Honda Delivering 'Safety for Everyone'; GM Eying Market Share Three-peat; China Aiming at Japanese, Even U.S. Auto Markets; VW Planning New Crossover; Bentley Readying Sporty Sedan; and Mercury Counting on Monterey Minivan - on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, Nov. 3, 2003 -- Honda's built a reputation for solid, reliable cars and trucks. Now it wants to be known as the safety automaker, as well. Honda's opening a new safety research lab, and over the next three years will make a range of high-line features, such as rollover airbags and stability control standard on its various models. Turn to TheCarConnection.com for the complete story.

Mercury's new Monterey minivan follows an old formula. Will motorists accept this thinly-disguised remake of the new Ford Freestar? Take a test drive with TCC to find out. Then see why Hyundai's hot as we put the Elantra GT to the test. And go for a spin in the crisp and unexpectedly opulent Mazda3.

If you have trouble with Touareg, you're in for trouble when Volkswagen introduces its Sfero crossover. TheCarConnection has spy shots, as well as pics of Bentley's new, 500-horsepower super sedan.

Preview the upcoming Ford Escape HEV, a gasoline/electric hybrid SUV promising to deliver up to 40 mpg around town.

If you believe the rickshaw is the best way to get around Shanghai, think again. China's car sales have doubled over the last two years and are still increasing at a 50 percent annual pace. The populous nation's market should soon surpass that of China. Can the U.S. be far behind? Join TheCarConnection for a visit behind the Bamboo Curtain.

In other business news, see why General Motors thinks it can pull off a three-peat, the first time in decades it's had three consecutive increases in market share.

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