Runtime7:45

America’s lawyers and politicians line up to take on Toyota. Car sales in China could hit 15 million this year with help from government incentives and rising incomes in the country. Volkswagen will establish its own high-performance division like Mercedes’ AMG or BMW’s M. All that and more, plus a preview of t his week’s Autoline Detroit about whether or not the government should be picking winners and losers when it comes to alternative cars and energy, or if it should be the market making those decisions?

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Runtime7:02

Ford was able to post a net profit of $2.7 billion last year. Toyota’s recall spreads to China and Europe. Renault launches its own television channel in France. All that and more, plus a look at a unique business model from an upstart Korean company, called CT&T, that’s getting into the EV market.

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Runtime7:21

Toyota is suspending sales and production of eight of its top-selling models in the U.S. The Chinese government is considering taxing vehicle emissions. Researchers are using crabs and shrimp to create odor-repellent textiles for cars. All that and more, plus John answers viewer questions about Delphi and Mitsubishi in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Runtime 6:27

General Motors will become the first automaker to design and manufacture electric motors. Ford announced it will add a shift at its plant in Chicago to build the new Explorer. Mitsubishi says it plans to double sales in the U.S. within the next three years. All that and more, plus John sits down with internet entrepreneur Jason Calacanis to talk about the future of green energy in the United States.

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Runtime 7:35

GM announced this morning that Ed Whitacre will become the permanent CEO of the company.  Car sales in China are rising, but so is the cost of driving one.  The average price for a license plate in Shanghai has risen to more than $5,600!  Caterpillar shows off a new electric bulldozer that’s 25 percent more efficient than other models.  All that and more, plus a look at how Ford is using advanced technology to eliminate noise in its vehicles.

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Runtime 7:45

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says this will be the make-it-or-break year for Alfa Romeo. Toyota announced that it’s voluntarily recalling 2.3-million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals. Ford’s effort to sell Volvo to Chinese automaker Geely is not going well. All that and more, plus Ford’s Jim Farley talks about how customers like the new Transit Connect as much as they like Mustangs.

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Runtime 8:10

GM starts restructuring its European operations by announcing plant closings and layoffs for some 8,500 Opel workers.  Chinese automakers could really takeoff in Russia now that they’re building vehicles in the country.  Kia is set to lose nearly $1 billion as workers strike at its three plants in South Korea.  All that and more, plus a look at Audi’s spectacular reveal of its redesigned flagship, the 2011 A8.

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Runtime 7:43

Chinese and Japanese auto companies are taking a very proactive approach to securing long-term supplies of lithium. The California Air Resources Board is threatening to pull out of the CAFE compromise. The Detroit Auto Show shows a significant increase in attendance. All that and more, plus John answers your questions in the “You Said It!” segment.

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Runtime 8:27

North American auto production could soar by 70 percent in the first-quarter of this year.  Spy shots of the redesigned Kia Sportage and the new Chevy Orlando hit the web.  GM is asking the UAW for more concessions at several Delphi plants.  All that and more, plus gangster John Dillinger’s Ford Model A getaway car goes up for auction.

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Runtime 6:48

By 2015 the Chinese government would like to see domestic vehicles make up half of the market. Ford and Mazda are looking at ways to separate their joint venture in China. Honda is mad that Hyundai is beating it in fuel economy. All that and more, plus a look at the spectacular video presentation that Ford put on at the Detroit auto show.

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