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Automakers should disable technologies that distract drivers, U.S. says

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday released its long-awaited guidelines on distracted driving, calling on automakers to disable applications that allow drivers to manually access social media, surf the Web or send text messages while on the road. The recommendations also seek to prevent any in-car technologies that require drivers to use both hands or take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds.

Italy auctions government cars

OFFERS started rolling in on unneeded government Alfa Romeo, Lancia and BMW cars, which prime minister Matteo Renzi is auctioning off on eBay as a sign of his seriousness in tackling government waste. Renzi has pledged to sell 151 vehicles by April 16, saying he was taking a cue from the former mayor of Florence - himself - who auctioned off four cars early in his term. Besides cashing in, the government will save on upkeep, maintenance and running costs.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado revealed in production trim

Chevrolet staged the global reveal of its next-generation midsize pickup truck, called the Colorado, on Wednesday in Thailand. The company won't confirm that the truck will be sold in the United States, but according to details of the General Motors-UAW pact signed in September, a midsize truck will be assembled in Wentzville, Mo., as part of a $380 million investment. The Colorado would be a global truck and is to be sold in 60 markets, and it would replace the aging truck of the same name in the United States.