Today in Car News: Economics 101, Stalling Jettas, and Diesels

Marty Padgett

Editorial Director BIO

Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Gas Mileage, So Far
As we roll through our 30-day road test of the 2013 Ram 1500, we're ready to file our first report... Read More

#5LEADERBOARD RANK
5170ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
111COMMENTS POSTED

1,722 views Aug 30, 2010

Follow Marty

Add to circle

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan S

Enlarge Photo

Auto sales may have helped consumer spending in July, but were a small bright spot in some pretty dim economic news. [Detroit Free Press]

What car would you lose your job over? We'd choose an XKR Convertible, but--hey, wait--we drive cars for a living! No need to steal! Whew. [Jalopnik]

The 2009 VW Jetta is being investigated for stalling. We'd accuse the New Beetle of the same, in a Logan's Run way. [Detroit News]

Would you believe..a diesel MazdaSpeed3? Nope, not us either. [Autoblog]

Fiat is looking for about 165 dealers in America for its spunky 500 subcompact. Handraisers should have a working knowledge of Italian and a fondness for very, very small spaces. [Automotive News]

Meanwhile, Suzuki's called a timeout on plans to bring the Swift to the U.S. Its new relationship with VW is just getting off the ground, and they'd like some time together without distractions, thanks. So stop calling. [AutoWeek]

People of Memphis: your existential difficulties are somewhat alleviated by low, low APR interest rates on cars. Please, resume your barbecue stampede. [KickingTires]

Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame made a movie about Detroit, and it's not bad. [LLN]

American carmakers may still be holding on to 3.5 million units' worth of overcapacity, which doesn't bode well for a brisk, healthy recovery. [TTAC]

The plug-in Dodge Ram Hybrid concept we've shown you is showing up even on green-car sites, as a sort of cameo in the touring version of the Apocalypse. [Gas 2.0]