Autoline Daily

The last few years have been tough on OEMs, but the Center for Automotive Research predicts sales will improve significantly in 2011. Toyota halted production in Japan, but not for any of the reasons you might think. Ford is rumored to be developing a front-wheel-drive replacement for the Falcon it sells in Australia. All that and more, plus guest host Murray Feldman from Fox 2 News, Detroit, shares some of his thoughts on a potential problem the Big Three face going forward as the price of oil climbs.

Lancia is expected to reveal a rebadged version of the Chrysler 200 at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Toyota is polling people about what it should call its Prius family of hybrids. Mercedes just released photos of its new 2012 SLK Roadster that will go on sale later in the year. All that and more, plus a look at the updated Jeep Wrangler.

Toyota may be on the verge of a breakthrough developing electric motors that do not need rare-earth materials, in an effort to sidestep China's stranglehold on the market. Audi is now the top automotive luxury brand in the world, thanks to sales in China. The U.S. Department of Transportation issued new rules aimed at preventing occupants from being ejected from a vehicle during a rollover. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about TechShop, a place where anyone can create just about anything they want.

UAW workers could be headed for some pretty good profit-sharing checks this year. Ford is really on a roll, topping several categories in the Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards. Toyota is hard at work developing several different battery technologies for use in EVs, including one called magnesium sulfur. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

A decade ago MINI relaunched the brand in the North American market and to celebrate the occasion the company showed its MINI Paceman concept at the Detroit Auto Show. Hyundai's new three door coupe the Veloster makes its world debut in Detroit. A look at the concept version of the Honda Civic. All that and much more in this special edition from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The big car and truck of the year awards are finally announced. Volkswagen's "New Midsize Sedan" gets an official name and a reveal. Toyota shows off its Prius family. All that and much more in this special edition from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

We've got a special update about some of the new vehicles debuting at this week's Detroit auto show. Porsche returns to the event for the first time in four years and plans to show a racing version of the 918 Spyder. Speaking of race cars, Cadillac will debut the racing version of the CTS-V Coupe. Chevy will show its replacement for the Aveo called the Sonic. All that and more, plus a look at the new Kia Optima Turbo.

The French government is directing its intelligence agencies to investigate the role that China may have played in stealing EV secrets from Renault. GM and the Argonne National Laboratory have signed an agreement that will allow the automaker to use Argonne's cathode technology to make lithium-ion batteries. Chrysler's Mopar division will showcase all kinds of tricked-out vehicles and aftermarket goodies at this year's Detroit Auto Show. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit about the finalists for the North American Car of the Year award.

Renault suspended three of its managers for leaking secrets about the company’s electric-car technology. Finally some good news for Toyota; it won an arbitration case against its former attorney, Dimitrios Biller. Buick just revealed its new compact sedan called the Verano. All that and more, plus John responds to your questions and comments in "You Said It!"

UAW President, Bob King says union workers deserve to share in the increases in profitability that GM, Ford and Chrysler are enjoying right now. Toyota showcased its infotainment system that will compete with the Ford SYNC at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai released a teaser shot of its new Veloster which will likely debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week. All that and more, plus we’ll tell you who the winners and losers were in last month’s sales war.