(July 29, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota appears to be well on its way toward recovery following its new car sales and inventory struggles over the past few months, according to Edmunds.com's July 2011 U.S. automotive sales forecast.

With 134,480 light vehicle sales in July, the Japanese automaker will make a strong month-over-month gain, up 21.2 percent over June — exceeded only by Nissan, which is expected to make a remarkable 27.8 percent month-over-month gain.

(July 28, 2011) After weeks of discussions between automakers, federal and state officials, a fuel economy target for 2025 may soon be finalized. The Detroit News reports that no less than five major automakers, including Ford, GM, the Chrysler Group as well as Honda, and Hyundai, are expected to support the proposed 54.5-mpg fuel economy standard for 2025. This comes after automakers shot down the initial 56.2-mpg proposal, which required large yearly fuel economy gains across both cars and trucks.

(July 28, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — TrueCar.com forecast today that July light vehicle sales will be down from June and import automakers sales will rise and domestics decline.

(July 28, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — As the auto industry battles through another difficult year, vehicle manufacturers are fighting to win customers by offering the most appealing vehicles in history, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released on Wednesday.

(July 27, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Honda won five categories in the 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own Awards, given by Edmunds.com. The awards name the 2011 model year cars and trucks in 23 categories that offer the lowest True Cost to Own (TCO), which is the projected ownership cost over a five-year period.

(July 27, 2011) CARDIFF, Wales (PRNewswire) — elephant.co.uk has revealed that although for most of the working population, the weekend is a period of rest, the same cannot be said for car thieves, as new research shows that they're at their most active over the weekend.

The research, carried out by car insurance specialist elephant.co.uk, shows the day of the week most cars are stolen is a Saturday while the day most items are taken from cars is a Sunday.

(July 26, 2011) SEATTLE (PRNewswire) — A recent poll helps explain a phenomenon that vexes many Washington drivers: why it seems that our highways are clogged with "left-lane campers," the people who drive continuously in the passing lane of multilane roadways, obstructing traffic.

(July 25, 2011) ROLLE, Switzerland — Automotive journalists’ musical preferences were laid bare last week for the first time as Infiniti revealed what sounds were recorded onto the Music Box hard drives of its press and VIP fleet by UK media.

After six months of hard driving — and easy listening — the Infiniti Music Chart provided a unique insight into writers’ in-car music tastes. The list spans the decades and embraces every style, from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Jamie Cullum, and Steely Dan to Lady Gaga.

(July 25, 2011) DETROIT (PRNewswire) — Four is the new six. Four cylinders have replaced sixes as America's most popular engine choice, powering 43 percent of U.S. light vehicles sold in the first half of this year, according to IHS Automotive.

(July 23, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Summer deals on new cars will be available to consumers after all, even if they're coming a couple of months later than usual, reports Edmunds.com.

The traditional summer sales events — which usually start as early as Memorial Day, but were delayed this year following supply issues caused by the earthquake in Japan — are a popular way for dealers to sell off vehicles in anticipation of new model year inventories.