W115 Mercedes-benz 240d Hood on 2040-parts.com

Rows over directions cause most in-car arguments

ROWS over routes are the biggest cause of in-car friction, according to an AA/Populus survey. Two in three people argue in the car, with 18-24 year olds more likely to row than those over 65. Getting from A to B was the main cause of arguments following by driving too fast, not asking for directions and noisy children.

Pininfarina family to lose control of company

The Pininfarina family is set to lose its controlling share stake in the company as it takes a step closer to restructuring its €76 million net debt. The Italian design firm, founded in 1930, has been plagued with debt in recent years, shutting its manufacturing branch in 2011 to concentrate purely on design, ending a joint venture with Volvo that saw the company assemble Volvo's C70. The move is seen as a positive one for the company in the long-term, making it more financially secure for future developments, but it also means that the Pininfarina family will lose control of the company by selling its 77 percent share.

Transmissions gone wild!

If you've been car shopping recently, or just paying attention to Autoweek car reviews, you've noticed that the six-speed automatic -- de rigueur as recently as a year ago -- suddenly has ratio envy. The new hotness? Eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions.