2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Floor Center Console 344175 on 2040-parts.com

Buy a brand new car on Amazon

Online retail giant Amazon is now promoting vehicle sales on its website, advertising the new Nissan Versa Note supermini for $13,990 (around £8,630) on the US arm of its Internet-based department store. However, the firm isn’t directly selling the cars – it is instead ‘promoting’ the vehicles. The Nissans do get a full listing, though, as opposed to the simple hosted advert often seen elsewhere online.

Who's Where: Dave Rand resigns from Changan Automobile

Dave Rand, the former General Motors Design Chief, has resigned from the Chinese State-owned automaker after joining the company last October. Rand's resignation, which was made official last week, follows that of his senior at Changan, Ken Ma who stepped down as Vice President of Design earlier this year. It is not clear precisely why both men have decided to leave the Chinese carmaker, but several people familiar with the situation have said that both Rand and Ma's departures are connected with Changan Auto's recent financial difficulties.

Tesla Model S battery fire inquiry closed by NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it closed a three-month-long investigation of fires in the Tesla Model S this week, as Tesla announced a design change to better shield the electric car's batteries. Tesla Motors Inc. said today it has started building the Model S with a titanium underbody shield to prevent battery fires like the two that occurred in the United States last year when Model S drivers struck road debris.