Ford Launches Hybrid Initiative (Washington Post) Ford Motor Co. jumped

Ford Launches Hybrid Initiative (Washington Post)
Ford Motor Co. jumped on the hybrid-car bandwagon yesterday with a promise to boost production tenfold to 250,000 cars and trucks per year by 2010, a decision that moves hybrids closer to the mainstream of the U.S. auto market.

Retail sales hit record in July with strong sales of cars, food, furniture (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)
TORONTO (CP) - Surging auto sales, fuelled by employee-pricing discounts, helped kick retail sales into overdrive in July, as spendthrift Canadians eagerly forked out a record $31.3 billion during the month.

A Pox on My Child: Cool! (Washington Post)
When Trish Thackston's 7-year-old son, Connor, broke out with chickenpox recently, she quickly scheduled play dates with four families over the next four days at their Alexandria house. Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that causes tiredness and fever in addition to its blister-like...

Son of Cool - New York Times (New York Times)
IN high school the cool rich girls wore Esprit. They styled their blond hair in the slightly asymmetrical bob that could pass for Flock of Seagulls hip or, secured with a barrette, still look appropriate at the country club. They got cars for their 16th birthdays.

www.delawareonline.com The News Journal Hybrid heaters cool fuel bills (Delaware Online)
After a summer of heat waves, hurricanes and high gas prices, the promise of cooler months ahead would seem to offer some relief -- until it's time to turn on the heater.

Tanker Cars Jump the Tracks (WTOL News 11)
SOUTH TOLEDO -- People in south Toledo are now back in their homes after several tanker cars in a freight train jumped the tracks. It happened around midnight at Hawley and Whittier, not far from Libbey High School in south Toledo.

A world beneath the earth / Old coal mine offers tunnels to explore (San Francisco Chronicle)
The key was turned, the gate unlocked, and we entered an underground world that few have seen. Ahead were miles of tunnels, rooms, shafts and connectors. It was hot and dry outside, but here the air was cool and moist. We turned a corner and the tunnel...

MSN Autos Shoppers' Top Ten
The most popular vehicles on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages.
compiled by MSN Autos

Preview: 2006 Honda Civic
The 2006 Civics have a new platform, more expressive styling, more powerful engines and increased safety. The Civic Hybrid is more fuel-thrifty, too.
Ann Job