Autoline Daily - Audio

The big car and truck of the year awards are finally announced. Volkswagen's "New Midsize Sedan" gets an official name and a reveal. Toyota shows off its Prius family. All that and much more in this special edition from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

We've got a special update about some of the new vehicles debuting at this week's Detroit auto show. Porsche returns to the event for the first time in four years and plans to show a racing version of the 918 Spyder. Speaking of race cars, Cadillac will debut the racing version of the CTS-V Coupe. Chevy will show its replacement for the Aveo called the Sonic. All that and more, plus a look at the new Kia Optima Turbo.

The French government is directing its intelligence agencies to investigate the role that China may have played in stealing EV secrets from Renault. GM and the Argonne National Laboratory have signed an agreement that will allow the automaker to use Argonne's cathode technology to make lithium-ion batteries. Chrysler's Mopar division will showcase all kinds of tricked-out vehicles and aftermarket goodies at this year's Detroit Auto Show. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about the finalists for the North American Car of the Year award.

Renault suspended three of its managers for leaking secrets about the company’s electric-car technology. Finally some good news for Toyota; it won an arbitration case against its former attorney, Dimitrios Biller. Buick just revealed its new compact sedan called the Verano. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in "You Said It!"

UAW President, Bob King says union workers deserve to share in the increases in profitability that GM, Ford and Chrysler are enjoying right now. Toyota showcased its infotainment system that will compete with the Ford SYNC at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai released a teaser shot of its new Veloster which will likely debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week. All that and more, plus we’ll tell you who the winners and losers were in last month’s sales war.

Consumer Reports just dropped a bombshell in Ford’s lap, ripping its MyFord and MyLincoln Touch infotainment systems that are available on the 2011 Edge and MKX crossovers. UAW president Bob King says he thinks the union can organize at least one foreign transplant this year. Toyota has been sued by seven different insurance companies that are attempting to recover money for accidents they blame on sudden acceleration. All that and more, plus we take a peek at the advanced crash-test dummies GM uses.

Global auto sales are expected to top out at more than 75 million units once automakers tally up all the cars and trucks they sold in 2010. Audi creates what it calls an "e-den" to make the charging process for electric vehicles more pleasant and luxurious. Chinese automaker BAIC is bidding to acquire Italian design firm, Pininfarina. All that and more, plus we’ll show you how to translate a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN for short, that’s given to every vehicle.

The UAW is beating the war drums again; this time it's going after foreign transplants in the U.S. Congress failed to pass legislation that would have overhauled auto-safety laws in the country. Mercedes-Benz has given us an early Christmas present by showing off its redesigned 2012 C-Class. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts on driving Ford's bodacious Focus RS500.

Cerberus is going to recoup close to 90% of its investment in Chrysler by selling the automakers finance arm. Honda successfully completed the first flight test of its small business airplane called the HondaJet. Trainees at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, Germany have assembled a one-off B-Class with a 5.5-liter V-8 between the front fenders. All that and more, plus a look at how Lotus is making a comeback.

The U.S. federal government socked Toyota with another fine, this time for its tardy handling of recalls and other safety issues. Chrysler just released pictures of its redesigned 300, which should start arriving at dealerships in the first quarter of next year. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is one of four trade groups that’s asking a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling by the U.S. EPA that allows gasoline blends with 15 percent ethanol. All that and more, plus John shares some of his thoughts on the Ford Focus RS 500 he recently drove.

An analysis of Toyota by Goldman Sachs Japan predicts the automaker will lose global market share. Hyundai plans to start commercial production of fuel cell cars by 2015. Volkswagen says it wants to be number one in electric vehicle sales in China by 2018. All that and more, plus a look at the new vehicle that shocked everyone by ending up as one of the finalists for the North American Truck of the Year award.

Batteries for hybrids and electric vehicles are going to stay expensive, at least according to the Center for Automotive Research and the National Academy of Sciences. The finalists for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have been announced. A concept version of the GMC Sierra featuring all kinds of off-road modifications is targeting the Ford Raptor F-150. All that and more, plus a look at some of the Automotive X PRIZE winners.

The prices of aluminum and copper are surging, and there could be a shortage in 2012. The Center for Automotive Research released a study looking at the proposed 60-mile-per-gallon fuel-economy standard, and the cost of meeting those rules is shocking. That "new-car smell" probably isn’t the best thing for your lungs, but according to one forensic investigator it could knock you out. All that and more, plus John takes a swing at your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

German assembly lines are humming even as new-vehicle sales slow down in Europe. With the exception of the United States, China now spends more money on research and development than any other country in the world. GM’s performance parts division just introduced the most powerful small-block V-8 it’s ever engineered. All that and more, plus a look at Lexus’ latest luxury hybrid, the CT 200h.

The World Trade Organization rejected China’s accusation that the United States violated trade rules when it imposed import tariffs on some Chinese tires. There is a shortage of automotive engineers in North America, not only at the OEMs but also at the suppliers. Honda released a sketch of the 9th generation Civic that will make its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. All that and more, plus a look at the new Pentastar V-6 engine from Chrysler.