Business - Automotive

Garrett builds credentials as site for auto body work

Saturday, May 17, 2008
The sun was casting long shadows one late afternoon this spring as a handful of teenagers decked in jeans, T-shirts and other work clothes marked out the bed of a nondescript pickup truck in need of body work and a paint job. They were huddled along a narrow drive at the back of Garrett Academy of Technology, home to the school's Vocational Auto Body Shop. Read story.

Buyers should shop around

Saturday, May 17, 2008
CHICAGO — Consumers in the market for a new car this year might be able to drive some hard bargains with auto dealers. With car sales expected to be down, many dealerships will be desperate for any sale they can get, said Danny Chan, chief executive of AutoBrag.com, a car-shopping comparison Web site that compiles price data from no-haggle dealerships. Read story.

A lesson on implication of advertising

Saturday, May 17, 2008
My name is Daniel. I drive a 2005 Escalade (OK, it's a toy car). I am 7 years old. Here is my question: Why do the speedometers in cars go up to 120 mph, when you are only allowed to go 65 mph?
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Tribute to brass

Saturday, May 17, 2008
In today's fine steel, aluminum and carbon fiber world, it's hard to fathom that many cars once were constructed of brass and sheet metal. Read story.

Luxury improvements

Saturday, May 17, 2008
The car-buying public has spoken: Audi and Cadillac showed the largest increases in brand-perception among luxury sedans, based on a study by Kelley Blue Book's Marketing Research. Read story.

Car shows

Saturday, May 17, 2008
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New Forester sport utility offers more for less

Friday, May 16, 2008
Known for being a practical, affordable vehicle, the Subaru Forester is more so for 2009. The five-passenger, new Forester is bigger than its predecessor for greater interior room and has new styling outside and more safety features than ever. Read story.

Dodge rolls out safety with new Journey

Sunday, May 11, 2008
Dodge, the brand with powerful Hemi V-8 engines and a brawny image, is showing less brawn in its latest sport utility vehicle. There's no Hemi available for the new-for-2009 Dodge Journey sport utility vehicle. In fact, the base engine for the four-door Journey is a four cylinder. Read story.

Mini record

Saturday, May 10, 2008
While unable to claim wins last month in Virginia, the Mini of Charleston racing team did pick up a track record, with Robbie Davis averaging 84.692 miles per hour in a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Davis took two second places in the weekend races at the 3.27 mile Virginia International Raceway in Danville. Read story.

Hummer HX makes statement

Saturday, May 10, 2008
With the familiar Hummer family design, the Hummer HX concept vehicle, now on the auto show circuit, challenges the hierarchy of the trail. More compact than the H3, the HX is an open-air, two-door, off-road vehicle. Read story.

Lotta Miata

Saturday, May 10, 2008
The 007 insignia on the 1995 classic red Mazda Miata convertible was a clue that something was up, but why would a guy named Bryan from Uniontown, Pa., have such a marker? It may have been his given first name James, and last name, Bond. "I've had a lot of fun with the name," said Bond ... James Bond. Read story.

Chrysler tries to boost sales by helping pay for gasoline

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Whatever sticker prices, rebates and negotiated rates that shoppers in the Charleston area and elsewhere pay for a new Dodge Nitro, Jeep Compass or Chrysler Town & Country, they can count on one thing: their gas bill for close to 1,100 days will be less than $3 a gallon. Read story.