On today’s show… why FCA is having such a hard time finding a dance partner, Subaru upgrades the BRZ and the story behind why this wild looking trailer and hauler was built. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.

This is Autoline Daily for May 27th, 2016.

GLOBAL CAR SALES REMAIN STRONG
Global car sales for automakers continue to remain strong. Wards reports the industry sold 7.5 million vehicles worldwide in April, which is nearly a 5% increase compared to last year. In North America, sales were up 5%, hitting nearly 2 million units. European sales hit 1.7 million vehicles, which is a strong 7% gain. In Asia sales totaled 3.5 million units, a 6% increase. But car sales in South America continue to remain weak. Economic woes in that region dropped sales by 17% last month. Through the first four months of the year automakers have sold over 30 million vehicles, which is 3% more compared to last year.

SUBARU BRZ GETS TOYOTA 86 TREATMENT
At the New York auto show Toyota showed off an updated version of the Scion FR-S, now called the Toyota 86. And now its Subaru twin, the BRZ is following suit. The same suspension, chassis and engine improvements have been made to the BRZ. The front bumper cover has been redesigned for a widened appearance and positioned lower for improved aerodynamics, control, and stability. LED lighting has been incorporated into the headlights, foglights and rear taillights. A few minor interior enhancements have been made as well. The updated BRZ will start hitting showrooms in September.

FUSION PLUG-IN ADDS RANGE
And speaking of updated models, Ford just introduced the new plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Fusion. Officially called the Fusion Energi, the 2017 model now boasts a total range of 610 miles with a full tank of gasoline and battery charge. That’s 60 miles more than the outgoing model. It’s all-electric range is 21 miles. By the end of the decade, 40% of Ford’s global line-up will be electrified.

Still to come… the story behind this unique trailer/hauler combo.

ONE-OF-A-KIND
Every year on Father’s Day the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology helps put on a car show, called Eyes on Design. It’s a show unlike any other. As the name suggests, the focus is all on design. Interior and exterior aesthetics determine what you’ll see at this show, not how perfectly restored a vehicle is. And this year you’ll see around 350 examples from all areas of transportation. Over the next several weeks leading up to the show we’re going to highlight just a few of the wonderful things you can see there. And we start off today with something you might not expect to see at a car show… vintage camping trailers. I’m sure most minds go right to Airstream. Of course, there’ll be a few, like this 1938 example that’s a little unique in that it still has most of its original interior and the first owner had it fitted with pop out windows because his wife was claustrophobic. But the real gem has got to be this trailer/hauler combination. The trailer is a 1936 Curtis Aerocar, which was designed by aviation pioneer Glen Curtis and it’s very similar to a double-wing airplane. There’s very little frame-work and it’s held together by wires that are pulled taught with turnbuckles. It was originally towed by a 1936 Plymouth Coupe, but that soon proved to be inadequate. So, in 1938 the family that purchased the trailer commissioned International to build something more robust. This, truly, one-of-a-kind International is what came of that. It’s a 3/4-ton truck with a 233 engine and dual rear wheels. The current owner says it works fantastically and is able to drive it 55 MPH with no problems. If you’d like to learn more about this tow vehicle and trailer setup, we’ll have a video up later today on our website and YouTube channel. But if you’re interested in seeing it in person, the Eyes on Design car show is on Father’s Day June 19th at the Henry Ford mansion in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. It’s $25 to get in and the money helps fund the DIO’s research, education and support group programs for the visually impaired.

So will FCA ever find a partner? We’ll have more about that right after this.

OEMs HESITANT TO FORM PARTNERSHIPS
It’s no secret that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to find another automaker to partner up with. But so far there haven’t been any takers. On Autoline This Week we’re joined by John Murphy, the auto analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. And in the following clip he shares why other automakers are hesitant to form a partnership.

(Clip from ATW #2018 can only be viewed in the video version of today’s show.)

For more of John Murphy’s outlook, you can watch that entire program right now on our website or you can look for it on our YouTube channel.

But that wraps up today’s show. There won’t be a Autoline Daily on Monday because of the Memorial Day holiday. So enjoy the long weekend and we’ll be right back here again on Tuesday.