Auto

With Japanese car companies cutting back on production it seems the auto industry is struggling across the board. Scott Jagow talks with automotive expert Ashvin Chotai about who might survive post-crisis.

Toyota is shutting down production significantly in the next two months due to poor sales. The company experienced a bigger percentage decline in the U.S. than GM and Ford. Janet Babin reports 2009 could be a tough year.

Automakers facing continued slow sales are expected to spend less on advertising in 2009. That's going to cause problems for the ad industry, which relies on car companies as its biggest customers. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Carmakers come out today with December sales, and analysts are saying along with poor figures, there are fewer cars on the road. But there are signs truck and SUV sales may be healthier as gas prices decline. Amy Scott reports.

You may have heard that the automobile industry got into a bit of trouble this year. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Alisa Roth about what went on in Detroit and what's yet to come.

GMAC, the financial arm of General Motors, received a $6 billion bailout from the Treasury Department. Now General Motors is offering 5-year, no-interest loans to prospective car buyers with low credit scores in hopes of boosting sales. But as Bob Moon reports, the government bailout could cause trouble for General Motors down the road.

As the auto industry looks ahead towards the next 12 months, even strong foreign companies have to readjust their original profit forecasts. Steve Chiotakis reviews carmakers' 2009 outlook with Marketplace's Alisa Roth.

Since GMAC was allowed to become a stand-alone bank, the Bush administration has included it in the bank bailout. Steve Henn explains how the finance arm of General Motors started expanding service beyond car loans.

Business at Mort's Imports in Ohio has remained pretty stagnant over the past few months. But owner Morton McArthur tells Kai Ryssdal he remains optimistic that his used car dealership will be able to survive the economic downturn.

The Federal Reserve has one last Christmas gift for the auto industry. It's allowing GMAC, General Motors's financing arm, to become a bank holding company -- which makes it eligible for TARP funds. Jeremy Hobson reports.