Go Paintless

The IIHS, an influential nonprofit group funded by insurance companies, wants to reduce the cost of claims and is a potent force in motivating manufacturers to build safer cars. After test crashes at their Video Research Center, the Institute airs slow-motion crash videos on national news and uses their web site to publish crash test ratings.

The primary purpose of portable navigation systems is to provide driving directions, but manufacturers are adding other features such as audio, video, photography and language guides. Most of the enhancements are for entertainment, supplementing AM/FM radios and CD players.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is trying to abate fears of a GM takeover by saying there is no plan to buy a stake in GM as a condition of the alliance proposal. Talk of a possible 30% control of GM stock that would allow Mr. Ghosn and Kirk Kerkorian to effectively take control of the company had raised concerns in the Detroit automotive world.