GM recalls 258,000 SUVs for fire hazard

General Motors is recalling a family of SUVs, including the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Saab 9-7x, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender, after reports of 28 fires caused by short circuits in the power windows and locks. The recalled SUVs are from model years 2006 and 2007. In total, GM estimates 258,000 vehicles will need repairs.

Volume sales of plug-in Toyota Prius to begin in two years

Toyota will start leasing 150 of its Prius plug-in hybrids in the United States this winter and plans retail sales of tens of thousands in two years. The North American arrival, scheduled for around February, is part of a global rollout of 600 units. With a longer electric-only cruise range than the standard Prius, the plug-in is Toyota's answer to the Chevrolet Volt extended-range hybrid being launched next year by General Motors Co.

2010 Kia Forte: More goodies for a lower price

The new Forte replaces the Kia Spectra compact sedan for 2010. Kia's biggest seller gets new skin and a wider, longer version of the Hyundai Elantra platform for the 2010 model year but falls short in simple things such as the workings of shifters and clutches. Still, it's only $14,390 to start, and that includes Bluetooth, an iPod jack and three months of Sirius satellite radio.