Daimler plans to offer a pilot Smart car rental program in Texas

With Smart's U.S. sales continuing to drop dramatically, Daimler AG is launching a pilot program in Austin, Texas, for short-term rental of the micro car. The program, called car2go, would allow registered users to pick up an available Smart, use it for as long as needed, and return it to designated locations in the city.

Saab fans gather outside GM headquarters

The 60-plus-year history of Saab may come to an inglorious end in the next few days if General Motors and Dutch supercar maker Spyker--or perhaps a dark-horse bidder--fail to reach an agreement to save the iconic Swedish maker of premium cars. But the potential death of yet another GM brand raised some voices of dissension--and passion--as a crowd of about 30 Saab enthusiasts braved temperatures in the 20s and snow flurries to show their support for Saab at a gathering near GM's global headquarters in downtown Detroit. The event was organized by the Ryan Emge, editor of a Saab.History.com, and was part car show, part rally and part family gathering.

Maserati, Alfa Romeo SUVs could use Jeep Grand Cherokee platform

Chrysler and Fiat are exploring additional models, including Maserati and Alfa Romeo SUVs, derived from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said Monday. The Grand Cherokee “architecture has legs. It's important for us to tap all of the hard work that has gone on inside Chrysler on the new Grand Cherokee,” Marchionne said during a conference call to discuss Chrysler's third-quarter earnings.