Autoline Daily - Audio

According to data collected, Google’s autonomous car drives better than humans. Some analysts say that VW’s modular platform will not save the automaker as much money as it expected. In the years to come Ford would like to reduce its 1,300 suppliers down to 750. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in the newest edition of You Said It!

Toyota is in the lead to be the number one global automaker this year. Suppliers to General Motors are up in arms over the way the company recently dictated new terms and conditions on their contracts. And speaking of the General, it looks like the company will adopt a modular approach with its platforms, similar to Volkswagen’s strategy. All that and more, plus a look at how Cadillac engineers trimmed the weight of the new CTS.

Eight U.S. states sign a memorandum of understanding to help spur the sales of electric and other zero emission vehicles. VW’s CEO of China says the German automaker will not be selling EVs in the country. Honda shows off the new 2014 Civic Coupe that will make its debut at next month’s SEMA show. All that and more, plus how the industry is going down to the molecular level to come up with lighter weight steel.

Ford, Daimler and Hyundai posted strong earnings in the third quarter. And speaking of Hyundai, the company just released a couple of renderings of the new Genesis that’s set to debut next year. One company has created a motorcycle helmet that features a heads-up display. All that and more, plus Design Handbook’s Jim Hall explains why big wheels are one of the secrets of proportion.

Peugeot is considering ending its alliance with GM. Ford is idling its Michigan Assembly Plant for two weeks due to rising inventories of the Focus and C-Max. Mazda will reveal a CNG version of the Mazda3 at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. All that and more, plus a look at why bigger wheels can cost you a lot of money.

Ford is significantly changing the way it conducts cost accounting for developing new vehicles. Car sales in emerging markets could lead to the industry producing 100 million new vehicles annually by the end of the decade. Aston Martin’s CEO says you won’t see a hybrid in any of its vehicles anytime soon. All that and more, plus a look at Ram Trucks new 6.4L HEMI engine.

The head of Volkswagen’s operations in China says that he sees an opportunity to start selling diesels in the country due to new rules regarding the fuel. BMW announced that it will no longer offer the 1 Series next year but it’s already teasing its replacement. Lamborghini announced it will build more models of its wicked-looking Veneno supercar but with one slight difference. All that and more, plus a look at the new Range Rover Sport.

Volvo is involved in a project that’s developed body panels that are made up of structural supercapacitors integrated within a nanomaterial, in an effort to reduce battery weight and space for EVs. Nissan unveiled an updated version of its electric DeltaWing racecar. Dodge revealed the Durango Special Service edition which will be available for Police and Fire departments as well as fleet customers. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week from the floor of the Frankfurt auto show.

GM’s former VP of purchasing, Bo Andersson will become president of Russia’s largest carmaker. Chevy announces it will sell a bi-fuel version of the Impala. John McElroy reports from China about the next phase in the country’s automotive industry. All that and more, plus the Autoextremist, Peter De Lorenzo explains why the price point for the ELR is a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t proposition for Cadillac.

Automakers have been struggling to sell cars in Europe but there was some good news last month. Hyundai is considering setting up its own performance division in Europe to help bolster its performance credentials. We take a look at China’s Global Automotive Forum. All that and more, plus guest host Murray Feldman asks, who you think should replace the leaders at GM and Ford?

A group of countries, led by Germany, just got the EU to delay a proposal that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Ford plans to ship up to 40,000 Explorer’s and Edge’s built in the U.S. and Canada per year to China. BMW revealed the convertible version of the 4 Series. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at a vehicle that’s been hit with a number of production issues, the Jeep Cherokee.

Heavy trucks just had their best month of sales since 2006. In order to boost sales, Porsche will enter 15 new markets by the end of the decade, mostly in Africa. Rental customers aren’t opting for EVs because they fear the battery will die. All that and more, plus ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons has some advice for automakers.

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering reducing ethanol blend requirements next year. A new study says people are more likely to use a self-driving car from a tech company rather than one of the major automakers. After 67 years of production, Land Rover has decided to end production of its Defender SUV. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with designer and futurist, Syd Mead.

In an effort to boost sales, Toyota has slashed the price of the Prius Plug-in. Even though Ford is currently building five plants in China, the company is considering further expansion because forecasts predict a huge growth in annual sales. We got a chance to drive the new Chevy Malibu and see how its new stop/start system performs. All that and more, plus a look at Nissan’s self-parking technology.

According to a report, PSA’s Chinese partner will buy a 30 percent stake in the company. A judge rules that New York City over stepped its bounds and voids the mandate for Nissan’s Taxi of Tomorrow. We gear up for SEMA with a few concepts that will make their debuts at the show. All that and more, plus a look at the updates Toyota made to its Entune infotainment system.