What is it?

Chevrolet is asking its 3,000 dealers to prepare for the late September launch of the Chevrolet Cruze compact by purchasing competitors’ vehicles for test-drive comparisons.

In today’s News Brake: Government regulators redesign the fuel-economy label, Smart car sales drop 70 percent in the United States, and Chrysler unveils plans for Fiat franchises . . . But Wait, There’s More!

BMW is getting ready to launch its next-generation compact SUV, the X3, and it will ride–as most BMWs and Minis sold today–on run-flat tires. Of all the companies producing cars today, BWM has embraced run-flat technology like no other.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I came away really impressed with the attention to detail Audi invested in the A4 Avant. I’ll admit, part of that is the S line trim, but with that package, this is such a stellar wagon front to rear.

BMW will concentrate on small crossovers next year with a redesigned X3 and the all-new X1. Both are based on the redesigned 3-series sedan, which will arrive in 2012.

What is it?

Chevrolet is asking its 3,000 dealers to prepare for the late September launch of the Chevrolet Cruze compact by purchasing competitors’ vehicles for test-drive comparisons.

In today’s News Brake: Government regulators redesign the fuel-economy label, Smart car sales drop 70 percent in the United States, and Chrysler unveils plans for Fiat franchises . . . But Wait, There’s More!

BMW is getting ready to launch its next-generation compact SUV, the X3, and it will ride–as most BMWs and Minis sold today–on run-flat tires. Of all the companies producing cars today, BWM has embraced run-flat technology like no other.