There’s no denying that cars have swollen in size over the past 10 years. While crash standards are often pointed to as one of the many reasons for the auto industry’s apparent thyroid problem, the truth is that few things contribute to the overall size of a vehicle quite like consumer demand. Here in the good old U.S. of A., buyers are driven by the mantra that bigger is better, and according to a Consumer Reports article, that may be because American drivers weigh more now than they ever have before.

The report says that obesity has grown by 1.1 percent in this country in the three years from 2007 to 2009, and that the number of states that have an obesity rate of 30 percent or more has tripled in that time period. That’s a problem, sure, but what does it have to do with the auto industry? Consumer Reports cites a study from a nonprofit called Resources for the Future that claims that a 10 percent increase in obese drivers from 1999 to 2005 contributed to a reduction in the average fuel economy of in-demand vehicles by as much as 2.5 percent. While people were piling on the pounds, demand for large vehicles such as trucks and SUVs climbed in unison. 

Over at Consumer Reports, Liza Barth takes a look at the year that has passed since the car crash that killed an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and his family in San Diego kicked off the long, often confusing saga of safety defects and Toyota and Lexus recalls. So what has the past year meant for Toyota, and the issue of safety recalls for the auto industry at large? According to Barth's post:

"Since last fall, Toyota dealers have serviced over half of all recalled vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting investigations into Toyota safety and operations, having fined the company for failing to report problems in a timely fashion. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate grilled the company in a string of televised hearings that added more insights to the unfolding story. Even Consumers Union weighed in and spoke before Congress, calling for significant changes in automotive safety."

 

Man's best friend can turn into man's biggest annoyance if you spend a lot of time in the wrong car with your dog. Try driving cross-country with a hyperactive Australian cattle dog like mine, pictured, if you don't believe me. Yes, our canine companions have their own needs, and some cars deal with four-legged passengers better than others.

With 45 million American households home to one or more dogs, and with many owners regularly taking their pet for a ride, having the right transportation for the task can save you some headaches. In that spirit, AAA has released its list of vehicles best-suited to keeping your dog safe, comfortable and happy. Check out its list after the jump. 

Kia Motors America and its suppliers are reviewing their manufacturing processes to track down what caused one driver to lose all steering ability in a two-month-old 2010 Kia Soul.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it had opened a preliminary investigation into the issue after it received one complaint from an owner of an almost-new Kia Soul who said the steering shaft decoupled from the steering wheel and then fell onto the driver's side floor in a way that interfered with the brake pedal.

The investigation could affect more than 51,000 Kia Soul vehicles, NHTSA said.

 

Most midgrade gasoline, midgrade performance cars are a dubious proposition. Models from the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart to Acura’s defunct Type-S editions cost thousands more than regular versions but don’t deliver enough "oomph" to justify the extra whack to your wallet. Even worse are the skin-deep packages, once notorious on Detroit cars, in which garish stripes, boastful badges or fake scoops distract you from the fact that there’s nothing more than a team of gerbils under the hood.

There have been successes, though. The recent Ford Mustang Bullitt was a sinister winner, and the Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi is a smart upgrade choice for that muscle car.

I’m happy to report another rollicking exception to the midgrade rule in the BMW 335is. For people who can’t afford an M3 -- and doesn’t that describe most of us? -- but who do want something hotter than an already formidable 335i, the 335is is an honest car at an honest price.

 

Continued news for the domestics: Ford's Lincoln Mercury and GM's Buick lead the 17th annual American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Those two brands pulled in scores of 89 and 88, respectively, from a possible 100 points. Trailing behind them were perennial quality leaders BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as another GM brand, Cadillac. All three were tied with a score of 86. 

Ford is giving a $50 Ford gift card to buyers of the 2011 Ford Fiesta who have had to wait longer than expected for their vehicles to be delivered.

Ford spokeswoman Angie Kozleski confirmed that the company was giving the MasterCard gift cards to customers who ordered the new Fiesta, calling it “a token of our appreciation for their patience.”

Ford couldn't disclose how many cards it is distributing, but said retail customers who reserved or placed an order for the new Fiesta would receive one.

 

I'm back in Los Angeles now after a whirlwind five days at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. I got to cover both MSN Autos' People's Choice winner, Andrew Pusker of London and his amazing 1961 Ferrari GT SWB Spyder California Scaglietti Convertible (pictured at left) and the 1933 Delage D86 De Villars Roadster that took home the coveted Best in Show trophy. I also spent a day at the Concorso Italiano, covering the small-but-mighty Fiat, and don't forget to check out James Tate's excellent piece on the Concours' top motorcycles (photos of some of which I posted here.)

If you just want some more cool shots of cars (do you? I haven't seen any comments either way, save one from @Had it in CA), this time, it's fewer 1920s and 1930s road monsters and more classic hot rods, racers and performance models. So enjoy; or not -- I can't make all the decisions around here.