Blizzard aside, automakers hit record revenues in January, while consumers paid near-record amounts for the vehicles they purchased. New vehicle buyers paid a collective $38 billion last month, the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year gains, according to tracking firm TrueCar. And while average transaction prices also jumped, they fell a bit short of the previous record, analysts noted. “Growing transaction prices reflect growing consumer preference in trucks and SUVs,” said Tim Fleming, an analyst with Kelley Blue Book.  “Consideration in thse segments also is helped by the country’s lowest gas prices since 2009, a trend which is expected to last …

Two E. coli outbreaks linked to Chipotle restaurants "appear to be over," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The first, larger outbreak hit 55 people in 11 states, with Washington having the most cases, the CDC says. The second outbreak, which was caused by a different strain of E. coli, infected five people in Oklahoma, Kansas and North Dakota. The CDC says it last received a report of an illness related to the outbreaks on Dec. 1.

Avocados from Mexico is back at the Super Bowl this year with a hilarious spot that even has a very brief cameo by Scott Baio. In the ad, a group of aliens stroll around a "Museum of Earthly Wonders" with weird relics, including Baio. Last year’s spot was a hit. The "First Draft Ever" ad, starring former NFL stars Doug Flutie and Jerry Rice, received the most positive conversation online of all the ads aired, according to General Sentiment.

"Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara has filed a $15 million lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against beauty company Venus Concept on Monday. Court documents say Vergara, 43, accuses Venus Concept of using her name and likeness without her permission in advertising and promotional services for the company's Legacy skin tightening massage treatment.

Fiat Chrysler Automobile needs resources and a merger partner to provide them. To achieve that FCA will focus on its high-profit models, namely trucks and SUVs under Ram and Jeep. That will go well as long as oil prices stay low. It is part of CEO Sergio Marchionne’s new strategy to deal with net debt. Part of that involves selling rebadged compact and midsize sedans built by another automaker. Even if it fails, the truck and Jeep focus will make FCA more attractive as a merger candidate.

Cam Newton, who will be one of the starting QBs in the Super Bowl, earns about $11 million in endorsements, second among NFL players, according to industry analysts. That puts him behind the opposing guy, Peyton Manning, who makes $12 million. That is about to change. Newton's deals include Under Armour, Dannon Oikos, Gatorade, Microsoft, Beats by Dre, GMC, Drakkar Essence, EA Sports and Belk. He also will be host of “I Wanna Be,” the working title of an adventure-docu-series scheduled to air on Nickelodeon this year.

Windows Phone was meant as a fresh challenge to Android and iOS, the third mobile ecosystem, but five years later, is it time to unplug the defibrillator? Microsoft has announced it only sold 4.5 million Lumia devices in the recent quarter, compared to 10.5 million at the same time last year, a 57% drop. Microsoft and Nokia have sold a total of 110 million Windows Phones compared to 4.5 billion iOS and Android phones in the same period.

The General is realigning troops to create, effective Feb. 1, a dedicated Autonomous and Technology Vehicle Development Team. The Detroit-based GM said, in an internal announcement, that the combined team will focus on accelerating the company's technical capabilities and create the future direction of GM vehicle programs in the autonomous and technologically advanced vehicle space. Doug Parks, who was VP, global product programs, is leading the new effort.

General Mills has launched a TV campaign, "Food Made From Food," for the Larabar snack brand it acquired seven years ago. The 60-second spot is set to indie-band Lucius' version of "Little Boxes." The spot's message is that while "some have food dyes and sugar and some are made with preservatives," Larabar is made with real food. There will also be 15-second spots. The "Original Fruit & Nut Food Bar" now has over 20 flavors.

Acura is returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2012, and David Lee Roth is driving, or his voice is, along with Eddie, Alex and probably Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass. The 30-second spot, via by Mullen Lowe L.A., touts the extremely anticipated Acura NSX supercar, which officially gets uncaged on Feb. 25. As we see shots of the car from various perspectives, we hear Roth's unmistakable voice leading into Van Halen's "Runnin' with the Devil."