Autoline Daily - Audio

Silicon Valley gets more and more interested in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to connected cars and autonomous technology. Some analysts think GM should dump the Opel brand, but the company says otherwise. The Ford Explorer is currently sold in 64 countries, but it has always been built in the U.S., until now. All that and more, plus we take a look at the features of the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Energy Information Agency reports the use of replacement and alternative fuels in the U.S. is on the rise. Volvo now offers a new fuel injection technology for its diesel engines. Reports indicate Ford will offer a new EcoBoost engine for the upcoming 2014 Fusion. All that and more, plus host John McElroy responds to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

EcoMotors announces a Chinese supplier will make an investment to start building its opoc engine. A new report from Polk says Ford had the best selling car and truck in the world last year. A new strain of bird flu in China threatens to shut down the upcoming Shanghai auto show. All that and more, plus we take an up-close and personal look at the new Chevy Impala.

BMW expands its motorcycle lineup by teaming up with an Indian motorcycle company. Renault showcases its design direction with a small concept car called the Twin’Z. GM’s extended service intervals are causing problems in certain models with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. All that and more, plus have you heard of this new kind of carbon fiber bridge, what they call a bridge in a backpack?

BMW gets ready to unveil yet another crossover at the Shanghai show. Sales of the Toyota Prius fell 22 percent last month in the U.S. market, which could be the result of one company offering more hybrid models. We ask UAW President Bob King if they are in talks with VW. All that and more, plus in other UAW news, the topic on Autoline This Week is all about right-to-work laws and the threat it poses to the organization’s existence.

Sales of hybrids, plug-ins and EVs in the U.S. were down last month, despite high gas prices. But if you break out sales of electric and plug-ins from the total, they were up. Last night in the main lobby of Motown’s iconic Fisher Building carmaker Detroit Electric pulled the wraps of its all-new SP:01. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes us for a deep look into the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

We’ve got the latest sales report from the U.S. market, which was quite good, but may have shown the first signs of softness. Tesla CEO Elon Musk reveals his “big” announcement. Chrysler considers a diesel version of its 300 sedan for the U.S. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gets to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

GM releases more information about its new full-size pick-ups. Tesla hits two goals that it set for itself in the first quarter of this year. Uh-oh things are not looking good for Carbon Motors, the company that wants to build those diesel-powered police cruisers. All that and more, plus Chrysler considers adding more sports team-themed Ram pickups.

Ford Motor Company announces its Alan Mulally retention plan. Fisker Motor Company founder and former CEO Henrik Fisker says he has no regrets about the fate of his company, the recipient of hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. Department of Energy loans. Actor Clint Eastwood sues Chrysler for breach of contract. All that and more, plus HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

Rumors out of Italy say that Audi is in talks to take over Alfa-Romeo. Volvo introduces a concept called MethaneDiesel that’s equipped with a diesel engine that can run on LNG. Chevy pulls the wraps off the redesigned 2014 Camaro, which will once again have a Z/28 option. All that and more, plus a slew of unveils from the New York Auto Show.

Honda pulls the wraps back on its new Odyssey minivan with a new feature that makes it even more family friendly. Buick reveals its 2014 Regal and Regal GS that will go on sale later this fall. Also at the New York Auto Show, Jaguar unveils a performance R version of its flagship XJ sedan. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gets to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Uh-oh, looks like Australia could be left without any auto shows, as one just got canceled. Subaru just promoted its COO and CFO of America to president of the company’s American operations. Buick released pictures of the new 2014 LaCrosse. All that and more, plus how one automotive supplier is changing its engine components to help meet the upcoming fuel economy regulations.

The latest generations of hybrids and small displacement engines with turbos fall well short of the fuel economy they’re supposed to deliver. So that begs the question, what technology does improve fuel efficiency? Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory develop a new lightweight, space-saving CNG fuel tank. Mopar is considering building a version of the Ram pick-up based on the concept vehicles it showed off at Moab last week. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his insight on why commercial truck fleets in the U.S. are real interested in natural gas and propane.

General Motors is moving forward with plans to close its Opel plant in Bochum, Germany. Sales for the Lincoln brand are down almost 25 percent through the first two months of the year, but that could change now that one vehicle is back on track. Hyundai just revealed renderings of a luxury sports coupe concept it will unveil at next month’s Seoul Motor Show. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about how the automotive industry can attract more female talent.

The head of Germany’s IG Metall union sends a letter to VW workers in Tennessee urging them to join the UAW. Subaru announces it will introduce its first production hybrid at the New York Auto Show. Jeep unveiles six new concept vehicles at the Moab Easter Jeep Safari that are equipped with off-road parts from the Mopar catalog. All that and more, plus today’s host Todd Lassa gives his thoughts on the company culture over at General Motors.