Car Tech Advances Can Recharge Detroit

Gizmos proliferate amid concerns on distracted driving

(NEWSER) - Imagine cruising down the highway at 65mph while checking tweets, buying movie tickets online, or booking reservations at a restaurant. This scenario is the not-too-distant future of driving, reports the Wall Street Journal , as auto manufacturers seek to design an innovative "connected car" full of Internet-accessible gadgetry. The push for a tech-infused car comes as a national push for rules banning phones in cars seems to be fizzling out and automakers look to entice the youth demographic. More»

(NEWSER) - Now that American automakers have turned it around, you’re planning to buy an American car, right? No? Well, you should be, writes Jim Montavalli of Money Watch, and he’s got six cars worth snapping up.

• Ford Fusion: A fun-to-drive mid-size sedan that’s getting gushing reviews—Consumer Reports calls it “one of the very best cars produced by Detroit.”
• Chevy Malibu: An affordable family car that makes few compromises, performing just a bit below a sports sedan.

(NEWSER) - The rumors of the “cash for clunkers” deal’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, the White House said today, promising that the trade-in program will continue even after consumers have used up its allotted $1 billion. “If you were planning on going to buy a car this weekend using this program, the program continues to run,” said spokesman Robert Gibbs. More»

(AP) - The government plans to suspend its popular "cash for clunkers" program amid concerns it could quickly use up the $1 billion in rebates for new car purchases. The Transportation Department called lawmakers' offices to alert them to the decision to suspend the program at midnight Friday. The program offers owners of old cars and trucks $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. More»

(NEWSER) - As General Motors' Pontiac line is phased out, Ben Wojdyla, on Jalopnik, remembers the truly great cars that bore the mark. If you've got one, keep your garage clean and await a payday.

• 2009 G8 GXP: "GM should be saved for no other reason than to put the G8 GXP on the road." This car fulfills the promise of the Pontiac brand in spades, 415 HP V8 and all.
• 1964 GTO: The vehicle that "ignited the original muscle car wars" will "always have a special place in every car guy's heart." A 325-horsepower V8 doesn't hurt.