Autoline Daily

Chrysler shuffles its deck of brand CEOs as Ralph Gilles is appointed CEO of the Street Racing Technology group while Fred Diaz will become CEO at Chrysler de Mexico. Popularity and prices of used cars are on the rise both in the United States and in Spain, helped by shortages of new cars and higher prices. Ford set a goal yesterday to increase its global sales 50 percent by 2015 largely through increased sales in Africa and Asia. All that and more, plus the third installment of the Race to Replace Mulally.

Chinese automakers are expanding at a rapid pace and one of them is building cars in Iraq of all places. Geely and Volvo are clashing over the direction the safety-conscious Swedish brand should go. GM CEO Dan Akerson adds Lincoln to the long list of brands he's bashed. All that and more, plus we evaluate BMW's fast and fun X5 M.

A Saudi Prince wants to see lower oil prices to keep Americans and Europeans from seeking alternatives. BMW unveils its all new 1-series along with its treasure trove of new features. Pick-up trucks of all makes and shapes are piling up across the U.S. as sales slow due to gas prices. All that and more, plus a look at how the auto industry and the EPA are training engineers to make more fuel efficient vehicles.

The U.S. government sold its remaining Chrysler stock to Fiat and President Obama is going to a Jeep plant in Ohio today to celebrate. GM's President of North America, Mark Reuss wants to test the company's futuristic autonomous electric vehicle, the EN-V, in Detroit. Mazda is in talks with Ford about selling its stake in their shared assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan where the Mazda6 and the Mustang are built. All that and more, plus a look at some fascinating stories that came out of last month’s new-car sales in the U.S.

Well, the analysts were right. May sales were down compared to April as high gas prices and other factors steered customers away from showrooms. But the news isn’t all bad. Ron Bloom, White House auto advisor, says taxpayers will not lose nearly as much money on the bailouts of GM and Chrysler as previously thought. Also, startling statistics from China about child safety-seat usage. All that and more, plus GM builds parts for the Chevy Volt out of used oil booms.

Car sales in the American market slowed down in May. J.D. Power forecasts that the SAAR rate will come in at only 11.5 million units. UPS is testing a fleet of lightweight trucks made with composite body panels which reduce the weight of the truck by 1,000 pounds compared to its normal delivery trucks. Fiat decided to dump the Chrysler brand in Europe and slap Lancia badges on them instead. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about Chevy, labor negotiations and much more in the "You Said It!" segment.

Even though GM and Ford are recovering quickly in the American market they still want to close more assembly plants where they have slow-selling models. Mercedes is introducing another lust-worthy supercar, a drop-top version of its SLS AMG. Volkswagen announced it wants to completely take over MAN, the German commercial-vehicle maker. All that and more, plus John shares some of his thoughts on the 2011 Kia Optima SX.

The UAW wants to get seats on the boards of the Detroit automakers. The Japanese automaker recovery is going faster than initially predicted. BMW demonstrates the advanced state of autonomous technology at race tracks around the world. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit in which the panel debates which foreign transplant the union will target.

Chinese car sales aren’t just slowing, they could fall. U-Haul won’t rent you a trailer if you’re a Ford Explorer buyer or own a soft-top Wrangler. Ford demos Sync integration with medical equipment for blood sugar monitoring on the go. All that and more, plus we get a look into the EPA where we learn they don’t just test cars.

CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to have one management group for both Fiat and Chrysler, not the two separate groups like they’re now using. General Motors will build the next-generation Chevy Impala at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, alongside the Volt and Malibu. One analyst is warning that Chinese automakers face severe overcapacity unless they change plans to expand. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about diesels, CAFE rules and more in the "You Said It!" Segment.