Testing Mercedes' G500, Unveiling New Shelby Cobra GT500, Visiting Amelia Island Concours, Lutz Blaming the Media, Touring the New York Auto Show, and is GM Chopping Pontiac and Buick? This Week on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, March 28 -- The last of the season's big auto shows is now open to the public, and more than a million New Yorkers are expected to stream through the turnstiles at the Jacob Javits Center to view all the new cars, trucks, concepts and crossovers on display, including Ford's hot new Shelby Cobra GT500, Cadillac's XLR-V roadster, the edgy Nissan Sports Concept and the blisteringly fast Dodge Charger SRT-8.

Why fight traffic and crowds, when you can find complete show coverage on TheCarConnection.com?

The NY International Auto Show, along with the industry showcases in Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago and Geneva, spotlighted more than 170 new production and concept vehicles. That record roll-out may explain why times are so tough for Detroit's Big Three. And as TheCarConnection reports in this week's issue, things are likely to get worse, before they get better, for General Motors.

See why one senior executive is hinting one or more troubled GM divisions -- perhaps Pontiac, perhaps Buick -- could be abandoned.

But who's to blame for General Motors' problems? See why GM's "car czar," Bob Lutz, is aiming his abuse at the media.

What was hot, what was not in New York? Here's a hint: everyone loved the Cobra, but what was Donald Trump doing there?

Drive the new CR-V and G500, pick a new minivan and take in the best of the Amelia Island Concours -- it's all here this week at TheCarConnection.com.

Gas prices are up again, but TCC reports the big hikes may be over. Then see how automakers and California regulators are working up a deal that could result in fuel economy improvements.

In other business news, DaimlerChrysler is tuning up its factories for the launch of new mid-size products.

This week's spy shot captures the 2006 BMW M3, a 400-hp monster.

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

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