The automotive world is now being led by a beetle. For the first time ever, German automaker Volkswagen-Porsche is the world's largest automaker, dropping former No. 1 Toyota into second place by a hair.

Production has been halted for the Ford Taurus due to a labor strike. A strike involving workers in India has forced Ford to close down a plant in the US for one week.

Federal authorities arrested a former Ford employee on October 14th for stealing trade secrets from Ford Motor Company. Xiang Don Yu (47), also known as Mike Yu was arrested when he entered the US from China at the Chicago International Airport.

There have been some amazing advances in technology in the auto industry. From the ability to have a bluetooth connection or the production of hybrid cars, things have certainly progressed from the old Model T. However, there have been many cars that stand out over the years because they are just plain ugly. Here 10 ugly cars that really take the prize.

Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed the Cash For Clunkers program, which aims to spend one billion dollars to stabilize the U.S. car market. As Cash for Clunkers Program details are emerging, new car buyers may see $4,500 dollar government incentives for the purchase of their new cars.

According to CNN the U.S. Supreme Court gave its "go ahead" for Chrysler Fiat deal to go ahead.

One of the largest auto parts supplies Visteon announced bankruptcy and filing for Chapter 11. Visteon say it's entities outside the U.S. will be unaffected and the company will continue to operate throughout the bankruptcy restructuring process.

Shanghai, May 25 (Gasgoo.com) From the beginning of 2009, China’s central and local governments unveiled a wide ranges of support package for the automotive industry, reviving the "pillar industry" amid the lingering global financial crisis. Automotive engines, regarded as the "heart" of the automobile, have undergone a period of impressive development in past few years.

In an SEC filing Monday, General Motors said it will cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs by next year nad phase out its Pontiac brand (as was leaked over the weekend). This is all part of the restructuring plan GM just have in place by June 1st as part of the administration's requirements for further lifelines.

Reports say hundreds of thousands of workers in the U.S. auto industry and auto parts manufacturing are looking for new careers because of layoffs. At the same time, there is a growing shortage of nurses in the health care field. Therefore, the former auto workers receive nursing training by getting various types of nursing degrees.

The White House first pushed out GM's Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, than said neither GM nor Chrysler have submitted acceptable plans to receive more bailout money, setting up what could be the end of the line for the two auto giants.

As the economy tanks, there are businesses out there that are finding that they are getting more business than usual. One of these businesses in particular is the auto repair business sector. Why are they getting so much business nowadays? There are no cars being shipped off the lot and more and more people are sticking with the cars that they currently have.