Just last week, General Motors announced plans to speed up repayment of billions in loans from the U.S. government. Technically, the company's fast-track, $1 billion-per-quarter payback schedule doesn't kick in until December, but GM is getting a head start on things by returning $140 million right now. The cash comes from a $2.5 billion loan GM was given to pay suppliers, though we're not entirely sure how much of that -- if any -- is included in the $6.7 billion GM owes the U.S. government. GM credits the repayment to shrinking demand from suppliers and the company's improved bottom line. For us, however, the bottom line is that the...

If you're one of the 33.2 million Americans planning to drive to grandma's, the in-laws, or the local outlet mall this Thanksgiving/Black Friday holiday, be prepared for three things: lots of traffic, lewd postprandial stories from Uncle Ted, and unpleasant numbers at the pump. Gas prices have ticked down a couple of cents in recent weeks, but at roughly $2.64 per gallon, they're far above last Thanksgiving's $1.92 average. And unfortunately, because oil is traded in increasingly weaker U.S. dollars, crude prices (and subsequently gas prices) will move increasingly higher over the winter. So, um, happy holidays? [USAToday]

The next-generation version of the Suzuki Swift, due out next year, isn't quite a sure thing for the U.S. market; but we've been told it's been engineered this time with federal regulations in mind. If the 2011 Suzuki Swift does come to these shores, it would take on the growing segment of sporty subcompacts, including the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Mazda2, and 2011 Volkswagen Polo.

But might it be coming early? Heard of a 2010 Suzuki Swift x? We haven't, and we'll bet most U.S. Suzuki dealerships haven't either.

It's easy to get confused. If you value fuel economy and are browsing through the EPA's fuel economy ratings, whether on...