Right to Repair Begins Another Cycle, Siphons Industry Resources
from AutoInc. Magazine
As the 111th Congress prepares for leadership races and committee assignments, and as state legislatures see bills filed and pre-filed, it is almost certain that the annual rite of the introduction of Right to Repair legislation will begin in Washington, D.C., and in state houses around the nation. More

White House Pressured by Lawmakers on Auto Bailout
from The Associated Press via The Washington Post
The Bush administration faces competing pressures from lawmakers in different congressional factions as it reviews its options for bailing out the downtrodden U.S. auto industry. Conservative Republicans implored the White House not to use money from the $700 billion bailout for the financial sector to aid carmakers. More

Troubleshooting Electrical Faults
from ABRN
Diagnosing electrical system faults seems to pose one of the biggest headaches for many technicians. But more and more vehicle systems are going electronic, and the ability to handle these types of repairs is going to have a direct impact on your wallet. Maybe it’s because you can’t see it, maybe it’s because you don’t quite understand it. More

Economy Decimates Dealerships
from The Democratic Underground
About 2,000 U.S. new-vehicle dealerships — nearly 1 of every 10 — will close in 2008 and 2009, the National Automobile Dealers Association projects. And that's the best-case scenario, under which no automaker files for bankruptcy or dies next year. A bankruptcy would accelerate dealership shutdowns. More

Most Affordable 2009 Vehicles

It's the unease of impending high gas prices and the shaky economy that necessitates consumers arming themselves with as much information as they can before heading out to buy a new car, experts say. And the research can pay off, since the true costs of owning a car are realized only after you drive off the lot, not when you hand over a cashier's check for the car itself. More

Small Car Safety in Crashes Improves

Automakers have improved the safety of small cars just as they become more popular with consumers, but some new models still have mixed performances in crash tests, a safety group said. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an insurance industry funded center that evaluates crash protection, recently completed the final series of tests on 2009 small cars. More

U.S. Auto Woes Spell Trouble for Japanese Makers, Too
from The Associated Press
In recent years, Toyota has edged closer to overtaking General Motors as the world's biggest automaker. But now as GM and the entire U.S. auto industry teeter on the brink of collapse, Toyota and other Japanese carmakers are hardly rejoicing. They say the bankruptcy of any of Detroit's Big Three would spell serious trouble for them as well. More

GM Opens China Plant
from The Wall Street Journal
General Motors Corp. opened a new passenger-vehicle plant in China, the fifth factory it runs with a Chinese joint-venture partner. The move comes as GM idles and shutters plants in North America to cut costs. The new Chinese plant has already begun producing the Chevrolet Cruze, the first compact sedan for the Chevy franchise in China. More