Auto

Lobbying by U.S. automakers failed to slow a Senate proposal that would drastically increase fuel economy standards, so GM, Ford and Chrysler are holding a rally today to plea for popular support. Critics are calling it a scare tactic, Sam Eaton reports.

Chrysler's choice of Bob Nardelli as its new CEO is turning some heads, given the way he was shown the door at Home Depot. Kai Ryssdal talks with Jeff Sonnenfeld at the Yale School of Management about the move.

Bob Nardelli didn't have such a good run as CEO of Home Depot, but today he got another job as the head of Chrysler, where he won't have to worry about stock prices and angry shareholders. Micki Maynard says it could be a good fit.

Chrysler began another chapter in its 82-year history today. Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management officially took over as new owner. But the same executives will tackle the same problems as before.

General Motors has had its third profitable quarter in a row, thanks largely to consumers overseas. Jill Barshay reports on who's buying these cars abroad.

The new hybrid Tahoe and GMC Yukons go on sale later this year, and some analysts say collectively they could save more fuel than all those passenger car hybrids. Janet Babin has details.

Congress is racing full-speed ahead towards tougher fuel economy standards by 2020 or sooner, but the auto industry is lobbying hard to put the breaks on. Jeremy Hobson has more.

Ford reported its first quarterly profit in two years today, surprising most analysts. Kai Ryssdal talked to The New York Times' Micheline Maynard about what allowed for the automaker's good news.

Despite today's conciliatory air at the start of negotiations between the United Auto Workers and big automakers, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said he isn't interested in concessions. Alisa Roth reports on the big issues on the table.

Things will be quiet around Japan's auto factories for the next few days. The earthquake earlier this week damaged a major parts supplier, so three of the nation's car makers are shutting down plants. Alisa Roth has more on the economic aftershocks.