Autoline Daily

Toyota takes a major risk by sticking with "safe" styling on the new Camry. GM has a new painting process that reduces emissions using fire. Mazda’s Skyactiv-G engine improves fuel economy with an incredibly high compression ratio. How’d they do it? All that and more, plus John answers your comments and questions in another edition of "You Said It!"

GM’s stock is taking a beating! It’s plummeted 34 percent since the IPO. Warren Buffet’s baby, Chinese automaker BYD, is also taking it on the chin following a disappointing profits report. Saab is sinking . . . fast. Its financial situation looks grimmer by the minute as debt collectors come a-knocking. All that and more, plus another power-to-weight comparison, this time with V-8 ponycars.

Ricardo announces a breakthrough in flywheel technology for hybrid cars that don’t need a battery. We bid farewell to the Dodge Dakota, which ceases production tomorrow. Ford and Toyota team up to develop hybrid trucks. All that and more, plus we look at the latest refresh of the Cadillac SRX.

There were several reveals from luxury automakers at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac unveiled a large, four-door convertible concept called the Ciel. Infiniti debuted a seven-passenger, three-row luxury crossover, powered by a V-6 engine matched with a CVT, called the JX. And Lexus showed off the 2013 GS 350 which has a 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood that produces 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. All that and more, plus a little taste, a morsel, of what you missed on last night’s Autoline After Hours, where we broadcasted LIVE from Woodward Avenue.

Opel plans to make a big splash at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show with three world-debuts: the Astra GTC, the Zafira Tourer and the Combo. Here's a shocker, Kia will start building a rear-wheel-drive car next year. It's also developing a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. GM has given Cadillac’s Converj concept the go-ahead. In keeping with Caddy’s three-letter nomenclature, the production version will be called the ELR. All that and more, plus an exclusive look at the new Mopar 11, a heavily modified Dodge Charger.

Chinese car exports jumped 50% in the first half of the year to just over 376,000 vehicles but they're selling for nearly $2,000 less than they were two years ago. Toyota and Honda are expected to unleash an incentive war in the U.S. to recapture lost market share once dealers get enough inventory. Fiat plans to introduce a limited-edition model of the Fiat 500 - the Gucci edition. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

The global vehicle population hit 1 billion units, an impressive figure. Chevrolet is celebrating two important milestones this year: its 100th anniversary and the 100 millionth small-block V-8, which debuted in 1955. Saab is circling the drain. Unless it can pay suppliers some $620,000 TODAY, Sweden’s Debt Enforcement Agency will come banging on the door. All that and more, plus an interview with a man that’s made it his mission to drive a vintage car as his only transportation for an entire year.

The UAW is urging its colleagues to vote "no" on continuing the two-tier payment plan. The car market in China is cooling off faster than expected with one analyst expecting sales to grow just 1% this year. Heavy truck sales in the U.S. and Canada were up over 30% last month. All that and more, plus we take a look at which car company spends the most amount of money on research and development.

As expected IHS Automotive downgraded their 2011 sales forecast for the auto industry, the question now is how will automakers respond? GM will be sourcing its batteries for future EV's from A123 Systems. Goodyear is researching tires that can inflate themselves while rolling along the road. All that and more, plus Peter De Lorenzo spreads his wisdom on management at Chrysler.

Many auto analysts are a bit weary, and rightfully so given the threat of another economic downturn. Honda, long the darling of Consumer Reports has come under the gun as its model line loses favor with the reviewers at CR. Chrysler is back to partnering with Kettering University for engineering students, after eliminating the program during bankruptcy. All that and more, plus You Said It!