Optima Batteries 8002-002 Redtop; Battery on 2040-parts.com

Toyota will push safety in ad blitz

Its image still bruised by driver complaints about unintended acceleration, Toyota Division has decided to revamp its marketing message and shift the focus to safety in a big way, top executives said last week. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s sales fell 34 percent in August and are down 1 percent for the year--it's the only major manufacturer with a decline for 2010. Executives admit consumers have doubts about the safety and quality of Toyota vehicles, so they are planning an advertising blitz to counter that perception.

Aston Martin signs Christian Klien as final factory driver

Ex-Formula One driver Christian Klien has completed Aston Martin Racing's factory driver lineup, the team said on Wednesday. He will join his new teammates in the all-new LMP1-class 007 AMR-One in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Klien competed in 49 F1 races since 2004 and drove for Peugeot in Europe's Le Mans Series, and in 2008, he had both the fastest lap and finished third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Show Review: Salon Prive 2009

In the US, Germany and Japan, and in practically all of the world's largest economies, the streets are dominated by cars from domestic brands. Locals may not notice their patriotic automotive landscape, but visitors interested in car design tend to see the consistent aspects of each region's particular car composition - the different sizes, configurations, colors and general aesthetic. But not in the UK.