carmakers

Automakers recalled more vehicles last year than in any of the last six years. And while Toyota Motors accounted for much of the growth, with problems including unintended acceleration and glitchy brakes, many other car manufacturers also saw their recalls increase.

After its near-miraculous emergence so quickly from bankruptcy, the new GM will certainly make big bucks for investors if it fulfills its potential to beat sales forecasts and earnings expectations. And, no, it wouldn't take another miracle.

GM's IPO generated great excitement among investors, and it drew attention to how much the auto industry has changed. Less than 60 years ago, on Jan. 17, 1956, Ford Motor had its own IPO -- the largest in history up to that time. Back then,U.S. industrial might was the envy of the world, and American cars sat atop the automotive pyramid.

The thrifty new small car replaces the underwhelming Chevy Cobalt, a model that had a hard time competing with the likes of Toyota's Corolla and Ford's Focus, new versions of which are due in coming months. A manual transmission model will have a 40-mpg highway rating.

General Motors reported Wednesday that sales fell 25% in August, as consumers held back from buying autos amid the lackluster economy. For the month, GM said it sold 185,176 vehicles, compared to 246,479 a year ago, a decline of 24.9%. Among its four core brands -- Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and...

In late September, Korean automaker Hyundai will begin building its popular Santa Fe SUV at a Kia plant in West Point, Ga., where its sister company makes the Kia Sorrento SUV. The move is expected to boost the number of workers associated with the plant from 1,900 to 7,000.

A part-quality issue forced Ford Motor to temporarily halt shipments of its recently introduced Fiesta subcompact, causing the second such delay since its U.S debut last May.

A federal safety review has been launched targeting some 3 million older model Jeep Grand Cherokees on concerns that their fuel tanks may catch fire in a crash. A report likens the problem to the Ford Pinto's. NHTSA said the investigation covers 1993-2004 model-year vehicles and does not constitute a recall. The agency's investigation could eventually lead to a recall, or it may find that there are no problems.

Here's news from the business world and other money matters to watch out for Monday (last updated at 8:14 a.m. Eastern time): IPO's Success Falls To New CEO: As General Motors speeds toward its public stock offering, newly named CEO Daniel Akerson will need to convince shareholders that the...