Autos

When car buyers take possession of a vehicle before their financing arrangements are complete, they're risking a big money mess if the loan falls through. And some less scrupulous dealers will take advantage. Here's what you need to know to avoid the yo-yo financing trap.

Thanks to strong new products, hard work, and the American taxpayer, GM continued its profitable ways in the first quarter. The world's largest automaker reported a profit of $1 billion on the strength of its operations in the U.S. and China.

Automakers reported their sales Tuesday. Toyota and Chrysler saw big U.S. sales gains in April, but they came at the expense of General Motors and Ford.

Ford earned $1.4 billion in the first quarter -- a bit ahead of analyst expectations, but down from a year earlier. North American sales powered the profit, while Europe's crisis-wracked economy held every automaker back on the Continent.

One recent study of used-car buying habits found that women were more likely to do research, ask tougher questions, and have a mechanic inspect a used car before buying. Another study on new-car buying preferences shows that women make more practical automotive choices.

Tolls are increasingly being diverted to pay for transportation projects and other expenses unrelated to roadways, bridges and tunnels used by the motorists who pay the fees, the nation's largest auto club said Wednesday.

Feel like you're getting gouged at the gas pump amid rising prices? You actually are if you're using a debit card. Despite last year's banking reforms, gas stations have yet to pass along more than $1 billion in debit card transaction fee savings to consumers.