By Chris Isidore, senior writerApril 28, 2011: 2:41 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Chrysler Group said Thursday it plans to repay the high-interest loans it owes the U.S. and Canadian governments by borrowing money from the private sector. The automaker said it will repay the $ 5.8 billion it owes in loans to U.S. [...]

By Alex Taylor III, senior editor at largeApril 25, 2011: 12:59 PM ET FORTUNE — It has been a dismal three-plus years for U.S. auto sales. After a halcyon stretch early in the 2000s, when annual sales of cars and light trucks topped 16 million for nine straight years — and even poked above 17 [...]

The Leaf, Nissan’s zero emission electric car, is the 2011 World Car of the Year. By Octavio Blanco, online editorApril 21, 2011: 1:17 PM ETNEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The all-electric Nissan Leaf was named the 2011 World Car of The Year at the New York Auto Show on Thursday. The Leaf, which went on sale [...]

At first glance, the 2012 New Beetle looks like… a New Beetle. But this version’s been toughened up with “less flower, more power,” as Volkswagen’s lead designer said at the car’s unveiling. The new New Beetle is longer and a little lower than the old car, giving it a slightly more menacing look. But only [...]

In February, Ford called a large recall over unwanted airbag depoyments overkill. Now, the automaker has changed its mind. By Peter Valdes-Dapena, senior writerApril 14, 2011: 11:56 AM ETNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling almost 1.2 million full-sized pickups for a problem in which airbags can go off when not needed, expanding [...]

By Alex Taylor III, senior editor at largeApril 12, 2011: 11:50 AM ET FORTUNE — The retreat by the Detroit Three in the face of smaller, smarter, fitter cars by Toyota, Honda, and company is a 50-year phenomenon. In that time, Japanese automakers have bucked trade restrictions, an overvalued currency, and “Buy America” sentiments to [...]

Blue Bird is recalling about 3,900 buses because a wire could chafe, creating a potential fire hazard. by Peter Valdes-Dapena, senior writerApril 8, 2011: 1:25 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — School bus manufacturer Blue Bird Body Co. is recalling about 3,900 large school buses for a potential fire hazard. A starter cable may rub [...]

Ford, Nissan and other automakers say that it will be years before they can produce electric cars at a profit. Until then, they will continue to depend on Government subsidies. By Octavio Blanco, online editorApril 6, 2011: 6:20 PM ET LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (CNNMoney) — It’ll be years before automakers can take the training wheels [...]

Ford Motor’s U.S. sales topped General Motors in March. By Chris Isidore, senior writerApril 1, 2011: 3:53 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Ford Motor Co. topped rival General Motors in U.S. sales in March, grabbing the No. 1 spot for the first time in nearly 13 years. Ford (F, Fortune 500) sales rose 19% [...]

By Alex Taylor III, senior editor at largeMarch 29, 2011: 11:45 AM ET FORTUNE — In the hours following the death of David E. Davis, Jr., on Monday, at 80, a bouquet of tributes blossomed online that called him “the dean of automotive journalism” and an “auto buff book pioneer.” They understate his influence. In [...]