Autoline Daily

Anyone who lives in the United States definitely has noticed that the price of gasoline shot up dramatically in the last month. Now, find out why. Holden unveiled the redesigned version of its rear-wheel-drive VF Commodore sedan, which will make its way to the U.S. as one much-awaited Chevy model. Set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show is the Subaru Outback with the companies Boxer Diesel mated to a CVT. All that and more, plus the UAW once had a monopoly on automotive labor in the United States and Canada but not anymore.

Nissan just reported its earnings for the first nine months of its fiscal year, and it’s a mixed bag, but generally disappointing. Autoline gives a look at a few of the vehicles that were unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. MINI just introduced the fastest car it has ever made, a souped up version of the Hardtop. All that and more, plus we find out why Chevrolet is really bullish on selling diesels in the American market.

Daimler reported its earnings for 2012 this morning and the numbers are solid, but not anything like some other manufacturers. Automakers are making another run at using plastic windows, but they can pose some real issues. Carmakers are using more and more of one common material, but that is going to lead to higher prices. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Sean McElroy takes a look at the new 2014 Kia Forte.

China is suffering through the worst air pollution the modern world has ever seen. MINI just introduced the all-new Paceman, which is based on the same platform as the Countryman. When the new S-class Mercedes comes out later this year it will be able to claim it was the first in the world to offer a certain technology. All that and more, plus we get to your comments and questions in this week’s edition of You Said It!

One company just reported its earnings for the first nine months of its fiscal year, and it’s doing better than most automakers who report full year earnings. Consumer Reports has been testing small displacement turbocharged engines and let’s just say they did not get a thumbs up, except for one automaker. Lincoln dropped sales and market share because Ford is very slow in getting its new MKZ to the dealers, which may come as a bit of a surprise. All that and more, plus Autoline Daily correspondent Isaac Bouchard says that half a liter makes all the difference in the Mazda CX-5.

New U.S. car sales figures are out for the month of January, and they look very strong. Red Bull Racing inked a four-year deal with one carmaker to become the Vehicle Performance Partner of the team. At a labor conference in Washington D.C., UAW President Bob King and former Brazilian President Lula da Silva urged union members to get more active in politics. All that and more, plus host John McElroy gives his driving impressions of the 2014 Subaru Forester.

Despite declining sales in Europe, the car industry as a whole did pretty well last year. The former head of Volkswagen’s China operations was officially named as chairman of Opel’s management board as well as President of GM Europe and GM Vice President. General Motors also added Retired Admiral Michael Mullen to its board, bringing the total to 15. All that and more, plus we’ll show you how USCAR does collaborative R and D.

Fiat reported its 2012 financial earnings, and the results look pretty good, as long as you include Chrysler. Automakers are having a tough time selling EVs but that isn’t stopping California; it is not backing down from its zero emission mandate. Yesterday we reported that Fisker is desperately trying to find a deep-pocket partner and now it looks like the company might have one. All that and more, plus John McElroy has a look into what the 2014 Subaru Forester is all about.

Chrysler posted strong financial earnings last year but the company is still too reliant on the U.S. market. Speaking of financial earnings, Ford’s UAW employees are going to reap the benefits of the company’s positive results. Find out how much they’ll receive in profit sharing checks. Fisker just hired a consulting group to help it figure out how to save cash as it looks for a partner or a buyer. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

Ford is the first automaker to release its 2012 earnings, and we take a deep dive into the places where they're winning and losing. At long last we'll see the clean diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze debut in the U.S. John McElroy asks Johan de Nysschen why Infiniti has changed its naming scheme to focus on the letter Q. All that and we take a look at the all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.