No surprise: August's 21 percent auto sales drop, to the lowest level for the month in nearly 30 years, was dismal. Last month's numbers were dragged down by comparison with August 2009, when sales soared because of cash for clunkers.

Don Lee thinks he can make money with Fiat and Alfa Romeo at a vacant showroom next to his dealership.

Its image still bruised by driver complaints about unintended acceleration, Toyota Division has decided to revamp its marketing message and shift the focus to safety in a big way, top executives said last week. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'