Autoline Daily

Ford says it’s tweaking the software behind its SYNC and MyFord Touch systems because of customer complaints about the technologies. The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing another reduction in the use of cellulosic ethanol, the third straight year its slashed requirements. Over the last year, Detroit automakers have boosted sales in California while their Japanese rivals have seen their market share drop in the state. All that and more, plus, we find out the draft order in next week's automotive draft on After Hours.

China wants to be in a position to dominate the global market for electric cars and the government is offering subsidies of $7,700 for plug-in hybrids and over $9,000 for EVs. Chrysler has been at the bottom of Consumer Reports' reliability and road-test scores for years, but the magazine just tested eight of its 2011 models and says its cars are improving. MINI just released photos and information on its latest model, a two-door, two-seat coupe. All that and more, plus John responds to questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Good News! Ward's is predicting June Sales will increase over May's Daily Sales Rate. At the same time, used car prices, which rose sharply in May, have been returning to earth this month. Ford says this is their 'last chance' to revive their Lincoln brand, and the company is investing $1 billion toward rolling out new products for the luxury brand. All that and more, plus John's segment on the versatile, venerable and value-minded Nissan Versa.

Last week Mazda denied it would build a plant in Mexico, today the company announced it will build a factory in Mexico. And with Mazda dropping out of the Flat Rock plant in Michigan and moving to Mexico, Ford may want to move the Mustang which is also made in Flat Rock. Just a few days after blocking a bill that would drop subsidies for ethanol, the U.S. Senate turned right around and approved a bill that would end them. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with special guest Bob Lutz.

J.D. Power and other analysts are forecasting increased car sales in the coming years, even projecting a return to 16 million annual sales. Supplier company Bosch is answering the auto industry’s call for more turbochargers, partnering with Mahle to build blowers. Buick fans get a surprise as the new Regal GS is rated as having the most horsepower per liter of any engine built by GM. All that and more, plus John investigates the Hyundai Equus’ iPad-based owners’ manual.

The Boston Consulting Group is wondering aloud whether EVs will be out-shined by advanced internal-combustion engines. The Center for Automotive Research says new fuel-economy standards will make cars more expensive, so much so that over five years the increased cost WILL NOT pay for itself in fuel savings. Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted to keep ethanol subsidies. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Word on the street is that GM CEO Dan Akerson told Opel recently they will not be sold as had been previously thought. Daimler is, however, considering outsourcing its Maybach cars to Aston Martin due to the line’s low sales. The Department of Energy has cut funding for the once-popular hydrogen fuel-cell program, saying it’s too expensive to support along with other alternative-energy programs. All that and more, plus Seamus McElroy evaluates the Prius v.

A Plexiglas Pontiac display car from the 1939 world's fair is slated to hit the RM auction block this summer. China is recalling its electric taxicabs after one burst into flames recently due to faulty wiring and battery leaks. California is proposing targets for EV sales in their state that would mandate 14 percent of new cars be EVs by 2025. All that and more, plus John reports on Hyundai's fight to be top dog in the fuel economy war.

David Strickland, the head of NHTSA, says companies developing in-car applications must not sacrifice safety for entertainment. Volvo is developing technology to avoid crashes with animals that will be ready for market in the next few years. Ford is only going to sell hybrid versions of the C-Max in the American market and it will only sell the two-row version, not the Grand C-Max version with three rows. All that and more, plus find out who John thinks will be the next CEO of Ford in the Race to Replace Mulally.

GM is again seeking to sell its money-losing Opel Division and this time Volkswagen and Chinese car companies may be interested. Unions at Volkswagen want to buy a 3 percent stake in the company to increase their influence over how the automaker is run. Autoworkers at Maruti-Suzuki in India are striking for longer tea breaks, among other changes. All that and more, plus the fourth segment of the Race to Replace Mulally.