Autos

Low mileage, high incentives. Chrysler and cash rule through July.

Just in time for back to school, Chrysler dominates in cash-back deals on minivans, trucks, SUVs (and one sedan!) through July 31.

Thomas Weller has been on a mission to aid stranded motorists since 1966. But gas prices have cut into his good deeds.

As truck and SUV sales fall, CEO Alan Mulally says it will move toward producing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

Leading at the halfway mark, the automaker appears likely to wrest the 2008 global trophy from General Motors.

Information collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could soon be released to the public.

The folks at BMW have been exceptionally busy lately. No sooner have they unveiled an all-new 7 Series, when in the next breath they announce the mid-cycle update of the current-generation 3 Series.

If you are planning a new car purchase and aren't in a big hurry, this gallery of new fuel-friendly cars can help. Most haven't been formally "announced," but we have it good authority that they are on their way within a year's time.

A pair of evenly matched super-luxury sports cars have distinctly different personalities.

A plan that charges motorists based on miles driven could cut fuel use, pollution and traffic as well as lower premiums, say backers. Opponents worry about privacy issues.

The cash-strapped automaker, facing bankruptcy rumors, says it will also suspend its dividend to increase liquidity. It expects to post a large loss in the 2nd quarter.

Also: Updates on Metro's proposed sales tax hike for mass transit.

The industry's economic model gets turned on its head as more customers reject gas-guzzlers.

Detroit and ad agencies are trying to come up with ways to pare down inventories of the now-unpopular vehicles.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) annual report of the top 10 reported stolen cars in the country and the state was just released. Here's a look at the top 10 vehicles reported stolen from California neighborhoods in 2007.

Europe's Car of the Year is fun to own and drive -- not least because of its fuel economy.

Toyota Motor Corp. will start producing the Prius in the U.S. for the first time as the Japanese automaker adjusts its U.S. manufacturing operations to meet demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Almost half of Americans who drive to work are spending less on dining out, going to the movies or buying clothes because of higher gasoline costs, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, the largest U.S. jobs website.

The Buddy may be the best Vespa knockoff on the market. That's saying something because so many scooters these days are attempting to emulate the famed Italian marque and style.

Shelling out for a hybrid isn't the only solution to saving money at the pump and helping the environment. J.D. Power and Associates have analyzed the estimated EPA fuel economy along with the EPA SmartWay scores, which calculates air pollution and greenhouse gas, to find the most fuel-efficient (non-hybrid) small cars with automatic transmission.

The luxury behemoth is beautifully constructed, exquisitely appointed, heroically engineered — and drives like an excellent BMW sedan with an elephant on its back.

A pair of evenly matched super-luxury sports cars have distinctly different personalities.

Europe's Car of the Year is fun to own and drive -- not least because of its fuel economy.

The total family package is high-functioning and deserves a good home.

And it's solid and safe, with charisma to boot.

Thanks to the A4, a troubled Audi was recharged in the '90s. This time the brand doesn't need saving, but the sedan comes back looking like a hero anyway.

A rejiggered product from Down Under, the G8 tries hard to please. Just don't compare it to the BMW 5-series.

The popular crossover has lost the boxiness and gained a few inches. In other words, there's more space for your legs, plus the skis, bikes or kids.

As a reborn pony car, the fuel-inefficient Challenger is a retro stallion

The GM import is as entertaining and nimble as its German cousin, the Opel Astra.

The sedan has the requisite sparkle and performance, but feels like a luxury car wrapped around an economy powertrain.

The best-selling small SUV in Europe vrooms to American shores.

The new luxury sedan has all the sparkle and power you'd expect. If they could just do something about that grille.

The 200-mph supercar, basically a Porsche Motorsport version of the 911 Turbo, is all the scarier for its effortless ways.

The Murano's new front looks more aggressive, but not much has changed on the road.

The 135i packs a lot of oomph into its little body, but those looks . . .

The little car that could grows out but, whew, not up with the Clubman.

In looks, ride, even in sound, a Ford Mustang edition pays proper homage to a legend.

The eight-speed IS-F brings swift splendor to the high-performance luxury club.

The new Audi TT is a bolder, sleeker version of its old self. Yes, still the designer's dream car.

In the midst of rising gas prices, General Motors VP Brent Dewar introduces the 2009 GMC Sierra hybrid to the heartland.

Computer-like precision kind of takes the fun out of it.

A sneak peek shows the truck-nugget tackles today's big issues: driveability, fuel efficiency, space.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is still rowdy enough to delight true believers. Yet nuance is part of the story in '08.

Infiniti's feisty little hatchback protects car and driver with its lane sensors and AVM cameras.

The Tahoe Hybrid is smart, smooth and strong, but it's a lot of vehicle for a little environmental progress.

Heavy on the technical -- and on the bulk

A bit better gas mileage, but only by a bit

Mercedes GL320 CDI is just fine, but it's another SUV in a world that should be thinking green.

From stem to stern, Audi's S5 Coupe is one smooth operator, all refinement and lubriciousness. Get it on the highway, and it moves like greased lightning.

Impreza gets bigger and blander -- not exactly the way to lure the mainstream.

Plagued by reliability issues, the company is doing damage control with its new C-class.

The Chrysler Town & Country Limited -- quick, comfortable and commodious -- is a patriarch among minivans.

With the capacious Enclave CXL crossover, Buick seeks to assert its premium-brand cred.

Overindulgence done right, Mercedes-Benz's CL63 is luxe lightning.

If you didn't sign up in 2004, you're outta luck.

The Accord EX-L's quieter, safer, more middle-of-the road. Just like its target audience.

Upgrades inside and out give the coupe a more refined feel.

In Germany, automakers are in fierce competition to come up with the most jaw-dropping shrines. Car-loving travelers, come peek under the hood.

Porsche's 911 Turbo for 2007, the class of its class, simply laughs at lag.

With a nifty and satisfying sport-utility like this in its portfolio, the automaker may save itself yet.

No question, there's a lot of bunny for the buck here. VW's re-engineered Rabbit is agile, sturdy and quite a catch.

Chrysler's '08 Sebring Convertible has a nifty roof mechanism. But things go down quickly from there.

The C30 could mark the emergence of a species: Volvo rockinus.

The classy automaker goes ultra-sassy with a supercar for grown-ups.

Ford's new offering is quite a looker, and much more affordable than the luxury brand.

Looks aside, there's plenty to praise in the 2008 Scion xB -- more fun, more substance, more room inside. And isn't beauty an inner glow?

Pumped up and powerful, this Mercedes brings a racy pedigree to the street.

The 2007 Tundra competes in the large pickup market with all the right gadgets

Jeep Wrangler takes a civilized turn from its wilderness legacy.

Hyundai's Veracruz has styling and room to spare. (Children are optional.)

Looks hot, drives great, comfy in any weather. It's hard not to like BMW's new convertible.

The Smart Fortwo is more than a little fun, but its tiny size offers slight advantage stateside.

This mega-Lexus parallel parks itself and detects if a driver's nodding off. It has everything, except, perhaps, the fun factor.

Fully tricked out, the S8 is a wicked sound machine. Go ahead, crank up `Radar Love.'

Lotus, Porsche flaunt their latest European power plays: street legal, if not streetwise.

Kia's seven-seater Rondo is compact, practical and, well, restful. Pile in the family and go celebrate thriftiness.

Ferrari's new 2007 599 GTB Fiorano gives the laws of physics a run for their money. Newton would approve.

Stylish, speedy, secure. Volvo's S80 runs easily with the BMW-Lexus pack.

If your house seems too small, you can always move into the Bentley Arnage T. But you may have an even bigger mortgage.

Cute? Yep, as a bug. But the carmaker skimped too much with its subcompact Yaris.

A new automatic transmission makes Maserati's Q-ship easier to drive. But is it easier to love?

The '08 LR2 has genteel charm, off-the-charts handling -- and plenty of star power.

Great mileage, big power, cleaned-up emissions. Only problem with Mercedes' E320 Bluetec diesel is you can't get it in California. Yet.

Despite the price, BMWs remain hugely popular. The new 335i Coupe, with a seriously great turbocharged engine and fine interior, demonstrates why.

The revamped Escape hybrid gives Ford a much-needed victory. Perfect? No. Revitalizing? Definitely.

Sleek and slithery, the Jaguar XKR is a quicker breed of cat.

The road to a certain enlightenment could begin with Nissan's Versa or Chevy's Aveo. Imagine: Contentment in less car than you can afford.

Like a Trojan horse, Camry sneaks gas-saving radicalism into a trusted American staple.

A hot-rodded Prius hybrid can get extraordinary mileage from a gallon of gas--even in stop-and-go L.A. Is triple-digit mileage just around the bend?

The Buddy may be the best Vespa knockoff on the market. That's saying something because so many scooters these days are attempting to emulate the famed Italian marque and style.

Ducati's new 696 Monster is antipasto on a salad bar budget. Despite upward price pressures on motorcycles, especially from the European manufacturers, Ducati's newest take on one of its oldest and bestselling models is holding the line at a reasonable $8,775.

A motorcycle museum is coming to a town that's revamped and cosmopolitan ready.

It seems to have everything motorcyclists love, but nonriders should be impressed as well.

The police motorcycle -- favored by the CHP and the L.A. Sheriff's Department -- keeps drivers in line.

"Speeding, speeding, speeding." Those are the top three traffic violations Deputy John Young has been ticketing in his five years as a motorcycle officer for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, Malibu division. But on July 1, when the new hands-free cellphone law goes into effect, talking and/or texting may nudge their way onto that list.

Learn what the officers are driving when the pull you over.

I'd like to begin this column with an apology. I'm sorry for ruining your day.

Tricia Helfer and Katee Sackhoff of 'Battlestar Galactica' will ride their motorcycles in other shows this summer.

Sport bikes stay in competition with annual overhauls.

What does that get you? A bike Zeus could love.

As gasoline prices soar, scooter sales are booming. From mini to maxi, they'll take you from the corner grocery to the freeway (and some of these cycles get more than 100 miles per gallon).

The Swiss quadricycle has a BMW powertrain, the heart of a motorcycle and the suspension of a race car. If only it could be registered in California.

With cruiser sales in the toilet and the U.S. economy going from bad to worse, 2008 might not be the best time to re-launch the legendary Indian brand, but that's exactly what's happening. Will the third try be a charm? Only time will tell if the new Indian Motorcycle company, in Kings Mountain, N.C., will be able to succeed where the original Indian (1901-53) and its follow-up California Motorcycle Company (1999-2003) failed.

Is it cold in here, or is it me? Maybe I'm just feeling the cool from Aprilia's new Shiver, in all its freak-out orange glory.

Custom ace Ian Barry and actor Jason Lee are behind the Bullet Falcon, crossing a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird with a 1920s board track racer aesthetic.

The May 3 event spotlights the sport's history and, yes, some of its legends.

Redone for 2008, the CBR1000RR is ultra fast and easy to use , with systems that makes its power user friendly.

Ask any female biker and she'll tell you the same thing: A motorcycle is a great prop for soliciting male attention. Stares, smiles, honks, devil horns -- it starts happening as soon as you throw a leg over.