Can This Car Dent the Prius?

Tracing Your Car's Safety Record

The first step is to learn the difference between a recall and an auto maker's service campaign, writes Joe White.

Why Nobody Is Racing These Cars

Detroit has a hot new crop of muscle cars like the Camaro and Mustang, but Nascar and other motorsports circuits aren't interested in racing them.

The Little Car That Couldn't

It was small and cheap and badly made. In "The Yugo," Jason Vuic tells the story of Yugoslavia's ludicrous attempt to build and export to the U.S. a fantastically inexpensive car. Dick Teresi reviews.

Luxury Plugs in to Hybrid

Carmakers from Ferrari to Porsche introduced hybrid cars at the Geneva Auto Show

Inside the Geneva Motor Show

The 80th International Motor Show in Geneva opened to the press today. Here's a sneak peek at some of the cars in the show.

Luxury Cars Lose Their Shine

Flat finishes, also called matte paint jobs, are an emerging trend in luxury car design at the Geneva Motor Show.

Toyota's Missing Man in Geneva

The Toyota's CEO skipped the Geneva Motor Show this week to make an apology in China. On the floor of the show, some visitors felt a little snubbed.

India's Top Carmaker Looks to Africa

Showcasing the Nano and Aria at Geneva's International Motor Show, Tata, India's top carmaker, says it is looking to build brand loyalty in Africa before Europe.

Geneva Motor Show: Hybrids, Small Cars

Two words will be on repeat from auto makers debuting cars at the upcoming International Motor Show in Geneva: hybrid and small.

• Video: Sneak Peek at Mini's New SUV

Toyota Starts Rolling Out Deals

As Toyota executives face a grilling from lawmakers, the auto maker is trying to win over a bigger audience—consumers—not just with words, but with deals.

• Toyota Probes Other Causes of Acceleration, U.S. Chief Says

Cars Are Getting Scary Again

Congress will look into whether the problems are really with the electronic and software systems that control the flow of gasoline into a Toyota Camry or Lexus ES's engine.

• Podcast: The New Computers on Wheels
• Video: The End of the Fix-It-Yourself Car
• Vote: Will Toyota's gas pedal fix work?

Where Batteries Are Tortured

If something can go wrong with lithium-ion cells, better in federal researcher Peter Roth's "abuse lab" than in your car.

• Video: Exploding Batteries in the Name of Safety

Can Drivers Handle High-Tech Cars?

Airline pilots get retrained and certified every time they move from one type of plane to another. Yet motorists expect to jump in and out of cars with minimal instruction and a cursory skim of the manual.

• The End of the Fix-It-Yourself Car
• Podcast: The Difficulty of Driving High-Tech Cars

A Crisis Made in Japan

Toyota's botched response to its escalating problems has deep roots in Japan's legal system and corporate tradition. What the company's troubles mean for the country.

• When Things Went Wrong

Top Cars for a Family Road Trip

Large vehicles are key for long family road trips. Here are five worth the long haul.

• Photos: Five Family Cars

Reply to All: Dear Valued Toyota Customer

Please bring it back in. We have a little titanium rectangle that should hold the windshield fast in subgust conditions. And a bolt. And an exorcist.

Toyota Recall Should Warn Investors Away

Toyota has a full-blown crisis on its hands following its huge vehicle recall for sticking gas pedals. Columnist Jim Stewart says investors should proceed with caution.

• Toyota's Troubles Deepen

Why $25,000 Is Magic for Cars

Car makers are trying to hit the price point to lure recession-weary consumers. How much car can you get for that price? More than you might think.

• Photos: The $25,000 Car
• News Hub: $25K a Sweet Spot for Cars

Rejected Car Dealers Seek Arbitration

More than half of the car dealers rejected last year by GM and Chrysler have filed claims for arbitration to determine whether they can win their franchises back.

A Case for a Small Car

Small calls usually have some sort of downside: too little cargo room, choppy handling at high speeds, uncomfortable seating for long rides. Volkswagen's 2010 Golf is an exception.

• Photos: Standout Small Cars

Lexus's $350,000 Sports Car

In an effort to create exclusivity, buyers of Lexus's LFA "supercar" must be approved by the brand. Those who don't plan to flaunt the car need not apply.

• Video: The Lexus LFA

New 'Concept Cars' Are Serious Fun

The Detroit auto show is one part trade fair and one part Barnum & Bailey Circus, and concept cars are the prancing ponies—or sometimes the pratfalling clowns.

• Photos: Where Are Concept Cars Now?

How Much Oil Does an SUV Need?

Columnist Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about hybrid batteries, diesel engines and more.

Ultra-Luxury Brands Woo Patrons

Ultra-luxury carmakers such as Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari showed off their latest models to clients at a separate event at the MGM Grand Casino.

• Video: Ultra-Luxe Rides From the Gallery
• Photos: High-end Cars at the Show

Tesla's Long Haul

In an attempt to demystify the all-electric car, Tesla employees drove one of its Roadsters from L.A. to Detroit. Now can the company get buyers behind the wheel?

• Video: Tesla's All-Electric Roadster Sport

Luxury Cars at the Detroit Auto Show

Despite soft sales this past year, luxury carmakers are still rolling out new models. Here's a look at some of the high-end cars on display in Detroit.

New Delhi Auto Show

Luxury auto makers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi have put in big appearances at India's auto show, hoping to tap the wealthy portion of a large market.

Showtime in Detroit

As the beleaguered industry breaks into a "Medium Six," auto makers are set to unveil 700 new cars at the Detroit auto show while trying to prove they have promising futures.

• Photos: The Year in Cars
• Photos: Inside the Detroit Auto Show

Microsoft, Kia Plan Hands-Free System

Kia Motors America and Microsoft are forming a partnership to equip Kia vehicles with a system to make phone calls and control the car's audio system using voice commands.

Ford Mustang's Raw Simplicity

Ford's 2010 Mustang GT makes a strong, loud and increasingly rare case for keeping cars simple.

• Photos: The Ford Mustang GT

Mercedes Accelerates Racing Effort

Daimler's decision to double down on Formula 1 racing has left many in the auto industry scratching their heads.

Long Goodbye for Dying Car Brands

As venerable brands like Pontiac and Saab are threatened with extinction, some owners fear they will be stranded. Others may find a bargain.

BMW Hops on the Hatchback Trend

As with other carmakers, BMW is trying to make a comeback of the hatchback. While the 550i Gran Turismo is fast, sporty and luxurious, it might not be the company's best bet.

• Video: Test driving the 550i

Want to Buy a Porsche on the Cheap?

This year, luxury auto makers are flashing some very direct propositions—in contrast to the subtle persuasion of years past.

• Photos: Best Luxury-Car Holiday Deals

Can a Hybrid Be a Luxury Car?

Lexus' new high-end HS 250h sedan costs a lot more than a Prius—and gets fewer miles per gallon.

• Photos: Lexus's New Hybrid

U.S. Autos Make Gains in Resale Value

Detroit's auto makers narrowed their long-standing gap behind Asian and European competitors in car resale value, an important gauge for consumers, according to new data.

Nissan Thinks Small—and Electric

Nissan is ramping up production of small electric cars. Three of the cars will be coming to the U.S., including the Nissan Leaf compact.