Economic crisis has small car sales making a U-turn

Sales of small cars have taken the wildest ride in the auto business this year — first up, then down — and the gyrations may not be finished.Though gas prices tumbled, some automakers are trying to juice sales of fuel-thrifty economy cars by slashing starting prices to less than $10,000.Small-car sales doubled during the first half of the year as gas topped $4 a gallon. By the end of November, sales levels had tumbled 63% from the peak. Even with the drop, the segment is holding up better than... Full Story