2000 Honda Civic on 2040-parts.com

North America crucial to Fiat's new 5-year plan

Alfa Romeo will play a key role in the U.S. market, Jeep will lead the charge in Russia, Chrysler cars will bolster the Lancia lineup in Europe and Dodge crossovers and SUVs will wear the Fiat badge in Europe. Those are key elements of Fiat S.p.A.

Ford offers C-Max Hybrid owners rebates for overstated mpg

In the wake of Ford's decision yesterday to lower its fuel mileage estimates on the C-Max hybrid, the company says it will also offer a payment to C-Max hybrid owners and lease holders for the estimated average fuel cost between the new and former mpg figures. Owners will get a check for $550 while lessees will get $325. The window sticker on the C-Max hybrid will now read 43 mpg, instead of the originally promised 47 mpg.

Ford debuts another Australian hot rod

Ford's Australian-based Performance Vehicles operation has unveiled its fastest car to date—the Falcon-based FPV GT R-spec. To be assembled at Ford Performance Vehicle's headquarters on the outskirts of Melbourne, the rear-wheel drive GT R-spec packs the same engine as the earlier GT335, a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 449 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. But, a range of chassis modifications, including a retuned suspension, wider 19-inch rear wheels and tires and new launch control system are claimed to provide the greater off-the-line speed than any previous model from Ford's Australian outpost.