AUTOS
By Ken Bensinger
The carmaker is introducing six vehicles at the L.A. Auto Show this week and tying up billions of dollars in future product even as its sales tank.
This year's finalists fall into at least one of three categories: compact, clean diesel or hybrid. Each has soaring MPG estimates.
AUTOS
By Jim Puzzanghera and Richard Simon
The package would be in addition to a $100-billion stimulus proposal, but Republicans -- and time -- are not on their side.
By Ken Bensinger and Richard Simon
The Big Three's fortunes steer thousands of suppliers nationally. One report puts 2.5 million jobs at risk if a carmaker fails.
By DAN NEIL
The South Korean automaker's first full-size, rear-drive luxury car is a near-peer to Euro sport sedans -- but at a 20% discount.
By Jim Puzzanghera and Richard Simon and Martin Zimmerman
Sending Detroit's Big Three billions with no strings attached would be folly, some say. Others contend too many requirements would strangle a weak industry.
So before you submit to lowered automotive expectations of a stripped Nissan Versa, consider these choices, all on EBay for $10,000 or less.
By Ken Bensinger
GM scraps model debuts at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show as the industry cuts expenses.
AUTOS
By Ken Bensinger
The automaker's stock declines to a 59-year-low after an analyst cuts price target to zero.
TRANSPORTATION
By Ken Bensinger and Martin Zimmerman
General Motors posts a $2.5-billion third-quarter net loss. It also signals that it may have only enough cash to fund operations through year's end, leading to speculation about bankruptcy.
By DAN NEIL
More is better, proves this elephant of a sedan. It reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It turns corners and changes direction with sheer crazy agility. It's laden with luxuries. What more could you want?
With the help of Hagerty Insurance, an insurance agency specializing in collector vehicles, we took a look at some other noteworthy Commander in Chief vehicles -- as well as the "first cars" of the two presidential candidates.
TRANSPORTATION
By Ken Bensinger
Ford reports a 29% drop for the month compared with last year; General Motors is down 45%. Among imports, Toyota falls 21% and Honda, 26%.
JIM PELTZ / ON MOTOR RACING
By Jim Peltz
Edwards notched a dramatic win in Texas, but Johnson is in a strong position with only two races left.
MOTOR RACING
By Chuck Culpepper
Lewis Hamilton, 23, becomes Formula One's youngest champion with a fifth-place finish in Brazil, a stunning achievement that is all but unnoticed in Stevenage, England.
AUTOS
By Ken Bensinger
The vehicle, which is intended to compete with the used-car market, could serve as a bellwether of consumer choices in a tough economy.
FIRST PERSON
By Ken Bensinger
A husband and wife become fuel economy connoisseurs as they traverse the nation.
By Dan Neil
One of the best things about moving to Los Angeles from North Carolina was discovering the outrageous cadre of TV weathermen with vaguely meteorological-sounding names: Dallas Raines, Johnny Mountain, Fritz Coleman.
AUTOS
By Ken Bensinger
It will let the larger automaker take the lead in exploring options for help from the government as well as possible concessions from the United Auto Workers union.
Cars.com, an online guide to new and used vehicles, is fed up with some frightening trends in the automotive world.
By DAN NEIL
The South Korean automaker's first full-size, rear-drive luxury car is a near-peer to Euro sport sedans -- but at a 20% discount.
By DAN NEIL
More is better, proves this elephant of a sedan. It reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. It turns corners and changes direction with sheer crazy agility. It's laden with luxuries. What more could you want?
By Dan Neil
One of the best things about moving to Los Angeles from North Carolina was discovering the outrageous cadre of TV weathermen with vaguely meteorological-sounding names: Dallas Raines, Johnny Mountain, Fritz Coleman.
By DAN NEIL
The '09 Maxima veers closer to its upscale sibling but remains a conventional sedan.
By DAN NEIL
The Corvette ZR1 burns oil for a good cause: awesome power and agility
By DAN NEIL
This is a car, an engine, for fully grown adults whose idea of motoring pleasure is high fuel economy. Yes, it will go fast, but the real exaltation is in going far.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
I find the 2009 VW Jetta TDI's lack of exceptionalism exceptional. This car is ordinary, routine, a mean of averages, a flat line on life's electroencephalogram. It is non-provocative right down to its brake shoes. Find the most common of gardens, and the Jetta is that garden's variety.
By DAN NEIL
Hybrids, plug-ins and pure electric vehicles arrive in force as manufacturers sort out battery woes.
By DAN NEIL
The 556-horsepower sedan is a speedster that provides superb cornering and control in a refined and seductive package.
Rumble Seat
By DAN NEIL
The novel method used to treat its exhaust makes this SUV a highway whiz.
By DAN NEIL
The best subcompact on the market is slightly larger, vastly stiffer, noticeably more quiet and comfortable, and every bit as dorky-looking as the previous edition. But what a view from the cockpit.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Volkswagen often invokes the climes and cultures of North Africa for its products' names: Toureg -- the name of VW's goodly sized off-roader -- is borrowed from the aboriginal people of the Sahel. Scirocco is a withering desert wind. This is a curious practice since the Germans had a decidedly mixed record in North Africa.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The luxury behemoth is beautifully constructed, exquisitely appointed, heroically engineered — and drives like an excellent BMW sedan with an elephant on its back.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
A pair of evenly matched super-luxury sports cars have distinctly different personalities.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Europe's Car of the Year is fun to own and drive -- not least because of its fuel economy.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Where are the hot-cool small cars, the drive-all-night cars, the panties-on-the-mirror cars? Where they've always been: In Europe. Here's a look at two of them: The Alfa Romeo MiTo and the Fiat 500.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The total family package is high-functioning and deserves a good home.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
And it's solid and safe, with charisma to boot.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
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.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
A rejiggered product from Down Under, the G8 tries hard to please. Just don't compare it to the BMW 5-series.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
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.
By Dan Neil
As a reborn pony car, the fuel-inefficient Challenger is a retro stallion
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The GM import is as entertaining and nimble as its German cousin, the Opel Astra.
RUMBLE SEAT: ACURA TSX
By Dan Neil
The sedan has the requisite sparkle and performance, but feels like a luxury car wrapped around an economy powertrain.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The best-selling small SUV in Europe vrooms to American shores.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The new luxury sedan has all the sparkle and power you'd expect. If they could just do something about that grille.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The 200-mph supercar, basically a Porsche Motorsport version of the 911 Turbo, is all the scarier for its effortless ways.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The Murano's new front looks more aggressive, but not much has changed on the road.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The 135i packs a lot of oomph into its little body, but those looks . . .
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The little car that could grows out but, whew, not up with the Clubman.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
In looks, ride, even in sound, a Ford Mustang edition pays proper homage to a legend.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The eight-speed IS-F brings swift splendor to the high-performance luxury club.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The new Audi TT is a bolder, sleeker version of its old self. Yes, still the designer's dream car.
By John Clor
In the midst of rising gas prices, General Motors VP Brent Dewar introduces the 2009 GMC Sierra hybrid to the heartland.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Computer-like precision kind of takes the fun out of it.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
A sneak peek shows the truck-nugget tackles today's big issues: driveability, fuel efficiency, space.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is still rowdy enough to delight true believers. Yet nuance is part of the story in '08.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Infiniti's feisty little hatchback protects car and driver with its lane sensors and AVM cameras.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The Tahoe Hybrid is smart, smooth and strong, but it's a lot of vehicle for a little environmental progress.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Heavy on the technical -- and on the bulk
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
A bit better gas mileage, but only by a bit
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Mercedes GL320 CDI is just fine, but it's another SUV in a world that should be thinking green.
RUMBLE SEAT/DAN NEIL
By DAN NEIL
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.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Impreza gets bigger and blander -- not exactly the way to lure the mainstream.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Plagued by reliability issues, the company is doing damage control with its new C-class.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The Chrysler Town & Country Limited -- quick, comfortable and commodious -- is a patriarch among minivans.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
With the capacious Enclave CXL crossover, Buick seeks to assert its premium-brand cred.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Overindulgence done right, Mercedes-Benz's CL63 is luxe lightning.
THE WAITLIST
By Dan Neil
If you didn't sign up in 2004, you're outta luck.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The Accord EX-L's quieter, safer, more middle-of-the road. Just like its target audience.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Upgrades inside and out give the coupe a more refined feel.
By Dan Neil
In Germany, automakers are in fierce competition to come up with the most jaw-dropping shrines. Car-loving travelers, come peek under the hood.
RUMBLE SEAT / DAN NEIL
DAN NEIL
Porsche's 911 Turbo for 2007, the class of its class, simply laughs at lag.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
With a nifty and satisfying sport-utility like this in its portfolio, the automaker may save itself yet.
RUMBLE SEAT DAN NEIL
By Dan Neil
No question, there's a lot of bunny for the buck here. VW's re-engineered Rabbit is agile, sturdy and quite a catch.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Chrysler's '08 Sebring Convertible has a nifty roof mechanism. But things go down quickly from there.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The C30 could mark the emergence of a species: Volvo rockinus.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
The classy automaker goes ultra-sassy with a supercar for grown-ups.
RUMBLE SEAT
DAN NEIL
Ford's new offering is quite a looker, and much more affordable than the luxury brand.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
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?
RUMBLE SEAT / DAN NEIL
DAN NEIL
Pumped up and powerful, this Mercedes brings a racy pedigree to the street.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The 2007 Tundra competes in the large pickup market with all the right gadgets
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Jeep Wrangler takes a civilized turn from its wilderness legacy.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Hyundai's Veracruz has styling and room to spare. (Children are optional.)
RUMBLE SEAT
by Dan Neil
Looks hot, drives great, comfy in any weather. It's hard not to like BMW's new convertible.
RUMBLE SEAT
Dan Neil
The Smart Fortwo is more than a little fun, but its tiny size offers slight advantage stateside.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
This mega-Lexus parallel parks itself and detects if a driver's nodding off. It has everything, except, perhaps, the fun factor.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Fully tricked out, the S8 is a wicked sound machine. Go ahead, crank up `Radar Love.'
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Lotus, Porsche flaunt their latest European power plays: street legal, if not streetwise.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Kia's seven-seater Rondo is compact, practical and, well, restful. Pile in the family and go celebrate thriftiness.
RUMBLE SEAT
Dan Neil
Ferrari's new 2007 599 GTB Fiorano gives the laws of physics a run for their money. Newton would approve.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Stylish, speedy, secure. Volvo's S80 runs easily with the BMW-Lexus pack.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
If your house seems too small, you can always move into the Bentley Arnage T. But you may have an even bigger mortgage.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Cute? Yep, as a bug. But the carmaker skimped too much with its subcompact Yaris.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
A new automatic transmission makes Maserati's Q-ship easier to drive. But is it easier to love?
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The '08 LR2 has genteel charm, off-the-charts handling -- and plenty of star power.
RUMBLE SEAT
Dan Neil
Great mileage, big power, cleaned-up emissions. Only problem with Mercedes' E320 Bluetec diesel is you can't get it in California. Yet.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
Despite the price, BMWs remain hugely popular. The new 335i Coupe, with a seriously great turbocharged engine and fine interior, demonstrates why.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
The revamped Escape hybrid gives Ford a much-needed victory. Perfect? No. Revitalizing? Definitely.
RUMBLE SEAT
Dan Neil
Sleek and slithery, the Jaguar XKR is a quicker breed of cat.
RUMBLE SEAT
By Dan Neil
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.
RUMBLE SEAT
By DAN NEIL
Like a Trojan horse, Camry sneaks gas-saving radicalism into a trusted American staple.
By Dan Neil
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?
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Paul Dean