1956-62 Corvette Ignition Top Shield Nos 3730328 on 2040-parts.com

Ford and GM reliability ratings dip in Consumer Reports survey

Consumers rated Ford's new Explorer, Fiesta and Focus models at less-than-average reliability during their first year, according to Consumer Reports' annual auto survey. Poor reception of the new models bumped Ford's overall reliability rank from the 10th spot in 2010 to the 20th this year among the 28 major nameplates included in the survey. Findings are based on responses from 1.3 million vehicle owners or lessees who subscribe to the magazine.

Autoweek in review: What you might have missed

At the start of the week, Kia announced that it will launch a rear-wheel-drive sedan code-named the KH in the first half of 2012. U.S.-based press officials wouldn't comment on whether the KH would come stateside, despite a 36 percent increase in U.S. Kia sales in 2011.

Paris Motor Show 2012 – Trends and Overview

The 2012 Paris Mondial de l'Automobile will not be remembered as a classic. When the Big Book of the Paris Motor Show is published, 2012 may be consigned to no more than a side note as the show that marked what a dire situation the European car industry was once in. The most worrying aspect of the Paris show was the general lack of progression.