Autoline Daily - Audio

There’s no question that car sales in the U.S. market are cooling off. China is not exactly throwing in the towel on EVs, but it is turning its emphasis to more conventional engine technology. Roger Penske’s logistics company announces it will run all of one automakers North American parts distribution. All that and more, plus host John McElroy takes a look at all the changes Nissan made to the 2013 LEAF.

CODA, the EV startup in California, files for bankruptcy. Nissan cuts the price on seven of the 18 vehicles it sells in the American market. Due to a mistake made on Mercedes-Benz’s Austrian consumer website, we get a peak at the redesigned 2014 S-class. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Chrysler earnings fell in the first quarter of this year, but we think the company will be able to make up for its shortfalls this year. Mercedes unveils the updated version of its large Sprinter van. The Volvo Car Group tests a new hybrid system that doesn’t use batteries. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at the all-electric Fiat 500e.

Some experts predict car radios will go the way of 8-track and cassette players. According to preliminary data, the auto industry will meet CO2 emission targets, but not all OEMs. For all you off-road enthusiasts out there, Mercedes unveils its new Unimog lineup. All that and more, plus we take a look at a new bridge construction technique.

Last month sales of the Nissan LEAF hit 2,200 units, more than a 300 percent increase. Detroit Electric announces it’s teaming up with a Chinese automaker to develop EVs for the Chinese market. Renault Twizy Sport F1 gives the smart forjeremy a run for its money as goofiest-looking vehicle. All that and more, plus we talk to Fred Diaz about the Ram brand, before he did the Tennessee two-step over to Nissan.

Honda gets a little bit sensitive about how well two other Japanese cars are selling in the American market compared to the Accord. Earlier in the week Nissan unveiled the Friend-ME, today it’s the Toyota ME.WE. Audi shows off a lightweight version of its TT, called the TT ultra quattro concept. All that and more, plus we look at how the Taxi Nissan’s Tomorrow can now accommodate a wheelchair.

First quarter sales are out, and Toyota outsold two other global automakers to retain its top spot. The CEO of Maserati agrees with a new study that says the carbon footprint of EVs may not be better than gasoline powered cars. Mazda scores its first victory using the SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine in the Mazda6. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Kia, along with its joint-venture partners, Dongfeng and Yueda, unveils its new China-only brand. Out of the Shanghai show is the plug-in hybrid CrossBlue Coupe from Volkswagen. Today, there are about 10 million engines made around the world that are turbocharged or supercharged, and that’s growing quickly. All that and more, plus fill-in host Jim Hall asks, is the Dodge Dart really a sales bust?

Let’s take a look at some of the hottest unveils from the Shanghai auto show. The forjeremy from smart has got to be one of the weirdest special edition models ever to come out of a car company. Buick unveils a Riviera concept with show-stopping looks. Renault reveals a new model from the iconic Alpine brand, called the A110-50. All that and more, plus we take a look at why there is a sudden interest in opposed piston engines.

Bloomberg reports that the actual manufacturing cost for every Fisker was more than six times that of the purchase cost. Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne criticizes regulators for trying to force electric cars on the industry and the public. We get the official word that Toyota will start building the Lexus ES at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which is a first in the U.S. All that and more, plus we learn how CNG and LPG are getting a lot of attention.

We get the latest new car sales from Germany and they’ve dropped a lot. Subaru boosts production in the U.S. to end the shortage of vehicles at its dealers. Mercedes pulls the wraps off its Concept GLA ahead of its Shanghai debut. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes us for a deep dive into the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

Two groups that represent every automaker selling vehicles in the United States file a petition to prevent a California mandate for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. GM starts building electric motors for the Spark EV at its plant in Baltimore. The steel and aluminum industries fight over which material is the most cost effective at reducing weight in cars. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Protean Electric reveals the production version of its electric hub motors. Chrysler announces major changes to account for the CEO of the Ram brand’s departure. Volkswagen shuffles the chairman deck at its troubled SEAT division. All that and more, plus we take a walk around the floor of the Autorama car show in Detroit.

Fred Diaz, CEO of the Ram band abruptly left the company to go head up all sales and marketing for a Japanese automaker whose sales of pickups, SUVs and vans have been a flop. Amid billions of dollars going missing, FAW announces its chairman will be leaving the company. The Chrysler Group throws its hat in the full electric ring with the Fiat 500e. All that and more, plus a quick look at some new developments coming in superchargers.

$1.6 billion goes missing in an astounding vanishing act at one Chinese car company. Ahead of Shanghai, we get our first glimpse at a future Citroen DS SUV. Russia’s GAZ launches its first new commercial vehicle in more than 25 years. All that and more, plus a sneak peek at Autoline This Week with Dick Dauch, the Chairman of American Axle.