00 99 98 Dodge Caravan C Pillar Trim Panels Pair on 2040-parts.com

Ford Transit Connect Taxi invades Hong Kong

Ford is taking World War T(axi) to Nissan with its Transit Connect Taxi, which added Hong Kong to its list of cities served on Monday. Redesigned for 2014, the Transit Connect features a 2.5-liter four with a six-speed automatic transmission. That engine makes 175 hp and 170 lb-ft in the Fusion, but we’d expect it to produce less for fuel mileage purposes in the Transit.

BMW ready to shift small coupes, convertibles to even-number nameplates

Reports in Europe say that BMW is planning a shake-up in the naming strategy for its smaller coupes and convertibles, as well as planning to shift its 1-series cars onto a front-drive platform. The nameplate shake-up will have coupe and convertible variants of the 1-series become the 2-series, while coupe and convertible variants of the 3-series will become the 4-series. The changeover is expected to start in 2013, according to a report on the Web site of Car magazine.

Who's Where: Martin Uhlarik appointed SAIC UK Design Director

SAIC Motor has announced the appointment of Martin Uhlarik as its new UK Design Director amidst plans to significantly expand its European Design Center at Longbridge, UK. Canadian-born Uhlarik has been appointed by Tony Williams-Kenny, who takes over as Global Design Director at SAIC's Shanghai design base. Uhlarik comes in with experience as Senior Interior Designer for Skoda's Prague studio, Project Design Leader for Nissan Design Europe in London.