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Audi, Honda, Hyundai, and GM to bring Android to cars

General Motors, Audi, Honda and Hyundai have joined forces with Google and Nvidia to form the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), their overarching goal being the integration of Google's Android software into automotive infotainment systems. The OAA will use Android's open development model to bring a greater variety of functions to car infotainment systems, which have noticeably lagged behind smartphones when it comes to capability due to long development periods, fast changing technology, and a glut variety of incompatible systems. The alliance's first order of business will be to develop new Android platform features to enable the car to become a connected Android device.

BMW M550d xDrive to get three stage turbo

BMW M550d xDrive gets three stage turbo Earlier this week we revealed that the long-expected BMW M550d xDrive was ready to rock and we could expect it to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in Spring 2012. The M550d xDrive is the so-called ‘Triple-Turbo’ diesel engine we’ve been expecting from BMW for the last couple of years. With 380bhp and a mountain of torque – 520lb/ft or more – we’d expected BMW to fit the engine to the X5 and X6 to create a diesel version of the M cars.

Marchionne, Fiat execs tighten grip on Chrysler under unified management team

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC, will retain oversight of the two automakers in North America under a single management team dominated by Fiat-bred executives. Four regional chiefs will be in charge of Fiat and Chrysler operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia effective Sept.