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The headline number for April new-cars sales is +20%. That figure represents the increase over last April, which you'll remember was a disaster of historic proportions. Still, the increase is another hopeful sign that, for the auto industry, the worst is now behind us. The pace of the recovery, however, is plodding. Volumes actually slipped a bit versus March, but the 11.5-million-unit annual sales rate still looks pretty decent compared to a year ago, when we were staring at a 9.5-million-unit year. No one is expecting a sudden downturn in the months ahead, so cautious optimism rules the day. - Joe Lorio

The headline number for April new-cars sales is +20%. That figure represents the increase over last April, which you'll remember was a disaster of historic proportions. Still, the increase is another hopeful sign that, for the auto industry, the worst is now behind us. The pace of the recovery, however, is plodding. Volumes actually slipped a bit versus March, but the 11.5-million-unit annual sales rate still looks pretty decent compared to a year ago, when we were staring at a 9.5-million-unit year. No one is expecting a sudden downturn in the months ahead, so cautious optimism rules the day. - Joe Lorioinline_mediumwraptextright0032728653/features/news/1005_2010_april_auto_sales1003_02_z+2010_buick_laCrosse_i-4+front_three_quarter_view.jpgtrue

Today was the fourth time I've driven on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the famously challenging, 13-mile racetrack in the Eifel Mountains of Germany. I had only two laps, but they were among the best I've had there, and they were in the unlikeliest of cars: the new 2011 Buick Regal. Yep, a Buick at the 'Ring. Who woulda thunk?inline_mediumwraptextright0027609932/reviews/driven/1004_2011_buick_regal2011-buick-regal-on-nurburgring-front.jpgtrue

Buick’s latest LaCrosse is one of the new General Motors’ best success stories. Sales of the nameplate have increased dramatically, and more than one-third of all buyers are new to the General Motors family. Better yet, transaction prices are up by a whopping $8500, despite the fact that sticker prices haven’t significantly increased.

Photo Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse I-4 – Buick Luxury Sedan Review – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse I-4 – Buick Luxury Sedan Review – Automobile Magazine

Although it's been eclipsed by the Genesis sedan and the forthcoming Equus, there's still room in Hyundai's lineup for a smaller, front-wheel-drive luxury sedan. To counter the likes of the Buick LaCrosse, Lexus ES350, and Toyota Avalon, Hyundai's gifted the Azera range with some modest updates for 2011.inline_mediumwraptextright32266788/features/news/1002_2011_hyundai_azera2011-hyundai-azera-front-motion.jpgTrue