NEWS

Luxury cars buy into the downsizing trend
For those attending the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month, Mercedes-Benz has rolled out an all-new version of its big E-Class line-up. But for reporters who came into the Motor City early for the show’s media preview, Mercedes offered a sneak peek at the new CLA model it will formally introduce later this year. (more)

Hey, lead foot! You're throwing away money
Studies show that fuel economy has become the number one concern among American car buyers - but motorists have also been pressing for higher speed limits, which can sharply reduce the mileage a car gets. While that might seem common sense, a new study clearly quantifies the impact of putting the pedal to the metal. And it finds that there are surprisingly few differences between vehicles, whether brick-like SUVs or sleek, wind-cheating sports cars. (more)

How Auto Makers Keep You Coming Back
John Kwiecien, 47, is a commercial photographer who reckons he has owned vehicles from about 10 different brands since he started driving. "I don't want to put myself in a box," says Mr. Kwiecien, who lives in suburban Detroit. He chooses cars that fit his lifestyle at a given time. Right now, he's driving a Volkswagen VOW3.XE -0.41% GTI, but he and companion Camille Milroy spent part of last Sunday touring the Detroit auto show with an eye on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to take on outdoor adventures with their two "big, hyper dogs." (more)

The Fastest Selling Cars In America
You might not realize this, but that brand new car you bought probably was sitting on the dealer's lot for 2 whole months. That's how long, on average, cars sit around waiting for a new home. If cars were as cute as puppies or kittens, dealers could sell cars by making a super emotional video with some Sara McLachlan music played over top, guilting you into coming to adopt a needy vehicle. (more)

How GM Lost - And Found - The Path To Innovation
Since 1912, when Charles Kettering invented the electric self-starter to replace the hand crank on automobiles, General Motors has been a leader in automotive innovation. The Detroit carmaker is responsible for scores of industry firsts, including the first four-wheel brakes (1924); the first air bag (1973) and the first catalytic converter (1974). (more)

Little Luxuries - Bigger isn't always better
Gone are the days when the words "luxury car" were synonymous with boat-size Cadillacs and bulging Bentleys. High-end, feature-packed rides now come in all shapes and sizes - and many are fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive and easy-to-park compacts. (more)

Survey: Fuel economy in new cars hits highest level since '07 From The Detroit News:
Fuel economy of new vehicles purchased in October hit its highest level since at least 2007, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute said Monday. The average fuel economy based on window-sticker value of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in October was 24.1 mpg - the highest level yet, and up 4.0 mpg from October 2007, the first month of monitoring. From The Detroit News: (more)

Hurricane Sandy's Lost October Car Sales Will Return
Hurricane Sandy took its toll on October car sales, but like the resilient residents of the storm-ravaged East Coast, they'll bounce back and then some.Car-shopping website Edmunds.com estimates Hurricane Sandy cost 30,000 vehicle sales in October, reducing the closely-monitored Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of car sales to 14.3 million vehicles from the pre-storm forecasted 14.8 million vehicles. (more)

Fixing cars now often means updating software
It used to be that when cars left the factory, automakers had nothing further to do with them unless the manufacturers had made some terrible mistake in assembling them. In such cases, there would be a dramatic recall in which the defective or incorrectly installed part was replaced. (more)

Facts and Consequences of Distracted Driving
In broad terms the California Highway Patrol suggests that drinking coffee or paying attention to a child can both cause distractions when driving. It is hard to argue with this perspective, as all events on the street and highway attract the attention of drivers. However, where the distractions takes place and what driving abilities are impaired are much more important. (more)

Automakers' New Lifeline: Super-Luxury SUVs
When the Porsche Cayenne debuted in 2003 purists held their noses, panning the SUV as an aberration that besmirched the image of an esteemed racing brand. Now, ten years down the road, the much maligned Cayenne is not only Porsche's bestselling vehicle but also the harbinger of a new wave of ultraluxury SUVs that includes entries from such unlikely marques as Lamborghini, Maserati and Bentley. (more)

How new tires can ruin your car
Most people probably don't realize how easily a brand new set of tires can turn the car they love into something awful. "They can transform your vehicle," said Jennifer Stockburger, a tire tester for Consumer Reports magazine.I knew that, too, at least in a theoretical sense. But I learned first-hand when I got to drive four otherwise identical BMW 3-series sedans each with a different set of performance tires. I can now tell you that the worst BMW I've ever driven was a brand-new 3-series on cheap tires. (more)

Used vehicle lots loosen up: Prices down in some segments
Strong new car and truck sales, plus the dwindling effects from 2009's "cash for clunkers" federal program, have forced overall used car prices downward from last summer. But the lower prices depend on what kind of vehicle you're looking for: The asking prices for trucks and luxury vehicles are actually higher than a year ago, and the reprieve may not last, some experts predict. (more)

Mark Phelan: Spare tires vanishing as more cars come with lightweight repair kits
Losing your spare tire is synonymous with losing weight, for people and now for cars. But will car buyers give up their spare tire in exchange for higher fuel economy and lower operating costs? Automakers around the world are weighing that question. Customer and regulatory demands for higher fuel economy led to the creation of the compact temporary spare tire in the 1980s. The same pressures now may eliminate the spare tire entirely. (more)

In spring, car shoppers' thoughts turn to mpg
Fuel economy dominated auto shoppers' consideration this spring, Consumer Reports magazine found in a national survey. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said fuel economy was their top consideration. Quality was a distant second at 17 percent. "While quality, safety and value are still important, this may be foreshadowing a market shift by folks seeking relief at the pump," said Jeff Bartlett, deputy auto editor at the magazine. (more)

Gas prices - as good as they'll get
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- As the summer driving season gets underway, most Americans are enjoying lower gas prices than they might have expected when the spring began. But prices, while well off their 2012 peak set in early April, are still higher than they've been at the start of most summers. (more)

Rise in used-vehicle prices loses steam
Prices of late-model, fuel-efficient used vehicles remain strong, some dealers and analysts say, but compared with earlier this year the prices are rising more slowly or even falling slightly. Still, low inventory levels are expected to continue to buoy used-vehicle prices, making it difficult for dealers seeking certain used cars and trucks. Read more: (more)

Disconnects in the distracted-driving blame game
WASHINGTON: In 1930, former Massachusetts state senator George Parker tried to ban car radios because they were too distracting. He invoked the ire of both the Radio Manufacturers Association and motorists, who loved driving to music, even though early radios were expensive and sometimes burst into flames. After consumers protested at his office, Parker dropped the effort and decided to focus on drunken driving instead. (more)

Driver's Ed: Tutors to Decode High-Tech Dashboards
Paula Latshaw is eager to get behind the wheel of her new Lexus CT 200h hybrid at Sewell Lexus in Dallas. But first, she needs some training. Her new car isn't the most technologically advanced car Lexus sells, but the navigation system, the voice-controlled hands-free phone system and the multiple radio options are challenging enough. (more)

Are Car Buyers Getting Used To Higher Prices?
Auto companies and dealers are succeeding in an area where other industries have failed: convincing U.S. consumers to pay more. In April, the average new light vehicle fetched $30,303, according to research firm TrueCar.com, excluding the average $2,446 incentive dealers put on the hood. A year ago, the average price was $1,219 lower and the average incentive was $146 higher. (more)

U.S. buyers turn away from high-mileage cars
With fuel prices now showing signs of hitting their peak are U.S. car buyers shifting focus from the high-mileage models that were quickly gaining ground earlier this year? That's one possible conclusion based on data collected by the University of Michigan showing that the fuel economy of the average new vehicle purchased in the U.S. last month dipped slightly from March, when fuel prices seemed to be rising that just about every other day. (more)

Dealers warm up slowly to live chat on Web
After missteps, many hire subcontractors
Laura Isbell, e-commerce marketing director for Bob Rohrman Auto Group, likes live chat with prospective customers on her Web sites. But she has stopped asking busy salespeople to do it. "I read the transcripts," Isbell says. "All of a sudden, the customer on the chat would say, 'Hello, is anyone there?' or, 'I guess you really don't want me to buy a car from you.' It was painful to watch. (more)

Mechanic's role shifting as vehicles get more high-tech
Dallas: Five years from now, rookie auto tech John Perez may be stroking computer keys more often than twisting wrenches. "Everything I learned will probably be outdated by then," said Perez, 19, a recent graduate of Universal Technical Institute in Irving, Texas. As cars and trucks get increasingly high-tech, the role of the back-shop mechanic is evolving dramatically. (more)

Service lanes put touch-pad tablets to the test
Two public dealership groups are testing the use of touch-pad tablets in their service drives, giving customers more transparency into service repairs. Lithia Motors Inc. and Penske Automotive Group Inc. expect the tablets to increase efficiency and improve customer service. (more)

Recovery hits red-hot Stage 2
This year's faster-than-expected sales recovery has entered a key new phase: "Want" buyers are joining the "need to replace" buyers who have been carrying the market. With the strong February selling rate continuing into March, optimistic carmakers and analysts are boosting full-year industry sales forecasts. Last week, Volkswagen Group of America CEO Jonathan Browning said the company has increased its industrywide outlook to 14.0 million from 13.7 million. (more)

Dealers find opportunity in hiring veterans
His first job was with the U.S. Army. Medina was stationed in Afghanistan, providing security for a convoy that was crossing the desert searching for insurgents and roadside bombs. Medina's three years in the Army, including eight months in Afghanistan, armed him with skills that he uses today to sell cars at Performance Mazda of Houston. (more)

Dealers aim higher to fill jobs
She was a biology major planning to get a Ph.D. Then she did an internship in a plant-genetics laboratory. "Boring!" Wadlinger says. "It was literally watching a little plant grow. The overall process is cool, but I didn't think it was for me. I need to be around people more." (more)

Group names top female-friendly car dealers
Buying a new car can be an unsettling experience no matter who you are, but it's traditionally been all the tougher for women - who are often treated like second-class citizens, either more trouble than they're worth or as easy marks to be easily taken advantage of. (more)

Electric cars still a hard sell for most consumers
In the early days of the electric vehicle, they called it "opportunity charging." You plugged in wherever you could."Laundromats, gas stations that have an outlet, car washes, hotels, churches, friends' houses ... everywhere and everything," said Todd Dore, a North Riverside, Ill., resident who converted his first gas vehicle to electric in 2003.(more)

The five big trends in auto electronics
Hardly a day goes by that we don't write about another electronic goody coming to a car near you. Cars are basically rolling computers now as automakers strive to keep abreast of the latest in the digital world, knowing drivers will want to see it replicated behind the wheel. (more)

The Cheapest 2012 Cars To Own
While many families will put nearly as much money into owning and operating their vehicles in a given year than they will sink into their retirement accounts - and will certainly be more passionate about what they drive than where they keep their cash - few motorists will pay the same attention to getting the most out of their automotive investments than they will their portfolios.(more)

Why To Think Twice Before Buying That GPS Device
Last-minute holiday shoppers might jump at discounts on standalone GPS devices like the basic ones from Garmin and Magellan, but those gifts may not get much use, analysts suggest.(more)

Fewest layoffs since '08 as economy strengthens
WASHINGTON - The job market is getting healthier, adding to evidence that the economy is improving as 2011 nears an end. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to its lowest level since April 2008, the government said. The report suggested that layoffs are slowing further and that employers may be ready to hire more aggressively in the new year. (more)

The Five Critical Rules For Negotiating Your Next Vehicle Purchase
Before you go out this week to take advantage of one of the end-of-year clearance sales at your local car dealer, read these five rules of negotiation put together by the experts and editors at AOL Autos:(more)

Five auto trends that will shake up 2012
A host of new features you may never have heard of -- and certainly didn't expect to see in mainstream cars and trucks - will be commonplace by the end of 2012. New technologies and safety and fuel-economy concerns have accelerated automakers' innovation. Here's some of what to watch for in 2012 and at the North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks: (more)

Sales of midsize cars shrink as buyers go smaller
You can't drive far in the U.S. without seeing a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or Ford Fusion. Midsize sedans have been America's favorite cars for decades. That's changing. More people are choosing small cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and even smaller ones like the Honda Fit because they're worried about gas prices and car payments. There's another reason, too: Small cars are no longer the cramped econoboxes of the 1980s and 1990s, and they have many of the same features as larger cars.(more)

Making steel stronger and vehicles lighter
As automakers work to meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards by making lighter vehicles, the U.S. steel business has the chance to foil those who consider it the enemy of environmentalists. Approximately 63% of the average vehicle is steel, according to trade group the American Iron and Steel Institute, so now that industry is a knight in shining armor. It's working on super-strong materials so car manufacturers can use less steel per vehicle.(more)

Say Hello To Today's Baddest Police Vehicles
There is a changing of the guard happening in police cars. Ford has long been the dominant supplier of police cars, with its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor being the favorite for law enforcement. It's big, roomy and with a V8 engine. It is also an old-style body-on-frame design, which has long made it economical to repair and maintain, versus modern-day uni-body cars. (more)

September trade deficit narrows to $43.1 billion with help from autos sector
Washington— The U.S. trade deficit fell in September to the lowest point this year as foreign sales of American-made autos, airplanes and heavy machinery pushed exports to an all-time high.(more)

Giving the test drive a new spin
Kicking the tires, turning on the air conditioner and a two-mile cruise aren't enough. Nowadays, you need to figure out the navigation system, sync up your smartphone and give the vehicle a 30- to 40-minute tryout. (more)

States Cracking Down On Dogs Behind The Wheel
If it's any indication of the danger free-roaming pets face in a vehicle, New Hampshire, the country's only state that does not have a mandatory seat belt law, actually requires dogs to buckle up. (more)

With the Internet, your car could be hacked
Okay, I'm having some fun with the classic New Yorker cartoon, but the message still holds true. On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog, or a slob, or more important, a badass criminal hacker up to no good. (more)

The most and least expensive cars to insure
When it comes to cheaper auto insurance, family-friendly four doors are usually your best bet. The humble though still popular Chrysler Town and Country is a sensible car that's fairly cheap to insure. On the other hand, if imported luxury is your preferred mode of transportation, be prepared for hefty insurance premiums to go with all the trappings. (more)

What to consider when shopping for electric cars, plug-in hybrids From The Detroit News
Popular in early automotive history, electrics quickly got smoked by their internal-combustion-driven cousins. But in this age of volatile gas prices and climate worries, these clean, quiet vehicles are winning new fans. Advances in technology have improved their range and power. Companies are rolling them out in every flavor. (more)

6 ways your car can spy on you
Toll tags, like E-ZPass, are a quick and easy way to pay tolls. Instead of fumbling with change, you just drive through a toll booth and the payment - often discounted - is automatically deducted from your account. (more)

Carmakers' rebound is driving jobs in U.S.
The industry that once needed bailing out could be the one to stave off recession. Taxpayers bailed out much of the U.S. auto industry. Now the carmakers might be what saves the nation's economy from falling back into recession. (more)

It Costs How Much? How To Prevent The Top Five Most Expensive Repairs
Here is one of your worst nightmares if you are an average American working hard to gut out the Recession with one car: You rely on your car or truck for your livelihood, either as a working vehicle or your only option to get to your job. You are just getting by, and can't afford new wheels if the current car or truck dies. (more)

Computer hackers can force cars to unlock doors, start engines
Computer hackers can force some cars to unlock their doors and start their engines without a key by sending specially crafted messages to a car's anti-theft system. They can also snoop at where you've been by tapping the car's GPS system. (more)

The 100 Greatest Cars of All Time
According to Edmunds Inside Line, its list of the 100 greatest cars is definitive. Greatness, for the reason of the list, is defined by a vehicle's direct, significant contribution to American automotive culture. That does not mean that a car had to actually have been sold in America, but that its legend changed how other cars are seen in its shadow. (more)

Many buyers spurn small cars despite high gas prices
Old habits die hard when it comes to choosing a new car. A new survey from consultants AutoPacific finds buyers aren't changing their automotive preferences even in the face of higher gas prices than last summer. (more)

Rising Auto Loan Rates Shouldn't Be A Worry
There are plenty of things to worry about with the latest debt “crisis,” but rising auto-loan rates on new vehicles won’t be one of them. Interest rates on auto loans are not in danger of rising substantially in the near term, despite the downgrade of U.S. government debt by Standard & Poor’s on August 5. (more)

Automakers in concierge, free maintenance wars
The makers of luxury autos keep fighting to find ways to distinguish their brand from their competitors. (more)

Best Deals: Versatile CUVs Fun For The Whole Family
Crossovers just keep getting more and more popular. And why wouldn't they? CUVs offer practicality, fuel economy, a smooth ride and handsome design. Everyone can find something to love about a crossover, whether you're a single twenty-something or a Baby Boomer with a family. (more)

Walgreen Pledges to Host 800 E.V. Chargers by End of 2011
Walgreen describes itself as the nation’s largest drugstore chain, and the company has another superlative to promote. On Thursday, it vowed to become the country’s biggest host for public electric vehicle charging stations by the end of the year. In total, stores will have about 800 chargers. (more)

Best Deals: High MPG Vehicles To Combat The Summer Gas Price Hike
The summer gas price hike is upon us and analysts have us worried that this year could be the worst one yet ($5 per gallon??) Knowing that, if you're shopping for a new vehicle, you're probably looking to buy one that has a respectable fuel economy. (more)

New-fangled auto fuel economy labels unveiled
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Potential car buyers will see new designs for fuel economy labels, reflecting the increased use of alternatives to gasoline such as electric and diesel. (more)

A Good Time to Trade in That Gently Used Car
That three-year-old car sitting in the driveway may not seem so exciting anymore, but to some car dealers it could be gold. (more)

May auto sales see 'dismal' beginning
Car and truck sales picked up speed in the first four months of the year on rising consumer confidence, but they appear this month to be losing momentum. (more)

Are Americans Too Big To Drive Small?
Karen Steelman, a stay-at-home mom from Athens, Ga., has tried to like small cars. She read plenty of reviews, kicked their tires, and has even taken a few test drives. But none of them make her feel safe. And none of them make her feel comfortable. (more)

10 safest fuel-efficient cars
To earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Award, a vehicle has to get top scores for front and side impact as well as for rear-impact whiplash protection. It has also has to be available with electronic stability control, a high-tech system that helps drivers maintain control during abrupt maneuvers. (more)

Auto Makers Sweeten the Recipe for Small Cars
The cheap-looking, cramped, "econobox" car is dead. Auto makers are reinventing small, fuel-efficient cars for American drivers, just in time for another bout of angst caused by gasoline prices of $4 a gallon and up in many cities and forecasts that oil prices will rebound from their recent dip. (more)

Top Ten Most Leased Vehicles and Deals That Are Good For Your Wallet
American branded cars are roaring back in the car leasing game after a few years of backing away, according to data from LeaseTrader.com. That is creating more competition for imports, and thus better deals for consumers. (more)

Experts say 50-cent gas price drop likely by June
Some relief from suffocating gas prices will likely arrive just in time for summer vacation. Expect a drop of nearly 50 cents as early as June, analysts say. (more)

Cars Women Will Love - These vehicles are female-friendly in all the best ways.
Automakers have long known that cars aren't just a man's game. More than two-thirds of the new cars sold each year are bought by women; 8 out of 10 purchasing decisions are heavily and directly influenced by women. (more)

Volt, Leaf win top safety rating in crash tests
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf electric cars won the highest safety ratings in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, putting them in the top 57 percent of models tested so far this year. (more)

The Top Cars for Teens: Better Safe Than Sporty
For parents and teens, choosing a car for a first-time driver can be an anxiety-filled process. Teens want a sporty car they won't be embarrassed to drive to school. Parents want safety, safety, safety. (more)

The Top Five Reasons To Buy A New Set of Wheels
The U.S. economy is still dragging. Middle Eastern regimes seem to be imploding almost weekly, spiking the cost of oil and gasoline at the pump, and shaking consumer confidence. Unemployment remains around 9% with many older baby boomers and new college grads have dropped out of the workforce for lack of jobs. And because so many people have precarious incomes, they are hanging on to their vehicles longer. (more)

Cars That Will Make You Cool
Let's get something straight. Italian cars are cool--but not just any Italian car. It's got to be something special. "There's something about the design language of Italian supercars and sports cars that just exudes coolness," says Ray Wert, editor-in-chief of the car blog Jalopnik. "An Alfa Romeo 8C? Sex on wheels. Maserati? Gorgeous. Basically any Italian car will make you cool- with the exception of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Those brands are so overplayed. " (more)

While Vehicle Dependability Continues to Improve, New Technologies and Features Pose Challenges for Automakers
Overall vehicle dependability has improved from 2010, with automakers succeeding in reducing problem rates in many traditional areas, but experiencing some challenges in overcoming problems with newer technologies and features, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. (more)

Car-Buying Fuels Increase In Consumer Borrowing
Consumers borrowed more in January to purchase new cars but were once again frugal with their credit cards, offering a mixed sign of their confidence in the economy. (more)

Car shoppers thinking small again
The jolt from rapidly rising gas prices has once-burned Americans stampeding back toward fuel-efficient vehicles. The American car-buying public may have short memories, but they are not slow learners. Fifty-three percent of car shoppers on AutoTrader.com say they are more likely to consider a more fuel-efficient car than the one they currently own as a result of rising fuel prices, according to a survey of visitors to the car-shopping and information site in February. (more)

Electric cars gain; diesel loses
President Barack Obama's proposed budget includes measures aimed at boosting consumer demand for plug-in and electric cars, but it also would cut funding for a clean diesel program. Obama is asking Congress to transform an existing $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles into a rebate that would be available to all consumers immediately when they purchase an "advanced technology vehicle." (more)

Built to Last - 10 vehicles that will stand the test of time
Reliability is a tricky business with automobiles. They are increasingly complex mechanical and electronic objects with thousands of parts, any one of which can fail at any time. Plus, says Michael Pecht, a reliability expert with the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Maryland, many companies outsource complex electronic parts such as engine control modules, and just assume they will work with their vehicles. (more)

The Safest Cars Of 2011
The results are in, and these models top all the rest in our annual ranking. The Tesla Model S is a four-door electric sedan set for sale in 2012. It'll go 300 zero-emission miles on one charge and get to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, all for $57,000 - a bargain-basement price compared with the $95,900 Fisker Karma or the $109,000 Tesla Roadster. (more)

Younger market a challenge to automakers
Even as new-car sales recover -and consumers flock to the Detroit auto show to check out all the latest cars and trucks - automakers are grappling with a new and different market after the recession of the last few years. (more)

Compact Models Making Impact
For years, big seemed to define the Detroit Auto Show. Not this year, says The Detroit News. For 2011, small cars are expected to make a big splash, just as gas prices are topping $3 a gallon and automakers are rushing to meet increasingly stringent federal fuel economy standards. (more)

The Best Cars of the Decade
Every year, the North American International Auto Show kicks off with the announcement of the North American Car of the Year. The award is based on factors such as innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, and value, and it’s determined by a group of about 50 (currently there are 49 jurors) U.S. and Canadian journalists representing newspapers, magazines, and websites across the continent. (more)

Top 8 Automotive Myths
Throughout history all societies have embraced beliefs that eventually were proved to be untrue. Even in this modern era with its printed, broadcast and internet sources, many people still believe "truths" that are, in fact, incorrect. Some of these urban myths involve the automobile and it's time to separate the facts from fiction. Take a look at these popular myths (more)

5 Winter Driving Tips
Each and every winter, people are injured or killed because they are unprepared or overconfident on snowy, icy roads. (more)

The World's Most Expensive Cars
The Bentley Mulsanne has a deceptively smooth 505-horsepower engine and enough hand-stitched leather to outfit a motorcycle gang. (more)

Retail sales drive Nov. gains
Retail sales drove the U.S. auto market again in November, continuing the retail momentum that has picked up in the latter half of the year. (more)

With traffic jam in Super Bowl, can any auto brand really win?
NEW YORK -- When Americans tune into the Super Bowl on Feb. 6, they should expect to see as much metal as they do pigskin. (more)

Analysts Predict Auto Upswing
U.S. car and truck sales are projected to grow by as much as 2 million units annually during the next few years as the industry rebounds from the recession, according to automotive forecasters (more)

Does Where You Live Determine What You Drive?
Using a sales database of 85,000 vehicles, the analysts at Honk compiled lists of the best-selling cars in four geographic areas of the U.S. These were the Northeast Region, Western Region, Midwest/Central Region, and Southern Region. (more)

Jaguar, Mini Tops in J.D. Power Sales Experience Study
Jaguar shoppers were more satisfied with their showroom experience than buyers at other luxury brands in the United States, according to the J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index, released on Wednesday. (more)

Safety, Style Advances Build Case for Subcompacts
The Detroit News' Scott Burgess writes that there are two types of subcompact cars: hatchbacks and the other ones. In his opinion, subcompacts are silly. (more)

Small Car Market Heats Up with Fiat 500 Debut
Executives for the Smart and Mini small-car brands expect interest in the U.S. subcompact segment to heat up with the arrival of the Fiat 500 from Italy. (more)

2009 Vehicles' Fuel Efficiency Gains Biggest in 30 Years
The Detroit Free Press reports that cars and trucks made the biggest year-to-year increase in fuel efficiency in nearly three decades in the 2009 model year, averaging 22.4 mpg, the Environmental Protection Agency said this week. (more)

The best and worst states for drivers
Cruising is the best in South Carolina, and just put it in park in California (more)

Slow Takeoff Seen for Electric Vehicles
SHANGHAI - Daimler AG Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche described a relatively measured outlook for electric cars for the next 10 years, even though he said Daimler is ready to "invest heavily" in the technology because the company views it as a likely direction for the auto industry. (more)

Smart phones = smarter customer marketing?
Asbury Automotive Group CFO Craig Monaghan describes one of retailers' biggest opportunities as managing around the lifetime value of a customer. The Internet and ever-smarter smart phones are technologies that will help dealership groups get there. (more)

The Safest Cars in America
According to MSN Autos, today's cars are safer than ever. How do they know? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, auto fatalities are at the lowest they've been in 60 years - even with twice as many Americans holding driver's licenses and traveling four times as many miles a year. (more)

2010 U.S. car sales: Better than 2009 but still way below 2007 (more)

High used vehicle prices send shoppers in search of affordable new ones (more)

Auto industry's new math sends leases soaring (more)

The Most-Anticipated New Vehicles Forbes reports that October used to be a special time for car dealers, the start of a new model year, when the latest vehicles would start arriving in showrooms. (more)

Silver Car Color is Still White-Hot in 2010 Hi ho, silver! For the 10th straight year, that's been the top vehicle color on the planet, according to an annual report released Tuesday by PPG Industries, the Pittsburgh-based company that's the world's largest maker of car and truck paint. (more)

U.S. to propose new auto fuel economy, emissions rules (read more)

Obama signs bill to lift limits to $5 million on U.S.- backed dealer loans (read more)

How a near-bankrupt supplier giant was transformed into a first-class contender
(read more)

The Crash - Two Years After
How the 2008 crisis reshaped used cars Dave Guilford Automotive News (read more)

Power struggles: Debating how to charge tomorrow's electric cars (read more)

DAVID PHILLIPS Is the $50,000 minivan coming down the road soon? (read more)

Ad Age Spends a Day With Hyundai - Yes, Hyundai
PHILADELPHIA (AdAge.com) -- Despite a cool and breezy Friday morning in late August, Blake Kanickij is working up a sweat as he scrubs a portable floor in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Ballpark on his hands and knees. (read more)

Obama sought Ghosn to run GM
Rattner says The Obama Administration initially wanted Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn to run GM after Rick Wagoner was ousted in 2009, and repeatedly pressed Fiat to put up cash for a stake in Chrysler, according to an upcoming book about the government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler. (read more)

Peddle Beach: New products pitched amid the classic cars
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Every August, about 15,000 of America's wealthiest car buffs stroll the misty golf greens of Pebble Beach in Guccis, sipping chardonnay and admiring lovingly restored, flapper-era Morgans and Rolls-Royces and pre-war Bugattis. (read more)

Toyota will push safety in ad blitz LOS ANGELES
Its image still bruised by driver complaints about unintended acceleration, Toyota Division has decided to revamp its marketing message and shift the focus to safety in a big way, top executives said last week. (read more)

U.S. auto sales dropped to their weakest rate since February as most automakers posted sharp declines from a year earlier, when the U.S. cash-for-clunkers program fueled demand for new vehicles. (read more)

New Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership in South Kansas City The Adams Automotive Group announces the opening of their new store in South Kansas City serving the Grandview, Belton, Raymore-Peculiar, and Harrisonville communities with the Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram brands. (read more)

U.S. sales rise 5% in July; mixed results are year's 3rd-best
General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. posted their smallest U.S. sales gains of the year, while America Honda Co. and Toyota Motor declined as July results fell short of forecasts. (read more)

Toyota swings to profit, raises outlook
LONDON (CNNMoney.com) -- Toyota Motor Corp., just months off a recall crisis in the United States, said Wednesday that it swung to a profit in its latest quarter and boosted its full-year sales outlook. (read more)

Hyundai knocks Nissan off of list of top 5 brands for buyers
South Korea's Hyundai has knocked off Japan's Nissan to enter the coveted top five most considered auto brands by U.S. new-car buyers, Kelley Blue Book says. (read more)

West Coast Customs makes trucks for 'The Expendables'
West Coast Customs, the auto rebuilding shop that created wild designs for the original Pimp My Ride show on MTV, is now making cars for feature films. (read more)

Deep Dive: 2011 Porsche 911
Once upon a time, the 911 was Porsche's bread-and-butter product, but these days, the Cayenne and now the Panamera are easily outselling the sports car icon. (read more)

Ford Sells Concept Cars for Charity
The sales raised nearly $1 million, with the Ford Motor Company donating the proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and to the Children’s Center of Wayne County, Mich., which helps troubled children and families. (read more)

Chevy Volt
Bradley gets up close and personal with the Chevy Volt and learns about how the engineers at GM have designed the vehicle to take the everyday driving habits of Americans into account. (read more)