Autoline Daily - Audio

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company is considering opening factories in two new major markets. The new Chevrolet Camaro convertible will make its debut in Frankfurt next month. BMW announces a plug-in version of it X5, called Concept X5 eDrive. All that and more, plus we look at how safety regulations can affect automotive design.

Supplier company Continental teams with Google and IBM to develop technology for autonomous cars. Ford partners up with St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia to develop robots for use in space. BMW offers an individual consulting program for clients to personalize their vehicle. All that and more, plus Jim Hall explains design spazz attacks in the newest edition of Design Handbook.

As if to say that it has completely returned to normal, the NAFTA region set an all-time production record last month. The next-generation Nissan Titan pickup gets a diesel from Cummins. Mercedes-Benz will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its S 500 sedan at the Frankfurt Motor Show. All that and more, plus we respond to some of your comments and questions in the latest edition of You Said It!

Toyota shares more images of a concept it will unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show, called the Hybrid-R. We take a look at who is doing the best in the U.S. full-size sedan segment. John McElroy shares his insights on the danger of adding lots of overtime and a 3rd shift. All that and more, plus on the newest edition of Autoline Garage we examine how air filter design could cost you $500.

Tesla is forced to change its name for the Chinese market because the company’s name had already been registered. Infiniti poaches a top executive from one major German automaker and names a new design director as well. As a part of Volvo’s new Drive-E initiative to reduce the impact on the environment it will build a new line-up of 4-cylinder engines. All that and more, plus we take a tour in the interior of Jaguar’s F-TYPE.

Autoline Daily learns that Chrysler is trying to dramatically boost production of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ford is lowering the fuel economy rating for one vehicle that received heavy criticism for not achieving its advertised rating. Cadillac reveals the Elmiraj concept car at Pebble Beach. All that and more, plus Billy Gibbons, lead singer and guitarist extraordinaire for ZZ Top dropped in to tell us how he became such an automotive enthusiast.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will make it easier to search for recalls on its website. Sirius XM gets into the automotive telematics business after it acquired one company’s connected vehicle services business. Audi teases some sketches of its Quattro concept ahead of its Frankfurt debut. All that and more, plus new technology from Bosch that makes driving a manual a whole lot easier.

In a stunning admission, the Chief Operating Officer of Renault says he would love to leave the company to go run two of the largest automakers in the world. Using intensive CAD studies to determine the optimum design, Altair Engineering unveils a new steel wheel that may be better than aluminum. Mercedes reveals the all-new 2015 GLA ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. All that and more, plus guest host, Murray Feldman shares his thoughts on how social media has changed how automakers hire new talent.

Chrysler plans to make a big splash during the Woodward Ave. Dream Cruise with an all-new concept truck. John McElroy offers up a prescription for future Subaru success. Honda’s Project Drive-In aims to save roadside theaters. All that and more, plus Sean McElroy has another installment of the Autoline Garage all about making fuel pump maintenance a better customer experience.

Honda pulls the wraps off its new Civic Tourer ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Tesla is reportedly developing an all-wheel drive version of the Model S. If you read the tea leaves, it looks like GM is set to leave South Korea. Find out why. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares his driving impressions of a Porsche 911 GT3 equipped with carbon fiber wheels.

Subaru management debates whether the company should remain a niche brand or take advantage of its success and expand production. Autoline shares the upgrades for Ram’s new heavy duty trucks. General Motors teases an image for the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickup trucks. All that and more, plus we look at new technology from the giant German supplier, Bosch.

Tesla posts its second quarter earnings which beat Wall Street expectations. More vehicles pass the new small overlap front crash test from the IIHS. Hyundai introduces its new i10 small car ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. All that and more, plus Jim Hall clears up the confusion for one basic design term in the newest edition of Design Handbook.

The UAW wants to organize Tesla workers at the former NUMMI plant in California. The new smart fortwo EV features an all-new electric powertrain that is a big upgrade compared to the previous model. Skip Barber Racing adds two Hyundai models to its High Performance Driving School. All that and more, plus we’ll take an in-depth look at the exterior design of the new Jaguar F-TYPE.

Cadillac’s head of global strategy resigns just four months after accepting the newly created position. Infiniti announces that it will continue to sell the G37 in the U.S. alongside the Q50, which replaces it. Despite upgrades to Tesla’s Model S, customers of the car are not happy. All that and more, plus a look at what’s new for the 2014 Hyundai Equus.

In a surprising move, GM hires the former head of Volvo to run its new Consolidated International Operations. One major automaker is teaming back up with Isuzu to supply it with diesel engines. To avoid import tariffs, Daimler is considering building a new plant in Brazil. All that and more, plus automotive guru, Bob Lutz explains why he prefers buying used cars to new ones.