Autoline Daily

Global sales are up nearly 16% compared to last year and automakers are on track to sell about 74 million vehicles before the year is over. Nissan showed off a two-seat electric car this morning, which it calls the New Mobility CONCEPT. Ford is set to show off a specially tuned undercover-version of its new Police Interceptor at the SEMA show. All that and more, plus John test drives the Chevy Volt.

Italian researchers travel 8,000 miles, from Italy to China, in four autonomous electric vehicles. A humanoid robot developed by GM and NASA is set for its first launch into outer space. In an astonishing development, the California Air Resources Board is rating the emissions of the Chevrolet Volt several levels below other cars. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit with David Champion from Consumer Reports.

Automakers have been reporting promising third-quarter numbers, but which ones have raked-in the most money so far this year? Citroen plans to introduce a production version of its Metropolis concept in China. GM waxes nostalgic with Chevrolet’s new advertising campaign. All that and more, plus a look at the interior of the 2011 Volvo S60.

Nissan says that every one yen increase against the dollar shaves nearly $190 million off its profits. The CK1 from Chinese automaker Geely received zero stars in crash tests. A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in the James Bond movies "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball" is up for auction. All that and more, plus John responds to your comments in the "You Said It!" segment.

Ford reported its third-quarter earnings today and the numbers are downright impressive. Nissan just introduced its own hybrid in Japan, the Fuga, which is known as the Infiniti M elsewhere in the world. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency issued fuel-economy standards for heavy-duty trucks . . . for the first time ever. All that and more, plus a comparison of the Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF.

Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne provoked anger in Italy when he said the automaker would be better off without the country and its unions. BMW plans to launch a new program in Germany that allows drivers to rent its vehicles by the hour. We get an update from John McElroy, who's down in Nashville driving the Nissan LEAF. All that and more, plus a look at the brand-new engine lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150.

John got to test drive the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Sonata GLS and found that the base version got better fuel economy. Chevrolet is going to sell the Volt in Europe right up against the Opel Ampera. Ford is developing an SUV based off of the redesigned Ranger's architecture. All that and more, plus a preview of this week's Autoline Detroit all about selling luxury cars in the American market.

China is cornering the market for rare-earth metals used in hybrid batteries and electric motors. Toyota’s in trouble, again, this time recalling vehicles for brake-fluid leaks and fuel-pump problems. The auto-parts business is booming with the stock prices of several companies at 52-week highs. All that and more, plus a look at how Ford is working to make its vehicles as quiet as possible.

Sergio Marchionne is making one big push to finally make Alfa-Romeo profitable and analysts he needs to invest at least €2 billion to pull it off. Mazda just introduced what it calls its Skyactiv powertrain in the Demio and claims it can get over 70 miles per gallon. Hyundai announced pricing of its luxury sedan, the Equus which will be introduced in the U.S. at the end of the year. All that and more, plus John answers your questions in the "You Said It!" segment.

Big news for electric vehicles. GM is showing the Volt to automotive journalists this week and Nissan is letting them drive the LEAF next week. Another hurdle EVs face is a shortage of machines that make lithium-ion batteries. The Volkswagen/Porsche merger is taking a little bit longer to go through than we thought. All that and more, plus a look at the exterior design of the 2011 Volvo S60.