Enlighten yourself on engine light codes

I drove one of my cars for about six years straight with the little orange 'Check engine' signal flickering at me from the control panel.

Drivers with empty pockets turn to tire rentals

When the tires on their Dodge Caravan had worn so thin that the steel belts were showing through, Don and Florence Cherry couldn't afford to buy a new set. So they decided to rent instead.

GM, Chrysler boost positions in J.D. Power quality study

Three of General Motors Co.'s four U.S. brands improved their quality in 2013, and all but two domestic auto brands boosted or maintained their positions in the annual J.D. Power & Associates Initial Quality Study standings announced Wednesday.

Tesla to recall 1,200 EVs for seating issue

Washington — Electric vehicle startup Tesla Motors Inc. said Wednesday it is recalling more than 1,200 2013 Model S cars that may have weak second-row seat backs that might not stay in place during a crash.

GM says its EcoTec3 V-6 engine in 2014 Silverado, Sierra pickups will get 18/24 mpg

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that its EcoTec3 V-6 engine, one of three engines that will power its revamped 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, will achieve an Environmental Protection Agency rated 18 miles per gallon city and 24 highway for two-wheel drive models. The combined mileage is 20.

Nissan's price-cutting strategy to gain share worries competitors

Nissan Motor Co.'s take-no-prisoners approach to gaining U.S. market share has the auto industry worried that a price war is brewing that will erode the profit progress made since the recession ravaged auto sales.

Used EV prices to fall 30% in '13

— A new survey says the value of the average used plug-in electric hybrid vehicle is expected to depreciate nearly 30 percent this year, the biggest decline of any vehicle segment, the National Automobile Dealers Association Used Car Guide says.

Chrysler: Jeep fix will not address high-impact crashes

Chrysler Group LLC says installing protective trailer hitches on 1.56 million Jeep vehicles won't address government concerns that the vehicles are suspectible to gasoline fires resulting from severe rear-end crashes. But hitches, the automaker said, could provide some protection in less severe accidents.

Chevrolet brand has 5-year deal to advertise during Academy Awards show

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that its Chevrolet brand will advertise during the Academy Awards broadcast for the next five years.

GM breaks ground on China Cadillac plant

Shanghai — General Motors Co. executives broke ground for a new Cadillac factory in China on Wednesday to target luxury buyers in the world's biggest auto market, though they said the segment would grow slower than expected this year.

Chrysler agrees to recall 1.6M vehicles to address fire risks

Reversing course under government pressure, Chrysler Group LLC agreed Tuesday to recall 1.56 million older Jeep models for what federal safety regulators say are fire risks caused by gas tanks that leak after rear-end collisions. The government blames such collisions for the deaths of at least 51 people driving Jeep SUVs.

Ford to double engine production in China

Ford Motor Co. is doubling engine production in China, company CEO Alan Mulally said Wednesday from Chongqing, China.

Report: Johnson Controls mulling breakup of electronics unit

Johnson Controls Inc., the largest U.S. auto-parts maker, may consider breaking up its electronics unit and selling the pieces if it doesn't get a strong enough bid for the business, people with knowledge of the matter said.

NHTSA investigating problems in Suzuki SUVs

Washington — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is opening an investigation into 205,000 Suzuki vehicles over airbag complaints.

Auto sales in Europe down another 5.9%

After a one-month respite, European auto sales resumed their slide in May, dropping another 5.9 percent.

Report: Aston Martin owner asking lenders for 50% cut on debt

Investment Dar Co., a shareholder in luxury British carmaker Aston Martin, is asking creditors to take a 50 percent writedown on the Kuwaiti company’s debt as ...

Ford applies lessons of U.S. crisis in Europe upswing

The slump in European auto sales that has prompted plant closings and layoffs may finally be turning the corner for Ford Motor Co.

NHTSA chief: No deadline to finalize car backup cameras

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief David Strickland says he has no time frame for finalizing delayed rear-visibility rules that would require ...

2014 Fiat 500L to go on sale this month

Chrysler Group LLC said Monday that its new 2014 Fiat 500L will go on sale later this month with a starting price of $19,100, plus $800 destination fee.

Buttons, knobs to return to MyFord Touch system

Ford Motor Co. is planning to bring back buttons and knobs to help complement — but not replace — the touchscreen on its MyFord Touch infotainment system.

Fiat reportedly to get $2.7B refinancing before Chrysler deal

Fiat SpA, Italy's biggest manufacturer, will raise a 2 billion-euro ($2.7 billion) loan ahead of its planned merger with Chrysler Group LLC, according to two ...

GM names new vice president of North America manufacturing

General Motors Co. said Monday it has named 33-year company veteran Gerald Johnson as its vice president of North America manufacturing, effective July 1.

Tennessee officials lobby for Fiat-Chrysler HQ

State officials are making the case to Fiat head Sergio Marchionne to select Tennessee for the Italian automaker's joint headquarters with Chrysler Group LLC.

6 tips on getting a good deal on an auto lease

Even with low interest rates that make buying a car more affordable, many consumers are leasing a new car or truck instead.

Thousands line Gratiot for its annual car cruise

— When Mary Snyder saw the run-down 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air sitting on the side of the road on her way home from work, she knew she had to have the car.

GM recalling 231,000 SUVs for fire risks

General Motors Co. has agreed to recall 231,000 older SUVs over fire risks and urged owners to park them outside garages until they are repaired.

Robots test Ford vehicles at Michigan proving grounds

A Transit commercial van barrels down a straightaway at Ford Motor Co.'s Michigan Proving Grounds in Romeo, careening over about a dozen curbs before stopping, ...

Custom $280,000 '65 Dodge pickup pilfers parts from Rolls

Talk about pricing what the market will bear. How about $280,000 for an old Dodge pickup? Or $190,000 for a 1950s station wagon-cum-jalopy covered in rust?