GM: NOT SO FAST, TOYOTA: A global sales surge keeps

GM: NOT SO FAST, TOYOTA: A global sales surge keeps us ahead, Wagoner reports (Detroit Free Press)
They may want to hold off on the party hats at Toyota Motor Corp. General Motors Corp. Chairman Rick Wagoner said Friday that GM sold nearly 9.2 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2005, the most since 1978, casting doubt on forecasts that Toyota Motor Corp. might surpass GM as the world's automotive sales leader this year.

China pushes smaller cars as environmental concerns grow (AFP via Yahoo! News)
China has begun a push to promote small, low-emission cars as oil prices remain high and environmental concerns grow over the nation's fast-rising auto culture.

Cars and stars as Google's Page takes the stage (CNET)
Not to be outdone by other companies' star power, Larry Page shares keynote spotlight with Robin Williams--and a robotic car.

Slide rule (Rutland Herald)
As snow blanketed the roads Thursday morning, cars around Rutland County started sliding off them. "People are going too fast," Vermont State Police Sgt. Thomas Jacques said. "The roads get slushy and people don't slow down."

Pianos, plays and fast cars at the fairgrounds: Take your pick (The Clarion-Ledger)
Here's a doozy for the ears: an ensemble of eight pianists in the splendid Recital Hall in the Ford Academic Complex at Millsaps College.

How Will America's Big Two Automakers Survive?
After decades of market share losses, look for a leaner and more focused Big Two.
Ann Job

China pushes for smaller cars as environmental concerns grow (Channel NewsAsia)
BEIJING - China has begun a push to promote small, low-emission cars as oil prices remain high and environmental concerns grow over the nation's fast-rising auto culture, state press reported Thursday.

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW: Crossovers, cars to be main attractions (Detroit Free Press)
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. The flag is about to drop on a new year in the worldwide auto industry, and the race starts here, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

News In Brief (Leeds Today)
Playboy drug dealer with string of fast cars and properties is beginning a 14-year jail sentence ... by Anne Alexander Political Editor MINISTERS have expressed concern about the number of people o...