Crc Brake Parts Cleaner 05050 on 2040-parts.com

Ford future products: New vehicles get lighter, faster and move upscale

Ford Motor Co.'s future-product focus is on improved fuel economy by making its vehicles smaller and engines lighter without sacrificing performance, safety or luxury. It also wants to push the Ford brand more upscale to capture customers orphaned by the shutdown of the Mercury brand, and to attract new buyers with more product offerings. Ford has said 90 percent of its North American nameplates will be available with direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engines as standard equipment or as an option by 2013.

Aston Martin US dealers could lose DB9 & Vantage – which could see many shutting up shop

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster (pictured) might not make the US The rules and regulations car makers have to conform to are both enormous and onerous, and different markets have different regulations. And it looks like new side impact regulation could scupper AML’s sales in the US. New side impact rules – due to come in to force in the US in September – means that two of Aston Martin’s big sellers – the DB9 and Vantage V8 and V12 – would have to be withdrawn from sale in the US as they won’t comply.

Amelia Island concours teases headliner

Usually teaser shots hint at the future, but this one is a glimpse of the past--and of one of headliners of the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. A shot was released this week of an aluminum body before restoration. It's the skin of a 1940s roadster that will be one of the spotlight cars at the March 12-14 concours in Florida.