In the face of the current shaky state of the auto industry, Chrysler could try to increase profitability and improve stability by retiring some models while adding value to existing mid-range trims. This means a possible realignment of the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring lines. In its plan dubbed ‘Fight Back’, Chrysler might cut the top trim levels of the Avenger and Sebring, while some of their features might be shifted to previously mid-range models.

Some of the key changes in the plan include eschewing the 3.5L V6 for a more efficient four-cylinder. This could improve fuel efficiency by as much as 4 mpg to 30 mpg. That’s hefty savings of up to 15%. Combining better features such as navigation, upholstery and entertainment options with a more efficient powertrain could make a more attractive package with improved value. Still, it remains to be seen whether Chrysler’s vehicle models can improve their competitiveness against other better-selling cars from the likes of Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

If you drive a 1995 Honda Civic, you better employ better anti-theft solutions because this popular model is America’s most stolen car for 2007, according to ‘Hot Wheels’, a report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau based on information from the National Crime Information Center. The ’95 Civic is followed by another Honda model, the 1991 Honda Accord in the list.

The 1989 Toyota Camry was the third most stolen vehicle while the 1997 Ford F-150 was the highest-listed pickup truck as well as the most stolen domestic-branded vehicle. Other domestic models were the 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 and the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup, all trucks. Rounding out the top ten perennial favorites of car thieves were the Acura Integra, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Pickup and the Toyota Corolla.

According to the NICB, the types of vehicles being stolen remain consistent year to year. Thieves continue to prey on these older vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts.

To protect your cars from thieves, NICB recommends a ‘layered approach’ by using simple, low-cost solutions to make vehicles less vulnerable to carjackers. These four layers are: common sense, a warning device, an immobilizing device and a tracking device. Common sense means locking the car and taking the keys with you.

Using a warning device or alarm is also an effective deterrent. The third layer encourages the use of an immobilizing device that will prevent the vehicle from being driven such as a smart key or fuel cut off. The fourth layer is the use of a tracking device that law enforcement officers can use to track and recover a stolen vehicle.

All roads lead to Paris from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 as the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile opens at the Paris Expo, Porte De Versailles. Just like in previous Paris Motor Shows, automakers from all over the globe will turn out in full force to reveal their latest brand new models and concept car designs. This year, the spotlights will be on the latest hybrid and alternative fuel cars competing with high-end luxury cars and exotics for the public’s attention. Companies from Audi to Toyota will unveil their hottest new models and show a glimpse of their future design directions.

European automakers will take the covers off their top new models. The French have a number of major launches up their sleeves including Citroen’s midsize C4 Picasso and futuristic C-Métisse concept car. Meanwhile, Citroen’s mother company Peugeot is hoping that its Epure and 908 RC concept cars will both be a success. Another French automaker, Renault, will show off its new Nepta, a cabriolet concept with motor driven gull wings, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and 420-hp direct-injection gasoline engine.

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The perennial best-seller, Ford F-Series pickup, along with the other best-selling pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado and the Dodge Ram staved off the very stiff competition from smaller cars with way better gas mileage, to remain at the top of Forbes’ list of the top selling cars for 2006.

The F-Series still lords it over all the other vehicles sold in the US this year although sales have fallen 13% down from 625,047 units by August of last year to 545,963 by the end of August this year. Meanwhile, sales of the other pickups in the top ten also tumbled; the top three pickups sold a combined 1.2 million units in the first eight months of 2006, down 8% or over 110,000 units from the 1.3 million US sales registered in the first eight months of 2004.

A telling sign is the conspicuous absence of any SUV or van in the list. Ford’s Explorer SUV, once ranked sixth in 2004 is now dropped from the list, having experienced a 31% decline in sales this year despite significant upgrades in luxury and refinement.

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Underscoring the excellent quality and safety of Toyota automobiles, the Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV recently earned top honors for side/front crash safety. The two Toyota vehicles dominated the other models evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Other models tested included the latest versions of the Dodge Caliber, Kia Optima, Lincoln Zephyr, and Hyundai Tucson SUV. All six vehicles garnered “good” or “acceptable” ratings in front crash tests. However, five of the six vehicles got a poor rating in rear-end collision protection. Only the Kia Optima got a good rating for rear crash safety though it was not tested for side impact crash. The tests involve crashing the vehicles into a barrier at a speed of 40 mph as well as hitting the vehicle from behind at 20 mph.

The vehicles with side air bags got the highest marks. This bodes well for the NHTSA’s mandate for industry-wide use of side airbags. Apparently, side air bags can save up to 1,200 lives in the US every year. However, side airbags remain as an option (priced at about $650) in most vehicles today. Only 38% of current vehicles come with standard side airbags, while another 30% offers the safety feature as an option.

Just in time for the opening of classes throughout the country, CNN Money recently released its selection of the seven best college cars. Choosing the best from today’s crop of new, low-priced car models is not an easy task. The team at CNN Money found that there is a surprising number of options available for the college student or the recent college grad even though they restricted their choices to cars with a starting base sticker price of below $16,000. CNN Money’s criteria for choosing the best college cars include great fuel economy, functionality and safety and size. Based on these, here are the seven best college cars according to CNN Money, ranked from the lowest to highest base price:

Nissan Versa - $12, 450

Scion xA - $12, 780

Dodge Caliber - $13,425

Ford Focus - $13,450

Mazda3 -$13, 710

Honda Fit - $13,850

Kia Sportage - $15,900

Source

Do you know what your favorite Hollywood Stars have been seen driving? Forbes.com recently featured a list of luxury cars that America’s celebrities own. With tons of money to burn, it’s not a surprise that the list is a veritable showcase of some of the most expensive cars today: with hybrid and horsepower as the main trends. The almost half a million price tag of the Mercedes Benz SLR Mclaren is no big deal for Britney Spears. Paris Hilton drives a Bentley Continental GT priced at $170,000. Meanwhile, superstars Julia Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio have opted for gas/electric hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, even though they can afford much more expensive cars. Here’s a list of some of the cars of the stars.

Luxury automakers have introduced a number of innovative features in the vehicles they roll out every year in the hopes of attracting more buyers. These range from a supercharged engine to plush leather interiors. Now, automakers are trying out new lighting effects and features to lure in more potential buyers. Some of the newest lighting effects include soft night lighting that aid passengers in finding controls, dropped items without fumbling for a switch. There are also lights fixed into the side mirrors of some vehicles that automatically turn on when a key fob near the vehicle.

Most of these innovative lighting systems are more on aesthetic rather than functional. Usually, lighting systems are standard equipment in vehicles while exterior lights are typically optional. Some of the luxury models offering new lighting systems and features are the Lexus GS and the Mercedes S-Class. The Lexus GS offers 18 lamps that light up different areas of the interior one after the other. Meanwhile, the Mercedes S-Class features a fiber-optic light strip that spans the dashboard and the doors.

The lights in the interior of the new Honda Civic SI glow read while the interiors of the Civic Coupe EX is blue-lit. The Saturn Vue Red Line lets owners choose from two personalized foot-well lighting colors: warm amber and cool blue. The new Dodge Caliber has a removable rear dome light that can double as a flashlight. Other light effects are a bit whimsical, like illuminated cup holders in the Subaru B9 Tribeca and red dashboard and center console illumination in Audis.

It’s a go for the Dodge Challenger concept. At the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, Florida, DaimlerChrysler is expected to announce its plans to build the production version of the sensational, retro-styled Dodge Challenger concept it debuted earlier this year in Detroit. The Dodge Challenger stole the show at this year’s NAIAS with its old-school looks, a dead ringer for the original 1970 Challenger and its exciting 425hp, V-8 engine.

The new Dodge Challenger will be built with the same basic chassis found on the Chrysler 300 and the popular Dodge Charger. The first new Dodge Challenger is expected by 2008. This could be a renaissance of sorts for muscle cars in the U.S. automotive scene; after the resounding success of the Ford Mustang, General Motors Corp. is expected to bring back the Chevrolet Camaro, another popular pony/muscle car.

When it comes to pricing, Chrysler’s sales and marketing exec, Joe Eberhardt, said that the new Dodge Challenger may be priced a little bit higher than the Ford Mustang, which is currently priced at $19,000 to $26,000.

Much has been said about the current financial crisis that America’s top automakers are experiencing. Sales continue its downward trend as demand for large and midsized SUV’s fall. May sales figures were down by 4.6% compared to last year. However, America’s automakers are producing much improved vehicle models generating a lot of buzz. There have been a number of exciting new sedans and coupes introduced such as the Saturn Sky and Ford Shelby GT500. Impressive new vehicle models have also come out from Detroit’s Big Three over the last few years.

To find out which among these new American vehicles are the best, BusinessWeek.com attempts to rank the newest domestic cars of 2006 according to reported reliability, government crash-safety ratings and total cost of ownership. Data were gathered from various sources such as Consumer Reports (Reliability), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Safety ratings) and Edmunds.com (total cost of ownership or TCO). TCO refers to the ownership expenses incurred over a five year time span including such costs as financing, taxes, maintenance, operating and depreciation costs. For this list, only cars with 2006 as the base model year were considered. Not all cars in the market were compared, however, due to the lack of complete safety and reliability data.

America’s best for 2006:

Small Car – Ford Focus

Sedan – Chevrolet Malibu

Wagon – Ford Focus Wagon

Minivan – Dodge Caravan

Small Truck – Dodge Dakota

Large Truck – Ford F-150

Luxury Sedan - Chrysler 300

Mid-Sized SUV - Jeep Grand Cherokee

Luxury SUV - Jeep Commander

Supercar/Exotic - Saleen S7

Hybrid - Ford Escape Hybrid

Coupe - Dodge Viper SRT10

Source: MSNBC