Autoline Daily - Audio

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.

BMW and Audi are slugging it out this year to be the top luxury automaker in the world. Through August, BMW is just 2,100 units ahead of Audi. According to estimates from industry and manufacturing experts, GM is losing nearly $50,000 on every Volt it builds. Through August, Mitsubishi only sold around 41,000 vehicles in the United States. All that and more, plus John shares his driving impressions of the new 2013 Honda Accord.

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 July, 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.