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Bad day in the design dome
I still remember going into the design dome at the Chrysler tech center in Auburn Hills to see the upcoming 2006 Dodge Charger. The recently introduced Chrysler 300 was a sensation; the Dodge Magnum was a ballsy station wagon. Now there would be a sedan. There had been a Dodge Charger R/T concept car, back in 1999, that was very promising, its styling inspired by the excellent '68-'70 model. But when Chrysler design boss Trevor Creed pulled the drape off the production Charger, I could only think, "What happened?"

The stagnant economy and continuing supply difficulties for some key Japanese players made July a torpid month for new-car sales. Deliveries were up by only 1% versus 2010, compared to 7% in June. Stubbornly high unemployment may have kept individuals out of dealerships, and general economic anxiety -- highlighted by the debt-ceiling circus -- may have reduced buying by businesses, hurting pickup sales.

You'll come for the sultry good looks, but you'll stay for the excellent steering. The Giulietta's tiller has a natural, well-weighted, and precise feel that bests just about everything in the compact segment with the possible exception of the Ford Focus.