Toyota says it is recalling approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Avalons because the vehicle's steering lock bar could break.

Toyota says there was improper casting of the steering lock bar. That defect creates the possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface.

Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.

New cars sales in Colorado were up 15 percent for the past three months compared to the same period last year. Some of the big winners were Buick and GMC -- both up sharply.

Read more atcbs4denver.com

Denver-area gasoline prices continued their slow decline for a fourth week, despite an uptick in average prices nationwide, according to the American Automobile Association’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Denver is $2.598, down 0.6 cents from a week ago and down 4.7 cents from four weeks earlier.

As of Monday, mid-grade gas in Denver averages $2.779 a gallon, and premium gas is $2.904 -- both prices down 0.6 cents from a week ago. But diesel is $2.923, up 0.2 cents from the previous Monday.

General Motors is getting into the subprime lending business. And that means taxpayers are, too.

But these car loans aren't as risky as you might think.

GM, majority owned by taxpayers, is buying a company that makes car loans to shoppers with poor credit. Unlike home loans, though, the risk in subprime auto lending is relatively low and may reward GM. The company hopes to boost sales by making loans and leases to buyers that it must now turn away for lack of financing.

Ford Motor Co. posted a strong second-quarter profit Friday.

The automaker surprised Wall Street, making $2.6 billion in the quarter as it continued to grab sales from rivals.

It was Ford's fifth straight quarterly profit.

Ford has gained market share in the U.S. from Toyota Motor Corp., which was hurt by a series of safety recalls, and General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, who were tainted in some buyers' eyes for accepting federal bailout money last year.
 

With plenty of summer driving ahead, gas prices have declined for a third week.

Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Denver is $2.60, down 1.5 cents from a week ago and down 4.1 cents from three weeks earlier.

Read more: Denver Business Journal
 

Toyota plans to open several new product quality field offices, including one in Denver to study high-altitude performance and SUV models.

The new facilities are to be staffed by technical and engineering specialists. A San Francisco office is to open this month; that office will focus on hybrid vehicle systems and durability.

Toyota knew two years ago about the engine problem behind its latest Lexus recall, even changing the spring part to correct it, but did not think a recall was warranted until recently, a company official said Tuesday.

Toyota Motor Corp. started Monday a global recall over engine defects in its Lexus luxury models sold around the world, as well as the Crown sold in Japan, moving to repair some 270,000 vehicles to replace valve springs - crucial engine components that are flawed and could cause vehicles to stall.

It's the end of an era: Ford has announced that it is permanently discontinuing its Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car models, effectively ending the long-declining reign of the big American highway cruiser.

The announcement was not a complete surprise, as high gas prices and the ongoing struggles facing the American car industry have forced both cars to take an increasingly low profile.

The news is having a surprisingly strong effect on the American psyche, especially in New York, where the cars remain a mainstay.

Toyota is dealing with another recall issue, this time with Lexus. Toyota said its recalling 17,000 Lexus HS 250 hybrid models because U.S. government tests show they could leak fuel in a rear-end crash.

Toyota also said it will halt sales of all HS 250 hybrids while it searches for a remedy to the problem.

In a recall notice Friday NHTSA said the defect in the Lexus hybrid could result in a fire during a rear-end collision. Toyota says its confident it can fix the problem.