Autoline Daily - Audio

General Motors finally launched its initial public offering today. More news from the Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota announced pricing for its plug-in Prius in Japan. And Lotus announced it will build engines and body kits for the IndyCar racing series starting in 2012. All that and more, plus a look at Hyundai's unique unveil of the all new Elantra.

General Motors announced it will increase the amount of shares it plans to make available for its initial public offering. Cadillac unveiled what it calls the Urban Luxury Concept at the L.A. Auto Show and says it can get high fuel economy. Volkswagen unveiled an updated Eos in Los Angeles and it has a couple of distinct features. All that and more, plus John shares his thoughts on the new Ford Fiesta.

Carlos Ghosn made a bold prediction yesterday: Nissan/Renault plans to build 500,000 electric vehicles annually by the end of 2013. The Chevy Camaro drops its top; GM unveiled the convertible version of its iconic muscle car. New York City is holding a competition called the "Taxi of Tomorrow" to find the best purpose-built people mover. All that and more, plus John critiques the design of the new 2011 Dodge Charger.

Sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks were up 5.2 percent in October compared to last year. A new study says merging late into construction zone lanes can actually increase traffic flow. Fiat may sell part of its ownership in Ferrari before increasing its stake in Chrysler. All that and more, plus a sneak peak of this week's LA Auto Show.

Volkswagen group reported its global sales figures for the month of October and sales are up almost 10percent. General Electric announced it will purchase 12,000 Chevy Volts for its global fleet of vehicles starting next year. The Eco model of the Chevy Cruze has just been EPA certified at 42 miles per gallon. All that and more, plus John test drives the all new Nissan LEAF in this week's Autoline Detroit preview.

Through September of this year the market share for Japanese automakers has fallen 20 percent in China. The transport minister of the Czech Republic had his driver's license revoked. Ford is unveiling a new technology called "TracKey" on the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang. All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo shares his in-depth analysis of GM's decision to jump back into Indy racing.

General Motors posted its third quarter earnings this morning and reported a net income of nearly $2 billion. Renault predicts that rising raw material prices could add up to $1,000 to the cost of a new car by 2015. Ford is expected to build a new Lincoln sport-utility vehicle that's still under development at its plant in Louisville, Kentucky. All that and more, plus John answers your questions in the "You Said It!" segment.

We keep reporting on how car sales are booming in China, but which cars are Chinese consumers buying? Toyota's sales have taken a tumble in China, Europe and the U.S., and now they're dropping in Canada, too. GM announced it will phase out the Mr. Goodwrench brand starting in February. All that and more, plus John takes us on a tour of the interior of the luxurious new Jaguar XJ.

Chrysler reported its third quarter earnings and posted a $239 million operating profit. General Motors will field a Chevrolet-branded twin-turbo V-6 engine for the 2012 IndyCar season. A report by China's ministry for environmental protection says about a third of the 113 cities in the study failed air quality tests due to the influx of cars sold in the country. All that and more, plus guest host Christie Schweinsberg from WardsAuto.com, shares her thoughts on all the EV bashing that’s taking place on the internet.

Over the last 6 months Toyota racked up $3.6 billion in profits. BMW announced it will build a sports car with plug-in hybrid technology based on its Vision EfficientDynamics. Chinese automaker BYD is delaying EV sales in China because it says the infrastructure isn’t sufficient yet. All that and more, plus a look at the Mid-Term Election results and how that will affect the auto industry.

The numbers are finally in for October sales in the American market and we'll take a look at who the winners are. Ford launched a media campaign to help increase car exports to South Korea from the U.S. Panasonic announced it will invest $30 million in Tesla to take a two percent stake in the company. All that and more, plus a look at the Cadillac CTS Coupe.

Aston Martin says it won't look for another automaker to partner up with and will remain independent. General Motors will not have to pay taxes on the next $45 billion in net profits that it reports thanks to a special exemption. A look at some of the highlights from the SEMA show that's underway in Las Vegas this week. All that and more, plus John answers your questions in the "You Said It!" segment.

Researchers in the U.S., Australia and Russia have developed a new type of aluminum alloy that's as strong as steel. The Canadian Auto Workers' union is advising the Canadian government to hold on to its shares in GM. The Ford Racing Performance Group is bringing its R2 rally kit to the U.S. so anyone can transform their Fiesta into a rally racer. All that and more, plus we take a look at Volkswagen's advanced self-parking car.

Global sales are up nearly 16% compared to last year and automakers are on track to sell about 74 million vehicles before the year is over. Nissan showed off a two-seat electric car this morning, which it calls the New Mobility CONCEPT. Ford is set to show off a specially tuned undercover-version of its new Police Interceptor at the SEMA show. All that and more, plus John test drives the Chevy Volt.

Italian researchers travel 8,000 miles, from Italy to China, in four autonomous electric vehicles. A humanoid robot developed by GM and NASA is set for its first launch into outer space. In an astonishing development, the California Air Resources Board is rating the emissions of the Chevrolet Volt several levels below other cars. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with David Champion from Consumer Reports.