Automotive news - Current, breaking and daily headlines from across the automotive sector.- msnbc.com

Will Toyota's zero-percent offer attract buyers?

Toyota's unprecedented offer of zero-percent financing on nearly a dozen models is trying to make the point that tight credit is no excuse for buyers — in fact, it's literally giving credit away for free. Full story

David Zalubowski / AP

More top auto news

Auto dealers feel pain of credit crunch

Ford kicks off production of new F-150

Paris Motor Show opens amid crisis

Ford expects another tough year in 2009

September worst auto sales month since 1993

Analysts say Big 3 need loans quickly

GM plans $370M engine plant in Flint, Mich.

Wagoner: GM OK with $25B loan package

Auto industry to get $25B in federal loans

GM to sell French factory, Hummer brand

Automakers continue to tighten ad budgets

Daimler in talks to sell the rest of Chrysler

In-depth coverage

Chrysler pegs 2010 as year of its electric car

Delinquent auto loan payments on the rise

Fitch downgrades GM’s ‘junk’ rating further

Ford’s Flex brings high style to masses

GM to draw down $3.5 billion in secured credit

Nissan betting on an electric future

Newsweek: Detroit seeking $25 billion bailout

GM shows off Volt and stumps for a loan

GM shoots for higher price on new small car

Tips to help with the switch to a small car

GM says it won’t extend employee pricing offer

As it nears 100, GM faces a rough road ahead

American cars getting slimmer, more efficient

Car shoppers getting fuels for thought

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Auto Tech

People love angry-faced cars

Ford 'MyKey' to set limits on teen driving

Plug-in cars sparking a power shift

Roland Jones: The Driver's Seat

Auto dealers feel pain of credit crunch

From a ‘halo’ car to an expensive folly

Natgas cars: Clean, green, going nowhere

RV industry in lower gear as economy falters

Leasing takes a lashing as Detroit cuts costs

Oil & energy

Government warns of higher winter heat costs

Gas below $3.50 for first time since April

As economy dims, utility shut-offs are soaring

Oil rebounds after falling to 8-month low

Ike, Gustav to cost Entergy at least $1 billion

Green Machines

Cows may hold secret for efficient ethanol

Scientists develop solar cells with a twist

All-electric Smart car is unveiled

'Petit Le Mans' adds green competition

4.2 million new 'green' jobs predicted

Interactive

New for 2009
An automaker-by-automaker look at all the models coming to a showroom near you.

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Interactive

Hybrids: Sales of gas-electric models like the Prius will triple by the end of the decade. But high prices will keep them from going mainstream.

Hybrid payback?
You want to buy a hybrid, but you’re concerned about the cost. Here’s what you need to know about buying some of the most popular hybrid vehicles.

Free video: Autos

Economy batters auto industry
Oct. 5: Lou Ann Hammond, CEO of carlist.com, analyzes the 27% drop in car sales in the month of September.

Credit crunch hits dealers

Detroit gets a lifeline

Chrysler goes electric

Bailing out the Big Three

Latest interest rates

See today's average mortgage rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
30-year fixed	5.80%		5.91%
15-year fixed	5.52%		5.62%
30-year fixed jumbo	7.15%		7.13%
5/1 ARM	5.82%		5.94%
7/1 ARM	6.14%		6.12%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average home equity rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
$30K HELOC	5.29%		5.17%
$30K home equity loan	7.64%		7.60%
$75K home equity loan	7.26%		7.26%
$50K home equity loan	7.25%		7.25%
$50K HELOC	4.90%		4.81%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's savings rates across the country.

Savings type	Today	+/-	Last week
Money market	2.44%		2.41%
$10K money market	2.70%		2.70%
Six-month CD	3.20%		3.18%
One-year CD	3.68%		3.67%
Five-year CD	4.15%		4.14%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average auto rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
48-month new car loan	6.80%		6.53%
36-month used car loan	7.13%		7.13%
36-month new car loan	6.75%		6.76%
60-month new car loan	6.82%		6.55%
72-month new car loan	6.44%		6.44%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average credit card rates across the country.

Card type	Fixed	Variable
Standard	13.42%	11.57%
Gold	11.73%	10.31%
Platinum	10.77%	11.53%
All	12.00%	11.31%

Source: Bankrate.com | View more rates

Interactive

How hybrids work
What makes hybrid cars so fuel-efficient?

Interactive

A look at GM’s brands
Which brands make up General Motors and how are they faring? Here’s a division-by-division look at the nation’s leading automaker.

Latest MotorHead car reviews

Ford’s Flex brings high style to the masses
Dodge makes its own luck with the Journey
fortwo’s tiny proportions defy expectations
Latest Matrix hatchback is roomy, flexible
GT-R bursts from virtual reality to reality
Click here for more MotorHead reviews

Detroit auto show multimedia

	Take concept cars for a spin See 360 degree views of new concept cars and listen to executives talk about the models.
msnbc.com	High-def view of the Detroit auto show Experience high-def interactive pictures of international and domestic cars
EPA	Future shocks in Detroit Check out images of cool concepts and mechanical marvels

Autos message boards

Post your comments on latest discussions

  Your views on the smart fortwo
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  What went wrong at Jaguar?
  ‘Last hurrah’ for American muscle cars?

“I’ve seen them and the design is really striking. But why would I want to drive one when my Ford Focus gets BETTER mileage and has a back seat and huge trunk?”

—EM Waupaca on Smart fortwo — is it for you?

Behind the Wheel with Phil LeBeau

Click for Phil LeBeau’s ‘Behind the Wheel’ blog on CNBC.com.