A/c Condenser Radiator Fan Assembly (dorman 620-813) W/ Shroud, Motor & Blade on 2040-parts.com

Ford to cut Australian manufacturing in 2016

Ford Motor Co., saddled with high costs, falling sales and financial losses, will close Australian car and engine assembly plants in October 2016 after almost nine decades of manufacturing in the country. Ford, the smallest of the country's three manufacturers after Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors, will shut its assembly plant in Broadmeadows in northern Melbourne and an engine plant in Geelong to the west of the city, Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano said.

Industry pulse: NHTSA administrator David Strickland talks distracted driving

Editor's note: In an exclusive interview with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator David Strickland, Melanie Batenchuk of Be Car Chic asked about distracted driving and the agency's combined efforts with the Department of Transportation to curb this bad behavior. David Strickland has been championing safer, distraction-free driving since the beginning of his tenure at NHTSA in January 2010. Strickland has been working tirelessly toward this goal alongside stakeholders such as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, private-sector executives, automobile manufacturers and safety advocacy groups.

Honda CR-Z, Fit joining hybrid lineup next year

Honda is growing its hybrid lineup with the addition of the CR-Z coupe and a hybrid version of the Fit. The Japanese automaker on Monday said that the sporty CR-Z, which has been shown as a concept, will go on sale in Japan next February. The hybrid Fit is to hit the Japan market before the end of next year.