DETROIT - The February issue of Motor Trend contains our fourth annual Power List of the 50 most influential men and women in the car business. For the first time since we launched the Power List in 2005, Rick Wagoner, General Motors' CEO and chairman, is first. We chose Wagoner for the top position because he's leading GM's turnaround, largely by fostering much improved new cars and trucks. Wagoner told Gavin Green in a June 2006 interview with Motor Trend that GM would defend its position as the world's largest automaker (by car/truck sales volume), and that he didn't relish losing the position to Toyota. "I'm a competitive guy," Wagoner told Gavin Green in the June 2006 issue of Motor Trend, "I don't like losing at anything." As of early January 2008, the race between GM and Toyota for first place in '07 appears to be very close. I interviewed Wagoner last month in anticipation of the 2008 Power List. I didn't tell Wagoner where he would be on the list.

Swiss Porsche tuner Rinspeed has worked its magic on the Porsche Cayenne, creating what must be the ultimate soccer mom (or soccer dad) ride. Given the "X-treme" moniker, this worked-over Cayenne features its biggest changes in the styling department, with a few tweaks to improve handling as well.

General Motors has officially announced its long-rumored 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode hybrid set to hit the automaker's stand at the upcoming Detroit auto show. The crossover will be the first front-drive vehicle to use the GM's 2 Mode hybrid technology, which was first launched on its full-size SUVs. The 2 Mode hybrid system, which was co-developed with BMW and the former DaimlerChrysler, also features regenerative braking, engine idle off, electric-only operation at low speeds (unspecified, but likely to be around 30 mph as is the case with the rear-drive system), and efficient accessory systems including electric power steering. There's also no traditional reverse gear -- all reversing operations are powered by the electric motors.

The first automaker to put V-8s in popularly priced cars may be the first to take them away. Ford Motor Company is investing--big--into gas turbocharged direct-injection engines, says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for global product development (Ford's Bob Lutz). Ford plans to build a half million vehicles per year with the engine technology in five years.

BMW's 1 Series-based, kids-meal size crossover isn't due to arrive until sometime in 2010, but a prototype in traditional BMW urban camouflage has been caught on camera by industrious spy shooters.The X1 does not seem to be far removed from the European-market five-door hatch variant of the 1 Series .

Car loan calculators help you to see what the monthly cost will be for your new or used car purchase. You can find them online and they come with buy or lease options. They can help you determine how much car you can buy so the payments will fall within your budget.

There are a ton of warning signs that warn against purchasing a vehicle. Things that could affect the value of the car include: a rebuilt title, which makes the car decrease in value by thirty percent; uneven tire wear on all of the tires, which is a sign of a big problem or a possible wreck; problem title cars that have been in a fire, flood, or have a junk or salvage title; disk brakes that are rusty, which may indicate that the car has been flooded or has been sitting for a lengthy amount of time; and variations in the paint thickness.

There are a ton of different types of auto auctions taking place all over the country, and the bargains must be there or auctions wouldn't be as popular as they are today. Finding a good auto auction depends on what you are looking for, as well as when you are available to attend the auction.

I have always purchased my cars used. And each time, I got a great deal. Don't think I counted on luck, though - no siree. There are a few "musts" for making sure you don't end up drinking "lemon"-ade. Spending a little time now may save you serious money later. Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but don't ignore safety.

Negotiating a good deal can be very profitable when you buy a car. Being a good negotiator doesn't have to be difficult. And when you consider that negotiating will almost always get you a better deal, you'll be more inclined to try it. When you are trying to negotiate with a car dealer, you're dealing with an expert. You will need to know how to get through their "car speak" in order to be successful. Once you learn to calculate your offer and know what the dealer paid for it, you should get a copy of the paperwork from a friend that recently bought a car, so that you can become familiar with what you will see on your paperwork. They are all generally the same. If you've followed these tips, and are pre-approved for a loan, you must next focus on getting in and out of the dealership as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the salesman will certainly find more loopholes to hike up your costs if you stay. Here are a few tips to successful negotiating.