Autoline Daily

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.

The Chinese auto industry has been growing by leaps and bounds the last several years and as a result automakers are investing heavily in the country. Acura has some cool new technology in the RLX that will make the ride inside the car quieter. SRT pulled the wraps off its track edition of the Viper, called the TA, which stands for time attack. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes a look at the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

Chinese companies that were interested in acquiring or taking a stake in Fisker are backing out of negotiations. The most iconic race track in Germany is up for sale. Cadillac will debut a new V6 engine and 8-speed transmission for the upcoming CTS. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Seamus McElroy takes us for a walk around the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Toyota is creating a new China-only brand that will build low-cost and alternative-fuel vehicles. Cellulosic ethanol has not caught on, due to its high price, but that could change soon. It looks like Volkswagen’s Tennessee facility could be the first transplant with union representation. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his insight into the global race going on amongst car companies to lock up the supply chain for carbon fiber.

China has sought to dominate EV technology, but the electric car market has been a flop in the country. Volkswagen’s Chief Executive says the company will build a minimum of 10 assembly plants in the years to come. A report out of Europe says automakers use tricks to boost their fuel efficiency and lower CO2 ratings that border on cheating. All that and more, plus host John McElroy answers some of your questions and comments in this week’s edition of You Said It!

Henrik Fisker abruptly resigned from the car company he started after unspecified disagreements with the executive management team. International, the big truck maker, now offers the Transtar Class 8 semi that runs on CNG. Pollution continues to be a problem in China, and the country has a plan to get the highest polluting cars off the road. All that and more, plus we take a look at how fish behavior is helping Nissan develop its autonomous technology.

BMW is beating Audi as the number one luxury automaker in the world and now it just won another battle with its German rival. Mitsubishi saw one of the largest gains in the American market last month. Hyundai announced that it will sell its hydrogen-fuel-cell electric vehicle, called the ix35, in the U.S. All that and more, plus we get up close and personal with Mazda’s first diesel race car.

China is offering more generous subsidies to customers that buy EVs, and it’s not just the central government offering them. One of the worlds largest oil and gas companies says diesel will be the number 1 fuel by 2020. Cadillac has really started the year with a bang. But the sales gain is coming exclusively from two new models. All that and more, plus we take a walk around the exterior of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the head of Jeep design.