Autoline Daily - Video

Volkswagen just announced a five-year investment plan totaling more than $86 billion. The money will be spent on product development for its nine brands, plant upgrades and R&D. The Chevy Sonic with the Ecotec 1.4L turbo will get 40 MPG on the highway. A German company has created a number of car replicas out of scrap metal and junk car-parts. They are for sale but plan on spending some big bucks. All that and more, plus guest host, Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on a controversial car he’s been driving lately. You might be surprised.

With a cool time-lapse video, Audi shows how it built its massive display pavilion at the Frankfurt Motor Show. By reusing old robots and other equipment from the shuttered NUMMI plant in California, Toyota has been able to keep the cost of the 2012 Camry down, cutting an average of $550 off the sticker price. Chevrolet asked fans to vote for the best Chevy of all time. Well, the people have spoken and the results are in! All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo sounds off on what he thinks is one of the most beautiful vehicles coming out in 2012.

More reveals from the Frankfurt Motor Show. We take a look at two-seat EV concepts unveiled by Opel and Audi. Ford’s Chief Creative officer, J Mays, says the company plans to introduce a redesigned version of the Mustang in 2014. Toyota’s North American production has fully resumed. All that and more, plus guest host, Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on Porsche’s 7th generation 911.

Ford is pushing small-car performance with three different reveals in Frankfurt, including the 2012 Focus ST, the race-ready ST-R and the Fiesta ST. STay tuned for more. Volvo unwrapped a luxurious and technology-laden concept called the You, which is an evolution of its Concept-Universe that debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier in the year. Spanish automaker SEAT, part of the Volkswagen empire, showed off a swanky design study called the IBL. All that and more plus a look at hybrid reliability.

Suzuki is seeking to end its alliance with Volkswagen after the German automaker accused it of breaking the terms of the partnership by purchasing engines from Fiat. GM released power numbers for the Chevy Camaro ZL1. The ponycar delivers 580 horsepower from its 6.2 liter supercharged V-8. BMW patented a design for a twin-turbocharged V-6. All that and more, plus guest host Rod Meloni from WDIV Local 4 News, Detroit, explains why he doesn’t believe we will see a strike from the UAW.

A Swedish court rejected Saab’s request to be protected from creditors over liquidity concerns. Subaru can’t build cars in China because it’s partly owned by Toyota. Toyota already has two joint ventures in China, the maximum the government will allow. Mahindra, Renault and Toyota launch new vehicles in India. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with master car spy photographer, Jim Dunne.

The situation is looking increasingly hopeless for Saab as the company files for protection from its creditors. Toyota is denying a report it will export cars built in Thailand to Japan. Ford's versatile Transit Connect just made its big debut in New York City. Some 400 of them will be hitting the streets as taxis. All that and more, plus guest host Murray Feldman shares some insight on the UAW/Big Three contract negotiations.

Chevrolet sold nearly 2.2 million vehicles worldwide the first half of the year. Mercedes-Benz plans to expand its line-up to better compete with its German rivals BMW and Audi. Hyundai, Jaguar and Skoda revealed new cars before they debut in Frankfurt next week. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Good news about vehicle sales in the U.S. market. It appears last month’s lower-than-expected figures ARE NOT due to a lack of demand, instead because automakers are short on inventory. Bob Lutz is one happy guy. GM just announced he’ll be an adviser to the company’s top management. Volkswagen is set to reveal a new concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show called the NILS. All that and more, plus John chats with Colleen Haley of Yazaki and asks her for some insight that has helped in her career.

Despite talk of a double dip recession, sagging employment numbers and the impact of a major hurricane, car sales in August look pretty good in the U.S. Honda revealed the 2012 Pilot which gets a minor facelift and slightly better fuel economy. Audi plans to reveal an all-electric concept at this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week, all about the latest trends in collecting classic cars.

Many analysts are predicting weak sales for August, but General Motors says it had a strong month, with sales up 15 percent to 18 percent year-over-year. Volkswagen along with its partner in China, FAW, will take parts from old engines to make new ones! BYD’s sales have fallen off a cliff and to deal with the situation it just fired most of its sales staff . . . 70 percent of them! All that and more, plus a peek at Yazaki’s Plugless Power system that allows for wireless charging of EVs.

Ford, Land Rover and Audi all reveal new concepts and vehicles ahead of their debut at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show. BMW has equipped a 5 Series with autonomous vehicle technology and is testing it out on the highway. A company called Voztec has come up with an innovative helmet to help emergency responders at the scene of a motorcycle crash. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions about Ford, the UAW and EVs in the "You Said It!" segment.

Peugeot and Fiat are two of the latest automakers to release pictures and information on what they’ll be revealing at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Brazil’s auto industry has been red-hot for years, but now it’s running into headwinds. Anyone looking to purchase a new car might want to go to Naperville, Illinois. The city, along with 11 car dealerships, built a closed track to allow buyers to test-drive cars in a controlled environment. All that and more, plus a look at Buick’s new IntelliLink infotainment system.

Toyota owners remain loyal to the brand despite problems of unintended acceleration and production disruptions due to the earthquake in Japan. Porsche's CEO says the company plans to develop a vehicle to compete with Ferrari. A look at Ford's four-cylinder EcoBoost that's debuting in the 2012 Edge and Explorer. All that and more, plus John recently got a chance to ride in GM's EN-V concept car.

Volvo is repositioning itself as a brand designed around you. Mercedes offers a peek at the new B-Class ahead of its Frankfurt debut. Honda is the only other automaker in North America to have a wind tunnel, but it decides to keep mum. All that and more, plus a look at Autoline This Week with Cindy Estrada from the UAW.