Autoline Daily

We’ve got a couple unveils from the L.A. Auto Show. Cadillac finally showed off the new XTS which replaces the DTS and STS in the line-up. And Ford debuted the all-new Escape which comes with a host of new features. GM’s VP of U.S. Sales says this month’s seasonally adjusted annual rate or SAAR, could hit 14 million units. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares his thoughts on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Consumer Reports conducted another survey asking Americans if they are in favor of higher fuel-economy standards, and guess what? Of course they are! Sales of the Fiat 500 are going slow in the American market, in fact Ward’s data shows there was a 30 percent decline in October compared to September. Ford is making some big changes to the Mustang for the 2013 model year. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the You Said It! segment.

Mercedes unveiled the new ML63 AMG before it debuts later this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Daihatsu also revealed three quirky looking concepts before they debut at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. The Chevy Volt is under investigation after one NHTSA used in a side-impact crash test caught on fire three weeks after the test. All that and more, plus a look at the design of the new Volvo S60 R.

Chinese automakers are borrowing a military strategy from Mao Tse-tung called “Encircling the City from the Countryside.” Honda and Mitsubishi revealed several vehicles they will show at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Audi will no longer offer manual transmissions on its S4 and S5 models in Europe. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about issues facing car dealers in the U.S.

Cadillac is teasing us with a shot of the production version of its XTS sedan, which will formally debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Suzuki previewed a new small-car concept that supposedly gets up to 75 miles per U.S. gallon. Ford officially began production of its 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in Germany. All that and more, plus we drive the 2012 Toyota Camry.

General Motors reported somewhat disappointing third quarter earnings this morning. Even though the company sold more vehicles than it did a year ago, its profits fell 12 percent. Volvo will offer an aftermarket ECU upgrade for select models that will boost horsepower and torque. Nissan is showing off the third generation of its Pivo concept car. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the You Said It! segment.

Toyota’s quarterly profit plummeted 72 percent to about 1 billion dollars. General Motors is changing the leadership of its European operations. Ferrari is having a phenomenal year. It’s already sold 5,165 cars and its revenue is up 19 percent. All that and more, plus a look at one of the latest safety systems being developed by supplier company Continental.

Chrysler’s skilled-trade workers are appealing the new UAW contract because union leadership overrode their votes after rejecting it. Japanese automakers, unions and dealers are all concerned that high car taxes and the strength of the Yen could destroy the industry in the country. General Motors may void the deal to sell Saab because it’s worried it could hurt its business in China and elsewhere. All that and more, plus a look at the updates Ford has made to its MyFord Touch infotainment system.

Kia expects subcompact sales in the U.S. to double by 2015. Car production in China is expected to top 30 million units by 2015 which will far exceed market demand. The overall car theft rate in the U.S. in 2009 dropped over 20 percent compared to 2008. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week with the Vice President of Chevrolet marketing, Chris Perry.

In a surprising bit of news, Nissan is relocating Infiniti’s headquarters to Hong Kong. The Chevy Cruze is already on pace to pass the Cobalt’s best ever sales year. Volkswagen is showing off the new CC before it debuts later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. All that and more, plus guest host Peter De Lorenzo shares more memories of his favorite Chevy cars.