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General Motors combines smartphone functions with the Chevrolet Volt

General Motors is bringing together two of the hottest areas of technology--smartphones and plug-in electric cars. GM's OnStar telematics unit has developed a downloadable application that will let Chevrolet Volt drivers use a Blackberry Storm, Apple iPhone or Motorola Droid to remotely control and monitor some vehicle functions, such as charging. The Volt is slated to go into production late this year and arrive in California utility company fleets by early 2011.

MPs call for parking charge reports

COUNCILS should publish annual parking-charge reports to show where revenue comes from and where it is being used, MPs said today. The use of parking charges and fines specifically to raise revenue was "neither acceptable nor legal" said Louise Ellman, chairman of the House of Commons Transport Committee. Launching a report by her committee into local authority parking enforcement in England, Mrs Ellman said: "There is a deep-rooted public perception that parking enforcement is used as a cash cow, so it's essential that local authorities apply stringent transparency." The committee said local authorities in England had a collective parking surplus in the hundreds of millions of pounds, but that the exact amount was subject to debate.

VW logo gets pupil banned from school

A schoolboy has been kicked out of lessons after having the Volkswagen logo shaved into his hair. 11-year-old Zac’s mum, Charlotte Eccleston, and her partner both drive Volkswagen Golfs, and they’re his favourite car. On Bing: see pictures of Zac’s haircut Find out how much a used Volkswagen costs on Auto Trader So, when allowed to have a new do over the Christmas holidays, Zac opted to have the VW logo shaved onto the back of his head.