In an industry that is suffering from plummeting sales and the push to improve their footprint upon the environment, the automotive industry is looking to recycled plastics to help cut costs and do their bit for the environment.

The automotive industry has long used recycled metals in production. But now, with costs rising in every facet of production, recycled plastics are a new offset that the industry can rely on to help keep them afloat. But recycling plastics isn’t as simple as recycling metal.

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New smart fortwo special edition packed with additions smart enthusiasts searching for that certain something extra need look no further than the exclusive smart fortwo special edition - limited two. Based on the popular 71bhp smart fortwo passion this special edition will be available in coupé and cabrio body styles when it goes on sale on 1st September 2008.

(Bob Lutz intro's the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid concept at an auto show).

We’ve written about the European car-makers being the first to bring the new “clean diesel” technology to the US in another post. Now, a look at the near-future of the Detroit Three and Japan’s two biggest car-makers, Toyota and Nissan.

Ford has announced a new strategy for selling small cars profitably in the United States, relying on improved quality, comfort and new cutting-edge technologies and not so much on trucks. Ford’s small Ka, very popular in Europe, is being shown in US TV spots from Ford. Ford’s all-new 2009 F-series trucks will come to market two months later than planned. Alan Mulally, the executive brought in from Boeing to run Ford, now says the company will remain unprofitable through 2009. Ford has announced a new division to manage the development of cutting-edge electronics technologies in a bid to win over younger car buyers.

Ford also said this week it will sell up to $500 million worth of new shares of stock to buy bonds from Ford Motor Credit. (2008 Jeep Commander).

At privately-held Chrysler, its next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2010 will be a unibody platform with  a new fuel-efficient V6 engine codenamed Phoenix. This makes sense for a great crossover, but serious 4x4 users will balk at the use of unibody technology for the most off-road-worthy vehicle available at a reasonable price. And don't even get me started on the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber ... All on the same platform, and all sorely needing separate personalities; haven't they learned anything from GM's 30-year experience selling the same cars and trucks under different names?

Bulletin: It doesn't work anymore.

LINK: DETROIT THREE GO GREEN; NISSAN, TOYOTA TOO 

We've already alerted you to the existence of Ronn Motor Company's new supercar, the Scorpion. Aside from its exotic looks, the Scorpion makes headlines for its innovative engine: a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.5L VTEC V6 from Acura that's augmented by a hydrogen fuel injection fuel system. Click for more article and shots...

Audi's A6 sedan and wagon get a new supercharged engine and a revised look for 2009.

Lighting and engines: two things Audi does well and with high technology. The revised 2009 A6 sedan and wagon will get new items from both categories. More Article and Pics Below ...

For more than a decade, Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival party has kicked off the Pebble Beach weekend in style. The event brings together the who's who of the automotive world, and guests are wined and dined alongside some of the world's most impressive machinery. Click for more...

 Click above to view video after the jump We received over a dozen tips about a hot video including a Lamborghini Gallardo (good start) and some aqueous material of the municipal kind, so we had to see the motion pictures for ourselves. We pictured a hot yellow Lambo crashing into a huge fountain, or some scantily clad young lady giving the Italian supercar a bath, but we got none of the above. Click through to see the Video...

Yes, this is a Porsche that is better with an automatic tranny.

We love manual transmissions in this office, so it's tough to admit that there is one of the vehicles in the fleet this week that would be better off with an automatic: the Porsche Cayenne GTS. More Below...