Spy Shots: '06 Mazda Miata and Buick Lucerne; Going Green With Challenge Bibendum; Power Reveals Who Has the Most APEAL; Testing Suzuki's New Reno and Lincoln's 'Ultimate' Navigator; GM Slips Again - and More on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, Oct. 18, 2004 -- A sulfurous pall hangs over Shanghai as Challenge Bibendum rolls into town. China may have the world's fastest- growing car market, but it's also facing some serious problems from auto- related smog, traffic fatalities and petroleum imports. The Challenge brought to China more than 150 high-tech vehicles that could solve many of these problems. TheCarConnection.com was there and has extensive coverage of the global event.

There's an all-new Miata coming in 2006, but why wait? TCC captures spy shots of the next-generation Mazda roadster, along with exclusive pics of the '06 Buick Lucerne.

To bling or not to bling -- what's up with that, yo? Even if you're not a hip-hopper, you'll want to get a look at the Lincoln Navigator Ultimate to see why this big SUV is back in fashion with the bling-bling crowd. Then TCC test drives the '05 Nissan Titan King Cab, and the new Suzuki Reno.

Who makes the most APEAL-ing products on the market today? We'll give you a hint. Lexus captures top honors in the latest J.D. Power study. The rest of the results could catch you by surprise.

What would the GOP and Democratic presidential candidates do with the auto industry? TheCarConnection examines the Kerry and Bush platforms for an inside look at election 2004.

In business news: weak third-quarter earnings and big cutbacks at General Motors have analysts worrying and have led to a cut in GM's credit rating. Curmudgeon-at-large Jerry Flint sees big trouble in Germany. And in this week's industry report, check out what Ford claims to be the world's cleanest internal combustion engine.

In this week's TCC Tip, get a helping hand that could save you big bucks when it's time to get your car insured.

Let OnSite Mechanic solve your service problems. Find Kelley Blue Book pricing and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com.

Sign up for TCC's free newsletters, including the award-winning Daily Edition. And check out TheCarConnection's new RSS feed. It's also free -- and easy.

Web users also can access TheCarConnection through the PR Newswire site http://www.prnewswire.com/ .