Carmakers

For the first time, Volkswagen edges out Toyota as the world's biggest car maker.

The opening of the L.A. auto show comes at an interesting time; the market for cars in the U.S. has rebounded even as the broader economic recovery continues at a painfully slow pace.

Last month, Peugeot secured a $9 billion lifeline from the French government to stay out of bankruptcy. In return, French politicians want the struggling company keep jobs, not cut them.

Carmakers in Europe are seeing plunging sales and rising costs -- sound familiar? Will European automakers rebound like their U.S. competitors?

Despite higher gas prices, demand remains strong for SUV's.