Autoline Daily

Daimler and Nissan both reported financial earnings. The Obama Administration has agreed to a lower fuel economy standard but the biggest question is, what are the loopholes? Renault will introduce a small-van concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, called the Frendzy. All that and more, plus John answers your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Ford and Chrysler both reported second-quarter earnings this morning and the results are somewhat mixed. An innovative new technology developed in Australia allegedly reduces fuel consumption by 7 percent while slashing engine wear by 96 percent. Toyota is being accused of patent infringement on its hybrids . . . again. All that and more, plus another power-to-weight comparison, this time with V-6 ponycars.

Labor issues are in the news today. The UAW would like to represent Volkswagen at its plant in Tennessee and the union begins its contract negotiations with the Detroit Three today. Waste plastic from Chrysler's Brampton plant in Canada is being converted to fuel. The world’s largest container ship is also home to the world’s biggest diesel engine. It weighs 2300 tons, is 90 feet long and 44 feet high. All that and more, plus a look at the Mini Countryman.

Fiat reached a deal with the Canadian government to buy its stake in Chrysler which makes the Italian automaker the majority owner in Chrysler. Saab announced that it's postponing production once more. Some Ford Raptor owners are complaining that they have managed to bend the frames of their trucks which obviously should not be happening. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline about classic cars in Cuba.

We all know the UAW is targeting transplant automakers in the U.S., but Autoline Daily has learned its strategy includes going after suppliers as well. In a good sign for the entire NAFTA region, sales and production in Mexico posted big gains last month. Toyota and Tesla just signed a three-year, $100 million deal for batteries and electric motors. All that and more, plus a look at some advanced new automotive technologies on the not-so-distant horizon.

GM and OnStar will launch a pilot program for smart grid technology for EVs later this year. Nissan announced it's increasing the price of the LEAF because it now comes standard with a battery warmer, heated steering wheel, and heated seats. Sales of convertibles in the U.S. dropped after the economy crashed a few years ago. All that and more, plus John answers questions about Audi and the UAW in the "You Said It!" segment.

The White House and automakers are warming up for a big fight over where the next round of fuel-economy standards should be set. Daimler is merging smart and Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Is it trying to recreate BMW’s success when it introduced the new MINI? According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, Volvo’s City Safety system on the XC60 SUV has dramatically reduced insurance claims. All that and more, plus a look at Hyundai’s updated Genesis sedan.

Car sales in the U.S. are slow again in July. It's estimated that sales will barely top one million units because of low inventory at Japanese car dealers. Daimler plans to introduce a lineup of electric bicycles as early as next year. The new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is set to go on sale soon with a starting price just under $19,000. All that and more, plus a look at Audi’s all-new flagship sedan, the A8.

The amount of waste created by manufacturing a vehicle at Honda has plummeted. Sales may be slowing in China, but the first half of the year was still a staggering success. Ford is aiming for a greener image in Germany. All that and more, plus, a preview of this week's Autoline with the President of Bosch in America.

GM is all in a tizzy because it says Volkswagen has been spreading the speculation that Opel is up for sale and that it's hurting GM. Hyundai's home office in Korea wasn't very happy with the new Sonata, saying it was too radical. But that didn't matter to consumers as sales increased 30 percent over the old model. Instead of measuring things gone wrong, Strategic Vision is measuring things gone right and overall ownership experience. Their unique system shakes up the rankings compared to more traditional schemes used by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. All that and more. Plus, a look at Ford's vehicle to vehicle communication technology.