Autoline Daily

Mercedes-Benz USA is taking over the distribution of smart from the Penske Automotive Group. President Obama wants to "pull the plug" on funding for clean-diesel and fuel-cell technologies, diverting it toward electric vehicles instead. Bentley set a new world-speed record, topping 330 kilometers per hour . . . on ice! All that and more, plus a look at the brand-new 2011 Nissan Quest minivan.

Inventory levels are increasing in the American market, a sure sign that automakers are making too many cars. Lamborghini will unveil a new flagship supercar at the Geneva Motor Show, called the Aventador, which is expected to cost more than $370,000! The average fuel economy of new light-vehicles sold in the U.S. fell last year. All that and more, plus a look at the new Ford Focus.

Yesterday we reported that Ford was suing Ferrari for using the F-150 name for its Formula One racecar, now the Italian automaker has agreed to not use the name. We've got more sneak peeks of what we'll see at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Chrysler will offer a special version of its Cummins turbo-diesel engine in the Ram with 800 pound-feet of torque! All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about how the people at Chrysler managed to make it through tough times the last several years.

Bringing to mind their rivalry in the 1960s, Ford and Ferrari are at it again, this time they’re bickering about the use of the F-150 name. Chevy revealed its red-hot, 550-plus horsepower Camaro ZL1 at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday. Opel just introduced its brand-new 2011 Corsa. All that and more, plus McElroy responds to your questions and comments in the popular "You Said It!" segment.

Yesterday the FBI raided the Michigan offices of Japanese seat belt supplier Takata. China's problems with traffic congestion is becoming much worse. Dodge unveiled the new 2012 Charger SRT-8 at the Chicago Auto Show which features a completely new look. All that and more, plus John calls out Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation for not having the guts to call it like it is.

Credit increased by more than $6 billion a month ago; economists expected it to rise by only $2.4 billion. General Motors will likely pay its hourly workers in the U.S. a bonus of more than $1,800, the highest profit-sharing checks they’ve ever received. More and more cars come with keyless ignition systems these days but now the technology is under scrutiny because several people have died from leaving their cars running in their garages. All that and more, plus a look at the 2011 Ford explorer.

The government's proposal to raise the fleet average of vehicles to 62 MPG was a hot topic at the annual National Auto Dealers Association convention. One analyst says that used cars will outsell new ones by a three to one margin this year. Indian automaker Mahindra receives a shockingly poor rating from the U.S. EPA for its diesel pick-up truck. All that and more, plus a look at the new Hyundai Elantra.

Thousands of taxpayers in the U.S. have filed for an electric vehicle credit even though they don't own one. A company based in Denmark says the global market for cellulosic ethanol will start to take off in 2013. Honda is avoiding advanced technology to improve fuel economy because it says it can get the same results or better with less expensive parts. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about a part of the Detroit Auto Show that you’ve never seen before.

Ford posts disappointing, stock-plummeting profits in the fourth quarter of 2010. Raw material costs and a looming incentives war raise the alarm bells. New York City is holding a competition to determine its "Taxi of Tomorrow" and two-thirds of the finalists are from ... Turkey? All that and more, plus John McElroy answers your questions and comments in You Said It!

BMW’s electric Mega City car is reportedly spawning a sub-brand. All of GM’s vehicles must now make it through the "knothole" in order to get produced. Continuously variable transmissions will soon be used outside of the drivetrain to improve efficiency. All that and more, plus John McElroy offers his Instant Impression on the Fiat 500.