1962-65 Nova Transmission Cross Member on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen hits back, weighs making a bid for Porsche

Volkswagen is considering an audacious reverse-takeover bid for its majority shareholder, Porsche, in a twist in the drawn-out struggle for control between the two German carmakers. The Volkswagen Group's supervisory board is said to be weighing the possibility of purchasing Porsche AG, in a move that would relieve its holding company, Porsche SE, of massive debt that industry analysts suggest the company may not be able to fund should the world's financial crisis drag on well into 2010--a scenario put forward this week by the International Monetary Fund. The secret plan emerged as shareholders were set to convene at Volkswagen's annual meeting on Thursday, and it comes after Porsche revealed that it is carrying some 9 billion euros ($11.73 billion) in debt, most of it owing to interest on loans taken out to purchase its 50.8 percent stake in VW.

Hands-free car phones 'should be banned'

THE USE hands-free mobile phones while driving should be banned. This is the view of road safety charity Brake that says four in ten drivers (38%) admit to using hands-free phones in the car despite research that shows talking on a hands-free system is just as dangerous as using a hand-held mobile phone. Drivers who use a mobile phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a collision that causes serious or fatal injuries.

Fancy a bit of Ice Driving with Bentley in Lapland?

Enjoy the thrills of Ice Driving at the Bentley 'Power on Ice 2012' Experience The Bentley ‘Power on Ice 2012′ event offers the chance to drive the Bentley Continental GT W12 and Continental Supersports on ice in Finland. This time last year Bentley revealed that a convertible Continental Supersports had set a world record on ice in Finland of 205.48mph on the frozen Baltic sea in Finland, quickly followed by the announcement of a limited edition Bentley Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ to cash in on the achievement. Now, in the spirit of making the most of every success, Bentley are offering places on their ‘Power on Ice 2012′ trip back to Finland to play with the W12 Continental GT and the even more powerful Continental Supersports Coupe.