While U.S. automakers had built a succession of poor cars in the 1980s and '90s, Chevy, Dodge and Ford pickup owners were generally satisfied.

The Toyota owner said he had taken his Prius to his Toyota dealer and was told it wasn't covered by a recall.

Russia this week launched a cash-for-clunkers program as part of a commitment to revive the country's hard-hit auto industry, which could benefit Detroit automakers -- especially General Motors.

The 56-year-old driver was pulling out of a driveway today in Harrison, N.Y., when her accelerator stuck and the car struck a stone wall across the street, police said.

LOS ANGELES — The driver of a Toyota Prius who called 911 on Monday to report his accelerator was stuck finally got the car stopped after about half hour with the help of the California Highway Patrol, law officers said.

Ford's first quarter profits could be held back by an incentive war with Toyota and General Motors, one Wall Street analyst said in a report today.

A professor whose congressional testimony about Toyota vehicles was challenged publicly today by the Japanese automaker said he looks forward to meeting with the engineering firm Toyota hired and reviewing its conclusions.

After a half-century of doing business in the U.S., Toyota still assigns a Japanese boss to mentor every American or European executive.

Toyota's recall troubles might appear at first to be an occasion for great glee among Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, a chance to steal back long-lost customers from their biggest Asian competitor.

China, Russia, India and Brazil seem poised for explosive growth, but Europe remains a driving force in the global auto industry -- especially for Detroit's automakers. Europe is the home base for vehicles and technologies shaping the American auto industry, especially smaller, fuel-efficient models.