Autoline Daily - Video

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 was media day yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show. Autoline Daily correspondent Craig Cole brings you all the important reveals including, the 2013 GMC Acadia, the Hyundai Elantra GT and Coupe, the Nissan NV200 small commercial van and the Kia Track’ster Concept. All that and more, plus guest host Rod Meloni, the Business Editor at WDIV NBC Detroit, shares his thoughts on the feud between GM and Ford over Chevy’s Super Bowl commercial.

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.

Mazda reported its latest financial numbers for its most recent fiscal quarter and the results don’t look good. The company’s revenue fell by 17 percent and its losses exploded. Toyota believes its going to come roaring back this year and sell almost 9.6 million vehicles. Fiat announced it will unveil a four-door version of the 500 at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard reports on the 2012 BMW 3-Series.

Sales of new cars and trucks blew out of the gate in the American market last month. Even though General Motors spends less on research and development than Volkswagen and Toyota, the company is No. 1 when it comes to generating patents. Remember that California woman that was suing Honda in small-claims court because her Civic Hybrid didn’t deliver the fuel economy promised on the window sticker? Yeah, in a shocking bit of news she actually won the case! All this and more, plus the latest news from Mopar.

Chrysler posted its financial results for 2011, and the numbers look pretty good. Total revenue came to $55 billion, a 31 percent increase from the prior year. The head of the NHTSA says the agency will decide next year if it will impose regulations for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Navistar, the maker of International trucks potentially faces some huge fines for selling heavy-duty diesel engines that do not meet emission standards. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.