Ford Fighting Fuel Price Worries With New Escape Hybrid; Caddy Remaining Focused on Performance With XLRv and Super-CTSv, Toyota Out-Earning Everyone, and Ways to Stop Your Worrying With Some Summertime Cruising: This Week on TheCarConnection.

DETROIT, May 17, 2004 -- Gas prices are surging just in time for Memorial Day Weekend -- how high will they go? This week inside TheCarConnection.com, get a sense of what's happening at the pumps.

And see what $41-a-barrel petroleum means for inflation. Some fear soaring gas prices could crush the recovery in car sales? So why is Ford CEO Bill Ford happy to see the numbers spinning at the pump? Find the answer in this week's Industry Report.

Then take a spin in the new Escape Hybrid. Is this really the no- compromise SUV Ford claims? And is this gasoline-electric sport-ute the high-mileage solution that will help the SUV survive as petroleum prices soar to record levels? Check TCC for the review and more.

Some motorists don't care how much they pay for fuel as long as they've got the horsepower under the hood. Get a look at two of the top-performers coming to the Cadillac catalogue. TheCarConnection's spies have captured shots of both the supercharged, 400-hp XLRv, and the 500-hp Super-CTSv.

Audi's going for the best of both worlds with its S4 Cabriolet. Complacent outside, torrid inside -- and the top goes down.

And get a preview of the 2005 Ford Focus. It's all about fixing the niggles.

In business news, Carl Sagan would have fun reporting the latest developments at Toyota, where profits shot to a jaw-dropping $10 billion.

Meanwhile, Toyota's opening an all-new design center in Michigan. See why the Japanese automaker has set up shop in the shadow of the Big Three.

Summertime, summertime -- planning on cruising? Here's a list of great car classic events to enjoy while the weather's warm.

Stay on top of the latest news, trends, tips and bargains with TheCarConnection's free newsletters: including Daily Edition, named Best-of-the-Web in the International Automotive Media Awards.

Let OnSite Mechanic solve your service problems. Find Kelley Blue Book pricing and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com . Web users also can access TheCarConnection through the PR Newswire site www.prnewswire.com .