General Motors Corp. announced a couple of years ago that its salaried retirees will shoulder much more of their health care costs this year. This is an effort to save money for its restructure plan.

Japanese automaker Toyota is on track to become the world's largest automaker this year. The company has been increasing its hold in the very important United States auto market. With the coming of the New Year, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe outlined their goals for 2008. He pointed out the fact that the auto industry is going green saying: "The business environment has undergone major changes in the past few years. The biggest of these changes has been the increasing demand for corporate social responsibility as the result of global warming, resource depletion and other environmental issues. Environmental issues are attracting worldwide attention, an example of this being the Toyako Summit to be hosted in Japan during July of this year at which concrete discussions are to be held on the post-Kyoto Protocol framework. In the automobile industry, as well, achieving harmony with society and the earth has become a top-priority issue."

car, and we bet that you have one too. Whether you have a brand new or used car, you work hard on it to enhance its performance. You have probably spent lots of money to assure yourself of the condition of your car's body parts. Maybe you have also gone to mechanic shops just to see whether your car needs more tuning up or, if it needs to replace some of its parts. When you add all of your expenses, you would probably think that owning a car requires a lot of cash

Auto shopping is not that tedious and complicated anymore. With just few clicks on the mouse, the most adored car will be checked. True, automakers and dealerships should not make things complicated. This trend paved the way for the booming online shopping industry.

Basing on the list compiled by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the most frequently stolen vehicle in Canada comes from the stable of the producer of the high quality Acura CL bumper bracket, Honda. Honda Civic is one of the most popular stolen vehicles in Canada for three years in a row specifically the 1999 and 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door.

The end of the year is just around the corner and it is time to hand out awards to those who deserve them. In the auto industry, there are a lot of accolades being showered this season. And one of these is the 12th Annual Urban Wheels Awards which was created to recognize different personalities in the auto industry which has made their presence felt in the industry. Recently, The Auto Channel reported that the nominees for the said award have been named. The awarding will be held at the Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan on January 15, 2008. The said event will be held in connection with the Press Preview Week of the forthcoming North American International Auto Show.

The holiday season is just around the corner and road safety conscious groups are calling out to teen drivers to be more careful this season. Takata, the world's largest manufacturer of safety belts, created a list of tips to teen drivers for safe and responsible driving. The list includes other safety tips other than always using the seat belt. According to the company, it is very important that teen drivers should avoid any distraction in any form to keep themselves safe.

Honda Motor Co., a Japanese motorcycle and automobile maker, is planning to invest JPV 30 billion to build an engine plant in Guangzhou, the capital city of south China’s Guangdong Province. Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Honda Motor Co. and China’s Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group Co., Ltd., aims to begin the production in the new plant by 2009. The plan is to boost the company’s engine production capacity in China – the world’s second largest car market.

Volkswagen AG, the world’s fourth largest automobile manufacturer, is in the process of reassessing its small car plan for India. The company is carefully evaluating the project due to a feasibility study holding out little promise on the cost front. It is also considering the frequent changes at the top management level.

This year the most recalled vehicles are: Volkswagen New Beetle (with Volkswagen Beetle distributor rotor), Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro, Suzuki Forenza and Reno, Volkswagen Passat and Passat Wagon, Lexus ES 350 and Chrysler Sebring.