April car sales in a nutshell: The year's 2nd-strongest month

Here are highlights from April's U.S. auto sales report: Industry rises 20 percent Overall U.S. sales rose 20 percent in April to 982,302 light vehicles, a gain of 162,610 over the same period a year ago.

Guzzler program still operating; White House searches for funds

The federal cash-for-guzzlers program continues to operate this morning despite dealer reports that it was to be suspended at midnight last night because it was approaching its $1 billion limit. "It is not suspended," a White House spokeswoman, who asked not to be named, said in an interview today. "We continue to assess the program and its budget." National Automobile Dealers Association spokesman Bailey Wood said Thursday that the group had been told by Transportation Department officials of plans to suspend the program after just six days.

Ford and Geely agree on Volvo sale, could finalize deal in early 2010

Ford expects to sign a deal to sell its Volvo car unit to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group by the first quarter of 2010 and close the deal in the second quarter, the U.S. automaker announced today. Ford said that all of the deal's key commercial terms have been settled.