2011 Crown Vic Owners Guide on 2040-parts.com

Production of U.S.-spec Lotus Exige and Elise to end in August

The end is near for production of U.S.-specification versions of the Lotus Elise and Exige sports cars. Lotus said on Thursday that it will pull the models from the United States because the airbags no longer meet safety standards. Rules require cars to have smart airbags, which adjust deployment for the speed of impact.

Chrysler recalls some vans, cars and SUVs for airbag problem

Chrysler announced two recalls last week, both for the potential of improper airbag deployment. On certain model year 2013 Chrysler Town & Country minivans, Dodge Grand Caravan and Ram C/V Tradesmen models, a software error could result in the wrong airbag deploying in the event of a crash. For example, a left-side impact would cause the right-side airbags to deploy.

Lexus partners with celebrity chefs

Lexus is looking to whip up some attention for its products by hiring a team of noted cooks. The Lexus Culinary Masters team, made up of six celebrity chefs, debuted at last weekend's Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival in Monterey, Calif. Race-car driver Scott Pruett started off the weekend by taking a spin around the Laguna Seca racetrack in the Lexus LFA supercar with chefs Daniel Boulud and Michael Chiarello, "Each shares the same passion for perfecting their culinary craft as Lexus does with its luxury automobiles," Lexus vice president of marketing Dave Nordstrom said of the chefs involved.