Autoline Daily

Ford released information on the new Explorer Sport, which is getting a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. The Blue Oval's cross-town rival, Chevrolet, just spilled the beans on its latest three-row crossover, the Traverse. Prices of the precious metal palladium are set to rise throughout the year because automakers keep using more and more of this shiny, silver metal. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist, shares his recipe for the perfect sports car.

There’s another disaster in the electric-car market. Azure Dynamics, which was converting Ford Transit Connects into electric vehicles, just filed for bankruptcy. Jeep, along with Mopar, just unveiled six different models at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. The new Cadillac XTS will be the first car available with a driver’s seat that vibrates if a crash is imminent. All that and more, plus we’ll be talking about how Chrysler is using a very unique process to bring new talent into the company in That Ah-Ha Moment.

Mercedes-Benz is teasing its latest light-commercial vehicle, the Citan which is the first LCV to emerge from the Mercedes-Nissan-Renault alliance. Battery supplier A123 Systems admitted that its battery caused that embarrassing breakdown of the Fisker Karma when Consumer Reports was testing it. An executive from Japanese auto supplier Denso will serve a year in prison for his involvement in a price-fixing scheme. All that and more, plus an overview of Acura’s all-new sedan, the ILX.

Fisker Automotive is trying to raise 100 million dollars through private equity after the U.S. government refused to loan more funds to the company. Ford is producing an hour-long reality series called “Escape Routes” featuring the 2013 Escape that will air on NBC. Dodge announced it will enter the Global RallyCross Championship Series with a rally version of the Dart. All that and more, plus another entertaining installment of "Hall vs. Hall."

General Motors is set to announce details of its turn-around plan in Europe which is reported to include closing one or two plants. Freightliner is trying to reinvent the long-haul truck with a new concept called the Revolution Innovation. Earlier this month the UAW began soliciting signatures from workers at VW’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant to organize the facility. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about Bryce Hoffman’s new book, “American Icon,” which is all about the turnaround that happened at Ford under Alan Mulally.

Gasoline prices have shot up around the world, but they would have to go up even more to make it worthwhile to buy an electric vehicle. Suzuki sells a version of the Swift in Europe called the GTi, with a lower case “i.” This, for obvious reasons, has really ticked off Volkswagen. Toyota just announced pricing of the hotly anticipated Scion FR-S. All that and more, plus a look at the 2013 Ford Flex.

Production of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 was delayed due to an undisclosed “quality assessment” issue. The Chinese government is raising the price of fuel in the country. Even though the U.S. unemployment rate still remains at its highest level in nearly 30 years, trucking companies are having a hard time finding enough qualified drivers. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in You Said It!

It looks like China’s gravy train is derailing and German luxury automakers are panicking. Dodge is introducing a new version of the Durango SUV aimed at law enforcement and fire departments. Ford may have debuted a completely redesigned Tourneo van in Geneva a few weeks ago, but the name has a long and interesting history. All that and more, plus we take the new Hyundai Azera for a test drive.

Ward’s Auto is forecasting that new car sales in March will be the highest in five years. Willie G. Davidson, the senior vice president and chief styling officer at Harley-Davidson is set to retire. Kia is suspending production at its plant in the U.S. due to a fire that broke out at a factory operated by one of its suppliers. All that and more, plus a look at how Mazda came up with a strong but lightweight structure in the CX-5.

Car sales in Europe have dropped for five straight months, and with every month the downturn is getting worse. The Range Rover Evoque is such a hit the company is hiring 1,000 new employees and moving to three shifts to keep up with demand. Volkswagen will build Porsches at its plant in Osnabruck, Germany to handle overflow from Porsche’s main factory in Zuffenhausen. All that and more, plus a look at a motorcycle that supplier Visteon developed for growing markets.