(December 22, 2011) LOS ANGELES — A majority of Americans believe new transportation projects should be paid for with user-fees instead of tax increases, according to a new national Reason-Rupe poll of 1,200 adults on cell phones and land lines.

The Reason-Rupe poll found that 77 percent of Americans oppose increasing the federal gas tax, while just 19 percent favor raising the tax, which is currently 18.4 cents a gallon.

(December 21, 2011) YONKERS, N.Y. — Cash-strapped consumers are delaying automotive maintenance at the potential cost of their safety. Forty percent of respondents to a recent Consumer Reports poll who are involved in repair decisions stated that they are postponing car maintenance or repairs on their primary vehicle.

This delay in servicing items such as brakes, tires, light bulbs, or other internal mechanical parts has consumers running the risk of larger, more costly problems down the road.

(December 19, 2011) CHICAGO — As Swedish automaker Saab nears liquidation, American Saab owners have good reason to be concerned, according to Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com executive editor and senior analyst.

Vehicle value is expected to take a hit, said Wiesenfelder. "Cars from a dead brand are perceived as less valuable, and perception becomes reality. 

(December 18, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This afternoon, the jury for the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) announced the finalists for its prestigious awards: the 2012 Ford Focus, 2012 Hyundai Elantra and the 2012 Volkswagen Passat in the car category and the 2012 BMW X3, 2012 Honda CR-V and the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in the truck category.