Mercedes Steering Wheel Black W109 W111 W110 on 2040-parts.com

November a strong month for car sales

U.S. auto sales--led by BMW, American Honda and Volkswagen Group--rose 15 percent to 1.14 million in November, exceeding analysts' forecasts and setting the stage for the industry to finish 2012 on a high note heading into the new year. The annualized industry sales rate, adjusted for seasonal trends, accelerated to 15.56 million--the highest rate since 15.59 million in January 2008.

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 deliveries halted

Hot business over on the forums today: According to GM Inside News, Chevrolet apparently has stopped delivery of the Camaro ZL1 because of an undisclosed issue. The whacking, thwacking, lumberjacking-and-it's-OK pony cars sent to dealers and--according to one poster--delivered to at least one customer are being hauled in for a once-over because of an unspecified possible issue with the potent machines. According to Monte Doran, communications manager for Corvette and Camaro, "We go through a standard quality assessment with every new vehicle and we found what we thought was a potential concern.