GM lobbyist Ferguson named global head of Cadillac

General Motors has appointed its chief lobbyist to the newly created post of global Cadillac chief, a step aimed at transforming the American luxury brand into a strong worldwide player. Robert Ferguson, 53, who has been GM's vice president of global public policy, becomes vice president of global Cadillac. He reports directly to GM CEO Dan Akerson, the company said today.

Hennessey HPE700 Twin Turbo Corvette to bow in Boca

If you saw the 455-hp Chevy Corvette Stingray and thought, “I’ll hang on to my money for something faster,” and then you saw the 625-hp Corvette Z06, and said, “It’s a little too wild-looking for me,” the Hennessey HPE700 Twin Turbo Corvette might be just right The Texas-based tuner will reveal its latest, surprisingly tasteful offering at the Boca Raton Hangar Party that kicks off the Boca Raton Concours on Feb. 21. Hennessey claims 707 hp at 6,400 rpm along with 661 lb-ft of pavement-shredding torque in this new modified ‘Vette.

Fuel-tank probe rekindles old issue

The placement of fuel tanks on passenger vehicles has changed over the past three decades, and for good reason. Automakers gradually have repositioned the tank to an area in front of the rear axle, generally below the rear passenger seat. Statistically speaking, the tank in that location is less vulnerable in a high-speed, rear-end crash than in the previous location--between the rear bumper and axle.