Kiekhaefer Mercury Emblem on 2040-parts.com

Akio Toyoda named Toyota president amid global crisis

Akio Toyoda, scion of Toyota Motor Corp.'s founding family and now its next president, will bring a U.S. perspective to the automaker as it battles falling sales and an unprecedented financial crisis. Toyoda, 52, will succeed current President Katsuaki Watanabe in June, the company said Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation.

Kia Pop concept (2010) first official pictures

These are the first pictures of Kia's new 2010 electric concept car, the Pop, which is due to make its debut at the Paris motor show on 30 September. Details on the new Kia Pop are sketchy, but at 3m long and with a triple-seat arrangement, it could be that Kia has its sights set on creating a rival to the Toyota iQ. In fact, we can see from the bird's-eye shot that the seating plan mimics that of Toyota's baby with two positions in a front bench and a single rear seat behind the front passenger.

Cadillac XTS to use modified Buick LaCrosse underpinnings

Cadillac's next flagship sedan, the XTS, will borrow its underpinnings from the Buick LaCrosse. The XTS is the code name for the car due in 2011, and it's a two-for-one proposition. The XTS will replace the front-wheel drive DTS and the rear-wheel STS, Automotive News reports.