04 05 Saturn L Series 3.0l Engine 119k Miles Oem Lkq on 2040-parts.com

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Fiat Photo Bombs VW on Google Street View

Fiat Photo Bombs VW Fiat has managed to park a Fiat 500 right outside VW’s Swedish HQ just as Google Street View cameras pass by. Regular readers may remember Top Gear’s Stig turning up on Google Street View a few years ago as the PR team at the BBC managed to park his Stigness in front of various landmarks just as Google’s Street View cameras passed by. That little trick seems to have inspired Fiat in Sweden (although Fiat aren’t publicly admitting it) to do something similar and, to be honest, much more amusing.