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Four big pickups get low marks in crash tests

Four 2009 full-sized pickups got low marks in side-impact crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group for auto insurers. Crash protection is "poor" in crew-cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Nissan Titan without side-impact airbags, according to test results the institute released on Wednesday. The Dodge Ram with standard side-impact airbags got only a "marginal" rating, the institute said.

Fisker to show Surf shooting brake at Frankfurt

Fisker will show a new Karma-based shooting brake called Surf at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. This is the first picture of the Fisker Surf, issued after CAR broke the news of the shooting brake earlier in the week. Customers of the Karma have been disappointed by the boot space – pinched by the bulky batteries and range-extender hardware – so Henrik Fisker's team has designed a new shooting brake to offer an expanded luggage hold while retaining the grace of the four-door coupe.

Ford Fiesta deliveries delayed, storm-damaged rail lines blamed

Ford Motor Co.'s shipments of the 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact to U.S. dealerships will be delayed by 10 days to two weeks because of storm-damaged railroad lines. Key railroads in northern Mexico were severely damaged by Hurricane Alex on June 30 and later by Tropical Storm Bonnie, said Angie Kozleski, a Ford spokeswoman.