Autoline Daily - Audio

The U.S. federal government is investigating at least 20 dealerships that may have violated the rules of last year’s cash-for-clunkers program. Hyundai and Renault reveal a couple new cars at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show. BYD is in trouble with the Chinese government for illegally building factories on farmland. All that and more, plus guest-host Jim Hall sounds off on some of the perks and pitfalls of electric vehicles.

Some Chrysler dealers in the U.S. are less enthusiastic about the Fiat 500 than you’d think. Woo-hoo, we’re saving the planet! U.S. gasoline consumption in July fell .03 percent compared to the same time last year. Toyota is retooling to make its factories more flexible. All that and more, plus we drive the 2011 Ford Edge.

Volkswagen says it is interested in buying Alfa Romeo if it should become available. Mercedes-Benz revealed its brand-new 2012 CLS ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Indian automaker Mahindra has finally been given a green light by the U.S. EPA to sell its diesel pickups in America. All that and more, plus a look at Kia's voice activated infotainment system called UVO that is just hitting the market.

Chevrolet’s marketing chief, Jim Campbell, has been reassigned and was replaced by Chris Perry, the former VP of Marketing at Hyundai. Chrysler released new details about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler which went into production earlier this week. A new study says ambient light makes drivers feel safer behind the wheel. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with Lewis Booth, the Executive Vice President and CFO at the Ford Motor Company.

GM filed the paperwork yesterday to become a publicly traded company again. Kia released a handful of photos of its latest concept vehicle, called the POP, before its debut at the Paris Motor Show. Volkswagen is bringing its Phaeton luxury car back to the U.S. All that and more, plus a look at a Chinese bus concept that drives over the road and above traffic.

Porsche gives you even more than you need . . . for the price of a compact car. General Motors seeks out so-called cornerstone investors as it readies an IPO. A new hotel aimed at auto enthusiasts goes all out. All that and more, plus a look at Mercedes’ redesigned R-Class.

As sales begin to improve in the U.S., the demand for designers is actually on the increase. The Lear Corporation, in a move that shows just how much it has changed, has secured a key contract for the Chevy Volt. Zero Race aims to prove that electric vehicles can be practical. All that and more, plus we get an inside-look at Kia marketing.

Experts believe that the EPA and NHTSA will announce that automakers must meet a fleet average of 60 MPG by 2025. Infiniti is jumping on the downsizing trend and has confirmed that it plans to offer a version of its G sedan with a smaller engine. Ford reintroduces the Boss 302 Mustang. All that and more, plus a look at the Audi A5 Sportback.

More news and analysis of CEO Ed Whitacre's decision to leave General Motors. Infiniti just announced its new in-house performance division called IPL, which is short for "Infiniti Performance Line." Ford auctioned off a number of its concept cars in order to raise money for charity. All that and more, plus a look at Transonic Combustion, a company that’s invented a new type of fuel injection system that can make a gasoline engine get the same kind of fuel economy as a diesel.

General Motors chairman Ed Whitacre announced he will step down as CEO next month, and leave GM at the end of the year. Researchers from Rutgers and the University of South Carolina were able to hack a car through the tire pressure monitor system. Ford revealed four different engine options for the 2011 F-150. All that and more, plus we show you what it's like behind the wheel of a Tata Nano.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says it can’t find any electronic problems that could cause unintended acceleration in Toyotas. GM is going to report its second-quarter earnings tomorrow and the analyst community is expecting strong results. Despite the big profits Daimler generated, some financial experts say it’s a good time to short the stock. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Jaguar and Land Rover are making money for Tata. Chinese automaker Changan is shopping all over the world for talented people. An Indianapolis man builds a jet-powered school bus! All that and more, plus we take a look at the new Mazda2 and find out how it compares to its platform-mate, the Ford Fiesta.

Chrysler posted its second quarter earnings and the results continue to be encouraging. Detroit automakers dominated the sales charts in Canada last month while their Asian and European competitors suffered losses. Volkswagen announced it will bring the Skoda brand to the Chinese market. All that and more, plus Victor Muller talks about the hero's welcome he's received in Sweden since he swooped in to save Saab.

GM's CEO, Ed Whitacre, said the company will post impressive earnings for the second quarter. After originally planning to make the Lexus LFA available only for lease in the U.S., Toyota will now allow customers to purchase the vehicle outright...but there’s a catch. New rumors suggest that GM could be working on a mid-engined Chevy Corvette now that the economy is starting to improve and GM is out of bankruptcy. All that and more, plus a look at some of the technical details of the new Buick Regal.

Yesterday we reported that North American car sales were up in July and now it looks like automakers are planning production increases for the third-quarter. Hyundai is shaking things up again by targeting a fleet-average fuel-economy of 50 miles per gallon in the U.S. by 2025. Printer company Epson rolled out a replica of the Acura NSX made entirely out of cardboard. All that and more, plus John answers some of your questions in the "You Said It!" segment.