Autoline Daily - Audio

China's car exports are up 70% for the year even with a drop in passenger car sales in November. Volvo's new owner Geely plans on building 3 new plants that could make up to 600,000 Volvo's a year. GM's salaried workers will not be receiving a raise next year, despite the fact the company is making boatloads of profits. All that and more, plus a look at the new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

Ford is now tied with Honda for the highest loyalty rates in the American market according to a study by J.D. Power. BMW shares details on the newest addition to its M family, the 1-Series M Coupe. Volkswagen has partnered with Fender to introduce an all-new premium audio system. All that and more, plus a look at new safety technology from Volvo.

GM is dropping the Aveo name, instead calling its next-generation subcompact the Sonic instead. Researchers at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia have come up with a new way of joining magnesium to steel and aluminum. Rolls-Royce is expanding its Ghost lineup to include a long-wheelbase model as well as a coupe and a convertible. All that and more, plus the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo, sounds off on the UAW.

Our friends at Ward’s just announced the winners of their 17th-annual 10-Best Engines competition and there was more turnover this year than ever before. The Big Three have surplus inventory; GM has a 95-day supply of vehicles! Autozone, the largest auto-parts retailer in the U.S., just posted a 20-percent jump in quarterly earnings. All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo gives us his opinion on Super Bowl car commercials.

Just like American consumers, Chinese car buyers are shunning green vehicles. BMW is hiring-back some 1,300 workers this year to speed the development of hybrids, electric cars and advanced engines. Sketches of Kia’s redesigned Picanto city-car are out it looks good. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily caught up with Ralph Gilles, CEO of the Dodge brand and Chrysler’s Senior Vice President of Design, to talk about the look of the company’s vehicles.

Honda will stop selling the Element in the U.S. because of poor sales. Chinese automaker BYD, which is backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, has canceled plans to introduce an electric vehicle in China. Hybrid sales in the American market are down 7.6% this year compared to last year, even though there are more models to choose from. All that and more, plus a look at how Buick is trying to reach new customers.

The U.S. Transportation Department wants to mandate the use of back-up cameras in all vehicles by 2014. China passes the U.S. as Lexus' most profitable market. Chevy is reviving the high-performance Z28 Camaro which should go on sale sometime next year. All that and more, plus a look at the 2012 ICONIC AC Roadster.

Mazda is celebrating its 90th birthday this year. Opel will debut its redesigned Antara crossover and Corsa small car at the Bologna Motor Show this week. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is bashing bumpers again and the cost to repair some of the vehicles tested is shocking. All that and more, plus McElroy’s got the lowdown on November new-vehicle sales in the U.S.

GM and Chrysler announced they are each going to hire 1,000 engineers and technical people. Toyota wants to grow its market share in India to around 10 percent over the next five to seven years. Audi finally revealed its brand-new A6. All that and more, plus John answer's your questions about GM and Chrysler in "You Said It!"

Porsche's made boatloads of money off of its Cayenne, and now the German automaker is coming out with a smaller SUV called the Cajun. Naval researchers have figured out how to modify a radar gun to detect suicide bombers . . . and underwire bras! Chrysler is joining the "ratio race" by announcing plans to introduce an eight-speed automatic transmission. All that and more, plus a review of the brand-new Volvo S60.

General Motors IPO was the largest one in history and the U.S. government’s ownership in the company is now down to 33%. Indian automaker Mahindra is in a dispute with its U.S. distributor about shipping its small diesel pick-up to America. The EPA releases its official fuel economy numbers for the Chevy Volt. All that and more, plus a look at the new Chrysler 200.

Electric-vehicle fast-chargers are apparently to blame for causing electrical-grid issues, and according to GM, they can also reduce battery life. Opel is getting itself reclassified as a corporation - AG in German - instead of a limited-liability company - GmbH - to raise money. GM introduced a new electronic logo on top of its Detroit, Michigan headquarters. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified the Nissan LEAF at 99 miles per gallon -- 2.3 liters per 100 kilometers -- on a combined driving-cycle. GM is rumored to be reintroducing the Holden Commodore in the U.S. Even though the American auto bailouts are still controversial, a recent poll indicates that opposition to them is dropping. All that and more, plus a look at a new type of EV charger.

Hyundai and Kia now sell more cars in Europe than Toyota and Lexus. Kia plans to start selling vehicles on eBay. Utility companies are finally admitting they're worried that an influx of cars plugging into the grid may knock power out in some areas. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts about the redesigned 2011 Dodge Journey.

A new study says the U.S. government bailouts of GM and Chrysler saved over a million jobs the past two years. Volkswagen plans to invest more than $70 billion in its automotive business over the next five years. General Motors will host open house events at all 54 of its U.S. manufacturing facilities and Aftersales parts warehouses by the end of next year. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s Autoline Detroit with Laura Soave, the President and CEO of Fiat North America.