Sometimes certain types of cars become popular not because they're practical, efficient, perform well, or even make sense. Sometimes it's pure demographics. That's the conclusion of Erich Merkle, head U.S. sales analyst at Ford Motor Company. We caught up with Merkle on a recent visit to New York City to get his take on what's ahead for the auto industry.

General Motors announced today that it is sending the Chevrolet Avalanche—our Top Pick among pickups three out of the last four years—out to pasture. The versatile truck will soldier on for one final year in 2012 with a new 2013 Black Diamond edition, which will feature body-colored sail panels and bed cover, some additional equipment, and lower price.

The arrival of spring and warmer weather means the start of the trailering season for many drivers, as families break out their boats, campers, and other outdoor gear after a long winter. But before you hitch up and go, it's important to think safety, both in terms of maintenance and once you're on the road.

Car commercials have long used music, imagery, and messaging to create brand awareness and drive sales. In our busy world, striking the right emotional chord can make a lasting emotional impact that can influence consumer decisions, but as with the case of the latest Ram pickup truck ad, they don't often hold up to scrutiny.

Ram knows that full-sized pickup trucks see a wide variety of buyers and uses. That's evident in some of the detail changes they made to the 2013 Ram 1500, unveiled this week at the New York auto show.

As gasoline prices continue to climb, the cliché "pain at the pump" is being thrown around with great frequency. But, how much pain is it really? Inspired by anecdotal complaints of drivers boasting of wallet-denting fill-ups, we crunched the data to see what the most expensive tanks are to fill, and we found more than 20 vehicles go beyond the $100 mark.

Despite seeming innovative in 2004 when it was launched, the Titan never really caught on with pickup truck buyers. The Titan brought a punchy and refined powertrain, large four-door cabin, relatively agile handling, a pre-sprayed bed, and a damped tailgate. But sales were lagging expectations and a host of reliability problems plagued it in the first few years.

Gasoline prices continue to climb, steadily approaching record highs well in advance of summer. As consumers look to ease their pain at the pump, the difference between the most and least fuel-efficient cars is coming into sharp focus. We ran the numbers and, depending on which model you choose, found that the annual fuel cost difference can be staggering.

Over the last several days, there have been numerous automotive announcements related to compressed-natural gas (CNG). This energy source is abundant and affordable in the United States, it can be used in existing vehicles with relatively few modifications, and it contributes to reduced reliance on foreign oil as much as electric vehicles. Various automakers have lately revealed CNG-compatible trucks. Why now? There are several good reasons, led by product scheduled to take advantage lower fuel prices and potential federal incentives.

Taking a design cue from audio systems of more than a half-century ago, Ford is adding radio volume and tuning knobs to the version of MyFord Touch being introduced on its high-end Super Duty pickup trucks for 2013.

Natural gas may be the next fuel in the country’s portfolio of alternatives to combat dependence on foreign oil. General Motors announced today that it will begin taking orders for new bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) versions of its ¾-ton Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.

Å small number—just over 200—Honda Ridgeline pickup trucks are being recalled by America Honda Motor Co. According to the U.S. National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, those 2011 and 2012 model year pickups have incorrect information regarding their spare tires, which could lead to tire failure and cause a crash.

Lincoln’s performance during today’s press conference (see “2012 Detroit auto show: Will a new MKZ be enough to revive Lincoln?”) clearly showed that company knows it has a problem and seems to be committed to righting the listing ship.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety alert for 2011 and 2012 model year Ford F-series pickup trucks equipped with flawed automatic transmission interlocks. Drivers can shift the affected Ford trucks from "Park" into gear without stepping on the trucks' brakes, increasing the risk of collisions and possibly injuring nearby pedestrians.

General Motors is recalling about 5,220 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Certain models in both 2012 compact truck lines have faulty electronics that may not warn of incompletely latched seat belts which will fail to protect drivers during collisions.