Autoline Daily

In somewhat surprising news, Daimler announced it’s fired the head of Mercedes-Benz USA, Ernst Lieb. There’s been a lot of drama between Volkswagen and Suzuki lately, and now The Wall Street Journal reports Vee Dub will not sell its 20 percent stake in the Japanese automaker. Toyota is ready to open its latest plant, located in Blue Springs, Mississippi and home to the 2012 Corolla. All that and more, plus guest host Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics shares some of his thoughts on America’s strange relationship with hatchbacks.

The voting on the UAW contract at Ford swung to 62 percent in favor over the weekend. Toyota is building a hybrid racecar to compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans and other FIA World Endurance Championships. BMW just introduced the all-new 3 Series which will go on sale next February. All that and more, plus Bob Lutz gives us a walk-around of the new Lotus Evora.

Yesterday we reported that the UAW was warning its members that Ford might hire scab workers if the union goes on strike. Now the union is denying it said that. Suzuki is accusing Volkswagen of violating their partnership by not sharing technology. Large trucks sales are roaring in North America which is a good sign that the economy is heading in the right direction. All that and more, plus a preview of Autoline This Week about BMW’s plan to use carbon fiber in its electric vehicles.

Chrysler played hard ball with the UAW and won. The union is telling Ford workers they will go on strike if the contract is rejected. They're also telling them the company will hire scabs to replace them. GM is developing an all-new lineup of small, gasoline engines that will come in three- and four-cylinder varieties. All that and more, plus a look at the 2012 Jeep Wrangler.

Chrysler and the UAW announced this morning that they reached a tentative deal on a new labor contract. GM plans to introduce an electric version of the Chevy Spark in the U.S. by 2013. China just unveiled stricter crash standard rules for passenger cars. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the You Said It segment.

Oh how the tables have turned. A couple years ago Fiat saved Chrysler and now Chrysler is saving Fiat. The company is also rumored to be killing off the Dodge Grand Caravan as well as the Avenger to make way for a new Fiat-based crossover. Honda is delaying the launch of its new small airplane, called the HondaJet, due to problems with the engine. All that and more, plus a look at some of the latest transmission innovations coming from German company ZF.

Toyota is pressuring its suppliers in Japan to cut prices because of the soaring value of the yen, and suppliers say Honda’s spirit of cooperation is far more confrontational now. Ford introduced an updated version of its popular Transit van for the 2012 model year. The world’s oldest running car was just sold at auction for $4.6 million. All that and more, plus a look at the Buick Regal Turbo.

There’s more yearning for the yen in today’s news as both Nissan and Toyota take steps to combat the rising currency. The American economy may still be stagnant, but things appear to be rolling right along in South Carolina as Bridgestone and Continental setup factories in the state. Surprisingly, traditional luxury automotive brands are a smash-hit in high-tech Silicon Valley, California. All that and more, plus guest host Christie Schweinsberg from WardsAuto.com fills us in on this year’s 10 Best Engines competition.

The strong yen is battering Japanese automakers. Mitsubishi’s CEO said the currency situation is starting to become futile. Also reacting to the exchange rate, Honda plans to cut exports from Japan by half over the next decade. The performance junkies at Shelby have introduced a new supercharged V-6 Mustang with bucket-loads of horsepower. All that and more, plus a preview of this week’s episode of Autoline, which takes an in-depth look at an interesting new manufacturing concept.

A top-level Nissan executive leaves the OEM world and joins an industry data firm. Honda says rumors of Ridgeline’s demise are greatly exaggerated. The Colorado makes its world debut in Thailand and we have all the latest pics. All that and more, plus a look into how Land Rover sales are remaining steady in an economic downturn.