(January 26, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — New Ford Focus owners can learn a thing or two about driving skills that can maximize their miles per gallon — and they can have a little fun in the process. 

EcoMode is a handy software application aimed at helping coach customers in the art of eco-driving — and then rewards those that practice more fuel-efficient driving skills with in-car kudos displayed on the instrument cluster.

(January 24, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence survey concerning gas prices, the current economic situation coupled with concern over the potential rise in gas prices has caused new car and used car shoppers to change their vehicle consideration criteria.

Nearly three-quarters (70 percent) of car shoppers say that gas prices have influenced vehicle considerations, or the type of vehicle they are considering.

(January 23, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — January new-vehicle retail sales are starting the year ahead of expectations, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers real-time transaction data from more than 8,900 retail franchisees throughout the United States.

(January 21, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — December car buyers enjoyed the lowest-ever annual percentage rates (APRs) on their auto loans, according to data gathered by Edmunds.com. The average auto loan carried an APR of 4.16% in the final month of the year, down 0.33 points from November and 0.55 points from December 2009.

An estimated 15.4% of all auto loans carried zero interest, the third highest monthly pace in 2010.

(January 19, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Lexus sold more luxury cars in the U.S. in 2010 than any other brand, maintaining its place at the top of the luxury market for an eighth consecutive year, according to sales data compiled by Edmunds.com.

But European competitors BMW and Mercedes closed the gap by enough last year that both are poised to make a run at the top spot in 2011.

(January 18, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kelley Blue Book today announced the release of its special report Toyota: One Year Later, providing an in-depth look at Toyota one year after its major recall crisis began in January 2010.

(January 17, 2011) Fiat it seems is getting off on the wrong foot in the United States. And as the adage goes, sometimes the first impression is the best impression, or perhaps the last impression.

We thought Fiat would have things right when introducing its first car in America under the new Fiat/Chrysler banner. But it appears a few things have gone wrong.

(January 17, 2011) SOUTHFIELD, Mich.  — Toyota, Honda and Nissan dominate new vehicle preferences among Hispanics in the U.S., according to Polk. The three companies account for 46.4 percent of the Hispanic market based on an analysis of new vehicle registrations for the first nine months of 2010, according to a recent study by automotive research firm Polk.

(January 15, 2011) DETROIT — OnStar is looking for the most original and compelling in-vehicle voice-enabled application through the 2011 OnStar Student Developer Challenge. Students enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Michigan, University of Texas and University of Toledo can vie for an opportunity to bring their ideas to the road.

One of the historic nameplates in North American automotive history has been in existence for 100 years.

General Motors and Chevrolet kicked off a one-year centennial celebration of the iconic car brand at the Detroit auto show last week. Chevrolet was founded in November 1911 by racer Louis Chevrolet and General Motors founder William C. "Billy" Durant. The fledging company quickly earned the reputation for performance, durability and value.