Tumbling SUV Sales and Southern Manufacturing Plants Mopping Up; This Week on TheCarConnection.com,

DETROIT, Sept. 6 -- While they've plugged New Orleans' leaking levees, the Hurricane Katrina clean-up has barely begun. The human toll is devastating, but the impact of the storm is spreading and will have a huge impact on American auto buyers and manufacturers.

Plants were temporarily idled, hundreds of Gulf Coast dealers are closed indefinitely. And no one seems sure when the region's critical oil production and refining will resume.

This week, TheCarConnection.com takes an in-depth look at how Hurricane Katrina will affect the automotive world. With oil prices running record highs, could this bring the proverbial "tipping point" for sport-utility vehicles? Will Detroit be disproportionately affected, in the process toppling scores of suppliers into bankruptcy? Check out this week's special report.

As always, TheCarConnection's regular automotive coverage continues.

Take a high-speed spin through the Tuscan hillside as TCC tests the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage. James Bond never had it so good. Other reviews include the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab and Kia's Spectra SX.

Spy shots capture the 2007 Dodge Nitro SRT.

And if $3-a-gallon gasoline has you rethinking what you're driving, TheCarConnection can offer a helping hand. Check out the new guide to frugal motoring to see what are the most affordable cars and trucks on the market to buy, run and maintain.

Then find out from award-winning columnist Doug Flint how to get your mechanic to truly understand what you mean when you say your car is making that funny "chunk-ping" sound.

In business news, mega-supplier Delphi is inching steadily closer to Chapter 11. And outgoing Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche has some bold moves planned for a fast revival as he moves to take charge at Mercedes-Benz.

In TCC's new blog, TccConfidential, catch up on the Week-in-Reverse.

Let OnSite Mechanic solve your service problems. Find Kelley Blue Book pricing and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority, TheCarConnection.com.

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