Dot Auto Race Car Racing Track Circuit Rally Gokart Air Pump Helmet Full Face Xl on 2040-parts.com

Insurance group lists its Top Safety Picks

After increasing its standards for 2011 models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that 66 vehicles--more than double the 2010 total--rate as best in the industry at protecting passengers from front, side, rollover and rear crashes. Only 27 vehicles qualified last year after the group, funded by the insurance industry, required that vehicles pass a roof-strength test to earn a good rating, claiming that stronger roofs would reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by 50 percent in a rollover accident. The most mentioned carmakers on the 2011 list are Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi, both with nine vehicles to get the Top Safety Pick designation.

Who's Where: Ken Ma resigns as Changan Design Vice President

Ken Ma has resigned as Vice President of Design for Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. after only a year. The former General Motors and SAIC designer's departure is a blow to the Chinese manufacturer's bid to design more distinctive cars to compete more effectively with foreign rivals in China and abroad.

Nissan Versa hatchback previewed by Japan-market Note

The Nissan Versa hatchback will be redesigned, with styling similar to that of the new Note subcompact that the automaker revealed in Japan on Monday. Nissan said the Note will go on sale in Japan this fall and in Europe in 2013. The carmaker did not say when the Versa hatchback will go on sale, but the car is expected to reach showrooms early in 2013.