Autoline Daily

A lithium-ion battery pack undergoing extreme testing exploded at GM’s Warren, Michigan tech center yesterday injuring one worker. Cadillac heads east. The luxury brand will assemble three models in China to sidestep wince-inducing tariffs. Toyota is really pushing design with some of its latest models, making good on a promise from company chairman Akio Toyoda to deliver more passionate vehicles. All that and more, plus a look at the 2013 Ford Mustang.

A new study from the Center for Automotive Research says that the federal and state governments in the U.S. collected 135 billion dollars in tax revenues from the auto industry in 2010. Ford is going to use a reality show on the internet to market its electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has updated its iconic G-Class. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in “You Said It!”

While most of Europe is in an automotive meltdown, it looks like somebody forgot to tell the British there’s a financial crisis going on. Sales of new vehicles in the UK have gone up for the last three months! The private owner that holds the majority of Formula One stock, CVC Capital Partners, wants to issue an IPO to raise 2 billion dollars. Hybrid buyers are not returning for second helpings. The loyalty rate for gasoline-electric vehicles is very low. All that and more, plus a review of the new Fiat 500 Abarth.

The full-size car segment is starting to heat up in the American market. Chrysler will unveil two new concept vehicles at the Beijing Auto Show in two weeks. Mazda is struggling financially, which is why the financial community wants to see the company dump some of its non-core assets. All that and more, plus John talks to Jessica LaFond from Chrysler about a program the company uses to develop future management.

Ford and Peugeot-Citroen are ending their partnership for building larger diesel engines. Nissan just announced a new automotive communication system called NissanConnect that will debut on the 2013 Altima. Ferdinand A. Porsche, designer of the iconic 911 sportscar and grandson of company founder Ferdinand Porsche, has passed away. All that and more, plus John McElroy has the latest reveals from the New York Auto Show.

Volvo is planning on spending some 11 billion dollars over the next five years to introduce new products and build more plants in China. GM is mounting something of a truck offensive, and the newly introduced Colorado midsize pickup is expected to be offered in the U.S. Production of the Mazda6 is moving back home to Japan as the company pulls out of the facility in Flat Rock, Michigan that it shares with Ford. All that and more, plus John McElroy shares the latest from the 2012 New York Auto Show.

Fisker is looking at alternative sites to build its new model the Atlantic after loans from the Department of Energy fell through. Massachusetts based Terrafugia just completed its first successful test flight of a flying car called the Transition Street-Legal Airplane. Chevy unveiled the 2014 Impala in New York yesterday. All that and more, plus John McElroy brings you the latest reveals from the New York Auto Show.

Lincoln reveals its future with the introduction of the 2013 MKZ at the New York Auto Show. The U.S. EPA is pushing ahead with plans to introduce E15 fuel despite protests from automakers. If a report from CLSA turns out to be true, Toyota will be ridin’ the gravy train very soon. All that and more, plus guest host Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com talks about March sales in the American market.

Fiat is considering expanding its line-up in Canada to include the Panda and Punto. BMW revealed its third future mobility concept, called the i8 Spyder. Lincoln just introduced the redesigned version of the MKS and we’ve got our first impressions of the new model. All that and more, plus a look at the updated 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Subaru announced it will introduce the 2013 Legacy and Outback models at the New York Auto Show next week. A new study from JD Power says a customer’s satisfaction with their vehicle’s tires influences brand and dealership loyalty. Gas prices in Italy are soaring due to new austerity measures put in place. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, shares his driving impressions on the 2012 Audi S5 Quattro Coupe.