Free Republic

For the second time in its 110-year history, Buick has topped one million sales in a year--and set a new overall record in the process. Last year saw the marque shift 1,032,056 vehicles, beating the company's last million-sale year in 1984, when it sold 1,003,345 cars. Whereas that 1984 volume was largely down to North America, Buick's current prosperity is largely influenced by a different country: China. Of those million-plus sales, a full 809,918 cars were sold in the Chinese market, nearly four times as many cars as the 205,509 units sold in the U.S. market. Buick is just one...

They may not have been stung personally by the global recession, but luxury-vehicle buyers are mindful of those who have suffered. So they are restraining themselves, luxury-marque executives tell Ward's at the Frankfurt auto show. Given that many Maserati-brand aficionados own businesses so stricken by collapse they've been forced to cut their payrolls, moderated spending is “absolutely understandable,” says Maserati SpA CEO Harald J. Wester. “They have my full respect; they are behaving morally and ethically correct,” he tells Ward's shortly after Maserati unveils the 433-hp GranCabrio. No pricing is revealed, but the car, expected to arrive in showrooms by...

For many consumers, buying a used car can be a daunting process, but it will become less risky after a state law goes into effect Saturday. The "Car Buyer's Bill of Rights" is not a perfect solution, consumer experts say, but will protect buyers from getting stuck with a car they don't want or excessive interest rates on their loans. "Consumers will have more leverage and some of the worst abuses will be curbed," said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, an advocacy group based in Sacramento. The law is the most comprehensive reform of car...

TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist today issued a consumer alert warning Floridians of an emerging scam in which con artists target individuals trying to sell their vehicles and other items. The Attorney General’s Office has received numerous complaints from consumers across the state reporting the overpayment scam. In this scheme, a thief selects the victim after browsing through classified ads for a car or other large-ticket item offered for sale. The thief pretends to be an interested buyer from out of town and sends payment in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or personal check. The payment...