, Pangda which will reportedly pay $92 million for 24% of Saab. Toyota and Volkswagen have banned tobacco use at two of their plants in the U.S. All that and more, plus a look at a website Johnson Controls just launched that's designed to educate consumers about the benefits of hybrid cars.