1984-1989 Toyota Mr2 Aw11 Genuine Leather Seats Cover on 2040-parts.com

'Crash for cash' scams soar by 51%

THE NUMBER of "crash for cash" car insurance scams uncovered by a major insurer surged by 51% annually last year. Aviva said it had detected around 820 staged accidents in 2013, leading to some 2,200 fraudulent personal injury claims. It is pressing for tougher penalties and said that often, rather than being locked up, fraudsters end up being sentenced to community orders, which "do little" to deter them from re-offending.

Lexus takes Gen XY on a 'Dark Ride'

Lexus' small CT 200h hybrid won't go on sale until February, but a short online movie called Dark Ride is already promoting the vehicle and reaching out to younger buyers. Lexus and its ad agency, Skinny, aim to generate excitement among consumers 16 to 44 -- known as Gen XY. That demographic is a far cry from the median age of Lexus' owners -- 57.

EPA rules greenhouse gases pose danger; more regulation expected

The EPA has proposed a finding that greenhouse gases from new vehicles and industrial plants pose a danger to the public, kicking off a process that could result in tighter regulation of carbon dioxide emissions. The EPA's findings come two years after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the agency to determine whether these emissions contribute to harmful air pollution under the Clean Air Act or whether the science is too uncertain.