Autoline Daily - Audio

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.

Yazaki is hit with a massive fine for its bid-rigging scheme. Aussies are experiencing the lowest car prices in 36 years. And, just like a good pork roast, the economic recovery continues low and slow. All that and more, plus a look at Federal-Mogul’s innovative lighting solutions.

The National Automobile Dealers Association just released its latest Dealer Attitude Survey and for the third time in a row Hyundai topped the charts. Luxury sales in China skyrocketed last year. The California Air Resources Board approved new regulations that mandates that one out of every seven new cars sold in the state must be zero-emission by 2025. All that and more, plus a look at all the aerodynamic tweaks GM engineers made to the Chevy Malibu Eco.

Ford posted its financial earnings for 2011 and it was the company’s best year in over a decade but it still fell short of Wall Street targets. BMW will now offer a diesel engine for select M vehicles in Europe. Chevy announced all of its vehicles sold in the U.S. will have a window sticker explaining the environmental impact of the car. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about GM and Chrysler dealers who were forced to give up their businesses during the companies' bankruptcies.

Nissan just announced it will build a third plant in Mexico. The company plans to invest 2 billion dollars in the facility, with production scheduled to begin sometime in 2013. Opel has delayed the launch of the Ampera to fix a potential coolant leak in the battery. Ford’s successful “Drive One” slogan is being retired, replaced by another two-word catchphrase. All that and more, plus guest host Murray Feldman from FOX2 News, Detroit shares some of his thoughts on the resurgent American auto industry.

Japanese auto supplier Yazaki was hit with a record fine from the Japanese government over a bid rigging scheme involving wire harnesses. Limo Broker, a British limo company, is making a stretched version of the Audi R8. The city of Trollhättan, Saab AB and The Wallenberg Foundation have shelled out more than 4 million dollars to buy and preserve Saab’s official museum. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the “You Said It!” segment.

It's predicted that in four or five years Russia will be the largest car market in Europe – beating out Germany. General Motors is putting enormous pressure on Opel to finally become profitable again, and now the company is in talks with SAIC to sell cars in China. Automakers fight for every ounce of weight they can take out of their vehicles. Today’s bulky and bloated lead-acid batteries are prime, low-hanging fruit that’s ready for pickin’. All that and more, plus a look at the new 2012 Honda CR-V.