Local Motors announces Pacific Northwest competition winners

Local Motors has announced the results of its Pacific Northwest design competition, which asked contenders to create a vehicle for the region's inhabitants. Taking into account nature's four elements - Earth, wind, fire and water - designers the world over answered a brief that called for designs that would enable drivers in the Pacific Northwest to 'thrive in the elements'. Competition entrants were encouraged to create a vehicle inspired by the elements or specifically tailored to allow the users to better experience the elements, all while causing little to no environmental impact.

Subaru recalls 275,000 Foresters for seatbelt fix

Subaru will recall certain Forester models produced in model years 2009-11. About 275,000 of the small SUVs could be affected by a problem with the automatic locking retractor in the seatbelt assembly. In the recall announcement, Subaru says the assemblies do not meet federal motor-vehicle safety standards for occupant crash protection.

Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Saloon revealed

The final design of Toyota’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell saloon is revealed The final design of the production version of the Toyota Fuel Cell Saloon has been revealed ahead of its arrival in the UK next summer, and it’s not a million miles away from the Toyota FCV Concept we saw last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. It’s not the best-looking car on the planet – the back, in particular, does seem a bit muddled – but it’s what’s under the skin that matters and that the FCEV is, subject to a proper refuelling infrastructure, a move forward for transport in a way BEVs will never be. The Toyota Fuel Cell saloon will offer performance and range very similar to an ICE car and, more importantly, can be refuelled in the same sort of time as an ICE car, which means electric car benefits with none of the range anxiety concerns that put most buyers off.