General Motors, Ford and Chrysler satisfied American automotive lust for decades -- until Japanese automakers began to dominate the market. What do companies like Toyota, Subaru and Hyundai do differently? See more »

Designing a car is tougher than it looks -- pencil and paper just won't cut it these days. Computer-aided design (CAD) software makes the job easier, but will it eventually replace human automotive designers? See more »

The third-generation Toyota Prius is in dealer showrooms right now. Has Prius engineering really changed much over the years? If so, what are the updates? See more »

You're probably aware that modern auto manufacturers use lots of plastic in the production process. But do you know the reasons why they use plastics? Or how they do it? See more »

Interior car panels cover wiring and motors, protect windows and keep you safe during impact. How are these panels constructed and installed? See more »

Have you ever wondered how cars get from the production plant to your local dealership? Believe it or not, there's an entire industry devoted to getting them there. See more »

If you've ever driven a brand new car, then you may have noticed how smoothly it runs and how everything is in working order. But how are vehicles fine-tuned to give you that new car experience? See more »

Automotive paint finishes do more than boost aesthetics; they also protect the rest of the car. What goes into applying a vehicle's finish before it gets to you? See more »

The metal cutting tools and techniques used by automakers require both precision and speed. But how do auto manufacturers maintain that balance? And what are the tools (and tricks) of the trade? See more »

Man's ability to form metal into useful shapes dates back thousands of years; however, over the last century our metal-forming technologies have dramatically improved. Modern cars are proof of that. See more »