Autoline Daily - Audio

Ford is back on track. It just posted impressive profits for the first quarter of 2011. Analysts are predicting the automotive industry in India will surpass those in Brazil, Russia and Europe by 2015. The Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF just aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s rigorous crash tests. All that and more, plus a look at a safer way to refuel racecars.

Toyota says production won't return to normal until December and doesn't expect to meets its full year global production goal of 7.7 million units. Six Japanese companies had their outlooks downgraded to negative from stable by the Standard's and Poor's Rating Service. Chinese automaker SAIC wants to export cars to the U.S. and other markets because the market in China is slowing down. All that and more, plus a look at a new type of electric car that can be recharged in less than five minutes.

Inexpensive polymers may soon make paint scratches a thing of the past. The usage of public EV charging stations in France calls their worth into question. BMW will be the first manufacturer to equip all motorcycles with anti-lock brakes. All that and more plus a drive in the smart ED and a wrap up of the New York International Auto Show.

Fiat will take a controlling stake in Chrysler sooner than expected, with the company paying $1.27 billion in order to boost its stake. Scion unveiled a rear-wheel drive sports coupe concept in New York called the FR-S which will be the inspiration for a new model coming out next year. In order to get people to come check out the new A7 at the New York Show, Audi made a paper replica of the car. All that and more plus guest host Murray Feldman from Fox 2 News, Detroit wonders when or if the American taxpayer will ever make money or break even on their investments in automakers.

The UAW takes a new negotiating tact by targeting the domestics for an early labor agreement. Mercedes takes the wraps off a dramatic new A-Class concept. Hyundai's new technology combines the functionality of Sync and OnStar. All that and more, plus John responds to your comments in this week's "You Said It!"

New York and Shanghai fight it out this week for auto show supremacy. Volvo reveals its stunning Universe concept in China. What will you have to pay to get your hands on BMW’s all-electric ActiveE? All that and more, plus Chevrolet officially takes the wraps off its new Malibu in a global reveal.

Toyota, Nissan and Honda now have all their plants in Japan up and running but only at half capacity. Nissan revealed a race car that's powered by the same EV technology as the LEAF, called the LEAF NISMO RC. Mazda announced that its crossover concept, the MINAGI, which debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show, will be called the CX-5 when it goes on sale next year. All that and more, plus a look at the redesigned Beetle that Volkswagen just unveiled at the auto shows in both Shanghai and New York.

Toyota will run at 50 percent capacity at all of its plants in Japan for nearly a month starting in May due to supply shortages. Chevy just announced a lineup of aftermarket parts for the Sonic called Z-Spec accessories. Ford plans to introduce 15 new vehicles and double the size of its dealer network in China by 2015. All that and more, plus guest host Murray Feldman from Fox 2 News, Detroit shares his thoughts on whether or not the growth in the auto industry is too much, too soon.

Experts are saying the adoption of EVs may be derailed by the high cost of building the infrastructure to support them. Chrysler announced an agreement with parts supplier Magneti Marelli and Shell Lubricants that will allow its dealers to service competitors' vehicles. Volkswagen is introducing a new commercial van for the UK market. Called the Crafter, it's based off the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. All that and more, plus guest host Christie Schweinsberg fills us in on the 2011 Ward's Auto Interiors Conference.

Detroit automakers are having trouble delivering new vehicles by rail due to a shortage of freight cars and delays are taking anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Chrysler is developing compressed natural gas vehicles that could go on sale by 2017 in the U.S. Lexus revealed its LF-Gh hybrid concept before its debut at the New York Auto show next week. All that and more, plus guest host Rod Meloni from WDIV Local 4 News, Detroit answers your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Big news in the Renault espionage scandal. A number of executives are resigning from the company. Daimler and Bosch have teamed up to produce electric motors for Mercedes-Benz and smart. GM has pulled the 2013 Chevy Malibu ahead by several months and it's expected to go on sale early next year. All that and more, plus guest host Rod Meloni of WDIV Local 4 News, Detroit shares a few of his thoughts on Chrysler's resurgence.

A company owned by Russian billionaire Vladimir Antonov will purchase Saab assets from Spyker and then lease it back to the company. New fuel economy mandates are spurring automakers and suppliers to develop more fuel efficient powertrains and as a result they are hiring hundreds of engineers. Ford is using a nylon-based resin that’s made from 100 percent recycled carpeting to make plastic cam-covers for some of its engines. All that and more, plus guest host Scott Burgess from the Detroit News, explains why he resigned and went back to the newspaper.

Car sales in the U.S. and China are neck and neck, but America squeezes out a win -- for now. John Mendel reports that Honda will make up for production lost during the Japanese crisis. Jaguar and Jeep both seem to be digging diesels. All that and more, plus maybe cell phones aren’t quite as bad as we thought.

Toyota has sold its 1,000,000th Prius, but is that really impressive? Returning from the brink of collapse, Ssangyong makes an impressive showing at the Seoul Motor Show. GM announces the number of miles Volt drivers are going between fill-ups. All that and more, plus a closer look at the BMW ActiveE.

Saab stopped production again because of another dispute with suppliers over payments. Toyota and Microsoft will team up to develop smart grid technology to use electricity more efficiently and harness power from renewable sources. Yesterday we reported Ford was raising prices because of the rising cost of raw materials, now automakers in India are doing the same. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.