fuel efficient cars

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-502108{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-502108, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-502108{width:620px;height:439px;display:block;}The rising price of gasoline -- an unavoidable expense for many -- is a worrisome fact...

The major players in the auto industry have had it rough in the past few years, first with the massive sales declines caused by the recession, and more recently, with the disaster in Japan. But the next challenge they face is already looming on the horizon: A slowdown in Chinese car sales.

As in the summer of 2008, when prices broke $4 a gallon, big jumps at the gas pump may give car buyers reason to pause and cause vehicle sales to stall. At least the carmakers now have more fuel-efficient fleets, except for Chrysler, which is still catching up.

Back in 2009, General Motors applied to the Department of Energy for $14.4 billion in loans to help it manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles. Today, with the automaker making big strides in turning around its business, GM said it no longer needs or wants the money.

Fuel efficiency remains the top concern among new car buyers around the world, which is likely to boost demand for hybrid and electric vehicles, according to a report from KPMG. But the survey of senior auto-industry executives worldwide also showed that many have serious concerns about such vehicles' affordability.

Ford Motor Co. says it will begin rolling out its fuel-saving start-stop system, already in use on several models in Europe, on some 2012 North American cars and light trucks with four-cylinder engines. The most likely initial vehicles include the 2012 Ford Fiesta and Focus cars, Escape crossover,...

The new Explorer will be more aerodynamic and with a more refined interior. It should deliver fuel-efficiency improvements of at least 25% compared with the outgoing model.

At the auto show in Detroit, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood described "Cash for Clunkers" as "the most wildly successful program ever." The remarks suggest the guzzler trade-in program may not have driven into the sunset. But with a majority of Americans opposing it, a retread may not be the best idea.