Nissan unveils new platform of cheap, light cars for India and China first

Nissan unveils new platform of cheap, light cars

China auto sales jump 78 percent in September as tax cuts, stimulus spur buying

SHANGHAI — China has widened its lead over the U.S. as the world’s top auto market, with September sales vaulting 78 percent, spurred by tax cuts and government stimulus spending.

Consumer spending surges by largest amount in nearly 8 years in August but incomes lag

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending, propelled by the wildly popular Cash for Clunkers auto sales program, shot up in August by the largest amount in nearly eight years even though personal incomes continued to lag.

GM’s Lutz says automaker may extend money-back guarantee program due to successful results

NEW YORK — General Motors Co. may extend its money-back guarantee program after the much-touted promotion wraps up in November, the company’s vice chairman said Friday.

LA transit agency tentatively agrees to award $300 million to Italian light rail manufacturer

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has tentatively agreed to award a contract to an Italian firm to make 100 light-rail cars.

Despite focus on cleaner cars, trucks and SUVs are big sellers under Cash for Clunkers program

WASHINGTON — Pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles were big sellers under the Cash for Clunkers program despite the federal government’s focus on replacing gas guzzlers with more fuel-efficient cars.

GM’s Whitacre the latest exec to pitch product, but advertising world says he’s no Lee Iacocca

When it comes to businessmen as pitchmen, not everybody can be Lee Iacocca.

Meltdown 101: GM gambles on money-back guarantee to get car buyers to try its vehicles

DETROIT — For years, General Motors Co. and its Detroit rivals have argued that their cars are as good as or better than those made by Japanese brands, but consumers either didn’t believe them or didn’t hear the message.

GM offers refund to car buyers as part of new marketing campaign to win back consumers

MILWAUKEE — Looking to regain consumers’ trust, General Motors Co. said Thursday new car buyers will be able to return their vehicles within two months of purchase for a full refund, part of a long-awaited new marketing campaign for the biggest American automaker.

Great Recession, high gas prices force American car buyers to downsize auto ambitions

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Big cars and trucks are out. Smaller ones that offer more for your dollar are in. And many drivers will hang onto the new cars they buy longer.

GM offers full refunds to dissatisfied car buyers in move to rebuild quality image

DETROIT — General Motors Co. says it will allow new car buyers to return their vehicles within 2 months of purchasing them for a full refund if they’re not satisfied.

Carmakers try to add value, safety, improved mileage to 2010 models; a list of the changes

MITSUBISHI

A five-door Lancer Sportback debuts with two engine choices: a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder and a 237-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder. Both front- and all-wheel drive are offered. Starting retail price for a Sportback is $19,910.

August sales increase is first in long time for automakers, but hangover to come in fall

NEW YORK — Automakers are partying, even though they know the hangover is coming.

As Cash for Clunkers comes to an end, auto industry comes down from its sugar high

WASHINGTON — Now comes the hard part for the auto industry — luring customers without big Cash for Clunkers discounts.

With just a weekend left, dealers say Cash for Clunkers sales may be hard to make

WASHINGTON — Auto dealers are bracing for a possible rush of last-minute shoppers before the Cash for Clunkers program ends Monday, but some buyers may find they won’t be able to cash in on big government rebates.

Obama administration plans to wind down Cash for Clunkers program on Monday

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will end the popular $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program on Monday, giving car shoppers a few more days to take advantage of big government incentives.

Cash flows to car buyers, but the government bureaucracy proves to be biggest clunker

WASHINGTON — It’s revived business at car dealerships, taken gas-guzzlers off the road and given a badly needed boost to struggling auto factories. By many measures, the government’s Cash for Clunkers program has been a success.

Obama administration to wind down Cash for Clunkers on Monday

WASHINGTON — Car shoppers have until Monday night to take advantage of lucrative Cash for Clunkers rebates from the government, and the Obama administration is hoping for a smooth ending to a program that has spurred auto sales but created headaches for many auto dealers.

Optimistic GM boosts production by 60,000 vehicles as sales rise on Cash for Clunkers demand

DETROIT — Shoppers are snapping up cars and trucks so quickly that General Motors Co. is boosting production for the rest of the year to keep up with Cash for Clunkers demand.

Top 10 vehicles bought by people trading clunkers

As of Tuesday morning, car buyers in the U.S. had signed deals to trade in 411,624 clunkers for new vehicles, getting rebates of up to $4,500 from the federal government. Most of the trades have been pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The top 10 vehicles purchased by those making clunker trades:

Delaers say they are still waiting for government payments under Cash for Clunkers

WASHINGTON — Auto dealers say they still haven’t been repaid for the majority of Cash for Clunkers deals they have made, creating cash crunches for many as they wait for the government to reimburse them under the popular $3 billion vehicle trade-in program.

Gov’t says car shoppers can qualify for Cash for Clunkers for vehicles not yet on dealer lots

WASHINGTON — Car shoppers running into shortages of certain vehicles at dealerships will still be able to use the Cash for Clunkers program to reserve the car of their choice, the Obama administration said Thursday.

Consumer groups call on DOT to protect car buyers from questionable Cash for Clunkers deals

NEW YORK — Consumer advocacy groups are calling on the Department of Transportation to crack down on dealerships offering questionable sales terms to customers participating in the government’s Cash for Clunkers program.

Cash for Clunkers also helps consumers buy SUVs, trucks and crossovers too

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the nation’s top car salesman in recent weeks, has cited the Obama administration’s best-seller list of mostly smaller, fuel-saving cars like the Ford Focus to describe the success of the Cash for Clunkers rebate program.

SPIN METER: Cash for Clunkers also helps consumers buy SUVs, trucks and crossovers too

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the nation’s top car salesman in recent weeks, has cited the Obama administration’s best-seller list of mostly smaller, fuel-saving cars like the Ford Focus to describe the success of the Cash for Clunkers rebate program.