Autoline Daily

We’ve got a full report on the latest news coming from the Geneva Motor Show including Ford’s new subcompact MPV, the B-Max, Volkswagen’s latest Microbus concept and a Saab model that points at the brand’s future design direction. Consumer Reports just released its latest . . . report; the magazine pans a surprising number of luxury automakers for quality. Ford is the master of PR spin. All that and more, plus a look at the 2011 Kia Optima TURBO.

Jaguar along with Italian design firm Bertone are pulling the covers off two concept cars at this week's Geneva Auto Show. Diesels are making a comeback in the European market where they had been losing market share. Researchers say safety systems in cars need to be specifically engineered to protect obese and older people in crashes. All that and more, plus John compares a Chevy Silverado with a 5.3 liter V-8 versus a Ford F-150 with an EcoBoost V-6.

Toyota is recalling another 2.2 million vehicles in the U.S. because of floor mat issues. Volkswagen and Russian automaker GAZ will partner to build more than 100,000 VW and Skoda cars annually in Russia. Despite the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling, Mazda Vice President Jay Amestoy told Autoline Daily that it was what the Court didn't say that's also important. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about automotive television advertising.

General Motors reported its earnings for 2010 and overall the numbers look pretty good. In a sign that the global industry is turning around Daimler announced it plans to hire over 10,000 workers this year. Tiny Dutch automaker Spyker is selling its sports car unit to a Russian businessman in an effort to reduce its debt and allow it to focus more resources on saving Saab. All that and more, plus the one, the only Jim Hall shares a few his thoughts on Cadillac's controversial Urban Luxury Concept. Find out why it may not be such a bad idea after all.

Analysts are saying don’t be surprised if GM's fourth quarter earnings are not that good because it had to spend money on developing and introducing new vehicles. MINI will debut a concept in Geneva called the Rocketman which is smaller than any car it builds now. Aston Martin just introduced its latest sportscar, called the Virage which is powered by a hand-built 6.0-liter V-12 that cranks out 490 horsepower. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about ethanol, the Toyota Prius and much more in the "You Said It!" segment.

Anti-government protests in Libya have shut down oil production in the North-African country causing the price per barrel to spike overnight. EcoMotors teamed with Navistar to deliver a production-version of its opposed-piston engine. The U.S. embassy has rated the air quality in Beijing WORSE than hazardous. All that and more, plus John gives us his instant impression of the brand-new, 2011 Chrysler 300.

Mazda is considering pulling out of its manufacturing plant in Flat Rock, Michigan which it shares with Ford. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to block E-15, gasoline that has 15% ethanol mixed with it. BMW just introduced a new performance exhaust system which reduces back pressure and allows the engine to produce an even more powerful sound. All that and more, plus John shares his impressions of Hyundai's luxury car, the Equus.

Yesterday Nissan Americas appointed Carla Bailo as the senior VP of Research and Development, the first American to hold the position. Chevy just introduced its own hands free voice control infotainment system called MyLink. Honda quietly revealed its brand-new Civic which offers some mechanical changes but not much else. All that and more, plus a big argument between what liberals and conservatives think the auto industry should be doing in a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit.

For the first time in what must be 80 years Ford has more dealerships than Chevrolet in the American market. We’re really starting to see car culture develop in China, in fact, the Chinese love the American lifestyle and are really getting into motorhomes. Over in Japan Nissan just introduced the third generation of its Moco minicar. All that and more, plus a walk around the brand-new 2011 Mini Countryman crossover.

New car sales have been falling in Europe for 10 months now due to the weak economy and governments ending incentive programs. Bob Lutz and General Motors are in talks about bringing him back as a paid consultant. Rinspeed will debut a wild looking vehicle at this year's Geneva Motor Show called the BamBoo. All that and more, plus John answers your questions about smart and covetic aluminum in the "You Said It!" segment.