Markets point higher ahead of negotiations aimed to avoid the fiscal cliff.
The Motor Trend honor doesn't always mean increased car sales.
GM and Ford miss analyst expectations for the month while Hyundai and Nissan report losses as the superstorm takes a toll.
The industry is on pace for annualized sales of around 14.7 million this year, experts say.
Car and truck sales in the US beat analyst expectations for August. Higher gas prices pushed more buyers into dealerships in search of fuel-efficient models.
GM and Ford miss expectations but still sell enough to keep the industry on pace for 14 million units sold this year.
Stocks pare earlier losses after new European easing measures and signs of improvement in the US labor market.
Detroit's Big 3 blow away analysts' estimates as consumers respond to new models and low interest rates on car loans.
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
TOP STOCKS
All hail the bull market, which ended the week with a big rally. But it also is starting to look a little like 1987, which suffered an epic blow-out.
MARKET DISPATCHES
The Market Dispatches column has been discontinued. Here's where to find the latest stock and business news on MSN Money, and the latest from market writer Charley Blaine.
FRUGAL COOL
Starting Monday, this site is joining forces with MSN Money Smart Spending. Here's why.
MONEY & POLITICS
Breaking up big banks is an untested solution to the too big to fail problem that attempts to isolate and dismantle large, troubled institutions while protecting the rest of the economy.
SMART SPENDING
Money lessons are where you find them. Use these tips to live long and prosper.
SMART TAXES
The IRS is struggling to combat identify thieves who file fraudulent tax returns in the names of older residents who don't need to file.

