This Automotive Podcast Won't Try and Sell You the Undercoating

The car buying process remains one of the most painful parts of owning a vehicle, but new efforts by dealers could improve that, even if the laws governing the industry are extremely antiquated.

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But in China, an airline is looking to sell cars to travelers, during flights. That won't fly with a growing number of owners who are hanging on to their vehicles for a long, long time -- out of love.

One market that has engendered loyalty has been the small-pickup market, though most auto makers have abandoned the segment. Now they are looking to get back in. One way to make those vehicles more appealing might be to put diesel engines, which ExxonMobile predicts will be the dominant fuel in only seven years.

How long?

Meanwhile, electric and hybrid vehicle sales continue to grow, but the environmental impact is probably more significant than most people think.

Sensors are increasingly moving into vehicles and assessing and communicating with drivers. One company -- Automatic -- has a low-cost gadget to add that functionality to most modern cars.

Commuting time is one metric that potential home owners should consider and a new site provides a realistic look to shoppers.

Finally, Jeff Gordon gives a car dealer a scare, and we debate whether its real.