Autoline Daily - Audio

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says the company is guaranteed to lose money on every zero emission vehicle it makes. Mazda just revealed the all-new 2014 Mazda6 at the Moscow Auto Show. The head of General Motors International Operations says the company plans to invest 1 billion dollars in Russia over the next five years. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ford is taking its troubled luxury brand to China. Lincoln vehicles will be sold in this red-hot market starting in the second-half of 2014. Vehicle manufacturing in Mexico is expected to grow by 1 million units over the next three years. The Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Detroit Three are facing off in their latest round of contract negotiations. All that and more, plus a look at a new electric-motor technology.

The French government is accusing Hyundai and Kia of dumping cars in the French market. Car plants in the second quarter of the year hit 100 percent capacity utilization in North America. General Motors and Chrysler have banned President Obama and Mitt Romney from visiting its plants until after the election. All that and more, plus John shares his idea of how GM can save Opel.

European automakers say the 2020 emissions target will add a hefty increase to the price of cars -- we'll tell you how much. BYD has a car that comes when it's called -- for only $10,000! Camaro's chief engineer explains away the criticisms of the sports car's weight problem. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy has an overview of the new Ram 1500!

Nissan hires the top car tester away from Consumer Reports. Engineers explain what has to be done to meet the new small off-set crash test devised by IIHS. We get a first look at the Toyota Auris, set to debut in Paris next month. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in this week's edition of You Said It!

A recently published study indicates a free-trade agreement with Japan would be very harmful to the automotive industry in the United States. Vehicle-sharing company Zipcar just announced plans to expand its business by offering vans for rent in select markets across North America. Land Rover cannot keep up with demand for the hot-selling Evoque. All that and more, plus guest host Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com shares some analysis on automotive advertising during the Olympic Games.

One of the most popular vehicles among executives in China is the Buick GL8 minivan. Volkswagen just opened a new product-development and emissions-test laboratory in California. Honda kicked off production of the redesigned 2013 Accord at its plant in Marysville, Ohio. All that and more, plus guest host Todd Lassa from Motor Trend shares some interesting analysis on whether the American love affair with cars is fading.

A federal appeals court rejected challenges to prevent the increase of ethanol in gasoline. Bentley just previewed its latest automobile at the Pebble Beach Concours, the Mulsanne Convertible Concept. Many Ford Ranger owners are switching to other brands including Chevrolet, Toyota and Nissan. All that and more, plus guest host, David Kiley of AOL Autos shares a few of his thoughts on the car business.

General Motors’ CEO Dan Akerson is planning a reorganization that would see the company move towards a more global structure rather than being run by regional powers. A new study says that average sales per dealership will set a record this year. Meritor WABCO has developed an air dryer for large trucks they claim is more efficient than competing systems on the market. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Don Butler, the vice president of marketing for Cadillac tells Autoline when its plug-in electric vehicle, the ELR will become available. Kia released details on the new Sorento before it officially debuts at the Paris Motor Show. Red Bull Racing took one of its Formula One cars to New York City to “sing” the U.S. national anthem. All that and more, plus a look at Meritor Wabco’s next-generation electronic stability control system for large trucks which has a feature that makes competing systems look primitive by comparison.

The CAW enters negotiations today, Ford says Canadian labor is the most expensive in the industry. Dr. Canadce Wheeler, a technical fellow at General Motors, talks about how ethanol has kept gas prices lower than they would be otherwise. Fisker just hired the recently-retired Tony Posawatz to be its new CEO. All that and more, plus You Said It!

The IIHS just found a new way to destroy cars. The organization recently developed a test to simulate crashing into a tree, with numerous models failing with flying colors. BMW is allowing its dealers to reprogram its Stop-Start system so owners will not have to disable it each time the car is started. John talks with Candace Wheeler, a Technical Fellow at GM R and D about alternative fuels that are less alternative and more fuel. All that and more, plus a look at Chrysler's quality testing.

VW has publicly bragged that it will be the biggest car company in the world by 2018 but one automotive analyst believes it’s going to come up short. A new study shows that young people aren’t buying cars like they used to. The Indy Lights series, which is the farm system for the IndyCar Series, is going to get a new race car and it could be the Delta Wing. All that and more, plus a look at the fastest MINI ever built.

GM CEO Dan Akerson is taking GM employees down a peg. The former naval officer criticized employees for leaks to the media, and the company’s products for not being competitive. Auto workers in South Korea are striking for higher pay and an end to night shifts which the workers say are dangerous. Frito-Lay, the snack foods division of PepsiCo, is increasing it’s fleet of EV delivery trucks. The fleet is now the nation’s largest. All that and more, plus we pump up some tires.

Renault is making a big push into Africa in hopes of boosting sales. Right now it’s building the largest assembly plant on the continent. Ford’s commercial vehicle partner, Jiangling Motors will take a stake in the Taiyuan Changan Heavy Truck Company, allowing the Dearborn automaker to expand into China’s heavy-duty truck market. Chrysler is set to introduce a CNG version of the Ram 2500 HD pick-up truck later this month. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo sounds off on a group of governors joining forces to save the auto industry.